The UK Government is making it easier for customers to check for and fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record to help increase their State Pension by launching a new online service today (29 April 2024).
The Check your State Pension forecast – a joint service by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – has been enhanced to include a fully end-to-end digital solution.
The service will show customers by how much their State Pension could increase and details of the voluntary NI contributions they would need to pay to achieve this. It allows most people under State Pension age to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps, if it will benefit them.
Anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years that could increase their State Pension if filled, can use the new digital service to choose which years they would like to pay to fill. They can then pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.
Those who are eligible have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. From 6 April 2025, people will only be able to pay voluntary contributions for the previous 6 tax years, in line with normal time limits.
Nigel Huddleston, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:“Having peace of mind when planning for retirement is crucial to ensure people can enjoy later life.
“That’s why HMRC has launched this new online service today, making a real difference for thousands of pensioners in their retirement while providing certainty to those in their middle years and those still planning ahead.”
Minister for Pensions, Paul Maynard, said:“The State Pension is the foundation of income in retirement, which is why we have introduced this new online tool to help simplify boosting it for those who are able to.
“I would encourage everyone to check their State Pension forecast and to take a look at how they could improve their State Pension award with only a few simple clicks.”
Last year, the government extended the deadline to pay voluntary NI contributions to 5 April 2025 for those affected by new State Pension transitional arrangements. This covers tax years from 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018.
The extended deadline means that people now have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures no-one need miss out on the possibility of increasing their State Pension.
Paying voluntary contributions will not always increase their State Pension but everyone can use the new service to check whether they could be better off in retirement before making any voluntary NI payments.
Customers will need to login to the new digital service using their Personal Tax Account login details. Those without an online HMRC account can register on GOV.UK.
Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
New Women’s Wellness Commitment aims to support health needs and break down stigmas
First campaign will help educate on hormones as nearly half of women (48%) feel dismissed when talking about their symptoms
Retailer launches over 600 Women’s Health Coaches and the first of its kind free nurse helpline
Celebrity Hayley Morris supports campaign to raise awareness of hormone health
New research has revealed that over a third of women (35 per cent) say there is a lack of education or readily available, trusted support and guidance on women’s health issues, including hormone health across the life-span from menstruation to menopause.
60 per cent of women agree there needs to be more access to information and support on women’s health, with a third (31 per cent) stating they were last equipped with information on their cycle and hormones when at school, or not at all.
Understanding the need, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, is launching a long-term commitment to address four key areas:
democratising access to support,
closing the research gap,
enabling health equity
and leading in product innovation with women’s needs in mind.
The H&B Women’s Wellness Commitment* will kick-off with an awareness campaign on hormone health.
The ‘Own Every Day Of The Month’ campaign, supported by award-winning actor and writer, Hayley Morris, will aim to empower women to optimise their overall wellness by understanding the rhythm of their hormone cycle across their lifespan and break down associated stigmas.
Despite almost half (49%) stating they have experienced negative symptoms throughout their menstrual cycle, such as weight changes, low energy, stress, cramps, 48 per cent say they have felt dismissed when speaking about their symptoms, with health professionals ranking top of the list (16 per cent) versus employer (8 per cent), and partner (8 per cent) amongst others.
Over a quarter (28 per cent) of women admit to living with symptoms for longer than a year before seeking help, or not seeking help at all.
To support all women, Holland & Barrett is introducing over 600 Women’s Health Coaches to the high-street. Nearly every store will have a dedicated Women’s Health Coach with expanded training to offer a deeper level of expertise and confidential support on hormone health. Additionally, the retailer will extend its current women’s health training to all 4,000 colleagues to be able to offer guidance on personalised solutions.
A free general women’s health helpline will see trained nurses able to offer further support and guidance on the hormone cycle and any symptoms. The specialist nurses can also help prepare individuals for their GP consultation and offer advice on what they can do while they wait.
Lina Chan, Women’s Health Director at Holland & Barrett, said: “Women’s health has been under-served for too long. Being on every high-street, we are ideally placed within the community to support and help add quality years to life and truly champion wellness for all women.
“Our new long-term commitment will start by empowering women to understand their hormones, so they are in control of their marvellous bodies.
“Understanding and optimising the menstrual cycle can unlock a lot of the mysteries about women’s health and even help improve other areas of their wellness such as gut health, energy, sleep, skin and metabolism.
“By proactively engaging with our hormone health we can also better understand gynaecological conditions, fertility and the menopause as hormones sit at the core of these various life transitions where women can experience severe symptoms.”
The new commitment comes at a time when gynaecological conditions were rated the number one issue for 100,000 respondents to the government’s Women’s Health strategy, a 10-year strategy set out to boost health outcomes and radically improve the way in which the health system engages and listens to all women.
Hayley Morris, actress and writer, said: “I’m so proud to be able to support Holland & Barrett’s ‘Own Every Day Of The Month’ campaign, and be a part of a genuine movement for women to understand their health better, and the role of our powerful hormones within it.
“I’ve been on a real journey (it’s still going!) with my hormonal health, there have been really difficult times but understanding my hormones better is empowering and I will keep spreading the word!”
Alongside expert advice and support, Holland & Barrett offers a line of hundreds of products designed to help with the symptoms experienced through the cycle. C
ustomers can also find a hormone guide packed with expert advice to support women at every stage of their hormone cycle and the H&B Health Hub has been updated to include further advice and guidance on a wide range of women’s health topics.
Hot on the heels of their annual festival, Edinburgh Science are on the road again bringing hands-on science lessons to classrooms in a number of schools across the city as part of Generation Science.
This fantastic programme sees science educators tour Scottish nurseries and primary schools delivering a range of engaging workshops and shows which are all linked to the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) – helping to inspire a new generation to explore the world of STEM. Running for over 30 years, Generation Science has delivered hands-on learning to over 1 million children!
Over the coming weeks, the Generation Science team will be bringing some of their shows and workshops to a number of local primary schools across Edinburgh as part of their Summer programme.
This year’s programme features 10 exciting interactive shows and workshops, including two brand new climate-focused activities Our Changing Climate and The Green Machine.
P6 pupils from the Royal Mile and Abbeyhill Primary Schools and student dancers from Moray House School of Education and Sport came together yesterday to perform Junk Food, written and created for this year’s Pomegranates Festival.
Over the course of the spring term, pupils at both schools took part in several workshops to discuss themes such as why people dance, what dance looks like, and chose a topic of their choice to create a dance piece that was relevant to them.
The pupils chose to discuss ‘Junk Food’ and used this theme to create a short dance piece accompanied by new electronic music by Gourab Dey, with the help of students at the University. The pupils worked on themes like ‘hangry’ and what this looked like as a dance movement, and after several rehearsals they created today’s final dance piece.
Wendy Timmons, Co-Producer of Pomegranates Festival and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Moray House School of Education and Sport said:“Many children that we work with in schools experience dance as part of physical education, and therefore the aesthetic experience of being in a theatre and being on stage is completely new.
“What this project aimed to do was to create a dance piece using their ideas so they would feel more connected with the process. Today’s performance illustrates the quality of work that this process can create, and this came across in the piece.”
The Pomegranates Festival runs until tomorrow (Tuesday 30 April) and is Scotland’s annual festival of international traditional dance.
Initiated and curated by Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland it is presented and produced in partnership with Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh City Libraries, Dance Base and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
The Festival finishes with a finale performance on International Dance Day 29 April which includes a new piece of dance created by MC, hip-hop dancer and choreographer-in-residence Jonzi D and performed by 20 Edinburgh-based traditional dancers.
The piece will be accompanied by newly-commissioned poetry by Perth-based poet Jim Mackintosh who will also be launching his new book of poetry We are Migrant at the event, and poems by BBC broadcaster Ian McMillan.
Plus, there will be a screening of a new film by contemporary visual artist and human rights activist Mare Tralla who has been artist-in-residence at this year’s festival.
There will also be a live streamed keynote lecture by Jonzi D on ‘Decolonising the Expressive Arts Curriculum’ tomorrow – Tuesday 30 April at 10am at Paterson’s Land, Moray House School of Education and Sport, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ.
Garden Centre to host themed children’s workshop in May
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in its Edinburgh store in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
‘Love Your Trees’ is the theme of next month’s Little Seedlings Club, taking place on Sunday 5 May, ahead of Love Your Tree Day on 16 May.
Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club provides interactive learning activities that allow children in Edinburgh to understand, explore, and connect with plants, wildlife and the environment around them.
During May’s workshop, children will learn about the most common trees in the UK, including the Alder, Beech and English Oak, and discover the value of trees and learn how to nurture and protect them.
They will delve into the anatomy of trees, exploring their different parts and understanding their fascinating lifecycle, from seedling to plant, as well as the difference between deciduous and evergreen varieties and how they change through the seasons. To add to the fun, there will be a special tree-themed 3D craft activity.
Dobbies’ colleague Liz Clare-Savage, who is involved in the delivery of the Little Seedlings Club, is looking forward to welcoming children along to May’s workshop. She said: “Our Little Seedlings Club is very popular with kids in Edinburgh, and we’re thrilled to introduce them to the wonders of trees.
“Learning about and encouraging the planting of new trees is a fantastic way to give back to nature and support our wildlife. Little Seedlings Club is not just about learning, it’s about fostering a lifelong connection with nature and having a great time.”
For more information about Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club May session or to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events.
Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) and the British Council have awarded 13 EARTH Scholarships to early-career researchers from 10 countries including France, Switzerland, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The scholars are currently undertaking their exchanges at Scottish Universities and will be here for up to 3-months working in environmental arts and humanities.
During the exchanges, recipients will come together alongside Scotland-based PhD scholars to network, collaborate, and build connections.
THIRTEEN early-career researchers from 10 nations, including India, France, South Africa, and the United States, have been awarded the EARTH Scholarships by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) and the British Council.
These scholars are currently immersed in an induction with Universities across Scotland, meeting their peers and delving into the intersection of environmental arts and humanities.
Over the next two weeks, the scholars are visiting key projects right across Scotland, from archaeology practice in Glencoe to engaging in artistic practice workshops at Talbot Rice gallery in Edinburgh.
The EARTH Scholars will go on to collaborate with Scotland-based PhD scholars, fostering a vibrant and growing global network. In its second year, the EARTH Scholarships have been designed to confront the climate emergency from a new angle, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations with a focus on environmental sustainability themes and the interventions of the arts and humanities.
This year their PhD research spans topics at the intersection of arts, culture, and environmental issues, from eco-archaeology and re-wilding in Scotland and around the world, to marine governance, human rights, and climate refugees, and even AI governance and environmental sustainability.
Last week, the EARTH Scholars were in Glencoe and have been sharing their excitement about the induction weeks:
Aphiwe Moshani is a PhD candidate from South Africa based at the University of Cape Town, her research centres on ocean governance, and researching oceanic and coastal conflicts. For the next few months, she will collaborate with Scotland-based peers at the University of Strathclyde.
Aphiwe says:“Being part of the Earth Scholarships Programme has been an amazing journey. Getting to tour otherwise out-of-reach locations in the Highlands with a really thoughtful group is an experience that’s opened me up to a much deeper understandings of the environment and humanity.
“My excitement for my research has been reignited through this opportunity!”
Gala Morris, originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, is one of the Scotland- cohort based at the University of Glasgow. Gala is an early career archaeology scholar researching rewilding and the historic environment.
She adds: “The Earth Scholarships Programme has been spectacular so far. Each member of the cohort brings such a unique perspective, and our discussions on topics across the environmental humanities have been so inspiring. The programme has been incredibly enriching, and I feel very lucky to be involved!”
Professor Claire Squires Director, Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities welcomed the EARTH scholars saying:“We are thrilled to kick off the EARTH scholarships for the second year and to welcome this exceptional cohort of global scholars to collaborate with researchers from Scotland’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
“By bringing together this diverse group of scholars, we can share best practices and develop culturally informed solutions through the lens of the arts and humanities”.
Peter Brown, Director of British Council Scotland, who helped fund the programme added: “International collaboration and exchange of knowledge are crucial for tackling the global climate emergency, and we are proud to partner with SGSAH on this innovative programme.
“It’s great to see the scholars coming together to develop new environmental perspectives and creative interventions that will resonate across cultures and communities worldwide”.
The EARTH Scholars are here in Scotland to harness the power of arts and humanities to drive awareness, shift perceptions, and inspire solutions to global environmental challenges.
A key legacy of the British Council’s work at COP26 in Glasgow, the programme continues the British Council’s work building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas.
Humza Yousaf ‘indicates intention to resign’ – but not yet
First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced that he will stand down.
Speaking at a news conference at Bute House, Mr Yousaf confirmed: “After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for the government and country I lead, I have concluded that repairing our relationships across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.
“I intend to stand down as Party Leader. I will continue as First Minister until my successor has been elected, particularly as the Parliament will be debating some incredibly important legislation in the coming days and weeks.
“I cannot tell you what an honour it is being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I am raising my family in, and the only country I will ever call home. I have had the honour of serving in Government for almost 12 years in a variety of roles.
“Although I am sad that my time as First Minister is ending, I am so grateful and blessed for having the opportunity so few are afforded – to lead my country, and who could ask for a better country to lead than Scotland?”
Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross commented: “We knew the best chance of winning a VoNC was in Humza Yousaf himself. That’s why @ScotTories tabled it last Thursday and he’s now jumped before being pushed.
“We saw off Nicola Sturgeon and now Humza Yousaf.
“Now we work to remove this entire rotten SNP Government from office.”
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon commented: “I know how big a privilege being First Minister is, but also the toll it can take. I also know what a wrench it is to step aside, even when sure it is the right thing to do.
“Humza has conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity – both as FM and in the manner of his leaving. I am and always will be proud to call him a friend.”
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer commented:
Read the First Minister’s official statement in full at:
Allied Mobility, the leading supplier of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the UK, is proud to announce the funding of two key initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility to water sports for individuals with disabilities.
Donations have been made to Inclusive Surfing Scotland and the Disabled Sailors Association as part of our ongoing commitment to move people and make a difference in their lives.
Inclusive Surfing Scotland, a newly established charity, has been awarded £2,335 from Allied Mobility’s charitable arm, The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, to cover half of the cost of a specially adapted seated tandem surfboard, with the Weir Charitable Trust also funding half.
This funding will enable the charity to provide unique surfing experiences to individuals with complex needs, including wheelchair users and those with sensory impairments. The surfboard, a key piece of equipment for their operations, will be used at the beaches of East Lothian, the Borders, and Fife starting around May/June 2024.
Ian Donaldson from Inclusive Surfing Scotland expressed his gratitude, stating, “We at Inclusive Surfing Scotland are absolutely delighted to have been awarded £2,335 by the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.
“We are a new charity, and Allied Mobility have shown amazing belief in our mission to make surfing accessible to everyone. The award will contribute towards a bespoke seated tandem surfboard, with an attached bucket seat, that will allow surfers with complex needs to ride the waves.”
The Disabled Sailors Association received £1,500, which will fund sailing experiences for 20 individuals in 2024.
This contribution will support the Association’s wide range of activities, including tailored sailing days and competitive events, designed specifically to cater to sailors with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities and those requiring wheelchair access.
Susan Simmons of The Disabled Sailors Association remarked on the impact of this funding, saying, “Over the past 30 years, the Disabled Sailors Association has provided active sailing for people with all types of disabilities, no matter how complex their needs, together with their family and carers, in our specially adapted fleet of boats.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, 20 people will enjoy the improvements to their mental health, happiness and confidence, that the exhilarating sport of sailing creates.”
David Facenna, Director at Allied Mobility, said: “We are immensely proud to support these fantastic initiatives that align perfectly with our values of inclusion and accessibility.
“It’s essential that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of sports like surfing and sailing.
“These activities are not just sports; they are powerful platforms for improving mental health, personal confidence, and social interaction. We look forward to seeing the joy and freedom these projects bring to participants.”
Scotland’s first Festival of Europe, co-hosted by the European Movement in Scotland, the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, the Citizen’s Rights Project and the New Europeans UK, will be taking place at Summerhall, Edinburgh, on 11th-12th May 2024.
The Festival will discuss the big issues at the heart of the UK’s current and future relations with the EU, and include speakers from the sponsoring organisations as well as the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews, the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe and the British Chamber of Commerce.
Here are the links to the events. Tickets are free with registration, just sign up to whichever ones interest you:
As part of the Festival, we are delighted to be able to announce Madeleina Kay’s Brexiles exhibition and the galleries of the Demarco European Foundation will be open to participants.
The European Movement is open to people of all political persuasions and it would be a pleasure to see you there.
From today, regulations enforcing consumer protections against hacking and cyber-attacks will take effect, mandating that internet-connected smart devices meet minimum-security standards by law.
World-first laws protecting UK consumers and businesses from hacking and cyber-attacks take effect today
manufacturers of products such as phones, TVs and smart doorbells are now required to implement minimum security standards against cyber threats
consumers will benefit from banning of easily guessable default passwords, marking a significant leap in protecting individuals, society and the economy from cyber criminals
Consumer protections against hacking and cyber-attacks will come into force today, as all internet connected smart devices will be required by law to meet minimum-security standards.
Manufacturers will be legally required to protect consumers from hackers and cyber criminals from accessing devices with internet or network connectivity – from smartphones to games consoles and connected fridges – as the UK becomes the first country in the world to introduce these laws.
Under the new regime, manufacturers will be banned from having weak, easily guessable default passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ and if there is a common password the user will be promoted to change it on start-up.
This will help prevent threats like the damaging Mirai attack in 2016 which saw 300,000 smart products compromised due to weak security features and used to attack major internet platforms and services, leaving much of the US East Coast without internet. Since then, similar attacks have occurred on UK banks including Lloyds and RBS leading to disruption to customers.
The move marks a significant step towards boosting the UK’s resilience towards cyber-crime, as recent figures show 99% of UK adults own at least one smart device and UK households own an average of nine connected devices. The new regime will also help give customers confidence in buying and using products, which will in turn help grow businesses and the economy.
An investigation conducted by Which? showed that a home filled with smart devices could be exposed to more than 12,000 hacking attacks from across the world in a single week, with a total of 2,684 attempts to guess weak default passwords on just five devices.
Minister for Cyber, Viscount Camrose said: “As every-day life becomes increasingly dependent on connected devices, the threats generated by the internet multiply and become even greater.
“From today, consumers will have greater peace of mind that their smart devices are protected from cyber criminals, as we introduce world first laws that will make sure their personal privacy, data and finances are safe.
“We are committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online and these new regulations mark a significant leap towards a more secure digital world.”
Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: “Today marks a new era where consumers can have greater confidence that their smart devices, such as phones and broadband routers, are shielded from cyber threats, and the integrity of personal privacy, data and finances better protected.
“Our pledge to establish the UK as the global standard for online safety takes a big step forward with these regulations, moving us closer to our goal of a digitally secure future.”
OPSS Chief Executive, Graham Russell said: “The use and ownership of consumer products that can connect to the internet or a network is growing rapidly. UK consumers should be able to trust that these products are designed and built with security in mind, protecting them from the increasing cyber threats to connectable devices.
“As the UK’s product regulator, OPSS will be ensuring consumers can have that confidence by working with the industry to encourage innovation and compliance with these new laws.”
NCSC Deputy Director for Economy and Society, Sarah Lyons said: “Smart devices have become an important part of our daily lives, improving our connectivity at home and at work; however, we know this dependency also presents an opportunity for cyber criminals.
“Businesses have a major role to play in protecting the public by ensuring the smart products they manufacture, import or distribute provide ongoing protection against cyber-attacks and this landmark Act will help consumers to make informed decisions about the security of products they buy.
“I encourage all businesses and consumers to read the NCSC’s point of sale leaflet, which explains how the new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regulation affects them and how smart devices can be used securely.”
With 57% of households owning a smart TV, 53% owning a voice assistant and 49% owning a smart watch or fitness wristband, this new regime reinforces the government’s commitments to addressing these threats to society and the economy head on.
The laws are coming into force as part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime, which has been designed to improve the UK’s resilience from cyber-attacks and ensure malign interference does not impact the wider UK and global economy.
The new measures will also introduce a series of improved security protections to tackle the threat of cyber-crime:
Common or easily guessable passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ will be banned to prevent vulnerabilities and hacking
Manufacturers will have to publish contact details so bugs and issues can be reported and dealt with
Manufacturers and retailers will have to be open with consumers on the minimum time they can expect to receive important security updates
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Which? has been instrumental in pushing for these new laws which will give consumers using smart products vital protections against cyber criminals looking to launch hacking attacks and steal their personal information.
“The OPSS must provide industry with clear guidance and be prepared to take strong enforcement action against manufacturers if they flout the law, but we also expect smart device brands to do right by their customers from day one and ensure shoppers can easily find information on how long their devices will be supported and make informed purchases.
David Rogers, CEO of Copper Horse, said: “We started this work many years ago so that people would not have to understand lots about the security of connected product in order to be secure. Getting rid of things like default passwords that are set to ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ are fundamental basics.
“Manufacturers should not be providing anyone with products like webcams that are so weak and insecure that they are trivial to hack into and takeover. This stops now and people can have greater confidence that the internet connected products that they buy have better security measures built-in to protect them.”
The UK government has collaborated with industry leaders to introduce this raft of transformative protections, which also include manufacturers having to publish information on how to report security issues to increase the speed at which they can address these problems.
In addition, consumers and cyber security experts can play an active role in protecting themselves and society from cyber criminals by reporting any products which don’t comply to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
The government is beginning the legislative process for certain automotive vehicles to be exempt from the product security regulatory regime, as they will be covered by alternative legislation.
This new regime intends to increase consumer confidence in the security of the products they buy and use, delivering on one of the government’s five priorities to grow the economy.
The new laws are part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect and promote the UK online.
