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POLICE Scotland have released images of two men they wish to speak to who might be able to assist enquiries into an assault which took place in Edinburgh city centre on Saturday, 16 March, 2024.
The incident took place inside a premises in Cowgate around 11pm.
Police urge the two men in the images or anyone who may know them to please contact Police Scotland.
The first man is described as white, average build, approximately 5ft 8ins in height with short brown hair. He was seen to be wearing a long sleeved brown top and jeans and spoke with a local Edinburgh accent.
The second man is described as white, average build, approximately 5ft 8ins in height with dark hair. He was seen to be wearing a long sleeved blue/grey top and spoke with a local Edinburgh accent.
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 4107 of 17 March 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Despite improved transparency, a Parliament committee has found that inconsistency, bureaucracy, and inflexibility are still creating challenges for small businesses and third sector organisations looking to participate in public procurement.
A decade on from the introduction of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), Holyrood’s Economy and Fair Work Committee has explored how the Act is operating.
Intended to support economic growth with procurement systems which were transparent, fair and business friendly, the Act put in place regulation for public procurement contracts above certain financial thresholds.
During its inquiry, the Committee heard from businesses and the third sector, as well as local authorities and the Scottish Government.
The Committee found that while the Act’s improvements to transparency were welcomed, there were still challenges which made navigating public procurement difficult, with one witness giving the Act a “C+ for its performance.”
Challenges experienced by witnesses included inconsistency across contracting authorities and heavy bureaucratic load.
The Committee’s report makes a number of recommendations to improve the system including:
Speaking as the report launched last week, Committee Convener Claire Baker MSP said: “Public procurement plays a vital role in the Scottish economy, involving small business, the third sector and public bodies.
“But with more than ten years now passed since the Act came into force, it is time to reflect on whether the ambitious aims are being met.
“There is no doubt that the Act has had a positive impact on increasing transparency of procurement processes which of course is to be welcomed. But for too many businesses, especially new or small businesses, there is still confusion and inconsistency. all of which is causing a barrier to those who may want to engage.
“Our report calls for a number of changes which would have a real impact to ensure that the bureaucracy and inflexibility can be addressed.”
During its inquiry, the Committee also found that the Act had contributed to an increase in Scottish procurement. However, the report makes clear that the Committee believes more can be done to increase local procurement.
The Committee noted the results from the community wealth building pilot areas and called for the principles and lessons learned to be fully embedded in procurement processes.
Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes celebrates Wellbeing Week (24 – 30th June) as the multi-award-winning project’s over 60s singing group, Vocal Vibes is shortlisted for the Creative Lives People’s Choice Award.
The singing group was created as part of the charity project’s social groups to improve wellbeing and tackle loneliness among older people (known as VIPs) across the city. Vintage Vibes builds confidence and friendships, empowering older people feeling lonely and isolated to live life to the full.
Now over 20 strong, the singing group meet every fortnight to rehearse, catch up with friends and do what they all enjoy most – sing. From old tunes such as ‘Travel These Ways’ and classics like ‘We Will Rock You’, through to ABBA and The Beatles, the group love to sing and perform.
The Creative Lives Award celebrates the achievements of community-led creative projects and groups (singing, performing, dancing) and Vocal Vibes have been shortlisted for using creativity to bring people together.
VIP, George said: “I have been a member of Vocal Vibes since its formation in 2018 and have found it very therapeutic. It’s a most enjoyable part of my life and is an important part of my social life.”
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Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “This is so exciting for the Vocal Vibes group! They love to sing, and it brings so much joy.
“As we mark Wellbeing Week, we know how much loneliness can negatively impact a person’s wellbeing, as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and are thrilled that 91% of our members feel that Vintage Vibes groups and activities help improve their mental health and wellbeing.
“Many older people across Edinburgh face issues ranging from bereavement, lack of confidence, mobility, sudden/ongoing poverty, dementia, mental health challenges, and/or living with a disability, and supporting and celebrating groups such as Vocal Vibes is essential to enriching local lives.
“Vintage Vibes was created to help lonely and isolated over 60s in Edinburgh to take part in inclusive activities that they enjoy, offering friendship and fun to tackle loneliness, improve wellbeing and celebrate individuality.
“The singing group is part of our wider events, groups and activities across the city to empower older people feeling alone to join together with like-minded volunteers and enjoy life. We’re so happy to be shortlisted – but to win would be amazing! Please vote if you can!”
Recent feedback from the older people the charity supports has shown that 97% feel that being involved with Vintage Vibes made them feel less isolated, happier and have a better quality of life.
The group didn’t even let lockdown stop their love of getting together and singing, with Vintage Vibes uniting them on Zoom to continue the group during what was a lonely and difficult time for so many.
They even wrote and performed their own song called ‘Tomorrow’ which you can find on our YouTube channel at ‘Tomorrow’ by Vocal Vibes (Vintage Vibes) #TagforTomorrow (youtube.com).
Judging panels from each nation will choose a winner for Scotland, England, Ireland & Northern Ireland, and Wales, while members of the public can vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Awards!
Voting in the People’s Choice Award is open until 29 July 2024. To learn more about the shortlisted projects and to cast your vote, visit https://www.creative-lives.org/2024-shortlist.
34 creative groups shortlisted from across Scotland, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Winners will be announced at the Creative Lives Awards ceremony in Cecil Sharp House, London on 26 September 2024, partnering with the Everyday Creativity Research Network conference. Winners will receive a bespoke award, framed certificate, cash prize and access to support and training.
In what has been an amazing month for Vintage Vibes, the project is also celebrating winning the Evaluating Impact Award at Generations Working Together’s Excellence Awards on 11th June 2024 for their work tackling isolation in older people across Edinburgh through intergenerational friendships, groups, events, and constant listening and learning.
A video demonstrating Vintage Vibes vital work in the community can be found at https://vimeo.com/960285360.
CAMPAIGNERS piled electrical waste outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of today’s final debate on a new Circular Economy law. They say MSPs need to do more to improve the way electrical waste is managed and are calling for changes in the final version of the law.
The circular economy bill is being debated and voted on in the Scottish Parliament this week (Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June). This is the last chance for MSPs to improve the bill.
The new law should bring in policies to create a circular economy in Scotland where materials are used sustainably and fairly. However, it’s been criticised for its lack of ambition and focus on disposal rather than reduction and reuse of products, which can lead to greater social and environmental benefits.
Friends of the Earth Scotland are campaigning for the circular economy bill to include a plan for the materials required in the transition away from fossil fuels, many of which are used in consumer electronics too.
Every mobile phone and laptop is powered by precious materials such as lithium, cobalt and copper. Inadequate waste management systems means that these materials are often thrown away rather than being reused or recycled. Less than 1% of lithium is recycled, despite it being required for electric vehicles.
Many of these materials come from mines in the Global South, including Chile, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which exploit local communities, create pollution and increase carbon emissions.
The steel used in Scottish wind turbines is likely to include significant amounts of iron ore from Brazil, where there have been two major tailing dam disasters in the last decade. A 2019 disaster in Minas Gerais killed at least 244 people.
Scotland does not have a plan for how to manage these transition minerals. The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy includes plans for electrifying vehicles but fails to consider where the lithium needed to do this will come from.
Kim Pratt, Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The scale of electronic waste in this country is shocking. All of the waste that we’ve gathered today came from simply asking around – most of us have something sitting in a cupboard because we don’t know what to do with it.
“Electrical waste contains precious material which is lost when these items are thrown away. Scotland can’t afford to keep treating electrical products, and the precious materials they contain, as disposable.
“Reducing our consumption of the materials used to create these products, by increasing reuse and repair, is essential to reduce the harm being done to people and the environment. The new circular economy law also needs to include a plan for these minerals, which are required for our transition away from fossil fuels. If the law does this, it has the potential to have a big impact in creating a fairer and more sustainable future.”
Key facts about e-waste:
– In the UK, the average person generates 24kg of e-waste every year, that’s the second highest in the world, behind only Norway. The UK is on course to overtake Norway and become the world’s largest contributor to e-waste this year (2024). The global average is 7.3kg.
– Globally, e-waste has increased 21% in 5 years to over 50 million tonnes. The total value of the raw material dumped annually is estimated to be £46 billion. By 2030, it’s predicted the world will throw away nearly 75 million tonnes of e-waste.
– Only 17% of e-waste is recycled.
– There are, on average, 2 mobile phones for every person on the planet. Only 9% are recycled.
– A typical iPhone is estimated to house around 0.034g of gold, 0.34g of silver, and 0.015g of palladium. It also contains the less valuable but still significant aluminium (25g) and copper (around 15g).
– One tonne of iPhones would deliver 300 times more gold than a tonne of gold ore and 6.5 times more silver than a tonne of silver ore.
Thousands of unpaid carers in Scotland can apply for a new benefit from today. Carer Support Payment, the replacement for Carer’s Allowance, is now available in Angus and North and South Lanarkshire.
Carers living in these areas are the first to be able to apply for Carer Support Payment since it was introduced in the pilot areas of Perth & Kinross, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) in November 2023.
New rules that come into effect today also mean the benefit, paid by Social Security Scotland, is available to more student carers.
Since its introduction, the benefit has been available to carers aged 16-19 in full-time “advanced” education, carers over 20 in full-time education at any level, as well as carers in part-time education.
However, from today, some 16-19-year-old carers in full-time “non-advanced” education, such as school, are also eligible for Carer Support Payment.
In addition, some carers – mostly full-time students – can now have their benefit payments backdated to when Carer Support Payment was first introduced.
The benefit will be rolled out to more local authorities in the next few months and will be available in all of Scotland from 4 November.
Carers who live in areas where Carer Support Payment is not yet available are urged to apply for Carer’s Allowance to make sure they don’t miss out on support.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “I’m delighted that more carers in Scotland can now get Carer Support Payment and I urge every carer who is eligible for the benefit to apply as soon as possible.
“I also encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to check if they can apply. This includes students studying full-time who are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
“The work unpaid carers do is invaluable and I want every carer to get the money they are entitled to.”
Keira Carruthers, 18, will be one of those applying for Carer Support Payment. The Blantyre woman, who has been looking after her dad since she was 13, is due to start an HNC in August.
She said: “People really underestimate how hard it is to be a young carer. Caring for my dad can be difficult if he’s down with an illness or having a bad day.
“Sometimes it’s full-blown medical issues but other days it’s keeping him company and keeping him occupied. Being a young carer while balancing my studies is a full-time job.
“It’s really important that young people, who look after someone, get support while they’re studying. I’ll definitely be applying for Carer Support Payment.”
Carer Support Payment opens for new applications today, 24 June, in Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.
From 19 August, it will be available in Fife, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and North, East and South Ayrshire.
It will be available in the rest of Scotland from 4 November.
Carers can use the postcode checker to see if Carer Support Payment is available in their area. postcodecheck.socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Carers can also find out more, and apply at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment
Following last year’s advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Public Health Scotland has been working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to develop plans for the roll out of Scotland’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme to protect newborns, infants and older adults.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms. Most cases recover after 2-3 weeks of illness, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including newborns, infants and older adults, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
With the new programme set to commence later in the summer, some information is now available on NHS inform and more detail will follow soon.
View the JCVI advice on RSV immunisation programmes
View NHS inform information for newborns and infants and older adults
Police Scotland has released images of a man they believe may be able to assist their enquiries into an assault which occurred outside the Ann Rowling building at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Thursday, 16 May 2024 at around 1.35pm.
Officers believe that the man shown in the images may have information that could assist them and would urge the man or any members of the public who recognise him to contact police.
The man is described as being of Asian appearance, 5ft 9ins in height and of large build with short, black hair and a beard. He was wearing a black top, black padded jacket, green cargo trousers with black and yellow trainers.
Constable Hazel Longworth said “I’m appealing to the man pictured or anyone who has information relating to him to contact police.
“Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 2042 of 16 May 2024.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”
Over the summer holidays, as the Palace of Holyroodhouse opens for seven days a week, visitors can discover over 900 years of Scottish royal history. Families can join tours of the Physic Garden for the first time, get their hands on history, and try out arts and crafts activities inspired by Georgian fashion.
Physic Garden Family Tours
Friday, 19 July and Friday, 2 August, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00.
For the first time, families will be able to join free short tours of the beautiful Physic Garden at the height of summer. On these guided, drop-in tours, which are open to visitors to the Palace and the wider public, families can discover more about the history of the Garden and listen to stories of its past plants and the people who used it.
The Physic Garden, just outside the gates of the Palace, was opened in 2020 to recreate the earliest known gardens on the site and can be freely enjoyed year-round by the people of Edinburgh. Founded in the grounds of the Palace in 1670, the original garden provided pharmacists with vital, fresh ingredients and allowed students to learn the medicinal properties of plants. It was the first of its kind in Scotland and was the forerunner of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Magical Menagerie Activity Day
Saturday, 27 July, 10:00–15:00.
In July a special activity day will offer the chance for visitors to learn about the history of the Palace Gardens, where 500 years ago a medieval menagerie was home to a range of animals including lions, tigers and bears.
Children can craft paper masks of their favourite animal to wear as they explore the Palace and Gardens, keeping an eye out to spot the animals around the Palace on ceilings and walls, or in tapestries and portraits.
As well as exotic animals, the Gardens were home to a tennis court and used for bowls, hawking, archery, and other outdoor games. On the activity day, families can try some historic games in the garden as well as following the unicorn activity trail to spot all the places where Scotland’s national animal decorates the walls and artworks around the Palace and Gardens.
Weekly Family Activities
Hands on History, every Monday (Monday, 8 July – Monday, 26 August) and Midweek Makes, every Wednesday (Wednesday, 10 July – Wednesday, 28 August). Both 11:00–15:00.
Families visiting the Palace can take part in special activities every week. Every Monday, in Hands on History sessions, children will be able to get up close to a mix of historical and replica items including gauntlets, ink wells and quills and more. Children can learn about the many objects in the Royal Collection and discover the intriguing items that would have been used in the Palace hundreds of years ago.
Every Wednesday, visitors can join arts and crafts activities in the family room. In Midweek Makes, children can decorate their own crown while learning about the history of different crowns in the Royal Collection, including who wears them and what they are used for.
Recycled Fashion: Family Workshop
Saturday, 10 August, 13:30–15:00.
Families can also visit The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians. The exhibition explores life in Georgian Britain through the fashions of the day. Items on display include rare surviving items of clothing such as a court dress and items of Queen Charlotte’s impressive jewellery collection. In the exhibition, families can use the family gallery trail and explorer bags to discover what life was like in Georgian times.
In the Recycled Fashion workshop, families will join a short, guided tour of the exhibition led by a member of the Learning team. They can discover how the practice of reusing and recycling fabric in the Georgian period was commonplace even among the royal family. Taking inspiration from the examples of Georgian clothing on display, they will then create a cloak using recycled materials.
As part of the organisation’s charitable aim to ensure that as many people as possible can access and enjoy the Palaces and the Royal Collection, Royal Collection Trust has launched a scheme of £1 tickets, available to those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits.
The £1 ticket offer is available for up to six people per household when visiting The King’s Gallery in 2024, making this an affordable way for families to visit the Gallery during the summer holidays.
A 54-year-old man has been jailed for seven years following a multi-million pound scam in Edinburgh. Aasim Johar was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Monday, 24 June, 2024.
He was previously found guilty on Friday, 24 May, 2024.
Johar defrauded the University of Edinburgh of over £3.3million between 2005 and 2015 through his role as a salesperson. The fraudulent scheme saw him earn commission through false and over-inflated invoices for cleaning products that were either not delivered or not required.
Detective Sergeant Gary Dalgleish, of the Financial Investigation Unit, said: “The sentence is the result of a long and complex investigation carried out by our officers. We have worked closely with the University and COPFS throughout the investigation and thank them greatly for their assistance.
“We recognise the significant and devastating impact that financial fraud can have on those that fall victim, which makes us all the more determined to identify and prosecute those responsible
“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to report fraud to us. We are committed to investigating all reports thoroughly and will bring those responsible to justice.”
You can find out more information and advice about fraud on our website here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/
