Month: July 2024

Call for more fully accessible toilets

  • Over a quarter of a million people in the UK in need of such facilities
  • More than 2,400 Changing Places toilets currently available in the UK including 289 across Scotland 
  • Changing Places Awareness Day highlights the need for more fully accessible toilets

Friday (19 July) was Changing Places Awareness Day – the annual event highlights the importance of fully-accessible toilets needed by more than a quarter of a million people in the UK.

Muscular Dystrophy UK and PAMIS, co-chairs for the Changing Places Consortium, are calling for more Changing Places toilets to be made available on the awareness day.

Muscular Dystrophy UK supports more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

The charity campaigns for people’s rights, better understanding, accessibility, and access to treatments, funds ground breaking research and supports people to live well now.

PAMIS, promoting a more inclusive society, is the only charity in Scotland that solely supports children, young people and adults with profound learning and multiple disabilities (PMLD) and their families to lead healthy, valued and included lives doing the things they want to do within their community, offering a range of projects and programmes.

Together they campaign for Changing Places toilets to be installed in all big public spaces, so that people can access their community.

A Changing Places toilet is different to a standard accessible toilet. With extra space (12 sqm) to help accommodate larger wheelchairs and the presence of carers to assist and support the users. It has specialist equipment such as an adult size changing bench, ceiling track and hoist, peninsular toilet, and height adjustable sink.

People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, hidden or physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis, often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

Without enough Changing Places toilets, people with hidden and physical disabilities face the option of not leaving their homes, limiting fluid intake on days out, or having to be changed on dirty toilet floors.

Currently, there are more than 2,400 Changing Places facilities that have been installed and the Changing Places Consortium works with a range of companies, providers venues and government departments.

Changing Places Awareness Day is not only an opportunity to call for more toilets but a day to mark the official launch of the campaign, started back in July 2006. Enabling a celebration of all the achievements to date and thank the dedicated campaigners, who fight for change.

A bathroom with toilets and sinksDescription automatically generated

Rob Burley, Director of Care, Campaign and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “For some of the people we support, standard accessible toilets can’t meet their needs, which is why we are proud to be the co-chair of the Changing Places Consortium.

“A person living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition might be in a large powered wheelchair and so may need extra space to manoeuvre around the toilet. They may also need assistance from a family member or a carer and require some of the specialist equipment that is provided in a Changing Places toilet, such as a ceiling hoist and height adjustable sink.

“We hear from a lot of people saying that without a Changing Places toilet they have had to risk their health and safety and that their dignity has been impacted by having to be changed on a toilet floor, rather than having access to hoists and adult changing benches.

“Currently there are over 2,400 registered Changing Places toilets but there is a need for more. We’re calling to have them in all appropriate venues. Legislation calls for them to be mandatory in new buildings over a certain capacity, but given the difference these facilities make, we encourage all venues to install a Changing Places toilet, regardless of size, as it will make a huge difference.”

Scottish charity PAMIS has been campaigning for more Changing Places toilets for over twenty years since the majority of the families the organisation supports cannot use accessible toilets and require the additional space and equipment provided by a Changing Places toilet.

Fiona Souter, Inclusive Communities Director explains: “People with profound learning and multiple disabilities are isolated in their own communities due to the lack of appropriate toilets and this is fundamentally a human rights issue where we frequently hear from families who cannot access healthcare, education or enjoy days out with family and friends because there are no Changing Places toilets nearby.

“While there have been major steps forwards in Scotland most notably around changes to building standards and planning legislation making it mandatory to include a Changing Places toilet in certain sized new public buildings there are still huge geographical gaps in provision.

“We want Scotland to be a truly accessible and inclusive country to visit as well as to live and that is why Changing Places Awareness Day is so important – the more people are aware of these life changing facilities the better.”

Kerry Thompson, from Milton Keynes, was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy (FHL1) and regularly uses Changing Places toilets. She explains why they are so important to her day-to-day life: “Taking a simple trip out can be a military operation. I have a check list of things to take, especially if it’s more than a few hours.

“The biggest problem I face when going anywhere is using a disabled toilet. I find some are simply too small to fit me, my wheelchair in, and it can sometimes feel very claustrophobic, manoeuvring can also be tricky or near impossible.

“My only option is sometimes having to wait until I get home. However, I suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), so holding it can prove really challenging.

“When I found out about the Changing Places campaign, I wanted to get involved and help spread the word on how important these facilities are to so many people, like me, and their families and carers. It makes such a huge difference.”

In a reflection of the importance of Changing Places toilets, and the campaign, Changing Places has recently been shortlisted for Third Sector’s Big Impact award, which celebrates a project that has had a substantial impact on national life.

Clarks freezes prices on much-loved school shoes

The trusted shoe brand also reduces prices of a third on  its Back-to-School collection

As the cost of living continues to bite this summer, Clarks today  announces that it’s keeping its market-leading school shoes at 2023 prices.

The  brand is also reducing the price of 33% of its Back-to-School collection, so parents  can rest assured that they will pay less, or the same, as last year – win win! 

CLARKS HAVE IT COVERED  

From a reassuring 3-month fit guarantee to money-saving bundles, Clarks have also  got plenty of offers to make life a little easier for parents this back-to-school season. 

MORE THAN A FIT. IT’S A GUARANTEE. 

If kids’ shoes don’t fit three months from their in-store fitting, parents can exchange  them for a new pair. It’s as simple as that.

BUY TOGETHER AND SAVE 

Parents can buy those back to school essentials together this season and get some  great savings. Like £10 off a pair of kids trainers when you buy a full price pair of  school shoes. Less time shopping, more money in the pocket. 

WHY BUY CLARKS SCHOOL SHOES? 

QUALITY THAT LASTS… 

Clarks promise unbeatable quality. Clarks School Shoes are made with premium  materials and are packed with kid friendly features and benefits for long-lasting  comfort. Prices start from £38. 

LIGHT 

All our school shoes are specifically designed to be lightweight, helping  children’s feet and ankles move the way they’re meant to. 

BREATHABLE 

Kids’ feet sweat twice as much as adults’ feet. So, all our kids’ school shoes  use leather uppers and mesh linings with an antimicrobial treatment – keeping  them breathable all day long. 

FLEXIBLE 

Clarks school shoes support kids’ natural gait cycle, helping children walk  freely and confiently. 

TOUGH 

As well as charging around the playground, more than half of kids walk or  cycle to school. With robust materials and durable constructions, Clarks shoes  withstand this wear. 

CUSHIONED 

Kids take 10-16,000 steps a day on average – so shoes need to be  comfortable. Crafted with cushioned footbeds, our shoes reduce impact and  add softness to each stride. 

WE’VE DONE OUR HOMEWORK 

With almost 200 years of children’s foot health expertise, parents trust Clarks to  deliver perfectly fitting, science-backed pairs of shoes that empower kids to be their  very best selves – all day, all term, all year.

WE KNOWS THE SCIENCE OF KIDS FEET 

Clarks partner with podiatry experts at the University of Salford and have recently  carried out one of the largest studies in children’s biomechanics. With over 1200 3D  scans across 300 children. So customers can rest assured that Clarks school shoes  help kids move comfortably and freely. 

IN-STORE FITTINGS AND QUIET TIME 

If shoe shopping is overwhelming for little ones, customers can visit Clarks stores at  a time when there are fewer crowds, less noise and gentler lights. Pre-book an  appointment or just walk-in, the option is yours… 

MEASURED AT HOME 

With a Clarks foot gauge, which can easily be ordered from www.clarks.com, it’s  simple to get their shoe size spot on from the comfort of home.

BBC ALBA rides the wave of excitement ahead of Olympic surfing competition

As the world’s best surfers prepare to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games, keen surfer Ceitlin Lilidh presents a new BBC ALBA series on the world history of surfing.

From the super waves of Tahiti to the winter wave challenges of Thurso – and now, the Olympics – BBC ALBA journeys through the rich spirituality, sport and culture of surfing in Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn/Riding the Wave.

Airing on Tuesday 23 July at 9pm, the two-part documentary is the latest series from producers MacTV, co-produced with French company Yami2 and directed by John Murdo MacAulay.

Producer Ann Morrison said: “It’s much more than a sport to the people of Tahiti where surfing was born, it is an expression of the culture – the culture of the people of the water, the Polynesians. 

“While much of the rich culture and history of the Polynesian people was almost wiped out, thanks to guardians like Tom Pōhaku Stone, the traditions of dancing on wooden boards was passed on to future generations and to the rest of the world where it is now practiced by tens of millions of enthusiasts.”

From being an exotic distraction for Westerners vacationing in Hawaii in the early 20th century, to exploding on the west coast of America as part of the burgeoning California beach scene, it didn’t take long for surfing to reach the cold Scottish shores as a brave few donned their swimming gear and makeshift surfboards.

Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA director of content, added: “Surfing has taken the sporting world by storm – so much so that it has now earned its place at the Olympics.

“After making its debut appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, it’s now a firm fixture in the Olympic schedule. We’re excited to share the history of surfing with audiences across the country before we keenly watch how its next chapter plays out at the Paris Olympic Games later this month.”

Join Ceitlin Lilidh for a whirlwind world history of surfing – covering everything from the spirituality, celebrity, fashion and fun of the sport, with Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn/Riding the Wave premiering on BBC ALBA and iPlayer on Tuesday 23 July at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).

The second part will air on Tuesday 30 July. Watch live or on demand: 

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021dn5

Sprint World Orienteering Championships shine in Edinburgh

THURSDAY saw the conclusion of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships (www.woc2024.org) which took place in Edinburgh.

The city welcomed over 3,000 fans across the week with start and finish venues at Princes Street, Heriot-Watt University and Saint John Street.  Locals and orienteering fans alike came to cheer on the competitors, marking another successful world sporting event for Scotland.

Over 250 world class athletes from 45 countries competed in the event and the inaugural ‘WOC Tour’ participation race also proved a huge success, as 1200 people from across the orienteering and Scotland community signed up to take part in multiple events over the course of five days.

The GB team also saw success across the week with Megan Carter Davies competing in the Sprint Knockout final, she finished fifth narrowly missing out on the medals, while Grace Molloy also secured a 6th place in the individual sprint on Friday afternoon.

Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director at WOC 2024, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the success of WOC 2024. I can’t thank everyone enough for making the last few days an unforgettable experience. 

“To see so many people come out to watch Orienteering in this fantastic city has been overwhelming. Whether that has been just to watch the athletes, compete in our amazing WOC Tour races or to enjoy the atmosphere, everyone has played their part.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our amazingly hard-working staff and all our volunteers who have worked tremendously hard and without whom the event would not have been successful.

“Also, to all our stakeholders and commercial partners who have played an integral role in bringing this event to life. In particular,  Event Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, British Orienteering Federation, Scottish Orienteering Association and the Scottish Orienteering six-day event Company Ltd for their unwavering support.

“The hope is that we have now created a legacy for the sport’s future and helped put orienteering on the map in Scotland.”

Paul Bush OBE, Visit Scotland Director of Events, said: “Edinburgh has provided the perfect stage for the Sprint World Orienteering Championships 2024. Our capital city has certainly never seen anything like this before as athletes raced through our medieval tenements, narrow and intricate alleys and sweeping landscapes in search of World Championships glory. 

“Scotland is one of the best places in the world to experience events and the successful delivery of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships reinforces our reputation for delivering innovative and world-class events.   

“Thank you to the organisers, partners, volunteers and most importantly the athletes for making this a truly memorable event.”

Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron said: “It has been a delight to welcome, and to watch, the world’s best orienteers compete in elite sprint races across our city.

“Hosting the Sprint World Orienteering Championships has not only showcased Edinburgh to the world but also the wonderful, exciting, outdoor sport of orienteering – the mental and physical skills it involves, and the health and wellbeing benefits it offers participants of all ages and abilities.

“I hope Edinburgh residents, visitors and spectators alike will have been inspired to give orienteering a go. My warmest congratulations and gratitude go to all the competitors, medallists, and everyone involved in making WOC24 such a terrific success.”

The activity across the week has also seen Scotland embrace the family feel the event has brought to the city, with free activities on offer throughout the week, including orienteering mazes, fun ‘come and try’ races and all the action on live screens in major locations across the city.

The event has been hugely successful in attracting commercial partners across the city and beyond. Many of which provided the base for the event to be a success.

1500 sandwiches were provided by Scotmid Co-op, 2200 snack bars by Nairn’s, 4000 water bottles from Actiph Water and 1500 Sausage rolls were given to the event from PieSports.com. Eight kilt sets for ceremonies were also provided by Gordon Nicholson Kiltmakers, while SOS provided all the essential printing requirements for the event and Cullen Property also supported the event throughout.

To see all the results visit WOC 2024. WOC 2024 highlights can be found on www.eurovisionsport.com, the European Broadcasting Union (IBU)’s new free streaming platform and on the IOF YouTube channel.

‘Ministerial Code Broken’ in Scottish Government handling of proposed Peterhead fossil fuel power station

THE Scottish Government has been formally accused of 28 breaches of the ministerial code in connection with its handling of a planning application for a new fossil fuel power station at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. 

Friends of the Earth Scotland lodged the official complaint with civil servants on Friday (19th July) and said there was a “deeply concerning pattern of behaviour right across the Scottish Government”.  

The breaches include ministers discussing the planning application with developers, ministers publicly supporting the project and the former First Minister Humza Yousaf appearing in a promotional video for power station developer SSE.  

Energy companies SSE and Equinor submitted the planning application for a new gas-burning power station with carbon capture in February 2022 and it is still under consideration by the Scottish Government. Environmental groups have strongly criticised the plan because of the climate pollution it will create and the fact that it will lock households into higher electricity bills linked to fossil fuels for decades to come.  

The ministerial code is a collection of standards that must be adhered to to ensure integrity, accountability and transparency. It sets out how ministers should act in the handling of planning applications and states that, to make sure the planning system is fair, ministers “must do nothing which might be seen as prejudicial to that process”, including by meeting developers to discuss a proposal but not meeting all interested parties. 


Research including analysing the lobbying register and FOIs by Friends of the Earth Scotland has uncovered: 

        •       Several incidents in which Scottish Government ministers were briefed by civil servants to welcome and offer their support for the controversial Peterhead gas-burning power station application in meetings with the developers SSE and Equinor, including one minister being briefed ahead of a meeting with Equinor to “offer your support in any challenges faced” by the company. 

        •       Ministers undermining the planning process by publicly speaking in favour of the project, including then Cabinet Secretary for Energy Michael Matheson providing a supportive press quote about the fossil fuel plant for an SSE press release. 

        •       Former First Minister Humza Yousaf breached the code with his visit to the existing Peterhead power station in July 2023. The First Minister wore an SSE branded jacket as he posed for press photos and appeared in an SSE promotional video praising the company’s “plans for the future”. The Scottish Government tweeted about the event and issued a press release.  

        •       Repeatedly meeting with developers while refusing to meet objectors. Scottish Government met 61 times with SSE and Equinor between February 2022, when the planning application was submitted, and December 2023 (equivalent to more than once a fortnight) but refused to meet with objectors saying it would be inappropriate to discuss “a live planning application”. 

        •       The Scottish Government has no records, or couldn’t locate records, of another 16 meetings with SSE and Equinor: the public only know about them because of records kept by the developers themselves. 



Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Alex Lee said: “These 28 breaches of the ministerial code show a deeply troubling pattern of behaviour right across the Scottish Government. Public concerns have been deliberately ignored to try and push through a climate damaging planning application in the interests of greedy energy companies.  

“Ministers and civil servants have been caught out playing fast and loose with the rules, in favour of a polluting project that risks locking households into higher energy bills for decades to come. 

“Our investigations show that the Scottish Government has treated the outcome of this planning application as a foregone conclusion right from the beginning and has failed to follow the planning process and assess the evidence objectively. 

“First Minister John Swinney must get his government in order and stop listening to fossil fuel companies. Once this project is assessed fairly on its merits, the huge climate pollution and impact on home energy bills will mean the only rational conclusion will be a rejection. 

“Workers and communities in the North East of Scotland need a credible transition plan that can move us to good green jobs in renewables, not a dodgy project built on the rotten foundations of carbon capture and backroom lobbying.” 

28,043 butterflies spotted in Scotland last summer: can we beat that in 2024?

Butterfly Conservation issues rallying cry to people of Scotland

Last summer, citizen scientists in Scotland spotted 28,043 butterflies and day-flying moths during the Big Butterfly Count. Today, wildlife conservation charity, Butterfly Conservation, is issuing a rallying cry to people in the region to help beat that this year.

In 2023, people across Scotland did 5,087 Big Butterfly Counts, with Small White taking the top spot for species sightings. Scientists are hoping even more people will take part to help find out what’s happening with the region’s butterflies before the Count ends on Sunday 4 August.

It’s more important than ever that people take part this year. After analysing 50 years of data, researchers have discovered a clear northward spread for many species, including common garden favourites the Peacock, Comma and Holly Blue, the result of climate change creating warmer habitats for them to survive in.

Butterflies are indicators of the health of our natural environment – and with half of Britain’s butterfly species already threatened or near threatened with extinction, it’s never been more important to understand how these species are responding to the changing climate and to take action to protect them.


Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation explains: ‘We really need people across Scotland to get out for the Count to help us understand the impact of climate change on our most-loved butterflies.

“We’re relying on everyone, everywhere to spend just 15 minutes outdoors and let us know what they see. With species on the move, someone in Scotland might even be the first to spot a new species in their area!”

Whether done with friends and family, or in a moment of quiet calm and solitude, Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count is free, fun and takes just 15 minutes in a sunny spot. It is open to anyone, of any age, in any part of the UK – towns, cities or the countryside. No green space is too small – a back garden, a small terrace or balcony with some pot plants, a public park, allotment or country lane are all important spaces to explore, track and report.

Last year more than 135,000 Counts took place up and down the country, with participants spending a combined four years counting butterflies in their gardens, local parks, urban community spaces, balconies, courtyards and in the countryside. The information gathered helps to inform conservation projects, government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet.



This year’s Big Butterfly Count is already underway, running from Friday 12 July – Sunday 4 August.

For more information and to take part simply visit www.bigbutterflycount.org or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.

After the Landslide: What now for the fight against poverty?

It may have been a surprise election, and only been a six-week campaign, but for many people the ‘festival of democracy’ inspired little genuine enthusiasm (writes PTER KELLY, Chief Executive of The Poverty Alliance).

Perhaps this was because the outcome was so widely predicted and, in the end, seemed almost inevitable. More likely was that after years where many politicians were increasingly distrusted and political debates appeared disconnected from the realities of day-to-day life, the election held little interest for many.  

Of course, the result was by no means guaranteed, no matter what the polls said.  And if the result was not guaranteed, what comes next is still very much a subject for debate. What was clear from the result, though, is that the decline in trust in politics was very much in evidence at this election: turnout fell to 60%, the second lowest in more than 100 years.   

But now that the votes have been cast, historic landside secured, MPs sworn in, and Ministers appointed, many of us who want to see progressive social and economic change are asking: now what?

Almost two weeks after the result, we are moving from the territory of ‘hot takes’ and instant analysis to a place where we can begin to see the emerging opportunities where progress could be made. The question for anti-poverty campaigners is how these opportunities can be turned into real change.  

At a basic level, we need only look at the manifesto that the new Labour Government was elected upon to see what comes next and where the opportunities lie. In it we will find commitments that are to be welcomed.

For example, the package of change intended to improve the lives of working people, especially for those at the tough end of the labour market who get by on low pay and insecure contracts.

These are changes that reflect some of the priorities that we called for in our own election manifesto, especially around commitments to increasing the minimum wage and providing minimum working hours.    

The Labour manifesto also contained a pledge to create a new child poverty strategy. One of the undoubted disappointments of the election campaign was the lack of discussion about poverty and inequality, particularly by both main UK political parties. At best the cost of living crisis was a proxy for discussions about poverty, but at no point was there any serious attempt to say how an incoming government would act to address the systemic failings at the heart of poverty.  

Although commitments to labour market change and anti-poverty strategies are all very welcome, much of the detail on delivery remains unclear.

How, for example, will a child poverty strategy accommodate the current retention of the two-child limit? The reality is, of course, that any child poverty strategy must start with the scrapping of this policy, and then look to strengthen our social security system. The pressure building around the two-child limit in recent days is emblematic of the tensions that exist in the new Government’s current approach.   

The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have been clear in this approach – economic growth is the central objective, the overriding mission, and at the same time public spending to be contained within the previous Conservative Government’s plans.

Neither of these commitments leave much immediate space for addressing poverty, despite the promise of a new strategic approach. As the IFS have said: ‘delivering genuine change will almost certainly also require putting actual resources on the table.’

It is this tension that the Government’s approach – a desire to address poverty but within current spending limits – that opens up a new space for anti-poverty campaigners. We must use the high-level commitments that have been made to deliver the substantive changes we know are needed.

This includes not only scrapping the two-child limit, but ending the benefit cap, stopping the five week wait for UC, introducing an Essentials Guarantee, and more. It also means seeking to shape debates about economic growth, highlighting that growth on its own will not solve poverty and that distribution and pre-distribution of resources needs to be part of the who our economy works for.  

There are genuine opportunities to engage with the new UK Government, opportunities that have not existed for more than a decade. I’ve highlighted just a couple above, more will emerge in the months to come. For civil society organisations in Scotland and across the UK these opportunities to engage will be very welcome.  

But it will be important for all of us seeking progressive change to remember what has been learned from engaging with Scottish Government’s over the last 25 years – access does not always equal influence. Simply having a meeting with a Minister, being invited onto an advisory group, responding to a consultation does not mean that demands will be translated into action. Of course, we need to engage in these discussions and activities, but we need to consider what else should be done to create change.  

There is hope for change at the moment, but to turn that hope into action, to transform our demands into tangible, practical improvements in people’s lives, we need to be better organised across civil society. 

We must do more to engage and raise the voices of the thousands of grassroots organisations and campaigners across Scotland and the UK that hold communities together. By raising these voices, by activating those who are in the frontline of the fight against poverty, we will create the necessary sense of urgency that is needed.  

Our sector in Scotland involves more than 45,000 organisations, employing 135,000 people, with more than 1.1 million volunteers involved. We need to turn those numbers into an organised social movement, one that is broad based, inclusive and can make the demands the system change to both the Scottish and UK Governments.

At the Poverty Alliance we believe that there are real opportunities ahead of us to make change, but they will only be realised if we work together across civil society. Please join us to make these changes happen. 

Chancellor vows ‘big bang on growth’ to boost investment and savings

BETTER-OFF BRITAIN?

  • Chancellor launches landmark review to boost investment, increase pension pots and tackle waste in the pensions system.
  • New Pensions Bill confirmed in King’s Speech could boost pension pots by over £11,000, with further consolidation and broader investment strategies to potentially deliver higher returns for pensions.
  • An investment shift in defined contribution schemes could deliver £8 billion of new productive investment into the UK economy.
  • Action will be taken to unleash the full investment might of the £360 billion Local Government Pension Scheme to make it an engine for UK growth.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a landmark pensions review as part of the new Government’s mission to ‘boost growth and make every part of Britain better off’.

Under plans unveiled by the new Chancellor, billions of pounds of investment could be unlocked in the UK economy from defined contribution schemes alone and pension pots for savers in defined contribution schemes could be boosted by over £11,000.

The Review will also, working closely with the Minister of State at MHCLG, look at how to unlock the investment potential of the £360 billion Local Government Pensions Scheme, which manages the savings of those working to deliver our vital local services, as well as how to tackle the £2 billion that is being spent on fees.

The announcement comes ahead of the first Growth Mission Board on Tuesday. This will be chaired by the Chancellor and drive the Government’s work to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7. New measures have already been announced to fix the planning system, the creation of a new National Wealth Fund and the overhaul of the listings regime to boost UK stock exchanges.

The work announced today – focusing on investment – is the first phase in reviewing the pensions landscape and will be led by the first ever joint Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions Minister, Emma Reynolds (Minister for Pensions). The next phase of the review starting later this year will consider further steps to improve pension outcomes and increase investment in UK markets, including assessing retirement adequacy.

The Chancellor and the Pensions Minister will chair a roundtable with the pensions industry on Monday to start intensive industry engagement for the Review.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Despite a very challenging inheritance, this new Government is getting on with the job of delivering our mandate to get the economy growing so we can make every part of our country better off.

“The review we are announcing is the latest in a big bang of reforms to unlock growth, boost investment and deliver savings for pensioners. There is no time to waste. That is why I am determined to fix the foundations of our economy so we can rebuild Britain and improve people’s lives.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “After putting in years of hard graft serving their communities, the very least our frontline workers deserve – millions of whom are low paid, millions of whom are women – is dignity and security in retirement.

“That’s why we want to make sure their hard-earned money works harder for them so we ensure they receive the pensions they have earned, whilst unlocking growth across our economy.”

Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds said: “As the first ever joint Treasury and DWP Minister I am uniquely placed to tackle the twin challenges of productive investment and retirement outcomes.

“Over the next few months the review will focus on identifying any further actions to drive investment that could be taken forward in the Pension Schemes Bill before then exploring long-term challenges to ensure our pensions system is fit for the future.

“There is so much untapped potential in our pensions markets, with an industry worth around £2 trillion. The measures we have already set out in our Pension Schemes Bill will help drive higher investment and a better deal for our future pensioners.”

M&G plc CEO Andrea Rossi said: “A Pensions Review is long overdue and to be welcomed. M&G has a rich heritage of investing in the UK and there are significant opportunities ahead to give the real economy a boost over the next decade and beyond.

“We know from experience, through our PruFund offer, that a large pooled fund gives savers access to a wider range of productive assets that aims to maximise benefits over the long-term. Consolidation, combined with the role of advice, has huge potential to align the interests of savers with the UK’s growth ambition. We look forward to supporting the Government on this landmark review.”

BVCA Chief Executive Michael Moore said: “We are very encouraged that the Government has brought forward their Pensions Review so quickly.

“The Chancellor has a real opportunity to deliver economic growth by facilitating increased investment in UK businesses to the benefit of returns to pension savers as well as the wider economy.

“Legislative and policy changes, including further consolidation of pension schemes to increase pension schemes’ ability to deploy capital into UK private capital funds are vital, as is greater industry partnership.

“The BVCA’s Investment Compact has already brought together over 100 growth equity and venture capital firms committed to working with pensions schemes to consider effective structures that attract investment.”

Defined contribution schemes will be managing around £800 billion in assets by the end of the decade and the Review will explore ways to increase their investment into productive assets. Even a 1 percentage point shift of assets into productive investments could mean £8 billion of new productive investment to grow the economy and build vital infrastructure by the end of the decade.

This would also help savers using these schemes build up better retirement pots as productive assets are more likely to provide higher returns. Immediate action has already been taken to boost retirement savings through the Pensions Bill, which introduces a Value for Money Framework to promote better governance and achieve higher returns – boosting the pension pot of an average earner who saves over their lifetime in a defined contribution scheme by over £11,000.

The first stage of the review will examine actions to support greater productive investment and better retirement outcomes, including through further consolidation and encouraging at-scale schemes to increase returns through broader investment strategies.

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in England and Wales is the seventh largest pension fund in the world, managing £360 billion worth of assets. Its value comes from the hard work and dedication of 6.6 million people in our public sector, mostly low-paid women, working to deliver our vital local services. Pooling this money would enable the funds to invest in a wider range of UK assets and the government will consider legislating to mandate pooling if insufficient progress is made by March 2025.

To cut down on fragmentation and waste in the LGPS, which spends around £2 billion each year on fees and costs and is split across 87 funds – an increase in fees of 70% since 2017, the Review will also consider the benefits of further consolidation.

The first stage of the review will report in the next few months and consider further measures to support the Pensions Bill. It will take account of the need to prioritise gilt market stability, liquidity and diversity. It will then broaden out to consider the wider pensions landscape to strengthen security in retirement. In the meantime, immediate action has been taken through new laws announced to Parliament in The King’s Speech.

Barclays CEO C. S. Venkatakrishnan said: “We welcome the Government’s timely review of the pensions sector.

“Pensions reforms are critical to unlocking institutional investment in growth equity, and alongside a streamlining of listing requirements, will give a significant boost to UK capital markets and growth. Building institutional demand is also an important signal in encouraging private share ownership.

Border to Coast CEO Rachel Elwell said: ““Our focus is on delivering a strong and sustainable LGPS to enable it to pay the pensions of the 6.6million local government workers in an affordable manner.

“Border to Coast has developed innovative and cost-effective investments, while cutting Private Market fees by almost 30%. There is an opportunity to build and expand on this, delivering greater value to local taxpayers, and delivering productive investment in the UK. We therefore welcome the opportunity to work with the Government on a co-ordinated review to deliver this.

“If the Government is ambitious and considers a wide range of options in this review we are optimistic that this will deliver the clear roadmap we have called for, building on the work of the BVCA’s Pensions and Private Capital Expert Panel.”

Chair of the Pensions & Private Capital Expert Panel and co-founder of IQ Capital Kerry Baldwin said: “An early and ambitious review of the pensions landscape is an extremely important step in prioritising returns for UK savers and driving economic growth.

“The Chancellor’s Pensions Review will add further impetus to the work of the Investment Compact for Venture Capital and Growth Equity, which has brought together the private capital and pensions industries to support pension savers and to encourage investment from pension funds into unlisted equities.

“There has been significant progress through this collaboration. We are already developing a greater understanding of the ways we can work together to deliver new options for UK pension savers at the same time as supporting high growth, innovative UK companies with new sources of capital.

“The Review offers us the opportunity to develop this shared agenda further and deliver better outcomes for all the stakeholders.”

TheCityUK CEO Miles Celic said: “Creating the right investment environment is critical both for improving people’s retirement incomes and for boosting growth across the UK.

“The government’s new Pensions Review will be an important mechanism to help deliver this. We look forward to working closely with government and regulators to ensure that an effective long-term strategy that supports financial resilience is developed.”

Cinnabon set to open first Scottish outlet in Livingston

Livingston, the Bons are out of the bag!

Cinnabon® is now able to confirm the launch date for its first Scottish outlet.  We are counting down the days to Friday 26th July at The Centre, Livingston.  Get there early to avoid the queues!

Visitors to the shopping centre will see branded hoarding appear from 8th July as the Cinnabon® team works its magic to transform the area to a paradise of Cinnabon’s Ooey-Gooey® goodness and the smell of warm cinnamon and frosting.

Dan Smith, Brand Manager for Cinnabon, is delighted to confirm the first of several openings across Scotland: “It certainly has been difficult keeping this launch a secret, with many people across press and social media guessing that Livingston will be Cinnabon’s first store in Scotland. 

“To say we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response is an understatement and reinforces our decision to open at The Centre, Livingston on Friday 26th July.   

“We have a lot of fans in Scotland, and they have been asking us to open here, and now we’ve delivered!  We’ll be there a few days earlier with the Cinnabon® bus so anyone who can’t wait to get their hands on our famous Bons, should head over to The Centre, Livingston to get a taster.”

With a promise of several more outlets over the coming months, Scotland is going to be awash in frosting from the famous American bakery chain and customers can look forward to a full selection of freshly baked Bons, including the Classic Cinnabon®, ChocoBon, Caramel PecanBon, as well as the official Biscoff Bon, and Choco bon made with OREO.  

In addition, Cinnafans will be able to indulge in the latest Chillattas, the infamous homemade lemonades and a selection of premium hot drinks.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston commented: “We are truly delighted to welcome Cinnabon®, and already, there’s been so much excitement just from our team here at The Centre. 

“Our customers will be thrilled to hear that Livingston is confirmed as the first opening on the 26th July and we’re expecting big queues!”

If you have yet to discover Cinnabon® check out the website for more information on,

  • Cinnabon® Classic – The world-famous cinnamon roll is made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature frosting for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat.
  • PecanBon – The signature Classic Roll, topped with decadent caramel frosting and pecans for the perfect crunch.
  • Biscoff Bon – The signature Classic Roll, generously coated in Biscoff spread and garnished with their signature biscuit.
  • Choco bon made with OREO – Delicious ChocoBon, topped with frosting then fused together with chocolate sauce and topped with OREO crumbs and a delicious OREO biscuit.
  • Chillatta- The coolest way to enjoy a Cinnabon®. This blended frozen masterpiece comes in a variety of flavours.

And if you can’t wait for the Livingston store to open, you can still get your fix online at www.cinnabon.uk

Publishing takes centre stage as Edinburgh International Book Festival announces Industry Strand for 2024

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has revealed details of its full industry programme for 2024.

Unfolding for the first time at the Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute, the three-day strand will be packed with panels, showcases and networking events aimed at writers, publishing professionals, programmers, and anyone curious to learn more about the book industry.

The strand kicks off on Wednesday 14 August with Global Ink, the Festival’s dedicated international industry day. Bringing together trade professionals from Scotland, the UK, and beyond, the day will begin with Trends in Global Literature: What’s Next? Run in partnership with the  Global Association of Literary Festivals , literary experts and Festival Directors from across the globe will discuss the emerging trends shaping the world of literature today. 

There will be insightful contributionsfrom a panel of leading global experts including Literary Curator and Agent Zoe Xie from China, Newcastle Writers Festival Director Rosemarie Milson from Australia, Macodno Literary Festival Director Anja Bengelstdorff from Kenya, and Douglas Resende, Institutional Relations Coordinator from Brazil.

Later in the day audiences can enjoy From Page to Global Stage, offering fascinating insights into the world of literature in translation chaired by writer and translator Daniel Hahn. Korean writer and Booker International shortlisted translator Anton Hur will be joined by Andrea Joyce, Rights Director for Jenny Brown Associates, and Sam McDowell, an Edinburgh-based publisher specialising in translating Latin American fiction into English. Together, they will uncover the journey of translated works and share their insights on enhancing this sector, addressing current challenges, and exploring barriers to the wider proliferation of translated literature.

Audiences can also browse the Translation Pavilion – run in partnership with Waterstones and Publishing Scotland, this dedicated display will showcase the best of literature in translation. Attendees can discover Scottish authors and current UK titles published in a variety of languages alongside English translations of both established and debut international writers.

Global Ink will round off with its Connecting Cultures event, a showcase discussion on the power of international partnerships, chaired by the Book Festival’s Director, Jenny Niven. The event will feature contributions from Moniack Mhor Director Rachel Humphries, leading author Kirsty Logan, British Council’s Literature Programme Manager Matt Beavers, and Sharmilla Beezmohun, Co-founder of Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions.

Following this, the day will culminate with the Global Ink Social, a relaxed gathering to reflect on the day’s insights and network with fellow attendees and international partners over drinks.

On Monday 19 August the Festival hosts Book Talk: Industry Insights for Writers, a day of industry events dedicated to offering insight for early-career writers, from getting published to building a sustainable career as a writer. Anatomy of an Industry will see leading names offer an introduction to the key roles and responsibilities in publishing, including Anna Frame, Communications Director at Canongate, and Emma Paterson, Literary Agent at Aitken Alexander Associates.

You Heard it Here First: Writing for Anthologies will open the book on Scotland’s thriving indie publishing scene, with discussion chaired by Heather Parry, author and co-founder of literary magazine Extra Teeth, and featuring voices from three leading anthologies and magazines: Charlie Brinkurst-Cuff (Black Joy), Malachy Tallack (Gutter Magazine), and Andrew Wilson (Nova Scotia 2: New Speculative Fiction from Scotland).

The day will also feature Literary Lifelines, an event about making the most of funding opportunities and building a sustainable living as a writer, chaired by Laura Waddell, with contributions from Culture Ireland’s Sharon Barry, Creative Scotland’s Alan Bett, and Oriana Leckert, Director of Publishing & Comics Outreach at Kickstarter.

The industry strand concludes on Wednesday 21 August with Book Talk: Perspectives in Publishing, a day of talks and panels aimed at publishing professionals, delving into some of the talking points dominating the industry, from rethinking accessibility to the unstoppable rise of AI. 

Creativity in an Inflexible World offers insight into the questions of accessible publishing, with contributors including Vidisha Biswas of Footnote Press and Caro Clarke of Portobello Literary.

This event will also be available to livestream for remote audiences on a pay-what-you-can basis. Another session sees a panel of experts discussing the potential earthquakes that emerging technologies and AI might set off in the publishing world, and how best to champion human agency in a changing world.

The panel will feature contributions from Deputy CEO of the Publishers Association, Catriona Stevenson, who has been involved in steering an industry-wide AI Taskforce, and Dr Pip Thornton of the University of Edinburgh, who has been devising radical AI interventions as part of the Writing the Wrongs of AI Project.

And Shifting the Dial: Prizes with Purpose delves into the world of literary prizes, with discussions on how to deepen their impact and secure their future with speakers from the Women’s Prize Trust and New Writing North.

Lilidh Kendrick, Programme Manager, and Kate Seiler, External Affairs Manager: “The Book Festival will welcome over 500 authors to its stages in 2024, and our industry strand – scaled up to comprise ten events over three days – is an exciting opportunity to turn the spotlight on the people behind the books. This is a space to forge creative connections; and to pause, reflect, and act on the talking points shaping the industry, both at home and internationally.

“In a nod to our Festival theme Future Tense, we are proud to be welcoming a host of talented industry professionals to share their perspectives on what the future holds for the book world. We’re delighted to be supporting the professional development of writers at different stages in their careers, and want to give thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for making this possible.”

Ticket booking and full information on the industry events can be found at www.edbookfest.co.uk/industry