September 2024 – Page 6 – The NEN

Chief Constable addresses gender self-identification

‘a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male‘

Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell addressed the matter of gender self-identification during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board in Edinburgh today – Thursday, 26 September, 2024:

The Chief’s Constable’s statement in full –

It is important to acknowledge that gender self-identification has been amongst the most emotive and arguably divisive areas of public policy and practice in recent memory.

Neither the Scottish or UK Parliaments have been able to set out a codified approach in legislation to the legal status, rights or duties pertaining to the concept of gender recognition in a way that reconciles with the Equality Act 2010.

It is within this context that Police Scotland and other public bodies have determined policy and practice in a way that achieves what we consider to be a legal and appropriate balance of rights and duties.

Policing needs to consider this in terms of the many situations and scenarios within which we encounter people and this is not restricted to criminal investigations.

However, I recognise that the focus of debate as it relates to gender self-identification is in the area of serious sexual offences.

DCC Speirs wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee this week to explain our approach with particular reference to sexual crime and I wanted to add to that today by providing clarification on my expectations as Chief Constable around our operational practice.

The purpose of policing in Scotland is to improve safety and wellbeing. Police Scotland take a victim centred approach to investigating crime. Improving the experiences of victims is at the heart of everything we do.

Being an organisation that effectively supports victims is central to the long-term vision I am setting out to the board, for the SPA’s endorsement today.

This also reflects the central emphasis that I have given to supporting victims of crime since I took up my role as Chief Constable nearly a year ago.

We have a critical role to play in preventing violence and safeguarding women and girls. Our aim is to support the development of a society and culture where women and girls live free from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and harassment.

I have been struck by the commentary from some quarters that Police Scotland under my leadership, in supporting policies that seek to respect the rights and dignity of transgender and other minority groups, is perpetuating a policy that is misogynistic. This is inaccurate.

I have spent my entire career of more than 30 years in policing facing and challenging misogyny while supporting the rights and progression of women. I will continue to do so.

I want to offer a strong reassurance today – our police officers and staff are trained to investigate crime in a way that focuses on a victim centred, trauma informed approach and which mitigates risk. We will continue to do this every day.

Let me also make clear my commitment and support for the LGBTQI+ community.

Everyone must know that when policing talks about keeping people safe, that applies universally.

Everyone must feel able to speak to the police, to report a crime or to share information knowing they’ll be treated with dignity and respect.

I stated in May that it was a matter of deep regret that these values, over a period of decades have not always applied to the LGBTQI+ communities of Scotland.

That remains my position – and as I said at the time, I am dedicated to building a service that all communities can trust, one that is inclusive, respects diversity, and protects the rights and dignity of all individuals.

In relation to sexual offending, our operational practice and decision making is sound but I have put myself in the position of our Custody sergeants and others on the operational frontline and I can see the benefit of clarifying our position today to ensure that our people continue to get this right.

I also understand the desire for clarity as it relates to sexual crime, a priority for policing in Scotland. To be clear – a male rapist cannot demand to be called a woman and further traumatise his victim – this would not happen. To my knowledge, this has never happened.

You can be assured that a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male.

By way of further reassurance, as it relates to serious sexual offending, Police Scotland obtain DNA samples from individuals accused of serious sexual assaults and from this sample a DNA profile will be obtained that will determine the person’s biological sex. This profile, and biological sex, is retained on the Scottish DNA Database and is available to be searched against crime scene samples to aid historic and future investigations.

I would only emphasise that the discussion around decision making on the operational frontline remains hypothetical – to my knowledge, we have never faced this scenario.

With regards to recording practice, Police Scotland’s procedures on the identification and recording of sex and gender is evidence-led and is in keeping with our values of policing with integrity, fairness and respect, and upholding human rights.

I note that the Chair’s report refers to the UK Government’s February 2024 commission of an independent review and best practice development around data collection issues – we strongly welcome that work and look forward to seeing its outcome in the months ahead.

In 2023, Police Scotland, through the Chief Data Office, conducted an analysis of Data collection and Data standards and our subsequent use of data as it relates to Sex & Gender.

This analysis was set against relevant pieces of legislation including the Data Protection Act, the Public Sector Equality Act as well as the Human Rights and Gender Recognition Act.

The report came at a time of continued public debate, it made a number of observations and continues to be considered within Police Scotland. To that end ACC Catriona Paton is reviewing the detail contained within the analytical report and will bring this through Police Scotland governance for further consideration.

Let me finish by being absolutely clear – a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male.

The organisation I lead is wholly committed to tackling violence against women and girls and to supporting survivors and victims effectively.

We will do this while upholding our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights.

Our commitment here is unequivocal and also central to our long-term vision for policing.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to respond to the issues raised recently, Chair.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine exhibition

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
25 January – 27 April 2025
Free admission

An exhibition telling the story of the global effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine will open at the National Museum of Scotland in January.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine explores the scientific principles and adaptation of innovative research behind this extraordinary endeavour. It looks at the UK-wide, behind-the-scenes work that accompanied the vaccines’ rapid development, production, transport and delivery and examines the sheer logistical challenges behind the worldwide rollout.

Revealing the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators collaborating around the globe to find solutions and save lives, the exhibition will show how these people have shaped the world we live in today. 

Showcasing more than 100 objects and stories that were collected during the peak of the pandemic, it features artworks, interactives, and personal objects examining everything from the virus itself to the work done behind the scenes by volunteers and researchers to make huge innovations possible.

Highlights include the vial of the first COVID-19 vaccine to be administered worldwide, notebooks used by June Almeida, the Scottish scientist who discovered coronavirus in 1966 and artworks interpreting the story of the pandemic by artists including Luke Jerram, Angela Palmer and Junko Mori.

New content created for the exhibition’s Scottish run will explore some of the uniquely Scottish experiences of the pandemic.

Sophie Goggins, Senior Curator of Biomedical Science at National Museums Scotland said: “The development and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in record time is one of the greatest collaborative human achievements in recent memory.

“This exhibition tells the story of just how this extraordinary feat came to be; from the scientific breakthroughs which led to the creation of the vaccine to the countless individuals who helped to roll it out around the globe.”

Injecting Hope is presented by the Science Museum Group (SMG). It comes to the National Museum of Scotland as part of a national and international tour following its inaugural run at the Science Museum in London.

It forms part of a project with the National Council of Science Museums in India and the Guangdong Science Center in China, which, alongside the Science Museum, opened exhibitions in November 2022.

Injecting Hope builds on the work SMG has undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its COVID-19 collecting project, hosting NHS vaccination centres within its museums and public engagement events and materials.  

The Injecting Hope project, including the international tour and UK national tour, has been generously supported by Wellcome. The Huo Family Foundation is kindly supporting the national tour of the exhibition.

Charity invites Edinburgh’s community organisations to sign charter helping Scotland to become a tobacco-free generation

ASH Scotland is encouraging organisations and groups in Edinburgh to sign up for Scotland’s Charter for Tobacco-free Generation and help their communities and the country progress towards reducing smoking rates to 5% or fewer by 2034.

Since launching in 2015, more than 500 supporters Scotland have endorsed the health charity’s Charter through taking positive action in their communities to tackle the harms caused by tobacco and related products such as e-cigarettes.

Groups in Edinburgh interested in signing the Charter are asked to support its goal by pledging to take a two or more actions available under the themes of raising vital awareness about the harms caused by tobacco and related products; supporting stop smoking opportunities for staff, volunteers and service users; introducing a smoke and aerosol free environment; preventing tobacco companies’ promotions of their harmful products or helping to reduce youth uptake of tobacco or vapes.

There is also an option to make a higher level of commitment to become a Charter Champion and gain access to the charity’s engaging resources, special events and networking opportunities.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “With 10 years to go for Scotland to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2034, we are inviting community groups across Edinburgh to sign up to support our Charter and play a vital role in reducing the harms caused by tobacco and related products.

“We look forward to welcoming local organisations in Edinburgh, especially those working with children and young people, who are committed to improving health and wellbeing in their communities to work with us towards a tobacco-free future.”

To sign up for ASH Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation and receive a welcome pack, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/charter

Making Scotland a global green finance hub

Taskforce identifies four areas for action

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will collaborate with financial institutions to ensure Scotland becomes a global centre for green and sustainable finance and investment.

A new report from the Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services makes 31 recommendations on how the public and private sectors can encourage and fund green investments and tackle the climate emergency.

It stresses the Scottish finance industry is particularly well placed to reap “profound benefits” from becoming a global hub and identifies four areas for action – policy, promotion, investment and skills.

Suggested initiatives include:

work to ensure Edinburgh and Glasgow sustain and improve their rankings in the Global Green Finance Index
new initiatives to attract more financial institutions to build their sustainable businesses in Scotland
collaboration across sectors and academia to improve the skills of Scotland’s workforce in sustainable finance

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who addressed the Ethical Finance Global Summit in Edinburgh yesterday , welcomed the findings. Ms Forbes said: “This report is a decisive action plan as we progress towards making Scotland the natural home for green and sustainable finance.

“The financial services sector is key to delivering the benefits of the transition to net zero and we will use this route map to work together and ensure that Scotland – one of the world’s oldest financial centres – is able to maximise the opportunities ahead of us.

“This report, complementing our Green Industrial Strategy and the action we are taking such as developing a series of investment opportunities and launching an online investment portal in 2025, will make Scotland more attractive for investment.”

Taskforce Chair David Pitt-Watson said: “Climate may be the greatest challenge facing humankind. Addressing it will require a huge investment and the services of the finance industry.

“Finance is a jewel in Scotland’s industrial crown. So not only should there be many opportunities for green investment in Scotland, from wind to housing, there is also a huge opportunity for its financial services industry to serve the world.

“The Taskforce has already stimulated a considerable amount of action. And there is so much more to do. This report is a strategy for Scottish finance to play its proper role in addressing the climate challenge.”

Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) Sandy Begbie said: “The work of the taskforce is a great example of collaboration between government and industry to enhance Scotland’s reputation as a global green and sustainable finance centre.

“There are significant recommendations in the report and I am pleased that today marks the start of a formal partnership between the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) and SFE to take them forward. GEFI will leverage its considerable global footprint while SFE will use its leadership position here in Scotland and our key relationships in London.”

The Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services report.

Council invests £500,000 to protect Edinburgh’s coastline

Work to restore the iconic timber groynes on Portobello beach has been completed by the city council.

The five timber groynes constructed in the 1970s help to hold sand in place to prevent further erosion of the Capital’s important coastline.

In November 2021, one of them was damaged during Storm Arwen and partially collapsed. Following a survey of all of the groynes, work was commissioned to repair and restore them.

Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “By investing half a million pounds in the repair of the groynes we are helping to protect the sand and coastal environment at Portobello so locals and visitors can continue to enjoy this popular beach in Edinburgh for many years to come.

“This announcement is very timely as we are promoting all the work the Council is doing to address climate change as part of ‘Climate Week’.

“Unfortunately, due to the climate emergency, storms are becoming all too common and I’m really pleased their restoration means we have good protection in place. It’s also great to hear the excess timber wasn’t wasted and was donated to locals including a community garden and artists.

“The iconic groyne structures are well known to locals and visitors and have become part of the landscape in the area so it’s great to see them restored to their former glory.”

Read our Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan 2024-2030

Ian Murray comments on Scotland’s latest GDP figures

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.3% in July 2024 according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician yesterday. This follows no growth in June 2024 (revised up from -0.3%).

In the three months to July, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.3% compared to the previous three month period. This indicates a slight decrease in growth relative to the increase of 0.6% in 2024 Quarter 2 (April to June).

The two industries which made the biggest contribution to overall GDP growth in July were Manufacturing and Information and Communications Services, both of which contributed 0.1 percentage points of growth to headline GDP.

The monthly statistical publication and data is available from the Scottish Government’s website.

SQA Insight highlights success for Edinburgh pupils

Edinburgh’s pupils continue to be among the best performing in Scotland

Results from the SQA Insight report shows Edinburgh’s learners are performing better than their virtual comparators in 14 out of 15 key measures, with 7% more pupils gaining at least one Advanced Higher than in other areas in Scotland.

Edinburgh learners are also out-performing their virtual comparators in Literacy and Numeracy for all stages and levels.

A virtual comparator is a sample of students from other areas of Scotland who have similar characteristics to a school’s students.

The news builds on the SQA exam results in August showing levels of attainment for pupils across Edinburgh remaining above those achieved before the Covid pandemic.

Insight provides teachers and lecturers with a summary of how learners have performed in their exams and coursework for each subject at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the past year.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This has been another positive year for our pupils. I want to congratulate them, as well as all our teaching and support staff. Their hard work has certainly paid off and praise should go to them as well as all the parents and carers who have supported the children.

“I welcome the results from the SQA Insights report. We have invested heavily in improving the skills of our workforce and I am confident that our staff will continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning to meet the needs of the city’s young people.

“Let’s not forget there is no wrong pathway for our young people as everyone’s learner journey is different. School is about ensuring all our young people are able to fulfil their potential by attaining the highest level of achievements possible and by receiving the best possible experience.

“We want all our learners to find their pathways into the world of higher and further education, employment or training and to narrow the gap between those living in different areas of affluence.”

Course reports – written by principal assessors and principal verifiers – are published to give an insight into how learners performed, detailing which areas of the course assessment where learners performed well, and which areas proved to be more demanding.

Principal assessors and other senior appointees are experienced teachers and lecturers who work with SQA to produce the course reports and highlight examples where candidates have performed well in their external assessments.

The reports also contain advice for teachers, lecturers, and training practitioners on preparing learners for the coming year’s assessments, as well as statistical data relating to grade boundaries.

NHS Lothian offers new support to Scottish Prison Staff

NHS Lothian’s Lifelines Scotland project, a dedicated service to promote resilience and wellbeing for emergency responders, has today (25 September) expanded its reach. The service will now also be available to all Scottish Prison Service staff, recognising the challenges and particular stresses that these individuals face through their work.

The Lifelines Scotland project was established in 2016 by NHS Lothian’s specialist trauma service, the Rivers Centre, to provide support to voluntary emergency responders.

In 2020, the project was extended to Scotland’s blue light services and has been working with ambulance, fire and police to embed an understanding of responder resilience and wellbeing at the heart of these organisations.

Gill Moreton, Lifelines Scotland, Project Lead explained: “The NHS Lothian Rivers Centre team has a wealth of experience working with blue light colleagues and we are delighted that we can use this knowledge and expertise to help support other sectors where similarly challenging working environments are experienced.”

In doing their jobs, prison staff face uncertainty, risk, and challenge on a daily basis. Tensions can build in an instant, and it is their professionalism and dedication which is often the tempering factor. It is therefore vital that resources such as Lifelines are available, to help them care for their mental health.

Gill added: “Prison staff can face a range of challenges because of the environment they work in. Their roles can be physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding.

“Ensuring these individuals have the tools available to support their own wellbeing, as well as information should they become unwell is vital to boosting resilience amongst this workforce. I am delighted that Lifelines Scotland will now be available for Scottish Prison Service staff.”

Prison staff are welcomed to the project on national Hidden Heroes Day; an awareness day launched by the Butler Trust to recognise and thank prison, probation, and other Justice sector staff who deliver a critical public service.

The dedicated resource will provide additional support for all prison staff, who work in complex and demanding environments. They are responsible for the care of a largely vulnerable population, who are known to have high rates of trauma and mental ill-health.

Lifelines Scotland is unique in providing a single point of access for all of Scotland’s emergency responders, whether they’re employed, volunteer or have retired, and for their family, friends and other supporters. This access will now be expanded to all staff working within the Scottish Prison Service, with dedicated content available to them.

Adam Jobson, Director of Organisational Development for the Scottish Prison Service said, “We are delighted to be working alongside NHS Lothian to extend Lifelines Scotland resources to all our staff.

“Our staff go above and beyond every day, supporting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society, and doing their bit in keeping Scotland’s communities safe.

“We recognise the importance of providing wellbeing services appropriate to their specific needs. This resource will provide a valuable tool for supporting their self-care, resilience, and recovery, while also signposting to other wellbeing services that are available to them.”

The Lifelines Scotland project works upstream, taking a preventative, early intervention approach. It provides valuable information to ensure that people have access to support if they become unwell, but its principal focus is on helping people to stay well in the first place.

The Lifelines website is based on the Lifelines 10 Essentials, which recognise that emergency service staff, volunteers and prison service staff are at risk of psychological injury because of their roles, but that injury isn’t inevitable and that there are lots of things that can help to keep people well.

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Scottish Government said, “The everyday stresses and strains of a job can have an impact on staff.

“Lifelines is exactly that – a lifeline providing resources and tools to help people manage their mental health and resilience when it comes to the physical, emotional and psychological demands of their job.

“I welcome this initiative being made available to all staff in the Scottish Prison Service. It is vital that we keep the people safe, who are keeping our communities safe.”

The Lifelines Scotland website can be accessed at https://www.lifelines.scot/

Global Warming? Knit in my name!

KNITTERS URGE FIRST MINISTER NOT TO CROSS CLIMATE ‘RED LINE’

A group of concerned citizens calling themselves the ‘North Sea Knitters’ gathered outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday to knit a ‘red line’, representing the critical limit of 1.5 degrees of global temperature rise.

Taking place during Scottish Climate Week, as the ‘Knitting for Climate’ group gathers outside the EU Parliament in Brussels, the North Sea Knitters’ message was simple: the Scottish Government needs to stop blaming the climate crisis on individuals and use its powers to speed the phase out of fossil fuels.

The group spoke to MSPs and gave out their famous hand-knitted red scarves to remind them not to lose sight of the 1.5 degrees limit of warming enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Several MSPs including the First Minister could be seen sporting the red scarves and discussing vital climate issues like the Stop Rosebank campaign, the Peterhead gas power station, and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Scottish Government is currently considering whether to approve a controversial new gas burning power station in Peterhead which would prolong the lifetime of the fossil fuel industry and lock the public into high energy bills and fuel poverty.

Chris Aldred, a member of the North Sea Knitters Group, said: “Knitting is a craft that has been passed down through generations. It symbolises the hope that we can pass on, not just our skills, but a thriving future for all that come after us.

“The knitted red line represents the 1.5C threshold of dangerous planetary warming that nations have committed not to cross. Our scarves are being created through concern, uncertainty and fear for the future, but also through our joy, love and unity.

“The Scottish Government says that climate is a priority but it must turn these words into concrete action to cut pollution now and into the future. This means using its power to firmly reject new fossil fuels, standing up to the oil industry and prioritising the needs of workers through the transition.

“We are allied with our European friends in Knitting for Climate, a movement of people using the art of knitting to express concern over climate change and inadequate political response to the crisis that is already affecting us all. Through our grassroots efforts, we demand climate justice.”

The knitters’ demands for the Scottish Government are:

+ Refuse all on-shore planning permission for fossil fuel infrastructure, including the proposed new gas plant at Peterhead.
+ Oppose and work to halt extraction from all new oil and gas fields, including Rosebank.
+ Ensure all public subsidies and tax concessions to fossil fuel companies are revoked.
+ Back the call for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty.
+ Ensure that workers and communities have a Just Transition to renewables, without allowing the fossil fuel industry to call the shots for the transition.

Building Scotland’s climate resilience

Plan to help communities understand how climate change impacts their lives

Communities and businesses across Scotland will be given support and tools to help tackle the unavoidable impacts of climate change as part of the Scottish Government’s new National Adaptation Plan.

The Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 (SNAP3) sets out a comprehensive suite of more than 200 actions and proposals for managing the current and future impacts of climate change in Scotland.

Climate change means Scotland will experience more extreme weather. Flooding, water scarcity and hot weather can damage our environment, disrupt public transport and affect our supply of foods, vital goods and services. This means that households, communities, businesses and organisations across Scotland are having to consider the impacts of climate change more than ever.

It includes how sectors including agriculture, transport and health as well as businesses and communities will prepare for more extreme weather events, such as flooding, water scarcity and extreme periods of heat.

These include:

£5.5 million of funding this year to complete a national network of Community Climate Action Hubs to drive locally-led climate action across Scotland
investing £400million investment to Scotland’s railway infrastructure to reduce weather-related disruption
facilitating peer-to-peer support to local governments and public services to prepare for the impacts of climate change for local populations
providing advice and support to businesses on how they can future proof their workplaces through practical check-lists on how to prepare for the impacts of climate change
ensuring the NHS Scotland estate is prepared and equipped to deal with extreme heat and flooding

Launching the plan at a visit to the Restoring the River Leven project, First Minister John Swinney said: “While we must ensure Scotland continues to play its part in addressing the causes of climate change, we must also be ready to deal with the impacts that are already locked in giving us wetter winters, drier summers and more weather-related disruption.

“Our new Adaptation Plan is our most comprehensive response to protecting people’s lives and livelihoods against the risks of climate change – with over 200 actions to build climate resilience in our communities, businesses, public services and natural environment.

“I am proud to lead a Scotland that is driving forward the race to net zero, whilst ensuring that our country is ready for the impacts of climate change that we are already experiencing. This can be demonstrated through the Leven River Restoration Project, which has adapted the local landscape to help reduce the amount of flooding in the area, whilst restoring and encouraging wildlife and nature to flourish. It is a fantastic example of how collaborative working can use nature to adapt to the challenges we face at the same time as delivering benefit for the local community.”

Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment protection Agency (SEPA), said: “Scotland’s natural environment is globally renowned and our water environment, as we can see in Leven today, is central to our environmental, economic and social success. Scotland’s water quality is at its highest level ever, with more than 87% of our water environment achieving good or high classification for water quality, with an ambition to go further.

“Our climate is already changing and as Scotland’s environment agency, we’re at the forefront of working with partners to respond and adapt. The Water Environment Fund, including The Leven Project, is a very visible story for change and a great example of how public, private and community sector partners can successfully collaborate to improve water environments, boost flood resilience and deliver community benefits.

“In Scotland’s Climate Week, it’s fitting that we hear directly from young people and community partner’s who’ve worked so hard locally and who’s future depends on the work that together we do today.”

Fife Council Leader Councillor David Ross said: “”Fife Council welcomes the Scottish Government’s new Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which marks an important step forward in the collective fight against climate change.

“Much has changed since Fife Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and, although we have made significant progress on a number of fronts, we are committed to helping our communities prepare for, and respond to, the effects of climate change.

“The First Minister’s visit to the Restoring the River Leven project highlights the remarkable progress that can be achieved through strong partnership working, in this instance between Fife Council, SEPA, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and local communities.

“This close collaboration has also led to – and will lead to – additional benefits through the Levenmouth Connectivity Project, the Active Travel Network and River Park Routes as well as The River Park Project that sit alongside the restoration project as part of the wider Leven Programme.

“Fife Council remains fully committed to leading the way in tackling climate change and we are proud to be part of initiatives that not only restore our natural environment but also build resilience for the future.”

Jeremy Harris, CEO at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, said: “This project to restore the River Leven is a working example of different organisations coming together to deliver something that directly contributes to the outcomes laid out in the new Scottish National Adaptation Plan.

“The carefully considered interventions already under way will return the river to its more natural flowing state ensuring that nature connects through the Leven catchment and delivers direct benefits to the local communities.

“Improved infrastructure with the river at its centre will serve the surrounding communities and enrich the lives of those who make use of it. At Fife Coast and Countryside Trust our mission is to connect environment and people and this river restoration project, running through the heart of Levenmouth, is a wonderful example of how to do just that. I look forward to seeing the natural world and local communities flourish thanks to this work for years to come.”

Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)