Gracemount incident on 5th November: CCTV images released

EDINBURGH Police have issued CCTV footage of three men officers believe might be able to assist with enquiries into an incident on 5 November 2024 at Captains Road, in the Gracemount area.

The first male is described as a white, aged between 20 and 30 years-old, around 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build and a bushy brown/red beard. He was wearing a black hat, black tracksuit top with white logo on left chest and white lining around shoulders and black trainers.

The second male is described as a white, aged between 30 and 40 years-old, with a medium build and black hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a fur hood and black trousers.

The third male is described as a white aged between 18 and 20-years-old, 5ft 9ins tall, with a medium/athletic build, dark eyebrows and black hair. He was wearing a black snood, black crew-neck Nike jumper with small white swoosh on left breast, black trousers and black trainers.

Detective Inspector Steven Dick said: “We are keen to talk to these males as we believe he may have information which could assist with our enquiries.

“The males pictured, or anyone who may recognise them, are asked to please contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

‘Game-changing’ funding for Scotland’s creative sector

Hundreds of individuals and organisations to benefit

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said an additional £34 million in culture and arts spending next year will be “game-changing” for the sector. 

Wednesday’s draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 will see culture and arts spending increase by £34 million, with £20 million of this being channelled through Creative Scotland for its competitive multi-year funding programme for artists and cultural organisations. 

Speaking at the National Gallery of Scotland, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said significant levels of public investment in the culture and arts sector would be coupled with an examination of the structures around culture funding to ensure as much money as possible goes directly to artists and organisations. 

He confirmed that the review of Creative Scotland’s remit and functions will begin early next year and will aim to publish its recommendations in summer 2025.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland’s arts and culture are at the very soul of our nation. They speak to how we see the world, how we share ideas, and how our people can give expression to their hopes.

“Our draft budget could not be clearer in our steadfast support for Scotland’s arts and culture sector. We aim to provide an additional £34 million next year to bolster the sector. This is a game-changing increase.

“This will enable Creative Scotland to roll-out its multi-year funding programme – ensuring that the highest ever number of artists and organisations receive regular funding.

“We also plan to increase funding for Screen Scotland, give uplifts to our National Performing Companies, double our Festivals EXPO funding, provide above inflation increase to Sistema and the Youth Music Initiative, and restart the Culture Collective programme alongside with a range of other activity.

“This budget brings us half way to reaching our five-year commitment of a recurring £100 million increase for the sector in just two years. For 2026-27, subject to the normal budget processes, our aim is to deliver a further £20 million increase.”

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 was published on 4 December 2024. It commits an additional £34 million resource funding to arts and culture in Scotland.

Within this, a further £20 million will be provided to Creative Scotland for its multi-year funding programme in 2025-26. Funding will also increase by £4.5 million for Scotland’s National Collections and £1 million for the National Performing Companies. 

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 also commits to an increase of £4 million funding for Scottish Festivals, doubling the EXPO Festival Fund to expand its reach beyond festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as providing funding for the Festivals Partnership. There will also be an additional £2 million for Screen Scotland to support work to attract international investment and large-scale productions to Scotland.

The Culture Collective programme will be restarted with £4 million to benefit Scottish communities, community organisations, individual artists and freelancers.

In addition, £270,000 has been allocated to enable the creation of a single digital library interface which directs people to Scotland’s public libraries, allowing the public to access information, online content and a national e-resources lending area to ensure equitable access to information and reading material across Scotland.

There will also be £4 million allocated for a new Scottish Culture & Heritage Capacity Fund. This fund recognises the significant challenges faced by heritage and culture organisations across Scotland.

December Carer’s Allowance Supplement paid today

Eligible carers will receive a payment of £288.60 today (Friday 6 December).

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is unique to Scotland and recognises the important contribution of unpaid carers in Scotland.

The next payment of £288.60 will be made on Friday 6 December to eligible carers who were getting Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland or Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 7 October 2024.

Latest official statistics show that 88,615 carers received Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June 2024.

One mum, and carer, who received the payment, said: “As a carer to two disabled kids it comes in handy, even just to treat myself to some new clothes. Thank you for thinking of the hard-working carers who do a tremendous amount for whomever they care for.”

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is paid into the same bank account as the recipient’s Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance. If someone thinks they are eligible, but does not receive the payment by Monday 16 December, they should get in touch by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

To get Carer’s Allowance Supplement, you must live in Scotland or have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland. For more information on our benefits for carers, visit Carers – mygov.scot

Information on other support for carers is available at Help if you’re a carer – mygov.scot

Community Hero Award for Poppyscotland volunteer

A long-serving Poppyscotland volunteer has said how he felt “shocked” but “incredibly grateful” after being given a Community Hero Award by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray.

University of Edinburgh academic Dr Alex Imrie, of Burdiehouse, was nominated by his peers within the ward of the Labour MP, after dedicating the last 25 years to raising both funds and the profile of Poppyscotland.

Alex’s long-running relationship with the charity began back in secondary school, when as part of a project he was encouraged to meet and speak with veterans. After setting up a chat with a friend of a neighbour, Alex was first introduced to and immediately inspired by the work of Poppyscotland. So much so, he decided to begin his own journey as a Poppyscotland volunteer.

His work has seen him pounding the streets of Edinburgh with collection tins and buckets, planting crosses in the Garden of Remembrance, regularly promoting the charity to members of the public and on his social media and taking part in Poppyscotland’s Sportive (46 miles), and then setting himself a mammoth 548-mile challenge in memory of his great-grandfather, William Scott, who served in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WWI.

The ride simulated the distance between Loanhead, where William is commemorated at Memorial Park and Béthune, where he was buried and helped to raise over £800 combined with his Sportive fundraiser. 

Alex said: “I was really quite shocked but incredibly grateful to hear that I had been selected for the Community Hero Award. My relationship with Poppyscotland goes back 25 years now and it really does hold a special place in my heart.

“I must thank everyone who nominated me for the award and of course thank you to Mr Ian Murray MP and his team for the Award.”

Gordon Michie, Head of Funding and Learning at Poppyscotland said: “Alex has literally given thousands of hours to our cause over the years and raised hundreds of pounds in the process. 

“We were absolutely delighted to learn that he was being given this award by Ian Murray MP as Alex epitomises the core values of Poppyscotland. He is a first class volunteer!”

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: “I was delighted to present Alex with a Community Hero Award in my role as MP for Edinburgh South.

“His fundraising efforts have been utterly superb, and it was a real pleasure to meet him. Alex was nominated by the public to recognise his significant contribution to both Poppyscotland and the veteran’s community.

“Well done Alex and thank you again.”

Call for UK Government support in scrapping the two-child limit

Social Justice Secretary writes to counterpart seeking early engagement

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Liz Kendall, the UK Work and Pensions Secretary, to follow up on the commitment to scrap the two-child limit from 2026.

The Scottish Government’s plan to mitigate the limit on Universal Credit, announced as part of the 2025-26 budget, will require cooperation from the Department for Work and Pensions to enable systems development and data-sharing.

In the letter to Ms Kendall, Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and we believe that this policy will be a key driver in delivering that mission.

“The Scottish Government is committing the resources required to begin the preparatory work in the coming financial year with a view to making the first mitigation payments in 2026-27.

“The Finance Secretary was careful to note that co-operation with your Department will be necessary, which I understand will primarily need to centre around systems development and data sharing.

“We will also want to work with you to ensure that any mitigation payments are disregarded as income for benefit calculations. The Scottish Government is keen to progress this work as soon as possible. I would therefore be keen to meet before Christmas to discuss our policy and how, together, we might best be kept appraised of progress as officials take forward this work.”

Two-child limit: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot

Plant Share at Granton Goes Greener

We are getting ready for our final event of 2024 at Granton Goes Greener today – PLANT SHARE and PLANT HANGER MAKING WORKSHOP on Friday 6th December at Granton Parish Church.

As always, this is a completely FREE event organised in partnership with our friends from Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle

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If you have some plants/ plant cuttings or seeds you would like to share, please bring them on the day.

Any questions-email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk

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Last day for Corstorphine Christmas Support Project donations

Drumbrae Library Hub is a drop off point for donations to the Corstorphine Christmas Support Project!

This project supports families in the wider Corstorphine, Murrayfield and Roseburn area who need extra help at this festive time of year.

Please bring in toys and toiletries that you wish to donate TODAY as it will be the last opportunity to give these.

Swinney welcomes political leaders as British-Irish Council meets in Edinburgh

First Minister John Swinney will welcome political leaders to Scotland today as he hosts the 42nd Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.

The First Minister will hold talks with the UK Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, Prif Weinidog Cymru (the First Minister of Wales), the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, the Chief Minister of Jersey and the Chief Minister of Guernsey.

This main focus of the summit – which marks the 25th anniversary of the first meeting of the British-Irish Council – will see leaders gather for substantive talks on financing a just transition and tackling climate change.

First Minister John Swinney said last night: “Scotland will welcome political leaders to our capital city as we gather for the 42nd Summit of the British-Irish Council – a meeting which also marks 25 years since the first council was held following the Good Friday Agreement.

“As we reflect on 25 years, it is testament to the value of the British-Irish Council that the partnership conceived a quarter of a century ago has prevailed in the midst of unprecedented change and challenge.

“The meeting in Edinburgh provides a forum for us to discuss the greatest challenge facing the next 25 years that of climate change and delivering a just transition. The need to share our knowledge, our efforts and our actions is no less urgent today than it was when the first British-Irish Council meeting was held in 1999.

“As First Minister of Scotland, achieving a just transition is integral to the four main priorities of my government. Scotland needs to attract investment to tackle climate change and grasp the opportunities of that journey to Net Zero in a way that grows our economy and helps provide investment to tackle child poverty and improve public services.”

The Summit will be attended by political leaders from the BIC’s eight Member Administrations and will focus on the theme of ‘Financing a Just Transition’. Leaders will also discuss topical political developments.

This will be the sixth Summit hosted by the Scottish Government. The last was in November 2020 and was virtual owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous BIC Summits hosted by the Scottish Government have taken place in Glasgow (June 2016), Stirling (June 2012), South Queensferry (September 2008) and New Lanark (November 2002).

This Summit in Edinburgh will also mark the 25th anniversary of the very first BIC Summit, which took place at Lancaster House in London in December 1999.

Home | The British Irish Council

The British-Irish Council was formally established following the Good Friday Agreement and brings together political leaders from the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government of Ireland, the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Isle of Man Government, the Government of Jersey, and the Government of Guernsey.

The following political leaders are attending the 42nd meeting of the British Irish Council in Edinburgh:

Scottish GovernmentRt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister 
Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister 
Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs & Culture (Thursday only) 
UK GovernmentRt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister
Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, SoS NI (Thursday only) 
Government of Ireland Simon Harris TD, Taoiseach 
Micheál Martin TD, Tánaiste  
Welsh GovernmentRt. Hon. Eluned Morgan, Prif Weinidog Cymru (First Minister of Wales) 
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning 
Northern Ireland ExecutiveMichelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister 
Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister 
Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy  
Minister Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs 
Isle of Man GovernmentAlfred Cannan, Chief Minister 
Government of Jersey Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Chief Minister 
Deputy Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations  
Government of Guernsey Deputy Lyndon Trott, Chief Minister 

LifeCare Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER 11am – 3pm

Our Christmas Fair is happening THIS SATURDAY!

Just a few days until we bring the local community together at The LifeCare Centre, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB, THIS SATURDAY, the 7th of December, between 11am and 3pm, for a fun filled day of Christmas magic at our charity fair!

Come along on the day and enjoy: – Craft Stalls – Santa’s Grotto (bookings on 0131 343 0940) – Gifts – Raffle – Merry tunes and delicious festive treats

Whether you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts, or just a chance to make a difference by supporting your local charity so we can keep local older people warm and well this winter, we’d love to see you there!

Mark your calendars and spread the word!