POLICE are appealing for help to trace 21-year-old Maisy Williams who has been reported missing in Edinburgh.
Maisy was last seen in the Tipperlinn Road area around 12.30pm TODAY – Tuesday, 7 January, 2025.
She is described as being around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with black, shoulder length hair. Maisy was last seen wearing black trousers, a black hoodie, a black beanie hat, and red trainers.
Inspector Paul Begley said: “Enquiries to trace Maisy are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen her to contact us as soon as possible.
“Anyone with information on where Maisy may be is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1211 of 7 January, 2025.”
A Midlothian company is literally bringing light into the lives of hard-working teams and big-hearted volunteers who staff Scotland’s charities with a brilliant initiative which will also cut waste and boost the circular economy.
Blackmoon Lighting, which has been operating out of Loanhead since 2004, has established a scheme in which whenever it is engaged in a Category (Cat) B fit out, it recovers energy-efficient light fittings from existing Cat A fit outs which otherwise might be thrown away, refurbishes them and donates them to worthy causes.
A Cat A fit out is a basic operational fit out that provides a finished empty space, ready to move into, while a Cat B fit out involves bringing all office design elements, including flooring and furniture, to create an operational workplace.
The firm, which specialises in concept designs, lighting modelling and supplying energy efficient, sustainable lighting solutions, founded the scheme following the appointment of a new management team in May last year.
It gives perfectly serviceable light fittings a second life by collecting them, refurbishing them and distributing them to charities or recycling them. Any fittings donated to charitable causes come with a five-year guarantee.
Matthew Wright,who has taken on the role of Managing Director at Blackmoon, said: “There are lots of Cat B fit outs going on across the Central Belt of Scotland, where a workplace is completely re-designed to a client’s unique specifications, and often the first thing they do is rip out the lights and replace them with new ones. That’s where we step in.
“This re-purposing initiative is our way of closing the loop, reducing resource consumption, lowering emissions and making a contribution to building a Net Zero future through our circular economy approach.
“We have already helped the Smart Works charity in Edinburgh and a major educational concern in the city. Energy-efficient light fittings benefit charities financially, but many can’t afford them. Now all they have to do is get in touch with us and we’ll see how we can assist.”
Smart Works Scotland, which gives unemployed women the clothes, coaching and confidence to secure employment and change their lives, has two centres, at Annandale Street in Edinburgh and in Glasgow.
Rachel Shields, its Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, said: “We were delighted that the light fittings were donated free to our charity’s new centre in Edinburgh by this amazing and sustainable initiative.
“Thanks so much to Blackmoon Lighting for supporting our cause and helping to transform our new centre into a warm and welcoming hub where even more women can access our transformative interview, dressing and coaching service to help them connect with their potential, get the job and change their lives.”
The new management team at Blackmoon Lighting, which includes Ewan Arthur as Sales Director and Marc Faughnan as Operations Director, took over on the retirement of the company’s founder, Kenny Morrison.
It employs 12 people and carries out installations across the UK. The fast-growing company also has the facility to design and manufacture bespoke luminaires and systems for both decorative and commercial applications.
Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse
Government to make creating sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ images a criminal offence
Perpetrators to face up to two years behind bars under new offences for taking an intimate image without consent and installing equipment to enable these offences
Package delivers on UK Government’s Plan for Change and manifesto commitment to protect women and girls
Predators who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ could face prosecution as the Government bears down on vile online abuse as part of its mission to make our streets safer.
The proliferation of these hyper-realistic images has grown at an alarming rate, causing devastating harm to victims, particularly women and girls who are often the target.
To tackle this, the government will introduce a new offence meaning perpetrators could be charged for both creating and sharing these images, not only marking a crackdown on this abhorrent behaviour but making it clear there is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent.
The Government will also create new offences for the taking of intimate images without consent and the installation of equipment with intent to commit these offences – sending a clear message that abusers will face the full force of the law.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: “It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised, and as part of our Plan for Change we are bearing down on violence against women – whatever form it takes.
“These new offences will help prevent people being victimised online. We are putting offenders on notice – they will face the full force of the law.”
While it is already an offence to share – or threaten to share – an intimate image without consent, it is only an offence to take an image without consent in certain circumstances, such as upskirting.
Under the new offences, anyone who takes an intimate image without consent faces up to two years’ custody. Those who install equipment so that they, or someone else, can take intimate images without consent also face up to two years behind bars.
The move delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes as well as recommendations from the Law Commission relating to intimate images.
Alongside existing offences of sharing intimate images without consent, this will give law enforcement a holistic package of offences to effectively tackle non-consensual intimate image abuse.
Baroness Jones, Technology Minister, said: “The rise of intimate image abuse is a horrifying trend that exploits victims and perpetuates a toxic online culture. These acts are not just cowardly, they are deeply damaging, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately targeted.
“With these new measures, we’re sending an unequivocal message: creating or sharing these vile images is not only unacceptable but criminal. Tech companies need to step up too – platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties.”
Campaigner and presenter Jess Davies said: “Intimate-image abuse is a national emergency that is causing significant, long-lasting harm to women and girls who face a total loss of control over their digital footprint, at the hands of online misogyny.
“Women should not have to accept sexual harassment and abuse as a normal part of their online lives, we need urgent action and legislation to better protect women and girls from the mammoth scale of misogyny they are experiencing online.”
These new offences follow the Government’s action in September 2024 to add sharing intimate image offences as priority offences under the Online Safety Act. This put the onus on platforms to root out and remove this type of content – or face enforcement action from Ofcom.
The new offences will be included in the Westminster government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced when parliamentary time allows. Further details of the new offences will be set out in due course.
Further information:
The sexually explicit deepfakes offences will apply to images of adults. This is because the law already covers this behaviour where the image is of a child (under the age of 18).
It is already an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images, including deepfakes, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, following amendments that were made by the Online Safety Act 2023.
The Government will repeal two existing voyeurism offences that relate to the recording of a person doing a private act, and recording an image beneath a person’s clothing.
They will be replaced with a range of new offences:
Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent or reasonable belief in it
Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent and with intent to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation
Taking or recording an intimate photograph or film without consent or reasonable belief in it, and for the purpose of the sexual gratification of oneself or another
We will also introduce new offences that criminalise someone if they install or adapt, prepare or maintain equipment, and do so with the intent of enabling themselves or another to commit one of the three offences of taking an intimate image without consent.
EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY TO LEAD AMBITIOUS STUDY
The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) has secured funding for a groundbreaking project studying sharks and skates in Scottish waters – the SharkScape project.
Sharks and skates play a crucial role in marine ecosystems around Scotland but are often misunderstood. Edinburgh Napier University will lead the ambitious study which aims to enhance our understanding of these species.
The project team includes researchers from the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Association of Marine Science, the University of the Highlands and Islands, the Orkney Skate Trust, the University of Aberdeen, Marine Directorate Science, and NatureScot.
The first project stage will bring together existing data on sharks and skates and identify knowledge gaps. The second stage will use advanced and innovative methods – such as tagging technology, environmental DNA, and underwater video – to map distribution, migratory patterns, population dynamics, and interactions of these fish with their environment.
The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the conservation needs of the species, helping to inform sustainable management practices and nature-positive solutions that will help protect and enhance the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems.
This initiative underscores the commitment of MASTS members to understanding the marine environment and informing decision making that positively affects the sustainability of our seas and oceans.
Lead researcher Dr James Thorburn, Associate Professor of Marine Ecology at Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science said: “The impact of this research extends far beyond scientific curiosity.
“As apex predators, sharks and skates are essential for maintaining the health and diversity of marine life. By shedding light on the behaviour and health of these species in Scottish waters, we hope to enhance our ecological knowledge and strengthen efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity.
“Securing this funding marks a pivotal moment in our quest to understand and protect these fish in Scottish waters. They are among the most threatened vertebrates on the planet because of factors such as historic overfishing, habitat removal, and climate change.
“Our research will provide the data needed to develop effective conservation strategies, ensuring the overall stability of oceanic ecosystems. We are excited to embark on this crucial journey and look forward to our findings having a positive impact on marine biodiversity and sustainability efforts.”
The funding for this project has been provided by Shell U.K. Limited to support research related to species and habitat conservation in the marine environment under its ambition to have a positive impact on biodiversity.
The funding agreement is for £1 million over three years.
How much should someone receive when they are off sick from work?
This is the question that ministers were considering over Christmas. And the answer they arrive at will have a huge impact on many households’ budgets (writes TUC’s TIM CLARK).
For the majority of workers today the answer to that question is straightforward: when they are ill they simply receive their normal salary for a period.
Others, particularly many low-paid workers get less-than-generous statutory sick pay (SSP), currently £116.75 a week, if they are ill. But this only kicks in from the fourth day of absence.
More than a million workers wouldn’t receive anything when absent because they earn too little to qualify under current rules. They are often part-time workers and are predominantly women.
This means many workers face hardship if they suffer illness or injury or risk spreading illness in their workplace by attending while sick.
This could change as ministers implement their promise that “no one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship”.
Measures in the Employment Rights Bill being considered by MPs will scrap the qualifying earnings test and sick pay will be paid from the first day of absence in future.
The options on the table
But how effective these changes will be rest on the percentage rate to be paid to low earners.
Among the options modelled was an SSP payment as low as 60 per cent of wages.
This would be the entitlement for the lowest paid 2.3 million workers,
Under the current proposals, this could lead to some 1.1 million workers who are currently entitled to full SSP eligible for less under the new system because they currently get full SSP, albeit at less than £117 a week.
The TUC is urging the government to ensure that workers receive the lower of their earnings or statutory sick pay. At the very least they should receive 95 per cent of pay to reflect the payments received by the lowest-earning workers who currently qualify for SSP.
For this is not a cold exercise in abstract numbers. There is a risk that some low earners could miss out the equivalent of a family’s food budget if ministers opt for lower pay-outs.
Scenarios set out below show the potential real-world impact of ministers’ decisions.
Scenario one
Rita works 10 hours a week (two hours a day) in an office canteen on the national minimum wage. Her partner is a sales assistant earning £25,000.
One weekend, Rita sprains her foot and is unable to work that week.
She has no access to occupational sick pay and currently would be unable to claim SSP as she earns under the lower earnings limit of £123 required to qualify. This means that the household income is cut by £114.40 a week.
She struggles to give her three children money for their daily school meals and out-of-school sports activities and has to use money set aside for the next energy bill.
Under the new system, if the rate is set on the basis of the lower amount of earnings or SSP she would receive £114.40.
However, a 60 per cent rate, one of the options modelled by the government in its latest consultation would mean she only receives £68.64. This cut of £45.76 is close to what a family spends on school meals for three children every week.
Scenario two
Sam is a single parent earning the national minimum wage at a food factory – working part time for nine hours Monday to Wednesday and gets paid weekly.
Sam catches a nasty cold and is unable to work Monday to Wednesday. She has no access to occupational sick pay, and, under the current system doesn’t earn enough to qualify for SSP.
She claims Universal Credit and by notifying the DWP about a drop in earnings in the next assessment period could receive a higher universal credit payment. But this wouldn’t be paid out for more than a month, leaving her immediate bills to pay.
But if payouts were the lowest of SSP and actual earnings Sam would have received £102.96 in wages.
This means that Sam and her two children would struggle to buy food that week, although they would be better off than currently.
Scenario three
Raj works two jobs. On Monday to Tuesday he works part time at a retail store for three hours a day. He works at a florist on Wednesday and Thursday for two hours.
This is to fit in with caring responsibilities for three children with his wife who works at the local biscuit factory from Monday to Friday (9-5pm). She earns slightly above the national minimum wage, and both Raj’s jobs are on the minimum wage.
Due to a car accident, he is unable to work for three months – this causes immense pressure on the family finances as during this period Raj receives no earnings.
If he received SSP based on his actual earnings this would have been £114.40 a week.
But at a 60 per cent rate he would receive £68.64 a week. This would mean that over the course of 12 weeks he would receive£549.12 less than if he was getting his normal earnings.
This is equivalent to almost two years’ worth of spending on clothes and footwear for a family in the lowest income decile at £5.60 a week.
Conclusion
The coronarvirus outbreak showed the dangers of an inadequate sick pay system.
Lots of frontline workers were forced to choose between falling into poverty because they got no or little sick pay, or continue to work and risk spreading the virus.
Four years on and many workers continue to face similar dilemmas every week.
The government is making the right choice in extending sick pay to all workers, without an income test.
But when ministers announce payouts for low-paid workers in the coming weeks, they should peg them to SSP or wages, whatever is the lower. And no-one should be entitled to less after the changes, than they are now.
Then the next stage will be ensuring that the headline rate of SSP is improved.
Almost 25,000 taxpayers ‘celebrated’ the New Year by filing their Self Assessment tax return
If customers miss the 31 January deadline, they could face a penalty
With less than a month to go, the countdown is on for 5.4 million customers who still need to complete and pay their Self Assessment and avoid penalties, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) warns.
Thousands of taxpayers have already done so by completing their tax returns before the fizz was barely flat on New Year’s Day. HMRC can today reveal more than 24,800 people filed on 1 January. A further 38,000 had even squeezed theirs in before the bells on 31 December, with 310 filing between 23:00 and 23:59.
Filing your tax return and paying on time plays an important role in supporting public services and the government’s Plan for Change, which is delivering economic stability and investment across the UK. Anyone who is yet to file their tax return can do so online, via GOV.UK.
Anyone required to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year who misses the 31 January 2025 deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We know completing your tax return isn’t the most exciting item on your New Year to-do list, but it’s important to file and pay on time to avoid penalties or being charged interest.
“The quickest and easiest way to complete your tax return and pay any tax owed is to use HMRC’s online services – go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to get started now.”
Some 97% of customers now file online and one benefit is that they don’t have to complete it all in one go – they can save what they have done and pick it up again later.
Once a tax return is filed, payments can also be made quickly and securely through the HMRC app. Customers can set up notifications in the app to remind them when payments are due, so they don’t need to worry about missing deadlines or penalties.
For people who can’t meet the tax return deadline, HMRC will treat those with reasonable excuses fairly if they tell us before 31 January.
The penalties for late tax returns are:
an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.
If someone regularly sells goods or provides services through an online platform, they may need to pay tax on their income. Customers can find out more about selling online and paying taxes on GOV.UK by searching ‘online platform income’ or by downloading the HMRC app.
The guidance will help them decide if their activity should be treated as a trade and if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.
You also may need to file a return if you:
are newly self-employed and have earned gross income over £1,000
earned below £1,000 but wish to pay Class 2 National Insurance Contributions voluntarily to protect your entitlement to State Pension and certain benefits
are a new partner in a business partnership
have received any untaxed income over £2,500
receive Child Benefit payments and need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge because you or your partner earned more than £50,000
Criminals use emails, phone calls and texts to try to steal information and money from taxpayers. Before sharing personal or financial details, people should search ‘HMRC tax scams’ on GOV.UK to access a checklist and help decide if the contact received is a scam.
CRUDEN HOMES AND CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL WITH £2,000 DONATION
The North Edinburgh Community Festival (NECF), one of the city’s most anticipated family-friendly events, has received a £2,000 donation from Cruden Homes and City of Edinburgh Council, to help deliver its biggest and most inclusive festival yet.
Taking place on Saturday, 17 May 2025, from 12:00pm to 5:30pm at West Pilton Park, the free event will feature a vibrant mix of activities, live music, workshops, food stalls, a community parade, sports, and opportunities for jobs, skills, and learning.
This generous donation will go directly towards the essential costs of hiring equipment and providing vital support for over 150 local charities, groups, and organisations leading community-focused stalls and initiatives at the event.
Cruden is building 143 energy efficient affordable homes at Silverlea on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council and this donation forms part of the range of community benefits that are being delivered here.
Adele Conn, Festival Director of the North Edinburgh Community Festival, said: “Many thanks to Cruden and the City of Edinburgh Council for their £2,000 donation, supporting the hiring of equipment and supporting local charities and organisations involved with the event.
“The 2025 festival is set to be one of the biggest and most inclusive festivals yet, and this donation will help us to continue to strengthen community bonds, pride, and unity in North Edinburgh.”
Michael Palethorpe, Production and Community Benefit Manager at Cruden, said: “The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a cornerstone of local culture, uniting the community through a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and food, alongside invaluable workshops focused on jobs, skills, and learning.
“As a company with deep roots in the area, Cruden is proud to be involved, alongside our partners at the City of Edinburgh Council, in supporting this enriching event that makes such a positive impact on the community.”
Jane Meagher, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re delighted to see this important annual festival for north Edinburgh receiving support through our contractor who is building affordable homes for us as part of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.
“Providing events such as these is so important to bring communities together to enjoy inclusive cultural activities and have lots of fun for residents of all ages to enjoy.”
The North Edinburgh Community Festival has become a key event in the local calendar, fostering a sense of pride and creating opportunities for families, residents, and organisations to come together in a fun, inclusive, and celebratory environment. The 2025 festival is set to showcase North Edinburgh’s talent, culture and community spirit, with a diverse and exciting programme that will highlight the very best of the area.
UKHSA urges parents and carers to take these simple steps to ensure children make the healthiest start to the New Year
The UK Health Security Agency is reminding parents and carers of the simple steps they can take to ensure their children make the healthiest start to the new school term. The new year brings with it an opportunity to teach children about the importance of good hygiene and with the recent increase in cases of flu and high levels of other viruses such as norovirus, it’s more important than ever.
The latest surveillance data from UKHSA shows that flu activity continued to increase over the Christmas break, with hospitalisations also increasing. Flu is now circulating at high levels in the community, an increase on the levels we saw before the school holidays, which is why it’s especially important to reinforce good hygiene habits as children return to school.
Figures are expected to rise further as children go back to school and many parents return to the workplace. However, there are simple steps that all families can take to reduce the spread of these infections and protect households and classrooms from illness this New Year.
Teaching good hygiene habits
Parents are encouraged to lead by example and encourage good hygiene habits such as using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, as well as washing hands.
Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Alcohol gels don’t kill all bugs so don’t rely on these.
Knowing when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school
January marks the start of a new term, with new things to learn and friends to make. Time off school can disrupt learning and also inconvenience parents and carers having to stay off work. This is why it’s important to know when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school.
Children can stay in school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough if otherwise well and do not have a high temperature but should stay home if they’re displaying symptoms such as having a fever. If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.
If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, you should consider wearing a face covering.
Stopping the spread of stomach bugs
Stomach bugs spread easily in schools, nurseries and households. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.
Alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and warm water is best. Don’t prepare food for others if you have diarrhoea or vomiting or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. If you are unwell, you should also avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection to those who are more vulnerable. Do not to return to school, nursery or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
Getting vaccinated
Flu vaccination helps to protect against infection and severe disease. Although it is late in the programme, if you are eligible and not yet vaccinated, you can still take up your offer of immunisation.
Last year, falling vaccination rates among young children resulted in a widespread measles outbreak in England, which is why it’s important to check your children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, which protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio. If parents are unsure of their child’s vaccination status, they can check their child’s red book or contact their local GP.
If you are pregnant, it’s also important that you take up all vaccinations offered to you, including whooping cough and the new RSV vaccine which protects newborn babies against serious illness.
Dr Richard Pebody, Director, Clinical & Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “It’s an important time of year, as children get started on the new school term.
“There are simple steps you can take to help stop the spread of nasty illness in the next few weeks of winter, including making sure your child is regularly washing their hands, knowing when to keep your child off school and ensuring they are up to date with vaccinations.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service staff member is verbally or physically assaulted nearly once a day, new figures from the Service have revealed.
For the year, 2023-24, 346 staff experienced abuse – an increase of 11% over the previous year.
This has included incidents of spitting, punching and threatening staff with bottles or other weapons.
Verbal assaults saw the biggest increase over the previous year, rising by 30%
Call handler Declan Cowan, based at SAS’s West Ambulance Control Centre in Cardonald, has spoken of one incident. He said: “It was a really busy day and there was a queue of calls all day due to the pressure on the service. I received a call from a patient who I triaged through our system and the advice was to have them contact their GP or NHS24.
“The caller wasn’t happy that he was not getting an ambulance and proceeded to shout at me over the phone. He said if he died or anything happened to him that I would be to blame, he called me horrible and derogatory names that attacked both my character and identity and he also threatened that he would find out where I was based and come find me. It was a really scary and upsetting call.”
SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “Our staff are having to deal with incidents nearly every single day and no form of abuse will be tolerated. They have the right to carry out their work helping patients and saving lives without fear of assault or abuse.
“We also strongly condemn the abuse our hardworking call handlers face on a daily basis. We understand calling 999 can be a stressful time during emergencies, but abusing our staff is totally unacceptable.
“Physical and verbal assaults can have a significant and lasting impact on our people, sometimes even leading them to leave the ambulance service. We will continue to work with Police Scotland to take action against perpetrators, which includes those who abuse our 999 staff.”
