The cancellation of New Year fireworks events as the UK braced for extreme weather was a relief for everyone bracing for a night of extreme stress, and Edinburgh could protect humans and other animals by permanently banning fireworks.
The loud bangs, vibrations, and flashes, which terrorise some communities daily, confuse and terrify wildlife and companion animals, putting them at risk of injury, displacement, and death. They also distress humans, such as those who suffer from PTSD and children sensitive to noise.
Yet over 90% of Brits would gladly be dazzled by laser shows, drones, or silent fireworks out of consideration for others, and the use of these technologies by major events would further increase their popularity.
In 2024, a report revealed that blasts kill or injure over 100 horses a year, a 1 million–strong petition called for greater restrictions on these menacing missiles, and two endangered red pandas died after booms shook Edinburgh around bonfire night.
In 2025, event organisers must embrace stunning spectacles that everyone can enjoy and celebrate without leaving devastation in their wake.
They are being shared with Smart Works Scotland, which provides clothing and coaching to help women into employment , and Grassroots Clothing, an Edinburgh charity which supplies interview clothing to men in need.
Johnston Carmichael encouraged its people to donate high quality garments suitable for wearing at interviews as part of its ongoing drive to attract a more diverse range of candidates, including returners to work seeking to re-establish their careers.
Jane O’Berg, tax director, Johnston Carmichael, said:“Promoting greater diversity in the workplace is a priority for us as a business.
“We’ve embarked on several initiatives to attract new talent, including our JC Futures apprenticeship scheme, and our partnership with ICAS Foundation to support accountancy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but we also want to engage with experienced individuals.
“People take career breaks for all sorts of reasons, from having children to looking for a change of direction. We want those who are ready to return to accountancy to know that our door is open, and we hope our donations to Smart Works Scotland and Grassroots Clothing help people across all sectors to take the next step in finding their dream job.”
Each office in the firm’s network across Scotland, the North East of England and London, hosted its own donation station, with several gaining support from other co-located businesses and clients. More than 20 boxes of clothing were collected and all items donated were new or nearly new.
Karen Wilson, Head of Smart Works Scotland said:“Johnston Carmichael’s contribution to Smart Works Scotland, comes at a pivotal time, as we are supporting more women into work than we ever have before.
“Not only are we in the final year of our three-year-plan, to support over 10,000 women nationally by 2025, but we have also just moved to a bigger Edinburgh centre, meaning we can significantly increase the number of women we support.
“Our clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and two thirds of women who find their way to a Smart Works centre get the job within one month of their appointment.
“It means a great deal to us to have the support of Johnston Carmichael and we thank everyone at the firm who got involved. We welcome any further donations at such a pivotal time for our charity, to help us in our goal of helping as many women across Scotland as we can.”
With colder temperatures seemingly here to stay, many of us are thinking about our boilers more. Checking your boiler and central heating system are functioning properly and efficiently is crucial, as we rely on them to keep us warm over the winter.
But how confident and comfortable are you checking the health of your boiler and central heating system? This was just one of the questions British Gas asked 1,000 boiler owners across Britain to discover the nation’s levels of knowledge, confidence and understanding of boiler-related issues. Of those surveyed, more than half of Scots (51.9%) don’t know how to check the health of their boiler.
The full survey explored everything from how many cold showers people would endure before calling a gas engineer for help to how confident they would be bleeding their radiators.
British Gas also offers expert advice on how to check your boiler’s health, as well as how to maintain a healthy boiler throughout the year, which you can find below.
Key Findings:
More than half of Scots surveyed (52%) don’t know how to check the health of their boiler.
42% of Scots find boiler issues ‘stressful’ or ‘intimidating’.
Almost 3 in 10 of Scots ‘never think about their boiler’
46% of Scots would endure at least one cold shower before calling in a boiler expert.
More than half of Scots unsure how to check the health of their boiler
It is obvious from the survey that there are some confidence and knowledge gaps across the country when it comes to boilers. More than half (52%) of survey respondents admitted they don’t know how to check the health of their boiler.
Do you know how to check the health of your boiler?
Percentage of responses (Scotland)
No, I do not know how to check
51.9%
Yes, I check once per year
18.5%
Yes, I check it once per month
22.2%
Yes, but I never check it
7.4%
On top of this, more than two in five (42%) find boiler issues ‘stressful’ or ‘intimidating’, while over 28% of the Scottish public answered that they never think about boiler issues. That’s in comparison to only 30% that feel confident solving problems.
How do you feel about solving boiler-related issues
Percentage of responses (Scotland)
I find it stressful and intimidating
42.0%
I never think about it
28.4%
I feel confident
29.6%
How many cold showers would you endure before seeking emergency repair works?
To find out how long people are willing to ignore their malfunctioning boiler before calling for help, British Gas asked how many cold showers they would endure before seeking repair works.
Although the majority of Scots would not stand the thought of a single cold shower before picking up the phone to an engineer, there were some staggering findings to the contrary. 46% would endure at least one icy shower, with 1.2% answering they wouldn’t mind 10 or more before calling out for repairs.
How many cold showers would you endure before seeking emergency repair works?
Percentage of responses (Scotland)
Wouldn’t endure a single cold shower
54.3%
Would endure one or more cold showers
45.6%
Would endure two or more cold showers
14.7%
Would endure three or more cold showers.
6.1%
Would endure ten or more cold showers
1.2%
Expert commentary on boiler health from Joanna Flowers, a service and repair engineer at British Gas:
How can I check the health of my boiler?
With over 50% of people not understanding how to check their boiler’s health, it can feel puzzling sometimes. If you’re one of those people who aren’t too sure, you can do simple things like turning the heating on and checking radiators to ensure the system is working properly – especially if it hasn’t been turned on recently.
Bleeding your radiators is another simple task you could carry out to ensure your home heating system is functioning as it should. If your radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom, this could be something to try. To do this, turn off your heating, let your radiators go cold and then bleed them with a bleed key and cloth.
Remember that if your boiler does stop working, you can book a one-off emergency repair with British Gas before 11 am and they’ll be there the same day*
*Based on 2024 performance data, 80% of customers contacting by 11am received the same day service.
How often should I check my boiler?
While you don’t have to be an expert to check if your boiler’s working properly, there are lots of simple things you can do. Turn the heating on and feel the radiators to make sure the system is working properly – especially if it hasn’t been used in a while.
And when it comes to servicing, once a year is the right amount. We recommend that your boiler is serviced once a year, but if you want a more in-depth assessment by a professional who will make sure it’s all in working order, book a boiler service when you need it.
Whether you choose to do this in the summer, winter or at any time of year, annual servicing can prevent any unwanted breakages or faults before they happen.
What should I do if my boiler is making noise?
With over 12,000 searches a month across the UK for queries relating to boiler sounds, this is certainly something people worry about. While it can be a little concerning, don’t panic. Boilers make sounds, even when they’re switched on and being used. If you’re hearing a specific sound – banging, vibrating, whistling or any other noise – this may be a clue to what is going on inside your boiler.
Vibrating sounds coming from your boiler? With over 2,740 searches a month, steady and continuous noises can be common and may indicate loose brackets that need tightening or trapped air. If uncertain where it’s coming from, get an engineer to scan the source and diagnose any faults.
Mechanical sounds like banging, knocking and clunking are also a common concern, with over 2,200 searches a month. This can signal a faulty part inside a boiler or even a problem with the heat exchanger. It’s best to address these issues promptly so that you can put your mind to rest.
Since your boiler pumps a lot of water through the pipes in your house, hearing water and liquid sounds coming from the unit can be normal.
If you’re hearing something out of the blue or extremely loud, then it may be time to double-check that everything’s working okay. It’s important to remember that boilers will have automatic switches and safety mechanisms that turn the boiler off before it is dangerous. If this happens, get in a professional engineer to safely get your boiler working again.
Always book a gas safe engineer if you are not sure what’s wrong.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local pharmacy. If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice.
They can advise on lots of conditions including backache, UTIs, and sore throats.
Use NHS inform’s service directory to find an open pharmacy near you:
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge reflects on 2024 and looks ahead to the new year:
“As we enter 2025 and reflect on the year gone by, I am filled with gratitude and joy to serve as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
2024 has been another busy year in the civic life for the Capital, there has been a running theme of recognition and reward—celebrating the contributions of our citizens, our volunteers, and our ongoing efforts to reduce poverty while honouring our rich heritage.
A highlight of the year was presenting the prestigious Edinburgh Award to social entrepreneur Mel Young MBE. His tireless work, including founding the Homeless World Cup, has made a lasting impact on our community.
Edinburgh’s volunteers are a great source of pride. As Volunteer Ambassador, I’ve seen firsthand the invaluable contributions of the city’s 152,000 volunteers, who dedicate over 27,000 days each week to helping others. These volunteers form the backbone of our communities, making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable residents. I’ve been fortunate to visit many volunteer-led projects and witness the transformative work they do.
Despite the city’s prosperity, we must acknowledge that around 17% of residents and 20% of children still face poverty and disadvantage. Tackling these challenges remains a priority, as we continue to support those in need. I am honoured to be President of the One City Trust, the Capital’s leading charity which continues to fight against poverty, inequality and exclusion.
During the year, the Trust had its 21st birthday, having invested £1.3 million in 270 local projects over the last two decades, and most recently provided £0.17m to 28 voluntary groups.
Earlier this year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of our very first twinning with Munich and it was my pleasure to visit Munich as well as host representatives here as we celebrated 70 years of partnership and looked to the years ahead.
In 2025 we will mark 40 years of twinning with Xi’an and I look forward to marking this milestone and with all our twin cities – fostering these valuable relationships in the years to come.
2024 marks a milestone in Edinburgh’s rich history: its nonacentenary. To commemorate this, the Edinburgh 900 programme launched a year-long series of events and initiatives that will take place across the city and its local communities. This diverse and dynamic programme celebrates Edinburgh’s history, culture, and vibrant present, while also looking ahead to the city’s future.
The celebrations will continue well into 2025, with community groups, businesses, and enterprises invited to contribute events. You can track these on the Edinburgh 900 website, where the city’s rich history will be showcased in ten key themes, including commerce, culture, and diversity.
As I reflect on my third year as Lord Provost, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me. This festive season, we must also remember the global conflicts affecting so many people and wish for peace, unity, and care for one another, as is our city’s tradition.
I wish all residents and visitors a happy festive season and a prosperous New Year.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is urging the public to be vigilant against norovirus and to practice good hand hygiene to help avoid the spread.
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that causes diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. It usually increases during the winter months.
Beatrix Von Wissmann, NHSGGC Public Health Consultant said: “While viruses are a concern year-round, winter months see a spike in stomach virus cases when people spend more time indoors and are in close proximity to one another.
“These viruses can be very nasty, particularly for those who are older or more vulnerable due to existing conditions. They also cannot be treated with an antibiotic and need to run their course, so it is important to be aware of how to avoid spreading the virus if you possibly can.
“We advise that you are also prepared to know what to do if you or loved ones do feel unwell. We recommend taking note of the online selfcare guides from NHS Inform or downloading the NHS24 app.
“Anyone, who believes they need to speak to a health professional, should call NHS24 on 111 for advice. It is better to wait to speak with someone in the comfort of your own home, particularly when vomiting and diarrhoea are involved.”
NHSGGC has listed how you can protect yourself and others from the virus.
Stay home if symptomatic: If you experience symptoms such as sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, stay at home until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. This helps prevent spreading the virus to others, especially vulnerable individuals in hospitals and care homes.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before eating. Hand sanitisers are not as effective against norovirus.
Avoid visiting vulnerable settings: Do not visit hospitals or care homes if you or someone you live with has symptoms. This is crucial to protect patients who are at higher risk of severe illness. This includes going to A&E. If you need to speak to a health professional, call NHS24 on 111.
Keep surfaces clean: Regularly clean household surfaces, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, to reduce the risk of contamination.
Handle food safely: Avoid cooking for others while symptomatic and ensure fruits and vegetables are rinsed well before eating.
What to do if you catch norovirus:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, to replace those lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
Rest and recover: Allow the virus to run its course, which typically lasts 2-3 days.
Eat light: Consume easily digestible foods to ease your symptoms.
Suspected people smugglers will face travel bans, social media blackouts and restrictions on phone usage under tough new laws to dismantle organised immigration crime networks
In a major upgrade to Serious Crime Prevention Orders, new Interim Orders will allow immediate action to disrupt and deter suspected serious criminality.
These orders are part of a stronger approach to organised crime which will form part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This new approach will level up our response to serious crime including organised immigration crime, with new powers mirroring those which are already used to disrupt other harmful criminality such as knife crime, slavery and trafficking.
The Bill will improve border security, a key foundation for delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.
Currently, securing a Serious Crime Prevention Order imposed on suspects, including people smugglers, can be a complex and lengthy process, restricting the use of this powerful tool.
Interim Orders will go further, speeding up the process for placing restrictions on people under investigation to prevent, deter and disrupt serious and organised crime, including people smuggling. These new Interim Orders will allow the National Crime Agency (NCA), the police and other law enforcement agencies to apply directly to the High Court to impose immediate restrictions while a full Order is considered.
By taking immediate action at an early stage, without requiring a conviction, these Interim Orders will help crack down on people smugglers and other forms of serious and organised crime. This will strengthen the tools of law enforcement to disrupt these individuals who are operating in the UK, in some cases allowing investigations and prosecutions to continue whilst preventing further serious criminality from taking place.
The new orders will form an important part of preventing organised immigration crime while complementing the UK’s relentless pursuit of criminal gangs.
Restrictions will vary on a case-by-case basis but could include:
Travel restrictions
A ban on laptop or mobile phone usage
A ban on accessing social media networks, including via a third party
Restrictions on whom someone can associate with
Restrictions on devices and communications with certain individuals
Restrictions on their finances, helping to prevent criminal proceeds from going under the radar.
Breaching an Interim Order could lead to up to five years in prison.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Dangerous criminal people-smugglers are profiting from undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. They cannot be allowed to get away with it.
“Stronger international collaboration has already led to important arrests and action against dangerous gangs over the last few months. We will give law enforcement stronger powers they need to pursue and stop more of these vile gang networks.
“Border security is one of the foundations of this government’s Plan for Change, including making people better off, delivering safer streets and strengthening our NHS, and we will do everything in our power to deliver for working people.”
The announcement comes in the same week as the disruption of a major Afghan people-smuggling ring by a joint operation between the NCA and Belgian authorities, with support from Immigration Enforcement and Border Force officers. Three individuals were arrested in the UK after fleeing Belgium in a small boat to avoid prosecution.
This is the latest development in the Westminster government’s crackdown on people-smuggling gangs and the new Border Security Command which is bringing together operational leads to disrupt more gangs across the continent, break their business model and bring them to justice.
The trio were found guilty of being part of an organised crime group responsible for transporting thousands of migrants into Europe, including some to the UK on small boats. The group also committed serious sexual offences against male migrant minors. They now face extradition back to Belgium to face justice, where last month a court in Antwerp convicted and sentenced the trio and 20 other members of the gang to a total of 170 years imprisonment, with sentences ranging from two to 18 years.
The landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will strengthen the operational activity of the new Border Security Command, backed up with £150 million, and bringing together key operational experts including Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and vital partners like the NCA. Further measures in the legislation will be brought forward to tackle all aspects of organised immigration crime.
According to the UK government, in just under six months, there has been major progress in increasing enforcement and restoring order to the chaotic asylum system, stopping the Rwanda plan and restarting asylum processing to start bringing the backlog down. This work has already seen almost 13,500 people with no right to be here returned since the election.
The government’s wide-ranging approach to tackling illegal migration also includes strengthened global partnerships. The UK has signed new agreements with Germany and Iraq to tackle people-smuggling gangs and has enhanced co-operation with the Calais Group.
The Environment Agency has urged people to stay vigilant to the risk of flooding and stay away from swollen rivers
The Environment Agency has urged people to stay vigilant to the risk of flooding and stay away from swollen rivers.
Those travelling following New Year celebrations are urged to stay away from swollen rivers, with significant river flooding impacts possible in parts of North West England today (Wednesday 1 January).
The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and impacts on river levels. Its message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation.
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Heavy and persistent rain from last night into this morning means river levels will remain high across parts of the North of England until Thursday, with significant inland flooding possible today and minor impacts probable in places on Thursday.
“Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.
“We advise anyone travelling or out celebrating the New Year to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should search ‘check my flood risk’, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the latest situation at @EnvAgency on X.”
Day light is limited. Be prepared for darkness with torches.
Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return.
Don’t rely on your mobile phone and carry a power bank.
Be prepared for winter weather. Carry extra layers and equipment for walking on snow and ice.
Never be afraid to turn back or change plans.
