Day: February 12, 2025

Forever Edinburgh invites residents to fall in love with their city this Valentine’s Day with Resident Rewards

This Valentine’s Day, Forever Edinburgh is making it easier than ever for residents to fall in love with their city all over again with exclusive Resident Rewards.

To add a little extra sweetness to the day, Forever Edinburgh has partnered with Mimi’s Bakehouse to give away a limited number of free cupcakes (250) across their city centre locations. This giveaway is just one of the many ways residents can feel the love with Resident Rewards Edinburgh this Valentine’s weekend.

Forever Edinburgh has also created a dedicated guide to enjoying your perfect Valentine’s weekend with Resident Rewards Edinburgh.  Showcasing a selection of fantastic discounts available to plan your perfect date night, or simply fall back in love with your city again without breaking the bank.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of Edinburgh City Council, said: “Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and we want those who live here to take full advantage of everything it has to offer.

“Through Resident Rewards and special discounts, we’re making it easier than ever to explore, enjoy, and fall in love with Edinburgh this Valentine’s Day.”

Michelle Phillips, Founder of Mimi’s Bakehouse, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Forever Edinburgh to spread a little joy this Valentine’s Day.

“Mimi’s Bakehouse has always been about creating memorable moments, and what better way to celebrate love for our city than with a delicious treat made right here in Edinburgh?”

The I Love Edinburgh guide includes fantastic discounts on eating out and drinks experiences, such as 20% off food from the main menu at Brewhemia and the Alchemist, discounts on distillery tours and drinks venues including the new Edinburgh Gin experience, Port of Leith and Johnnie Walker Princes Street, and other fantastic offers across the city.

For those spending Valentine’s with close friends and family, Resident Rewards are sharing the love with you as well, including 30% off admission at the Edinburgh Dungeon, a discount on Mercat Tours and 10% discount on Edinburgh Bus Tours.

From romantic dining experiences and cultural attractions to relaxing getaways, the Resident Rewards programme provides Edinburgh residents with unique opportunities to enjoy their city at a discounted rate.

Residents who miss out on a cupcake from Mimi’s Bakehouse can claim an exclusive discount with Mimi’s Resident Rate, which offers 20% off cakes, cupcakes and traybakes purchased online at www.mimisbakehouse.com. 

Find out more here https://edinburgh.org/residentrewards/resident-rates/mimis-bakehouse-resident-rate/

Residents can claim their free cupcake by visiting any Mimi’s Bakehouse city centre location (Leith, Corstorphine, Comely Bank, City Art Centre and Lauriston Castle) on Friday 14 February while supplies last, one cupcake max per person. 

To plan your perfect Valentine’s Day with Resident Rewards Edinburgh, visit:

edinburgh.org/i-love-edinburgh.

Edinburgh runner Archie nears 20th marathon to support sight loss charity

For the past two decades, Archie MacGregor (64) has laced up his running shoes with a purpose that goes far beyond the finish line. He is soon to complete his 20th marathon in 20 years, to raise vital funds for sight loss charity, RNIB.  

With the London Marathon approaching in April, Archie is close to reaching his lifetime fundraising target of £26,200- a sum mirroring the traditional 26.2 mile marathon distance.  

Archie’s son, now 33, was supported by RNIB Scotland’s Youth Group as a child, taking part in various activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, and water sports, all made accessible for the group.  

“The youth group was brilliant for my son and helping him build confidence and independence,” says Archie. “The team were so supportive of all the kids there and the impact they’ve made has really stayed with us over the years.” 

After sustaining an injury during his first marathon in Edinburgh in 2005, Archie took a break from running before returning to complete the New York Marathon in 2007. That race sparked a new challenge- taking on the World Marathon Majors. Over the years, he has completed marathons in London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Tokyo after it was added to the series. 

“Since then, I’ve added many more cities to my list including Stockholm, Zagreb, Paris, Bucharest, and Milwaukee- it’s a great way to see the world,” says Archie. “In 2012, I ran Boston and London within six days of each other- and learned the hard way to stick to my training programme!

“The experience is different every time though- in Tokyo, we were all at the starting line shivering at 0°C, whereas Boston was 29°C and people were being treated for heat exhaustion! It can be a real test of your will and endurance.”  

As he prepares to take on London once again, Archie is looking forward to celebrating the milestone of 20 marathons in 20 years. “The RNIB cheer squad always give us a boost- you can’t miss them! We always have a celebration together at the end.

“This is my way of giving back for their support they gave my son, and thanks to unbelievable generosity from family, friends and colleagues I’m now really close to my goal.” 

To donate to Archie’s 20/20 challenge, visit his JustGiving page:  

https://www.justgiving.com/page/archie-macgregor-1728228093908

Love your side hustle? Make it tax official this Valentine’s

  • HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign launched to support people earning extra income to understand any tax obligations
  • A new easy-to-use guide is available on GOV.UK

As Valentine’s Day approaches, anyone who has turned the love for their hobby into a side hustle is being encouraged to ‘put a ring on it’ and make it official.

Whether it’s making extra income from activities such as online content creation, dog walking, or making handcrafted items to sell, HMRC has launched a new Help for Hustles campaign to assist people in understanding if they need to declare their earnings.

Anyone generating more than £1,000 from their side hustle should check their tax obligations using HMRC’s new easy-to-use guide at taxhelpforhustles.campaign.gov.uk.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “We know many people are turning their hobbies and interests into successful businesses and we’re here to help them understand their tax obligations.

“Nobody wants an unexpected tax bill, so anyone with a side hustle should check HMRC’s straightforward guide and make sure they’re getting their tax right.”

The new guide covers five key areas to help people understand any tax obligations:

  1. I’m buying or making things to sell
  2. I’ve got a side gig
  3. I work for myself doing multiple jobs
  4. I’m a content creator or influencer
  5. I rent out my property

If someone has earned more than £1,000 from their side hustle in a tax year, they may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return. Customers can check if they need to tell HMRC about additional income on GOV.UK.

This only applies to people who are trading or selling services. If someone is simply clearing out their unwanted items and putting them up for sale, they will not need to pay tax.

Undeclared income of more than £1,000 from side hustles form part of the hidden economy. HMRC is committed to reducing the tax gap, of which the hidden economy accounted for about £2.2 billion in 2022/23.

Lothian choose Age Scotland as next charity partner

Lothian Buses is delighted to announce that Age Scotland has been chosen as its new Charity of Choice partner for the next two years following a staff vote of the company’s 2600+ strong workforce.

Age Scotland work to improve the lives of older people in Scotland. They provide a free helpline and information service, support older people’s groups, promote age and dementia-friendly communities, deliver wellbeing programmes, and campaign on behalf of older people.

The partnership, which will run until the start of 2027, will help support Age Scotland’s vision to ensure Scotland is the best place in the world to grow older and will provide the charity with an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness of its work and services across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

There will be unique marketing opportunities including the wrapping of a bus in Age Scotland messaging, and all funds raised from this partnership will contribute to Age Scotland’s community development work across Lothian’s network, including assisting the work of over sixty Age Scotland Member Groups.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director for Lothian, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Age Scotland as Lothian’s Charity of Choice 2025-26.

“Lothian is proud to be part of the communities we serve, and we look forward to working with the team at Age Scotland over the course of the next two years to raise awareness of the support they can offer – helping to tackle loneliness, support inclusion, and deliver better lives for older people across our operating area.”

Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “Tens of thousands of older people across the Lothians experience loneliness and this wonderful partnership means we can reach many more people with the services we offer to help, and support dozens of local groups and clubs which keep older people connected.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the staff at Lothian who voted for us to be their Charity of Choice over the next two years, and I just know that our work together will have a really positive impact on the communities that Lothian serve so well.”

SGN partners with Generation Science to inspire next generation on renewable energy

SGN has teamed up with Generation Science, an innovative educational programme led by Edinburgh Science, to empower primary school children with insights into future energy solutions and how we can tackle climate change.

The leading energy company is delivering LTS Futures – a first of its kind project – which aims to validate the compatibility of utilising the existing gas network to carry hydrogen.

The success of the project, which is repurposing a 30km decommissioned natural gas pipeline between Grangemouth and Granton, would pave the way for hydrogen transportation on a national scale.

Thanks to a second year of funding provided by SGN, around 380 pupils aged 7 to 11 (primary 4 to 7), who attend schools based along the LTS live trial pipeline, are benefiting from the 90-minute climate and engineering themed sessions.

The Green Machine is an interactive workshop dedicated to unravelling the complexities of energy transfer and renewable electricity generation.

Guided by the Edinburgh Science team of experts, students delve into lessons to refine their understanding and create innovative machine designs. 

Recently SGN’s LTS Futures Project Director Nancy Thomson joined the Generation Science team at Granton Primary School, to participate in a session which explored future energy solutions for the Earth’s changing climate.

It looked at different sources of renewable and sustainable energy such as solar, wind and green hydrogen, and how we can utilise them to live in an environmentally responsible way.

Natalie McLaren, Principal Teacher at Granton Primary School, shared her thoughts on the workshop: “I’m thrilled that SGN and Generation Science chose to visit our school – the kids were so enthusiastic and engaged.

“Our pupils responded really positively to the hands-on workshop, and are all using key vocabulary and terms for the energy industry. It got them really thinking about how to conserve energy at home and making a difference.”

Director and CEO at Edinburgh Science, Hassun El-Zafar said: “After an incredibly successful partnership last year, we’re delighted to have once again receive support from SGN for this year’s Generation Science tour.

“Generation Science is our touring programme that brings high quality interactive science experiences into primary schools across Scotland – no matter where the school is based, pupils can enjoy the exact same experience.

“SGN is the perfect supporter for this project, as they share our drive to inspire the next generation of engineers and champion the importance of sustainable sources of energy for our homes.

“Thanks to their generous support, we are able to bring The Green Machine workshop to schools in Granton and Grangemouth.”

SGN – LTS Futures – Education Programme – Granton Primary School – Edinburgh. Picture Shows; Children from Granton Primary School during the Energy educational workshop run by Edinburgh Science and SGN, Thursday 06 February 2025. © Stuart Nicol Photography 2025

Celebrate in STYLE at St James Quarter this Valentine’s Day

Love is all around the Quarter!

Valentine’s Day is the day to show how much you care – whether that’s for a partner, friend or even yourself – but it can be tricky to find the perfect way to say, “I love you”. 

So, St James Quarter is playing cupid with a curated line-up of brands offering delicious deals and sumptuous meals during this special holiday. Because food is after all the universal language of love!

But, if you prefer a different route to the heart, St James Quarter is also home to some of the UK’s favourite brands. Whether your significant other is a fashion-lover, jewellery connoisseur, or has a tenderness for technology, St James Quarter has the perfect gift for everyone.

Dine, drink and dazzle your loved ones this Valentine’s:

SushiSamba: Take Valentine’s Day to new heights at SushiSamba Edinburgh. Spice up your night with the Taste of Valentine’s Menu, priced at £125 per person. Sip on handcrafted cocktails or Champagne, and take in the iconic panoramic views of the sparkling Edinburgh skyline.

Duck & Waffle: Make this Valentine’s Day memorable with a feast for the senses. Enjoy sharing bites for the table, with your choice of starter, main and dessert plus a glass of Prosecco at Duck & Waffle for £70 per person. Select from their range of famous dishes, with a set menu available for one night only on Friday 14th February.

The Alchemist: Enjoy a date with a difference at The Alchemist, with an exclusive mini masterclass for two. Choose a cocktail to create and enjoy, delivering your own dash of theatre for £18 per person. Bookings are available on Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th and Sunday 16th February from 4pm – 9pm.

The Botanist: Indulge in The Botanist Valentine’s sharing menu, including a selection of starters, their famous sharing Hanging Kebab, and a limited-edition Valentine’s Cookie Dough for two. The menu is set to launch on Thursday 13th February and will be available until Sunday 16th February. The Botanist is also hosting a Galentine’s Power Ballad Bingo on Thursday 13th February.

The Botanist is also partnering with luxury skincare brand, Khiel’s, to offer complimentary samples and money off vouchers for guests dining from the Valentine’s menu.

The Real Greek: Embark on a Greek Love Affair! The mouthwatering offer includes Moussaka for two, Greek Flatbread, a cold Meze for dipping, Greek Salad and two desserts.

Add a sweet treat at Krispy Kreme: This Valentine’s Day, Krispy Kreme is filling the world with love with three new heart-shaped doughnuts: Daisy For You, You Are My Sunshine and Best Buds flavours. Launched on Monday 27th January, the doughnuts are available until Friday 14th February.

Molton Brown will celebrate with a sensory journey hosting a Paccari Chocolate Tasting on Friday 14th and a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea for Two on Sunday 16th February. NEOM is also on-hand to add a personal touch to the special day with their pop-up calligraphy station on Friday 14th February.

For more information about what’s going on at St James Quarter this Valentine’s Day visit: https://stjamesquarter.com/event/valentines-day/.

St Valentine might be the patron saint of love, but St James has got your celebrations covered!

£5.5 BILLION lost to tax evasion could be ‘significant underestimate’, report warns

HMRC ‘not sufficiently curious on true scale of evasion, with no strategy for tackling it’

The true cost of tax evasion is likely being vastly underestimated, as loopholes in the current system make it all too easy for fraudulent behaviour to go unchecked. In a report released today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is calling for a clear strategy to tackle tax evasion and increased powers for public bodies to address fraud. 

HMRC estimates that tax evasion cost £5.5 billion in lost revenue in 2022-23, 81% of which could be attributed to small businesses. But the introduction of legislation in 2021 making online marketplaces liable for VAT from overseas sellers led to £1.5bn in additional taxes per year, five times greater than HMRC predicted.*

The PAC is therefore concerned HMRC may have underestimated the level of evasion occurring and is calling on HMRC to assess the reasons behind this gap. The report is concerned by the lack of curiosity shown by HMRC to investigate the issue, further noting that its inquiry heard that anywhere between 5% and 20% of UK registered companies were fraudulent in 2023.   

Despite the vast sums lost, HMRC does not have a clear objective or strategy to tackle tax evasion. The issue appears to be exacerbated by a lack of collaboration to date between HMRC, Companies House and the Insolvency Service.

The PAC is calling for HMRC to set out a clear strategy for tackling evasion and deliberate non-compliance, while noting that the current planned timeline of five to ten years to tighten company registration requirements is too far in the future. 

The introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 granted Companies House greater powers to clean up the company register and remove fraudulent information.

With identity verification set to become mandatory by autumn 2025, it is clear steps are being taken in the right direction. But the PAC is concerned measures are not strong enough, as Companies House is still unable to verify addresses of registered companies, which the PAC fear will mean it shall remain all too easy for registrations for fraudulent means to continue.  

The PAC was disappointed to learn that HMRC has continued to bombard a taxpayer in Cardiff with letters seeking unpaid tax as a result of businesses fraudulently registering their home address for VAT purposes, despite the Committee having pressed this issue for over a year.

The PAC fear this case unfortunately illustrates a wider issue of HMRC’s VAT registrations processes being far too open to abuse, with the tax authority not exploring options to tighten controls. 

The number of prosecutions resulting from HMRC’s criminal investigations reduced from 749 in 2018-19 to 344 in 2023-24. During the same period, the Insolvency Service disqualified just 7 directors for phoenixism.

The PAC notes that it does not appear that the mechanisms in place bear down on tax evaders and rogue directors who flout insolvency rules are being used to their fullest extent.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “It is of deep concern that the many billions in tax rightfully meant for the public purse could just be the tip of the iceberg. Not only that, but our own tax authority has not sufficiently curious with a view to accurately diagnosing the problem.

“Though we acknowledge the inherent difficulty of the issue, it is clear that more must be done to clamp down on fraud and root out the bad actors who are taking advantage of loopholes in the current system. It is unfair on those who abide by the rules to be undercut by those that are evading their obligations. There has to be a real willingness by those in charge of Companies House to effectively use the powers they’ve been given. 

“It is heartening to know that work is being done to implement a more joined up approach across public bodies. However, large roadblocks remain in place that will inevitably slow down progress, and in some cases may stall it completely.

“It is also unclear how successful any effort will be in the absence of a clear strategy with measurable outcomes to tackle tax avoidance. Government needs to get a tighter grip on this issue to prevent further tax funds being lost unnecessarily.” 

Making the Council Tax fairer

PUBLIC TO HAVE SAY ON LOCAL TAXATION REFORM

The public will be invited to submit their views on how to make the Council Tax system fairer, as part of wider efforts to explore options and build a consensus for potential reform.

As part of a joint programme of engagement by the Scottish Government and COSLA, independent analysis will also be commissioned to examine the Council Tax system accounting for market changes, reforms, and improvements.

This will inform public engagement later this year, followed by a Scottish Parliament debate on the findings and proposed policy reforms.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “Partnering with COSLA, we want to examine ways to make Council Tax fairer, which will help to continue to deliver better public services across Scotland.

“By working closely with local authorities and listening to the public, we will be seeking a consensus on a local taxation system that is fairer, financially sustainable and fits a modern Scotland.”

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Cllr Katie Hagmann said: “Local Authorities wish to see a fair and proportionate Council Tax, which benefits people and communities. 

“COSLA is looking forward to working with the Scottish Government on a programme of engagement with the public, with the shared goal of achieving a better, fairer system of local taxation.”

Anti-poverty campaigners say yet another consultation about local government finance must lead to an end to the ‘unjust and regressive’ council tax.

Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “People across Scotland want local services that support a just and compassionate society. We need a fair system of local taxation to support those local services. The unjust and regressive council tax is simply not up to that job.

“We have been waiting for years for political leaders to take responsibility to bring in a progressive system of local taxes that will ease the burden on low income households and raise the investment needed for public services.

“There have been manifesto promises, consultation after consultation, and an independent commission. Now we have yet another deliberation process between the Scottish Government and Cosla.

“Scotland can no longer wait. The Poverty Alliance has been giving evidence for years on how council cuts are hitting people on low incomes the hardest.

“This consultation must lead to real and substantial change – not only to fairly fund the local services we all need, but to rebuild trust in our political process.

After years of broken promises on changing local tax, the time for action is now.”

Programme of engagement:

Expert and independent analysis will be commissioned, including to provide high level analysis and modelling on alternative scenarios and reforms of the system.

Following that, a range of activities to seek the views from a wide range of people from across Scotland will be undertaken, consisting of three key elements:

  • A formal public consultation process.
  • A number of public events or ‘town hall’ meetings held over the autumn months, ensuring a reasonable geographical spread and diversity.
  • A set of focused discussions with key stakeholders and experts.  

The public engagement will aim to capture a wide spectrum of opinions and considered responses, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives, including representation from those paying Council Tax across different bands.

Utilita Energy Hub invites local footie fans to meet top Hibs players today

Hibs players will be visiting Utilita’s exclusive high street Energy Hub in the buzzing port district of Leith this afternoon.  Members of the club’s first team are set to arrive at 3.30pm for fan photos and a signing session.

Utilita Energy Expert, Caitlin Allardice, said: “We’re proud to support a number of football initiatives, including Football Rebooted, Switch Before Pitch, and the Utilita Kids and Girls Cups, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the Hibs players to our Energy Hub in Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.

“We’ll be offering a game of keepy-uppy for the children to take part in during the school holidays and the winner will score themselves a Hibs football. The first 20 kids to take part will each be given a colouring kit which comes in a Utilita branded football boots bag. Green sweeties and green apples will also be available on the day and we hope a good time will be had by all!

“As well as giving youngsters the opportunity to take selfies with the Hibs players, their grown-ups can also benefit from free and simple energy advice to help make their energy spend go further. So why not swing by this Wednesday afternoon for a cuppa and some top tips on how to cut energy usage at home?”

Utilita and Hibernian F.C. share many common values, with the two biggest being pro-planet and pro-local community. Since partnering with the Club, Utilita have been proud supporters of a number of key community outreach projects, delivered in partnership with the Hibernian Community Foundation. 

The hugely successful Leith Energy Hub offers face-to-face customer service, energy efficiency advice and technology, access to interactive kid-friendly energy efficiency apps, and a dedicated community space that is open for the public to book and use from Monday to Saturday. Local footie fans can also purchase Hibernian F.C. merchandise in-store.

Utilita Energy Hubs are high street locations where customers can top up their accounts, check their balances, and get energy-saving advice – based not just in Edinburgh but also Gosport, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Luton, Derby, West Bromwich, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Hartlepool. 

The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA. See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub. 

Edinburgh College set to welcome prospective students during February Open Days

Edinburgh College is set to host four open days this month for those considering starting a course in August 2025.

At the open days, prospective students are invited to find out about the various courses they can apply for, meet curriculum teams, explore the College’s facilities, as well as experience first-hand what it’s like to study at Edinburgh College.

Midlothian Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Tuesday 18 February, Milton Road Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Wednesday 19 February, Sighthill Campus will be open from 4pm-7pm on Thursday 20 February, and Granton Campus will be open from 10am-1pm on Saturday 22 February.

Prospective students are invited to attend the open days to not only discuss course options, but also find out more about applications, funding options and the support available to them while studying at college.

The College offers a wide range of subjects within its faculties of Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Science, and Tourism, Hospitality and Business.

With beginner-level courses, pathways to university, short courses and continuous development courses, learners at any stage of their career or education journey will be able to find out about their possible next steps at these events.

Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming prospective students onto our campuses this February.

“Open Days are the perfect opportunity for those considering coming to college to not only find out about the wide-variety of courses that we offer, but also explore our campus facilities, and learn about the range of support available to them.

“I highly encourage anyone considering studying here to join us for the events.”

Attendees can drop in or book a place on subject-specific sessions.

For more information and to book a place at one of the open days, visit the Edinburgh College website.

Applications for courses starting in August 2025 are now open.