How is your emotional health? 
It’s important to understand and manage our emotions, so we can feel good within ourselves and our relationships. 
Managing our emotions is a skill – and it’s never too late to learn new techniques.
Read our 9 top tips: https://tinyurl.com/yn7rvykn
Ashleigh Urwin, Partner, Aberdein Considine, said: “The upcoming 8% increase in Council Tax in Edinburgh could have a marked impact on the housing market – not only does it add to the financial pressure faced by homeowners, but it will also make properties less affordable, especially for first time buyers.
“The knock-on impacts could include a slowdown in demand for properties, or a reduction in housing price growth.
“Larger family homes in the higher Council Tax bands, particularly in areas like Morningside, Bruntsfield and The Grange, are likely to see the biggest cost increases. And landlords in high demand rental areas, such as Leith and the city centre, could pass on extra costs to tenants, driving up rents.
“Both buyers and sellers will need time to adjust to these changes, so the impact on house prices and rental costs will likely not become known until a few months down the line.
“Buyers should carefully consider these rising costs when planning their budgets, and explore their financial options, negotiating on price where possible.
“It would also be wise for buyers to compare areas, as some neighbourhoods may be more impacted by the tax increase than others.”
An exciting new toolkit aimed at supporting workers and businesses within Scotland’s hospitality sector has been launched.
The Tourism and Hospitality toolkit is aimed at supporting the growth and success of Scotland’s hospitality sector by providing a one-stop shop with the tools and resources businesses and employees need to thrive.
The toolkit was created based on findings from Serving the Future, a three-year project by the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute and The Poverty Alliance, which focused on addressing and preventing in-work poverty in the hospitality sector.
It has also been shaped by industry experts and key players such as Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s Tourism & Hospitality Industry Leadership Group, and industry charity Springboard.
The toolkit will provide support to the sector on key areas such as training and development, achieving net zero, recruitment and retention, and fair work. Employees will be able to access information on their rights at work, education and training, visa sponsorship and immigration, and more links to support when working in hospitality.
Kelly Johnstone, Chief Operations Officer of Springboard said: “Our mission with this toolkit is to support the growth and success of Scotland’s hospitality sector so both employers and employees can thrive.
“The toolkit brings together expert advice and practical solutions into one accessible platform to help the hospitality industry excel.
“Case studies included in the toolkit from Serving the Future highlight good practice which is already happening in Scotland – we hope many more businesses and employees can benefit from accessing this information.”
Dr Laura Robertson, research manager at The Poverty Alliance, which is a partner in Serving the Future said: “We know that low-pay and job insecurity have a big impact on households in Scotland.
“We hope this toolkit will empower businesses and workers to strengthen fair work and living wages in the hospitality sector. Scotland has signed up to legal child poverty targets and we know that making positive change in the world of work can contribute to reaching them. We are excited to see how the toolkit does that.”
Chirsty McFadyen, economist at the Fraser of Allander Institute and lead investigator on Serving the Future said: “We feel very privileged as a research team to have been let into the hospitality industry with such a warm welcome.
“Few research projects have worked with both employers and employees to create sustainable solutions in the way that Serving the Future has.
“We are keen to continue building the relationships we’ve gained from this work, and we’re looking forward to seeing the industry’s reaction to the toolkit.”
The toolkit includes a feedback form so that that businesses and employees can reflect on the usefulness of the information available.
The team behind the website will be evaluating responses and adapting the content throughout 2025.
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TechFest, an Aberdeen-based charity, has launched ‘Maths into Wind’ to celebrate mathematics and showcase its practicality in the workplace.
The initiative, designed for S2-S4 secondary school students, kicked off with an event day in Fraserburgh, giving students the chance to engage with hands-on STEM experiences in just one day.
Sponsored by Stromar Offshore Wind Farm, the programme enabled students to explore the mechanics of electrical generation, compare energy sources and tasked them with real-world challenges like designing their own wind farm.
It was also made available in a six-week modular format in Bucksburn Academy, offering flexible learning for schools and pupils.
Both methods of delivery entailed interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and practical calculations to explore energy concepts and the power of wind generation.
TechFest is a charity focused on making STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country whilst helping to connect STEM to various sectors and delivering a new generation of talent for the industry.
Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Our ‘Maths into Wind’ programme demonstrates how the skills students are learning in the classroom can be applied in an industry context.
“We want to use our industry connections to create real opportunities for students. By connecting them with professionals in the field, we’re not only making STEM more engaging, but also changing the status quo in STEM education.
“Together, we’re helping inspire the next generation to explore STEM and opening doors to exciting future career opportunities.”
The programme was sponsored by offshore wind farm, Stromar, as part of TechFest’s mission to host fun initiatives that make STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country.
Nicholas Ritchie, Project Director at Stromar, said: “We’re really excited to partner with TechFest on this mission to show students how maths applies in the real world and help them see its practical value.
“’Maths into Wind’ provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain hands-on industry experience while building their ambition and confidence as they take their first steps in their career.”
Jon Scally, teacher at Bucksburn Academy, said: “‘Maths into Wind’ has allowed our pupils to gain hands-on experience while deepening their understanding of wind energy.
“With the support of the team at TechFest, we’ve seen them grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to showcase their knowledge of the industry.”
The project-based learning programme is the second instalment in TechFest’s “Maths into” series, which aims to reduce barriers to STEM engagement and attainment across Scottish schools.
The ‘Maths into’ series also includes ‘Maths into the Energy Mix’ and the third instalment, ‘Maths into Hydrogen’ is set to be released later this year.
BBC teams across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are calling on audiences to nominate their local heroes for the Make a Difference Awards.
For the first time, the awards will span the entire UK, with BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal all joining the search for community heroes. All stations will be part of this annual celebration of kindness, alongside all 39 local BBC radio stations in England.
There are also two new categories introduced this year: The Young Hero Award, which will honour an individual under the age of 16 who has made a significant positive impact in their community, and The Active Award, which will recognise individuals or groups who have used physical activity or sport to improve the lives of those in their community.
Nominations are open now with Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside kicking the proceedings off live on The One Show yesterday. Morning Live will once again support the Community Group Award.
Listeners can nominate their local heroes in eight categories (see below). Since the awards began in 2022, thousands of listeners have nominated people from where they live who go that extra mile for their communities. The aim is to shine a light on these every day, unsung heroes. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 31st March.
Winners will be announced at Make a Difference Awards events hosted by local and national BBC radio stations across the country in September.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Director of Nations, said: “For the first time, BBC Make a Difference will celebrate the achievements of community heroes right across the UK – inspirational individuals and teams who go the extra mile to strengthen our villages, towns and cities.
“It’s a wonderful celebration of the human spirit and I can’t wait to hear the remarkable stories of those nominated.”
For a full list of categories, see below – and details of how to nominate someone – go to bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice.
Nominations are open now and close at 5pm on Monday 31st March.
HOUSEHOLDS FACE MORE MISERY WITH YET ANOTHER ENERGY PRICE HIKE
Energy regulator Ofgem has today [Tuesday 25 February 2025] announced a 6.4% increase of the energy price cap for the period covering April to June 2025.
A recent spike in wholesale prices is the main driver of today’s price rise, accounting for around 78% of the total increase. A small increase in policy costs and associated inflationary pressures make up a further 22%.
The price cap – which sets a maximum rate per unit and standing charge that can be billed to customers for their energy use – will rise by £111 for an average household per year, or around £9.25 a month, over the three-month period of the price cap.
For an average household paying by Direct Debit for dual fuel this equates to £1,849 per year. This is 9.4% (£159) higher than this time last year (£1,690) but £531 (22%) lower than at the height of the energy crisis at the start of 2023, when the Energy Price Guarantee was in place.
Since Ofgem’s last price cap announcement in November 2024, four million customers have moved to a fixed tariff. Now, 11 million people are on a fixed deal and won’t be affected by the change in the price cap. This is the largest movement of customers coming off the price cap and on to a fixed deal since the energy crisis.
Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, says: “We know that no price rise is ever welcome, and that the cost of energy remains a huge challenge for many households.
“But our reliance on international gas markets leads to volatile wholesale prices, and continues to drive up bills, which is why it’s more important than ever that we’re driving forward investment in a cleaner, homegrown system.
“Energy debts that began during the energy crisis have reached record levels and without intervention will continue to grow. This puts families under huge stress and increases costs for all customers. We’re developing plans that could give households with unmanageable debt the clean slate they need to move forward.
“We welcome the government’s support for these plans, and their plans to expand the Warm Home Discount, which will also offer financial help to nearly three million more households that need it most.
“If anyone is worried about paying their bills, I would urge them to reach out to their supplier to make sure they’re getting all the help they can. Where possible, switching or fixing tariffs now could also help to bring costs down and provide certainty over coming payments.”
From 1 April, Britain’s standing charges will reduce for most households, but some regional variation remains. As a result, some households will see a small increase in standing charges of up to £20 per year for a typical dual fuel consumer. This is due to changes in network costs – the price paid to transport energy around the country and power Britain’s homes.
Ofgem is also today welcoming the government’s support of its plans to tackle the growing impacts of rising debt in the energy system and create lasting change in the way debt is managed and customers in debt are supported.
The plans could see a Debt Relief Scheme established, which suppliers would use to either write off debt that is so significant it will never be paid back or help pay off debt by ‘debt matching’ customer payments.
The Debt Relief Scheme would form part of a wider package of measures, supported by the Government’s proposed expansion of the WHD, which aims to reduce debt to levels seen before the energy crisis reducing costs to all consumers by £25-30 per year*.
The regulator has also set out ambitions to improve the standard of service from suppliers when supporting customers that are struggling to pay their bills. The proposals would make it easier for consumers to get help from charities and debt support agencies and ensure a consistent approach is taken across the board, to help to limit the risk of unsustainable levels of debt building up in the future once again.
The plans have also received backing from a number of stakeholders, who recognise how important the scheme could be for helping those in severe payment difficulty to get back on track, while also encouraging more onto repayment plans, driving down debt costs for all.
The regulator continues to encourage customers to look for the best deal to help keep their household bills down and to consider switching to a new supplier or fixing to a tariff with their existing supplier. There are a number of fixed, Direct Debit tariffs tracking below the April price cap level, with savings of around £50 available compared to the upcoming price cap level.
Backbench Labour MP Richard Burgon said: The so-called energy regulator Ofgem says energy bills from April will rise by 6.4%. The Government must step in and impose a real price cap and tax energy profits more to provide extra help to people.
“And to end this rip off, we must bring energy back into public ownership.”
Statement on our letter of 22 December to Nicola Sturgeon MSP.
The text of the letter can be read here:
22 December 2024
Dear Ms Sturgeon
We are groups based in Scotland concerned about threats to women’s rights, as protected in domestic and international law. This time two years ago, many of us were sitting in the public gallery of the Scottish Parliament as MSPs voted for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
In the run up to this, we engaged extensively and seriously with the government’s proposals to move to a system of self-declaration for gender recognition. We submitted detailed written evidence to the Scottish Government consultation. We also provided written and/or oral evidence to the parliamentary committee tasked with scrutinising the bill at Stage One.
Most of us wrote to and met with our MSPs in the months and years before the bill was introduced, and encouraged and assisted other women to do so. We undertook detailed work and analysis on the government’s proposals, highlighting the risks to women and girls. We organised meetings, street stalls and rallies with hundreds of other Scottish women, or attended those. In fact, this issue attracted some of the largest rallies that have ever been seen outside the Scottish Parliament in 25 years of devolution. Our campaigning efforts were widely covered in the Scottish press.
It was clear that getting the bill passed was a personal priority for you.
We watched as you dismissed concerns raised by women like us as ‘not valid’, comparing objectors to your proposals to racists and homophobes.
In the last week, you are reported to have said:
“There are people who have muscled their way into that debate no doubt because they are transphobic but also because they want to push back rights generally.” (Diva, 16 December 2024)
“There were forces that muscled into that debate who, I think, you know, had a bigger agenda in terms of rights more generally.” (The Guardian, 16 December 2024)
You are not the first politician to make such a claim. However, your prominence as Scotland’s longest serving first minister, and its first female first minister, mean that your comments carry weight. You have also intimated that you intend to write about this episode in your forthcoming autobiography.
If you believe that there are groups or individuals with an agenda to ‘push back rights generally’ who are ‘muscling in’ on Scottish politics, you have a duty to state who or what you believe they are, and how you believe they are operating in Scotland, as precisely as possible. Then, the influence of any such groups or individuals can be properly investigated and challenged, as necessary.
As it stands, regardless of your intentions, a person might reasonably believe you are referring to those groups or individuals who played a leading part in criticising the Scottish Government’s proposals.
We therefore invite you to move away from dropping broad hints of potential wide application, and to take the more responsible step of making clear who you do, and do not, mean in the comments above, and to put the evidence on which your comments are based into the public domain without delay.
Yours,
For Women Scotland
MurrayBlackburnMackenzie
Scottish Feminist Network
Scottish Lesbians
Women’s Rights Network Scotland
Women Voting With Our Feet
Women Won’t Wheesht
Tonight Usher Hall is hosting UKRAINE FOREVER! A fundraising performance featuring various Ukrainian and Edinburgh-based artists. Tickets cost £12 and all proceeds go to supporting humanitarian relief in Ukraine
Purchase tickets here: https://usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/ukraine-forever…
Hibernian Community Foundation is unwavering in its support of New Scots from Ukraine, aiming to provide support and a place of comfort and safety.
Your Art World
FREE
National Galleries Scotland: National
10 May – 2 November 2025
A colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland is due to open at the National gallery on 10 May.
Your Art World encourages young people across the nation to get creative, with the opportunity of having their work displayed in Scotland’s National gallery, which is home to iconic works such as The Monarch of the Glen and works by Scottish artists including William McTaggart and Phoebe Anna Traquair.
The young people are invited to be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations. From drawings, paintings, 3-D sculptures or video – there were no limitations on what they could make.
Plus, there is still time to submit works for display! All 3-18 year olds living in Scotland are invited to send their art for inclusion in the exhibition, all you need to do is photograph their work and upload it to the National Galleries of Scotland’s online gallery, then come along to the exhibition and see their creations featured proudly on digital screens at the National! Your Art World is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative, so why not see what’s possible.
Discover physical installations created by community and school groups who have been working with the National Galleries of Scotland over the last few months. Groups involved include Redhall School in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery in Falkirk, Oban High School and North Edinburgh’s LIFT Kids’ Club (Low Income Families Together).
The groups worked to create extraordinary displays ranging from drawings and embroideries engaging with social issues, to 3D sculptures, sensory works and vibrant abstract paintings.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland.
“The response so far has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. We can’t wait to see what else is still to come! Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.’
New entries will be accepted throughout the exhibition and added to the rolling display on the digital screens every month until the end of September. All submissions can be made online.
The exhibition is part of a wider Your Art World project, designed to inspire and engage young people in art. With online resources available for teachers and families, the project supports children in creative activities. By providing tools and guidance, Your Art World demystifies the creative process and invites everyone to explore and enjoy art.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Leith Walk with completion of the building’s substructure.
Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year.
The development includes construction of a single storey block adjacent to the main building, which will provide laundry facilities, a gym, cinema, and cycle store, as well as an electricity substation to power the buildings.
Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Site operations started in October with the demolition of the previous structure and the project has made excellent progress since then.
“With the completion of the ground slab substructure, the next phase of the build will see the columns rising as we complete each storey of the new building.
“This is our 15th student accommodation project in recent years, and we look forward to handing over a first-class facility to Firethorn Trust next year.”
Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “As the first PBSA scheme within our Living portfolio, Leith Walk reflects our ambition to meet growing demand for modern student housing in prime university cities across the UK.
“With a shared commitment to quality, alongside the strength of its local expertise, Ogilvie Construction is perfectly positioned to deliver our vision for the development, which has been designed to meet the highest sustainability standards, while providing a vibrant community for students to thrive.”
Work is expected to complete in time for the 2026/27 academic year.
Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses. The company is over 65 years old and employs 600 people across its various business operations in the UK.
