Month: February 2025

Now Casting: New BBC One quiz show The Inner Circle

NEW BBC SHOW NOW CASTING ⭐ 

The Inner Circle is a brand-new BBC One quiz show where getting the answers right is only half the battle. Taking place under the watchful eye of our mischievous host, Amanda Holden, contestants also need to decide who they trust enough to keep in the game!      

We’re looking for fun, charismatic and daring players to take on this unique challenge.      

Email theinnercircle@terntv.com OR follow the information in the flyer    

New quiz show The Inner Circle hosted by Amanda Holden is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Across each episode, contestants will battle to win the cash prize and will be tested not just on what they know – but which of their fellow players they can trust?

Made by multi-award-winning TV production company Tern, production is now underway in Glasgow for this compelling new quiz format coming to BBC One and iPlayer.

Hosted by TV and Radio presenter Amanda Holden, a BBC favourite who is currently appearing in the hugely popular Alan & Amanda’s Spanish Job, this innovative and exciting new quiz show will have a cash prize on the line as contestants compete in a series of rounds designed to test their general knowledge and strategic thinking.

Across each episode, contestants will battle to win the cash prize and will be tested not just on what they know – but which of their fellow players they can trust. As the contestants make their way through a series of games and challenges they’ll need to decide which of their opponents they’d be prepared to join forces with in order to take home the prize…but in a gripping finale, could each of the final two face the ultimate betrayal?

25 Daytime/Early Peak episodes of The Inner Circle will see members of the public taking part in each edition with a further 6 celebrity specials for Saturday nights set to feature famous faces joining forces with a member of the public, bringing together star power and fresh energy to these prime time episodes.

This brand-new commission is the result of the BBC’s Entertainment and Daytime commissioning teams joining forces to identify and develop fresh and modern quiz and gameshow formats for BBC One and iPlayer for Saturday early evenings and Daytime/Early Peak. The Inner Circle will be produced in Scotland by Tern.

Amanda Holden said: “I’m so excited to be part of this thrilling new quiz that challenges contestants and entertains viewers in equal measure.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring something fresh and fabulous to weekday afternoons and Saturday night TV, and I can’t wait to see the audience reactions!”

Rob Unsworth Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces to bring viewers a gripping new quiz that, for the first time, they’ll be able to play along with not only during the week, but on a Saturday tea time too.

“Getting the answers right on this show is only half the battle – contestants also need to decide who they trust enough to keep in the game, all under the watchful eye of the brilliantly mischievous Amanda Holden.”

David Marshall, Head of Entertainment at Tern said: “Saturday night and quiz is a new frontier for us at Tern, and we’re delighted that the BBC has entrusted us with this exciting opportunity.

“Our team here in Scotland is geared up to deliver a show that will captivate audiences with its unique blend of strategy, drama, and fun.”

Harry Bell, Managing Director at Tern said: “This is a classic David and Goliath success story for Tern, the Nations and the BBC. The development process has been the hardest imaginable but the BBC and BBC Studios have been truly magical partners. Sometimes dreams come true!”

The Inner Circle will be filmed at BBC Studiowork’s Kelvin Hall facility in Glasgow with post production taking place at Tern’s newly established Bumblebee Glasgow facility.

Applications are now open for contestants to take part in The Inner Circle. Applicants can contact theinnercircle@terntv.com for more information.

Broadcast details for The Inner Circle will be announced in due course.

Produced and filmed in Glasgow, The Inner Circle (25 x 45’) and celebrity episodes of The Inner Circle (6 x 45’) have been commissioned by Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment, as part of a competitive initiative to find innovative new quiz formats made in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The Executive Producer for Tern is David Marshall the Series Producer is Nick Gunaydin and the Development Executive for Tern is David Kerr.

The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Alex McLeod and Neil McCallum.

 #tvcasting #uktv #beontv #bbc   #amandaholden #uktvcasting #gameshow   @bbciplayer @terntv #castingcall #ukcasting @noholdenback

Social Care Roundtable on Employer National Insurance Contributions

Yesterday COSLA and the Scottish Government convened a roundtable discussion to consider immediate challenges facing the delivery of social care services:

COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly, reflected on the meeting: “I was very grateful for the representation from across the care sector, including our partners in the third and independent sectors, involved in this critical discussion.

“We all have a shared responsibility to improve outcomes for people using health and social care services in Scotland, and I am acutely aware of how much more challenging this becomes when confronted with significant budget gaps for Local Government and Integrated Joint Boards.

“Of course, I know that it’s a similarly challenging financial context for our partner providers who deliver vital care and support for people.

“The reality is that the current financial challenges will have a very real impact on services and it’s for this reason I thought it was crucial to bring together key partners to highlight the impact this has been having – and will continue to have – on the system.

“The changes to employer National Insurance contributions, coupled with continued financial constraints and uncertainties, are a significant risk felt by Local Government which will impact upon the delivery, commissioning and procurement of services.

“There are no easy solutions to the challenges that were aired but I was encouraged by the frank and open contributions from attendees, and the consensus that it’s more important than ever that we work collaboratively to ensure continued delivery of social care for all those who need it.

“As COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, I want to reiterate that we are doing everything we can to address the challenges the sector collectively faces, and that COSLA remains absolutely committed to engaging with the Scottish and UK Governments on these matters.”

North Bridge to close for six weeks to northbound traffic

As part of the ongoing refurbishment of North Bridge, there will be a northbound closure for six weeks from Monday 17 February.

During this period traffic will only be permitted to proceed southbound (from Princes Street towards South Bridge).

The six-week closure is to undertake resurfacing on both the southbound approach to the bridge (both lanes outside Waverley Gate toward Princes Street) and the southbound departure of the bridge (both lanes from the entrance to the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton on North Bridge to the junction at High Street).

For updates please visit the temporary closures section on the North Bridge project page of our website, and on the EdinTravel social media accounts on X and Facebook.

The wider work on North Bridge has included refurbishing the cast iron bridge facades, grit blasting and repainting structural steelwork, repairing and improving the footway paving and underdrainage amongst a host of other improvements. A full list of the improvements and the wider project benefits is on our website.

The council is targeting the end of this year for the end of major repair works.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I appreciate this temporary closure will be frustrating for our residents and businesses. I want to thank them for their continued patience as we carry out these essential works.

“These works are part of the wider project to restore this crucial link between the north and south of the city – and of course preserve it for future generations.  

“I’m conscious that this work is taking longer to complete than we had initially anticipated, but this is this a hugely complex project, with the historic nature of the bridge requiring painstaking and specialist work to restore it to its former glory.”

BBC ALBA documentary series probes one of the biggest drug smuggling operations in British history

In 1991, the town of Ullapool was rocked to the core when police seized over £100million worth of drugs just north of the apparently idyllic fishing village. Now, 34 years later, BBC ALBA pieces together the shocking true story which placed the Highlands at the centre of an international drug smuggling ring in Cocain is na Klondykers.

Throughout the epic three-part documentary series, premiering at 9pm on Tuesday 18 February, journalist Anna MacLeod sets out to discover how a picturesque and remote harbour town became the scene of the biggest drug bust of its time.

Against the fascinating backdrop of Soviet fish processing factory ships, the series will piece together a complex web of criminal activity that linked the Highlands of Scotland to Spain’s ‘Costa Del Crime’ and South America’s notorious Colombian crime gangs, built on first-hand testimony and rich social archive.

Maintaining its infamous title to this day as one of the most audacious drug smuggling operations in British history, viewers will also get an inside look at ‘Operation Klondyke’, the multi-agency, multi-million-pound surveillance operation that led to the arrests of six men. And what happened when the man behind it all disappeared into the ether while awaiting extradition to stand trial in Scotland.

Delving in the murky underworld, Anna will travel from the oil rigs of Aberdeen to the iconic rock of Gibraltar in search of crime kingpin Julian Chisholm (above) – the mastermind of the plan.

But with a Houdini-esque escape from a high security Spanish prison, is he dead or alive?

Journalist and presenter Anna MacLeod said: “Chisholm came to Aberdeen and went to work on the rigs like many other people from all over Scotland and the UK. But Chisholm took a different path.

“The eighties drug scene was changing rapidly and Julian Chisholm opted to put himself right in the middle of it. And I wanted to understand what made him do that. I wanted to get a better understanding of the world in which Chisholm was operating.”

With incredible access to those involved in pursuing the smugglers across the globe, the series will trace a cat and mouse style operation which often felt as though the gang was ahead of law enforcement at almost every turn. Using a rich layer of social history, we see how the breaking down of borders gave untold advantages to the criminal fraternity, and how the northwest coast of Scotland offered the ideal landscape with islands, inlets and coves to hide contraband.

Uncover the story of Scotland’s connection to international cartels as BBC ALBA unravels what became the biggest crime in Highland history. Discover how globalisation, oil and employment all played their part in turning local fishermen into international drug smugglers, helping the gang almost pull off a crime of unbelievable magnitude. 

A complex story of twists, turns and red herrings, the first episode of Cocain is na Klondykers premieres on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 18 February at 9pm, in Gaelic with English subtitles, with weekly episodes airing each Tuesday.

Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00285qr

New report reveals long-term outcomes for UK care-experienced children

NatCen has published a report in collaboration with ADR UK exploring children and young people’s experiences with social care

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has published a report in collaboration with Administrative Data Research (ADR) UK exploring children and young people’s experiences with social care. 

The report pulls together administrative data from the four UK nations for the first time and the combined data reveals insights into the care experiences of children. It looks across systems and services showcasing valuable long-term data analysis across inequalities, regional variation, evolving care practices and long-term impacts.

The report explored factors that lead children into care: 

  • A child’s postcode in Northern Ireland can affect their chances of entering care: in 2010, children from the most deprived 10% of areas were four times more likely to end in care than those from the least deprived 10%. By 2020 this disparity doubled. 

As well as their journeys through care: 

  • Data from Wales found that 63% of voluntary arrangements became compulsory within two years, a trend occurring more frequently and rapidly over time. In around 1 in 2 cases, care proceedings were issued within four weeks of initial voluntary arrangements.
  • Placement stability is a concern with 30% of infants experiencing three or more placements within two years.
    • Infants entering care through voluntary arrangements experienced fewer placements than those subject to care orders.
  • Data from Scotland found kinship care has become the most common arrangement with 34% living in kinship care in 2023 compared to 13% in 2006.
    • Children with experience of kinship care continue to experience lower attendance rates, higher exclusion rates, and lower qualification attainment compared to the general population.
  • Of those with youth justice involvement, care experienced children, on average, had four times the number of cautions or convictions than non-care experienced children. 

The report examines long-term outcomes for those who have had contact with social services:

  • In the eight years after leaving school, 25% of care experienced children in England had never been in employment or education compared to 4% among all school leavers.
  • In Northern Ireland, young adults with a history of care had almost 9 times the risk of death by suicide compared to those who had no social services contact in childhood.

Sarah Cheesbrough, Director of the Policy Research Centre at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) said: “This vital report showcases the transformative potential of administrative data in generating critical insights to improve the lives of care-experienced children and young people. 

“It highlights why policymakers should demand more from their evidence base—using data to pinpoint system shortfalls, assess long-term service impacts, and identify successful practices.”

ADR_UK_NatCen_report_infographicDownload

Professor Karen Broadhurst of Lancaster University and ADR UK Ambassador said: “By linking data from different parts of government, and opening up secure access to the de-identified, population-level linked datasets,

“ADR UK is creating unprecedented opportunities for researchers to advance our knowledge. For the first time, we can look across systems and services using datasets where every child is counted. 

“The studies included in this report published today, provide robust empirical evidence of pathways into care, care experience, and life beyond care. As a society, we must ensure we have the conditions in place for every child to have the opportunity to flourish, including those in the care of the State.”  

Care_experience_Research_insights_from_administrative_dataDownload

Unite CEC branch: Budget Demo

The City of Edinburgh Council will decide its budget for financial year 2025 to 2026 at the Full Council Meeting next Thursday – 20th February 2025.

A demo will take place outside the City Chambers on the High Street from 8.30am to 9.30am on the day.

The council budget debate starts at 10am and is also broadcast live on the City of Edinburgh Council webcast site

Our branch will send a deputation to the meeting to speak on behalf of our branch members.

Look at the council budget papers on the council website for more details on what is being planned

Terence Reilly sentenced for attempted murder in Restalrig

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced after an attempted murder in Edinburgh in 2023.

Terence Reilly was arrested and charged after the attack on a 63-year-old man in Loaning Road on Sunday, 6 August, 2023.

He was jailed for eight years at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday – Thursday, 13 February, 2025.

He was found guilty of assault to severe injury, endangerment to life and attempted murder at the same court on Thursday, 16 January, 2025.

Detective Sergeant Sophie McWhinnie said: “This was a random attack on a stranger and Reilly now faces the consequences of his violent actions.

“His victim played a vital role in achieving this outcome and I would like to thank him for his support and hope that he can now begin to move on from this experience.

“Violence and endangering the lives of others will not be tolerated and we will rigorously pursue those responsible of such crimes and ensure they are brought to justice.

“We would like to thank the community for their assistance with this enquiry, particularly those who stopped at the time to help.”

Broughton Teachers vs Students charity football match

FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT THE RED CROSS

WEDNESDAY 19th FEBRUARY 3.30 – 4.30PM

From the school anti-racism group:

Our Teacher vs Student football fundraiser will be happening on Wednesday the 19th of February, on the astroturf pitch from 3:30-4:30. We are raising money for a Red Cross appeal which donates towards the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine.

You can either bring in a donation that will be collected in buckets on the pitches before the game, or donate on ParentPay, so please donate generously.

You will be able to find out the student and teacher teams on your house Teams page soon!

Hot chocolate will also be available during the match.

Please come along and have fun!

New Lanark unveils official ‘New Lanark Tartan’ with Lochcarron of Scotland

A Celebration of Heritage and Collaboration

New Lanark is thrilled to announce the official registration and launch of its very own “New Lanark Tartan”. Unique to New Lanark, it has been custom designed by New Lanark Trust Chairperson James Pow, in partnership with the renowned world’s leading manufacturer of tartan, Lochcarron of Scotland.

Developed by Lochcarron and now in full production at their factory, this new tartan celebrates New Lanark’s rich heritage while showcasing a new level of collaboration with one of Scotland’s most respected textile producers.

The New Lanark Trust Tartan features across a range of high-quality items including scarves, throws, and blankets, now available for purchase in the New Lanark Mill shop. In addition to retail offerings, New Lanark is also exploring the possibility of incorporating the tartan into staff uniforms and even using it to add a touch of tradition and elegance to the soft furnishings in the New Lanark Hotel’s bedrooms.

James Pow, Chairperson of the New Lanark Trust commented, “Our partnership with Lochcarron of Scotland is a perfect example of how two iconic Scottish brands can come together to celebrate and promote our shared heritage.

“The New Lanark Tartan symbolises both our history and the creativity that continues to drive us forward. We are incredibly proud to offer visitors the chance to take home a piece of New Lanark in the form of beautifully crafted Lochcarron tartan products.”

Dawn Robson-Bell, Managing Director of Lochcarron of Scotland, commented: “We are delighted to have collaborated with New Lanark Trust on this unique tartan from design concept to finished product and hope they have much success with the range and development of the pattern through other opportunities within their site.”

Lochcarron of Scotland has a well-established presence in the New Lanark Mill Shop as a concession introduced earlier this year, a move that has quickly gained popularity among visitors.

Building on this success, New Lanark commissioned Lochcarron of Scotland to develop their exclusive tartan that represents the unique history and spirit of New Lanark. The collaboration has been a resounding success, and with demand on the rise, the range of New Lanark Tartan products will be expanded in early 2025.

This new tartan collection makes its debut in the New Lanark Mill Shop, 240 years after New Lanark was founded, making it an ideal gift for those who cherish Scotland’s history and craftsmanship.

This launch symbolises New Lanark’s dedication to preserving heritage while embracing new partnerships that allow Scotland’s storied traditions to thrive in today’s world. The New Lanark Tartan is a piece of history that visitors can carry with them for years to come.

To find out more, visit www.newlanark.org

New Lanark Tartan Blanket
New Lanark Tartan Scarves

Postive impact of new RSV vaccine

Report shows fewer older people hospitalised

Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed a report showing the new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine has led to a significant decrease in hospitalisations among older people.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, demonstrates that vaccination resulted in a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among the eligible 75-79 age group.

The Scottish Government invested £4.2 million via health boards in the vaccine supply. The programme began last August following expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Mr Gray said: “Once again we see evidence of the role which vaccinations play in preventing serious illness and keeping people out of hospital.

“We were pleased to be the first nation in the UK to introduce the new RSV vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This research demonstrates just how many people avoided ending up in hospital as a result.

“RSV can be very serious for older adults, newborns and infants – potentially causing lung disease such as pneumonia.

“It is encouraging to see that by the end of November, 68% of eligible older adults had received their vaccinations and I’d urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccine when called. It is incredibly important for older adults and pregnant women to protect their newborn babies from RSV.”

RSV vaccine during pregnancy | NHS inform

RSV vaccine for adults | NHS inform 

The RSV programme was in addition to winter vaccines offered, such as flu, Covid-19 and pneumococcal.