A pioneering conference – offering a unique platform for learning, exploring, and challenging how neurodiversity impacts Police Scotland officers and staff as well as the public they serve – took place this week.
Neurodiversity and Policing brought together international and local speakers from academia, public health and policing as well as those with lived experience, to explore the subject and share knowledge and understanding.
Around 15% of the public are considered to be neurodivergent. However, it is estimated that between 20 and 30% of Police Scotland officers and staff could be neurodivergent – making them one of the largest minority groups in the service.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: “Police Scotland is committed to creating a supportive, welcoming and inclusive culture for all our communities. We also strive to create a sense of belonging and a working environment where our colleagues are encouraged to achieve.
“Our officers and staff are drawn from our own communities and neurodivergent colleagues make up a substantial part of Police Scotland’s workforce. They also offer valued skills and unique perspectives that enhance our police service.
“As Police Scotland’s lead for neurodiversity and, as a neurodivergent leader in the public sector, it is a subject I am passionate about.
“Our refreshed Policing Together vision and programme is aimed at learning and improving. It is about creating a working environment where people know they belong. This vision is underpinned by a human rights approach to policing, focused on delivering the highest standard of service for our diverse communities.
“This landmark and extremely important conference provided the opportunity to share knowledge, lived experiences and help understand what neurodiversity is and allow those attending to access support, where it is required.”
Dr Inga Heyman from the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Along with our partners, we were delighted to host this important knowledge exchange event.
“We have a strong history of partnership working at the intersect of policing and public health. We recognise that no one organisation is adequately skilled, equipped and resourced to support people and communities to make lasting change.
“It is crucial we come together across sectors, to explore the academic evidence, practice and lived experiences of police officers who may be neurodivergent to recognise the challenges they face, but also the strengths their neurodivergence brings to their work.
“It is equally important that we learn from people who come in contact with police who are neurodivergent to better understand how practice can be enhanced to support them.”
The event was hosted by Edinburgh Napier University in partnership with Police Scotland, the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association and the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.
England is experiencing a rough-sleeping emergency and the rising number of people sleeping rough is a source of national shame, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee in a letter to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State, and Rushanara Ali, Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, published today.
The Committee’s short inquiry finds that the number of people sleeping rough is not only high but has increased in recent years with the Committee writing to the Secretary of State to outline a series of steps the Government could take to turn the tide on rough sleeping.
Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said: “The shocking levels of rough sleeping on our streets should be a source of national shame.
“The seriousness of the rough sleeping emergency must act as a spur to Government action which prioritises prevention and which brings forward the right investment and support to fix this crisis.
“The success of the ‘Everyone In’ policy during the pandemic shows it’s possible to end rough sleeping. Building more social and genuinely affordable housing will be crucial to any long-term solution but we must also address the immediate housing need for those who arerough sleeping. We must also improve the delivery of joined-up support for those with long-standing health and addiction issues to help them get back on their feet.
“I urge the Inter-Ministerial Group on Tackling Homelessness and Rough Sleeping to take on board the Committee’s recommendations and to deliver on the Government’s commitment to turn the tide on homelessness”.
The Committee was told by witnesses, including council and homeless charity representatives, how the increasing cost of rents was being exacerbated by historical decisions to freeze the Local Housing Allowance, the prevalence of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and by the five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment “which can further entrench poverty.”
The Committee calls on the Government to take concrete steps to address the emergency, including bringing forward measures to help people sustain tenancies in the face of rising rents and the broader cost of living crisis, including ending Section 21 evictions through the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill as soon as possible.
The Committee also recommends the Government review the welfare assistance that those on low incomes can receive, including ensuring that Universal Credit (UC) payments meet the costs of essentials, and that the Government looks to end the 5-week waiting period for those in receipt of UC.
The Committee’s emphasis on prioritising funding for prevention leads it to recommend a shift to a smaller number of longer-term funding streams, which should be more cost-effective and enable councils to better plan support services.
Further, the inquiry heard that charities and local authorities often struggle to house people presenting as homeless because they do not have access to sufficient accommodation to house everyone. Councils described a situation where the stock of housing available to them has dwindled over the decades due to their inability to replace homes “lost” to the private rented sector as a result of the Right to Buy policy.
To help address this, the Committee recommends the building of more social and genuinely affordable housing as part of its ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, suggesting theGovernment consider including a specific sub-target for these types of tenures.
The Committee also proposes the Government set out a plan specifically for the rejuvenation of supported housing to help support individuals away from the streets and into permanent tenancies. Additionally, the Committee recommends restoring funding for supported housing services previously provided by the Supporting People programme.
The Committee’s inquiry looked at previous approaches to tackle rough sleeping and the effectiveness of initiatives such as the ‘Housing First’ strategy, and comes forward with recommendations on access to support, joined-up working, and on collecting robust data to help deliver better services to prevent rough sleeping and mitigate its impacts.
Finally, the Committee recommends the Government review the appropriateness of guidance which councils have regard to when fulfilling their statutory housing duties, including the use of the concept of “intentional homelessness”; local connection tests and priority needs assessments.
It does so having heard evidence of some councils using these as a way to“gatekeep” much needed support from those at risk of sleeping rough.
A few months ago, we were lucky enough to receive a Scotmid coop Community Grant to improve our Sensory room. We are pleased to announce that our Sensory Room is now complete and available to book!
Designed to support those with sensory processing disorders, this is a great place to relax and relieve stress in a safe space
We also have ear defenders available if required
Contact the centre for full details or to book your time slot:
A taskforce has published 44 recommended actions on how to improve working conditions for Scotland’s nurses and midwives.
The Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce was established by the Scottish Government in 2023 to build on efforts to make Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work. Chaired by Health Secretary Neil Gray, it brings together key stakeholders, including the Royal Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery, to engage with nursing and midwifery staff, understand the challenges they face and recommend ways to improve the profession.
A key part of this work was the Listening Project, which gathered insights from more than 4,000 nurses, midwives, students and academics to shape future improvements. The findings from the Listening Project have led to 44 recommended actions designed to improve recruitment and retention of staff and workplace conditions.
These actions include:
ensuring appropriate staffing levels so that all staff can take the breaks they are entitled to
reviewing data-inputting and paperwork requirements to reduce the administrative burden on nurses and midwives
developing national guidance on rostering and flexible working to ensure better work-life balance
ensuring nurses and midwives can participate in decision making and planning
widening entry routes into nursing and midwifery careers
The next stage of the taskforce will focus on implementation, with a dedicated group developing a detailed work plan and timeline that ensures these recommended actions are delivered effectively.
Accepting all 44 recommendations, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray said: “Our nurses and midwives are the backbone of Scotland’s healthcare system and we are committed to ensuring they have the support, flexibility and workplace conditions to thrive.
“The publication of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce report marks an important milestone; we have heard directly from staff about what matters most to them, and this has shaped the recommended actions which will deliver real change for nurses and midwives.
“I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to take part in this important piece of work. The Scottish Government will now work with our partners to deliver the actions contained in the report.”
Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director, said: “This is the culmination of two years of collaborative working, and we welcome the recommended actions announced today.
“We see this as a significant step and, as the implementation board begins its work, the recommendations should provide a strategic roadmap to begin to tackle the nursing retention and recruitment challenges in Scotland.
“Implementation of the recommendations will take time and investment, we look forward to playing a key role in the Implementation Board to ensure delivery and enable Scottish government to meet its aspiration of making Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work.”
For Age Scotland, 2024 was a year of growth as demand for our services continued to increase. This comes as no surprise, with older people trying to manage the rising cost of living, soaring energy bills, and continuing levels of loneliness and isolation.
Access to and long waits for health and social care continue to cause concern. There were also new crises to adapt to, such as the UK Government’s blindsiding decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from nearly 900,000 Scottish pensioners.
In the face of these challenges, we’ve grown our helpline and friendship services to support, advise and provide companionship to more older people than ever before.
From record-breaking levels of unclaimed social security identified through our helpline to distributing over 125,000 free information guides distributed to older people, their families and carers.
We are proud of the work we do and how we support older people in Scotland. Our Impact Report outlines what we achieved together last year.
While we have been able to support thousands of people in later life, there are many more who still desperately need our help.
We are more determined than ever to be there for those older people most in need and remain committed to ensuring that Scotland becomes the best place in the world to grow older. But we can’t do that alone.
Together, we can make Scotland the best place in the world to grow older.
It’s been over half a century since community councils came into existence in Scotland in 1973 – and in that time, we’ve seen over 1,200 established across the country (writes Culture and Communities Convener CLLR VAL WALKER).
These bodies are groups of residents who are passionate about their communities and play an important role in grassroots democracy.
Here in Edinburgh, the election period for our community councils has begun. Last week nominations opened to stand for election as a community councillor, this closes on 27 February. Following that we’ll hold an election only if there are more people nominated than places on the community council.
This is your chance to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. From campaigning on key local issues, organising meetings, chairing debates, looking out for vulnerable individuals and groups, to liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.
I’m continually inspired by the stories I come across of community councils. In Lady Nairne, the Northfield and Willowbrae Community Council worked tirelessly to ensure that a solution was found when the previous 69 supported bus service ceased operations several years ago.
Following extensive engagement with ward councillors and Council officers a new route was implemented just in time for Christmas last year, which I know was a welcome gift to those residents who had long campaigned for its reinstation.
We’ve also seen Longstone Community Council lead a campaign to erect a new bridge to link their community to the Hutchison/Chesser community, as part of a new active travel project.
Initially a bridge was not part of these plans but following successful meetings with their ward councillor, Council officers and the developer some £170,000 worth of contributions were earmarked to support the delivery of the bridge. This will now go to consultation as part of the as the Longstone Link project.
These are just a couple of the many examples of the excellent work community councils are doing across our city every day. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor.
“From Pilton to Portobello, Muirhouse to Morningside and beyond, Edinburgh draws its strength from its people, and we need their views, ideas and expertise to move forward together.
Find out more about community councils and how to stand for election on CEC website.
The Competition & Markets Authority has set out comprehensive proposals to deliver better outcomes for parents in the infant formula market – both in terms of the choices they make and the prices they pay
We’re recommending standardised infant formula packaging in hospitals; providing clear information to parents and banning the advertising of follow-on formula.
CMA infant formula study finds that a combination of factors is leading to poor outcomes for parents, who could be saving around £300 a year by switching to a lower priced brand
Issues include the design and operation of current regulations and the responses of consumers to advertising which emphasises branding when, in fact, all infant formula will meet babies’ full nutritional needs
CMA heard concerns that parents on lower incomes are disproportionately affected due to higher rates of formula feeding
CMA final recommendations cover standardised packaging in hospitals; providing clear information to parents in healthcare and retail settings on the nutritional sufficiency of all infant formula; making it easier to compare prices of different brands; extending the ban on advertising to include follow-on formula; and allowing parents to use vouchers and loyalty points to buy infant formula
Given the steer from governments that regulatory restrictions on price promotions of infant formula support breastfeeding, the CMA is not recommending removing this ban at this stage, but stands ready to support further consideration of this option if asked
Following a market study into the infant formula and follow-on formula market, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued its final recommendations.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “Every parent wants to give their baby the best possible start in life. Many whom need, or choose, to formula feed, pick a brand at a vulnerable moment, based on incomplete information, often believing that higher prices must mean better quality. This is despite NHS advice stating that all brands will meet your baby’s nutritional needs, regardless of brand or price.
“Governments across the UK are committed to the tight regulation of infant formula for public health reasons. So, our proposals are designed to help parents make the best choices for them and their babies, with access to better information, while sharpening the effectiveness of the existing rules.
“Our proposals will also make it easier for regulations to be properly enforced, while ensuring manufacturers and retailers can be more confident in what they can and can’t do according to law.
“We strongly encourage governments to act on the recommendations to stop well-intended regulation driving poor outcomes for consumers. We’re ready to help implement the changes and support thinking around further measures, including removing the ban on price promotions, should governments consider it necessary at a later stage.”
CMA findings
Advertising and labelling of infant formula is strictly regulated. For example, advertisement and promotion, including price reductions or deals, is restricted so as not to discourage breastfeeding.
Many parents choose a brand for the first time in vulnerable circumstances – often in hospital immediately after birth – and frequently without the clear, accurate and impartial information needed to make informed decisions. People often feel under pressure, naturally wanting to do what is best for their baby. Many actively choose a more expensive product, assuming this means better quality.
However, NHS advice makes clear: “It does not matter which brand you choose, they’ll all meet your baby’s nutritional needs, regardless of price”.
Against this backdrop, rather than competing strongly on price, manufacturers place significant emphasis on building brand awareness to secure customers. For example, some regularly supply the NHS with below cost formula to reach new parents – and once parents have found a brand that works for their baby, they rarely switch.
Regulation states that the labelling and presentation of infant and follow-on formulas should be ‘clearly distinct’. Despite this, manufacturers use similar branding and labelling – including similar colour palettes, fonts and imagery – across infant and follow-on formulas. When combined with large marketing budgets, this approach indirectly supports the sale of infant formula, with CMA evidence indicating that parents are disproportionately influenced by such branding practices (be it in hospitals, online or in store).
The CMA heard concerns that parents on lower incomes are more likely to formula feed so are disproportionately impacted by infant formula pricing. While some government support is available to those eligible, most infant formulas exceed the weekly value of benefits available through schemes such as the Healthy Start and Best Start Food. This can lead to parents foregoing food in order to provide for their babies.
On pricing, differences between brands can have a sizeable impact on parents’ finances. Evidence reviewed by the CMA shows that they could make a saving of around £300 over a baby’s first year of life by switching from a popular mid-priced product to a low-priced brand.
Recommendations
The 4 recommendations from the CMA are:
Removing brand influence in healthcare settings: Parents should be provided with timely, clear, accurate and impartial information on nutritional sufficiency of all infant formula products as early as possible. Where parents are given infant formula in healthcare settings, labelling should be standardised to reduce the influence of branding on their decision making. For example, branded formula could be put into non-branded containers, or the NHS could have a white-label formula.
Equipping parents with the right information when they are shopping: Information about nutritional sufficiency should be displayed clearly and prominently on shelves and when buying online. In store, all brands of infant formula should be displayed together and in a separate cluster from other formula milks to enable quick and easy price comparisons.
Strengthening labelling and advertising rules: All packaging should clearly display information on nutritional sufficiency. Claims that are intangible, or cannot be easily checked by parents, should be banned. Like infant formula, advertising (including price promotions and deals) for follow-on milks should be banned. To help shops, manufacturers and enforcers, government should clarify what constitutes ‘advertising’, outlining exactly what shops and manufacturers can and cannot do regarding formula milks. Parents should be allowed to use gift cards, vouchers, loyalty points, and coupons to purchase infant formula.
Effectively enforce current and future rules: Strengthen the roles played by relevant authorities so they must approve the packaging of all infant formula products before sale. At present, companies can put products onto the market before the relevant authority has reviewed the label.
Public Health Minister, Ashley Dalton, said: “I welcome this report and would like to thank the Competition and Markets Authority for their thorough investigation.
“There are many benefits of breastfeeding but for those families that cannot or choose not to breastfeed, it is vital that they can access formula that is affordable and high quality. Families should not be paying over the odds to feed their babies because of outdated regulation.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re determined to ensure every child has the best start to life. We will carefully consider these recommendations and respond fully in due course.”
Competition and Markets Minister Justin Madders said: “The government has been clear through our new Strategic Steer to the CMA that competition and consumer protection will drive economic growth.
“That work to drive better outcomes for consumers across the infant formula market delivers on this priority. We look forward to working closely with the CMA across government to continue to deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
Next steps
Recommendations are made to UK, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh governments, working in collaboration with other organisations, where appropriate. The CMA will now engage to explain these measures and support their implementation.
Equalities Minister urges UK Government to change family visa rules ON Valentine’s Day
Changes to the UK Family Visa Route would support the wellbeing of married couples and families by helping them reunite in Scotland, according to a new Scottish Government report.
Under current rules, people living in the UK need to earn a minimum of £29,000 to bring an immediate family member from abroad to live here.
Planned increases to this threshold were paused in July 2024 by the UK Government, which is currently seeking views on whether the requirements should continue in their current form.
The Scottish Government report sets out evidence that the minimum salary requirement does not support Scotland’s interests, and disproportionately impacts women and part-time workers.
Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “This Valentine’s Day, I am calling on the UK Government to make the changes needed so that couples and families who do not meet the current financial requirements can be reunited.
“People who live in Scotland should be able to build a life with their spouse and raise children here – wherever in the world their husband or wife is from. Allowing more people to bring their families to live here would enrich communities, support public services and contribute to the economy.
“The UK Government’s review of the income threshold is welcome, and the Scottish Government is clear that the minimum income threshold needs to be reduced or removed altogether to allow more families to build their lives here in Scotland.”
Sarah Douglas is from the Scottish Borders. She is currently living in Perugia, Italy with her husband and their three children. Sarah would like to return to Scotland with her family, however due to the minimum income requirement, they are unable to move to the UK.
Sarah said: “The minimum income requirement is currently preventing me from living in Scotland with my Italian husband.
“As a mother to three young children meeting the threshold is challenging especially since I’m expected to do so whilst being separated from my husband and caring for my children alone.
“I am faced with a choice between separating my family or permanent exile. It is a cruel policy which places unnecessary emotional and financial strain on families. A new policy should be implemented to ensure that families like mine can stay together.”
Demi Kara is from Edinburgh. She married her husband, who is from Adana, Turkey, in 2024. Due to the minimum income requirement, the couple are currently living separately in Scotland and Turkey.
Demi said: “A price on love seems very much unfair. Younger long distance couples have no chance in this generation – you pay the price and put your life on hold, or you leave, it’s as simple as that.
“I put my degree on hold to fight for my husband to be by my side – a basic right every person should have. A change the minimum income requirement would allow my life to be whole, allow my heart to be full of love and not broken and torn between two countries.”
Love is in the air at an Edinburgh care home, as Olive and Gavin McCrone celebrate their first Valentine’s Day at Glencairn.
After 27 years together, the couple made the decision to move into Glencairn, part of Renaissance Care, in November 2024, to ensure that they could continue sharing life’s special moments side by side.
To mark the occasion, staff at Glencairn presented the couple with a special Valentine’s Day treat of chocolates and prosecco, kindly contributed by Edinburgh’s One20 Wine Café.
Dressed in their Sunday best, Gavin presented Olive with a bouquet of flowers, just as he did on their first date all those years ago – lunch at the Oxford and Cambridge Club in London in 1998, when Olive was 62 and Gavin was 64 years old.
Reflecting on their journey together, Olive, now 89, said: “For us, it wasn’t love at first sight, we were friends for a long time before it became something more. I never imagined when we first met for lunch all those years ago, we’d be here celebrating our first Valentine’s Day in our new home. But here we are, still together, and still making new memories.”
Originally from Bellshill and Pitlochry, the pair had known each other through their late partners before romance blossomed later in life.
“We had a long-distance relationship for a while as Olive was in London, and I was in Edinburgh,” said Gavin, 91. “But love finds a way, and eventually, we made a life together.”
That life has been filled with travel, music, and cherished family moments. Between them, they have five children and seven grandchildren, and their shared love of adventure has taken them across Scotland’s islands and beyond.
Having married in 2000 in Hatch End, the couple’s bond has remained unshakable ever since. “We’re best friends as well as partners, we can sit together in silence and be completely content,” said Olive. “That’s the mark of a love that lasts.”
Making the move to Glencairn has given them a new sense of home. “At this stage in life, just being together is enough,” continued Olive. “Glencairn is a beautiful place, and we feel very lucky to have found somewhere where we can still be together.
When asked about the secret to a long and happy marriage, Gavin’s advice was simple: “Be best friends, always be honest, and never forget to laugh together.”
Renaissance Care is a nationwide provider of quality, personalised care across a range of care homes across Scotland.
With a focus on personalised care, dignity, independence, and respect, Renaissance Care tailors care to meet the unique needs of each resident, ensuring they lead fulfilling lives in a supportive, homely environment.
It is with regret that we share the news our Golden Years service is closing in the spring of 2025.
As two significant grants come to an end simultaneously we are no longer able to continue delivering our much beloved service.
We know that lots of people across Edinburgh who have found company and solace at our Golden Years events, lunch clubs, and community groups will now be looking for that support elsewhere. We are doing our utmost to signpost all of our attendees and clients to other projects in the area who may be able to provide that support.
It is with great sadness that we will be saying goodbye to our brilliant volunteer befrienders and the staff that support them. They have worked tirelessly over the years to provide consistently high quality, compassionate support to older people in our community, and we wish them the very best and thank them for their service.
Whilst we are saddened by this loss, we are proud of the work that has been done and are working hard to look at viable options that will allow the lunch clubs to continue within the community and will share updates as and when we have further information.
