Month: March 2025

Housing minister marks completion of affordable homes in Mayfield

Lovell Partnerships has officially completed all affordable housing at its Oakwood Edge development in Mayfield, near Dalkeith. The Scottish Housing Minister, Paul McLennan, visited last to mark the handover to Melville Housing Association of the 39 high-quality, affordable  homes. 

The £7.1 million development, backed by £3.94 million in Scottish Government grant funding, has  provided a range of energy-efficient homes for social rent as part of a wider 156-home development. 

The mix of affordable housetypes includes 1 and 2-bedroom cottage flats, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom  terraced homes and 2 wheelchair-accessible bungalows, ensuring a variety of housing options to meet  different needs within the community. 

All homes at Oakwood Edge have been designed to meet high energy efficiency standards, with solar  PV panels and communal electric vehicle charging points. Four homes have also been enhanced to  achieve Net Zero status, featuring air source heat pumps, battery storage and triple glazing. 

Beyond providing much-needed affordable housing, Lovell has embedded social value throughout the  project, generating an impressive £1.7M in social and local economic value. Initiatives have included  community space improvements, education and cost-of-living support. 

Key social value contributions include: 

• Lovell, in partnership with their suppliers H&C Plumbing, Jordan Electrics, Phoenix Decorators,  Tough Construction and JAD joinery, supported local youth charity Y2K and Mayfield &  Easthouses Development Trust (MAEDT) to improve their community spaces.

• Local primary school students were invited on-site to learn about careers in construction as  well as health and safety. 

• Every social housing resident will receive an air fryer to help reduce energy bills. 

https://twitter.com/i/status/1896539214512099342

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “It was good to have a tour of Melville Housing Association’s  new social rented development and meet one of the tenants whose new home is part of Oakwood Edge near Dalkeith.

“What is particularly impressive about this development is the range, quality and  energy efficiency of these houses, alongside the existing community facilities in the area. 

“We’re pleased to have provided £3.94 million in Scottish Government grant funding for this project  and have a good track record in affordable housing, delivering more than 135,000 affordable homes  since 2007 including 95,000 for social rent and 26,306 council homes. 

“Furthermore, our budget of £768 million for 2025-26 will help tackle the housing emergency while  contributing towards our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.” 

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “At Lovell, we believe building homes is about  more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating lasting value for communities.

£Oakwood Edge is a  great demonstration of how we integrate social impact into every stage of development and we’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved here alongside our partners, Melville Housing Association.” 

Donna Bogdanovic, Chair of Melville Housing Association, said: “This development, our second with  Lovell, is a fantastic example of how partnerships can deliver real results for communities.

The homes  at Oakwood Edge provide much-needed, high-quality social housing in an area of high demand. So far,  11 tenants have moved into their new homes and we’re delighted with the positive feedback we have  already received from our new tenants.” 

MAEDT Manager Sharon Hill said: “We are incredibly grateful for the contribution Lovell has made to  our community projects. Their practical support has strengthened the services we can offer to our  community.” 

To find out more about Lovell, visit: www.lovell.co.uk

Letters: The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition – Scottish Apprenticeship Week

LOOK BEYOND THE LABEL

Dear Editor

This week marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3rd-7th March), a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting people, employers and the economy.

Modern Apprenticeships allow people from diverse backgrounds, no matter their background and abilities, to gain and develop skills for every business, regardless of its size or sector.

The rewards of getting young people who are disabled or care-experienced into work are well worth it. They bring passion, skills, dedication and drive to the workplace.

Recruiting a Modern Apprentice enables employers to fill the skills gaps within their current workforce, as apprentices begin to learn sector-specific skills from day one, developing specialist knowledge that will positively affect the bottom line.

However, as always, we can do more and greater support for businesses and other employers to take on a Modern Apprentice is key.

As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we would urge Scotland’s employers to look beyond the label and take on a Modern Apprentice who may have an additional need, taking advantage of the excellent skills offered by many of these young people.

Yours faithfully 

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:

Kenny Graham, Falkland House School

Lynn Bell, LOVE Learning

Stephen McGhee, Spark of Genius

Niall Kelly, Young Foundations

42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ

Tel: 0131 603 8996

Edinburgh commuters face public transport fare hikes next month

LOTHIAN BUSES AND EDINBURGH TRAMS ANNOUNCE 10% FARE INCREASE

Fares will be revised across Lothian’s group of companies – Lothian Buses, Lothian Country and East Coast Buses – from Sunday 6 April 2025.

The last fares revision took place in April 2023 and since then, operating cost pressures have increased significantly. With all fares revenue reinvested into the running of our business, introducing revised fares is required for Lothian to continue to prioritise investment in our fleet, our people, and our wider customer offering.

Lothian’s TapTapCap Pay-As-You-Go product will continue to offer discounted fares via contactless capping versus paper tickets, with the Contactless City DAY cap at £5.00 compared to the £5.50 City DAY ticket.

As part of a service change which will also take effect from Sunday 6 April, Skylink 200 will become Service 17 and Skylink 400 will become Service 18, with regular city fares applying on these routes, even for those travelling to the airport.

For more information about the service change, please see below or visit Service change from Sunday 6 April.

There will be no change to our Airlink Airport Single and Return fares.

As part of this review, there will be further harmonisation of products in East and West Lothian to continue the simplification of our ticketing portfolio.

 Product Current Fare Revised Fare Validity
 Adult Single £2.00 £2.20 Valid for one journey on a day service.
Child Single£1.00£1.10Valid for one journey on a day service.
Adult DAYTicket (renamed City DAY ticket)£5.00
£4.80 TapTapCap
£10.50 Family		£5.50
£5.00 TapTapCap
£12.00 Family		Valid for unlimited journeys on day services.
Child DAYticket
(renamed City DAY ticket)		£2.50£2.75Valid for unlimited journeys on day services.
TapTapCap – City Week Cap£22.00£24.50Maximum weekly cap for unlimited journeys on day and night services in the city and airport zones. Weekly caps run Monday – Sunday.
Adult NETWORK£12.00£12.50Unlimited journeys on day and NightBus services across our entire network, including Edinburgh Trams.
Adult Ridacard (1 Week)£22.00£24.50Unlimited journeys on day and NightBus services across our entire network, including Edinburgh Trams.
Adult Ridacard (4 Weeks)£66.00£73.00Unlimited journeys on day and NightBus services across our entire network, including Edinburgh Trams.
Adult Ridacard (Monthly DD)£62.00£68.00Unlimited journeys on day and NightBus services across our entire network, including Edinburgh Trams.
Adult Ridacard (Annual)£650.00£700.00Unlimited journeys on day and NightBus services across our entire network, including Edinburgh Trams.

Edinburgh Trams is today announcing an increase in ticket prices, in line with its sister company, Lothian Buses.

This is the first time since 2023 that fares have changed and reflects the increased operational costs faced by the operator in the last two years. Fare changes will come into effect from start of service on Sunday 6 April.

The fare changes will see the cost of an Adult Single fare rise from £2 to £2.20, and an Adult Return fare rise from £3.80 to £4.20. Day Tickets will also increase by 50p, to £5.50.

Proportional fare increases will apply to all tickets, with full details available below.

Image

a grid with details of upcoming fare changes

Lea Harrison, Managing Director at Edinburgh Trams, said: “While every effort has been made to keep fare increases to a minimum, the rise will allow us to meet our commitments to providing cost-effective and environmentally friendly travel across the city.

“We understand that fare rises are never preferred, but demands on the network and on staff have never been higher, with trams now running more frequently every day. These fare changes will allow us to continue to maintain and improve the tram network for the benefit of the customer.”

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Edinburgh Trams provides an award winning and vital service to our city, with over 12 million journeys completed last year alone.

“We’ve all seen the benefits from Trams to Newhaven and it’s fair to say that the arrival of the trams has breathed a new lease of life into the north of the Capital.

“I realise that these fare increases are a difficult reality in the current economic climate. However, it’s vital that we continue to invest in and protect our tram network, whilst continuing with our bold vision for a new tram line from North-South in the future.

“Keeping Edinburgh moving is my priority and I’ll continue to work alongside Edinburgh Trams to make that happen.”

Customers can still buy discounted bundles of tickets on the et app, or pre-book some ticket types on Edinburgh Ticket, to ensure that we can still offer the best fares to our customers. 

For details on changes to Ridacard prices, you can check Lothian Buses website here.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week – New data from BAE Systems

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS GROWING APPEAL OF APPRENTICESHIPS AMONG NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS IN SCOTLAND

As one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems has investigated the latest attitudes towards career paths amongst young people to coincide with Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 – 7 March).

The findings are part of a newly launched Apprenticeship Barometer, which surveyed 2,000 young people (16-24 year olds) to identify views on education, training and pathways to career success.

Main attractions

The survey revealed a growing interest in apprenticeships, with more than 74% of Scottish respondents willing to relocate to a different part of the UK to seize an apprenticeship opportunity and 6 in 10 preferring it as an alternative to university.

The findings highlight a significant shift toward flexibility and apprenticeships being increasingly recognised as a pathway to secure and rewarding careers, with respondents citing job security (31%), high starting salaries (25%) and hands-on training (21%) as the most appealing features.

An overwhelming 85% of respondents agreed that apprenticeships enhance social mobility, offer significant potential to support disadvantaged groups and provide alternatives to traditional higher education routes.

Barriers to access

Despite their appeal, responses suggest barriers such as limited opportunities (30%) and lack of information (41%) continue to hinder access to apprenticeships, highlighting the need for greater awareness and more accessible pathways.

Over half (53%) of the young people surveyed in Scotland said they felt uninformed about apprenticeship opportunities in their field of interest and 85% believed employers should expand apprenticeship programmes alongside graduate schemes to meet rising demand.

STEM leads the way

Industries linked to careers in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) ranked highly in apprenticeship preferences, with over 1 in 4 (28%) of the young people surveyed expressing interest. They also ranked in the top three careers that respondents associated with the greatest job security.

Money matters

More than half (55%) of respondents identified earning while learning as the main reason for choosing an apprenticeship over university, while 25% cited avoiding student debt as a key motivator, reflecting a perceived growing financial awareness.

Richard Hamer, HR Director of Education and Skills at BAE Systems, said: “The Apprenticeship Barometer gives a real insight into the aspirations and values of the next generation of the UK workforce.

“It’s clear there’s a huge appetite for high quality vocational training that provides a clear career pathway, whilst offering financial security.

“I’d encourage anyone interested in apprenticeships to have a look at the thousands of highly valuable opportunities available across the country.”

BAE Systems is recruiting for more than 2,400 new apprentice, undergraduate and graduate roles in 2025,which will result in around 6,500 in training, making up approximately 15% of its UK workforce.

Holyrood committee to scrutinise changes to funding for post-school education and training

A Scottish Parliament Committee is to examine changes to the way that funding is provided for post-school education and skills training.

The Education, Children and Young People Committee has opened a call for views on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill introduces changes to funding arrangements for apprenticeships, work-based learning and training for employment.

Currently, some of the responsibilities for ensuring access to Scottish apprenticeships and work-based learning are held by Skills Development Scotland. However, under the proposals, the Scottish Funding Council would take responsibility for this.

The Bill also sets out changes to the procedures and governance of the Scottish Funding Council.

The Committee is keen to hear what Scotland’s colleges, universities, unions, training providers, employers and students make of the changes set out in the Bill.

The Committee’s call for views is open now and will run until 11 April 2025.

Douglas Ross, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “The structure of the post-school education and skills training landscape is critical to Scotland’s employers who are looking to recruit people who are ready to work.

“The changes in this Bill aim to improve the way that funding is provided for post-school education and skills training. Our Committee is keen to understand whether these objectives will be met.

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in post-school education and training to share their views on these proposed changes.”

The Call for Views is available to respond to here: 

https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill

Maroon Mile: A Hearts Heritage Trail

An application (25/00544/ADV) has been submitted for ‘The Maroon Mile’—a mile-long heritage trail celebrating Heart of Midlothian FC’s history in Gorgie and Dalry.

The trail will feature 15 lamppost banners along Dalry Rd, Gorgie Rd, Ardmillan Terrace, McLeod St, and Newton St, designed to CEC guidelines.

Check out the full details on the City of Edinburgh Council’s planning portal: 

https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/applicationDe…

Scottish pilot tackling hidden waiting list of people at risk of bowel cancer

A Cancer Research UK-funded scheme aims to tackle a waiting list of people at higher risk of developing bowel cancer.

The project, which aims to improve patient access to vital colonoscopies, has launched in the Scottish Borders and, if successful, could change NHS practice across the UK.

The initiative is part of a UK-wide programme from the charity, with additional support from the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, called Test, Evidence, Transition (TET) which aims to accelerate the adoption of best practice in the early diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Cancer waiting times in Scotland are currently amongst the worst on record. In April-June 2024, only 73 per cent of patients who were referred urgently with a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days, with the Borders region performing above the national average at 77.9 per cent. This is still below the 95 per cent standard and nationally is the third worst performance on record since 2012.*

However, patients regarded as being at a higher risk of developing bowel cancer – usually because of pre-existing medical conditions are not covered by this target.

Instead, they are put on ‘surveillance’ lists because they need tests at regular intervals and do not have a current suspicion of cancer based on symptoms.

Stretched resources can mean those with symptoms of suspected cancer take priority, leaving some of those who may have a similar risk, waiting for long periods of time for a colonoscopy with no NHS target in place for them.

To tackle this issue NHS Borders, with the support of Cancer Research UK and research partners at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, has developed a new nurse-led surveillance pathway to improve access to colonoscopies.

Dr Jonathan Fletcher, Consultant Physician and NHS Borders Lead Clinician for the project, said: “With the support of Cancer Research UK and the Bowelbabe Fund, we are excited to be overhauling the colonoscopy follow up arrangements for Borders patients with a variety of conditions that increase their risk of colorectal cancer.

“There will be a range of benefits to patients and the endoscopy service that we hope to examine and measure with this initiative.”

A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy, a non-surgical procedure using a flexible camera to examine the inside of the colon.

In the new pathway in the Borders, patients will receive a new reminder phone call 4-5 days prior to their colonoscopy appointment to reduce missed appointments and carry out a pre-assessment to note any changes in their health.

It will also offer services advising patients on steps they can take to reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer and will improve the use of IT systems to make management of the waiting list more efficient and effective.

Julieann Brennan, Strategic Lead and Board Coordinator for Public Health National Screening Programmes in Scotland, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Cancer Research UK to improve access to our colonoscopy services, particularly for those who may be at higher risk of developing bowel cancer.

“We also want to make improvements in communications with those patients who may be at higher risk.”

TET is a major Cancer Research UK programme which aims to accelerate the adoption of innovation in the health system while reducing inequalities in access to best practice cancer care. Previously, the scheme has focused on reducing waiting times for people with suspected breast and prostate cancer.

Naser Turabi, Director of Evidence and Implementation at Cancer Research UK, said: “There is a relatively less well-known group of people who are at a higher risk of bowel cancer, waiting too long for crucial colonoscopy tests. It has no official target and so can get less attention and resource.

“We are delighted to support this exciting initiative undertaken by NHS Borders who are keen to reduce the wait and improve outcomes for patients in their region.

“If patients in this pilot scheme can be tested at the right frequency, we have a better chance of diagnosing cancer earlier, when treatment is much more likely to be successful. We hope the learning from this work will be adopted elsewhere in Scotland and across the UK.”

TET has received £2m from Cancer Research UK and the Bowelbabe Fund for projects across the UK, with each project delivered by local NHS teams in conjunction with academics to find new ways to improve both patient experience and cancer outcomes.

The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK was created to continue the inspiring legacy of Dame Deborah James who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35.

Launched in the last few weeks of her life and now stewarded by her family, together with Cancer Research UK it works to fund cutting-edge research, raise awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer with the aim of helping more people affected by cancer have more time with the people they love.

ICO takes action to improve access to personal information from local authorities across Scotland

  • Reprimands issued to Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council for failing to respond to requests for personal information on time   
  • Action follows ICO engagement with local authorities across Scotland to improve right of access, including for people with care experience and those applying for redress after suffering abuse while in care   
  • “Those who were let down in the past are being let down again, this time by poor SAR compliance.” 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is taking action to tackle significant delays for people who are trying to access copies of their personal information held by local authorities across Scotland.  

Under data protection law, people have the right to ask an organisation if it holds their personal information and receive a copy of any personal information held within a month, unless an extension is applied – this is known as a subject access request (SAR).  

The regulator has now reprimanded both Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council for repeatedly failing to respond to SARs within the legal timeframe, leading to a significant backlog of requests.  

The reprimands follow the ICO’s proactive engagement with all 32 local authorities in Scotland after it became aware of delays in responses to SARs, amounting to years in some cases.  

Many local authorities have seen an increase in SARs received, many in relation to the Redress Scotland scheme where people who suffered abuse while in care can apply for redress using supporting documents such as their care records.  

Jenny Brotchie, Acting Head of Scottish Affairs at the ICO, said: “Those who were let down in the past are being let down again, this time by poor SAR compliance.

“We have heard how undue delays and lack of communication from local authorities can cause further distress for people, including those with care experience and those trying to claim redress in Scotland.

“Local authorities must get this right despite the rising numbers of requests, which is why we have been offering support and monitoring those with poor compliance until we are satisfied that improvements have been made.”  

Following the ICO’s scrutiny and support to put action plans in place, many local authorities have significantly reduced their backlog of requests and improved their response times.  

Despite a 67% overall increase in the total number of SARs to local authorities in Scotland between 2021 and 2024, 75% of local authorities improved their SAR compliance, with 13 local authorities reporting a compliance rate of 90% in 2023/24. 

However, the regulator launched investigations into two local authorities, Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council, after it did not see any tangible improvements over 12 months.  

The ICO’s recent compulsory audit of Glasgow City Council found that the council has good policies and procedures in place to handle SARs. However, lack of resource and budget remains an issue, with the council still unable to respond to many SARs within the legal timeframe.   

Following its reprimand, City of Edinburgh Council has now reported some improvement in its response times.   

Jenny Brotchie added: “While I’m pleased to see significant improvements from most of the local authorities that we engaged with, SAR compliance in Scotland remains a concern and we must ensure people can exercise their information rights effectively and without further harm.

“We expect all local authorities to have sufficient resources in place to handle the volume and complexity of SARs, and to keep people updated on the progress of their request.  

“We are taking a proportionate approach to monitoring local authorities, but these reprimands show that we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary.”  

Looking forward, the ICO continues to engage with local authorities and other key stakeholders to drive further improvements and ensure that people can access their own personal information. 

The ICO has committed to improving the support it provides to both people who grew up in the care system across the UK and the organisations that hold their information. It has been gathering evidence of the challenges facing both people and organisations when it comes to accessing care records and will share its findings and next steps over the coming months.  

Read more detail about the ICO’s work with local authorities in Scotland here. 

Find out more about your information rights here, including the right of access.  

Witness appeal following road collision on Craigmillar Park

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY HGV

POLICE are appealing for information following a collision involving a pedestrian and an HGV in South Edinburgh.

Around 6.15pm last night (Sunday, 2 March, 2025), the 55-year-old man was struck by the Volvo lorry on the A701, Craigmillar Park, near the junction with Lygon Road.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as critical.

The HGV did not stop at the scene but was later traced, as was the 37-year-old male driver.

The A701 was closed while crash investigations were carried out and reopened around 10.15pm.

Enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Edinburgh Road Policing Constable Mhairi Deuchar said: “I’m appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information about what happened, to contact us.

“I’d also ask drivers with dashcams who were in the area at the time to please review your footage and bring anything you think may be significant to our attention.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 2676 of 2 March.

Lauriston Castle launches 2025 programme

Tickets for March to December 2025 events programme on sale now

  • Over 100 events including atmospheric film screenings, ghost stories, murder mysteries, sketch workshops, lectures, picnics and theatre offer locals many opportunities to enjoy the Edwardian manor and gardens.
  • All information on Lauriston Castle events can be found at www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk.

Lauriston Castle has officially launched its exciting 2025 programme with a visit from Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and members of the multi-award-winning Edinburgh Living History (ELH).

The Lord Provost joined ELH for a special guided tour of the 16th-century castle last week. Known for its breathtaking views over the Firth of Forth, Lauriston Castle is set to host a diverse range of events in the coming months, offering something for everyone.

The castle’s Lectures Series will feature captivating discussions on topics such as growing up in Corstorphine in the 1950s, the Women of Lauriston, and the inspiring legacy of Emily Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement.

For those looking to tap into their creative side, the Adult Crafts Workshops will include sessions on watercolour painting, wreath-making, and more.

Meanwhile, Family Events will feature exciting activities such as dinosaur and space-themed days, as well as the beloved annual Lauriston Castle Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy Costumed Performances, with live re-enactments of Edinburgh life from days gone by, bringing the past to life in an immersive way.

A key new addition to the 2025 programme is a focus on Lauriston Women’s History. New themed tours and a lecture series will delve into the often-overlooked stories of the women who played a vital role in the castle’s history.

The programme also includes special events and themed tours, theatre performances, atmospheric film screenings, and garden events.

Lauriston Castle is also collaborating with renowned partners like the Edinburgh Multicultural Festival, the Edinburgh International Magic Festival and the Edinburgh Horror Festival to bring even more exceptional experiences to the public.

Details of all events are listed on the Museums & Galleries website.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit Lauriston Castle today. Edinburgh Living History and our fantastic Museums & Galleries colleagues were kind enough to welcome me and provide a chance to explore one of our most unique venues.

“In the coming months, there’s an excellent range of events taking place as part of the Lauriston Castle 2025 programme. From lectures on circular fashion to the grisly history of anatomy in 19th-century Edinburgh, alongside adult creative workshops and family events, there’s truly something for everyone.

“As we continue our Edinburgh 900 celebrations, I would encourage all of our residents and visitors to take advantage of these fantastic opportunities to learn more about Edinburgh’s history.”

CRAFT WORKSHOP PROGRAMME AT LAURISTON CASTLE

Our Lauriston adult creative workshop programme for 2025 is now live and bookable.

17 fantastic adult creative workshops for you to explore your creativity in our supportive relaxing setting.

Explore here: https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/adult-craft-workshops…

BE QUICK, THOUGH – SOME CLASSES ALREADY SOLD OUT!