As a recipient of National Lottery funding, the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune is inviting players to visit for free on 22 March
This March, the National Lottery will once again be saying thank you to players for the £30 million they raise for good causes every week, supporting vital projects in arts, sports, heritage, and communities nationwide, with National Lottery Open Week.
From Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd March 2025, the National Lottery Open Week offers players the chance to get outside and explore the UK’s rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture through free and low-cost days out. Anyone with an online or retail National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win Game can enjoy a low-cost day out thanks to special offers at hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues and attractions.
On Saturday 22 March 2025, the National Museum of Flight is offering free entry to National Lottery players.
Visitors to the Museum must book a ticket online in advance of their visit and bring along both their admission ticket and a lottery ticket or scratch card.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in The National Lottery Open Week this year.
“We’re grateful to have received National Lottery funding, which has enabled us to redevelop two of our nationally significant Second World War hangars.
“Devoted to military and civil aircraft, they explore a century of aviation, presenting the stories of some of the people who built and flew them. This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket, helped us on our journey and made a contribution to supporting good causes.”
The National Museum of Flight is home to a world class collection of aircraft, from a Supermarine Spitfire to Scotland’s only Concorde.
The attraction houses the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive exhibits where visitors can explore the science of aviation and discover how aircraft fly. They are also able to learn more about East Fortune’s wartime heritage in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition.
To discover more participating venues, insider tips and how to redeem offers for The National Lottery Open Week visit www.nationallotteryopenweek.com
Terms and conditions and booking instructions across special offers will vary, check the individual offer listing for details.
The Melting Pot is hosting the Buy Social Fair on Saturday 29th March 11am-4pm. The Melting Pot is Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation and hosts a shared workspace that is home to a plethora of purpose driven businesses.
This debut event will help Edinburgh residents ‘buy social’ with stallholders selling ethical gifts, handmade crafts and foodie delights.
The Melting Pot will host the first Buy Social Fair on Saturday 29th March 11am – 4pm with gifts, crafts and tasty treats from local sellers doing their bit for people and planet.
The stalls will range from handmade gifts, Scottish art, delicious food and information about incredible local businesses delivering social impact.
The Buy Social Fair will take place at The Melting Pot’s home on Calton Road directly behind Waverley Station. The £5 ticket price covers entry to the fair, refreshments and a free day of coworking to redeem at a later date.
The Melting Pot opened as Scotland’s first “coworking” space in 2007, but during COVID had to close its doors due to the challenges of operating the space during the lockdowns. However, they successfully re-opened in the new Calton Road venue, formerly renowned nightclub The Venue, in 2020. Allowing them to continue supporting a community of remote and hybrid workers, social entrepreneurs and small businesses as they navigate a changing world of work.
Helen Denny CEO of The Melting Pot said, “We’re so excited to host the first Buy Social Fair.We all know we should shop more ethically, but it can be difficult to know where to go. So, we decided to bring together a whole host of products and people for a market at our city centre venue.
“We’re asking people who are out and about for a Saturday of shopping to come and enjoy an ethical option, supporting our stallholders and their crucial work while making no compromise on quality.
“Support Buy Social Scotland with a ticket that costs you about the same as a coffee in the city centre. We’ll throw in the coffee for free!”
Buy Social Scotland is a national campaign run by Social Enterprise Scotland with support from Scottish Government. It urges Scots to use their purchasing power for good by shopping locally, ethically and sustainably.
The Melting Pot, Social Enterprise Scotland and the Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network have teamed up to run the Buy Social Fair. Helping Edinburgh residents take their pick of ethical products and meet the people behind these businesses that make a difference.
Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland says “Scotland is home to so many incredible social enterprises. Buy Social Scotland bridges the gap between these businesses and ethical consumers who want to shop with purpose but may not know where to start.
“We’re excited to welcome people to the Buy Social Fair at The Melting Pot, where they can discover inspiring products and meet the changemakers driving positive impact across Edinburgh and Scotland.”
Buy Social Fair stallholders include Edinburgh institutions like the Summerhall Distillery, selling their iconic, locally made spirits. The Grassmarket Community Project, whose artisan woodwork, candles and tartan gifts help fund their work supporting people dealing with multiple complex issues into mainstream education and employment.
And Upmo Retail who reinvest profits from products like handmade eco-resin plant pots, screen printed T-shirts and macramé plant hangers into their work with adults with learning disabilities and autism throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Stallholder BRO Enterprise is a student-led social enterprise based at Broughton High School. Nadia from BRO Enterprise said, “We set up BRO Enterprise so students at Broughton High School could sell products and raise funds for good causes in our community.
“All profits made from selling our brownies, soaps and sugar scrubs are used to support charities in the local area with a focus on food and hygiene security. We hope to see you at the Buy Social Fair!”
You can enjoy some delicious food from El Dorado Taqueria, authentic Mexican street food, including tacos, tamales, esquites, and totopos. Their food not only introduces people to new flavours but also builds a deeper appreciation for Mexican heritage.
And if you’re feeling adventurous try something from the Insect Cafe.
Nahla from the Insect Cafe said: “We are Scotland’s first culinary space pioneering the use of insects in our creations.
“Our handcrafted, high-protein bakes are made with locally produced insects and wholesome ingredients. We aim to inspire an exciting, nutritious and eco-friendly way of living.
“We’re excited to be at the Buy Social Fair where people can try our delicious treats and we can tell them all about our mission.”
There will also be a chance to meet some folk from amazing projects like Eat Sleep Ride CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young people through opportunities to work with and ride horses, and Aileen Carson, who provides coaching for neurodivergent people to help them navigate challenges in the workplace.
You can buy your ticket for the Buy Social Fair here – the market will be open from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 29th March.
Key stakeholders, local councillors, community leaders and representatives from the arts sector gathered for a roundtable discussion on the future of the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh.
Many MSPs and MPs were present including, Martin Whitfield MSP, Colin Beattie MSP, Alison Johnston MSP, Jeremy Balfour MSP, Douglas Alexander MP, and Paul McLennan MSP, showing cross-governmental support for the project.
The meeting, held in response to ongoing challenges facing the historic venue, focused on potential redevelopment, public consultation, and securing funding for a sustainable future.
The discussion, led by key figures such as Sarah Boyack MSP, Councillor Andy Forrest, and representatives from The Brunton Trust and Creative Scotland, highlighted the urgent need to address the deteriorating condition of the Brunton. Following the end of COVID-19, the top floor of the theatre was deemed unsafe, leading to staff being relocated to other areas such as Haddington. Plans are now in place to mothball the building by June.
A major point of discussion was the importance of public consultation, ensuring the local community has a say in the theatre’s future. Stakeholders agreed that any plans must be community-led, with an open call for ideas to explore creative solutions.
As one representative noted: “There will be someone in the public that will have an idea that no one has thought of yet.”
A full public consultation will launch in the next 3-4 weeks to gather community input and assess potential uses for the space.
The estimated cost of demolishing the building currently stands at £3.6 million, a figure likely to increase. Identifying funding sources is the priority, including engagement with key groups.
Discussions included the potential for the Brunton to serve as a multi-use arts centre, supporting local artists and attracting larger productions. The idea of expanding event offerings, such as weddings and touring productions, was also raised as a potential revenue stream.
Calls were made for greater collaboration with the Edinburgh International Festival and other arts organisations to ensure Musselburgh remains a cultural hub.
“There’s no point having an International Festival City if there is nothing offered in Musselburgh,” said a participant.
With strong concerns over maintaining Brunton’s identity and cultural value, stakeholders emphasised that any redevelopment must preserve the theatre’s role as a community hub. Creative Scotland representatives acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism about potential funding opportunities if a clear and viable plan is developed.
The roundtable concluded with a commitment to keeping the community informed and involved in the next steps. Further meetings will be scheduled as feasibility studies progress, ensuring a transparent and collaborative approach to shaping the future of the Brunton Hall.
Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP stated:“The Brunton has always been known for being a vibrant community hub.
“Finding venues can be tough, and it is very important, as the Edinburgh International Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, that we prioritise areas like Musselburgh.”
VPZ, the UK’s leading vape retailer, took to the streets surrounding Holyrood yesterday in a youth vaping awareness campaign to highlight concerns around super-size disposable vapes in the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
A specially designed trailer was outside the Scottish Parliament to shed light on the alarming rise of illicit ‘Big Puff’ vapes and its impact on youth vaping.
The trailer featured two striking 1-tonne containers, one filled with legal 2ml vapes (35000 units) and the other packed with illicit, super-size disposable vapes (9000 units), showcasing the stark visual representation of the challenges the industry and policymakers could face if appropriate measures are not taken.
So-called ‘Big Puff’ vapes exploit a loophole in the vaping law that allows the sale of devices with greater liquid capacity than the legislated 2 ml.
By utilising an external plug-in tank of 10 ml, these vaping units effectively become a 12 ml product, which is 6 times more than the allowed vaping liquid in a disposable device. New devices are being approved by the MHRA weekly, some with more capacity than 12ml.
Despite being considered rechargeable, the super-size vape products are made with a low-quality battery, and an unchangeable coil which effectively makes them single use.
Greig Fowler, Director of VPZ – The Vaping Specialist, said: “We hope that our campaign will serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and the public, as it’s crucial that MPs act now to address the dangers of these super-sized disposables before the UK finds itself in the midst of another youth and environmental crisis.
“VPZ is taking a stand against the dangers posed by the unregulated vaping products that threaten to undermine the forthcoming disposable ban in June. Our mission is to highlight the urgent need for action and collaboration to tackle these arising issues to the public.
“Dr Caroline Johnson outlined amendment NC9 which would bring this area into check, however, that was discussed and rejected following a vote. The problem needs addressed now and not in 12-18 months’ time when the Bill is passed.
“If we fail to respond decisively now, we risk further harm to young people, an environmental disaster, and undermining vaping’s role as a smoking cessation tool, which has helped millions to quit smoking.
“We must work together to strike the right balance, protecting smokers and ex-smokers while preventing further damage to public health and the environment.”
VPZ strongly supports most of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill measures to tackle youth access, including restriction of naming, packaging, and marketing.
However, it believes that there should be a balanced regulatory approach to protect adult smokers looking to quit while effectively cracking down on illicit and unregulated products in order for the UK to reach its 2030 Smoke-Free goals.
VPZ has previously warned adult vapers that the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill could restrict some the favourite flavours that helped them quit smoking, potentially affecting around 3 million vapers and ex-smokers if passed.
VPZ has over 185 stores in the UK and has helped over 1 million smokers quit since it was established in 2012.
Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee has today launched a new call for views into civil legal assistance, covering Civil Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance for civil issues, and grant funding for advice organisations.
The call for views is part of a new inquiry, which aims to explore what is and is not working within the current legal aid system. It also aims to find out what changes could be made to the system in the short and long term to improve access to civil legal assistance.
The inquiry follows evidence the Committee heard which highlighted significant issues that make it difficult for people to access civil legal assistance. It is taking place against a backdrop of continued commentary about the fall in the number of solicitors offering to undertake legal aid work in recent months.
The Committee’s work will focus on civil justice issues, which are the branch of the law which deals with disputes about rights and responsibilities. These can include important issues around housing, relationships or social security issues.
Short-term and long-term reforms to the legal aid system are currently being considered by the Scottish Government and the Committee will share its findings to contribute to that work.
The Committee’s call for views opened yesterday and runs until 17 April 2025.
Reflecting on the launch of the call for views, Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, said:“Civil legal aid is a vital tool that helps ensure that everyone can have access to justice. It’s particularly important for the most vulnerable in our society who can face financial and societal challenges when trying to access legal advice and representation.
“Whether in relation to our work on the Regulation of Legal Services Bill, Civil Court Fees or with our scrutiny of the work of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, increasing challenges with access to legal aid have been repeatedly raised as a significant concern.
“In this inquiry, we’re keen to understand more about what could be done to improve access to legal aid. We’re particularly keen to hear from solicitors, organisations offering advice on civil justice issues and organisations that support people in accessing civil legal assistance.”
Funding for scientific and technological health projects
More than £6 million will be invested as part of the Accelerated National Innovations Adoption (ANIA) programme to help people with type 2 Diabetes, stroke patients and babies born with a rare genetic condition.
A national digital intensive weight management programme will support 3,000 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. With £4.5 million invested over three years the project is expected to help around 40% to achieve remission from the condition by the end of their first year in the programme.
Two additional projects will look at pharmacogenetics – how a person’s genetics affect their response to certain drugs.
A total of £1.1 million will support testing of recent stroke patients to determine if they have a genetic variation that impairs the benefits of a drug commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of secondary stroke and which would mean an alternative drug should be considered for them.
A programme to provide a genetic test for newborn babies will also receive £800,000 funding to determine if they have a genetic variation which puts them at risk of permanent hearing loss if they are treated with a common emergency antibiotic.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray said: “In January the First Minister laid out our vision for Scotland’s NHS with digital innovation being a crucial part of our plans to reform health services.
“So I am pleased to announce funding for these projects which demonstrate the transformative potential of scientific and technological innovation to improve health and social care.
“These projects have life changing effects for those who will benefit from them, resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.
“Innovation is transforming healthcare and delivering medical benefits for the people of Scotland and the NHS, which will see reduced pressures as a direct result of projects just like these.”
Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, Gordon James, said: “”The approval of these innovative projects through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway is a significant step in delivering transformative innovations at scale to benefit patients all across Scotland.
“Lead by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), this project to deliver the diabetes remission programmes, pharmacogenetic testing for stroke, and genetic testing for newborns was an incredible example of collaboration from NHS organisations and colleagues to deliver the highest possible standard of patient care.
“The ANIA pathway is an initiative by NHS Scotland aimed at expediting the integration of high-impact innovations into healthcare services, and that’s exactly these new programmes will offer for more patients across Scotland than ever before.”
Chief Scientist, Prof Dame Anna Dominiczak said: “Scotland’s triple helix of industry, academia and our NHS are working in partnership to lead a scientific revolution which has the power to transform healthcare.
“These are excellent examples of research enabled, clinically beneficial and cost-effective innovations, which should be prioritised for national adoption”
Number of people on the highest rate of Universal Credit with no support to look for work has almost quadrupled since the Covid pandemic
Figures show 1.8 million people now in Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) category as broken Work Capability Assessment continues to push people out of work
New figures emerge ahead of proposals to reform health and disability benefits and builds on the plan to get Britain working
1.8 million people on Universal Credit are getting no support to find work, according to new data released yesterday (Thursday 13 March).
The number has almost quadrupled since the start of the pandemic when 360,000 people were considered too sick to look for work – a 383% rise in less than five years. In the last year alone, the number has risen by from 1.4 million people to 1.8 million.
The number of young people aged 16 to 24 on LCWRA has risen by 249% from 46,000 to 160,000 since the pandemic – demonstrating a worrying increase in the number people becoming trapped in inactivity early in life, with almost one million young people not in education, employment, or training.
The government is already taking action to get people into work through its plan to get Britain working which will empower local mayors to tackle economic inactivity, overhaul Jobcentres, and deliver a Youth Guarantee so every young person is either earning or learning.
Building on the biggest employment reforms for a generation, Liz Kendall is due to announce radical welfare reforms to create a thriving and inclusive labour market – as part of the government’s Plan for Change to unlock work, boost growth and raise living standards.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon. Liz Kendall MP, said: “Millions of people have been locked out of work by a failing welfare system which abandons people – when we know there are at least 200,000 people who want to work, and are crying out for the right support and a fair chance.
“This government is determined to fix the broken benefits system we inherited so it genuinely supports people, unlocks work, boosts living standards while putting the welfare bill on a more sustainable footing.”
In the current dysfunctional system, a person is placed in binary categories of either “fit for work” or “not fit for work” through the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) – an assessment the government has said it will either reform or replace, so it no longer drives people who want to work to a life on benefits.
Through this process, those not fit for work are told they have Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) – meaning they won’t receive employment support or further engagement from the system at any point following their assessment – effectively abandoning and locking them out of work indefinitely.
The current system, in which people 25 and over on the standard rate of UC get £393.45 a month and those with a health condition get an additional £416.19, gives an incentive for people to say they can’t work – and get locked out of help and support – simply to get by financially.
Over the past five years, 67% of people on Universal Credit who have been through a WCA were considered LCWRA – a symptom of the assessment system pushing people to prove their inability to work for a more generous payout.
The government says it has hit the ground running to tackle health-related inactivity at its root, improving the country’s wellness by investing £26 billion in the NHS, delivering 2 million extra appointments to tackle medical waiting lists, and hiring an extra 8,500 mental health workers, so people get the treatment they need to stay healthy and in work.
This comes alongside the £250 million plan to get Britain working and the recently announced 1,000 Work Coaches will be redeployed to offer intensive employment support to around 65,000 sick and disabled people – a ‘downpayment’ on our plan to restore fairness to our welfare system.
For World Sleep Day on Friday March 14, 2025, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) highlights the serious risks of drowsy driving, with over 430 people killed or seriously injured, and 1,276 collisions, linked to tiredness in 2023
RoSPA is working with the Fatigue Group, a non-profit organisation led by award-winning NHS anaesthetists, to provide advice to workers and their employers on managing the risk of fatigue, the importance of regular rest and recognising when people are too tired to drive
RoSPA also wants government to take actions including standardised tests for fatigue (similar to breathalyser tests), and public awareness campaigns targeting high risk groups such as shift workers
Spokespeople from RoSPA and the Fatigue Group are available for interview
World Sleep Day 2025
“If you’re tired, don’t drive” – that’s the message from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) ahead of this year’s World Sleep Day on March 14. The charity is raising awareness about the significant risks associated with drowsy driving, after over 430 people were killed or seriously injured, and there were 1,276 collisions, linked to tiredness in 2023.
RoSPA is working with the Fatigue Group, a non-profit organisation led by award-winning NHS anaesthetists, to raise awareness of the dangers of driving after working long hours. The Fatigue Group was formed after tragic incidents in which colleagues were killed while driving home exhausted.
The Group is continuing the work of the #fightfatigue campaign originally designed for NHS staff, although much of the advice will help anyone who works long hours or night shifts keep themselves and others safe.
These include the HALT principles, which advise against driving if you are Hungry, Angry, Late or Tired, and recommendations to take regular rest breaks at work.
Although the issue is particularly serious in the health service – with a recent Medical Defence Union (MDU) survey revealing that 90% of doctors feel sleep deprived at work – fatigue presents a risk across the entire workforce. That’s most apparent in physically demanding industries such as haulage and construction, but can also affect people putting in long hours at an office before driving home.
RoSPA emphasises that anyone who begins to feel tired when they are driving stop as soon as is safe and possible, and ideally try and find somewhere safe to sleep until they feel rested. Although two strong coffees and a 15 minute nap might help in the short-term, this should never be done more than once per journey.
RoSPA is also calling upon employers to ensure their staff are well rested and safe, for example by ensuring workers take regular breaks, and incorporating effective staff fatigue risk management in working patterns.
In addition, RoSPA wants the government to introduce standardised tests for assessing fatigue at the scene of road traffic collisions, similar to breathalyser tests for alcohol, establish a national registry of drowsy driving incidents, and run public awareness campaigns targeting high-risk groups such as shift workers.
The Fatigue Group advocates that healthcare organisations should have the same regulatory requirements for fatigue risk management as exist for all other safety-critical industries.
Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “Drowsy driving is responsible for many serious and fatal collisions each year. Fatigue impairs driving ability similar to drink or drug driving but gets much less attention. This must change.
“Fatigue slows reaction times, reduces awareness, and affects decision-making, putting everyone at risk. RoSPA calls on employers, policymakers, and the government to act now by improving workplace fatigue management, investing in public awareness campaigns, and collecting better data on fatigue-related crashes. No one should lose their life due to preventable driver fatigue.”
JP Lomas of The Fatigue Group said: “‘We have our own personal experience of the perils of driving while tired, having had colleagues die driving home after night shifts.
“Although not every journey ends in tragedy, the pressure on healthcare staff leads to many feeling forced to take risks, with research showing that 57% of trainees and 45% of consultants had experienced an accident or near miss driving tired post-shift.
“Working long hours without adequate rest breaks not only puts the patients they care for in danger – with evidence demonstrating that surgery performed at night or after hours is associated with higher mortality rates – but also other people outside of hospitals.
“With such a large number of tired employees on the roads all day and night, this is an urgent problem in the healthcare sector. We call for hospitals to provide dedicated rest time and spaces for staff.
The so-called ‘hero’ culture where people continue working despite being exhausted for fear of looking ‘weak’ or letting others down, needs to be replaced by a safety culture where staff mitigate the impacts of fatigue with power naps and rest breaks.
“Our message is simple – getting enough rest is a necessity not a weakness, and could save lives.”
The Regenerative Futures Fund is a new initiative to improve the lives of people living in poverty and experiencing racism in Edinburgh, while contributing towards a just, green transition in the city.
It will support community organisations in Edinburgh for 10 years and we are bringing together people who live in Edinburgh to decide who gets funded!
Group members will:
• have lived or be living in poverty and/or have experienced racism
• have lived in Edinburgh for at least the past year and plan to stay here
We’ll ask you to join 2 – 4 meetings a month and bring your imagination and hopes to make Edinburgh a happy, healthy home for everyone.
We will pay for your time (more than £15 per hour), pay for things that can make your life better (for you or your career) and offer translation, costs of childcare, travel and other things that make it easy for you to join.
What’s next? Read more about joining the group and then talk to us… we’re Aala (she/her) and Andy (he/him) and we would love to chat!
