Heriot-Watt University has further cemented its longstanding relationship with leading charity Age Scotland by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at accelerating impactful research and innovation to enhance the lives of older people across the country.
The new MOU builds on a rich history of collaboration between Heriot-Watt researchers and Age Scotland, particularly through initiatives led by Professor Alan Gow and the University’s wattAGE network, which has championed healthy ageing projects for several years. This agreement sets the stage for an even closer, more strategic partnership, focused on translating cutting-edge research into tangible benefits for older citizens.
Michelle Beukes, Business Development Manager within the Global Research Institute for Health and Care Technologies at Heriot-Watt, explained: “This MoU marks an exciting step in deepening our collaboration with Age Scotland.
“It creates a structured pathway for expanding our joint efforts and ensures that our research aligns closely with the real-world needs of older people. By combining academic insight with lived experience, we can drive meaningful change and deliver a positive impact forpeople across Scotland.”
Central to the partnership is a shared ambition that will see Heriot-Watt’s world-class research expertise combine with Age Scotland’s unique insight into the lived experiences and challenges faced by older people. Together, they aim to co-create solutions that are not only innovative but also practical, accessible, and impactful.
The collaboration has already produced significant results. Age Scotland is a key partner in ‘CONSOLIDATE’ — a £2 million EPSRC-funded ‘Network Plus’ project led by Professor Gow — which focuses on co-designing technology for people with dementia. This approach ensures that emerging technologies meet actual needs, promoting a better quality of life for users and helping to address pressing challenges in health and social care.
Professor Gow from the School of Social Sciences said: “Over a number of years, we’ve been privileged to partner with Age Scotland on a range of activities and projects that support healthy ageing in Scotland.
“This new phase of partnership builds upon that foundation and will open up many new opportunities, not just as a bridge between research and the third sector but driven by our shared commitment that the voices of older people shape and lead what we do together.
“By working more closely with Age Scotland, we will drive forward research and innovation to positively impact quality of life for all as we get older.”
Beyond research, the MOU outlines opportunities for wider collaboration, including student internships, staff volunteering, community engagement projects, and policy influence initiatives.
With Age Scotland playing a major role in shaping national policy on ageing issues, Heriot-Watt’s research can feed directly into government conversations around healthcare innovation, digital inclusion, and support for ageing in place.
Michelle added: “This partnership is pivotal in strengthening Heriot-Watt’s position as a key player in health and care technologies, particularly in the healthy ageing space. We are committed to creating innovative solutions that don’t sit on a shelf, but that truly transforms lives and with Age Scotland’s expertise and network, we can better achieve this.”
The MOU, which will be governed by a shared strategic plan and regular review, represents a long-term commitment by both institutions to ensure Scotland’s ageing population benefits from inclusive, research-driven innovation.
Katherine Crawford, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive said: “Supporting an older and ageing population is one if the biggest challenges of our time, and one which governments across the world have not yet got to grips with.
“Ensuring older people are at the heart of the research which drives innovation for their benefit is essential. Their unique experiences and perspectives are hugely valuable, but they are often excluded. I am really excited about what we can achieve together by pairing Age Scotland’s networks, insight and expertise with world class researchers at Heriot-Watt University.”
Heriot-Watt’s Health and Care Technologies Global Research Institute is a Worldwide Centre of Excellence for transdisciplinary research, innovation and training. It enables academics to work together with healthcare professionals, industry, and citizens to help co-develop solutions.
Anyone interested in working with this GRI can contact the Global Research Innovation and Discovery (GRID) team at GRID@hw.ac.uk.
POLICE are appealing for help tracing Kirsty Herriot, who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.
The 45-year-old was last seen on Harvesters Way, Wester Hailes, around 4.20pm yesterday (Monday, 19 May, 2025).
She is described as being around 5ft 8in in height, with long red hair, believed to be in a bun. She is wearing an all black outfit, with black fluffy sliders, black glasses and a cross body bag.
Inspector Alison Lawrie said: “Our enquiries to trace Kirsty are ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who has seen Kirsty or who has any information on her whereabouts to contact us.
“We know she was on Harvesters Way around 4.20pm and may have walked towards the Plaza Shopping Centre but her whereabouts after that are unknown.”
Anyone who thinks they may be able to help is asked to call 101, quoting reference 2301 of 19 May, 2025.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) is calling for urgent action to rectify yet another blunder afflicting Scotland’s tourism industry, this time stemming from a deeply flawed implementation of the new Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) process for self-catering holiday accommodation.
The ASSC has been made aware of thousands of self-catering operators being unjustly removed from NDR – and in some cases taken to Tribunal for allegedly failing to provide evidence of the 70 nights’ occupancy rule for the 2023–24 period.
Critically, operators failed to receive formal requests for evidence from Scottish Assessors which were sent out by untracked mail, despite easily being able to evidence the required occupancy. This is once again penalising legitimate small businesses – who do so much to boost local economies across Scotland – and was clearly not the policy intention.
Many long-standing and compliant businesses have not only been unlawfully removed from the valuation roll and commercial water and waste provision, but also hit with double council tax bills and are facing severe emotional and financial distress – all without ever receiving the legally required Assessor correspondence.
Recent ASSC survey work highlighted 63% of operators never received the formal evidence request letters; 95% of delisted businesses were able to prove compliance with letting requirements; and 81% have been billed for second home council tax, some facing eyewatering charges of up to £120,000.
To compound matters, in a response to a recent parliamentary question from Alexander Stewart MSP, Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison suggested that operators could benefit from relief schemes – however, this completely misses the point: if a business has been removed from the NDR system altogether, it cannot access any such support. This fundamental misunderstanding highlights just how disconnected the Scottish Government is from the realities facing the self-catering sector.
Recent figures from the Scottish Government [1] showed an anomaly in the number of properties removed from the valuation roll in 2023–2024 — more than double any previous year, with 3,810 removals compared to 1,540 in 2022–2023.
This latest development comes in the wake of the ongoing STL licensing and planning shambles, which has squeezed the supply of available accommodation while pushing up costs – especially in Edinburgh, the most expensive major city break destination in western Europe according to a recent Post Office Travel Money analysis.
The industry is now increasingly alarmed by the current impasse on the treatment of self-catering accommodation within the NDR framework despite pleas to relevant stakeholders. While Assessors assert that they are merely applying existing legislation and cannot act without further instruction or legislative change, Scottish Ministers maintain that Assessors are independent and therefore beyond intervention.
The self-catering sector therefore finds itself in a troubling Catch-22 scenario which it hopes can be resolved through urgent and pragmatic leadership to ensure self-catering operators receive the fair treatment they deserve.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, commented: “This policy was introduced to remove economically inactive second homes from benefiting from NDR relief, which we support.
“It was never meant to target legitimate small businesses. The system has failed and it is now punishing the very operators who support our tourism economy and rural communities. We urge the Scottish Government and Assessors to act swiftly and lawfully to correct this injustice.
“As we approach the busy summer season, the last thing the Scottish self-catering needs is yet another debacle hitting our sector, hot on the heels of the accumulated regulatory burden from short-term let licensing and planning regulations, and before local tourist taxes are imposed.
“This relentless uncertainty is not only damaging livelihoods – it is placing a significant strain on the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners who are already under immense pressure.
“Operators want to get back to what they do best but can’t do this with both hands tied behind their back. We need urgent leadership to restore consistency, fairness, and confidence in the system before it is too late.”
Fast fashion, the process of rapidly producing and distributing inexpensive, trendy clothing, often at the expense of quality and sustainability, has revolutionised the global clothing industry, offering affordable and trendy apparel to consumers. However, this convenience comes at a significant cost, particularly for garment workers in South Asia, including Bangladesh, who face exploitative working conditions and stark pay disparities (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).
In Scotland, the dominance of retail giants like Zara, H&M, and Primark highlight the disconnect between consumer habits and the realities of fast fashion production. The Journal for Global Business and Community has found that in the UK, this enormous retail industry is valued at approximately £10.9 billion as of 2024. Despite growing concerns about sustainability, the industry continues to thrive due to its accessibility and trend-driven nature.
Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest exporter of apparel, employs over four million workers in its garment industry, the majority of whom are women. Despite their critical role in the global supply chain, these workers often earn meagre wages, with some taking home as little as 50USD a month.
Protests for fair pay have intensified, as workers demand wages that reflect the rising cost of living and inflation. Unsafe working conditions, long hours, and limited labour protections further exacerbate their struggles.
The disparity between the lives of garment workers in South Asia and the thriving retail industry in Scotland underscores the need for greater awareness and accountability. Consumers in Scotland have the power to drive change by supporting sustainable and ethical fashion practices. Initiatives like Zero Waste Scotland’s promotion of second-hand shopping and slow fashion demonstrate a growing shift towards more responsible consumption.
As the chair of the Cross-Party Group on Bangladesh, I emphasise the importance of addressing these issues on a global scale. By fostering dialogue and collaboration between policymakers, retailers, and consumers, Scotland can play a pivotal role in advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions for garment workers in South Asia. Highlighting these disparities not only raises awareness but also encourages meaningful action to create a more equitable fashion industry.
To combat these issues and make real change, Scotland can further promote ethical supply chains, ensuring transparency and fair practices in procurement processes. By doing so, the country can support initiatives that guarantee fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmentally conscious production methods.
This approach aligns with Scotland’s commitment to being a good global citizen, prioritising social justice and environmental sustainability, with commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Scotland is also a founding member of the Wellbeing Economy Government’s Group (WEGo), aiming to restructure the economy towards a net-zero future and a nature-positive target.
The Scottish Government has interim targets of 56% reduction of carbon emissions by 2020, 75% by 2030, and 90% by 2040, relative to a 1990/1995 baseline making it a leader in advocating for global ethical standards.
Encouraging circular fashion presents another vital step toward sustainability. Scotland can champion initiatives such as clothing repair workshops, second-hand markets, and robust recycling programs, e.g. the Scotland Children’s Hospital Charity, alongside Nathans Wastesavers, who have several very successful clothing and textile recycling banks across Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders.
These efforts help reduce textile waste, extend the life cycle of garments, and foster a culture of reusing and repurposing materials. By embracing circularity, Scotland can significantly contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.
Additionally, Scotland has the potential to collaborate closely with South Asian countries on these issues, fostering partnerships that aim to improve working conditions and adopt innovative, sustainable technologies.
Such collaborations would not only benefit workers in South Asia but also serve as a blueprint for a global movement toward ethical fashion practices. By leveraging these partnerships, Scotland can make meaningful progress in creating a more equitable and sustainable fashion industry worldwide.
Eight roundtable discussions to be held across Scotland
Artists and communities across Scotland will be given an opportunity this summer to help inform the independent Review of Creative Scotland.
Eight roundtable discussions will be held across the length and breadth of Scotland this summer to ensure any recommendations are evidence-led and reflect a national perspective on Creative Scotland’s role. Led by Angela Leitch CBE, the independent Review team will also host a separate roundtable for children and young people.
The engagement plans come as the results of a national culture sector survey are published. Commissioned in January to inform a wider programme of support for the culture sector, the survey received responses from more than 750 artists, creative organisations and members of the public who raised concerns about the complexity of accessing culture funding and disparities across the country.
Confirming the remit of the independent Review, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said the five key areas to be examined had been informed by the Review team’s engagement to-date, alongside a wealth of historic evidence and the survey results:
Creative Scotland’s purpose and functions
Creative Scotland’s structure and performance
Governance and leadership within Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland’s finances and distribution of funds
Collaboration, relationships and partnerships
The independent Review is expected to publish recommendations in November.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “With the 2025-26 Scottish Budget providing a record £34 million uplift for culture, including an additional £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme, this independent Review will examine Creative Scotland’s operations and structure to maximise the impact of this increase, and ensure the evolving needs of Scotland’s diverse cultural sector can be met.
“I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and perspective in our survey – your feedback, in addition to informing a wider programme of support for the culture sector, has also helped to shape the remit of the independent Review alongside the review team’s engagement to-date, and a wealth of historic evidence.
“The review team continue to collect evidence from culture and other organisations who interact with Creative Scotland, so I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest to take part in a roundtable near you this summer.”
Angela Leitch CBE, Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland said: “I have already been struck by the wealth of evidence demonstrating the contribution the creative and culture sectors make to us as individuals, to our communities and to our economy.
“I look forward to engaging further and hearing from a wide range of stakeholders across the country to consider how Creative Scotland can support the sector’s challenges and embrace opportunities.”
Individuals and organisations are invited to share their views with the Chair and Vice Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland at eight roundtable meetings to be held this summer in the following locations:
10 June – Selkirk
11 June – Glasgow
16 June – Dundee
23 June – Edinburgh
24 June – Aberdeen
25 June – Inverness
26 June – Orkney
2 July – Dumfries
If you would like to participate in these discussions please contact:
In addition to engaging with Scotland’s creative industries, the independent Review team will also speak with organisations outside the culture sector who are directly impacted by Creative Scotland, including higher and further education institutions, local authorities and the enterprise agencies.
The independent Review of Creative Scotland was first announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, as the first review of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010.
The Scottish Budget 2025-26 provides an increase of £34 million to culture in Scotland, including £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme.
We have just installed a ‘bothy’ shelter in the park as a signal of intent to the community that the wider plans are being brought forward. This is the first of several shelters that will be installed across the park (writes ELGT’s ANGUS FISHER).
It was designed by SLR architecture in partnership with Old School Fabrications. OSF also built and installed the shelter.
It is a completely bespoke design based on the traditional Scottish bothy but featuring a stone boulder seat with hovering steel frame giving it its somewhat unique appearance.
Wider works info
West Pilton Park is undergoing an exciting, new development after receiving a significant amount of charitable funding.
The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and the local community have developed plans to transform West Pilton Park into the beautiful, bustling centre of the community.
Plans include planting hundreds of new trees and plants, a new skate park and bouldering wall, new play equipment, new accessible paths, seating, shelters, new toilet facilities, a community growing area, a wildlife wetland, and a proposed new cafe run by Scran Academy.
The shelter is the first part of the development to be installed, with construction of the rest of the park to take place over the next few years. The first phase is due to start in autumn 2025.
A phased approach will ensure that a part of the park will always remain open for the community during construction.
Householders across Edinburgh have been urged to replace older electricity meters which use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), ahead of the national switch-off on the 30th June 2025.
New figures have revealed that 15326 RTS meters are still in operation across the city.
After the shut-off, these meters may experience issues with their electric heating and hot water – potentially leading to higher bills, or a disrupted service. The SNP has called for an immediate delay to the switch-off or the guarantee of full compensation to consumers.
Electricity suppliers are responsible for replacing RTS meters with smart meters at no additional cost – anyone who thinks they may have an RTS meter should contact their supplier now to book an upgrade, local MSP Gordon Macdonald has said.
Commenting, local MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “The RTS switch-off takes place on the 30th of June – and it could have real consequences for households that haven’t made the switch.
“There are 15326 RTS meters still in use across the city – and no one should be left with an unreliable meter or unexpected bills. Replacing these old meters is free, people only need to contact their electricity supplier.
“I’m particularly concerned about vulnerable residents, including our older people who may not be aware of this change. I urge the UK Government and Ofgem to immediately delay or guarantee full compensation to consumers ahead of the planned switch off.
“I encourage everyone in Edinburgh to replace their RTS meter ahead of switch-off at the end of June – this is one of those simple changes that can save a lot of stress down the line.”
Groups representing Scottish sex workers unite to fight Ash Regan’s bill to criminalise the purchase of sex
Public urged to use new one-click email tool to tell their MSP to oppose Regan’s dangerous proposals
Groups warn new law would increase violence and discrimination against sex workers
Scottish sex workers have launched a campaign to fight proposed new laws that would criminalise the purchase of sexual services in Scotland.
The Scotland for Decrim campaign has been set up to oppose Alba MSP Ash Regan’s new Prostitution (Offences And Support) (Scotland) Bill, which is set to be presented to the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday).
Sex workers have warned that these laws would put them in more danger, pushing the industry underground, increasing stigma, and exposing people to more violence and poverty. This isn’t just about policy – it’s about real lives. Criminalising clients won’t stop sex work, but it will make it far less safe.
Campaigners are urging members of the public to use a new one-click online tool to email their MSP to block the new legislation, which polls show is opposed by the Scottish public.
A YouGov poll of 1,088 Scottish adults, carried out last year, showed that Scots firmly oppose the Nordic Model, with 47% saying it should be legal for a person to pay someone to have sex with them, versus 32% who think it should not be legal.
The poll showed that 69% of Scots say the MSPs should focus on protecting the health and safety of sex workers, and providing support to people who want to leave the industry, compared to just 14% who support new laws to prevent people exchanging sexual services for money.
An official government review of similar legislation in Northern Ireland – the only nation in the UK to enact the Nordic Model – found that there was “no evidence that the offence of purchasing sexual services has produced a downward pressure on the demand for, or supply of, sexual services”.
It also found that “the legislation has contributed to a climate whereby sex workers feel further marginalised and stigmatised”.
A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Scotland for Decrim absolutely rejects Ash Regan’s attempts to bring in the Nordic Model on sex work in Scotland.
“As a sex worker-led coalition campaigning for our rights, we know that this offensive bill will endanger sex workers by exposing us to more violence, poverty, and exploitation.
“Criminalising clients does not solve the reasons why people go into sex work: because of financial need, caring responsibilities, disability, or simply preferring this work to other kinds of work.
“Sex workers are the experts on our own needs. We know that only full decriminalisation will protect our safety, health, and human rights, giving us the power to choose when and how we work. The Scottish Government must also urgently strengthen the social security system so that everyone has access to the resources they need to live, and so that no one has to do sex work if they don’t want to.
“This Nordic Model bill would be disastrous for sex workers’ safety, as we have seen in other countries where this model has been implemented and sex workers have experienced more violence from clients and the police. Sex workers don’t want this, the Scottish public doesn’t want this, and politicians from a range of parties oppose this dangerous bill.”
Lynsey Walton, chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, the UK’s national sex worker safety charity, said: “This bill won’t reduce harm; it will increase it. Criminalising the purchase of sex doesn’t protect anyone. It pushes sex work further underground, makes it harder for people to report violence, and forces those already at risk into even more dangerous situations.
“NUM stands in solidarity with sex workers across Scotland who are calling for safety, not criminalisation. We hear every day what they need: access to justice, housing, healthcare, and a voice in the laws that shape their lives. This bill ignores that—and it puts lives at risk.
“It’s therefore no surprise that opinion polling shows Scots overwhelmingly oppose Ash Regan’s plans for the Nordic Model, alongside international organisations such as Amnesty, UN Aids and the World Health Organisation.”
A spokesperson for the English Collective of Prostitutes, which represents sex workers across the UK, said: “If Ash Regan wants to reduce prostitution she should look at reducing women’s poverty, and specifically mothers’ poverty, which is pushing more and more women into prostitution.
“Criminalisation of sex work increases violence and discrimination against sex workers. We want decriminalisation so that women are no longer branded as criminals for working to feed themselves and their families.”
Joint statement on behalf of 26 humanitarian partners on aid to Gaza and the proposal for a new aid delivery model
Joint statement:
“Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.
“Prior to the aid block, the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel. These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity. They have the logistical capacity, expertise and operational coverage to deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.
“Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support. They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone.
“The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives. Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.
“As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.
“We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza. We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference.
“It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region.”
This statement has been signed by:
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean.
https://edin.ac/45aXqPT
