The budget for a programme that uses technology in housing to help older people remain independent for longer will more than double this year from £8.2 million to £20.9 million.
This means more housing association tenants will benefit from the Registered Social Landlord Adaptations Programme, a preventative model that also reduces hospital admissions and long-term care costs.
On her visit to Bield Housing Association’s Tech Hub in Linlithgow, the Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville saw a variety of adaptations that are making a difference to the lives of older people and saving public money.
Ms Somerville said: “Scotland faces significant challenges as our population ages and it is preventative, people-focused approaches like this that will help us deliver better outcomes for older people while making the best use of public resources.
“That is why we announced in our Programme for Government that we would more than double the budget this year for the Registered Social Landlord’s Adaptations Programme from £8.25 million to £20.9 million to allow housing associations to plan and deliver more adaptations for their tenants.
“This financial year we are also investing £768 million in affordable housing, the majority of which will be for social rent. This reflects our long-standing commitment to ensure everyone in Scotland has a safe and affordable home to live in.”
Chief Executive of Bield Debbie Collins said: “Investing in the right housing and technology supports older people to manage their health, stay connected, and live independently – reducing reliance on formal care and helping to avoid preventable hospital stays.
“We believe housing must be seen as part of the health and care infrastructure and that continued investment in digital solutions and accessible homes not only improve people’s lives but delivers public value by saving money in the long-term.”
Work is now complete on The Auction Rooms, a distinctive, design-led office development in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The project has transformed the former Bonhams Auction House, 22 Queen Street, into one of the city’s most sought-after commercial spaces.
Situated within a Grade A Listed Georgian townhouse, originally designed by the renowned architect Robert Adam in 1784, The Auction Rooms delivers a seamless blend of historic architecture and modern functionality.
Led by Edinburgh-based Atom Group, with design by award-winning Studio LBA and interiors by Nicola McMurray Design Studio, the restoration blends original features, such as grand staircases, ornate cornicing, and arched doorways, with contemporary design tailored to modern business needs.
The redevelopment is already at full occupancy, as businesses continue to restructure regional office estates, with a shift towards flexible, serviced workspaces, demonstrating strong, sustained demand for high-quality, character-rich office space in Edinburgh city centre.
Lynsay Bell, Managing Director of Studio LBA, said:“It’s been a privilege to work on such an architecturally distinct building, originally crafted by a pioneering figure in architectural history. Our strategy focused on preserving its stunning Georgian features while optimising the space as a modern, functional office environment.
“Thoughtful design was central to our approach, curating spaces that pay homage to the building’s historic character, while integrating contemporary adaptations to create a beautiful and highly usable space. The Auction Rooms is a triumph of adaptive reuse and conservation, and a bold addition to Edinburgh’s office market at a time when demand for premium, central workspace is stronger than ever.”
Communal areas take cues from boutique hotels, featuring soft lighting, plush furnishings and relaxed breakout zones that encourage both collaboration and quiet focus. Meeting rooms and private offices are finished with bespoke joinery, statement lighting and custom furniture, delivering a cohesive, high-quality tenant experience.
Wellness and sustainability are central to the building’s design, with optimised lighting for productivity and smart systems, including LoRaWAN controls, helping it achieve an EPC rating of B.
The reimagined space supports a wide range of flexible working options, including private offices, dedicated desks, open-plan layouts, and virtual office packages.
These virtual offerings provide businesses with a professional address and access to The Auction Rooms’ extensive business services and meeting facilities, ideal for remote or hybrid teams. On-site amenities include shower facilities, secure bike storage, and thoughtfully designed communal areas.
Mark McMeekin, Director at The Atom Group, said: “Working with the brilliant team at Studio LBA, we’ve created a space that blends heritage with modern functionality – a workspace that’s both inspiring and practical. The response has been exceptional.
“As we moved from development to operations stages, we brought in consultants with experience scaling serviced offices across global cities, drawing inspiration from design-led brands like FORA and Industrious, to provide the highest level of service from the outset. With the building now fully let and a growing waiting list, demand for high-quality workspaces across major cities is clear.
“To meet that, we’re opening a sister building in the capital and launching MOTA, our new operating brand for serviced offices. We’re also exploring expansion into other major European cities. This is just the beginning.”
The project was led by ATOM Group, with Studio LBA serving as architect and Nicola McMurray Design Studio responsible for interior design.
Thomson Gray acted as quantity surveyor and principal designer, Christie Gillespie provided structural engineering, David Brown Lighting delivered the lighting design, and WGM served as M&E consultant.
New Zoo Standards will enhance welfare and protections for animals in UK’s zoos and aquariums
Major update in rules for keeping animals in zoos as government introduces new standards which will ensure the UK’s famous zoos remain global leaders in the zoo industry.
Larger habitat enclosures for elephants, better training for staff to handle exotic animals, and improved public safety measures will be required as part of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain, published today (Saturday 24th May)
For the first time in over a decade, the rules protecting Great Britain’s most loved zoo animals such as the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle, iconic elephants, and wonders of the sea like sting rays and octopus will be modernised to reflect the very latest in zoo best practice:
Larger habitats will be introduced for elephants to better replicate the large territories elephants naturally inhabit.
The practice of tethering birds of prey as a method of long term accommodation will be phased out, with a shift to large aviary enclosures.
Aquariums will no longer be allowed to let visitors touch fish and cephalopods – creatures such as ray and octopus are highly intelligent animals and handling causes them stress.
Animal Welfare Minister, Baroness Hayman said: “We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept.
“Today’s long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums —and the animals they protect. This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation.
“We’re making sure all sectors have the tools they need thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change.”
Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary and star of CBBC’s One Zoo Three, said: “For too long, zoos have been misunderstood as places of entertainment, but these new standards make it unmistakably clear: modern, good zoos put wildlife first.
“They are hubs for conservation, education, and world-leading animal care. I’m proud to be part of the UK’s zoo, sanctuary and aquarium community, setting the global benchmark for the welfare of endangered species.
“This is a huge step forward and also a call to action for other countries to now raise their standards, so animals everywhere benefit from the same level of care, and we can align globally for wildlife.”
Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums said: “The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain’s position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums.
BIAZA members already lead the way in animal care and conservation and we have been working closely with Defra officials to realise these updated standards.
“We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating government’s and the sector’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature.”
Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Zoos Minister, Baroness Hayman, to Chester Zoo for the official launch of the updated Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice.
“These new standards set a clear vision for the future of zoos in the UK and we’re pleased to have worked closely with Defra to help shape them and ensure that they represent world class animal care.
Kathryn England, Chief Operating Officer for ZSL, the international conservation charity behind London and Whipsnade Zoos said: These standards will help bring the whole sector up to a level the public rightly expects – and that animals everywhere deserve.
“London and Whipsnade Zoos are conservation powerhouses, delivering world-leading animal care and driving global efforts to protect wildlife.
“We welcome these new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and the clarity they bring – every animal in every UK zoo deserves the same high standard of care, and every zoo should be contributing meaningfully to conservation.”
Other measures in the Standards include:
Improved conservation – Clear steps to help enforce conservation standards with new requirements for record keeping – helping drive up standards across the whole sector. This could include breeding programs for endangered species, research into animal behaviour and reproduction, and education to raise awareness about conservation issues. There will also be a curb on the sourcing of animals from the wild.
Protecting the public – All zoos will need to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place if they want to keep dangerous animals, including double-gated entry systems, lone worker procedures, and the appropriate availability of firearms.
Updated business plans – To ensure zoos are prepared to protect animals in the event of financial hardship, they will now be required to develop clear business continuity plans
There is a 2 year timeline on zoos and aquariums to adapt to the changes, with further phased timelines for some species-specific changes. This gives enough time to implement the changes efficiently, while support and guidance will be available -keeping welfare at the heart of zoo operations.
These changes, part of the wider Plan for Change, will modernise the way animals are cared for in zoos and aquariums and reaffirm the UK’s position as a global leader in ethical and responsible wildlife management. The new published standards are available from today on gov.uk.
Police Scotland is appealing for information on the whereabouts of 29-year-old Daniel Lewis who was last seen in the St Leonard’s area of Edinburgh around 4.25pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.
Daniel has links to Merseyside and Inverness and has a Liverpool accent.
He is described as being around 5’8”, thin build with blonde hair. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, navy shorts, a dark coloured lightweight jacket and black trainers.
Officers are carrying out extensive searches and reviewing CCTV in an effort to trace him. Members of the public are advised not to approach him if they see him but to contact police immediately.
Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should contact Police Scotland on 101, or in an emergency on 999. Please quote incident number 2526 of Thursday, 22 May, 2025. Information can also be passed via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland have arrested four men in connection with fire-raising at properties in Edinburgh and Lanarkshire.
Officers executed warrants at addresses in Edinburgh, Whitburn and Bathgate yesterday morning (Friday, 23 May, 2025).
The men, three aged 18 and one aged 31, have been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a house on Pitcairn Grove on Thursday, 8 May.
One of the 18-year-olds, along with the 31-year-old man, have also been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a business premises on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps on the same date.
They are all expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 26 May.
Also, in the past week a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with two attempted murders and a fire-raising in Glasgow and Bishopbriggs in April.
These are being treated as part of a series of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland and a total of 41 people have now been arrested.
Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated team of officers from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice.
“We continue to work tirelessly and are following a number of positive lines of enquiry
“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to again thank the public for their continued help and information so far.
“If you know anything about these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
