24/06/2025 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

£1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution

Gig-goers have been urged to be wary of scams when purchasing last-minute tickets on social media after £1.6 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2024

On the eve of Glastonbury, British music lovers are being urged to take caution over last-minute tickets for sale on social media, after new figures revealed that the amount lost to ticket fraud more than doubled to £1.6m in 2024.

The government has issued the warning as part of its wider crackdown on scammers and online fraud, designed to ensure money is kept in working people’s pockets, as part of the Plan for Change.

With a host of tours and festivals due to take place this summer, including the Oasis reunion tour kicking off in July, new Action Fraud data released by the Home Office today finds the public lost more than £1.6 million in scams related to concert tickets in 2024 – more than double the figure from the previous year.

Around 3,700 gig ticket fraud reports were made to Action Fraud in 2024, with almost half of them referring to offers made on social media platforms. The government has called on tech companies to go further and faster to protect the public from the fraudulent offers being advertised on their platforms.

The data shows that people in their twenties were most likely to become victims of ticket fraud last year, accounting for 27% of all victims, and the government has urged people to follow the government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice to ensure they are protected from scams ahead of a busy summer of gigs and festivals:

If you’re offered tickets for something in high demand don’t let the fear of missing out rush your decision. Take a moment to stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.
Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office or an official ticketing website.
Never move away from an official payment platform to make a direct payment via bank transfer or virtual currency. Use the site’s recommended payment methods to stay protected.

With fraud the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, affecting 1 in 15 adults each year, the government is taking further steps to crack down on the scammers behind the surge in fraud over the last decade, including through a new ban on SIM farms, technical devices which facilitate fraud on an industrial scale.

The UK is also driving the response to fraud internationally through the adoption of the first ever UN resolution on fraud and has launched the first ever Insurance Fraud Charter to reduce fraud against the sector and consumers. The government will go further by publishing a new, expanded fraud strategy before the end of the year, which will place raising public awareness and working with tech companies at its heart.

This follows government plans to tackle greedy ticket touts through new measures announced earlier this year which will put a cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events, to put the power back in the hands of fans.

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said: “Fraud is an absolutely shameful crime and today’s data shows that anyone can be a victim.

“While millions of Britons are getting ready to attend concerts this summer, the scammers are getting ready to exploit the desperate search for tickets, posting fake messages on social media sites offering to resell tickets they can’t use, or making last-minute offers from fake ticket companies.

“That is why our campaign is called Stop! Think Fraud, so no matter how real a deal looks, we all need to take a moment to think: am I being ripped off? So, let’s all stay cautious, stay alert, and stay protected from fraud. Don’t let the scammers ruin your summer.”

Tor Garnett, City of London Police Commander for Cyber and Economic Crime, said: People go to gigs for that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience – especially at sold out concerts and festivals, where the atmosphere is unmatched.

“But the excitement can vanish in an instant when fans discover their tickets are fake or they’ve been scammed through social media or resale sites. The loss isn’t just financial – it’s deeply emotional, turning anticipation into heartbreak.

“Criminals are targeting those looking to snap up last minute or resale tickets for sold out and highly in-demand concerts this year, and Action Fraud reporting data highlights this increasing issue. That’s why we encourage everyone to stay alert and recognise the tactics fraudsters use to commit ticket fraud this summer.

“Key signs of ticket fraud include unsolicited messages with ticket offers and deals, or requests for payment via bank transfer. When buying tickets, use a reputable or official ticket-selling site. Always take a moment to double check offers for tickets and pay using a credit card. Follow the advice from Stop! Think Fraud site on how to protect yourself from fraud.”

National Coordinator for the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, Mike Andrews, said: “Every summer music fans desperate to see their favourite artists at festivals or stadium tours are left distraught and considerably out of pocket at the turnstiles as they discover the tickets they bought in good faith are in fact part of a fraudulent scam.

“Recent National Trading Standards prosecutions have led to serious jail time for ticket touts, which should send a message to all those who choose to engage in fraud that there are severe consequences.

“Fans should avoid buying from unofficial ticket sellers, but we know fans desperate for tickets will try to source them via any means possible. For fans who do risk using secondary sites, always use a credit card and never pay by money transfer or buy tickets on social media channels.”

Founder of face-value ticket resale platform Twickets, Richard Davies, said: “We’ve seen firsthand how fraudsters attempt to exploit high-demand tours. In recent weeks alone, we’ve had to warn fans about multiple fake Twickets accounts and websites set up to trick Oasis fans into handing over money for non-existent tickets.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking trusted resale platforms like ours or creating convincing social media profiles. It’s vital that fans stop and think before making a purchase. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always check that the platform is an official resale partner, never buy tickets from unofficial sellers on social media or marketplaces and avoid anyone asking for payment via personal bank transfer.

“Twickets was created to give fans a safer, fairer way to buy and sell tickets at face value, and we’ve already helped thousands of Oasis fans do just that ahead of the band’s upcoming tour. We’re committed to protecting fans and will continue to work hard to ensure ticketing remains transparent, trustworthy and scam-free.”

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank: Kit Out A Kid campaign 2025

Every child deserves to start the school year with confidence—and that starts with the right uniform. Our Kit Out A Kid campaign is back, and we need your help to make sure no child in Edinburgh goes without.

In 2024, your generosity helped us kit out thousands of local kids. Children who once felt excluded now walk into school with pride, wearing brand-new uniforms and carrying essentials like school bags and stationery.

How You Can Help:

Donate uniform items via our shopping partner, Give Today. https://givetoday.co.uk/edinburghschooluniformbank/

Donate funds and we will do the shopping for you.

https://edinburghuniform.org/donate/

Spread the word – every share helps!

Ready to make a difference?

Together, we can make a real difference. Let’s show Edinburgh’s young people that their community has their back.

#KitOutAKid2025

#EdinburghUniformBank

#BackToSchoolWithDignity

Clive Myrie and Prof Danny Dorling to appear at the 2025 Festival of Politics

The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics returns this August with a three-day programme of over 30 events, taking place in Holyrood, the home of Scottish politics between Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 August 2025.

BBC journalist Clive Myrie will appear as part of the line-up this year, in conversation with the Deputy Presiding Officer Liam McArthur MSP where he will discuss his incredible 30-year broadcasting career.

Professor Danny Dorling, renowned social geographer, will explore the impact of politics on the UK’s housing, education, poverty and inequality levels, and will offer robust solutions on how to address these challenges of our age.

In addition, our Festival programme features leading experts from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, the media and the third sector. With events on topics tackling some of the big issues facing Scotland, the UK and the world such as the use of AI, peace in the Middle East, how we tackle misogyny and our use of technology.

The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This year’s Festival promises lively debates, thought-provoking panels and inspiring voices tackling some of the most pressing social, political and environmental issues of our time.”

In addition, there is a lively free programme of entertainment, exhibitions and even a robot in the Festival Café Bar.

Tickets can be booked now on our website:

Book tickets

Most events will be available to view on our YouTube channel after the Festival has finished for those unable to attend in-person.

Edinburgh College becomes College of Sanctuary

Edinburgh College has been awarded College of Sanctuary status in recognition of the support it provides to refugees and asylum seekers in accessing educational opportunities.

The College of Sanctuary status – awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK network – recognises and aims to enhance the work of colleges in providing support and opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers, and those seeking sanctuary in the UK.

To gain the award, a group of staff from across the College united to audit and enhance the range of support provided to students seeking sanctuary currently enrolled at the College.

This involved expanding training for staff on sanctuary-seeking issues, improving signposting to support services, broadening engagement with local refugee and asylum seeker support organisations, and enhancing opportunities for students of all backgrounds to become involved in college life.

In addition, the College partnered with ECSA (Edinburgh College Students’ Association) to provide a remunerated work placement opportunity for a student seeking sanctuary to lead on incorporating the student voice into the heart of the project.

Through this work, Student Engagement Assistant, Zahra Maleki, interviewed a number of students to learn more about their journey to the UK, College experience, the support that they receive, and plans for the future, to help the College gain a deeper understanding of the lives of these students and the challenges they face.

The award, and the activities undertaken as part of it, build upon the significant progress Edinburgh College has made in recent years and establishes a benchmark for future efforts to ensure students who are seeking sanctuary feel welcome and supported to thrive during their time at College.

Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal, said: “I’m delighted that the College has been formally recognised as a College of Sanctuary. This award is recognition not just of the work undertaken this year, but recognition of the enormous work done by our staff in this area over a number of years, and, in some cases, decades.

“As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh is a diverse and welcoming place. Our college embodies that. We have people from over 135 countries across the world choosing to come to study here. In everything we do, we aim to ensure Edinburgh College is a place where people are given an opportunity to build a better future for themselves, irrespective of where they have come from in the past.”

Gün Orgun, City of Sanctuary Coordinator for Scotland and Northern Ireland, who headed the appraisal panel for Edinburgh College, said: “It was great to visit Edinburgh College and speak to staff and students involved in their College of Sanctuary project.

“Our visit underscored all the great provision outlined in Edinburgh College’s application and the depth of staff commitment across the College, including senior management, was great to see. The panel noted a number of impressive areas of practice and comments from students demonstrated a strong sense of belonging within the College.

“Receiving this award is not an easy task, requiring a significant effort and going above and beyond statutory requirements – and Edinburgh College provided several great practice examples of what being a College of Sanctuary is all about.

“We look forward to seeing Edinburgh College’s provision in this area develop in the years ahead.”

Investing in Early Education: A Key to Inclusion and Equality

Early education plays a crucial role in shaping children’s understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and respect (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).

Research confirms that children begin forming perceptions about race from infancy, and by age five, many have already absorbed societal biases. Proactively addressing these issues in early childhood education is vital for fostering a more equitable society.

Across Lothian, schools are making strides toward inclusivity through diverse literature, storytelling, and cultural activities. The Building Racial Literacy Programme, designed to help educators implement anti-racist practices, is a step forward; however, it remains non compulsory, leaving gaps in its widespread implementation.

A 2024-2025 study by Queen’s University found that many teachers lack confidence and time to teach languages, which affects efforts to embrace cultural diversity in classrooms. AI-driven solutions are being explored to bridge this gap, particularly in supporting the teaching of mother languages, which are often underrepresented in Scottish schools.

Language diversity is an issue that extends beyond Scotland. UNESCO reports that 40% of the world’s 6,700 languages are endangered, largely due to economic pressures, urban migration, and dominant education systems.

In Scotland, Polish is the most spoken language after English, Scots, and Gaelic, yet it is not recognised as a National Qualification subject. Similarly, Punjabi, spoken in many Scottish homes, is also excluded from national curricula, raising concerns about inclusivity and accessibility.

Several organisations, such as the Anne Frank Trust, Beyond Srebrenica, and Vision Schools Scotland, are working to integrate lessons from history into modern education. These initiatives provide valuable frameworks for fostering racial awareness, but more support is needed to equip educators with training and resources to facilitate meaningful discussions about race in age appropriate ways.

Critics argue that conversations about race should be kept out of education, while others believe schools must take an active role in shaping inclusive social values. The reality is that inclusivity in education is not just an ideal; it is a necessity for a thriving, diverse Scotland.

A collaborative approach involving educators, parents, and policymakers is essential to ensure young learners gain the tools to navigate an interconnected world.

As the Scottish Labour spokesperson for Culture, Europe, and International Development, I remain committed to advocating for policies that integrate inclusivity into early education.

Investing in these initiatives today ensures a generation that values equality, respect, and understanding, building a stronger, more united Scotland for the future.

Sustainable Development consultation

Holyrood committee seeks views on proposals aimed at protecting future generations

A proposed new law that aims to ensure public bodies consider the long-term impact of their decisions on sustainable development and the wellbeing of future generations is the subject of a new call for views from a Scottish Parliament committee.

The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill, introduced earlier this year by Sarah Boyack MSP, would place a legal duty on public bodies to promote sustainable development and wellbeing in the work they undertake. It also proposes the creation of a Future Generations Commissioner to support and oversee this work.

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has launched its call for views to inform its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill during which it will also take account of the findings of a recent parliamentary committee report that recommended against the creation of more commissioners.

Sarah Boyack MSP has set out her hopes that the Bill will encourage more joined-up thinking across public services. She also believes that her proposals will help Scotland tackle long-term challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation.

The Bill also sets out definitions of “sustainable development” and “wellbeing” and aims to embed these principles into public decision-making in Scotland.

The Committee’s call for views will be open until Sunday 24 August 2025, with the Committee due to start taking formal evidence in the Autumn.

Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “This Bill could have a significant impact on how decisions are made across Scotland’s public sector.

“We’re keen to hear what the public sector and local authorities make of the proposals, and we’d also like to hear from professionals, academics, children and young people, as well as anyone else with an interest in wellbeing and sustainable development.

“By sharing your views with us, you’ll help us explore how the proposals could work in practice and what the changes could mean for Scotland’s future generations.”

Over 200 people attend international football tournament in support of Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland

Over 200 people attended an international fun football tournament in North Edinburgh recently, whilst also learning about the important work carried out by Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland.

An excited crowd watched as 10 teams, made up of staff from State Street Corporation – the American global financial services and bank holding company – from across the globe joined teams from Poppyscotland and Passion4Fusion to compete in the competition at Ainslie Park, the home of Spartans Community Football Club.

Players had descended on the capital city from Scotland, England, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Ireland, Italy and Germany, with the home team of State Street Edinburgh crowned the champions.

As well as the football, over the course of the afternoon spectators also enjoyed a fully licenced bar, a ‘braai’ (South African BBQ), DJ’s and musicians providing some top entertainment. Poppyscotland’s interactive mobile museum, BUD, was also on location sharing the charity’s archive, veterans’ stories and the poppy’s heritage.

Damian Doran-Timson, Corporate Fundraiser at Poppyscotland said: “We are extremely grateful to State Street for hosting this annual tournament and we would like to thank both them and Spartans for making the event happen.

“I would also like to thank all of those who represented Poppyscotland and those who came along and supported us despite some awful weather – it was very much appreciated and greatly strengthened the excellent relationship we have with State Street.

“Every year they hold this event in a different country around the world and in support of a different charity, so it was really special that this year’s tournament was here in Scotland and allowed us to demonstrate the excellent work we do at Poppyscotland in supporting serving and ex-servicemen and women at times of need, including help with housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.”

For more information on the charity and how your donations help the Armed Forces community please visit poppyscotland.org.uk

Dog and Cat Home hero honoured at Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is celebrating one of its dedicated team members and volunteers, Wendy Loftus, who has been recognised for her outstanding commitment to animal welfare at this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards.

Wendy, who serves as a Data Analyst & Pet Food Drive Volunteer at the Home, has dedicated countless hours as a Data Analyst. She works closely with the Fundraising Administrator on data input for various campaigns, often managing time-consuming tasks.

Recently, Wendy also signed up as a Pet Food Drive volunteer, fundraising at local supermarkets to support the Pet Food Bank.

Her ability to engage with the public passionately about the Home’s work has been invaluable, and her collaborative spirit and innovative ideas have significantly contributed to the success of the charity’s different initiatives.

At a special ceremony at the City Chambers, Wendy received a certificate presented by Robert Aldridge, The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Home and the wider community.

Wendy commented: “I was brought up with the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home being part of my life.

“It is nice to be able to give something back to a Charity that has given three generations of my family so much joy & pleasure over the years, with the dogs we’ve been allowed to rehome.”

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, added: “Wendy truly embodies the spirit of volunteering. Her dedication and warmth have brought comfort to countless animals and inspired our entire team.

“We’re thrilled that her efforts have been recognised at such a prestigious event.”

The Inspiring Volunteer Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals who make Edinburgh a better place through selfless service. Wendy’s recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of community-driven support for animal welfare.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, visit www.edch.org.uk.

Eligible people urged to take up COVID-19 vaccination offer

COVID-19 is still here.

Older adults and people with a weakened immune system are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine.

Protection against COVID-19 reduces over time, so it’s important to get vaccinated before the offer ends on 30 June.

You’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this spring if you are:

aged 75 years and over
in a care home for older adults
over the age of 6 months and have a weakened immune system

It’s important to take up the vaccine every time you’re offered. Even if your health condition is well managed, you’re still at increased risk.

More information:

http://nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine

Widest-ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in 50 years to be staged in Edinburgh this autumn

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian will be among 45 Italian Renaissance drawings going on display in Scotland for the first time this October, as part of an exhibition featuring more than 80 drawings by 57 artists – the most wide-ranging show of its kind in Scotland in over half a century.

Following a successful run in London, Drawing the Italian Renaissance will open at The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on 17 October 2025. The exhibition will explore how drawing was key to artistic practice in all fields during the Italian Renaissance and will reveal how dynamic the art of drawing became during this revolutionary artistic period.

Lauren Porter, curator of Drawing the Italian Renaissance in Edinburgh, said: ‘The Royal Collection holds one of the finest collections of Italian Renaissance drawings, many of which were acquired during the reign of Charles II.

“The drawings cannot be on permanent display because of their sensitivity to light, so this exhibition offers a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to see a wide variety of works from this great collection, many of which are on display in Scotland for the first time.

“Drawings were fundamental to the art of the Renaissance, allowing artists to conceive and explore ideas, refine their designs and to experiment. Being able to view these drawings so closely will give visitors a unique insight into the minds of these great Italian Renaissance artists.”

The exhibition will highlight the continued relevance of drawing today as an essential part of many artists’ practice. Two Artists in Residence, both alumni of Edinburgh College of Art and appointed in collaboration with the School, will be drawing in the Gallery on selected days throughout the exhibition’s run.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be encouraged to take inspiration from the works on display and try their hand at drawing with pencils and paper available in the Gallery.

Most drawings from the Italian Renaissance were created as preparation for projects in a variety of media, from paintings and prints to architecture, sculpture, metalwork, tapestry and costume.

They were often discarded after they had served their purpose, and only a small proportion have survived to the present day. As the drawings in the Royal Collection have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years, they can be enjoyed almost as vividly as when they were created.

The oldest drawing in the exhibition, in which an unknown artist depicts a young man sitting and drawing with a sleeping dog by his side, is around 550 years old and will be exhibited in Scotland for the first time.

Also on display for the first time in Scotland will be an elaborately worked drawing in red and black chalk on red prepared paper of the curly-haired head of a young man by Leonardo da Vinci, and Federico Barocci’s drawing of The head of the Virgin in delicately blended colourful chalks.

The idealised features of these two head studies contrast with the distorted and tormented facial expression of the grotesque head drawn by Michelangelo which will be displayed nearby.

Many drawings in the exhibition are religious in their subject matter, including Raphael’s Christ’s Charge to Peter, which is one of his designs for a tapestry to be hung in the Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s The Virgin and Child with the young Baptist, which may have been created as a preparatory study for a sculpture or perhaps as a private act of devotion.

On display for the first time in Scotland, following extensive conservation work before the London exhibition, will be a cartoon for an altarpiece of the Virgin and Child by the late-Renaissance artist Bernardino Campi.

Cartoons, which were large sheets of paper used to transfer a final design onto a painting’s surface, were often executed on poor-quality paper and were never intended to be kept – let alone displayed.

It took almost 120 hours of conservation work by Royal Collection Trust conservators to prepare the work to be exhibited, which involved painstakingly removing the drawing from its deteriorating canvas backing and supporting sections where the paper had become as delicate as lace.

The exhibition includes many preparatory drawings for the applied arts. These drawings would be used by specialist craftsmen to translate the artist’s design into another medium. Included in the exhibition is a colourful design for a painted wooden ceiling incorporating the scene of David slaying Goliath by an unidentified Roman artist, and an extravagant and asymmetrical 1.36-metre-high design for a candelabrum which features a riot of different motifs – presumably acting almost as a menu, from which a patron could select the elements he liked the most.

A section of the exhibition will examine how Italian Renaissance artists observed and explored the natural world, from a study of a branch of a blackberry bush by Leonardo da Vinci, capturing the vigorous nature of the bramble’s growth, to a drawing attributed to the Venetian artist Titian of an ostrich, believed to have been drawn from life, perhaps when the animal arrived after being imported into the port city as an exotic curiosity.

As well as works by the most famous names of the Italian Renaissance, the exhibition will give visitors an insight into the work of lesser-known artists who produced some of the finest drawings of the period.

Many of these works have never been shown in Scotland before and include a striking charcoal portrait of the head of a youth, which has been attributed to Pietro Faccini, and the imposing pen and ink drawing of a seated St Jerome by Bartolomeo Passarotti.

Following a successful launch in 2024, The King’s Gallery will continue to offer £1 tickets to this exhibition for visitors receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits.

Further concessionary rates are available, including discounted tickets for young people, half-price entry for children (with under-fives free), and the option to convert standard tickets bought directly from Royal Collection Trust into a 1-Year Pass for unlimited re-entry for 12 months.