Month: August 2025

Glimmers films set to spread moments of joy throughout Travfest25

  • Seven moments of filmed magic to be shared with audiences in the theatre and at home throughout this year’s TravFest.
  • Partnership with Edinburgh Napier’s Screen Academy Scotland showcases Class Act writers from Scotland, Ukraine, India and Finland
  • First film released is Grandmother’s Pie, performed by Imani Preyor, with further releases to follow each week through August.

Glimmers: micro-moments of positivity that help us to feel joy, safety and connection. It could be a fleeting sense of safety or love, happiness, or hope. But it leaves a positive lingering feeling.

Glimmers are ephemeral, much like theatre: a swift moment of magic, over too soon, but whose impacts can last forever.

This summer TravFest25 shares Glimmers with audiences and visitors. The series of short films have been penned by some of our brightest young voices, nurtured and discovered through the Traverse’s flagship engagement programme Class Act, then filmed within the Traverse Theatre and given a platform at the world’s biggest performing arts festival.

Voices from across the world – including Ukraine, India, Finland, and Scotland come together in Glimmers, supported by the Traverse’s leading mentors and directors including John Tiffany, Douglas Maxwell, Nicola McCartney, Natalya Vorozhbyt and Gareth Nicholls.

Created and delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University’s Screen Academy Scotland, these wonderful miniature theatre works have become short films to be shared online and within the Traverse itself throughout August.

The first of the seven films is released today – Grandmother’s Pie, a new piece submitted by former Class Act Finland participant Anastasiia, performed by Imani Preyor.

Further Glimmers will be released through the coming weeks, uploaded to enjoy for free via the Traverse Theatre’s Youtube channel as well as popping up on digital screens within the building throughout the month.

The full set of films is:

1 in 2 by Seren (Class Act Dumfries submitted in 2024) – performed by Eloise King Anderson

Grandmother’s Pie by Anastasiia (Participated in Class Act Finland 2023 – Cultura Foundation and Fenix Finland Ry, new piece submitted for Glimmers)– performed by Imani Preyor

One Two Three by Matvey (Participated in Class Act Finland 2023 – Cultura Foundation and Fenix Finland Ry, new piece submitted for Glimmers) – performed by Alexander Tait.

More Like Mum by Jules Risingham (Letters to Our Future Government piece submitted in 2024) – performed by Lawrence Boothman.

Ryoko by Kate (Participated in Class Act Finland 2023 – Cultura Foundation and Fenix Finland Ry, new piece submitted for Glimmers) – performed by Janette Foggo.

The Light by Alisa (Participated in Class Act Finland 2023 – Cultura Foundation and Fenix Finland Ry, new piece submitted for Glimmers) – performed by Eve Buglass and Sydney Mulligan.

Last Chance to Save the Planet by Kayla (Submitted in 2023) – performed by Rebecca Wilkie.

A team of 23 camera, sound, lighting, technical and production staff from Edinburgh Napier University’s Screen Academy Scotland honed theatre capture skills in a short residency at the Traverse Theatre in July.

Camera: Grant Deans (him), Owen McCaffrey (him), Natalie Weir (her), Tony Ross (him)

Sound: Liam Stobie (him), Reece Groves (him), Sherbaaz Khan (him)

Lighting: Marcin Maternik (him), Jimmy Kitson (him)

Production: Ruby Holywell-Walker (her), Olivia Mcardle (her)

Technical support: Francis Todd (him) (Napier staff technician)

Support:  Reece Groves (him), Ruby Holywell-Walker (her), Sherbaaz Khan (him), Jimmy Kitson (him), Marcin Maternik (him), Owen McCaffrey (him), Olivia Mcardle (her), Tony Ross (him), Liam Stobie (him), Francis Todd (him), and Natalie Weir (her)

Glimmers films will be available to watch via the Traverse Theatre Youtube channel

Doctors asked for views on future of profession

Future Medical Workforce project launched

Doctors are being urged to share their views about how best to shape and sustain Scotland’s medical workforce over the next 15–20 years.

The Future Medical Workforce project will gather feedback from doctors, residents and senior clinicians to help shape future reforms in training, recruitment and workforce planning.

Over the next two months the Scottish Government is running a series of in-person and online focus groups to help better understand current pressures facing the profession and how best to respond to the challenges of delivering care among a changing population.

These sessions will form the first phase of the project, with a final report being published in autumn, setting out key insights and recommendations. The second phase, beginning in January 2026, will focus on reform, improving recruitment and the redesigning of medical education.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the medical workforce and create a sustainable, fulfilling career path for doctors in Scotland.

“We know the NHS faces major challenges, and it is vital that those living the reality of what it means to be a doctor today are at the heart of shaping what comes next.

“I strongly encourage doctors across Scotland to get involved in this work. Your voice matters and your insight will help ensure that the future of our health service is informed, inclusive and resilient.”

The focus groups begin this month and will continue through to the autumn. Those interesting in attending can sign up here.

The Poverty Alliance: Challenge Poverty Week events

Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for you to raise your voice against poverty and unite with others in calling for a just and equal Scotland. Join our free online events to get you inspired.

On Thu 7 August our Policy team will take you through our policy asks as #WeDemandBetter ahead of CPW25.

This session is your chance to hear about our policy priorities, learn why they matter, and find out how you can get involved in using them to advocate for change!

On Thu 14 Aug at 10am, our free online training will help you take your first steps in getting the Challenge Poverty Week 2025 messages heard both locally and nationally.

Join the Poverty Alliance team as we go over some of the basics of how decision-making works in Scotland, and as we share simple ways to start building relationships with MSPs.

And on Thu 28 August join our Values First training on how best to place moral values at the heart of effective communications around Challenge Poverty Week.

Click here for Challenge Poverty Week information!

UK Government finds another £100 million for new crackdown on people smuggling gangs

SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS AT RECORD LEVELS

Dangerous criminal gangs profiting from deadly small boats crossings will face a major new crackdown following a £100 million investment in border security.

The funding will pay for up to 300 extra National Crime Agency officers (NCA), state-of-the art detection technology and new equipment to smash the networks putting lives at risk in the Channel.

The investment will see the Border Security Command, the NCA, the police and other law enforcement agency partners receive a significant cash injection to strengthen investigations targeting smuggling kingpins and disrupt their operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

The package of up to £100 million will boost existing law enforcement operations and allow more intelligence to be gathered on organised immigration crime gang members, support upstream capacity building, purchase sophisticated technology and equipment to strengthen UK border security and disrupt the people-smuggling gangs.   

The investment will build on the recent successes under existing funding, including the arrest and prosecution of major smuggling gang kingpins, the seizure of over 600 small boats and engines, and the disruption of a further 351 criminal gangs through the work of the NCA.

It comes as the NCA announced their biggest people-smuggling raid and seizure of boat engines in Bulgaria last week – showing the impact increased international law enforcement operations can have.

The comprehensive funding package will include:

  • Funding to support the new pilot of the ‘one-in, one-out’ returns agreement between the UK and France, which for the first time will see migrants who arrive illegally on small boats returned to France.
  • An uplift in NCA staff of up to 300 personnel focused on intelligence targeting crime gang members.
  • New state-of-the-art technology and equipment for the detection and disruption of organised immigration crime, including hi-tech surveillance capabilities, and AI-assisted intelligence and data analysis tools.
  • Funding to support the implementation of extended police powers to seize and download digital devices to gather evidence and intelligence, announced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
  • Funding for the recently-established Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce, which is driving law enforcement operations targeting the elements of organised immigration crime activity operating out of the UK, from the facilitation of boat crossings to the running of modern slavery networks.
  • Funding to intensify illegal working enforcement by increasing overtime for ICE teams, enabling more premium-time deployments, funding redeployment of officers to high-risk regions, boosting intelligence generation, and supporting sanctions teams to target non-compliant employers—delivering rapid operational uplift without requiring new permanent staff.
  • And funding to support a series of interventions upstream as well as intensified efforts in transit countries across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia to target organised immigration crime, disrupt human trafficking and the supply of dangerous small boat equipment, while also continuing to correct the lies peddled by criminal gangs to would-be migrants.

The investment will also support the new powers that will be introduced when the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill becomes law, which will include the introduction of a UK-wide offence to criminalise the creation and publication of online material that promotes a breach of immigration law, such as the advertisement of small boat crossings on social media. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For six years, the small boat smuggling gangs were allowed to embed their criminal trade along our coast, and have shown a ruthless ability to adapt their tactics and maximise their profits, no matter how many lives they put at risk. They must not be allowed to get away with this vile crime.

“That is why this government has developed a serious and comprehensive plan to dismantle their business model, from disrupting their supply chains across the European continent to clamping down on their illegal working operations here in the UK.

“In the last twelve months, we have set the foundations for this new and much stronger law enforcement approach – establishing the new Border Security Command, strengthening the National Crime Agency and UK police operations, increasing Immigration Enforcement, introducing new counter terror style powers in our Border Security Bill, and establishing cooperation agreements with Europol and other countries.

“Now this additional funding will strengthen every aspect of our plan, and will turbo-charge the ability of our law enforcement agencies to track the gangs and bring them down, working with our partners overseas, and using state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

“Alongside our new agreements with France, this will help us drive forward our Plan for Change commitments to protect the UK’s border security and restore order to our immigration system.”

National Crime Agency Director General of Operations Rob Jones said: “The NCA focuses on making the biggest impact on organised crime groups behind these lethal crossings.

“We currently have 91 investigations ongoing into the most dangerous people smuggling networks impacting the UK, and are working with partners at home and abroad to target, disrupt and dismantle them.

“This additional funding will help boost our capacity and capability, enabling us to target more offenders.”

The NCA has reported that, in the 2024/25 financial year, it achieved 351 NCA-led disruptions of organised immigration crime networks and activity – its highest level on record – and a 40 percent increase on the previous financial year.

That included 56 high-impact NCA-led disruptions, which meant that those particular investigations led to the prosecution and disruption of those directly responsible for committing the crimes, and resulted in a significant and/or long term impact on the capability of the organised crime group involved.

These new measures fall within government’s Plan for Change.

The government says it is ”restoring order to the immigration system, including the introduction of new legislation under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, tougher enforcement powers, ramping up returns to their highest levels for more than half a decade and a major crackdown on illegal working to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats’. 

‘It builds on the work this government has already undertaken to restore order to the immigration system, surging enforcement action against illegal migration, with a 50% increase in arrests of those caught working illegally, returning 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK, and imposing tougher sanctions against gang ring leaders, key intermediaries and suppliers of people-smuggling equipment.‘

Storm Floris: Amber Warning today

Storm Floris will bring unseasonably strong and disruptive winds to much of Scotland during Monday

What should I expect?

  • Injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
  • Some damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, expected
  • Longer journey times and cancellations, as road, rail, air and ferry services affected
  • Some roads and bridges closed

AMBER WARNING IN PLACE FROM 10am – 10pm

Royal Society of Biology gears up for Biology Week 2025

BIOLOGY WEEK 11 – 19 OCTOBER 2025

The Royal Society of Biology prepares to host its annual Biology Week which will run from 11-19 October 2025.

  • Biology Week brings people together from across the bioscience sector, from researchers, teachers, and students, to people working in industry, and anyone with an interest in biology to showcase the biosciences
  • The week will see a range of events take place in person and online
  • This year’s theme is nature and climate

RSB Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Susie Rabin, said: “Biology Week is a pivotal time to bring together people from across the biosciences – both in education and industry – to share their knowledge, inspire others, and hone in on the importance of the biosciences to all.

“I’m looking forward to getting involved in this year’s amazing events and hope we see widespread engagement again this year.”

Innovation in biology will help us support all life on Earth now and in the coming decades. Biology Week celebrates and raises the profile of these achievements, and the important work that bioscientists are doing.

CWP-‘Biology For A Better Tomorrow’ Biology Week Awards at Royal Geographical Society.

Events the RSB will host during Biology Week 2025:

  • Networking and Awards Ceremony at the House of Commons which will see the awarding of prizes for our various competitions (Apprentice of the Year, BioArtAttack, photography, and School Biology Teacher of the Year) in addition to the President’s Medal
  • An exclusive member-only webinar with forensic anthropologist Professor Lady Sue Black Hon FRSB
  • An online conversation with our CEO for RSB Fellows
  • STEM Club online talk for school students focusing on immunology, biotechnology, and deep-sea exploration
  • Plant Health event at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden
  • Spelling Bee competition final

How you can take part:

Funding

We have funding available for those wishing to host a Gopher Science Lab day during Biology Week. This is open to teachers from state-funded secondary schools across the UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands.

Event promotion

We have downloadable assets and logos to use for promotion, and we encourage use of the hashtag #BiologyWeek across social media.

Organising an event

More information for running your own event can be found on our website, or email: events@rsb.org.uk

We would love to see every biologist celebrate their work with events and activities that appeal to all audiences. Help us achieve our vision of a world that understands the true value of biology and how it can contribute to improving life for all. 

For any other queries or to be featured in our #IAmABiologist campaign (on a first come, first served basis), contact: parliamentaryandpublicaffairs@rsb.org.uk

Police: Report illegal use of off-road bikes

There have been incidents of off-road bikes being ridden illegally on roads, in parks, on pavements and in other public spaces, resulting in injuries to both riders and members of the public.

There has also been damage to parks, fields, green spaces and private property.

Anti-social off-road bike use is more than just a nuisance, it’s a danger to the rider and the public.

Do you have information about these bikes and those people using them? You can report what you know to us or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

#PoliceScotlandEdinburgh#PoliceScotland

Spokes public meeting: Cargobikes in Edinburgh – with MOTHERLOAD film

TUESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER from 7.15 – 9pm

Cargobikes are seen more and more in Edinburgh, and the potential is massive, as in many European cities and elsewhere around the world.

Our public meeting on 2 September will feature the 90-minute documentary film MOTHERLOAD – a mother’s experience of how cargo bikes can be an antidote to the increasing isolation, disconnection, and planetary impact of life in C21.

The meeting will then hear from local organisations in the forefront of cargobike development in Edinburgh, including…

A great opportunity to hear what is happening in Edinburgh and around the world, and to put forward your ideas and suggestions in the QA.

Arrangements

  • Where Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
  • Date Tuesday 2 September
  • Time  Starts 7.15, Ends 9.30.  Doors open 6.30 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership. NOTE: the meeting begins (and doors open) 15 minutes earlier than our usual 7.30/6.45 times
  • Questions Questions can be emailed (at least a day in advance) to spokes@spokes.org.uk. However, questions in person from audience members are likely to have greatest priority
  • Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – and publish the recording later. NOTE: for licensing reasons, the livestream and recording will not include the film
  • Social media If posting about the meeting, use hashtag #SpokesMtg

Background & Links

Internship scheme to get more working class students into Civil Service

Students from working class backgrounds are set to benefit from a Summer Internship Programme that will be launched to boost social mobility in the Civil Service

  • Students from lower-income backgrounds to get paid government placements.
  • Programme to support the recruitment of more working class youngsters into Civil Service so it better reflects the people it serves.
  • The government is taking action to break down barriers to opportunity through its Plan for Change.

Students from working class backgrounds are set to benefit from a Summer Internship Programme that will be launched to boost social mobility in the Civil Service. 

The scheme will give talented undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. 

Currently, applicants from lower socio economic backgrounds are less likely to get a place on the Fast Stream. This is a first step towards changing that, as the government works to ensure the Civil Service better reflects the country it serves.

Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “We need to get more working class young people into the Civil Service so it harnesses the broadest range of talent and truly reflects the country. Government makes better decisions when it represents and understands the people we serve. 

“I want to open up opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and in every corner of the UK, so they can take a leading role at the heart of government as we re-wire the state and deliver the Plan for Change.”

The programme will give roughly 200 undergraduates the opportunity to work in a Civil Service department for two months, acting as a stepping stone to a fulfilling career in the Civil Service post-university. 

Undergraduates on the programme, which is paid, will get experience that could include planning events, writing briefings for ministers, shadowing senior civil servants and carrying out research for policy development.

Those on the scheme will get access to tailored support, including being allocated a “buddy” who is a current Fast Streamer and getting access to skills sessions. Participants who perform well will be fast-tracked to the final stages of the Fast Stream selection process if they decide to apply for a job after graduation.

The scheme will open for applications in October with the first cohort starting in summer 2026. The government is taking action seeking to break down barriers to opportunity through its Plan for Change. 

The move is the latest change to deliver greater diversity in the Civil Service and make it more representative of the people it serves. Earlier this year the Government launched a new Career Launch apprenticeship scheme targeted at young people and school leavers. It also announced a new ambition for the Fast Stream programme to have 50% of placements offered outside of London by 2030,

The Fast Stream is the Civil Service’s highly regarded graduate scheme, which regularly features at the top of the Times Top 100 Graduate list each year. It offers high potential graduates an accelerated route to senior leadership positions in Government.