Leith Central Community Council has now agreed its final position on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) developments.
Leith already has two-thirds of all PBSA beds in Edinburgh – 6,332 out of 9,873 citywide. Despite this, developers keep proposing more blocks, even though Leith has no university campus and our area gains little direct benefit.
We believe further PBSA expansion:
– takes up land that should be used for affordable homes for families and key workers
– adds pressure on local transport, health services and infrastructure
– undermines community balance and diversity
– conflicts with Edinburgh’s wider housing strategy
Leith is proud to welcome students as part of our diverse community, but the scale of PBSA development is now out of proportion and unsustainable.
LCCC is calling for a moratorium on any new PBSA developments in Leith.
We want future developments to focus instead on affordable, family-friendly and mixed-use housing that supports long-term residents and the local economy.
We’ll continue to work with other community councils, housing organisations and Edinburgh Council to make sure Leith’s voice is heard as part of the city’s Local Housing Strategy and upcoming planning guidance on student accommodation.
It’s the Edinburgh school half term break next week and we’ve got a full programme of events scheduled!
All events are free
Booking is only required for the author visit from Emily McKenzie on Thursday which can be accessed from tomorrow morning at 10am with the following link:
During the October holidays, many families across Scotland will be weighing up childcare options and wondering whether their children are ready to be left home alone.
There’s no legal minimum age for a child to stay at home or go out alone, and it’s common for parents to contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice. Every child is different, and between work and other responsibilities, it’s understandable that parents may need to consider this decision.
It’s not always easy to know what’s best, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Very young children, especially those under three, should never be left alone – not even briefly while popping to the shops or leaving them in the car. For older children, we wouldn’t recommend leaving anyone under 12 at home alone, especially for long periods.
What matters most is how your child feels. If they’re anxious or unsure, they shouldn’t be left by themselves – even if they’re older.
Feeling safe and confident is key, and they need to know what to do in an emergency. Talking things through can help you understand their concerns and decide if they’re ready.
To support families, the NSPCC has created online checklists to help guide these decisions. And for children who need someone to talk to, Childline is available 24/7.
They can speak to a trained counsellor for free by calling 0800 1111 or using the 1-2-1 chat at www.childline.org.uk.
Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron writes about the challenges facing Edinburgh, and the work being done to tackle them:
In Edinburgh, our population continues to grow at speed and for some years now, housing demand has been significantly outstripping supply.
Since declaring a Housing Emergency nearly two years ago, this Council, together with housing providers and partners across the sector, has continued to grapple with this crisis within statutory and policy frameworks, including the new Housing Bill, and resources available.
Eighty thousand Edinburgh residents live in relative poverty, comprising one in five children, and 5,500 of our households are without settled housing, living in temporary accommodation.
To tackle this, the Council’s approach focuses on prevention, early intervention and mitigation.
Central to preventing homelessness is making sure everyone has access to a safe, warm place to stay; and investing in help and support for those at risk of losing their homes.
In 2024, we helped prevent homelessness for 2,622 households. This work ranges from our Early Intervention team, who reach out to all households who contact homelessness services, to specialist advice and support provided by our Private Rented Sector team.
Where we have been unable to prevent individuals and families from losing their homes, we are working hard to provide suitable alternative accommodation through our Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP).
Our long-term plans to reduce the need for temporary accommodation and improve the quality and quantity of our housing stock include our ambitious housebuilding programme, efforts to acquire new homes directly from providers, bringing empty homes back into use, and investing in the retrofitting of existing housing stock.
This World Homeless Day, as Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, I am acutely aware of the power of work we all still need to do and the resources we need from Government to deliver meaningful increases in our housing supply so that every person and family in Edinburgh can be living in a warm, safe, energy efficient home.
All accompanied children welcome. Come on a hunt for pumpkins around the neighbourhood using a simple map. Lunch back at the Centre. Adults and children welcome. All regulars also welcome. Easy. Flat. PLEASE BOOK! natalie@drylawnc.org.uk
Free, Children and adults
PS – Reminder that Little Explorers and the Yoga classes are on holiday on Monday 13th!
In my role as Chairman and President of the Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom, which also oversees the Buddhist Council, I have been asked to comment on recent remarks made by Murdo Fraser MSP, following the departure of Rangers FC manager, Russell Martin (writes NEIL LAL).
Mr Fraser’s post on social media – “No more vegans, Buddhists or Green Party members please @RangersFC” – sparked debate among Buddhists, vegans, and some environmentally conscious individuals.
As the lead organisation committed to representing and protecting diverse communities across Scotland and the UK, we felt it was important to independently assess the situation in a fair, measured and constructive manner.
Findings of Our Investigation:
After engaging with community leaders, interfaith representatives, and those mentioned in the comments, we undertook a thorough investigation to determine whether Murdo Fraser’s remarks constituted intentional racism, religious discrimination, or targeted exclusion.
We can now formally state the conclusion of our investigation:
Murdo Fraser MSP has been CLEARED of any intentional racism or discrimination.
Our findings indicate the comment was not posted with malice or deliberate prejudice. It was a remark made in the emotionally charged context of a sports discussion – a space where passions often run high and words, which are intended to be humorous, can be misinterpreted.
That does not remove the responsibility public figures carry, but it does offer context. We accept Mr Fraser’s remarks were not intended to target the Buddhist community, vegans, or supporters of the Green Party with hate or exclusion.
A Positive Way Forward:
Rather than fuelling division or prolonging misunderstanding, we believe this is a moment to encourage further dialogue.
To that end, we are extending a formal invitation to Murdo Fraser MSP to visit a Buddhist temple, where he will be welcomed by myself, as Chairman of the Indian Council, and by Mrs Warakant McLaughlin, Chair of the Buddhist Counciland Head Monk Samak.
Scotland is a proudly diverse and inclusive nation. At the Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom, we champion unity, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
We believe in calling out intentional harm when it occurs, but we also believe in allowing space for reflection, conversation, and learning when offence is caused unintentionally. We also recognise that humour is also an important ingredient in public discourse.
From our perspective, this matter is concluded, and we look forward to a constructive and respectful engagement between Murdo Fraser MSP and the Buddhist community.
NEIL LAL
Chairman & President Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom
Household Cavalry horse, who made a remarkable recovery following high-profile bolting incident, retires from duty
Military working horse Quaker began his retirement at The Horse Trust sanctuary in Buckinghamshire yesterday, marking a new chapter after dramatic footage of him bolting injured through London’s streets captured global attention.
The 15-year-old horse was one of five from the Life Guard’s Squadron that were startled by construction work during routine exercise in April 2024. Following expert veterinary treatment and surgery, Quaker is now returning to The Horse Trust to enjoy his retirement.
The Horse Trust sanctuary is located in Buckinghamshire and has cared for service horses for 139 years – accommodating 3,430 horse turnout days last year, including horses from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Met.
Military working animals provide an invaluable service to our military personnel, including a long history in battle, and continuing through key ceremonial roles.
The Army has a focus on military horse welfare, and the Horse Trust now runs a pioneering respite scheme, where military working horses take “short breaks and summer holidays”. These breaks reflect ongoing efforts to enhance military animal welfare, helping with both performance and quality of life for horses.
Louise Sandher-Jones, Minister for Veterans and People said: “We have a commitment to all who serve our nation, including our much-loved service animals.
“Quaker’s well-deserved retirement comes after a stellar career in the Armed Forces and after a high-profile bolting incident, which captured the nation’s attention.
“This partnership with The Horse Trust also shows how the Army looks after its military working horses and will improve animal welfare.”
The Horse Trust is currently the permanent retirement home for 32 former military working horses, 26 of which have served with HCMR.
Lieutenant Colonel Matt Woodward, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, said: “The partnership between the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Horse Trust is a shining example of what can be achieved when tradition meets compassion.
“This initiative plays a crucial role in supporting long-term physical and psychological welfare, ensuring they return to duty refreshed and well-balanced.
Jeanette Allen, CEO, The Horse Trust said: “Our charity is committed to providing respite and retirement to horses who have served our nation and our communities and our close relationship with HCMR is one we are extremely proud of.
The Council Leader and campaigners have come together to call for action to challenge the injustice of poverty in Scotland’s capital.
Staging an anti-poverty event this week (Wednesday 8 October), the End Poverty Edinburgh citizen group highlighted how around 80,000 people are living in relative poverty in Edinburgh.
The conference, held at the Grassmarket Community Project with people with lived experience of poverty, is part of Challenge Poverty Week 2025. Highlighting the need for poverty prevention and the injustice of poverty on marginalised communities, the event followed previous conferences held in 2023 and 2024.
In Edinburgh, a citywide commitment has been made to tackle poverty, which affects one in five children in the city. This includes accelerating the work of the End Poverty Edinburgh Action Plan – also tackling the city’s Housing Emergency and reviewing the way the council supports the third sector in Edinburgh.
A new preventative approach has been adopted with the aim of making it easier for people at risk of poverty to access support, while funding has been provided to Edinburgh’s new Regenerative Futures Fund, which will help local communities to lead poverty prevention and deliver change.
Caroline Cawley, a member of End Poverty Edinburgh, said: “This is our third annual conference, and we wanted to use this day as an opportunity to highlight the injustices facing marginalised groups, who are more likely to experience poverty in Scotland.
“Poverty and uncertainty for these groups is not getting better and many people are starting to lose hope. This is the worst thing to lose as hope is the last thing to go. As a group of Edinburgh residents with lived experience of poverty, we’ll continue to use Challenge Poverty Week to call for change and solutions, including greater poverty prevention in the city.”
Speaking at the event, Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “In Edinburgh around 80,000 residents are struggling to make ends meet, with one in five children living in relative poverty. We must continue to do everything in our power to end poverty in Edinburgh.
“I’m proud of the positive work which is already being done to combat the causes of inequality in the city, and this annual conference highlights the incredible efforts of our third sector, council officers, and city partners to make life better for thousands of people across the city. Without this progress, these statistics would be even more stark.
“We can’t address poverty alone and this Challenge Poverty Week, we’re uniting for change, highlighting the injustice of poverty in our communities.”
Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week. In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society.
“But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”
The End Poverty Edinburgh Conference is the first of three major poverty events happening in Edinburgh this month. On 25 October, the Scotland Demands Better rally led by the Scottish Poverty Alliance will take place in Edinburgh.
Then, on 31 October, the Edinburgh Poverty Commission will host a public event to launch the publication of their most recent findings on the actions needed to end poverty in Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, during Challenge Poverty week, poverty stigma training is being rolled out to Council employees to increase awareness of poverty and to help people access the support they need.
A Council pop-up in Gilmerton Library is also offering information on benefits, building skills, money advice and links to the community food pantry in Gilmerton community centre.
Information for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can also be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages
Travellers to Europe subject to new entry registrations from today under a phased implementation of the EU’s new digital border system
The Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken.
From today, 12 October, British passport-holders will need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating. Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.
The new system will be phased in over six months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods.
On exit, and for subsequent visits to a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border.
EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.
For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.
The government has supported these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5m of funding for border infrastructure to make the change as smooth as possible for travellers.
While EES is an EU system, the government has been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.
“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.
“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”
Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the process is free. Registration will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.
Whilst the checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where registration will be completed in the UK prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.
Last month, the UK government launched an awareness campaign to help prepare British travellers for the new system.
Messages advising the public about the changes have been shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.
The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.
British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements.
Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.
The UK Government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation at its Edinburgh store, in partnership with Needlefresh.
Dobbies Community Christmas Tree campaign will see stores across the UK giving away more than 220 Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to help spread joy during the festivities.
Participants will need to fill out a short application form, entries close Thursday 6 November at 5pm.
Leith already has two-thirds of all PBSA beds in Edinburgh – 6,332 out of 9,873 citywide. Despite this, developers keep proposing more blocks, even though Leith has no university campus and our area gains little direct benefit.
LCCC is calling for a moratorium on any new PBSA developments in Leith.
You can read our full position paper here 
https://tinyurl.com/jvntj3cm
Hallowe’en pumpkin walk and hunt this Monday! All accompanied children welcome.
