16 recommendations to improve working conditions in the creative industries
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed recommendations from an independent Taskforce set up to advise on current employment conditions in Scotland’s culture and creative industries.
Following extensive engagement with the sectors, the Culture Fair Work Taskforce has published a total of 16 recommendations for how Fair Work conditions in the sector could be improved, in response to concerns raised around precarious freelance work, unpaid internships and fair pay and conditions.
The recommendations include:
the creation of a disputes and adjudication mechanism to handle disputes between employers and staff
safeguarding of creatives’ work against theft from AI misappropriation, and
an increased role for Creative Scotland in ensuring Fair Work.
The Culture Secretary said: “I am very grateful to members of the independent Taskforce for their work on this report, which identifies a number of areas for improvement when it comes to how Fair Work is embedded in Scotland’s creative industries.
“I will take time to carefully consider the detail of the recommendations for Scottish Government and will update Parliament in due course on the actions we will take in response. Given that some would intersect with reserved legislation, I will also be writing urgently to ask my UK Government counterparts to consider what actions they can take.”
Briana Pegado, Chair of the independent Taskforce said: “It has been a pleasure chairing the Independent Culture Fair Work Taskforce with colleagues from across the creative industries and culture sector.
“Union representation, arts organisations, industry membership bodies, enterprise agencies, local authorities, creative networks, historic bodies, museums and freelancers have all been represented. Creative Scotland has also been represented on this task force. I am so grateful to the Taskforce members that have contributed their time, energy and expertise to this work.
“There has been a real commitment to crafting a set of recommendations that speak to areas as broad as fair pay and remuneration to the impact of AI on the cultural sector workforce. Considerations of equity and inclusion as well as how fair work may be enforced are all part of our recommendations.
“I am confident that many of our recommendations signal radical, innovative solutions to fair work that will help Scotland reach its ambitions to be a Fair Work Nation by 2030.
“Models across the continent have been considered and approaches across different industries have been reviewed. I am confident that our recommendations and draft charter prove to be a roadmap for the future of Fair Work that demonstrates a real appetite for systemic change can exist alongside practical solutions grounded in deeply embedded partnership working.
“I hope the Cabinet Secretary and other Ministers take our recommendations into consideration and I thank them for trusting us with this piece of work. I look forward to their response.”
Our tree is up in Corstorphine Library, and we’ve got almost as many baubles as we do Christmas books that you can borrow!
There have already been some collections made thanks to the efforts of the Corstorphine Christmas Support Project and the generosity of our community.
We are still collecting food and toiletry donations until Tuesday 9th December if you can help put some essentials and treats under the tree of someone in need.
If you are able to donate time or money instead, please check out their website below:
The popular supermarket is supporting Scotland’s homegrown sporting talent by extending its popular Scottish Sports Fund initiative with a one-off Champion’s Award
In celebration of Scotland’s historic 4-2 win over Denmark, which placed the national men’s football team in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, Aldi Scotland has launched a new round of funding to support the next generation of Scottish sporting talent.
Building on the success of its long-running Aldi Scottish Sport Fund, the retailer has unveiled its Scottish Champion’s Award providing an additional £2,500 in funding to one sports club in Scotland that demonstrates its commitment to developing young talent. Funds can be used at the club’s discretion helping them access essential equipment, coaching, and facilities.
The initiative aims to harness the excitement and national pride generated by Scotland’s remarkable performance, ensuring young people across the country are empowered to follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes.
Aldi Scotland introduced its Scottish Sport Fund in 2016 to support individuals of all ages and abilities to get involved in physical activity in their local communities. The past decade has seen Aldi Scotland support over 650 clubs across Scotland, giving away almost £500,000, with the fund improving community access to sport across the country.
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund welcomes applications from all sporting organisations that meet the specified criteria. Past winners include South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club, Newton Stewart Ladies FC, Elie & Earlsferry Sailing Club, Bearsden Snowsports and Inverness Shinty Club.
Funding supported the clubs in securing and upgrading training space, acquiring new kits and equipment, and welcoming more participants to join sessions and reap the many benefits from playing sports.
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Scotland’s win was a moment of immense pride for the whole nation. At Aldi Scotland, we want to help ensure this momentum carries on by supporting the athletes and clubs that serve as the backbone of Scottish sport.
“Our Scottish Sports Fund is one of our most successful community initiatives providing local clubs with the equipment and support they need to make a difference at a grassroots level.
“To be able to build on this success with an additional Champion’s Award in honour of the Scotland team is a great feeling, and we look forward to working with clubs to help encourage the next generation of national sporting heroes.”
Sports clubs located across the Lothians have from Friday 5 December 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026 to apply for funding and applications are open to everyone, including those who have applied for funding previously.
One applicant will be selected to receive £2,500 of funding. Applications can be made via the application form found on https://www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.
The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and the winner will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within six weeks from the deadline.
Please see the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund Terms and Conditions for more information, these can be found on the application form hosted on Aldi Scotland social channels.
Vertu Hyundai Edinburgh East and West are helping Santa Claus and the Craigalmond Scout Group spread festive cheer and raise money for charity by lending a Hyundai SANTA FE to tow their Christmas sleigh through the streets of Edinburgh.
From 7th – 13th December, the specially branded SANTA FE will support the Scouts’ annual sleigh ride, a tradition that sees volunteers dressed as elves and Santa himself greeting families along the route.
This year, the sleigh will travel through Cammo, Cramond, Barnton, Craigmount, Silverknowes and Parkgrove each evening, with children invited to stop the sleigh for a photo with Santa and donate to the cause.
Funds raised will support Cancer Card, and help finance the Scout group’s expeditions.
The initiative was spearheaded by Sandra Smit, CMA Accountant at Vertu Hyundai Edinburgh East and West, and Scout Leader with the Craigalmond group. Her own children are members of the Scouts, making the event a personal highlight of the season.
The dealerships responded enthusiastically to the request, fitting the vehicle with a roof rack to help transport gifts and decorating it to reflect the festive spirit.
Sandra said: “The sleigh ride is something our community looks forward to every year. It’s magical for the children and meaningful for the Scouts.
“Having Vertu Hyundai Edinburgh East and West donate the use of the SANTA FE to pull Santa’s Sleigh means we can reach more families and raise even more for the causes we care about.”
Arun Raghu, CMA General Manager at Vertu Hyundai Edinburgh East and West said: “When Sandra approached us, we didn’t hesitate. The Scouts do fantastic work locally, and this is a brilliant way to support them while bringing Christmas joy to the community.
“The SANTA FE might not fly, but it’s certainly going to make an impression!”
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
LAST CHANCECold War Scotland Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Until 4 Jan 2026 10:00 – 17:00 Free
Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.
Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling.
The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.
COMING SOON Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Opening 31 Jan 2026 Tickets from £13
Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago.
Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family friendly exhibition.The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Morning 7 Dec 10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30) Free admission, drop-in
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.
Ash Rise Afternoon 7 Dec 14:00-16:30 Auditorium, Level 1 £5, £4 Members & conc.
Join us for a special film screening and panel discussion to hear about the Ash Rise project. Learn more about Scotland’s native ash tree, the challenges of ash die-back and how the material is celebrated in contemporary furniture making.
Live Music Mondays 15 Dec 12:45 – 13:30 Free, drop in
Come along to free live music performances, featuring folk, classical, traditional Scottish, and modern fusion styles. In collaboration with Live Music Now Scotland, we are bringing live music into the heart of our museum. With experienced performers and rising stars of live music, each week features a different soloist, duo, or ensemble.
Drawn Together at the Museum 27 – 30 Dec 10:30-16:00 Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, drop-in
Join us in the National Museum of Scotland this festive period and be inspired to sketch some of the fascinating objects in our collection. Whether it’s an old favourite or something new to you, there will be plenty to catch your eye in our galleries.
Shimmy, sparkle, and sing your way into the New Year as Sprogmanay returns for 2026. Enjoy an afternoon of fun for all ages with live music and performances. The full programme will be announced in December.
Conservation in action: Film showcase and panel 17 Jan 2026 13:30-15:00 Auditorium, Level 1 £5 adults, £4 conc.
From the wilds of Alaska to our very own National Museums Collection Centre in Granton, join us to explore inspiring conservation and environmental stories. In partnership with the Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (ECFF) and Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN), see a selection of short films and hear more from our panel of conservation champions.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Festive Weekend 6 & 7 Dec 11:00-16:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Bring the family for a weekend of festive activities, and storytelling at the National Museum of Rural Life.
Get hands on with nature-inspired crafts in the Learning Centre, make some eco-friendly reindeer food to take home, then follow our festive trail around the museum galleries. Sign up on the day for panto-style storytelling in the theatre with the team from Macastory.
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life Last Tuesday of every month 14:30-17:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Afternoon for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Tractor Tots Jan & Feb 2026 Learning Centre £25 per child for block of 3, £20 per Member child for block of 3
Running in blocks of three sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to rural life through interactive creative play. Each session will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Conservation Hangar Talks Until 29 Mar 2026 14:00-15:00 Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking required.
Join a member of our Visitor Experience team for a behind-the-scenes look in our Conservation hangar on a free daily talk at 14:00. Find out about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display and have the chance to see conservators at work.
Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00 Free with museum admission
Join us for a Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight, for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.
Edinburgh’s pop-up arts festival confirms 2026 return following major funding boost, with immediate call for artists to get involved
Hidden Door has announced its highly anticipated return to Edinburgh next year, with the multi-arts event taking place from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th June 2026.
The announcement follows confirmation of vital support from Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Fund, a major funding commitment that secures the future of the festival through to 2027 and enables the volunteer-run charity to embark on ambitious planning for 2026.
Following the success of transforming The Paper Factory earlier this year, Hidden Door is ready to begin the search for the next wave of talent to join the 2026 programme. The festival, known for showcasing and supporting new and emerging artists, is immediately opening its doors for applications from visual artists keen to present work as part of the 2026 programme.
Further open calls will follow in the new year inviting poets, dancers, theatre-makers and other creatives to get involved. The festival provides a unique, highly visible platform for artists to reach large audiences and test new ideas within an immersive and dynamic environment.
Hazel Johnson, Hidden Door’s Director, said: “This support from the Creative Scotland Multi-Year Fund is truly transformative for Hidden Door.
“As a volunteer-run organisation, securing funding for 2026 and 2027 gives us the stability and freedom to be more ambitious than ever, allowing us to focus entirely on finding and championing incredible emerging Scottish talent.
“We are so excited to immediately open our visual art open call and to welcome the innovative ideas that will define our next chapter. We look forward to working with artists to turn another forgotten space into a vibrant cultural hub.”
Hidden Door is committed to ensuring fair pay for all artists. The funding from Creative Scotland, alongside ticket revenue, donations and sponsorship, means the festival has created paid opportunities for thousands of artists and performers since 2010.
In keeping with its tradition of transforming disused or abandoned spaces into temporary venues, the location for the 2026 festival remains a closely guarded secret for now. Hidden Door will announce the venue in the New Year, ahead of the full programme reveal.
Government calls on the public to get out together and shop local on Small Business Saturday
National celebration of the UK’s entrepreneurs comes off the back of the flagship Small Business Plan to boost the nation’s 5.7m small businesses with the strongest reforms to tackle late payments in 25 years
New ‘Backing Your Business’ campaign launched to help businesses get what they need to thrive, from sole traders and start-ups to high street shops and family businesses
Help support your local small businesses this busy Christmas period – that’s the message from the government today as it calls on friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to come together and shop local on Small Business Saturday (6 December) – a national celebration of the UK’s entrepreneurs and the 5.7 million small businesses that power our economy.
Small businesses employ 60% of the UK workforce, generate £2.8 trillion in turnover, and are the backbone of communities across the country. New data shows that supporting them this festive season could deliver a £5 billion boost for SMEs, with spending expected to rise 19% on last year.
The launch of the new Backing Your Business campaign comes hot on the heels of the Government’s flagship Small Business Plan, which includes the strongest reforms to tackle late payments in 25 years – designed to help sole traders, start-ups, family firms and high street shops access the support they need to thrive.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world and our Small Business Plan is a key driver to accelerating that potential.
“This Small Business Saturday is a great chance to get out to your local high streets and support small businesses.
“Whether it’s your local shop, tradesperson, or high street retailer, these are the people who work day and night and power our communities and our economy.”
Ministers have been out and about vising a range of inspiring small businesses in the lead up to Saturday, including the innovative Stoke animation studio Carse and Waterman, award winning Glaswegian sweet shop Jeavons Toffee, and London’s boutique dog groomers Bow Wow.
Michelle Ovens CBE, Director, Small Business Saturday UK said: “Small businesses are the nation’s favourites businesses and they are essential to both their communities and the whole economy.
“Indeed our research with American Express found 95% of people feel small businesses add value to local areas and 84% believe the nation needs to support them.
“At this crucial time of year for many small firms it is vital that the nation remembers their favourite small businesses and goes out to support them this Small Business Saturday and beyond.”
If small business across the UK grow by just 1 percentage point annually this could add £320 billion to the economy by 2030. As well as the campaign, the government is focused on delivering for small business by:
Tackling late payments with the strongest reforms in 25 years, going further than any previous government.
Putting more money in customers’ pockets by taking £150 off energy bills, and freezing rail fares and prescription charges.
Raising the rate when small businesses start to pay national insurance.
Slashing electricity prices for thousands of manufacturing businesses.
Making training for under-25 apprenticeships free for small businesses.
Supporting working parents with 30 hours free childcare a week saving £7,500.
Capping the increase in business rates as pandemic support measures taper off, with a £4.3 billion package meaning most business property increases are capped at 15%.
Doubling eligibility for enterprise tax incentives to help fast-growing firms attract investment and talent.
Slashing red tape so that more bars and pubs can expand outdoor dining
Earlier this year, the flagship Small Business Plan was launched alongside the Business Growth Service, which included a series of measures aimed at boosting finance but also tackling the scourge of late payments with proposed laws that would be the most comprehensive reforms for 25 years.
The government has since worked closely with businesses and concluded its consultation on late payments, and it will deliver its response in the new year.
That finance package included a £4bn finance boost including £1bn for start-ups with 69,000 Start-Up Loans and mentoring support, and a further £3bn boost to the British Business Bank that will help lenders offer more accessible small business loans through the ENABLE programme.
POLICE are appealing for help from the public to trace Aleighsha Brechin, 13, who has been reported missing from Prestonpans.
Aleighsha was last seen 08:30am on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025. She is described as being 5ft 4in in height and was wearing a black hooded jumper, black tracksuit bottoms and white Nike trainers when last seen.
Aleighsha may be within East Lothian but also has links to Edinburgh including Fort Kinnaird.
It is out of character for Aleighsha to be out of contact with family or friends and we are asking anyone who may have seen her to contact us.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0076 4th December 2025
Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
Challenge: Ask yourself, could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to us.
