Month: December 2025

Statement following guilty verdict for Scottish Palestine Campaign founder Mick Napier

From JEWISH COUNCIL OF SCOTLAND and GLASGOW JEWISH REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

“Glasgow Jewish Representative Council and the Jewish Council of Scotland welcome yesterday’s Glasgow Sheriff Court verdict finding Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign founder member Mick Napier guilty of a racially aggravated breach of Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

“As reported in the media, we understand that Mr Napier was found guilty of having behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm, aggravated by prejudice related to religion, or a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation, in this case directed towards Sammy Stein – a Jewish person.

“There must be no place for antisemitism – in any guise – in Scotland.”

Henry Lovat President, Glasgow Jewish Representative CouncilTimothy Lovat Chair, Jewish Council of Scotland

Israeli genocide cheerleaders secure conviction against lifelong anti-racist and Palestine solidarity organiser

STATEMENT from SCOTTISH PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN

Palestinian protest Edinburgh 17th oct’ 2015

In Glasgow’s Sheriff Court today (Tuesday 23 December), Sheriff John McCormick handed down a shocking verdict, finding SPSC founding member Mick Napier guilty of racism for verbally calling out the leader of Glasgow Friends of Israel.

The same sheriff jailed five activists last August for trying to interdict the supply of arms from Thales in Govan to the genocidal Israeli military.

The pro-Israel group whose leader made the complaint of racism on which the police, prosecutors and sheriff acted,

  • described Palestinians murdered by Israel as “euthanised”
  • welcomed the 2019 mass murder of 51 Muslims in New Zealand as “payback for what they have done around the world”
  • discussed how a Muslim lawyer, who supported Palestine, “should be strangled with her own scarf”
  • called two anti-Zionist rabbis “disgusting Jews”

The complainer, Sammy Stein, joined a recent anti-asylum seeker, pro-genocide demonstration organised by Tommy Robinson supporters in Glasgow and worked with a well-known fascist, antisemite and holocaust denier to harass Palestine supporters.

An appeal against conviction and the £600 fine has been lodged.

SPSC will continue our work to expose Glasgow Friends of Israel, including Sammy Stein, as the genocide deniers and cheerleaders that they are. They work in collaboration with Israeli government officials to target SPSC, our members and partners, because the international Palestine solidarity movement to boycott and isolate Israel is growing and making an impact.

It is critical that we continue to organise and build the movement in Scotland – if you are not already an SPSC member, you can join here.

You can also support our Fighting Fund appeal here – to be effective, we must also defend our rights.

Our fight continues. Look out for notices about hunger striker and wider court support.

PICTURE: Craig McLean

Concern over cancer waiting times

PUBLIC Health Scotland has released a new CancerWaiting Times report.

These latest figures show that, during the last quarter for which results are available, from July-September 2025, around 1,400 (29.3 per cent) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral.     

The report shows that only 70.7 per cent of patients on an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days during this quarter.

This is well below the 95 per cent target and is the fifth worst performance on record (since 2012).    

2025-12-23_cwt_summary_finalDownload

The full Public Health Scotland report can be found here:   

https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/36574/2025-12-23_cwt-report.pdf  

Dr Sorcha Hume, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, said: “Waiting to find out if you have cancer is a hugely distressing time for people. 

“NHS staff are also stretched to the limit and, without action, delays will persist.  

“As we approach the new year, the Scottish Government must make a firm resolution to invest in the NHS workforce and equipment, as well as innovative ways of working. 

“There’s no time to lose. The cancer crisis is urgent. Without immediate action, countless lives will be lost.” 

More information on how Cancer Research UK believes waiting times can be tackled can be found in Longer better lives: a manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland   

Devolved_Nations_Manifestos_-_Scotland_-_accDownload

Hibernian Women’s players support Scottish family charity with Nuby

Two Hibernian Women players have helped bring festive cheer to local families this Christmas, donating Santa Surprise Boxes to a Scottish charity on behalf of baby brand Nuby.

Lauren Doran-Barr and Tegan Bowie donated 15 Nuby ‘Santa Surprise Boxes’ to Circle, a charity that supports children and families across Scotland who are facing challenging circumstances.

The festive boxes were hand delivered to the Circle head offices, and are designed to bring joy to young children during the Christmas period, helping to ease pressure on families at what can be a particularly difficult time of year.

Circle works closely with families to improve outcomes for children, offering practical, emotional and relationship-based support to help build stronger, safer and more resilient family lives.

The donation forms part of Nuby’s commitment to supporting families beyond its products, using its partnerships to give back to local communities and make a positive difference where it is most needed.

James Watson, head of marketing at Nuby, said, “Christmas should be a joyful time for every child, but we know that isn’t always the reality for families facing difficult circumstances.

“These Santa Surprise Boxes are a small way for us to help spread some festive cheer, and we’re proud to support Circle and the vital work they do for families across Scotland. Working alongside Hibs players Lauren and Tegan to deliver this donation makes the initiative even more meaningful.”

The visit also reflects Nuby’s wider partnership with Hibernian Women, which focuses on supporting family-centred causes and creating positive community impact through women’s football.

Andrew Morrison, commercial partnerships executive at Hibernian Football Club, said: “We’re proud to see our players supporting initiatives that make a genuine difference in the local community.

“Partnerships like this with Nuby allow us to use the platform of women’s football to support families and charities doing vital work, and it’s fantastic to see Lauren and Tegan playing such an active role.”

Lauren Doran-Barr and Tegan Bowie said they were delighted to be involved in the donation and to help make Christmas a little brighter for children supported by Circle.

Get the Right Care at the Right Place

People should follow NHS inform guidance before calling 111 or 999

First Minister John Swinney has urged people to ensure they get the Right Care at the Right Place by checking the NHS inform website in the first instance if they become unwell.

During a visit to NHS 24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), the First Minister thanked staff for their commitment to keeping the public as safe and informed as possible ahead of the busy festive period.

The guidance in the NHS Winter Preparedness plan sets out that anyone feeling unwell should:

  • check the NHS inform website for guidance and advice on symptoms. Around a quarter of 111 calls result in self-care advice, checking the website instead of calling ensures people can safely treat their symptoms without calling for help
  • call 111 if anyone thinks they need A&E but it is not a life-threatening emergency, support for mental health distress, or advice when the GP, pharmacy, or dental practice is closed
  • only attend A&E for genuine emergencies that cannot wait
  • call 999 immediately for life-threatening emergencies

First Minister John Swinney said: “We know that demand for the NHS increases quite substantially over the festive period and there are a number of steps you can take to help yourself if you become unwell.

“In the first instance, check the symptom checkers on the NHS inform website – it can help you decide what to do next. If you still require medical help, NHS 24’s 111 service is there for you and dedicated professionals can provide advice.  

“A&E is expected to be exceptionally busy in the coming weeks so only attend if you have a genuine emergency that requires urgent medical treatment.

“Our dedicated NHS staff will continue working throughout the festive period to provide support and care for the people of Scotland. I’m extremely grateful for their hard work and my thanks go out to all of you.”

Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Michael Dickson OBE said: “Winter is always an exceptionally busy period and as demand on our service increases, we’re asking the public to use our service responsibly by only phoning 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

“Currently over 50% of our calls are managed without having to take patients to A&E. However, for those who do need hospital treatment, system-wide pressures, including lengthy handover times in key areas, are having a direct impact on our ability to get crews back on the road to reach other patients.

“Our fantastic staff are working extremely hard and we continue to prioritise those patients who are most critically ill. For those patients who are not critically ill, they may have to wait longer for an ambulance than usual and we thank the public for their patience; we will try to get to them as quickly as we can.”

NHS 24 Executive Medical Director Dr Ron Cook said: “With public holidays limiting access to GP and pharmacy services for four consecutive days across both festive weekends, NHS 24 is forecasting a significant rise in demand for our services as other primary care services take a well‑earned break.

“We plan carefully to ensure we have the right staff in place so people can access the right care in the right place. Our teams bring a wide range of skills, and every practitioner and clinician will play a vital role in supporting patients and each other to stay well during this busy period.

“We realise it’s not possible to cover every health eventuality, but we encourage everyone to plan ahead if possible. Make sure you have your prescription medicines, have over‑the‑counter remedies available at home, and check in on vulnerable friends or family. By preparing now, you can protect your festive time and avoid unnecessary interruptions.”

Self-help guides can be found on NHS inform

98% of Scottish retail workers call for shops to be closed on New Year’s Day and Boxing Day

Exhausted staff need a decent break says Usdaw

Retail trade union Usdaw has today published a poll of over 1,000 of its members in Scotland, which shows that 98% are calling for large stores to be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. This would give staff a decent break over the festive period after a busy run-up to Christmas.

Usdaw has called on retailers to close early on Christmas Eve and to keep stores shut until 27 December, along with an early close on New Year’s Eve and remaining closed until 2 January.

The union says that if stores do open, they should only be staffed with genuine volunteers on premium pay. Usdaw also asks shoppers to respect retail staff who far too often face violence, threats and abuse at work.

Voices from the festive frontline: 

Some of the comments from Scottish retail workers who completed the Usdaw festive working survey, when asked what impact Boxing Day and New Year’s Day working has on them:

·         You can’t properly enjoy Christmas Day or Hogmanay if you know you are having to work the next day. It feels like precious family time has been taken from you.

·         I have a young child and my partner has split shifts (essential worker). I don’t want to spoil someone else’s days to look after my child.

·         We should all be able to have time with our families over the festive season, and a decent break. We work so much on the run up to Christmas.

·         Unable to properly relax and enjoy time off with family, knowing you’ve got work the next day, also unable to make plans for long weekends over bank holidays.

·         We are open every other day of the year; what difference would having 25th-26th and 1st of Jan off make?

·         I’m actually working on New Year’s Day this year so having to miss out on our family get together. I think large shops should be closed.

Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says: “Hogmanay and New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.

“Too many do not get a decent break over the Christmas and New Year period. After working so hard to ensure we can all get ready to celebrate, they can arrive home shattered and have to spend time on Christmas Day and Hogmanay getting ready for work the next day. This is why 98% of retail workers want shops to shut on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

“While Usdaw has successfully secured the closure of large stores on Christmas Day, the rest of the holiday season can see extended trading days for many. By the time retail workers get to the festivities, they will have been through a very busy run-up to Christmas.

“Where we have agreements to negotiate with employers, we have reached national agreements for shops to be staffed with genuine volunteers only, and our workplace reps are supporting members to help make sure that happens at store level.

“We also send our appreciation to those workers behind the shopfront who have to work on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, not least in distribution, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

“Our message to customers is have a great Christmas and a happy New Year. Please appreciate all those who have to work over the festive period. If you must shop on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, please treat the staff with respect and understand they would most likely rather have the time off.”

When Christmas stops being merry

Top tips for avoiding festive conflict from leading relationship support charity 

The festive period is supposed to be full of goodwill and kindness, but what happens when it stops being merry?  For many, Christmas can be extremely fraught, often resulting in conflict, with stress, financial worries and the pressures of expectation creating strain on relationships. 

Relationships Scotland, the largest provider of relationship support in the country, is offering advice to families and couples looking for a more peaceful Christmas. They say communication is key but don’t be afraid to seek help if everything becomes too much. 

Stuart Valentine, Chief Executive of Relationships Scotland said: “Many people are at risk of setting high expectations of what Christmas should be like, but sadly for some the reality is far from magical.

“Financial pressure is one of the biggest sources of stress at this time of year, and this can very quickly manifest itself into conflict and relationship turmoil. 

“Our advice to families this Christmas is to focus on spending good quality time with your loved ones and don’t get into debt in the hope of having the perfect Christmas. If things do get too much, always remember that support is available, with relationship counselling and family mediation available across the country.”

Relationships Scotland is offering some top tips to look after your mental health during the festive period:

Set boundaries with family

There can be a lot of pressure to see every member of your family at Christmas time. However, it is important to set boundaries to ensure you have a happy Christmas. If you only feel comfortable spending 30 minutes with your parents or in-laws, set that boundary and stick to it.

Don’t compare yourself to social media

It is so easy to see Christmas content on social media platforms and feel overwhelmed by these expectations.

Extravagant door decorations, festive tablescapes can be beautiful but these are costly and unnecessary. When you look back at your Christmas memories, it is not the decorations you remember, it’s the fun and laughter.

Do what feels right for you

Christmas can be anything you want it to be. Although the traditional turkey and all the trimmings is lovely, cooking can be a stressful experience and not to everyone’s taste.

Why not do something out of the norm that makes you happy? Chuck some pizzas in the oven, order a Chinese takeaway, or graze on a cheeseboard. 

Relationships Scotland’s unique network of 21 Member Services operates in communities all over Scotland, from the Borders to Shetland and the Western Isles, ensuring it is able to meet the needs of families across the country. 

It provides high quality, specialist support services, working with children, young people, couples, individuals and families to help reduce conflict, improve communication and ensure that people are supported to manage times of relationship crisis and breakdown. 

Free support available for benefit applications 

People urged not to pay for help to apply

Anyone in Scotland who needs additional support to apply for benefits can receive free help to complete their applications.  

There are several options available for people who need support:  

Social Security Scotland’s Client Advisers can help people by talking to them by phone or through webchat.  

We can support people to apply over the phone on 0800 182 2222 or via webchat.

People can also get help in their communities from our team of local advisers.

In addition, the Scottish Government funds an independent advocacy service to deliver free advice and support to disabled people applying for benefits.

Organisations including Citizens Advice Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, Age Scotland and local authority welfare rights teams can also help. 

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I urge everyone to avoid any company asking people for money to help them apply for benefits. Free support is readily available from Social Security Scotland and several organisations.

“People should get every penny of the vital support we are delivering to help them live with dignity. Companies charging fees to make benefit applications are exploiting people and taking money from those who need it most.” 


 
Derek Mitchell, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said:  “Our advisers in local Citizens Advice Bureaus across Scotland provide free and confidential advice expert advice that gets money back in people’s pockets.

“Whether you need that face to face, over the phone or online, advisers based in local communities will work with you and make sure you get all the support you need.  

“No one should have to pay for advice to get the social security payments they’re entitled to. Every penny of the nearly £170 million we secured for people last year, stayed with them.” 

Operation Portaledge: Man convicted of Wilful Fireraising

A 24-year-old man has been convicted of wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.

Logan Carlin pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.

The incidents took place on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and Sunday, 16 March, 2025 in Albert Street and Milton Road East.

Carlin was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and reset of a stolen vehicle.

He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, we understand that it was a concerning incident for the local community.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country and highlights our commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Santa joins visitors at busy shopping centre

The tills were ringing at the weekend at The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, with visitors enjoying the pre-Christmas sales, with a few of them also taking time out to share their wish lists with Santa.

Rhona McGill from Galashiels, who was visiting with her soon-to-be daughter in-law, Mhairi Kyle, picked up lots of bargains from stores including New Look, River Island and H&M, said: “We are having a great day out at The Centre, Livingston ticking off our presents list and of course getting some nice bits and pieces for ourselves too. 

“We tend to visit regularly as there’s so many great shops to choose from, and being indoors helps, especially at this time of year.

“We still have a few gifts to get, including aftershave for my husband, new pajamas too, which we’ll get from Primark, and then we’ll pop into one of my all-time-favourite stores, Yankee Candle, to pick up a few of their festive scented candles, which always capture the magic of Christmas and make for great stocking fillers too.”

Santa, who has been popping into The Centre, Livingston to greet families ahead of the big day for 19 years, also took time out of his busy schedule to pick up some surprises for Mrs Claus from Pandora, assisted by his helpful elf.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “This has been a fantastic year for us at The Centre, Livingston as we’ve welcomed so many new retailers including MINISO, Flying Tiger and Wingstop, which helps to enhance the overall experience even more for our customers when they visit.

“It was a win-win for lots of our shoppers at the weekend who also took advantage of the pre-Christmas sales and managed to catch up with Santa too!”

Pic Greg Macvean 06/12/2025 The Centre, Livingston Christmas Sale Pics & CHAS gift card

At The Centre, Livingston, which is visited by over 14.8m people a year, there’s over 150 stores and restaurants, including M&S, Lush, Rituals, JD Sports, The Entertainer, wagamama and Nando’s, and over 3000 parking spaces

Invitation: Communities at Christmas

Welcoming around 100 adults experiencing homelessness and/or isolation, Communities at Christmas is a collaboration of

  • Goodies Simon Community Scotland &

🎄 Breakfast, showers, games & four Christmas dinner servings!

https://southsidecommunitycentre.co.uk/communities-at-christmas-2025/