Parents and carers in Scotland have until midnight on 28 February 2026 to apply for over £300 of support for children when they are old enough to start primary school.
School Age Payment is worth £319.80 for each child to help with the cost of preparing for school.
The payment helps carers and families facing additional costs at a key stage in a child’s development. The money can be spent on anything a child needs for school, including clothes, school trips and stationery.
Part of the Best Start Grant package, which is unique to Scotland, School Age Payment is available for children born between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021. Parents and carers can receive the payment for multiple children born during this time and there is no requirement to take up a place at school.
Since the launch of Best Start Grant in 2018, Social Security Scotland has delivered School Age Payment to more than 114,000 parents and carers.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Families and carers should not miss out on support they are entitled to – especially at such an important milestone in a child’s life.
School Age Payment helps ease the financial pressures of starting school while playing an important role in our mission to tackle child poverty. I strongly encourage parents and carers to check if they are eligible and apply before the February deadline to make sure their child gets the best start possible.”
A person may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if they or their partner meet all these conditions:
live in Scotland
are pregnant or have a child who’s the right age for a payment
are the main person looking after the child
get certain benefits or payments
The person or their partner must get one of these qualifying benefits to be eligible for Best Start Grant and Foods:
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Pension Credit
income-based Jobseekers Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
People under 20 years old who do not get one of these payments, may still be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.
Social Security Scotland automatically pays School Age Payment to eligible people who get Scottish Child Payment. If people do not receive Scottish Child Payment or have opted out of automatic payments, they are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 28 February 2026.
Some families who are not eligible for Scottish Child Payment might still be eligible for the School Age Payment. This includes parents and carers who receive housing benefit; are under 18 and do not receive any other benefits; or are 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else who receives benefits for them.
School Age Payment has not replaced School Clothing Grant. School Age Payment does not affect payments of School Clothing Grant in any way. Eligible parents and carers can apply for both payments.
Social Security Scotland usually only makes each of the payments once for the same child. If responsibility for the child changes, they may make extra payments to the person who’s now responsible for the child. For example, if a child moves to live with a different kinship carer or adoptive parent within the same application window.
Whilst councils have made significant savings, the cost of delivering services is rising faster than available funding. This risks the financial sustainability of councils over the next three to five years, says public spending watchdog.
Although Scottish Government funding to councils has been increasing, this hasn’t kept pace with rising costs and demand. Councils are overspending on delivering services and borrowing more.
In its latest update on council finances, the Accounts Commission report that councils face a budget gap of nearly £1 billion by 2027.
In 2024/25, councils met 90 per cent of their savings targets. But for the first time in six years, they reported a collective overspend on the costs of delivering services. Debt levels are increasing. Many are relying on reserves.
Whilst councils are increasing the amount of money they raise through fees and charges, income generated isn’t keeping pace with rising costs and inflation.
With Scottish Government funding to deliver capital projects falling, councils are also taking on more debt to deliver local infrastructure projects such as building schools and housing.
Derek Yule, member of the Accounts Commission, said: “Despite increased funding and income, councils are struggling to cope with the financial pressures they face. A growing gap between costs to deliver services and funding available is risking the financial sustainability of councils.
“We’re already seeing the impact on services – the pace of improvement is slowing, some services are being cut or are harder to access and there are growing levels of dissatisfaction from communities. Councils must fundamentally reconfigure how they operate and deliver services.”
Commenting on the report, Cllr Ricky Bell, COSLA Spokesperson for Resources, said: “While we acknowledge increases in uncommitted funding in the local government settlement, today’s report reinforces the message that local government finances are under severe and growing strain.
“Councils have worked hard to manage budgets responsibly, delivering significant savings year on year and meeting the vast majority of savings targets. However, there is a clear limit to what can be achieved without impacting the services communities rely on. Increasing reliance on reserves, borrowing and fees and charges is not a sustainable long-term solution.
“As we look ahead to 2026/27, the budget settlement falls far short of what is needed to sustain essential local services without difficult decisions being made locally.
“We are especially concerned by the continued underfunding of social care and the Real Living Wage across portfolios.
“The medium-term outlook for local government is deeply concerning, with continued de-prioritisation and the prospect of significant real-terms cuts. If councils are to remain financially sustainable and continue delivering for communities, there must be a more honest conversation about funding, priorities and local flexibility.
“Urgent action is needed to ensure councils have the resources and certainty required to support Scotland’s people and places now and in the future.”
Scotland’s bakery sector came together yesterday at Fife College, Dunfermline in a spectacular celebration of skill, creativity and jam filled ambition at the Scottish Baker of the Year 2026 Empire Biscuit Challenge.
The event marked the official launch of the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards, which will take place in May 2026.
Hosted by Great British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins, the high energy challenge saw four bakeries go head to head to create the world’s largest Empire Biscuit, and attempt to break an unofficial world record.
Industry Icons Harry Gow and McGhee’s competed against Local Heroes Company Bakery and John Gillespie & Sons, pushing the limits of scale and structure in a bold test of baking expertise.
An expert judging panel crowned industry icon Harry Gow the “Empire Biscuit Champion” for their incredible 78 inches Empire Biscuit, claiming the title of the largest Empire Biscuit ever created. The victory adds to Harry Gow’s impressive credentials as previous Scottish Baker of the Year winners.
David Gow, Managing Director at Harry Gow Bakery, said: “Being part of the Empire Biscuit Challenge has been an absolute blast. The scale, the detail, the friendly rivalry, it was all amazing.
“Huge congratulations to everyone who took part, and we’re delighted to bring the win home for the Icons today!”
Peter Sawkins, The Great British Bake Off winner 2020 and host of the Empire Biscuit Challenge, added: “There was such a great atmosphere throughout the day, competitive, yes, but also incredibly supportive.
“Everyone involved should be proud of what they achieved. It’s events like this that remind you how strong and connected the Scottish baking community really is.”
Lesley Cameron, CEO at Scottish Bakers, commented: “What a brilliant day celebrating the incredible talent across Scotland’s baking industry. Whether you’re a Local Hero or an Icon, today was about pushing creativity, precision, and teamwork to the next level.
“We’d also like to thank our Awards Partner BAKO, the leading supplier of Bakery Products and Ingredients servicing customers across the UK, for their invaluable support. Congratulations to our winners and to every baker who took part, you’ve made history and made Scotland very, very jammy!”
McGhees and Company Bakery donated their empire biscuits to local food banks, while Harry Gow and John Gillespie & Sons have gifted their empire biscuits for Fife College to enjoy.
The Empire Biscuit Challenge officially launches the new look Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2026, a one day and night competition celebrating excellence across Scotland’s bakery sector. Driven by industry insight and expert judging, the awards aim to boost bakery pride, unite bakers, and raise consumer awareness of the skill behind Scotland’s baking.
Entries for the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2026 are now open. Bakeries across Scotland are invited to enter.
Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses to gain practical AI skills for work – as joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 million workers
Free AI foundations training for all workers expanded by government to upskill 10 million people, with new partners including NHS and techUK
Government to ensure UK workers benefit from the changes AI will bring, through launch of new cross-government unit to advise on AI’s economic and labour market impacts
£27 million funding to connect people to tech jobs in local communities, and create new professional practice courses and graduate traineeships
Plans unveiled as Technology Secretary vows to make Britain the leading AI adopter in the G7 and build a workforce that excels in developing, adopting and benefiting from AI
Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses to gain practical AI skills for work – as the joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 million workers.
In order to make Britain the fastest adopting AI country in the G7, the UK is setting ambitious targets to ensure the workforce is adequately skilled, confident and ready to grasp the full opportunities of AI.
This could create more higher-skilled jobs and free workers up from routine tasks, with increasing the adoption of AI potentially unlocking up to £140 billion in annual economic output (note) as part of our plans for national renewal.
A selection of industry-developed AI courses, newly available on the Government’s AI Skills Hub, have been checked against Skills England’s AI foundation skills for work benchmark, with those who complete these courses receiving a virtual AI foundations badge.
Open to all UK adults online, taking as little as under 20 minutes, the courses will give people the skills needed to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace and teach the use of AI for tasks like drafting text, creating content and completing administrative tasks, to free up time to focus on other work.
This training will give both workers and employers confidence in their new skills, and set standards for what good AI upskilling looks like. The programme has already delivered one million courses since June through monumental government and industry efforts.
NHS workers and local government employees will be among those to benefit. Major public sector, business representative organisations, and industry partners onboarding – including Britain’s biggest employer, the NHS – is enabling government to raise the ambition to now reach 10 million workers this decade. This is equivalent to upskilling nearly a third of this country’s workforce and includes reaching at least 2 million SME employees. This is the biggest targeted training programme since Harold Wilson started the Open University.
Recognising that AI will bring changes to jobs and work as we know it, the Tech Secretary is also launching the new AI and the Future of Work Unit to remain front-footed in addressing inevitable challenges.
Backed by a panel of experts from business and trade unions, the unit will provide the best analysis and evidence on AI’s impact on the economy and labour market to provide timely advice on when new policies should be implemented across government. It will ensure the AI transition boosts economic growth, supports workers to adapt, protects communities from the mistakes of past industrial change, and delivers a fair, dignified future of work for everyone, where people are supported into better jobs in a more productive economy.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall said: “We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI.
“Change is inevitable, but the consequences of change are not. We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits.
“That starts with giving people the skills and confidence they need to seize the opportunities AI brings, putting the power and control into their hands.”
Research published yesterday finds only 21% of UK workers feel confident using AI at work, and adoption remains low with only 1 in 6 UK businesses using AI as of mid-2025. UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) report a lower rate of AI adoption, with micro businesses 45% less likely to adopt AI than large businesses.
The Technology Secretary addressed Bloomberg HQ in London yesterday (Wednesday 28 January). where she confirmed:
New partners – British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Cisco, Cognizant, Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Institute of Directors (IOD) – Local Government Association (LGA), Multiverse, NHS, Pax8 and techUK will unlock AI upskilling for even more workers.
They will join the esteemed ranks of founding partners – Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, SAS and Salesforce to take the AI Skills Boost programme to the next level and upskill 10 million workers with AI skills by 2030.
£27 million funding announced to kickstart government’s TechLocal scheme – part of the £187 million TechFirst programme – which will help employers fill or create up to 1,000 tech jobs in communities across the UK, and enable new professional practice courses, graduate traineeships, and work experience opportunities in AI.
Government has launched offers to apply for the Spärck AI Scholarship at 9 UK Universities. The scholarships will give up to 100 talented AI and STEM Master’s students access to industry partnerships, work placements and mentorship opportunities throughout their studies, alongside covering both tuition and living expenses.
This comes alongside government’s Skills for Life digital skills offer. The campaign provides easy access to thousands of free or government subsidised courses covering the essential digital skills people need for work and life, and digital skills people need to be able to take the next step towards a career in technology. AI is one of the pillars of the digital tech sector plan as part of the Industrial Strategy.
Since making the commitment in June, founding partners Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, Salesforce, and SAS have been hard at work to get AI skills to millions of workers by the end of the decade.
From workshops to online training, workforce and business outreach, all industry partners have played a crucial role in changing the lives of workers in communities country-wide.
To see what this looks like firsthand and hear from people taking part in AI upskilling and the positive impact it’s had on them in their personal and professional lives, Secretary of State, Liz Kendall visited a Google Digital Garage session at Google HQ in London on Monday 26th January.
Val McDermid, Irvine Welsh and Joseph Coelho lead major free programme for North Edinburgh – including 100 free books for local children
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will return to the Muirhouse library he visited as a child this February, as the Edinburgh International Book Festival brings some of Scotland’s biggest literary names directly into the heart of North Edinburgh.
The programme – part of Paper Trails, a flagship initiative launched by Her Majesty Queen Camilla in 2025 – will see Val McDermid, Doug Johnstone, Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi, Maisie Chan and former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho OBE appear at North Edinburgh Arts and Muirhouse Library. All events are completely free to attend.
Welsh’s appearance marks a significant homecoming for the globally renowned author, who will appear digitally to discuss his Edinburgh roots and literary career to young people sat in the same library that helped shape his love of reading decades ago.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Libraries are where so many of us first fell in love with books, and they remain at the heart of our communities.
“Having Irvine Welsh return to the library that shaped him as a reader shows exactly why Paper Trails matters – these aren’t just buildings, they’re launchpads for imagination and possibility.
“At a time when literacy rates are declining and more than a quarter of older adults experience weekly loneliness, we’re committed to ensuring that world-class literature and creative experiences reach every neighbourhood, not just festival venues.
“This programme is about co-creating with communities, listening to local voices, and supporting libraries as the vital cultural hubs they’ve always been.”
Irvine Welsh, novelist, short story writer, screenwriter and filmmaker, said: “I’m joining remotely, but it still feels like I’m back in the room that first lit the fuse for me.
“Muirhouse gave me a quiet seat, a friendly word and a shelf full of new worlds—that’s all it takes to set a life on a different course.
“It’s brilliant to see Paper Trails investing in these spaces so every young person here can feel that same jolt of inspiration.”
Tony Stewart, Librarian at Muirhouse Library, said:“We see every day the impact and benefit for our users and the community, in having access to a safe and welcoming space filled books, activities and a team dedicated to helping in any way we can, and of course, a good book recommendation.
“We are very excited to be able to work with EIBF and Paper Trails to bring top class authors right to our community’s doorstep and provide some inspiration for any budding authors in the Muirhouse area, maybe even the next Irvine Welsh…”
The February programme will distribute over 500 free books to children attending events with Maisie Chan and Joseph Coelho – part of the festival’s five-year commitment to supporting Edinburgh’s libraries as creative community hubs.
Programme Highlights – February 2025
Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venditozzi: How to Kill a Witch
Wed 4 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
A lively, provocative exploration of Scotland’s witch-trial history from the hosts of the popular Witches of Scotland podcast. Mitchell, one of Scotland’s leading lawyers, and Venditozzi uncover the brutal reality behind historical persecution.
Val McDermid: Winter Crime
Monday 9 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
Scotland’s ‘Queen of Crime’ discusses her latest Karen Pirie thriller Silent Bones and her new memoir Winter. With over 18 million books sold worldwide, McDermid rarely appears in intimate community settings.
Doug Johnstone: 20 Years in the Making
Wed 11 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
The bestselling crime writer reflects on two decades of literary success ahead of his landmark 20th novel. Johnstone’s Edinburgh-set thrillers have earned international acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Irvine Welsh: Writing Edinburgh
Thurs 26 Feb, 6pm — Muirhouse Library
A special remote appearance from the Trainspotting author, returning to the library he visited as a child. Welsh will discuss how Muirhouse and Edinburgh shaped his groundbreaking literary voice, followed by audience Q&A.
Maisie Chan: Family Fun
Wed 18 Feb, 2–3pm — Muirhouse Library
A half-term celebration of stories and creativity for families. Every child attending receives a free book to take home.
Schools Event: Joseph Coelho OBE — Poetry Alive!
Wed 11 Feb, 10.30–11.15am — Muirhouse Library An energising poetry workshop from the former Children’s Laureate (2022-24). Local primary school pupils will receive free books and participate in creative writing activities.
Our nature & biodiversity training takes place next month
The new, certified nature and biodiversity training course will help you understand and re-connect with the natural systems, wildlife and plants that support Scotland to flourish in so many different ways.
You will understand the value of nature and biodiversity, reasons behind its decline and how to support the recovery of habitats which will benefit planet and people.
The February course takes place online and is available to book now:
As we mark Tinnitus Week (2 – 8 February), we know that for many people with tinnitus, it’s not just a hum in the background, but something that can make everyday life a challenge.
Despite tinnitus being more common than most people realise with one in seven adults experiencing it, too many are still left confused, worried or unsure of where to turn for help. Through our new research, two thirds (66%) of people with tinnitus told us it can impact their stress levels, while half (51%) said it makes them feel anxious or overwhelmed.
Thankfully with the right support, lots of people can live well with tinnitus. There are many practical ways to manage each person’s needs, such as talking therapies, hearing aids, or mindfulness.
No one should face tinnitus alone. If you’re finding your tinnitus difficult to manage or you’re worried about someone close to you, we’re here to help. RNID’s free online tinnitus guide at rnid.org.uk/tinnitus offers plenty of helpful information, practical tips and advice to help you live a good, balanced life with tinnitus.
Government backs British pubs with a major package of support on business rates and licensing reform, recognising the challenges they face and important role they play in local communities.
Pubs will get a 15% cut to new business rates bills from April followed by a two-year real-terms freeze, as well as a review into the method used to value them for business rates. This is on top of support announced at Budget.
Government also announces a new High Street Strategy to help ensure retail, leisure and hospitality businesses can thrive, as the bedrock of strong communities.
The Chancellor is backing British pubs with the announcement of a major support package, as the government recognises the challenges facing the industry and the vital role they play in building strong local communities.
Pubs have faced significant pressure as their numbers have fallen by nearly 7,000 since 2010, a roughly 15% reduction and amongst the highest across hospitality overall. The sector has also raised concerns around the way they are valued for business rates purposes.
Recognising the value they bring and the challenges they face, the government is introducing a support package to save the average pub an additional £1,650 in 2026/27. Around 75% of pubs will see their bills fall or stay flat over the same year with the pub sector as a whole paying 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do currently.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “If we’re going to restore the pride in our communities, we need our pubs and our high streets to thrive.
“We’re backing British pubs with additional support, and our new High Streets Strategy will help tackle the long-term challenges that our much-loved retail, leisure and hospitality businesses have faced. Thriving local businesses, bustling high streets and pride restored in our communities – that’s what this government is delivering.”
Other sectors continue to benefit from the £4.3 billion support package and from permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties.
The government is also launching a review into how they are valued. The review will be carried out by the government alongside businesses and their representatives as well as valuation experts, ensuring that any decisions that follow will be implemented for the 2029 revaluation.
Over the last decade, changing consumer habits, increasingly working from home and shopping online, combined with the pandemic and the increase in energy costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have had a significant impact on all high street business.
Recognising this, the government is also announcing a High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate Britain’s communities. Working alongside businesses and representatives, this cross-government strategy will be published later this year and will look at what more the government can do to support our high streets.
This government is committed to supporting pubs build sustainable business models over the long-term. In the spring, the government will consult on further loosening planning rules to benefit pubs, helping them add new guest rooms or expand their main room without local planning applications. We will continue to engage with the sector to ensure other retail, leisure, and hospitality premises also have sufficient planning flexibilities.
The Chancellor also announced £10 million of funding for the Hospitality Support Fund over three years – upped from £1.5 million for one year announced last April – to support pubs across the UK.
The additional funding aims to help over 1,000 pubs provide extra services for local communities, including creating community cafes, village stores and play areas to help pubs bring locals and families together and boost their footfall. It will also support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.
As part of further licencing reforms, pubs and other licensed venues will be able to open after midnight for Home Nations’ games in the later stages of this summer’s Men’s FIFA World Cup, meaning more time for fans at the pub while boosting takings behind the bar and supporting jobs in hospitality. The government is also bringing forward a consultation to allow them to open late for other big events such as Eurovision.
The government will legislate later this year to increase the number of temporary events pubs and other hospitality venues can hold to help screen other World Cup games or host community and cultural events.
This support comes on top of the £4.3 billion package the Chancellor announced at Budget 2025. This includes capping business rate bill rises by 15% for most businesses from April, or £800 for the smallest, next year as pandemic-era reliefs end and new revaluations take effect.
This government is committed to reforming the business rates system and has already begun the work. At Budget 2025, the Chancellor announced a permanent 5p cut in the business rates multiplier for over 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties, funded by a higher tax rate for the most expensive 1% of properties.
Stakeholders react to pubs support package:
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We are pleased the government has listened to our concerns, and those of publicans, consumers and MPs who rallied to defend our locals.
“This pub specific package will stave off the immediate financial threat posed by accelerating business costs and will help keep the doors open for many.
“This additional support will provide certainty for tens of thousands of pubs, with many seeing their bills frozen or falling and there will be a sigh of relief from landlords across the country.
“We will now work closely with government to establish a transformative long-term plan that works for all pubs through permanent business rates reform to ensure they remain at the heart of communities.”
Heineken / star pubs: “Although we will need to fully digest the detail, this announcement is a huge boost for pubs and will ease the immediate concerns of publicans up and down the country.
“I am pleased that the Chancellor has clearly listened to the many Star Pubs licensees who expressed their objections to the plans published at the Budget. This support is a welcome acknowledgement of the pub as the cornerstone of British society, and we are committed to working with the Treasury in the coming weeks and months.
“This support means publicans and their staff are able to focus on the day job – running great pubs at the hearts of their communities.”
Anna Leach, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors, said: “The Institute of Directors welcomes today’s decision by the government to provide targeted business rates relief for pubs, recognising the intense pressures facing this sector. This support will offer much-needed breathing space for businesses grappling with rising costs and tight margins.
“More broadly, the business rates system remains in urgent need of reform to address the disincentives to investment embedded in the current framework, and we welcome the government’s commitment to take action in this area.
“That said, stronger policy design at an earlier stage would deliver greater benefits for business confidence, planning and costs. We reiterate our call for more detailed, sector-by-sector analysis of the impacts of tax changes to be undertaken alongside each Budget. This would allow concerns to surface earlier in the process, enabling risks to be identified and addressed before they crystallise.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO & Founder, Small Business Britain: “It is good to see the Government widen the business rates support available to pubs and music venues – many small, independent establishments will undoubtedly welcome this additional headroom.
“We also look forward to supporting the work of the newly announced High Street Strategy to ensure retail, leisure and hospitality businesses can thrive. Given the crucial role these sectors play at the heart of local communities it is vital small businesses are given as much support as possible and that we see swift action taken to address existing issues.
“The long-overdue work to reform the business rates system, which the government has already committed to and reaffirmed today, will be especially key.”
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: “We welcome the recognition by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the scale of the challenges facing the hospitality sector. They have listened to us about the acute cost challenges facing businesses, all of which is impacting business viability, jobs and consumer prices.
“The rising cost of doing business and business rates increases is a hospitality-wide problem that needs a hospitality-wide solution. The Government’s immediate review of hospitality valuations going forward is clear recognition of this.
“The devil will be in the detail, but we need to see pace and urgency to deliver the reform desperately needed to reduce hospitality’s tax burden, drive demand, and protect jobs and growth. We will work with the Government over the next six months to hold their feet to the fire to deliver this.
“This emergency announcement to provide additional funding is helpful to address an acute challenge facing pubs.
“The reality remains that we still have restaurants and hotels facing severe challenges from successive Budgets. They need to see substantive solutions that genuinely reduce their costs.
“Without that clear action, they will face increasingly tough decisions on business viability, jobs and prices for consumers. Those are costs borne by us all, and I hope the Government delivers on its promise to support the whole hospitality sector.”
On Sunday (25th January – Burns Night 2026) in Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (EHC), the diverse Jewish community of Scotland’s capital city came together to celebrate the life and works of the country’s national poet, Robert Burns.
Around 100 people were treated to fantastic food and entertainment, including poetry and musical recitals. This was a traditional Burns Supper with a Jewish – and particularly Yiddish – twist.
The evening was a cross-communal celebration involving Edinburgh Jewish Culture Centre(EJCC);EHC; Sukkat Shalom, the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community; the Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society; and The University of Edinburgh’s Jewish Society(EJSOC).
Proceedings began with a welcome (and time warning) from David Ian Neville, Chairman of the Burns Supper, who also compèred the Supper. Handwashing and Hamotzi was led by EHC’s Rabbi Rose and Fiona Brodie read The Selkirk Grace, before the soup course of the kosher menu was served.
Brodie Watson-Massey piped in the specially made vegetarian haggis then Fiona Brodie again took the stage to read a Burns-inspired Scots-Yiddish hybrid address to the meal named The Address to the Fress. Andrea Torres, Chair of Sukkat Shalom, toasted the haggis both in English and her native Spanish, before everyone tucked into the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties.
Following the main course, guests were treated to ‘The First Interlude’, which saw Ella Lambert, EJCC member and former President of EJSOC, sing Burns’s Ae Fond Kiss; and Howard Brodie sing Burns’s lyrics for Charlie is My Darlin’ and Ye Jacobites By Name, accompanied on the piano by the exceptional musician Phil Alexander.
Cloutie dumpling and custard was served for dessert before David Neville gave ‘A Toast to Robert Burns’ and Rabbi Rose led bensching.
After the meal, three of the most famous elements of a Burns Supper were delivered with aplomb by members of the community: Michael Elam performed a stirring rendition of Burns’s epic poem Tam O’Shanter, Benjamin Birns gave a good-humoured ‘Toast to the Lassies’, and Maya Young gave a spirited ‘Reply to the Toast to the Lassies’.
The evening concluded with Rabbi Mark Solomon of Sukkat Shalom singing some of Burns’s finest songs, all accompanied by Phil Alexander on the piano: Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin, A Man’s a Man for a’ That, Scots and Yiddish renditions of The Deil’s Awa’ wi’ th’ Exciseman and My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, followed by Ye Banks and Braes.
In a traditional finale, everyone present joined arm in arm to sing Auld Lang Syne, a fitting end to a memorable event that brought Edinburgh’s diverse Jewish community closer together.
Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), has today, Wednesday 28 January, published her findings relating to the provision of residential care for children at Fettes College in Edinburgh.
She concludes that, over at least four decades, from the 1950s, pupils were regularly subjected to appalling abuse at Fettes.
The school repeatedly failed to act upon complaints. Multiple opportunities to prevent dreadful suffering were missed or ignored.
The findings are part of SCAI’s overall boarding schools case study and echo the kinds of abuse that occurred at Loretto School, Morrison’s Academy, Gordonstoun, Queen Victoria School, Merchiston Castle School, Keil School, and boarding schools run by male religious orders, namely the Benedictines, the Christian Brothers, and the Marist Brothers.
Fettes College was established in 1870 using funds from the estate of Sir William Fettes and was intended to follow the model of other boarding schools in Scotland and England.
The school was, until 1972, a boys-only boarding school. The first female day pupils started in 1972, and Fettes became fully co-educational in 1983. It was and is a school for fee-paying pupils and recipients of bursaries and scholarships.
Accounts of life at Fettes until the end of the 1980s were remarkably consistent. Living conditions were basic, and day-to-day responsibility for keeping order fell on senior pupils, while staff were remote, with limited, if any, oversight.
In this environment abuse was able to flourish for decades.
Lady Smith said: ‘Children were wholly failed by the school. They could have been readily protected, and it is shameful that did not happen.
‘Had complaints been listened to and acted upon at the outset, many children would have been saved from abuse. The suffering they still endure, over 50 years later in the 2020s, could all have been prevented.
‘Children were sexually abused, they were physically abused, and they were emotionally abused. Members of staff sexually abused children from the 1950s until the 1980s.
‘The perpetrators included a headmaster, Anthony Chenevix-Trench, and some teachers including Iain Wares.
‘Wares was 27 when he moved to Edinburgh from his home in Cape Town, South Africa in 1967. He had been working as a teacher at St George’s Grammar School in Cape Town but had resigned from his post on account of incidents of what he referred to as “playing around with small boys”.
‘In the course of his career the norm became that he was “asked to leave” teaching jobs “quietly on account of similar incidents”.
‘He arrived in Edinburgh having been referred to Professor Henry Walton, consultant psychiatrist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, by a South African consultant with a view to “curing” him of what is described in his medical records as “homosexuality (liking for young boys)” and a “personality disorder – dependent type”.
‘Wares was employed as a teacher in Edinburgh between 1968 and 1979, first at The Edinburgh Academy and then at Fettes. He was not “cured”. Rather, he was and remained a prolific abuser of children.
‘He preyed on them. He had a predilection for touching young boys sexually that he could not control. At times, he could not control his temper either, resulting in children being subjected by him to brutal assaults.’
Lady Smith’s findings also highlight the repeated failure of Professor Walton to take appropriate action.
Lady Smith added: ‘Many children were harmed by Wares, and many are still suffering the effects of his abuse, which was appalling both in its nature and in its extent. Children suffered dreadfully.
‘They were failed by Henry Walton who knew that Wares was abusing children and that his dangerous predilections were never “cured”.
‘Walton wholly failed to prioritise the protection of children and failed to lead his team appropriately.
‘He insisted that Wares should continue to teach children despite his ongoing paedophilia, despite him not being “cured” of his problems, and despite both his wife and his GP making it clear that they thought Walton was being utterly irresponsible in doing so.
‘Although Fettes resolved to dismiss Wares in 1975, it kept him on in its employment as a teacher until 1979.’
Former headmaster Anthony Chenevix-Trench’s protection of abusers has also been highlighted in the findings.
Lady Smith said: ‘Chenevix-Trench was appointed as head of Fettes having previously been head of Eton College. Fettes hoped that appointing a man who had been head of Eton would enhance its reputation.
‘He was in fact a man who was unfit to be appointed to lead a school on account of his having lost the trust of senior masters at Eton, having a problem with drink, and having a propensity to beat boys excessively.
‘He was appointed despite these matters having been expressly disclosed to Fettes by Eton. Chenevix-Trench was also attracted to young blond teenagers at Eton, a predilection of which the provost of Eton College was aware.
‘He protected two, and possibly more, members of staff who had, to his knowledge, abused children at Fettes.’
Children were physically abused at Fettes both by teachers and by other children. There was also a culture of silence; children feared retribution and being ostracised if they complained.
Emotional abuse of children by other children was also common, and following the introduction of co-education female pupils were the targets of serious and regular misogyny which persisted into the twenty-first century. They were treated as second-class citizens in a way that was tolerated by the school.
Racism was also prevalent at Fettes well into the twenty-first century. Mocking by staff and pupils of anyone who was not British was normalised into the 1990s. Black or Asian pupils experienced violence or threats of violence from other pupils.
There were nonetheless children throughout the period covered in evidence who were not abused and had positive experiences at the school, which they value. Some of those who were abused also had positive experiences.
Recent leaders have reflected carefully since their first response to SCAI in 2017 at which time they did not accept that there were any systemic failures.
They now acknowledge there were shortcomings at Fettes in decades long past, as well as more recently.
Lady Smith said: ‘Applicants and other witnesses continue to come forward to the Inquiry with relevant evidence about boarding schools and this will be considered as part of a continuing process.
‘I would encourage anyone who has relevant information on any aspect of our work to get in touch with our witness support team.’
FETTES COLLEGE RESPONDED THIS AFTERNOON:
Open Letter to the Fettes Community
28th January 2026
I write to you today on receipt of the newly published report into Fettes by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry chaired by Lady Smith. We were one of eight boarding schools covered by this Inquiry.
The report makes for very difficult reading. We do not shrink from the criticism levelled at the school and accept the Inquiry’s findings that there were significant shortcomings.
Many young people were failed by those in positions of authority at Fettes, who could and should have acted differently. Their actions fell well below the standards expected and would be utterly unthinkable at the Fettes of today.
To our former pupils who suffered abuse at Fettes, we are truly sorry and make a full and unreserved apology to you. We also extend our deepest gratitude to those of you who bravely came forward. We understand that nothing can undo the past, but we sincerely hope that having your voices heard through the Inquiry can be a step towards healing for everyone who suffered.
The accounts of those who have given evidence to the Inquiry describing their time at school and the abuse they endured are now part of the school’s history. We have listened, we have reflected and we have learned.
The culture at our school today is unrecognisable from the past, and we are encouraged that Lady Smith’s report notes the positive findings of our 2025 Inspections by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
However, we will never be complacent.
On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Leadership Team, I affirm our unwavering commitment to the care and protection of the children in our school.
