Edinburgh Tradfest is delighted to announce that Dick Gaughan will appear in conversation with Dr Lori Watson to talk about his life, career and love for Scotland’s big ballads on Sunday 10 May, as part of this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest (1 to 11 May 2026).
Gaughan is a singer of rare quality, a peerless guitar stylist, a charismatic performer and champion of social justice. This legendary musician has also been a huge influence on many of today’s best known folk musicians.
A proud Leither, Dick Gaughan was born in Glasgow in 1948. He moved to Leith at just 18 months old, and began playing in the folk clubs of Edinburgh in the late 60s. In 1970 he turned professional and made his first solo album in 1971. His career saw him recording albums for himself and others, composing music for films and working as an actor and theatre music director.
In the early 80s he worked with 7:84 (Scotland) Theatre Company and released his LP Handful of Earth, widely regarded as a classic and quoted by many artists as a seminal influence on their own work.
Dick’s own songs have been recorded by, among others, Billy Bragg, Mary Black and Capercaille, and he was an early member of Boys of the Lough and Five Hand Reel. In the 1990s he founded Clan Alba, a supergroup also featuring Mary Macmaster, Brian MacNeill, Fred Morrison, Patsy Seddon, Davy Steele, Mike Travis and Dave Tulloch.
More recently, thanks to a campaign by fans and industry professionals, a Kickstarter campaign raised funds to support the release of a 7CD + DVD boxed set R/evolution: 1969-83 in 2025, with more releases planned.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is this year’s Rebellious Truth talk presented in partnership with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. It will also include a special music set by University of Edinburgh Traditional Artist in Residence, in Celtic and Scottish Studies Fraser Fifield.
Dr Lori Watson, Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh said: “Talking of the muckle sangs, Dick Gaughan’s traditional ballads such as Glenlogie or Floo’er o Northumberland are a masterclass in Scots song interpretation.
“There is a deep understanding of the lives, experiences and relationships in the songs as well as the demands of the ballad form. Dick Gaughan is one of the finest, fiercest, and most compassionate storytellers in song that Scotland has seen.”
The event will be presented in person and livestreamed.
Dick Gaughan: Muckle Sangs is just one event in this year’s packed 11 day Edinburgh Tradfest programme, presenting the very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world. Other headliners include: RURA, Kim Carnie, Session A9, and The Furrow Collective.
Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May. Full programme including folk film and storytelling will be announced on Tuesday 17 March 2026 thanks to support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
£126 million of support confirmed for family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who care for relatives’ children in new pilot scheme
Thousands of children living in kinship care are set to benefit from earlier, more consistent support as the government today announces seven new Kinship Zones across England.
Kinship carers are adults who step in to provide a loving and supportive home to children in their family whose parents are unable to care for them full-time for a wide range of reasons. They are often grandparents, aunts, uncles or family friends.
These children have often experienced trauma and might otherwise end up in the care system, where outcomes in areas like education and health are significantly worse.
Currently, kinship carers do not receive consistent financial support, unlike foster carers and adoptive families. This is despite the fact that kinship care is shown to lead to better outcomes the residential care homes, with a 2021 report by University College London showing lower rates of long term illness and higher rates of employment for adults with a history of kinship care compared to those that grew up in foster or residential care
The government is now trialling a financial allowance to eligible kinship carers, backed by £126 million to reach around 5,000 children, recognising the vital role carers play in the lives of their vulnerable children.
This starts with a pilot in the seven local authority area Kinship Zones announced today, with kinship carers to be provided with funding per child, equivalent to what foster carers receive.
Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, said: “As a country we owe kinship carers our thanks and our support, and the new financial allowance which we’re trialling as part of our plan for change recognises the vital role they play ensuring families can stay together.
“We promised to introduce this scheme to support kinship carers who step up for the children they love and give every child the best possible start in life.
“These Kinship Zones will lead the way in showing the impact for children when we unlock the power of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who could care for their kin in the place of the care system.”
Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, said: Kinship carers play a vital role in helping to ensure that children can stay safely looked after in their family networks.
“That’s why we’re pleased to undertake the evaluation of the kinship financial allowances pilot announced today, to help to build the evidence base and shape future support for kinship carers and the children they care for.”
Jahnine Davies, National Kinship Care Ambassador, said : “The launch of the Kinship Zones pilot marks an important milestone for kinship carers and the children they care for. For the first time, we have a government‑led initiative that will not only examine how best to provide financial support for kinship families but will also encourage local authorities to look holistically at the support they offer and adopt a genuine ‘think family’ approach.
“Alongside this, my report, also published today, sets out key learning in this area, and I hope it will be a valuable resource for all local authorities as they review and strengthen their approach to kinship care.
“I look forward to working with the Kinship Zones and celebrating the launch of this vital pilot.”
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said : “Kinship carers provide stability and love during moments of significant upheaval in a child’s life – their value often goes under-acknowledged, but the commitment they offer can be transformative.
“The overwhelming majority of children in kinship care who I have spoken to as Children’s Commissioner tell me they feel loved and cared for, a true testament to the unique bonds formed during kinship care.
“I have called for kinship carers to be given a financial allowance that supports the transition into these new living arrangements – so I am grateful to the government for listening and taking this important first step.”
Cathy Ashley OBE, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group said: “All children should be raised safely in their family wherever possible. Kinship carers step in, often at a moment’s notice, to make that happen.
“They often save the state thousands in care costs but many face real financial hardship in doing so. The pilot is taking a groundbreaking step which will make a difference to 4,500 children and their families in seven areas.
“In the meantime, as all local authorities develop their kinship local offer, this is a critical moment for national and local government to go further to build a fair, effective support system for all kinship families.”
James Bury, Head of Policy, Research and Development at CoramBAAF, said: “This is an encouraging and positive important announcement for kinship carers and CoramBAAF welcomes the launch of the financial allowances pilot.
“This important initiative will provide much needed financial support to kinship families in seven local authorities.
“Through our work supporting practice and hearing directly from families, we know the challenges that kinship carers can face, as well as the challenges facing local authorities in providing consistent and fair financial support.
“We look forward to seeing the impact of the pilots and look forward to this potentially leading to a wider roll-out to enable families across the country to benefit.”
Lucy Peake, Chief Executive of Kinship said: “Today’s announcement is an important first step towards ensuring kinship families have the financial support they need to provide children with stable, loving homes.
“A guaranteed allowance equal to the foster care allowance will be life‑changing for kinship carers in the local authority areas where this is being piloted, many of whom struggle to afford the basics for the children they have unexpectedly stepped in to raise.
“Following years of campaigning alongside kinship carers, we’re pleased the government has recognised the current system is inequitable and is putting a huge strain on kinship families, pushing many into poverty. Providing financial support to kinship families and investing in family networks will help children stay safely with those who love them, and reduce the need for more costly options in the care system.
“Kinship carers hold our care system together, and they deserve the right support to continue doing so.”
This ambitious pilot programme – the largest government investment in kinship care of its kind to date – will support around 5,000 kinship children, backed by over £126 million of new funding confirmed for the first two years with further funding to be confirmed in the next Spending Review period.
The pilot will run for up to three and a half years, with further expansion to be confirmed after evaluation.
The seven confirmed Kinship Zone local authorities are:
Bexley (Greater London)
Bolton (North West)
Newcastle (North East)
North East Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Medway (South East)
Thurrock (East of England)
Wiltshire (South West)
Each Kinship Zone will receive a package of funding and support, enabling local authorities to tailor delivery to local needs. Money saved by local authorities thanks to central government pilot funding will be redirected to other support schemes for family networks.
The seven local authority areas were chosen following a selection process last June. Together, they offer a useful mix of geography, demographics, and service models. This was intentional: the pilot is designed to test what works at scale in varied local contexts, so robust learning can be generated for future decisions.
Some councils offer support to kinship carers, but it can vary greatly. The Kinship Zones programme will enable the DfE and participating councils to work out how best to deliver financial support to kinship carers across the country and how it should be delivered in future.
The ultimate goal is to support more children to grow up within their family networks, avoiding care. The children’s care organisation Foundations, working in partnership with consultancy Alma Economics, will track outcomes for carers and children throughout the pilot to inform future decisions.
The Department for Education will publish findings from the programme to ensure transparency about what works and how support can be strengthened nationwide.
The Kinship Zones programme marks a significant step forward in ensuring they receive the right help at the right time, while building a strong evidence base to shape future national policy.
We’re now in the consultation stage of our Community Asset Transfer, and this is your last chance to have your say before the survey closes this Sunday.
Every single response makes a real difference. The more people who take part, the stronger our case for securing the land our Centre sits on, and protecting it for the future of our community.
You can get involved by:
– Completing the online survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/drylaw – Filling in a paper copy at the Centre It only takes a few minutes, but your input helps us hugely.
Please take part and share this post to help us reach as many people as possible before Sunday!
Arthritis UK Scotland is calling on each political party to have a credible plan to improve the lives of people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis, as the countdown to the Holyrood elections starts.
The charity is calling for a better deal for the 1.7m people in Scotland living with arthritis and other MSK conditions, including 48,000 children and young people, in its manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Elections, published today Scottish Parliament Election 2026 | Arthritis UK
This is because there is currently no plan that considers the needs of this group, which totals one in three people in Scotland, living with the pain, fatigue, disability and the mental and financial strain these conditions cause.
In Scotland, one in three people with arthritis/MSK conditions say their condition severely or very severely impacts their life. And one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on the first day of the new Scottish parliament will have been forced out of work due to their condition, by the end of that same parliament, reports Arthritis UK Scotland’s manifesto.
The document sets out the steps the next Scottish government must take to tackle the impact of these conditions, currently causing unnecessary chronic pain and disability. It calls for:
· A relentless focus on tackling orthopaedic waiting times. Parts of Scotland continue to lose out and overall, demand continues to grow. A national plan that sets out how targets will be met must be created.
· Access to surgery to be based on need and adheres to guidance, not applying body mass index policies as eligibility criteria.
Bobby from Stranraer was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2020, but it was more than two years before Bobby was even added to the waiting list for surgery. He said:‘I’d been suffering with a great deal of pain in both knees for some time. It was like someone was hitting my knees with a mash hammer.
“It played havoc with my thoughts, my mind, my life. The mental impact was phenomenal. You feel like you’re a burden when you can’t do things. You try to keep going through the pain.’
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said:‘The next Scottish parliament must tackle orthopaedic waiting times, improve services and deliver a long-term plan for better musculoskeletal health.
‘These are urgent priorities. People with arthritis in Scotland are being let down. They can wait years for diagnosis, struggle to access treatment and face barriers to work and independence. They are twenty percent less likely to be in work than people without arthritis, and people in the poorest communities are hit hardest. It is a public health issue, an equality and workforce challenge.’
Alan McGinley, Policy and Engagement Manager for Scotland, Arthritis UK, said:‘None of the political parties in Scotland have a credible plan on how to tackle musculoskeletal conditions, yet one in three people in Scotland living with them.
“Of these people, sixty-two percent say they live in pain most or all the time due to their arthritis. This means the needs of this group are not being addressed and that just isn’t good enough.’
A recent survey commissioned by Arthritis UK and carried out by YouGov, surveyed nearly 8,000 people with arthritis in the UK. Of these, over 1,000 were from Scotland.
The results showed:
· Over sixty percent (62) are living in pain most of the time due to their arthritis
· Nearly forty percent (37) felt their condition was not well managed
· Forty five percent said their ability to exercise was affected severely or very severely by their symptoms
· Nearly seventy (69) percent said waiting for treatment had an impact on their mental health
· Nearly fifty percent (49) said their symptoms were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals
· Fifty-six percent said arthritis had impacted on their working lives.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Opening 31 Jan 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.
COMING SOON Scotland’s First Warriors Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Opening 27 June Entrance into the museum and exhibition is free
Explore archaeological evidence for the origins of organised conflict, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the Romans, through over 250 objects. Scotland’s First Warriors explores how and why people fought, the impact of war, and the legacy of prehistoric conflict. Internationally significant discoveries from Scotland will be on display for the first time, including the Carnoustie Hoard.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Museum Socials Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4 20 Feb & 20 Mar 10:30–12:00 Free, booking required
Our Museum Socials events are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling, and creative crafts. And tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
The Amazing Mathemagic Show Hawthornden Court, Level 1 21 Feb 10:30–13:00 and 13:30–16:00
Join students and staff from Edinburgh University as they use maths to transform into performers, musicians, and astonishing mind readers. Whether you are a maths enthusiast or number curious, there will be something for all ages at this interactive stall. Discover simple yet mind-boggling tricks that merge maths with magic.
The Sunday Sketch Various Galleries 22 Feb –22 Mar 14:00–16:00 Tickets from £13
Learn how to sketch, taking inspiration from the incredible collections on display in our museum galleries. Join artist Sheena Russell to take a new look at our collections and be guided through a range of drawing activities within the museum’s galleries.
Sensory Sundays Learning Centre, Studio 2, Level 4 1 Mar 14:00–15:00 Free, booking required
Children with additional support needs and disabilities and their families are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative, and meet other families.
Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun, hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating.
Magic Carpet Meet at Hawthornden Court 6, 13 & 20 Mar 10:30–11:15 and 11:45–12:30 From £4 per session
Our Magic Carpet sessions introduce you and your little one to some of the fascinating objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Each month we will explore a different theme using song, rhyme, movement, play, and handling objects, to help you and your little one discover more about our topic.
Creative Workshop: Block Printing Learning Centre Studios, Level 4, and Early People Gallery, Level -1 21 Mar 11:00–15:30 Tickets from £45
Join artist Georgie Fay to make unique paper and clay designs using woodcut printing techniques.
Explore our Early People gallery and discover the journeys made and the materials used by Scotland’s early people. Back in the Learning Centre, create a woodcut with a design inspired by our collections. You will make your own woodcut template, print on paper and clay.
Doug Allan: Giants of the Sea Auditorium, Level 3 22 Mar 11:30 Tickets from £12
Following his sold-out talk in April 2024, award-winning wildlife photographer Doug Allan is back at the National Museum of Scotland. This time, to talk about his experiences filming the great giants of the sea.
Featuring his own photographs and clips from well-known TV programmes, Doug will talk about the excitement and challenges he has faced when working in the world’s oceans.
Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 28 Feb & 28 Mar 10:30-12:00 £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.
Relaxed Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 28 Feb & 28 Mar 14:30-15:30 £10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children, or children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.
Gather Around the Frame: A Celebration of Hand Quilting Locations across the museum 29 Mar 10:15-16:45 Free drop-in activities, booking required for panel discussion
Join us for a hands-on stitching experience around replica historical quilting frames as enjoyed by previous generations as they sewed together. This event will feature talks, film screenings, hands-on crafts, and our very own quilting bee. All materials are provided.
Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 Locations across the museum Daily from 4-19 Apr 10:00-17:00 All pricing and bookings through Science Festival website
Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 will highlight Scotland’s contribution to scientific advances through research, innovation, and its extraordinary people. The Grand Gallery will host family-friendly activities and artwork by award-winning artist, Gayle Chong Kwan.
Morning Curator Tour: Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 7-14 Apr Tickets from £13
Join exhibition curator, Dr Sarah Stewart, for an exclusive early-morning tour of Giants.
Giants celebrates the colossal creatures that roamed the Earth 66 million years ago. Meet ten giant creatures from prehistory. Discover how they were able to grow so large, what advantages their size offered, and why they eventually faced extinction.
The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
Creative Workshop: Paper Creations Learning Centre Studios, Level 4 23 May 10:30-13:00 and 14:00-16:30 Tickets from £45
Join paper folding artist Kate Colin for a bespoke workshop, inspired by our ‘Giants’ exhibition and fossil collections. You will learn paper folding techniques and create a collection of handcrafted paper sculptures inspired by spiral forms and fossil structures.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
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.
Spring Explorers 14–17 Apr 10:30–15:30 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Become a Spring Explorer this April at the National Museum of Rural Life. Join us as we dig into all things soil and explore the wiggly world beneath our feet. Take part in a planting activity to learn how bugs and worms keep soil healthy for plants to grow. Settle in for some lively, soil-inspired storytelling in the theatre, then get messy with some hands-on fun at our Soil Exploration Station.
Tractor Tots 24 Apr & 29 May 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
Woolly Weekend Museum and farm 23 & 24 May 10:30-16:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Celebrate all things woolly with a weekend of family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life.
See woolly farm friends up close and take part in wool-themed crafts, storytelling, and activities in the museum. Then take a walk to the farm to watch YouTube sensation Cammy Wilson shear our flock. Cammy will explain how, when, and why sheep are sheared, and will demonstrate traditional and modern shearing techniques.
Conservation Hangar Talks Until 29 Mar 2026 14:00-15:00 Free and available as an add-on to your general admission ticket. Booking is 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 are not 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 create a more relaxed environment.
Further protections for women and girls from violence and abuse are being considered as part of a consultation that has been launched, including consideration of a new law on the creation of deepfake intimate images.
While laws already exist covering the sharing of deepfake intimate images, the consultation proposes a new offence which would address issues around the use of artificial intelligence tools to create intimate images without consent.
The consultation also asks for views about criminalising digital tools that are designed solely to generate intimate images and videos.
Pregnancy is a time when women can be at greater risk of domestic abuse. The consultation considers a new statutory aggravation so that courts must take into account treating a domestic abuse offence involving a pregnant woman more seriously in sentencing.
To tackle spiking crimes, where someone is given alcohol or drugs without their consent, the consultation outlines that whilst there are existing effective laws in place, we want to hear views on how best women and girls can be protected from harm.
The consultation also seeks views on whether to remove the need for a court to impose non-harassment orders to improve protection for victims, instead allowing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to use these as an alternative to prosecuting cases.
The benefits of existing Scots law in dealing with the dangers of non‑fatal strangulation are highlighted in the consultation and views can be offered on whether new criminal laws are needed to deal with this conduct.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Violence against women and girls is abhorrent and we must ensure we are doing all we can to tackle it, whether it is established or emerging forms of harm.
We have made significant progress already” – including the introduction of the domestic abuse offence, improved training for those supporting victims and new powers to enforce protective orders in Scotland imposed elsewhere in the UK.
“For this consultation I am particularly keen to hear from those with direct experience of harm. The responses will help to inform future action that is needed to achieve the outcome we all seek: stronger protections and actions which lead to lower levels of violence against women and girls and a safer Scotland.”
First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney received a chocolate cake from Islamic Relief UK yesterday as part of the charity’s Cake Campaign, which raises funds for Syria during Ramadan.
Islamic Relief’s UK Programme Manager, Nadeem Baqir, presented the cake to the First Minister at Bute House in Edinburgh and personally thanked him for the Scottish Government’s generous support for Islamic Relief’s work.
The Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) has worked closely with Islamic Relief UK to help deliver lifesaving relief to families across the world.
Last year in Sudan, with support from HEF, Islamic Relief reached more than 7,000 people with cash assistance, food and dignity kits. Thousands more have been supported to rebuild their lives with the support of the Scottish Government in places such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Kenya and Libya.
The Cake Campaign is celebrating 13 years of selling cakes and saving lives. Since 2013, more than £3m has been raised, helping to save and transform the lives of thousands of Syrian people.
Syrian families continue to struggle to rebuild their lives amid widespread destruction and food shortages. The situation remains dire, with millions of people still displaced and enduring extreme hardships.
The award-winning Cake Campaign sees volunteers across the UK raising funds for people affected by the Syria crisis by delivering cakes during the sacred month of Ramadan.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I am delighted to support Islamic Relief’s Cake Campaign – an inspiring initiative to raise funds to help people in Syria who are still suffering from the impacts of conflict and displacement.
“Scotland has a long history of supporting responses to global humanitarian crises, and we will continue to do so. Through our Humanitarian Emergency Fund, the Scottish Government supports humanitarian organisations including Islamic Relief to carry out vital work to provide support including food, medical care and shelter to people affected by conflict, climate change and natural disasters.”
Nadeem Baqir, UK programme manager for Islamic Relief UK said:“We are delighted to have delivered a cake to the First Minister as part of the Cake Campaign. This initiative is crucial in providing vital aid, offering hope, and standing in solidarity with the Syrian people during their time of need.
“The Scottish government has always been supportive of international development. We are extremely grateful to the First Minister, John Swinney, and the Scottish Government for their generous funding for Islamic Relief’s work in places such as Sudan, where more than 7,000 people received cash assistance, food and dignity kits last year.”
“This generosity also helped more than 7,000 people in Kenya who were affected by devastating floods in 2024, as well as transforming many other lives in humanitarian emergencies in Libya and Somalia.
Thousands of new homes are set to be delivered in Edinburgh over the next five years thanks to an additional £1.6 billion agreed by councillors yesterday.
The Council’s Budget, passed on 26 February, includes a record spend on providing affordable housing alongside significant investment in frontline services, children and education.
Ending poverty and protecting vulnerable residents is at the heart of the spending plans, which prioritise homelessness prevention, sustaining Edinburgh’s third sector partnerships and investing significant sums in education and health and social care services.
Thanks to a change in loan financing arrangements, officers have been able to address budgetary challenges and preserve frontline services while enabling members to limit Edinburgh’s Council Tax rise to 4% – set to be the lowest increase across Scottish councils this year.
Councillors also agreed a freeze on most fees and charges for the next 12 months, including parking permit and pay and display charges.
Alongside today’s decision, the Edinburgh Visitor Levy scheme, the first set of spend programmes of which were agreed earlier this month, is set to generate an additional up to £29 million this financial year to help sustain and promote Edinburgh’s status as one of the world’s favourite visitor destinations.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “I’m proud that we’ve once again delivered a balanced budget that focuses on meeting the needs of Edinburgh’s residents. It is a budget that reinforces our commitment to tackling poverty, prioritising prevention and protecting frontline services for those most in need of our support – all while keeping the increase in Council Tax to one of the lowest, if not the lowest, in the country.
“We were the first city in Scotland to declare a housing emergency and are now putting our money where our mouths are with an additional investment over the next five years – one of the largest housing interventions by a local authority in modern times. This will provide thousands of much-needed affordable new homes for families, while reducing the use of costly and unsuitable temporary accommodation and helping us to reduce the scourge of poverty on this city.
“Alongside the additional £6 million we’ve pledged towards social care, we’re prioritising support for some of our most vulnerable children and young people across the city. We’re investing in early family support, keeping children with their families wherever we can.
“We’re expanding support for pupils with additional support needs, with extra staff in both our special schools and mainstream schools. And we’re committing £86 million towards progressing major extensions at both Craigroyston and Queensferry High Schools.
“It’s important to remember that we’re not working in isolation and, having listened to our third sector partners, we’re today committing an additional £4 million to help them continue playing an essential role in supporting our residents – and, crucially, to plan with more certainty and security. This ambitious budget clearly demonstrates the strength of listening to our communities and working across party lines to do what’s best for the residents of Edinburgh.”
Finance and Resources Convener Mandy Watt added:“We remain the lowest funded council in Scotland, which poses a real challenge when setting our budget each year. Despite this, officers have produced an innovative budget that prioritises the services that most matter to the people of Edinburgh – from investing in our roads, pavements and parks to caring for our youngest, oldest and most vulnerable residents.
“This is a budget that protects, and in many cases enhances, these frontline services. But it also allows us to protect our residents and businesses from bearing too much of the financial burden that goes with it. I’m proud, then, that we’ve been able to limit our Council Tax rise to only 4% and to freeze most fees and charges for the next 12 months.”
SNP Group leader Simita Kumar tweeted: “A Tory–Lib Dem budget passed today with Labour’s backing—despite warnings from officers and the Accounts Commission.
“£700k in cuts agreed, with Labour using homelessness funds as leverage for Tory votes. Edinburgh deserves better than grubby deals made in the back room!”
EDINBURGH’s BUDGET – KEY FACTS
Tackling the housing emergency
Tackling the housing emergency with an additional £1.6bn investment for affordable homes and temporary accommodation – 2,500 homes for temporary accommodation, funding to unlock around 1,100 settled homes at affordable rents and investment capacity for up to around 2,300 additional settled homes.
Further key investments totalling £3m directed towards homelessness prevention, including additional staffing to work directly with those at risk of homelessness and creation of a grants budget to bring empty homes back into use as part of the Private Sector Leasing scheme.
Maintaining and improving the city’s roads, schools and public buildings
Continue ongoing investment in roads and pavements programme with a further £25m for two years, following the initial investment of £37.5m over three years, which brought a significant improvement in the state of city’s roads. An additional £480k was agreed today towards pothole repairs and white line painting.
Craigroyston and Queensferry High Schools will benefit from investment totalling £85.8m to progress major extensions as part of the City Plan 2030. This is in addition to the investment of £296m in five new schools and five extensions, together with the replacement of Fox Covert Campus, which was approved last year.
£13.2m for the development of a new permanent Blackhall Library, £7.5m for Portobello Swim Centre and an additional £18.3m over ten years to enhance a co-ordinated Council-wide Buildings Improvement Programme.
Getting it right for every child
Budgeted spend on Children, Education and Communities in 2026-27 of £587m, an increase of £14m compared to last year’s budget.
Continued investment in education and children’s services, including expanded ASN staffing and facilities, ensuring inclusive education and better life chances for every child in Edinburgh and support targeted investment to improve safety and address violence and aggression at work, recognising the duty of care owed to Council employees and the importance of safe service delivery.
Prioritising early family support and keeping children with their families where safe, rather than costly and disruptive external care placements.
Preventing poverty
Rolling out Neighbourhood Prevention Partnerships across five local areas to join up services and make help more accessible.
Funding for advice and benefits services (building on a £1m allocation in 2025/26).
Improving affordable childcare access, expanding affordable housing, and creating a citywide community wealth-building plan.
Prioritising the acceleration and improvement of the city-wide early intervention actions needed to prevent poverty in Edinburgh.
Supporting the third sector
A sustainable and strengthened package of support for the third sector, including a £1.4m income maximisation fund, providing support for third sector providers of money, welfare, and debt advice in Edinburgh and a £2.0m Local Community Organisations fund – with a further £500k agreed today to support small third sector organisations.
Extra support for health and social care
The budget includes an additional £6 million uplift to support the Integration Joint Board budget pressures. This approach provides short-term financial stability for the IJB, allowing focus to remain on service sustainability, transformation and delivery of strategic priorities.
Invest £50k towards installing Bleed Kits in Council buildings across the city
