Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals through Mary’s Meals
Generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery in Edinburgh have helped raise more than £7 million for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals, supporting its transformational work to encourage hungry children into the classroom and help them build a brighter future through education.
Founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, Mary’s Meals serves daily school meals to more than three million children in some of the world’s poorest communities. The charity’s school feeding programme provides nutritious daily meals that attract children into the classroom, where education becomes a pathway out of poverty.
The decade-long partnership between People’s Postcode Lottery and Mary’s Meals has achieved remarkable success. Thanks to players, 478,968 children now receive nutritious meals every school day, with more than 39 million meals served to date in 16 countries around the world through this support.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, says: “It’s fantastic to know that for a decade our players have supported the essential work of Mary’s Meals – and have now raised an incredible £7 million to help children across the globe access nutritious meals.
“This funding helps children in some of the most underserved communities go to school well fed, ready to learn and full of hope for a brighter future.”
During the first seven years of the partnership, funding from People’s Postcode Lottery players played a key role in supporting Mary’s Meals’ work including Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as well as strengthening the organisation through key organisational development projects.
More recently, funding has been provided on an unrestricted basis, enabling Mary’s Meals to direct resources where they are needed most across all 16 countries where it operates.
The school feeding programme addresses a variety of challenges, including educational barriers and gender inequality. Girls account for 50% of the children benefiting from Mary’s Meals, yet with 119 million girls still out of school worldwide, ensuring access to education remains a vital step in breaking the cycle of poverty.
For 12-year-old Efigénia who attends Tindzawene Primary School in Mozambique, the promise of a daily school meal is a source of hope in challenging times. She says: “With school meals, I feel good because even with a lack of food at home, here at school I have a meal and I can study.”
Over the past ten years, players from Edinburgh have helped support significant milestones in the Mary’s Meals journey, from feeding one million children in 2015, to the expansion of school feeding programmes in Tigray, Ethiopia and Syria in 2017, and the launch of a new programme in Mozambique in 2024.
At the end of last year, Mary’s Meals reached a major milestone, now serving daily school meals to more than three million children worldwide. This achievement was driven by programme expansions in the first half of 2025, which saw 462,000 additional children across Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe benefit from the school feeding programme.
Such progress would not have been possible without the vital support of People’s Postcode Lottery players, whose contributions continue to fuel the charity’s growth.
Gemma Love, Philanthropy and Institutional Partnerships Manager, says: “We are incredibly grateful to People’s Postcode Lottery players in Edinburgh, whose ongoing support is helping us reach more children than ever before with a daily school meal that encourages learning, brings hope and changes lives.
“Seeing the difference this support makes for children and communities inspires us to keep going and to reach even more children in the years ahead.”
To find out more about the work of Mary’s Meals and ways to get involved, please visit marysmeals.org.uk.
With the Easter school holidays falling two weeks earlier this year and recent heavy snowfall across the Alps, 2026 is shaping up to be a bumper year for Easter ski trips. Current Google Trends and booking data reveal a dramatic spike in demand.
The latest figures from Heidi, the UK’s second-largest ski holiday operator, show Easter ski bookings have jumped 76% year-on-year, which reflects a surge in online UK search interest.
According to current Google Trends data (captured on 23 February 2026*), UK search interest for “easter skiing” is up 144% year-on-year,and has more than tripled for “spring skiing”, which is up 335%. Both terms have reached their highest level in five years, highlighting growing interest in late-season ski breaks:
Italy benefiting from Winter Olympics spotlight
Heidi also reports a shift in Easter destination trends this year, with Italian resorts gaining ground on French favourites – likely a halo effect from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which has showcased the Dolomites and other Italian ski areas to UK audiences.
Last Easter, Heidi’s top-selling resorts were largely French favourites, including Avoriaz, Flaine, Val Thorens, and La Plagne. This year, several Italian resorts – including Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, and Selva di Val Gardena – have moved into the top sellers list, alongside Kirchberg in Austria.
While classic high-altitude Alpine resorts have traditionally been the safest bet for late-season skiing, recent heavy snowfall has broadened the range of viable destinations, appealing to families and budget-conscious skiers.
Why Easter skiing is growing in popularity
Easter offers several advantages over the February half-term peak, making it ideal for families and beginners:
Quieter slopes and shorter lift queues
Longer daylight hours
Milder, sunnier weather
Better-value prices
Marcus Blunt, Co-founder at Heidi, comments: “With the Easter holidays falling earlier this year and exceptional recent snowfall across the Alps, we’re set for a strong spring ski season ahead.
“The surge in Easter bookings reflects this, and there’s increased demand for Italian resorts compared to last year – likely a halo effect from the Winter Olympics spotlight.”
Top Easter family ski deals under £500pp
With five weeks left to book and Heidi’s late-season sale underway, there are great deals available, whether you’re after a full week or a short break:
Font-Romeu (Pyrenees), France – 7 nights – £390pp – Includes 7 nights’ self-catering at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Le Pédrou, return Edinburgh – Barcelona flights, and private airport transfers. Departing Monday 30 March 2026
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – 5 nights – £469pp – Includes 3 nights’ B&B Hotel Alaska Cortina, return Edinburgh – Venice flights, and airport transfers. Departing Tues 31 March 2026
Flaine, France – 4 nights – £431pp – Includes 4 nights’ self-catering at Résidence Pierre & Vacances La Forêt, return Edinburgh – Geneva flights, and airport transfers. Departing Weds 8 April 2026
Seefeld, Austria – 4 nights – £490pp – Includes 4 nights’ self-catering at Apartment Torri di Seefeld,return Edinburgh – Munich/Innsbruck -Edinburgh flights, and airport transfers. Departing Weds 1 April 2026
La Plagne, France – 3 nights – £423pp – Includes 3 nights’ self-catering at Maeva Particuliers Residence Les Constellations, return Edinburgh – Geneva flights, and airport transfers. Departing Monday 30 March 2026
Applications now open for Dobbies Community Gardens
Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is inviting local schools, charities and community groups to apply for this year’s Dobbies Community Gardens, giving successful groups the opportunity to receive support to help bring green spaces to life across the country.
In 2025, each of Dobbies 53 stores selected a winner from over 600 entries to receive support, supplies and advice through the community initiative. Dobbies’ Edinburgh is committed to giving back to the community on both a national and local level and is passionate about encouraging the nation to discover and share a love for gardens.
Dobbies Community Gardens will support its local communities by providing essential tools, plants and expert knowledge from colleagues to groups, to bring their green spaces to life. Dobbies’ Edinburgh store colleagues will also provide dedicated time to each project through volunteer hours.
The community gardens initiative nurtures wellbeing, connections and inclusion to help inspire local residents to spend more time in nature.
Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is looking to hear from local groups hoping to start, restore or upgrade their indoor or outdoor green spaces, and learn more about what they would do with the support.
Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, is encouraging groups across the country to apply. He said: “Every year we look forward to hearing from the variety of inspiring groups about what they are looking to their garden spaces, with our support.
“We encourage local communities and groups within 20 miles of their local Dobbies store to apply to help create their perfect shared garden spaces that will bring joy to the community all year long.
“Whether they are a charity looking to upgrade their green space, a local group looking to bring the community together with a new project, or a school with plans to restore a vegetable patch, we want to hear from anyone who has a garden project that we could support.”
Craig Allardyce, Secretary of Your North Muirton, helped transform an area of land into a community garden with more than 30 raised beds with help from Dobbies.
Craig said: “Our new space supports a wide range of local involvement from individuals renting a low-cost raised bed to grow their own food, to schools and community groups using the area for hands-on learning and shared planting.
“Dobbies Community Gardens is a fantastic initiative to help bring local communities together and we would encourage groups looking for help with a garden project to apply.”
Applications are now open and close at 5pm on 31 March 2026.
Those entering must be within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. Successful projects will be invited along to their local store for a consultation before getting recommendations from Dobbies’ colleagues about what products and tools will help bring the space to life.
The British Dental Association has stressed it will work to ensure the Competition and Markets Authority understand the complex realities of delivering private dentistry.
While launching off the back of requests from the UK Chancellor, the investigation will operate on a four-nation basis.
Official data indicates over 6m adults in England simply prefer private dentistry to NHS care. Thousands of dentists meet this patient need, providing treatment options in mixed NHS-private practices, as well as offering cosmetic dental procedures that are not available on the NHS.
BDA analysis of the dental market indicates that the majority of spending within NHS practices is on private work.
Typical NHS contract holders in England are now delivering items of NHS care at a loss and are reliant on a cross subsidy of over £400 million a year from private activity to break even.
The UK Government has yet to show any sign it is willing to plug the funding gap. Across all four UK nations this funding gap is inevitably putting some pressure on private pricing.
It maintains that while high quality and cost-effective private care remains a preferred option for millions, and Government has a responsibility to properly fund NHS care to prevent people being forced into private treatment.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said:“The UK Government is attempting to use this inquiry to pretend it is improving access and putting money back into voters’ pockets without spending a penny.
“We intend to spell out the facts. We will help to show the CMA how private dentistry works.
“These are services delivering high-quality, cost-effective care that millions of families really value.
“Those left without options, who have felt forced to go private, are there entirely because of choices made by Government’s across the UK.”
Strength of tech ecosystem highlighted as FM opens new Dundee hub
Scottish tech founders raised £257 million in investment since joining Techscaler, Scotland’s national tech scaleup programme – an increase of £139 million on the previous year.
The milestone reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to building a world-class tech ecosystem and highlights how private markets value Scotland’s talent and innovation.
The First Minister welcomed the Techscaler annual report at the opening of the new Tayside home for Techscaler at Water’s Edge in Dundee. The hub will provide a centre for tech start-ups in the region, with the first businesses taking up residency from the games industry.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Techscaler was created to strengthen Scotland’s entrepreneurial environment by giving founders the skills, support and connections needed to build globally competitive companies.
“It is encouraging to see this vision reflected in this year’s results, with a remarkable £257 million now raised by founder members since launch, more than double the previous year. This figure highlights Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is becoming even more connected, collaborative and globally engaged – raising Scotland’s profile as an ambitious innovation nation.
“I’m proud to be here in Dundee to launch Techscaler’s new home at Water’s Edge, which will be a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs in the city. I look forward to seeing the opportunities and the economic benefits the new hub brings to tech-focused companies across the region.”
Jon Hope, Interim CEO, CodeBase said: “With this year’s annual report showcasing Techscaler’s growing national impact, we’re delighted to be collaborating with Water’s Edge to build on the strong foundations and exceptional work already underway in the region.
“Together, we’re doubling down on its world-leading strengths to fast-track high-growth businesses toward global success.
“From our Water’s Edge office, we’ll be proud to support cohorts of early-stage, growth, and scale-up companies, providing access to local and national expertise — including Entrepreneurs in Residence, experienced mentors, investor networks, and international connections.”
Chris van der Kuyl, CBE, Chairman, 4J Studios said: “The Techscaler Hub for the Tay Cities Region opening at Water’s Edge represents a significant commitment to Dundee and a recognition of its status as one of the country’s key centres for technology scale ups.
“Surrounded by some of our nation’s best companies and brightest talent and supported by a mature and dynamic ecosystem I believe the members of this programme will have a distinct advantage and an increased chance of success.”
The latest Techscaler annual report shows more than 1,500 tech companies and nearly 2,100 founders are now engaged in the programme, receiving structured education, expert mentorship and community connections including to global markets.
Businesses selected for the first cohort at Waters Edge:
Mission of Innocents has opened a new Creative Arts Centre at Ocean Terminal in Leith, offering a safe, welcoming space where resettled children and families can come together, express themselves and begin to thrive through creativity.
The centre will be home to Mission of Innocents’ programmes using art, music, movement and storytelling to help children and families who have lived through war, displacement and crisis feel safe again, build confidence and reconnect with childhood.
Last night’s opening was marked by a special event attended by Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, alongside members of the High Constables of Leith and the Consular Corps. The evening included the unveiling of a commemorative installation and a performance by children supported by Mission of Innocents.
Mission of Innocents was founded in 2022 by Joyce Landry, whose company, Landry & Kling, managed two ships brought to Scotland to accommodate Ukrainian families fleeing conflict. Witnessing first-hand the profound impact that war and resettlement were having on children far from home, Joyce was moved to act.
What began as a small, urgent response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has since grown into a mission supporting children and families from many different cultures and backgrounds affected by conflict, climate disasters and political crises, including families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Sudan.
The new centre gives the charity a permanent base in Scotland, allowing it to support more children over a longer period of time, with free classes and programmes running throughout the week.
Among the young people supported by Mission of Innocents is Dmytro Miskova, who arrived in Scotland after fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Dmytro’s first home in Scotland was onboard the MS Victoria, docked in Govan, where hundreds of Ukrainian families were temporarily housed. Arriving frightened and unsure of what the future would hold, he struggled with the uncertainty of starting again in a new country.
It was through a poetry performance organised for families onboard that Dmytro first connected with Mission of Innocents. The experience became a turning point, helping him rediscover confidence and a sense of identity beyond his circumstances.
Now living in Coatbridge and attending secondary school, Dmytro is thriving and hopes to pursue a career in aircraft engineering. His journey reflects the wider impact of Mission of Innocents’ work, creating safe spaces where children who have experienced resettlement can rebuild confidence, form friendships and begin to look forward again.
Joyce Landry, Founder and CEO of Mission of Innocents, said: “Mission of Innocents started because I saw children who had lost their sense of safety, routine and joy. They had been through things no child should experience, and there was very little support focused on how they were feeling.
“Through simple creative activities, we began to see changes, children opening up, making friends, laughing and smiling again.
“What began with Ukrainian families has grown to support children from many different backgrounds, all carrying their own stories. This centre gives us a place where children and families can feel safe, be themselves and begin to thrive, and that means everything to us.”
Nataliia Pidruchna, Director of Children’s Programmes at Mission of Innocents, said: “Creative arts give children a way to express feelings they don’t yet have words for. Through art, music and movement, we see confidence grow, friendships form and smiles return.
“I’ve worked with children in Ukraine and here in Scotland for years, and I’ve never seen anything break down barriers in the way creativity does. One little girl I worked with barely spoke at all, she had become completely silent. Over time, through dance and movement, she slowly began to find her voice again.
“It’s for children like her that we do this work. This centre will be a place where children feel welcome, supported and free to be themselves, and where families who’ve been through incredibly hard times can begin to thrive together.”
Since 2022, Mission of Innocents programmes have reached over 800 resettled children, providing vital support across Scotland and beyond, with clear improvements seen in confidence, wellbeing and social connection.
***CASE STUDIES***
For many children, the journey with Mission of Innocents began onboard the MS Victoria and the MS Ambition, and continues today on land in Edinburgh and across Scotland – a journey from fear and upheaval to belonging, rebuilt through creativity.
These are children who fled war, left behind homes, loved ones and familiar routines, arrived in a new country without the language, and began again in temporary accommodation. Through art, music, movement and performance, they have found ways to process trauma, rediscover their voices and rebuild confidence.
The stories below show how young people have moved from receiving support to leading, performing and contributing – strengthening wellbeing, restoring cultural identity and forming lasting community connections:
Dmytro Miskova
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, millions of families fled their homes almost overnight. One of them was Dmytro Miskova, then just a schoolboy whose world revolved around theatre rehearsals, poetry clubs and years of dedicated taekwondo training.
Within weeks, everything he knew had gone. Forced to leave his home, his friends and the life he’d built, Dmytro arrived in Scotland not knowing what would happen next. He spoke some English, but he didn’t know a single person. He was scared but he was also quietly determined to make the most of this unexpected new chapter.
His first home in Scotland wasn’t a house or a flat, it was the MS Ambition I, the large cruise ship docked in Govan, Glasgow, which temporarily housed hundreds of Ukrainian families arriving in the UK. It was there, surrounded by other resettled families all trying to adjust to a new reality, that Dmytro first came across Mission of Innocents.
At the time, Dmytro was just 10-years old. He arrived in Scotland with his mum, Mariia, leaving behind a family in Ukraine.
Life on the ship was safe, but it was uncertain and everyone was adjusting. Everyone was waiting to find out what came next. Not long after arriving, Dmytro signed up to take part in a poetry performance organised for families onboard. He has been engaged with poetry since around the age of six or seven, reciting and performing in Ukraine, and has continued to develop this talent and interest in Scotland. Standing up in front of a room full of strangers in a new country, speaking in a different language, felt completely different to Dmytro. He was nervous, but he did it anyway.
That moment, on a ship docked in Leith, far from home, changed everything. Through Mission of Innocents, Dmytro began getting involved in theatre sessions, creative workshops and volunteering opportunities. It wasn’t just about keeping busy for him, it was about rebuilding confidence, feeling seen and being known for his talent and not just his circumstances.
Slowly, he found his feet, like many other children on the ship. He made friends with other young people he had first met on the ship – friendships that have lasted well beyond those early days, and he embraced life in Scotland.
Now 14 years-old, and living in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Dmytro is in his third year at Coatbridge High School. He’s settled, focused and ambitious for his future.
His dream is to become an aircraft engineer, inspired by a lifelong fascination with aviation and how planes work. He is determined to build a future here, not just for himself, but to give back to the country that gave him safety when he needed it most.
From a frightened young person arriving in an unfamiliar country to a confident young man with big plans for the future, Dmytro’s story shows what can happen when resettled children are given the right support, creative outlets and belief.
Mariana Aleksandrova
Mariana was 13-years-old when she joined Mission of Innocents onboard the ship, having taken on caring responsibilities for her younger sister during a period of upheaval.
When invited to join the Harmony Choir, she said simply, “I love to sing.”
She is now a soloist and event host at major performances, a powerful example of how creativity can help a young person rediscover confidence and identity.
Nadiia
Arriving in Scotland at 17-years-old with a strong musical background, Nadiia’s artistic journey was disrupted by displacement.
Through fundraising support, Mission of Innocents helped secure her traditional Ukrainian instrument, the Tsymbaly, enabling her to perform again.
She now contributes live music to community and cultural events, restoring both her artistic identity and cultural continuity.
Platon
Platon joined the programme aged seven while living onboard the accommodation ship. Initially a participant in arts sessions, he began proposing ideas and, with staff support, leading short creative workshops himself.
Today, he mentors peers in craft activities, demonstrating early leadership, creative confidence and a progression from participant to co-creator.
Diana
Diana, a trained ballroom dancer, joined the programme in 2023 and established new dance and cheerleading groups for teenage girls, later expanding sessions to younger children and mothers. Her work has strengthened peer networks, supported wellbeing and created sustainable, community-led activity beyond the initial resettlement phase.
Daniil Yudin
Daniil, a talented young performer with an operatic voice, has returned to the stage and resumed playing piano through Mission of Innocents, continuing to build his musical future in a new country.
Lena and Vika Chernovy
Twin sisters Lena and Vika were 10-years-old when they joined the programme after arriving in Edinburgh. They discovered a passion for dance through groups including Flowers of Ukraine and MyWay. Today, they perform at a high level and hope to pursue dance professionally.
Kateryna
Kateryna was five-years-old when her family relocated to Edinburgh. Now nine-years-old, she is active in the Harmony Choir, dance groups and creative workshops. Her mother says she has grown into a confident child with strong friendships and a renewed sense of joy.
To learn more about Mission of Innocents, please visit:
The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced a ten-fold increase in its Accelerator Programme on the previous year to support 5,000 Scottish startups in 2026.
The Bank has also announced a £1 million partnership with the Scottish EDGE Awards to incentivise entrepreneurs from all of Scotland regions, scaling businesses and young innovators – including to deliver the largest prize fund in the competition’s history.
The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced a substantial increase in its Accelerator Programme to support 5,000 entrepreneurs, ahead of the opening of its new flagship Edinburgh Hub building later this year.
The 2026 ambition represents a 10-fold increase over the previous year and is more than all the businesses supported in the previous ten years that the Royal Bank Accelerator Programme has been delivered.
The Royal Bank of Scotland Accelerator provides entrepreneurs, from all sectors, with business coaching, support networks and access to expertise from across the Bank at no cost. Since launching its Accelerator App in March 2025, the Bank has seen over 1,500 downloads in Scotland.
The Royal Bank of Scotland also currently supports 1,000 businesses through its physical Accelerator Hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh, which offers meeting and working space to accelerator community members.
Notable Accelerator alumni have included Edinburgh-based pizza oven maker Ooni and Glasgow-based healthcare staffing platform provider Staffscanner. Together Scottish Accelerator community businesses have created over 900 jobs.
To recognise the best of Scotland’s entrepreneurial community, the Royal Bank of Scotland is also today announcing a £1 million investment in the Scottish EDGE Awards. These will help to fund three awards – a top Young EDGE and Regional EDGE award in their respective current rounds, and an increased Scale EDGE award of £200,000 in the next round, the largest single prize offered by the competition in its history.
The Scottish EDGE Awards are Scotland’s largest business funding competition and run biannually. The 27th EDGE Awards opened for applicants on 25 February with the finals due to be held on 11th June at the Royal Bank of Scotland Conference Centre, Gogarburn, Edinburgh.
The Royal Bank of Scotland has supported the Awards for the last 12 years as a founding partner, alongside the Hunter Foundation, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, and this new investment extends and expands the partnership to 2028. Since 2014, EDGE winners have collectively created over 4,400 jobs and achieved almost £800 million in turnover.
Darren Pirie, Head of Accelerator & Partnerships, Royal Bank of Scotland said: “In our tenth anniversary year, we are going to turbocharge our support for Scotland’s entrepreneurs, by expanding our Royal Bank Accelerator community to 5,000 founders.
“I am also delighted that our extended partnership with the EDGE Awards will see us reward more of Scotland’s startup success stories. Our expanded support for regional awards recognises that the grit, potential and spirit that characterises so many entrepreneurs can be found in every part of our country.
“Royal Bank Accelerator continues to go from strength to strength in supporting Scotland’s innovators to grow.”
Evelyn McDonald, CEO, Scottish EDGE said: “As a founding partner of Scottish EDGE, Royal Bank of Scotland has played a pivotal role in helping ambitious founders across Scotland turn great ideas into investable businesses.
“This new £1 million commitment over the next three years is a significant vote of confidence in Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent and in the proven impact that timely, early-stage funding can have.
“From earlier EDGE winners such as Ooni and Amiqus to the next generation of high-growth start-ups, our support can be the catalyst at a critical moment.
“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Royal Bank and look forward to seeing this investment translate into more innovation, more high-quality jobs, and a stronger Scottish economy.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, visited Barratt Homes’ Tower Street at Merchant Quay development in Leith yesterday to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week and meet with current and former apprentices building their careers in the construction industry.
The visit highlighted the important role apprenticeships play in supporting Scotland’s housing sector, developing future talent and creating sustainable career opportunities. During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary toured the development, spoke with the site team and heard first-hand from apprentices about their experiences and career progression within the industry.
Tower Street at Merchant Quay, one of Barratt Homes East Scotland’s developments, features a range of one-, two-and three-bedroom apartments. Barratt Homes has numerous apprentices across a range of disciplines on their sites, with several Construction Managers, Site Managers and Senior Site Managers beginning their careers as apprentices, demonstrating the long-term career opportunities available within the business.
Coordinated by Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships to create careers, build businesses, grow the workforce and get real returns for the economy.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, said:“Apprentices are a central part of growing our economy and I’ve enjoyed hearing directly from the young people who are starting out their careers in the building industry.
“Through the Scottish Government’s Future Planners Programme we’re also increasing the number of planners and supporting future improvements in the planning system by supporting students to study and gain real work experience.
“We know how important these programmes are to the success of the whole housing sector which our new agency, More Homes Scotland, will help to grow. I wish every success to our apprentices and thank them for their contribution to our future workforce.”
Frank Mitchell, Skills Development Scotland Chair, said:“Scottish Apprenticeships provide real returns for employers, individuals and the economy.
“People from all backgrounds are gaining meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships, creating diverse workforces that benefits business and our society. At a time when employers are seeing skill shortages all over the country, apprenticeships have never been so important than they are now.”
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director of Barratt Homes East Scotland, said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an important opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution apprentices make to our business and the wider construction industry.
“We were proud to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our Tower Street at Merchant Quay development to meet some of our talented apprentices and hear about the vital work being done on site. Apprenticeships are fundamental to developing the next generation of skilled professionals and addressing the construction skills gap.
“At Barratt Homes, we are committed to investing in people, providing structured training and clear progression pathways so that individuals can build long and rewarding careers with us. “Developments like Tower Street at Merchant Quay demonstrate how investing in skills supports both local communities and Scotland’s housing ambitions.”
As one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, Barratt Redrow continues to play a central role in tackling Scotland’s housing challenges while supporting the local economy and helping to close the construction skills gap through investment in apprenticeships, graduate programmes and training initiatives.
For further information about Barratt Homes’ Tower Street at Merchant Quay development, visit:
Charities across Edinburgh entered the new year facing a complex operating environment, as Scottish Charity Register data reveals more organisations were removed from the register last year than were newly established.
According to the register, 101 charities were registered in Edinburgh during 2025, while 122 were removed from the register.
Removal from the register can include mergers or charities completing their purpose, but the figures highlight the ongoing pressures within the voluntary sector as organisations adapt to rising costs, regulatory demands and changing funding patterns.
This local picture mirrors UK trends. The Status of UK Fundraising 2025 report found that 54% of UK charities saw their fundraising income remain static or fall over the past year, with a substantial majority attributing this to wider economic conditions. While income is not universally declining, many organisations are having to work harder to maintain stability.
Ansvar Insurance, a specialist insurer for charities and not‑for‑profit organisations, says the challenge is less about short-term survival and more about long-term sustainability.
Photo of a group of friends studying together at home
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “Edinburgh has always had an incredibly active charity sector, but these figures show just how challenging the current environment has become.
“Rising operational costs, a more competitive fundraising landscape and increased demand with an average of 27% of Edinburgh residents relying on charitable services mean organisations need to think differently about sustainability.”
To help local organisations strengthen their resilience, Ansvar is encouraging charities to explore less obvious strategies that can make a meaningful difference:
Build practical partnerships: Formal partnerships with organisations serving similar beneficiaries can reduce overheads through shared back-office functions, joint fundraising and collaborative grant bids, while strengthening funding applications.
Focus on long-term supporter relationships: Nurturing existing supporters through regular updates and consistent storytelling can help convert into monthly giving, providing greater stability than one-off donations.
Review insurance and risk exposure: A risk assessment can highlight duplicated cover or gaps in protection. As services evolve, charities should ensure their insurance reflects current activities to avoid unnecessary costs or unexpected exposures.
Despite the pressures, the registration of new charities in Edinburgh during 2025 demonstrates the commitment of local communities to addressing social need.
Adam Tier added: “Financial sustainability isn’t just about raising more money. Often, it’s about taking a fresh look at existing processes and asking the right questions.
“The organisations that thrive are those that plan ahead, understand their risks and adapt early, positioning themselves to weather these challenges and continue serving their communities for years to come.”
‘Stricter conditions for migrants receiving asylum support will create a fairer, compliance-based system that’s better for the British taxpayer‘
Asylum seekers who break the law, illegally work or can support themselves financially will have their accommodation and financial support removed under new laws introduced yesterday.
The statutory legal duty to provide asylum seekers with support and accommodation will be revoked. Instead, it will be replaced with a conditional approach, so support is reserved only for those who genuinely need it and follow the law.
The measures, laid in Parliament yesterday (Thursday 5 March) and which will come into force in June, will remove support payments and accommodation for asylum seekers who illegally work, have the ability to support themselves, have the right to work or have broken the law. Those convicted of serious crimes face removal or deportation.
The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduces new legislation to restore order and control to our borders. She outlined her plans in a speech at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank outlining how these reforms are in line with her British values.
The measures deliver on last November’s asylum policy statement, which set out this government’s plan to fix our broken asylum system and maintain the public’s confidence so we can continue provide sanctuary to those genuinely fleeing danger.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Britain will always provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution. But taxpayers cannot be expected to fund the lives of those who exploit the system or break our laws.Asylum support and accommodation will now become conditional – reserved only for those who play by our rules.“
Last year a total of £4 billion was spent on asylum support in the UK. As of December, there were 107,003 individuals in receipt of asylum support, with 30,657 in around 200 asylum hotels, costing the Home Office an average of £53,000 a year.
Among this group, around 21,000 migrants could be granted the right to work because they have been waiting for more than 12 months for their asylum claim.
Meanwhile, a record-breaking 9,000 illegal working arrests were made across the UK last year – some of which were asylum seekers.
Under the tougher policy, these people could be eligible to have their support removed, alongside those who break the law, refuse removal and can financially support themselves.
The UK Labour government has already reduced the number of migrants in asylum hotels by 19% in the past year (to the end of December 2025), and overall asylum support costs by 15% in the last financial year (to the end of March 2025).
Tougher rules like those set out could help reduce this even further and lead to greater savings for the taxpayer.
It will ensure the UK offers asylum support that is decent and humane, without attracting illegal migrants to the UK and placing an excessive burden on taxpayers.
Yesterday’s announcement comes after the Home Secretary visited Denmark last week to see how it has tackled immigration with extraordinary results, bringing asylum claims to a 40-year low.
Ms Mahmood has set out that her sweeping reforms to the UK immigration system will follow the Danish model to ramp up removals of those with no right to be here and make it less attractive for illegal migrants to come to Britain.
This work includes closing every asylum hotel in the UK and moving migrants to alternative accommodation, such as former military sites like Crowborough, which is already housing male migrants.
The government will also reform the interpretation of Article 8 of the ECHR to ramp up removals, threaten visa sanctions on countries who do not take back illegal migrants, create a one-stop-shop to fix the broken appeals system and open new safe and legal routes.
The Labour Government says: “Taken together, these are the most sweeping reforms to Britain’s immigration system in modern times.
“It sits alongside existing work which has seen illegal working enforcement activity in 2025 reach the highest level in British history in a calendar year. Removals have also scaled up to nearly 60,000 since July 2024 – a 31% increase compared to the 19-month period ending June 2024.”
