Day: March 12, 2026

Is small talk a thing of the past? Samaritans urges Scots to keep talking

Samaritans Scotland’s Small Talk Saves Lives trailer will be pitching up at Bristo Square TOMORROW 13th March from 10am – 3pm

New data has revealed that over half of adults in Scotland (59%) would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset. However, nearly half of the respondents in Scotland (49%) felt that small talk is a thing of the past.

Responses from Scotland were spread across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. 

People in Edinburgh were most likely to appreciate a kind word from a stranger if they were visibly upset (68%), followed by Inverness (67%), Dundee (64%), Aberdeen (50%) and Glasgow (49%). 

Overall, the weather was the go-to small talk topic of choice for those across all five Scottish cities, with sport, family, and TV following closely behind. 

The data is released as part of the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign – a campaign by Samaritans, Network Rail, and British Transport Police to remind people to practice their small talk skills, as it could be a life-saving tool. 

Small talk has a big impact. As part of the campaign, Samaritans volunteers will be visible in locations across Scotland, with pop-up events taking place in Wishaw, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Eyemouth, and Edinburgh during the week beginning 9th March, encouraging people to use small talk and check in on others.

A survey commissioned by  Samaritans found that over three quarters (78%) of people in the UK admitted to having avoided small talk in the past, despite 59% of respondents stated they would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset, and two thirds  (68%) of them  said they would be more inclined to make small talk with a stranger if they knew it made a positive impact. 

The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, which Samaritans has run in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police since 2017, encourages the public to make some small talk with someone they think could be in distress, as your words could be a life-saving kit.  

Dave Brown, Head of Rail at Samaritans, said: “We know that people are often worried about saying the wrong thing to someone who is visibly upset, but it’s always better to say something than nothing at all.

“A brief chat, about the weather, or asking someone where they can grab a coffee, can be all it takes to interrupt those negative thoughts. Your words are a life-saving kit.”  

Matt Hosgood, Regional Rail Lead at Samaritans Scotland, said: “Samaritans ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign returns for its ninth year. This campaign is delivered by the Samaritans rail team, in partnership with Network Rail and the British Transport Police.

“The campaign comes at a time where over half of UK adults say they would appreciate some kind words if they were visibly upset. With this in mind, we are encouraging members of the public to feel empowered to check in on each other, reinforcing how asking something as simple as “Do you know where I can get a coffee?” can be enough to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts, open up a conversation, and potentially save a life.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and we all have a role to play to actively listen, show that we care and know where to signpost people for appropriate, timely support. Trust your instincts – if you see someone who might need help, stop and ask if they are okay, where it is safe to do so.

“Samaritans volunteers across Scotland will be visible in locations all over the country with a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit and other goodies, as well as providing vital emotional support to anyone who might need it.

“Our trailer will be in Wishaw, Glasgow Forge, Kirkcaldy Galleries, Eyemouth Harbour and Edinburgh’s Bristo Square during the week beginning 9th March, so do pop by for a cuppa and a blether, as we work together to see that fewer people die by suicide.”

Louise McNally, principal suicide & trespass prevention specialist, said: “Millions of people pass through the rail network each day, and everyone single one of them could ask a simple question or say a friendly comment that could make all the difference.

“By encouraging colleagues and passengers to pause and start a conversation with someone that looks like they might need help, we’re encouraging people to make looking out for one another second nature and reminding them that small talk really can save lives.” 

Superintendent Sam Painter, British Transport Police lead for Protecting Vulnerable People, said: “The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign reinforces the message that anyone can play a role in supporting vulnerable people, even through something as simple as a little small talk. 

“We continue to work closely with Samaritans and Network Rail to ensure that those experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely and appropriate help.

“While a moment of small talk could help someone feel less alone, we also encourage anyone who sees a person they believe is in distress on the railway network to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 999 in an emergency.” 

For more information and tips, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives   

Independent Commission on the Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex

Fiona Taylor appointed as Chair

Former Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland Fiona Taylor has been appointed to lead an independent Commission which will consider how to safely and effectively criminalise the purchase of sex in Scotland.

The Commission, whose work will be informed by the views and experiences of those who have been involved in prostitution, will provide recommendations to Ministers including on:

  • the framing of a new criminal offence for purchasing sex that can be effectively enforced and prosecuted
  • how to manage any risk to the safety of those involved in prostitution after any new offence is introduced
  • how to best provide practical, sustainable support for those who wish to exit prostitution
  • further work to challenge and deter men’s demand for prostitution.

Ministers committed to establishing a Commission following a recommendation by the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee in their Stage 1 Report on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill.

Ministers will work with Ms Taylor to finalise the Commission’s terms of reference and a panel of experts will be appointed to support her in due course. The Commission will report to Ministers within a year of its first meeting.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I am clear that prostitution is violence against women and girls and the purchase of sex should be criminalised.

“That is why we are following the Criminal Justice Committee’s recommendation to establish a Commission to consider how this can be done in an effective, enforceable way while addressing concerns raised that criminalisation could place women at higher risk of violence.

“Women also need to be able to access practical, sustainable support to help them exit prostitution and this will be another strand of the Commission’s work, along with what more can be done to challenge and deter men’s demand for buying sex.

“I am very pleased that Fiona Taylor has been appointed as Chair. Fiona brings significant experience to the issues and challenges involved in this important area of work, having had a distinguished career including serving as Deputy Chief Constable and Interim Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Fiona, like the Scottish Government, also recognises the value and importance of lived experience, which will be at the heart of this work.”

Fiona Taylor said: “I am grateful to have been offered the opportunity to chair the independent Commission tasked with progressing this important matter. 

“I look forward to working with other members of the Commission, once appointed, and reporting back to Ministers in due course.’  

Responding to the announcement, Ash Regan MSP said: “If the government wanted to criminalise the purchase of sex they should’ve voted FOR my #Unbuyable bill last month.

“A commission isn’t action – it’s inaction. Yet again survivors are being let down.”

Closing the Stable Door …

New measures to strengthen appointment and vetting processes following Mandelson revelations

  • National Security Vetting process to be reviewed following Peter Mandelson case
  • Ethics and Integrity Commission tasked with tightening financial disclosures, lobbying and business appointment rules
  • Further reforms build on ambitious programme of standards and ethics reform 

The Westminster Government has ordered an overhaul of standards in Whitehall to boost ethics and integrity in political and public life following the Peter Mandelson case.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones confirmed the work builds on the significant action this Government has already taken to deliver reforms to standards and ethics.

However, the Mandelson case has also shown more needs to be done and raised further questions about how the direct ministerial appointment process, and wider operation of government, can be strengthened.

The Government will continue to go further to strengthen standards in public life, including by looking again at how ministers and senior officials declare and publish their financial interests, how transparency around lobbying is enforced, and whether the rules on post‑employment activity are fit for purpose in preventing unfair access to, or influence within, government.

The Prime Minister has written to the Ethics and Integrity Commission, asking them to review current arrangements relating to financial disclosures for ministers and senior officials, transparency around lobbying and the Business Appointment Rules. The Government will swiftly respond to any recommendations to bolster standards in public life.

Alongside this, the Government will review the National Security Vetting system, including lessons learned from Peter Mandelson’s developed vetting.

The Government has already confirmed that, in future, diplomatic appointments will not be announced until security vetting has been completed.

To drive this work forward, Baroness Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, has been appointed to work on standards policy and to deliver the Government’s agenda on ethical standards and constitutional affairs.

Ministers have asked the Lords Conduct Committee to review the Code of Conduct to consider what changes are required to ensure peers can be removed when they have brought the House into disrepute. Ministers are also exploring whether the Committee can tighten rules on lobbying and paid advocacy to bring the Lords in line with the Commons.

In parallel, the Government has also committed to bringing forward legislation to remove peerages from disgraced peers as soon as possible. This work will build on progress to reform the second chamber, such as the upcoming removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords. 

These further steps add to the action the Government has already taken to raise standards — including publishing a new Ministerial Code, establishing the Ethics and Integrity Commission, strengthening the powers of the Independent Adviser, and reforming the business appointments system.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is supporting the strengthening of the due diligence and security vetting processes for politically appointed Heads of Mission. This includes introducing individual due diligence-specific interviews with proposed candidates and ensuring politically appointed Ambassadors will have to undergo security vetting before they are appointed.

The government is also looking at assurance processes for high-profile Direct Ministerial Appointments across government, ensuring there are robust measures in place with further details on this work to be set out in due course. 

The Government recognises that the Mandelson case has raised serious concerns about standards and inflicted real damage on people’s trust in politics. While the specifics of that case are now a matter for the police, it has exposed the gaps in whether the systems designed to uphold integrity are strong enough.

Taken together, these measures show this Government’s determination to address the issues raised and uphold integrity in public life by strengthening the rules, improving transparency, and restoring confidence in how government operates.