As part of the World Press Photo exhibition currently on display here at The Scottish Parliament, we’re excited to be hosting two more free panel events on Monday evening.
“Ukraine, the future” explores security, support for Ukraine, and prospects for lasting peace.
“How images sell the news” will examine what makes a good news image, and who decides this.
Come along and be part of the discussions, with the opportunity to ask the expert panellists your questions.
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Sanne Dijkstra-Downie has urged the Scottish Government to rethink its decision to exclude the right to a healthy environment from its future Human Rights Bill.
Minister for Equalities, Simita Kumar, said that the government will “not include a standalone right to a healthy environment in the future Human Rights Bill.”
The right is about making sure people have access to clean air, a safe climate, safe water and adequate sanitation, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments in which to live, work, study and play, and healthy biodiversity and ecosystems.
Recognising this right was a key recommendation of the Scottish Government’s National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership in 2021.
In 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice said that legislating for this right was a “necessary and important step for Scotland now to take”.
In their manifesto, Scottish Liberal Democrats committed to recognising everyone’s human right to a healthy environment.
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern and party spokesperson for the environment Sanne Dijkstra-Downie said:“I am deeply disappointed to see that the Scottish Government is withholding such a fundamental human right.
“Everybody deserves access to clean air, safe water and sanitation, as well as a stable climate. Without these protections, people are exposed to severe physical illnesses, mental health struggles, and long-term societal damage ranging from toxic chemical and radiation exposure to deepening food insecurity.
“As Scotland faces a surge in energy-intensive infrastructure, including the proposed development of massive data centres and chip-manufacturing plants, it is more vital than ever to establish robust legal frameworks that safeguard our environment and protect future generations.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats remain fully committed to high environmental standards by recognising everyone’s human right to a healthy environment.
“We are determined to work closely with our European neighbours, rather than falling behind international best practice.”
Consultation on a household recycling code of practice
People across Scotland are being invited to have their say on proposals to make recycling easier and more consistent.
The Scottish Government consultation seeks views on a new household recycling code of practice, which also aims to increase recycling rates and help reduce carbon emissions.
Clear standards for how councils collect and manage household waste and recycling are part of the draft code, which proposes:
a move towards more households having collections of paper and card separately from plastic, metal and cartons to reduce recycling contamination
clear and consistent definitions of materials accepted for kerbside collection to provide clarity for the public on what can be recycled
limits on general waste capacity, to encourage greater use of recycling and food waste collections
nationally recommended colours for recycling bins to make it easier to understand how to recycle
Delivering a key commitment of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act, the code has been developed through extensive engagement with local authorities, waste management practitioners and environmental organisations. The consultation now gives communities, individuals and organisations across Scotland the chance to shape the final code before it is laid before the Scottish Parliament.
It also clarifies that flexible plastic and plastic films should also be collected from households. The consultation also seeks views on proposals developed with local authorities and stakeholders regarding how food and garden waste should be collected and how rural exemptions should apply.
Modelling suggests the code could increase Scotland’s household recycling rate by approximately 2.5% and reduce carbon emissions by around 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year, equivalent to the annual emissions from more than 27,000 petrol cars.
Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said: “Recycling well shouldn’t depend on where you live. This code will help make sure it is easier for people right across Scotland, in both our cities and rural communities, to recycle more.
“We’ve worked closely with councils and stakeholders on these proposals and I am grateful to them for their constructive engagement to get us to this stage. However, it is clear that there’s more to get right before the code is finalised.
“I’d encourage everyone with a view, whether you’re a council, a community group or simply someone who wants to see Scotland recycle better, to take part in this consultation and help us shape the final code.”
Almost 83,000 crimes have been recorded through the 61016 number since the public safety campaign launched in 2016
‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ campaign marks 10 years, having helped prompt over 1.5 million texts to British Transport Police, leading to almost 83,000 crimes recorded
passengers using 61016 led to 175,000 police deployments over the past decade, showing how a single text can lead to an arrest, investigation and conviction
government work under nationalisation puts passengers at the heart of transport, with £17 million to improve CCTV at stations, and the British Transport Police receiving a £63 million boost over 3 years – funding over 200 additional officers
Passengers have helped the British Transport Police record almost 83,000 crimes over the past decade by texting 61016, according to new figures released today, as the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ campaign reaches its tenth anniversary.
Since its launch in 2016, the campaign has become one of the most recognised public safety messages in the country, encouraging passengers to trust their instincts and report anything that doesn’t feel right to the British Transport Police.
This has led to real action – more than 200,000 texts are now sent to the British Transport Police each year using 61016, and last year saw an almost tenfold increase since the campaign was launched in 2016. These texts alone – more than 1.5 million exchanged over the last 10 years – have led to more than 175,000 police deployments across the rail network.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “We’re committed to making our railways safe, and for a decade, ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ has played a vital role in doing this, supporting the British Transport Police, transforming how people report crimes and issues across the network.
“Almost 83,000 crimes have been recorded through the 61016 number – proof that reporting leads to real action, showing the difference passengers can make simply by speaking up.”
Over 60% of people say they feel safer because of visible security measures when travelling and ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ is mandated across every train operator and station in England, Scotland and Wales, making it one of the most visible and widely deployed public safety campaigns in the country.
While the campaign is primarily a counter-terrorism campaign, it has evolved as a way of promoting the 61016 number, giving people another way to report a wide range of other crimes and safety issues to the British Transport Police.
This includes an incident in March 2025, where a passenger on a train to London Euston witnessed a man viewing graphic child abuse material on his phone and discreetly reported it by texting 61016.
Officers intercepted the train, arrested the man and he was sentenced to over 2 years in prison – showing the difference a single text can make to bring offenders to justice.
British Transport Police Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, said: “For 10 years, ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ has encouraged passengers to report anything that doesn’t feel right, helping raise awareness of British Transport Police’s 61016 text service, which now receives more than 25,000 messages each month.
“The free, discreet service allows passengers to report crime, suspicious behaviour and sexual harassment directly to us, enabling swift action to keep people safe and bring offenders to justice. The public are our eyes and ears on the railway and their vigilance continues to play a vital role in helping keep the network safe.”
The Westminster government is committed to making sure our railways are safe, and the British Transport Police are receiving an extra £63 million in funding over 3 years for 200 more officers, including 36 officers as part of a new team dedicated specifically to reducing violence and intimidation against women and girls.
This is alongside a £17 million investment to improve CCTV at stations, and for the first time rail operators are being assessed on their commitments to tackle violence against women and girls.
“Ukraine, the future” explores security, support for Ukraine, and prospects for lasting peace.
Monday 2 Nov from 5.15pm
More info & book FREE tickets: https://ow.ly/SXao5102qxV
