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One month left to apply for fully-funded place at Fettes College

Time is running out to secure a fully-funded place at Fettes College, with applications from students in Midlothian to be completed before mid-January.

Until this year, only two pupils from Edinburgh state primary schools were eligible for Kick-start, a transformational bursary scheme which will fund an entire Fettes College education, but this was extended to 11-year-olds from across Scotland in September.

To be eligible for this bursary, which is supported by a charitable trust, applicants must be 11 years old in September 2024, and receive free school meals or be in a low-income household.

Prospective candidates can access support with their applications from teachers at Fettes College, as well as their respective primary schools.

Ms Amanda Mair, a teacher in Fettes Prep School, has supported previous Kick-start students, their families, and their primary schools from the very beginning of the programme in 2018.

Amanda said: “It’s always such a pleasure to meet the bright and talented prospective candidates for the Kick-start bursary, and to be able to show them around our school, letting them know all about life at Fettes.

“I visit local schools to meet prospective pupils and their teachers, and have previously helped families fill in the registration forms, as I know it can sometimes feel like a daunting process.”

Following an entrance assessment, the two successful children will join Fettes’ Prep School for the first two years of their education, giving them the chance to familiarise themselves with the school environment across a stunning 100-acre campus before moving up to the Senior School.

The successful students will also have access to the latest technology, as well as an extensive range of sports, co-curricular activities, outdoor pursuits and trips.

As standard at Fettes, the successful students will also be matched with a buddy to ensure they receive a warm welcome to the school.

Old Fettesian (alumni) membership and access to the Fettes Careers Partnership is also included within the bursary, so the students have a connection to the school community for life.

A parent of a Fettes Kick-start student said: “The Kick-start bursary has enhanced all of our lives, with Fettes providing help at each stage of the process. Being part of the Fettes community and watching the skills and opportunities the children get is so rewarding.

“The Kick-start bursary won’t just provide until the child is 18 years old, as the lessons and skills they’ll learn will be with them for the rest of their lives. We are truly grateful for all that Fettes provides and all the support they give us. The Kick-start bursary is so amazing and has changed our family’s lives for the better.”

Mr Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes Colleges Preparatory School, said: “Our philanthropic mission hasn’t changed since Fettes was founded through the philanthropy of Sir William Fettes in 1870. We want to break down the barriers and help bright young pupils, regardless of their circumstances, gain access to a Fettes education so they can have an opportunity to make the most of their talents.

“This bursary is awarded to ambitious boys and girls who would not ordinarily be in a position to benefit from a Fettes education. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the exceptional education we provide at Fettes, which nurtures and discovers talents and inspires a lifelong love of learning. I’d encourage applications from students across Scotland.”

In addition to the support available from Fettes’ staff such as Ms Mair and headteachers, families can also benefit from support from staff at local FetLor Youth Club in Edinburgh.

FetLor’s Chief Executive Dr Richie Adams is keen to encourage families to contact him and his staff at FetLor Youth Club for hands-on support with their application.

Dr Richie Adams, Chief Executive of FetLor, said: “FetLor offers children and young people in the North of Edinburgh a safe place to develop their resilience, their confidence, achieve their potential, and enjoy a hot meal, even in times of challenge, hardship, and real need.

“Anything we can do to create opportunities to support these young people is something we embrace wholeheartedly. The Kick-start bursary should be grasped with both hands.”

Applications for the bursary will close on 15 January 2024.

More information about the Kick-start bursary and how to apply are available at https://www.fettes.com/kick-start-bursary.

STUC launch tax proposals to save Scotland’s public services

Scotland’s largest trade union body has implored the Scottish Government to “step up for Scotland” as the STUC launches their 2023 tax report showing an extra £3.7 billion could be raised per year using Scotland’s existing powers.

The report: ‘Raising tax to deliver for Scotland’ demonstrates how changes to income and property taxes from April next year could raise an additional £1.1 billion for Scotland’s public services.

Longer term, the introduction of wealth taxes, replacing the council tax with a proportional property tax and introducing a super tax on private jets, amongst other measures, could raise an additional £2.6 billion per year for Scottish public finances.

The STUC claim the tax measures are progressive and would reduce both income and wealth inequality. The updated report follows a similar paper from the STUC last year, demonstrating the full powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise public revenue through progressive taxation. The report also contains detailed analysis of how the council tax could be replaced in a way that ensures low-income households don’t lose out.

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The move comes as a direct response to Deputy First Minister Shona Robison’s warnings of public sector workforce cuts ahead of the Scottish budget this December.

If fully implemented the £3.7 billion raised could fund 82,000 public sector workers. STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer has implored government ministers to “rise to the challenge” of protecting public services and reducing inequality, as increased funding pressures on the Scottish Government continue as a result of the UK Government’s autumn statement.

Commenting, Ms Foyer said: “Our updated tax report makes clear that the Scottish Parliament has the power to make a real difference to our communities and raise over £3.7 billion of additional revenue for our public services.

“The Scottish Government must step up for Scotland. It’s clear that, with one foot out the electoral door, the Tories are hellbent on saddling any future UK Government with devastating public sector cuts.

“We can choose a different path. It’s within the powers of our parliament – through income, land and additional dwelling taxes – to raise an initial £1.1 billion from April next year. Coupled with longer-term wealth, property and aviation taxes, the Scottish Government can raise another £2.6 billion.

“At a time when workers are suffering the biggest drop in living standards since records began, and our public services need investment more than ever, it would be a chronic dereliction of duty for government ministers to sit back and let workers suffer Tory-inflicted austerity.

“They must rise to the challenge. For the sake of our workers, communities and public services, there is simply no other option.

Download: Raising Tax to Deliver for Scotland

Granton leading the way on low carbon housing, says Greens

GREENER HOMES ON GRANTON WATERFRONT

The Scottish Government has published their consultation paper on planned Heat in Buildings legislation which sets out a path for how best to deliver greener, warmer homes for Scotland.

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights, Patrick Harvie, recently visited Granton to see heat networks being set up for the new developments on the Waterfront.

The systems and homes being built in Granton are examples of what could be rolled out across Scotland – greener energy, lower bills and no fossil fuels.

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Green Councillor for Forth Ward, Kayleigh O’Neill said: “This is another major milestone in the Granton Waterfront project. Over £1 billion has gone into helping a community become well connected and no longer reliant on fossil fuels. This is a massive step towards tacking climate change and transitioning the city, and country, to net-zero.”

Cllr. O’Neill added: “Over the next ten years we will also see more affordable housing being built and care taken towards our urban coastal green spaces. We have to be ambitious and put people and planet first in all future developments.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy. Granton Waterfront will set the standard for sustainable growth and show how we can live without fossil fuels.”

The consultation will run until 8 March 2024, then responses will be scrutinised and a final decision made on when to publish a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to pass in 2025.

You can take part in the consultation here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/delivering-net-zero-scotlands-buildings-consultation-proposals-heat-buildings-bill/

Keeping Edinburgh Active

Edinburgh Leisure’s Danceability is featured in the new ‘Keeping Edinburgh’ podcast which has recently launched for people across Edinburgh to help boost social connections across Scotland’s Capital.

Danceability, funded by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP), is one of several activities on offer as part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Fit & Active Programme – supporting those with disabilities to access socially connected, wellbeing-boosting fitness activities.

Support to get Fit & Active can be accessed by making a referral to Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team. Everybody who is referred gets an access card that gives them reduced-cost access to activities such as the gym, swimming, or fitness classes for 1 year.

Edinburgh Leisure takes referrals from the Local Area Co-ordination Team supporting young adults, from support providers and social workers or people with a learning disability can also self-refer to request support.

Using their card, participants can attend any of Edinburgh Leisure’s gym, swim or fitness class sessions, as well as their specific Fit & Active activities for adults with learning disabilities that are available at Meadowbank Sports Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre.

Sara Kemp, Equalities Community Development Officer for Edinburgh Leisure, explains: “The funding from EHSCP is around supporting people to have more good days and physical activity is key to this.

“There is a lot of data out there that says that people with physical and learning difficulties were among the most affected by services closing and not restarting after the pandemic. They also experienced the most social isolation.

“If you think about lockdown, a lot of people who come to our classes rely on support workers to go out and meet other people so they can have fun in social situations – and all that was taken away.

“A lot of services didn’t restart after COVID-19 and that was due to a lack of funding for some of them, and at the beginning, due to restrictions on space. But Edinburgh Leisure has managed to restart Danceability and customers have started to come back after this period of potentially quite long isolation with the disabled community once again able to get out and socialise, and have a good time.”

The benefits of exercise are well documented. Beyond the physical benefits, keeping active can improve mental health, quality of life and overall well-being. The second episode, Keeping Edinburgh Active, explores how organisations are offering opportunities to improve accessibility for anyone to keep active, and how keeping active is helping build confidence amongst those facing emotional or physical struggles or other disadvantages.

The new ‘Keeping Edinburgh podcast’ launched in late November and is presented by Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter (and keyboardist to Callum Beattie) Gus Harrower. As well as a touring musician, Gus was approached for this project thanks to his ongoing work as an established Community Musician, working with major charities and organisations to empower and improve people’s well-being through music.

The initial six-episode pilot series is an investment by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, with the podcast designed and delivered in collaboration with partners across NHS Scotland and the third and independent sectors.

The series aims to highlight just some of the thousands of opportunities across the capital to support people’s well-being and launches at the start of the winter period – a time that sees increased pressure on health and social care services with research showing that those experiencing loneliness are more likely to visit their GP or A&E during this time.

Each half-hour episode provides an immersive audio journey into some of the many free-to-access social-prescribing experiences across the Capital, that are helping individuals and communities to have more good days. The first two episodes are available now to download via Apple and Spotify and feature experiences from several established Edinburgh organisations including Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Leisure, and Volunteer Edinburgh.

Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to addressing social isolation as it is the number one public health issue globally.

She says, “It’s an issue we all have to try and tackle. Part of that comes from increasing our individual and collective awareness of the breadth and range of opportunities out there that can offer people the opportunity to connect with one another and have more good days.”

“Whether it’s arts initiatives, community meals, physical exercise, mindfulness, or simply getting outdoors, there are many different options to benefit from. We want to showcase a ‘tip of the iceberg’ view of what’s out there, as well as help listeners, get a taste of what it’s like to be part of different groups and activities – experience what it’s like to be in the room or places alongside people already benefitting from these activities.

“We hope to build that shared knowledge as well as that confidence with listeners to take their own first steps by hearing directly from others who are benefitting from these wonderful programmes.”

Launching with an initial two episodes – Keeping People Connected (ep 1) and Keeping People Active (ep 2) – further episodes of the initial six-episode series will be released monthly covering initiatives and spaces across the arts, physical activities, community gardens, volunteering, and more.

The ‘fly on the wall’ audio experience aims to offer an engaging content experience for anyone. For avid podcast listeners, its content and style of storytelling is one that sits within multiple genres, with a strong slant towards society and culture, as well as the podcast’s health and well-being-boosting intentions.

Listen now: www.podfollow.com/keepingedinburgh

Find out more: www.edinburghhsc.scot/moregooddays

More information on Fit & Active: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/fit-and-active

To discuss a referral to Fit & Active get in touch by emailing:

active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Witness appeal following Bruntsfield incident

Detectives are appealing for information following a disturbance on Alvanley Terrace in Bruntsfield.

Around 5.20pm on Saturday, 2 December, 2023 police were called to reports of an assault where a woman was threatened and pushed into her vehicle by a man.

The car, a black coloured Hyundai ix35, was parked on Alvanley Terrace, adjacent to Bruntsfield Links.

The man was startled by a witness and was seen to leave in the direction of Bruntsfield Place, where it is believed he got into a silver Peugeot and left in the direction of Morningside.

The man is described as white, late 30s, of average build, with dark brown hair which is long on the top and short at the back and sides. He has a sleeve tattoo and was wearing a light grey hooded top, blue jeans and white trainers.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper, from Edinburgh Division CID, said: “Although the woman wasn’t physically injured, she has been left shaken by the incident.

“Whilst there is no risk to the wider public, we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or observed the suspect in the surrounding areas before or after the incident mentioned, to please get in touch.

“We would also urge any motorists with dash-cams who were nearby to check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2768 of 2 December. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Social Security Scotland: Support for people facing bereavement

Having to pay for a funeral can cause extra strain for people at what can be a difficult time.

That’s why, during National Grief Awareness week, we want to highlight the services and benefits available from Social Security Scotland, which may help to ease financial worry and reduce paperwork for people.

Through our Bereavement Service specially trained experienced and compassionate expert client advisers provide help to people who need to update us about benefit payments after a death.

With just one phone call, people can report the death of a family member, friend or loved one directly to one of our advisers. At that point, our adviser will take the necessary information for all payments that need to be cancelled.

Our Bereavement Service is also connected to the UK-wide ‘Tell Us Once’ scheme, which lets most government departments and local authorities know when someone dies. The system allows us to automatically follow up with any actions without the need for people to send information separately. This helps take away some of the worry people have about more administrative tasks at this upsetting time.

Our client advisers are helping make a difference to our clients at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. A client adviser from our Bereavement Service, said: “Clients are grateful for being made aware of services like Tell Us Once which they can use to report the death once and all relevant departments will be notified.

“We make the caller aware of further assistance that may be available to them such as Funeral Support Payment or Bereavement care.

“Sometimes the caller may just want to talk about their experience of losing a loved one and we will lend a listening ear.”

Our client advisers can also signpost and help eligible people to apply for Funeral Support Payment, which helps pay towards funeral costs for people on low incomes getting certain benefits.

It can be paid either to parents and families or the funeral director who is helping to plan the funeral. In Scotland, local authorities cover the burial or cremation costs for a baby, child or young person aged 17 or under.

Since launching Funeral Support Payment in September 2019, we have approved over 32,600 applications, providing more than £37.8 million of support for people and families.

People can apply for Funeral Support Payment online, via a paper application form or by calling us free on 0800 182 2222 and asking to speak to the specially trained bereavement team.

To find out more information, people can visit mygov.scot/funeralsupportpayment

COSLA: Well-funded councils are the key to unlocking the very best for Scotland’s communities

Councils are key to unlocking both the potential and the best outcomes for our local communities but require proper funding to do so, COSLA said yesterday.

The comments came as COSLA launched their Budget Lobbying campaign for the coming year, ahead of the Scottish Government’s Budget announcement on December 19^th.

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, said: “Councils really are the key to unlocking the best for our communities – from safe, quality housing; to clean streets; to supporting the most vulnerable people to thrive; to education and social care – the importance of these services cannot be emphasised enough, but they need to be funded properly.

“We all see the headlines in our local and national press about the difficult financial choices councils need to make, deciding whether to reduce or even cut vital services and ending funding for essential charity and community partners.

“Unfortunately, Councils have no choice but to protect core statutory services, especially with the unprecedented financial challenges we are all experiencing. Budgets are tight, creating risks to many other local services our communities rely on, such as programmes supporting children and young people, sports and leisure facilities and public transport.

“The Verity House Agreement has facilitated positive working between Scottish Local Government and Scottish Government since being signed in June, but COSLA is clear that we must use this to jointly tackle poverty, make a just transition to Net Zero, and achieve sustainable public services.

“Fair funding for Local Government must be a Scottish Government priority in order to unlock the full potential of our councils to achieve these goals.

“The campaign we are launching today clearly illustrates not only the challenges our Councils are facing, but the great potential they have if funded properly. We will continue to work closely with Scottish Government and other partners to get the best deal for our councils and our local communities.”

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann added: “What councils deliver with and on behalf of communities is key to creating the safe, healthy, vibrant and empowered communities we all want to see.

“Local Government holds the key to unlocking the potential in local areas, with its unique understanding of context, challenges and opportunities in individual local areas.

“Sadly, our reality right now is an extremely challenging financial climate coupled with years of real-terms cuts to council budgets while additional policy commitments are continually being introduced.

“If this situation doesn’t start to improve soon, it will mean tough choices being made and the many essential services councils currently provide will cease – services that not only address problems on the ground, but actively prevent bigger issues occurring down the line.

“We have been clear that cutting frontline staff isn’t the answer. We need to see Scottish Government investing in Local Government, so we can do what we do best – preventing problems in the first place and improving quality of life.

“The challenges we face nationally are best addressed at the local level, not at crisis point in A&E or within the criminal justice system. From better health to reaching our net zero ambitions to improving our economy, a well-funded Local Government is the key to Scotland achieving a better future.”

Cleverley unveils plan to cut migration

UK Government to introduce a plan to deliver the ‘biggest ever cut in net migration and curb abuse of the immigration system’

The Home Secretary has announced a plan to slash migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system, delivering the biggest ever reduction in net migration. Together, this package will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would now not be able to come.

The package of measures will end the high numbers of dependants coming to the UK, increase the minimum salaries that overseas workers and British or settled people sponsoring family members must earn, and tackle exploitation across the immigration system.

The government will tighten the Health and Care visa, which has seen a significant number of visas granted to care workers and their dependants, by preventing overseas care workers from bringing their dependants to the UK.

In addition, care providers in England will now only be able to sponsor migrant workers if they are undertaking activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

In the year ending September 2023, 101,000 Health and Care visas were issued to care workers and senior care workers, with an estimated 120,000 visas granted to associated dependants, the majority of whom we estimate don’t work, but still make use of public services.

From next spring, the government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700, encouraging businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their workforce, helping us to deter employers from over-relying on migration, whilst bringing salaries in line with the average full-time salary for these types of jobs.

The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them. Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live here must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state.

To crackdown on cut-price labour from overseas, the government will end the 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations and replace the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List, which will retain a general threshold discount. The Migration Advisory Committee will review the new list against the increased salary thresholds in order to reduce the number of occupations on the list.

The Migration Advisory Committee will be asked to review the Graduate visa route to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse.

This new package of measures builds on the tough action already taken to tackle the substantial rise in students bringing dependants to the UK, which will come into force in the new year.

We expect this change will have a tangible impact on net migration, with around 153,000 visas granted to dependants of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023. This, along with the changes announced today, will further protect the integrity and quality of higher education in the UK.

The measures announced today are possible because the government is prioritising growing our domestic workforce through our Back to Work Plan – a package of employment focused support that will help people stay healthy, get off benefits and move into work – as part of the Autumn Statement.

The new Back to Work Plan builds on the ambitious £7bn employment package from the Spring Budget, to help up to 1,100,000 people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “It is clear that net migration remains far too high. By leaving the European Union we gained control over who can come to the UK, but far more must be done to bring those numbers down so British workers are not undercut and our public services put under less strain.

“My plan will deliver the biggest ever reduction in net migration and will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would not have been able to do so. I am taking decisive action to halt the drastic rise in our work visa routes and crack down on those who seek to take advantage of our hospitality.”

In addition to measures to reduce migration, the UK government will make sure that migrants coming to the UK make a fair financial contribution so that public services, including the NHS, are not taken advantage of by increasing the annual Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 to £1,035.

Workers and their dependants account for some of the highest proportion of visas being issued, with Skilled Worker and Health and Care worker visas accounting for 63% of work grants, and the proportion of work-related visas being granted to dependants rising to 43% in the year ending September 2023.

The addition of carers in the UK’s immigration system was a temporary measure to fill labour shortages by responding to an urgent need into the adult social care sector following the coronavirus pandemic.

Yesterday’s measures will ensure we continue to protect our NHS and social care systems while addressing significant concerns that have emerged since the introduction of the visa about high levels of non-compliance, worker exploitation and abuse within the adult social care sector, particularly for overseas workers employed within care occupations.

Earlier this year, the UK government announced a package of measures to cut the number of student visas being issued. This included removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate research courses and removing the ability for international students to switch onto work routes before their studies are completed. This will come into force for courses starting in January 2024.

Those coming on the Health and Care visa route will be exempted from the increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas, so ‘we can continue to bring the healthcare workers that our care sector and NHS need, and we will exempt those on national pay scales, for example teachers’.

MAN ON A MISSION: Cleverley’s off to Rwanda today …

Food Access and Sharing Points across North Edinburgh this winter

COMMUNITY FOOD SUPPORT AS WINTER ARRIVES

PILTON Community Health Project have updated their Food Access & Sharing Points document.

Trying to get by on whatever income we have can be incredibly challenging for many of us, particularly in the winter months.

Take a look on here to find our where you can get a meal, hot drink or groceries.

If you’d like a hard copy of this to take home, please pop in and ask. Also, please share with any neighbours or local friends to make sure everyone knows about these.

New Edinburgh office for floating offshore wind pioneers

Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Energy and the Environment formally opens new Scottish office for BlueFloat Energy & Renantis Partnership
Edinburgh office will be the hub from which the Partnership will develop its UK pipeline of floating offshore wind farms

A new office for the BlueFloat Energy | Renantis Partnership was opened in Edinburgh last week [Wednesday 29 November] by the Scottish Energy Minister, strengthening the Partnership’s position at the forefront of floating offshore wind development in Scotland, and creating a hub from which it will develop its UK offshore wind pipeline.

The Partnership brings together BlueFloat Energy and Renantis with the aim of contributing to a world leading floating offshore wind industry in the UK.

With 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of floating offshore wind in development in Scotland, the Partnership has two ScotWind sites – Broadshore north of Fraserburgh and Bellrock east of Aberdeen, as well as the majority stake in the consortium with Ørsted to develop the Stromar project east of Wick.

Two further innovation projects, Sinclair & Scaraben, which lie adjacent to Broadshore were secured in the recent INTOG leasing round and could pave the way for the Partnership’s ScotWind portfolio.

The partnership is also preparing for the upcoming Crown Estate seabed auction in the Celtic Sea, with the potential for a further 1.5 GW of floating wind through its Petroc and Llywellyn projects off the southwest coast of England and Wales.

Gillian Martin MSP, and Minister for Energy & the Environment officially opened the new office in the Capital’s west end, which will initially accommodate the Partnership’s 45 strong team, and symbolises the remarkable progress achieved since its formation two years ago.

Addressing key stakeholders and employees at the event, Gillian Martin MSP said, “Scotland is uniquely placed to play a leading role in the renewables revolution, and the support and collaboration of companies such as BlueFloat and Renantis will be key in supporting Scotland’s net zero ambitions, while helping to secure a fair and just energy transition.

“The opening of this office is an important milestone in the partnership between BlueFloat and Renantis. I look forward to following the partnership as it scales up and develops its exciting ScotWind projects – Broadshore and Bellrock – as well as the INTOG projects – Sinclair and Scaraben – which will both play an important role in realising our enormous offshore wind potential.”

Susie Lind, Managing Director of the BlueFloat Energy & Renantis Partnership, thanked the Energy Minister for honouring the occasion. She said, “This is a momentous day for our Partnership, and illustrates our commitment to advance our shared vision to deliver best-in-class floating offshore wind farms in the UK.

“Our new Edinburgh office will be the hub from which we develop our UK pipeline of floating offshore wind farms, and through our diverse team of specialists, we are integrating cutting-edge technology with a plan to cultivate a robust Scottish workforce and stimulate local supply chain growth.

“Today’s event underlines our dedication to playing a leading role in Scotland’s energy transition, with the goal of making a positive impact on our people and communities.”

Carlos Martin, CEO BlueFloat Energy said, “We are incredibly proud to be part of this joint venture, contributing our global expertise in floating offshore wind and pioneering new technology to accelerate Scotland’s offshore wind sector. We believe in the power of collaboration and look forward to creating a sustainable energy future together.

“Establishing our new office in Edinburgh marks a major and exciting milestone for our partnership, bringing us significantly closer to turning our vision of world-leading, large-scale floating offshore projects into reality.”

Carmelo Scalone, Chief Growth Officer, Renantis said, “Scotland’s potential for floating offshore wind aligns perfectly with our vision to build a better future for all and, through our Partnership, we aim to contribute with Renantis’ long-standing experience of working with communities across Scotland.

“This really is the energy transition in action and it’s great to see Scotland once again drawing on its rich heritage of innovation and engineering influence on the world.”