Draft regulations to be laid at Holyrood in autumn
Views are being sought on the implementation of the ban on MSPs from also serving as MPs or in the House of Lords.
Following the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill being passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in December, a consultation seeking views on the principles and practical issues of ending dual mandates has launched.
The consultation, which runs until 23 March, looks at issues such as grace periods once elected and salary or parliamentary limitations during this period.
The Bill places a duty on Scottish Ministers to bring forward regulations which prohibit MSPs from also serving in the House of Commons or the House of Lords, and may additionally prohibit MSPs from also serving as councillors.
The regulations will be laid in autumn 2025 so they are in place for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, and will be subject to scrutiny and a vote by MSPs.
Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn said: “Following the unanimous passage of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill in December, MSPs will be barred from also being an MP or Peer through regulations to be brought forward in autumn 2025.
“This consultation on the issue will allow political parties, local government and most importantly the public to comment on the details of how that will work in practice, ahead of the practice being ended before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.”
Unleash your passion for football and make a real difference in North Edinburgh! We are on the hunt for dynamic and inspiring sessional coaches to join our thriving Football Development Department where, you’ll do more than coach, you’ll contributing to changing lives and supporting the community of North Edinburgh.
Be part of a team delivering top-tier commercial football programmes and driving social impact in local schools. We’re looking for enthusiastic, high-energy and engaging coaches who can ignite the love of the game in grassroots players aged 3-15 years.
If you’re ready to inspire the next generation of footballers and create a lasting impact in your community, this is your chance!
Exciting new market, celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year
Featuring art and craft stalls and cultural workshops
Free to enter, taking place in the vibrant Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith
HelloArt is delighted to announce the Chinese Lunar New Year Market – the first of its kind in Edinburgh.
This vibrant and immersive event will take place on 1st February 2025 at the iconic Out of the Blue Drill Hall and promises to bring the rich traditions and cultural celebrations of the Lunar New Year to life for all to enjoy.
The market will feature:
Art and Craft Stalls: Unique Chinese-inspired creations by local and international artists.
Interactive Cultural Workshops: Hands-on experiences in traditional crafts like calligraphy, paper cutting, and lantern making.
Delicious Pre-Made Food Stalls: Authentic treats including tanghulu, steamed buns, and rice cakes.
The Lunar New Year Market is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of cultural exchange and community connection. By introducing Scottish residents to the lively traditions of the Lunar New Year, HelloArt aims to bridge cultural gaps, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
“We are thrilled to bring this unique celebration to Edinburgh,” said Ying Gao, Founder of HelloArt. “Our goal is to create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together to experience the joy and richness of Chinese culture, while also supporting local artists and vendors.”
This event highlights the importance of cultural inclusion, creating a platform for dialogue and connection through art, food, and shared traditions.
The market is open to all and promises to be a memorable experience for families, individuals, and anyone curious about the magic of the Lunar New Year.
A cultural change and “brave and bold action” are required to tackle a “public health emergency” created by drug use in Scotland, according to a report sent to MSPs by a people’s panel.
The panellists’ report recognises that progress has been made, but says that further action is needed. It calls for public campaigns to raise awareness of drug harm and drug use, recommends funding should be ring fenced and prioritised on prevention and seeks improvements in information shared between government agencies.
However, the introduction of the Naloxone programme to prevent fatal drug overdoses, and the opening of the safer drug consumption room, The Thistle, are welcomed in the report.
The panel’s report also calls for greater involvement of the third sector and people with lived experience. It concludes that a lack of urgency in responding to drug harm and use reinforces the stigma already associated with these issues.
The creation of the people’s panel, formed of 23 people, was requested by the Cross-Committee on tackling drug deaths and drug harms. Members of the Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and Social Justice and Social Security Committee commissioned the panel to gather public views on the question, ‘What does Scotland need to do differently to reduce drug related harms?’. The panel met at the Parliament in October and November 2024.
Over the course of two weekends, members of the panel heard evidence from people with lived experience of drug harms, from academics and researchers, and from stakeholders who work in this area, before developing their report.
The panel’s report will help inform the cross-Committee’s scrutiny of matters related to reducing drug deaths and tackling problem drug use. It’s 19 recommendations cover rights and people’s lived experience, justice, access to treatment, care and support, prevention and harm reduction.
Mairi McIntosh, from the Highlands and Islands region, was one of the members of the People’s Panel. She said:“I found participating in the People’s Panel humbling.
“The team at the Scottish Parliament organised a diverse range of experts and worked hard to lay out the worrying and rapid escalation in drug related deaths and harms in Scotland. The wide range of speakers gave us great insight into the data and evidence about the complexity of the issue including the causes, impacts and ways they believed the Scottish government could help.
“Hearing from those such as Steph McCutcheon about having success with service users through the East Ayrshire Recovery Hub, matches up with what we heard from others about the importance not only of the third sector’s role in local based solutions but how it is imperative those with lived experiences are valued and involved in every stage of the planning and implementing of measures being taken.
“All the evidence we heard highlighted the urgency for action from the Scottish government to implement brave and lasting change. Change needed to seriously reduce the deaths, impacts of harms to individuals, their families and communities and the pressure this puts on health, care, police, justice, other services and the people who are working to help those suffering.
“I feel it would be a poor reflection on our country to allow this issue to further impact some of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
“I am hopeful that our report shows that as voices from across Scotland, representing different backgrounds and lives, some directly affected by the issues of drug harm and death and others not, that we want the Scottish government to acknowledge the causes and barriers like stigma and discrimination and realise that we cannot afford to not take bold action now.”
Reflecting on the publication of the panel’s findings Audrey Nicoll MSP, Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee said:“We would like to thank the panel for their focused and determined work in delivering this serious and well considered report.
“Our Committees look forward to thoroughly considering the panel’s findings and putting its report’s recommendations to the Scottish Government.”
If you’d like to know more about healthy, sustainable and affordable food that is also DELICIOUS, then this is the group to come along to.
Anyone living in the area is welcome to join Sally on Tuesdays at 10am for this relaxed but fun activity.
We’ll start preparing and cooking from 10am, then at around midday we can either sit and enjoy the food together, or you can pack it up and take it away!
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said yesterday: “All our thoughts today must be with the families of little Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and all those who were harmed by this truly horrendous, barbaric and cowardly attack.
Three innocent little girls who went to a summer dance club lost their lives in the most devastating way, other children faced terrible injuries, and they and all the parents and families have had to endure the most unimaginable trauma and grief.
My thoughts are also with the entire community in Southport, which has shown such strength and courage in the face of the unspeakable act of violence visited on their town. I also want to take the opportunity to thank all the police, first responders, hospital staff and prosecutors who have worked in incredibly difficult circumstances from the day of the attack to support the families and bring this case to today’s trial.
It is important that justice has been served today. But nothing will ever take away the trauma and loss endured by the children and families and we will ensure that they continue to receive the support and care they need in the coming weeks, months and years.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been clear that important information about the perpetrator’s past could not be made public before today to avoid jeopardising the legal proceedings or prejudicing the possible jury trial, in line with the normal rules of the British justice systems. Nothing has been more important than securing justice for the families.
But now that there has been a guilty plea, it is essential that the families and the people of Southport can get answers about how this terrible attack could take place and about why this happened to their children.
The responsibility for these terrible murders and the barbaric attack lies with Axel Rudakubana. The CPS has described him as “a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence” who has “shown no sign of remorse.”
But the families and the people of Southport also need answers about what happened leading up to this attack. The perpetrator was in contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years.
He was referred 3 times to the Prevent programme between December 2019 and April 2021 aged 13 and 14. He also had contact with the police, the courts, the Youth Justice system, social services and mental health services. Yet between them, those agencies failed to identify the terrible risk and danger to others that he posed.
This terrible case comes against a backdrop over a series of years in which growing numbers of teenagers have been referred to Prevent, investigated by counter-terror police, or referred to other agencies amid concerns around serious violence and extremism. We need to face up to why this has been happening and what needs to change.
Although, in line with CPS advice to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, we were constrained in what we were able to say at the time, the Home Office commissioned an urgent Prevent Learning Review during the summer into the 3 referrals that took place and why they were closed.
We will publish further details this week, alongside new reforms to the Prevent programme.
But we also need more independent answers on both Prevent and all the other agencies that came into contact with this extremely violent teenager as well as answers on how he came to be so dangerous, including through a public inquiry that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change.
This horrendous attack will leave a lasting impact on our country. We will all remember Alice, Bebe and Elsie, and we will always stand with the families and the community who are living with the pain of their loss. In our efforts to answer the questions that remain about this case, the need to see justice done for the victims and their families will remain at the forefront of our minds.”
PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER WILL MAKE A STATEMENT AT 8.30am (TUESDAY).
Teen prodigy collaborates with luxury £5,000 brand strada x IDG to design a personalised gold device to mark his victory
Darts superstar Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has marked his World Darts Championship triumph by awarding himself a bespoke 24-carat gold iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at £5,000.
The extraordinary gesture celebrates the 17-year-old’s historic win, as he continues to take the darts world by storm and establish himself as one of the sport’s brightest talents.
Luke’s collaboration with luxury design brand strada x IDG has resulted in a one-of-a-kind phone, personalised with his name and championship details.
The golden device serves as both a reward for his hard work and a symbol of his remarkable achievement at such a young age.
The celebration was taken to a global stage, with Luke unveiling the phone during his trip to Bahrain, where he competed in the prestigious Bahrain Darts Masters.
The event showcased the teen sensation’s talent alongside the sport’s elite players, further solidifying his status as a darts prodigy.
Gary Allen, a spokesperson for strada x IDG, said: “Working with Luke Littler on this bespoke gold phone has been an incredible experience.
“His World Darts Championship victory was a momentous occasion, and we’re thrilled to create a unique luxury item that reflects his exceptional talent and dedication. This collaboration embodies our passion for crafting meaningful, high-end pieces that celebrate personal and professional milestones.”
The phone, crafted with strada x IDG’s signature precision and attention to detail, stands as a luxury statement piece. Beyond its cutting-edge functionality, it represents Luke’s relentless drive and the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career in darts.
strada x IDG has become synonymous with bespoke luxury technology, catering to elite athletes, celebrities, and tastemakers worldwide. Renowned for their craftsmanship, the brand specialises in designing personalised tech that transcends utility to become symbols of achievement and style.
This collaboration highlights strada x IDG’s growing influence in the world of sport, as they continue to work with top names across various disciplines. From football legends like Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne to NBA superstars, their clientele is a testament to their unparalleled quality and exclusivity.
With plans to expand into the Middle East and USA retail markets in 2024, strada x IDG is redefining luxury tech on a global scale.
For Luke Littler, this golden phone is more than a piece of technology, it’s a trophy that embodies his journey, his passion, and his meteoric rise in the sport of darts.
For more information on strada x IDG and their bespoke luxury devices, visit:
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious injury collision on Bog Road, Penicuik yesterday (Sunday, January 19, 2025).
Around 3.20pm, police received a report of a collision involving three children, aged 11, 12 and 13, and a Volkswagen T-Cross on Bog Road, Penicuik.
Emergency services attended and an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh where medical staff confirmed their injuries as serious. The 12-year-old girl was uninjured.
The road was closed to allow for collision investigators to examine the location.
Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing as we work to establish the full circumstances of this collision.
“Anyone with any information or dash cam footage should get in contact, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1844 of 19 January, 2025.
As festive bills start to arrive, Children First is urging families in Edinburgh not to suffer in silence and get in touch with their support line.
January is one of the busiest times of year for Scotland’s national children’s charity. The new year can be extremely tough for families who face worries about Christmas spending and increased living costs during the colder weather.
Getting advice early can make a huge difference to families and can help address any issues before they escalate and help them back to financial health.
To get on the front foot for 2025, Children First’s expert support line team have put together some handy hints for healthier finances.
Children First support line is here to help families with budgeting, benefits, debt and energy bills. They work with parents and carers by listening to any worries they may have about their finances and then put a plan in place to navigate their difficulties.
Sinead Haddow, service manager at Children First said, “Talking about your finances can be really daunting and we understand it can cause lots of anxiety for families.
“Our friendly support line team will listen to your worries, free of judgement, and start to help you put together a plan to get back to financial health.
“When families speak to us, it may be the first time they have had a good night’s sleep in months.
“Pick up the phone to our support line today, by calling 08000 28 22 33 from 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday or 9am – 12 noon Saturday and Sunday.
“Whatever way families want to contact to us, we’re here to listen.”
Michelle Supple, Director of Fundraising, Children First said: “January can be a tough time for many children and families.
“Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery the Children First support line can offer free, confidential, support to any family anywhere in Scotland, which many families tell us can feel like a lifeline.”
Last year, Children First helped almost 1,000 families to put £1.9 million back into their pockets through unclaimed benefits, grants and budgeting.
The charity can also provide expert support on debit and helped double the number of families in 2023-2024 to manage over £813,000 in debt.
Children First support line is here to help families across Scotland with whatever challenges they face. From mental health, money worries and online harm to struggles at school the charity’s support line can offer free help and advice thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Children Trust.
From Shetland to Stranraer, young musicians are preparing to take the stage at the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Championships – the world’s largest celebration of school piping and drumming.
With the 31 January entry deadline fast approaching, schools across Scotland are invited to join this dynamic showcase of music and creativity at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock on Sunday 9 March.
Pipe and Drums Revival
Organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), the annual Championships are part of a broader effort to promote piping and drumming in schools across Scotland.
The Trust has played a crucial role in breaking down financial barriers to pipe band participation over the past decade, providing cash grants, internships and free instrument loans as well as tuition.
“This competition is about much more than music,” says SSPDT Chief Executive Alexandra Duncan. “It’s about giving young people confidence, the experience of working as part of a team and the pride of keeping an important part of Scottish culture alive.
“Last year we had a record 75 bands take part in the Championships.”
Championship Newcomers
This year, new bands from Inverclyde, Strathmore, Perth, Glasgow, and the Highlands will make their debut in the competition – a reflection of the SSPDT’s long standing teaching programme, which has co-funded over 60 start-up piping and drumming tutor roles in state schools since the initiative was launched back in 2015.
Emma Harvey, Principal Teacher of Performing Arts at Blairgowrie High School, said: “The support and guidance we’ve received from SSPDT has been truly transformative, allowing us to establishing the Strathmore Schools Pipe Band.
“Their help has enabled our young musicians to flourish both on and off stage.
“Thanks to their generous funding, we can offer free tuition to all learners and provide essential equipment like chanters, sticks, pads, drums and bagpipes.
“Beyond music, the pipe band experience has built leadership, confidence and independent learning skills in our pupils.
“We’re thrilled that our pupils have formed a cohesive band and are eagerly preparing for their debut at this year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.”
New Piping and Drumming Roles in Capital Schools
The Trust has also recently awarded funding to Edinburgh City Council to help create two new pipe band tutor roles – with interviews taking place this week.
For the first time, students in Edinburgh state schools will be able to learn piping and snare drumming during school hours, just like other instruments – with the focus on offering provision at Castlebrae and Holyrood primary and secondary schools.
Alexandra explained: “We’re always keen to work with councils and with schools and communities to bring more opportunities to pupils in places where there is no tuition currently.”
Scotland’s Musical Melting Pot
One of the highlights of the Championships is the Freestyle Category, where bands push creative boundaries – combining traditional pipes and drums with unexpected genres, from classical and jazz to rock and pop.
Alexandra said: “The Championships are not just about preserving Scottish heritage – they’re about young people making it their own and keeping traditions alive in new and unexpected ways.
“You’ll see bands playing classic Highland tunes right alongside exciting new arrangements with violins, keyboards, and guitars.
“It’s amazing to see how pipes and drums are evolving and staying relevant for future generations.”
Enter by 31 January
Championship entries close on 31 January 2025 and the event is open to musicians of all skill levels from beginners to seasoned performers.
East Ayrshire Provost, Claire Leitch, said: “We’re delighted that this prestigious event is once again returning to East Ayrshire and we are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of young musicians from across Scotland to compete at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock.
“With its 500-seat arena and performance spaces, the campus provides the perfect stage for Scotland’s flourishing young pipe band talent.”
