Following recent enforcement action in the West Pilton and Crewe areas, officers have been carrying out patrols and a letter drop with information on how to contact us or CrimeStoppers.
Tackling crime is a joint effort and relies on the support and confidence of the communities we work with day-in, day-out.
If you have concerns about something in your community, speak to officers or you can log it on the CrimeStoppers website completely anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Heriot-Watt University today announced a major boost to its mission of advancing global dialogue on economic and social progress through a renewed partnership with Baillie Gifford, supporting a series of programmes based at Panmure House – the final remaining home of Adam Smith.
The ‘Baillie Gifford Panmure House Partnership II Gift’ will power a new phase of activity at Panmure House, designed to revitalise the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment for the 21st century. It will enhance programmes that convene world-leading thinkers, foster groundbreaking research, and support rigorous debate on the pressing challenges facing economies and societies around the globe.
Professor Adam Dixon, Adam Smith Chair in Sustainable Capitalism at Panmure House, said: “Our mission is to provide world-influencing social and economic debate and research, that will help promote a world in which businesses and governments serve the long-term common good; where policies and public discourse are inclusive, well-reasoned and founded on research.
“We are grateful to Baillie Gifford for this gift that will help continue to revitalize the Scottish Enlightenment for the 21st century and foster rigorous debate and research that addresses the critical economic and societal issues of our time. With this generous support, we will expand our initiatives and continue to champion the values that Adam Smith embodied”.
The partnership supports a range of existing and new initiatives, including an expanded Adam Smith Lecture Series, bringing Nobel Laureates and world-renowned thinkers to Edinburgh for public and scholarly engagement; the Panmure House Prize, supporting pioneering research into long-term innovation; and the Scholars-in-Residence Programme, establishing Panmure House as a dynamic, global hub for academic collaboration and debate.
This renewed support builds on a longstanding relationship between Baillie Gifford and Heriot-Watt University. Their initial contribution included the Panmure House Prize which recognises and rewards innovative research aligned with Smith’s enduring principles of long-term thinking and public value as well as the Adam Smith Lecture Series.
Furthermore, the gift will form part of Heriot-Watt University’s Shaping Futures campaign, an ambitious initiative to raise over £80 million in support of student support, research excellence, and global impact.
Tom Coutts, a Partner at Baillie Gifford, commented: “Panmure House stands as a beacon of independent thinking.
“We are proud to support Heriot-Watt’s vision to keep that light burning brightly, inspiring new generations of researchers, policymakers, and leaders to engage thoughtfully with the big questions of our time.”
Panmure House was built in 1691 and was the home of Scottish Enlightenment economist Adam Smith from 1778 to his death in 1790. It is now part of Edinburgh Business School, the business school of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Panmure House continues to reassert its position as a globally relevant centre for impactful scholarship – bringing together academia, business, and policy to chart a more inclusive and innovative future.
To mark 65 years since the passing of NHS founder Nye Bevan, arts and activism collective Hive Mind Speaks has begun an ambitious UK-wide campaign.
In just 6 days, the group will visit 65 locations, asking the public 3 powerful questions about the future of the NHS — gathering real opinions from real people.
The aim is to provide a platform for the general public to have their say on the future of the NHS,
At the heart of the tour is a striking satirical short film, played on a large mobile screen, drawing crowds and sparking conversation.
Watch here.
The campaign culminates on Saturday 12 April at a Citizens’ Jury hosted at South Bank University, where key figures will respond to the public’s views.
Results will be presented to current Health Minister, Wes Streeting and submitted to the Change NHS 10 year Health Plan for England.
NHS65 is a nationwide arts activism initiative dedicated to providing a platform for the general public to have an impact on the future of the NHS. The showcase will take place across 65 locations in 6 days, via an LED van playing a powerful satirical video on the threat to the future of the NHS.
The project will culminate in a Citizens’ Jury on Saturday 12 April 2025 at London South Bank University (LSBU) in London, England, a leading university for Nursing and Midwifery in the UK. Expert speakers will include Aneira Thomas- the first ever baby born under the NHS, Professor Gwyn Bevan from the London School of Economics and Dr. Bob Gill, producer of the documentary The Great NHS Heist.
EDINBURGH LOCATIONS TODAY:
City Centre 2.30pm
Holyrood 3pm
NHS Scotland 3.30pm
Queen Margaret University 4pm
Murrayfield 5.30pm
Stockbridge 7pm
On the road, 3 key questions will be posed to the general public based on key findings from the recently commissioned Lord Darzi Report, which outlines a proposed 10-year plan for healthcare in the UK:
1) Ensuring adequate funding for the NHS
Should the NHS spending be legally protected with a minimum percentage of GDP?
2) The Long-Term Sustainability of the NHS
Should NHS funding priorities be decided by an independent health body rather than by politicians to ensure long-term stability and prevent short term political influence?
3) Privatisation vs Public ownership
Should the NHS renew or cancel all current privatisation contracts when they next come up for renewal?
From these three, the public will determine the most important issue and question for deliberation at the citizens jury.
How Does the Citizen’s Jury Work?
A diverse, representative panel of jurors will hear from expert speakers on the current state of the NHS. The expert speakers will include Aneira Thomas- the first ever baby born under the NHS, Professor Gwyn Bevan- Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis at London School of Economics, Dr. Bob Gill- current practicing GP and producer of the documentary The Great NHS Heist. Observers and members of the public are encouraged to attend, ask questions and take part in discussions.
The results of citizens jury deliberation will be fed into the NHS’ very own Change campaign. A campaign to canvas public opinion over the next 10 years for implementing change as part of the 10 year health plan, resulting from the current government’s Lord Darzi report commission.
Hive Mind Speaks will ensure the findings are presented to current Health Minister, Wes Streeting, and the results will be made available on the Hive Mind Speaks platform, as well as being archived at the British Library. Additionally, the results will be presented on the LED van across significant locations in London on Monday 14 April.
The Red Jay NHS Story
A Lifelong Bond with the NHS: A Story of Care, Resilience and Gratitude
Joshua was born on April 12th, 1982, at the Whittington Hospital, North London, arriving into the world with an extremely rare, genetic musculoskeletal condition called Larsen’s Syndrome, a condition so uncommon that, at the time of his birth, only around 500 cases had been documented in the UK. It was a moment filled with uncertainty for his parents, who had no indication of any complications before his arrival and also for the doctors, who had rarely, if ever, encountered anything like this before.
But what could have been an overwhelming ordeal for any family was met with the steadfast hands and compassionate hearts of the NHS. In those early days, as his parents Christine and Terry navigated the fear of the unknown, the doctors, nurses and specialists of the NHS became more than just medical professionals, they became guardians, problem-solvers and beacons of hope.
Among them, a South African doctor, Dr. Patent, affectionately nicknamed “Dr. Pavement” by a young Joshua, who would become a guiding force in his early medical journey. With a calm presence and a determined strategy, Dr. Patent led the way in understanding and addressing the complex web of muscle and tendon abnormalities that accompanied Joshua’s condition.
The first two surgeries on Joshua’s thighs were purely exploratory, a leap into the unknown, guided only by expertise and an unwavering commitment to care.
From there, the next three operations on his legs and left hip took place before he was even six months old, carefully correcting what was discovered. The NHS didn’t just offer treatment, it offered trust, patience and reassurance to a family learning to navigate a condition they had never expected.
At 14 years old, Joshua’s journey with the NHS continued after a sledging accident resulted in another two surgeries, this time due to the unique structural challenges of Larsen’s Syndrome. Though these operations left him with a leg length discrepancy, they were a testament to the NHS’s ongoing commitment to ensuring he could lead as full and active a life as possible.
Throughout his childhood, Joshua was acutely aware that his nose was different, the result of missing nasal cartilage, a depressed nasal bridge and a prominent forehead. He remembers sitting with NHS doctors, flipping through a book of noses, contemplating facial reconstruction surgery. Though advised to wait until adulthood, he carried the thought with him for years.
At UCL Hospital in 2013, he finally underwent a LaFort II Osteotomy, a groundbreaking facial reconstruction procedure that realigned his upper jaw. This was combined with a rhinoplasty procedure, where they took Joshua’s lower right-hand rib to replace the missing nasal cartilage.
For the NHS, it was complex but routine surgery. For Joshua, it was transformational. It gave him ownership over his face, removing a lifetime of self-consciousness and allowing him to walk through the world without shielding himself from it.
The Future and Family Planning
Most recently, Joshua’s journey with the NHS came full circle through genome sequencing at Great Ormond Street Hospital, revealing that he had a 50% chance of passing Larsen’s Syndrome to future offspring. While this news carried its own emotional weight, the NHS was there once again, not just as a provider of answers, but as a partner in finding solutions. It opened the doors to NHS funded IVF treatment, offering the possibility of building a future family without the fear of passing on his condition.
A New Diagnosis and a Disturbing Reality
In 2024, Joshua received another life-altering piece of news, one that shifted his perspective on the NHS and deepened his urgency to take action.
Concerned about memory loss, he underwent a brain scan, which revealed atrophy of the cerebellar vermis, a degenerative condition with a life expectancy often cutting short in the 50s or 60s. The news was deeply troubling, a future he had never considered was suddenly placed in front of him.
Yet, in the midst of grappling with this deeply concerning revelation, Joshua was given a one-year wait to see an NHS neurologist. The NHS, the very institution that had always been his safety net was now buckling under strain.
Faced with this uncertainty and while abroad in Canada, where he holds dual citizenship, Joshua made the difficult decision to seek a private consultation to gain some reassurance. There, a specialist was able to put his mind at ease, stating that this was not an actively degenerative condition, but something he was born with. Had it been a new, progressive disorder, the reality would have been vastly different.
The experience shook Joshua, not just because of his personal health scare, but because it highlighted, in the most painful way possible, the crisis the NHS is facing.
For the first time in his life, he had to use a private doctor. He described it as feeling like he was cheating on the NHS. But it felt he did it not out of choice, but out of necessity.
Why This Project Matters
This moment became a key driver in Joshua realising we can no longer all just be supporters of the NHS, we had to actively fight for its future.
The NHS isn’t failing by accident, it’s being failed and Joshua, through NHS65, is putting the future of the NHS on trial.
From the very moment of his birth to the milestones of surgery, transformation and family planning, Joshua’s life has been woven into the fabric of the NHS. It is not just an institution, it is a lifeline, a source of unwavering support and a testament to the best of humanity.
His story is one of gratitude, resilience and love for a service that has given so much to so many. A service that must not be left to collapse.
The NHS is in crisis.
The future of the NHS is on trial.
And the people must deliver the verdict.
This is why NHS65 exists.
The City of Edinburgh Council is now accepting applications for its Community Grants Fund (CGF), offering grants of up to £5,000 to support community work in neighbourhoods across Edinburgh.
The Community Grants Fund (CGF) is a small grants scheme designed to empower local communities and support grassroots initiatives. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to constituted groups for community-based activities, with 13 local funds corresponding to different areas of the city.
If you are part of a community group with a project in mind, you may be eligible to apply to your local fund.
The CGF has previously supported a variety of important projects, including the Grassmarket Community Cinema Project, bespoke driven bikes for North Edinburgh Dementia Care and a a community orchard group at Lauriston Farm – and your project could be next!
Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Community-driven projects have the power to transform neighbourhoods and improve lives. Our communities are the lifeblood of our city, and we are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to turn their ideas into reality.
“The Community Grant Fund offers a valuable opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I’m excited to see the incredible projects that will emerge from this round of applications.”
The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.
All applications will be reviewed in June, and successful applicants will be notified soon after.
Quotes from past participants:
North Edinburgh Dementia Care (Craigentinny Duddingston)
Project: To trial a project getting older isolated people with a diagnosis of dementia out and about in the community using bespoke driven bikes.
Quote: “The grant has enabled us to work in partnership with Joy Rides to deliver an outdoor bike program to our service users, who have a diagnosis of dementia.
Service users enjoyed a ride on a trishaw which is a customised electric bike with a driver cycling from behind.
“Promoting their health & wellbeing and reducing isolation being outdoors in the fresh air, making them visible in their own community.
“The project enabled people who were no longer able to cycle independently to feel the wind in their hair and the exhilaration of the travelling on a bike through beautiful areas, in a safe, secure and supported environment.” (quote from participant)
Grassmarket Community Project (City Centre)
Project: Funding to hire a cinema director and two projectionists part-time to continue their valuable work curating and delivering a weekly film programme for the Community Picture House.
Quotes: “In summary, the Grassmarket Community Picture House played a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of its attendees by providing social interaction, cultural enrichment, and access to support services. This initiative promoted positive social engagement, reduced isolation, and empowered individuals to build connections and grow within a supportive community environment.” (quote from participant)
Edinburgh Agroecology- Lauriston Farm (Almond)
Project: to develop a community orchard group
Quote: “The Orchard project is beneficial to the community on many levels. Not only is it an investment in future fruit production, it is also where the wider community, especially children, can learn so much about natural food sources and the splendid variety of fruits.
‘For the group directly involved, the orchard is a joyful space for creativity and learning about simple, natural and organic technologies. The collaboration and commitment of stalwart Orchard Group Members combined with dedication of the directors of Lauriston Farm is second to none.” (quote from participant)
Level up your experience of A Minecraft Movie with Cineworld’s “Chicken Jockey Screenings” – exclusively in 4DX. This special one-day event will be taking place in Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide on Sunday, April 13th.
For these screenings, Cineworld is encouraging fans to dress up, whoop, yelp and clap their way through this block-busting adventure, because every scene in 4DX deserves a standing ovation.
4DX is an extreme cinema experience which is only available at Cineworld, and features motion seats, wind blasts, water spray, aromatic scents, fog, bubbles and more. It pairs perfectly with the raucous experience that fans are demanding – a chance for likeminded Minecrafters to fully immerse themselves in the mayhem with 4DX effects elevating the experience to the next level.
The motion seats will have you bouncing like a baby zombie on a chicken – a ride you’ll never forget.
Casey Cohen, Head of Marketing at Cineworld said: “We’ve launched these Chicken Jockey screenings in 4DX for fans who’ve been demanding a more interactive experience – where the action on screen and the energy in the room collide like a TNT explosion.
“This is an immersive, ground-shaking, chicken-bouncing, multisensory rollercoaster ride … with popcorn! Minecrafters will feel every buck, sway and water blast in unison, while whooping and cheering together from the comfort of their moving seats. It’s hands down, the most fun you’ll ever have in a cinema – and probably the only time you’ll ever cheer for a chicken jockey.”
A note from Cineworld (and Steve):
Hey hey hey, blockheads!
We know you’re excited. We’re excited. The whole Overworld is excited! Watching Minecraft on the big screen is meant to be a blast – a cinematic diamond pickaxe to the brain! But even in a world made of blocks, there are some rules we don’t break.
So here’s the deal:
Build excitement? Absolutely. LOL with friends till you’re rolling in the aisles? Totally. But please don’t go full Creeper in the auditorium.
You cannot film anything that’s on the screen – that’s piracy, folks, and unlike lava, we will come after you for it. And remember to leave the cinema looking like a well-built base, not like it got griefed by a bunch of Endermen. No mess please, just good clean fun.
Book your tickets now for A Minecraft Movie – they’ll sell out faster than you can say “CHICKEN JOCKEYYYYY!”
Participating locations for screenings on Sunday, April 13th are listed below:
Head HERE to purchase tickets for screenings in the UK and HERE for screenings in Ireland.
The Post Office has today (8 April) announced that following a Board decision it is moving to a fully franchised network as part of its commitment to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters.’
Subject to Government funding, the last 108 Directly Managed Branches which are operated by the Post Office will be franchised by the autumn. This means that those communities that currently have a Directly Managed Branch in their area will continue to be able to access Post Office services either at, or near to, the same location.
In November 2024, the Post Office announced its five-year Transformation Plan to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’. Subject to Government funding to enable the Post Office to deliver its plan, Postmaster remuneration will increase by an additional £250 million a year by 2030.
The Post Office confirmed in November that the future of its Directly Managed Branch network would be under review. Directly Managed Branches generate a fully allocated loss (including central and support costs) of over £40 million each year.
Following consultation with unions and reviewing options with the Postmaster Consultative Council, a decision was taken by the Post Office Board to move to a fully franchised network in order to help fund increases in the remuneration Postmasters receive.
Nigel Railton, Post Office Chair, said: “Moving to a fully franchised network is one part of enabling the Post Office to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’, helping to create a long-term, sustainable future for the Post Office.
“By franchising these branches, we are protecting access to our services for communities right across the UK and realising £40 million worth of savings that will enable us to uplift postmasters’ remuneration by up to 10%.
“Over the coming months, we will continue to work with our unions to ensure that we treat our staff working in these 108 branches with care and respect through this transition, consulting with them on proposed changes.
“The 108 Post Offices will either stay in the same location where possible or be located close to the existing location, meaning customers will continue to have access to a full suite of products and services.”
The Post Office remains committed to meeting the current requirement to have a minimum of 11,500 branches across the UK and to meet the six Access Criteria set by Government.
Post Office will work with franchise partners with a clear track record of successfully running Post Office services or similar customer-focused retail to ensure communities in these 108 locations will continue to receive a high quality of service once their Directly Managed branch is franchised.
Further details on proposals will be shared with local communities and stakeholders for individual branches in the coming weeks.
NINE branches in Scotland are at risk of closing, including two in Edinburgh:
Responding to announcement of the franchising of the remaining 108 Crown Post Offices, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “The Horizon Scandal and the damage it did to thousands of individuals and the reputation of the Post Office should have been a wake up moment for the whole company. It should have delivered a complete shift in approach, ethos and engagement with frontline workers.
“The news today that the Post Office will push ahead with the closure of 108 Crown Offices with a loss of 1,000 jobs shows they have learned absolutely nothing from the scandal.
“The Post Office’s claim that these community services will be maintained by their failed franchising model is laughable to anyone who has seen their local Post Office services reduced to the back of a shop. The sell-off of WHSmith last week shows just how fragile and ill thought out this model is.
“This is the full privatisation of the Post Office via the back door.
“The role of the government must also be examined. This is a continuation of the hands-off role played by the Tories. We call on Labour to immediately intervene and examine alternative options. Now more than ever, we need to seriously look at creating a joint venture between Royal Mail and the Post Office – two businesses that should never have been separated.
This is a major test for this government ahead of introduction of the employment rights bill. It is inevitable that the news today will lead to further scrutiny of our relationship with the Labour Party.
“Our members and Branches will see this as a crucial moment ahead that will truly test the link between Labour and the trade unions who created the Party.”
Labour MP Rebeccah Long-Bailey said: “The news that all remaining Crown Post Offices will be franchised is a devastating blow to communities like Salford, and I am extremely angry and disappointed that this has been allowed to happen.
“It is a deal done behind closed doors with no community engagement.”
Scotland’s second Festival of Europe is being held at the French Institute, Edinburgh, on 10th and 11th May. Backed by the European Movement in Scotland and a wide range of other organisations, a major theme of the two-day event is “The Future of European Democracy”.
The Festival comes at a time when far right parties are on the rise across Europe and, as Donald Trump’s administration changes the global order that has been in place since the end of World War 2.
Mark Lazarowicz, one of the conference organisers and a former Edinburgh MP, says: “The world is more unstable today than at any time in the past 80 years. There are powerful political forces at work here, in Europe, the USA and globally that want to tear down the institutions and ideas that have brought freedom, dignity, security and stability to millions.
“We have assembled an outstanding cast of speakers who will explain where we are now and look at how we can keep democracy healthy in Europe.”
Among the issues to be discussed are proposals to revitalise the European project of political and economic integration, how the EU should respond to hard right politics, how political parties and civil society can strengthen liberal democracy and what the prospects for closer ties between Scotland, the UK and the EU.
On the economics front, the recent report on the future of European competitiveness is being seen as a vital blueprint for Europe, a matter made far more urgent by America’s new protectionist trade policy. A conference session will look at how the report recommendations can be implemented the implications for economies across Europe, including Scotland and the UK.
MSP Clare Adamson and Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, will look at progress on the Face the Music campaign. Brexit has meant that artists, performers and technical specialists who support performers have lost income and bookings across Europe.
To book tickets for The Future of European Democracy Conference and all the other events taking place as part of the Festival of Europe go to
Speakers include:
Tanja Bueltmann, Professor of International History at the University of Strathclyde. She specialises in the history of migration and diaspora. She is also a citizens’ rights campaigner and founder of the EU Citizens’ Champion campaign.
Mark Leonard is co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, currently the Henry A Kissinger Chair in foreign policy and international relations at the US Library of Congress, Washington DC.
Sophie Pornschlegel is Deputy Director of Europe Jacques Delors, a Brussels-based think tank. She is also a Policy Fellow with Das Progressive Zentrum in Berlin.
Alyn Smith was an SNP Member of the European Parliament for Scotland from 2004-2019 and SNP MP for Stirling from 2019 to 2024. He was the party’s Westminster lead on Europe until last year.
Sir Graham Robert Watson was a Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament between 1994 and 2014. He is a previous leader of the Liberal Group in the European Parliament,
Sandro Gozi MEP sits for France in the European Parliament. He is Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. He is a former Minister for European Affairs in the Italian government.
Catherine Barnard has been Professor of European Union and Employment Law at the University of Cambridge since 2008. She has also been Deputy Director of the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank.
Cecilia Jastrzembska is President, Young European Movement (YEM). She has worked as a senior policy advisor in UK government departments. She has also held leadership roles in the Young European Socialists. She speaks and writes on feminism, climate change and AI, and European citizens’ rights.
Stephen Gethins has been an SNP MP from 2015-2019 and from 2024. He was SNP Spokesperson for International Affairs and Europe at Westminster. He is Professor of Practice in International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. He has worked in the NGO sector specialising in peace-building, arms control and democracy in the Caucasus and the Balkans.
Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Originally from Ayrshire, Alistair Mackie was appointed Chief Executive of the RSNO in 2019. A classical musician before entering management, he was principal trumpet with the London Sinfonietta and a professor at The Royal College of Music.
Clare Adamson MSP is Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. She will talk about the committee’s work and the cross-party parliamentary support for the Face the Music campaign.
And more….
The Festival of Europe website contains information on other events being held across Scotland to mark Europe Day. They include Edinburgh performances by award winning singer, Christine Bovill and walking tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife that will look at Scotland’s historic ties with Europe.
The Pentland Ukrainian Support Group (PUSG) is holding a Europe-themed party.
The Citizens Rights Project is holding a conference looking at the issues and challenges facing EU citizens in Scotland.
Autistic adults will be supported to reach their full potential through a £2.5 million, multi-year fund.
The Autistic Adult Support Fund is available to third sector organisations providing services to autistic adults – promoting wellbeing and helping them to understand what neurodivergence means for them.
Since 2023, £1.5 million has been allocated to 15 organisations, including those helping autistic adults enter, remain, and thrive within employment.
This latest round of funding is now open to applications and will provide £2.5 million for the period from October 2025 to end of March 2028.
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd said: “We know the third sector plays a crucial role in improving the lives of autistic people, and this fund will support organisations to help the autistic people they work with lead fulfilling, independent, and active lives.
“The grants will be used to support autistic adults to thrive, helping them access services and improve general wellbeing so they can get involved in and truly feel a part of their community.
“Our commitment to multi-year funding will ensure that funded projects have the security and space to develop and grow, and ensure that the quality of support they provide is as high as it can be.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive Officer at Inspiring Scotland said: “We are pleased to be managing the application process for the new phase of the Scottish Government’s Autistic Adult Support Fund.
“We know from working in this area, there is a real need to provide support to autistic adults around diagnosis or to understand their autism to improve wellbeing.
“We look forward to hearing from applicants that meaningfully involve autistic people in the development, design and delivery of the activity to improve live chances for autistic adults in Scotland.”
The Autistic Adult Support Fund is open to third sector organisations to apply until Wednesday 21 May 2025.
Tracy Gilbert, Scottish Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, has today welcomed the announcement that 78,393 individuals in Edinburgh will benefit from an increase in the state pension, a significant boost for pensioners in the constituency.
The rise will help alleviate some of the financial pressures that many pensioners face, providing them with greater security and stability in their later years.
Tracy Gilbert MP said: “Across the city 78,393 people will see an increase in their state pensions. This is exactly the kind of action that the Labour Government will take to support those who have worked hard.
When budgets are tight this will be a much-welcomed increase. It is a reminder that Labour will always fight to protect pensioners and ensure they can retire with dignity and security.”
A brand-new, out-of-this-world experience will arrive at the Westside Centre (formerly the Westside Plaza), Wester Hailes, this Spring, as Galactic Carnival Edinburgh makes its debut between 2nd and 25th May 2025.
This family-friendly carnival promises an interstellar adventure packed with thrilling rides, delicious food, and fun for all ages. Featuring more than 20 rides including Ultra Buzz and Air Rado, as well as food stalls and carnival games, the Galactic Carnival will bring a universe of fun for all ages.
a range of rides suitable for both thrill-seekers and younger adventurers, age is no barrier to reaching the stars!
Running seven days a week, Galactic Carnival Edinburgh will offer Unlimited Ride Wristbands, allowing visitors to enjoy four hours of non-stop excitement. Tickets start from £13. Monday to Thursday are off-peak days, and Friday to Sunday are peak days.
A spokesperson for organiser, MT Attractions, said: “We are excited to bring Galactic Carnival to Edinburgh for the first time. The Carnival is an experience designed to bring people together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“With something for everyone, we can’t wait to welcome families, thrill-seekers, and the local community to enjoy the magic of the Carnival.”
For information on the Galactic Carnival Edinburgh, please visit:
www.galacticcarnivaledinburgh.co.uk
To buy tickets: https://www.skiddle.com/g/galacticcarnivaledinburgh/
Facebook: Galactic Carnival Edinburgh
Instagram: galacticcarnival.edinburgh
