davepickering

Retirement boost of £29,000 awaits millions as landmark Pension Schemes Act becomes law

Over 20 million workers are set to get more from every pound they save towards retirement thanks to the passing into law of historic pensions legislation yesterday, Wednesday 29 April 2026

Pension Schemes Bill to receive Royal Assent, delivering major reform to the UK’s £2 trillion worth of pensions.
New rules aim to benefit 22 million people as they drive down costs and boost returns on retirement savings.
Act paves the way for the upcoming Pensions Commission to ensure savers can look forward to a comfortable retirement.

Over 20 million workers are set to get more from every pound they save towards retirement thanks to the passing into law of historic pensions legislation yesterday, Wednesday 29 April 2026.

The Pension Schemes Act will bring about major reform to the UK pensions system, benefitting an average worker to the tune of up to £29,000 by the time they retire.

The Act will require pension schemes to prove they are delivering value for money, enable the automatic consolidation of small pension pots, and create larger, better-performing funds.

Many people build up several small pension pots as they move between jobs, making it difficult to keep track of their retirement savings. The new law will enable these pots to be brought together automatically, giving savers a clearer picture of their pension.

The new Act also introduces a Value for Money framework, protecting savers from being stuck in underperforming schemes. In future, pension schemes managers and trustees will need to offer clear default options for turning savings into retirement income, with the aim of giving people who choose this, a sustainable income in their retirement.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “Today is a landmark moment for the 22 million workers building up a pension pot across the UK.

“For too long, our pensions system has been fragmented and rarely ensures that people’s savings are working hard enough to support them in retirement.

“The Pensions Schemes Act will change that by creating schemes that drive down costs, deliver higher returns, and give savers the security they deserve.”

The Act aims to transform the pensions landscape, ensuring every pound saved delivers stronger returns while driving investment in the economy. Key measures include:

Enabling small pension pots to be automatically consolidated.
The VFM framework will standardise how value is assessed, leading to transparency and comparability. This, in turn, will drive competition and a long-term focus on value across the DC pensions sector.
Creating multi-employer defined contribution “megafunds” of at least £25 billion, which will drive down costs and enable investment in a wider range of assets, including in UK businesses and infrastructure.
Consolidating Local Government Pension Scheme assets into pools managed by FCA-regulated managers, supporting long-term investment in local infrastructure, housing and clean energy across the country.
Providing Defined Benefit schemes with greater flexibility to release surplus funds, unlocking collectively around £160 billion to support employers and deliver for scheme members.

Together the measures will benefit working people on an average salary who save into a pensions pot over their career by up to £29,000 by the time they retire.

The Act paves the way for the upcoming Pensions Commission which is examining how we ensure tomorrow’s pensioners are on track for a comfortable retirement and will make recommendations for change – potentially benefiting millions of people across the UK.

BBC Children In Need funding

BBC Children in Need offers grants of £1000 to £40,000 per year for up to 3 years.

They support & fund projects relating to children with housing, confidence, minority communities & disabilities issues.

Applications open year round:

https://bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/apply

‘May the 4th be with you’: Edinburgh’s 2026 Capital Sci-Fi Con raises over £64,000 for CHAS

In a fitting tribute to Star Wars Day, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has announced that this year’s Capital Sci-Fi Con raised more than £64,000 to support its vital work across the country.

Held annually at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, the convention returned in February, welcoming sci-fi fans from across the UK for a weekend packed with celebrity appearances, cosplay, and immersive fan experiences.

This year’s star-studded line-up included Pirates of the Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, Game of Thrones star Murray McArthur, and Peggy — better known to fans as Dogpool, the beloved canine star of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Since its launch in 2016, Capital Sci-Fi Con has raised over £548,000 for CHAS. The event was founded by West Lothian volunteer fundraiser Keith Armour, whose passion and dedication have helped grow the convention into one of Scotland’s most successful fan-led fundraising events.

CHAS now leads the organisation of the convention, with Keith continuing to support in an advisory role alongside a dedicated committee of volunteers.

Laura Campbell, Head of Community Fundraising and Retail at CHAS, said: “On a day when fans across the world celebrate ‘May the 4th be with you’, we’re absolutely delighted to share that this year’s Capital Sci-Fi Con raised an incredible £64,232.53 in net profit.

“We’d like to thank everyone who bought tickets and came along to support the event. Every pound raised helps CHAS continue providing vital care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.”

Gretna 111 exhibition at Out of the Blue Drill Hall

18 – 23 MAY – FREE ADMISSION

Exhibition announcement!

The Gretna 111th Anniversary Pop-Up Exhibition commemorates the Gretna train disaster, which killed over 200 men from the 1/7th Royal Scots who were based here at the Dalmeny Street Drill Hall).

Curated by The Royal Scots Regimental Museum, the exhibition is designed to raise awareness of the crash, which took place in May 1915.

The Drill Hall has been chosen for this exhibition due to its history of being the 7th Battalion’s Drill Hall and its association with the people of Leith. 216 members of the 7th Battalion were killed during the disaster on the morning of 22nd May 1915.

Central to the exhibition will be the Tree of Life which contains the names of all 216 men. This will be supported by display boards featuring the stories of local soldiers and their families.

There will also be a diorama of Larbert Station (where the soldiers originally departed from) that captures the time when the soldiers were about to embark on the troop train.

We’ll be sharing more information in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, why not pop the dates in your diary!

Monday 18th – Saturday 23rd May

10am – 4.30pm

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall

Free entry

To find out more just head over to our website.

https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/thvvxdlsvf

Photograph (c) The Royal Scots

Capital Theatres: Hope in a Bottle

Calling all Edinburgh-based schools, community groups, youth groups, arts groups and social clubs!

We’d love you to take part in a FREE one-hour community workshop to share your memories of the King’s Theatre, and hopes for its future. With our brilliant Engagement Artists, you’ll explore some fascinating stories from the King’s heritage before sharing your own hope or memory on a scroll.

This is your chance to be part of history, and to join us in celebrating what theatres mean to the communities around them – in the past, present and future.

Workshops will run until 6 June 2026

Find out more:

https://bit.ly/4mNMpuD

The King’s has long been known as the People’s Theatre, and as we get ready for its grand reopening, we’re inviting groups from across Edinburgh to help capture what the theatre means to the city.

Are you part of a group that loves theatre? Do you have memories of the King’s Theatre, or hopes for its future?

Join us for a friendly, free, creative one-hour workshop led by our brilliant Engagement Artists. You’ll explore some fascinating stories from the King’s heritage before sharing your own hope or memory on a scroll.

These will become part of Hope in a Bottle – a city-wide project gathering voices from across Edinburgh ahead of reopening. Some contributions may be shared on social media, in our venues, or even during live performances.

This is your chance to be part of history, and to join us in celebrating what theatres mean to the communities around them – in the past, present and future.

Workshops are free, last around an hour, and can take place either at the Festival Theatre or in your own setting. They’re suitable for ages 8+ (with no upper limit) and can be adapted for all sorts of groups and abilities.

We’d love to hear from schools, community groups, youth groups, art groups and social clubs – any Edinburgh-based group that would like to take part.

Whether you’ve got stories about the King’s Theatre already or will be among the first through its doors when it reopens, we’d love for you to take part!

Historic Environment Scotland

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Almost half of Scottish voters blame Government policy for pub closures

Over one-in-four Scottish voters said the single most impactful decision Government could do to help the sector is to make business rates fair 
One-in-ten say that their MP has spoken up for the sector and just 7% say that their MP is doing enough to protect pubs 
Ahead of the local elections, the Long Live the Local campaign calls on MPs to make pubs a priority

Scottish voters blame Government when their local closes, new research conducted by the Long Live the Local campaign and More in Common research reveals. 

Campaigners say that the survey, which found that 48% of the Scottish public blames either national or local government when a pub closes, should act as a warning to politicians ahead of the local elections that they must prioritise the sector.   

When asked what would save the sector, the plurality of voters (26%) said that making business rates fair for pubs would be the best decision. 

Despite the strong feelings voters in Scotland have for their local pub, few felt that their local MP was sufficiently engaged on the issue.  

These results follow additional support for Scottish pubs, showing that many voters clearly believe that there is still more to be done to truly protect Britain’s pubs.   

Only 10% of voters said that their MP had spoken up for the sector, whilst just 7% said that their MP had done enough to support pubs in their constituency. 

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: “Despite recent important support from the Government and the many MPs across all political parties that champion pubs and brewers, voters clearly believe that there is still more to be done.  

“Pubs are the soul of the community, create jobs, and, with a quarter of a million people joining our Long Live the Local campaign that supports the people behind the pint, including thousands in Scotland, it’s no wonder people care about them so much.  

“What the public want is a fair tax system for pubs, one that keeps business competitive and recognises their unique role as valuable spaces for communities across the country. 

“With the local elections right around the corner, it’s key for candidates to recognise just how important pubs are for so many and to back their local. 

“We’re calling on the Government to continue to work with us and deliver permanent business rates reform, lower employment costs, cut beer duty and VAT to save countless locals who are burdened with huge regulatory costs.” 

Luke Tryl, Executive Director at More in Common, said: “One thing comes through really strongly in this polling, the British public really care about pubs, they think they are a central part of their community and they don’t think the Government is doing enough to protect them. 

“In fact, over half of British voters blame national or local government for pub closures and want to see politicians at all levels doing more to stand up for them. At a time when the Government already finds itself struggling with a restless electorate a wave of further pub closures will only reinforce the frustration that those in charge are unable or unwilling to deliver for local communities across Britain. 

“On the flipside taking action on issues like rates is one way the Government can show that it gets it, recognises the value of pubs and gets the public back onside.” 

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association’s Long Live the Local campaign launched in 2018 to raise awareness of the UK’s alarming rate of pub closures.

Currently standing at over 250,000 supporters from all over the country, the campaign encourages people to support the people behind the pint.  

NHS Lothian: Collect your prescription before May Bank Holiday

A quick reminder: On Monday 4 May 2026, GP practices and many community pharmacies will be closed.

If you need a prescription, please arrange to collect soon.

Visit our website: https://services.nhslothian.scot/rightcare/public-holidays/

Extreme and Very High wildfire warning this holiday weekend

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), is issuing wildfire warnings for areas of Scotland going into the May Bank Holiday weekend.

South West Scotland: from Wednesday, 29 April, there is a very high risk of wildfire.
Whole of Scotland: starting Thursday, 30 April, there is an extreme risk of wildfire. This warning will remain in place until Friday, 1 May.
Southern Scotland and Central Highlands: starting Saturday, 2 May, there will be a very high risk of wildfire.

SFRS’ Head of Prevention and SWF Chair, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, said: “Going into the May bank holiday weekend, we will be seeing an extreme risk of wildfire across the whole of Scotland. We know people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly.

“People should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread causing a large amount of damage.

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.

“Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”

With the extension to the Muirburn season also drawing to a close on Thursday 30 April, we advise landowners to exercise caution in line with the Muirburn Code.

Learn more about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

About Time! Tollcross Clock restoration gets green light

Funding to restore one of the city’s most cherished landmarks – the historic Tollcross Clock – was approved yesterday, with works set to begin next month

Finance and Resources Committee Members approved £72,572 to carry out full restoration of the James Ritchie and Sons clock, which has stood at the heart of the Tollcross community since 1901 and has been in storage since 2022.

The clock was removed from the Tollcross crossroads four years ago following a routine inspection that identified significant structural deterioration at its base. While the planned junction works is now delayed, restoration work will still get underway, meaning the clock could return to the area from April 2027.

Officers will use the restoration period to engage local stakeholders and councillors on the most suitable location for the clock’s return. While the original position within the carriageway is no longer considered appropriate due to risk of further damage and ongoing maintenance costs, work is ongoing to find a setting that honours the clock’s place in the community. Any relocation may require listed building consent.

Funding for the restoration is expected to come from the council’s Common Good Fund. The clock’s permanent reinstatement, site selection and funding will be referred to the Culture and Communities Committee next month.

Cllr Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “This clock has been part of Edinburgh’s story for more than 120 years, and the community has been clear that it belongs back where people can see and enjoy it. Today we’re making that happen. By approving the funding, we’re committed to get this iconic piece of civic heritage properly restored and back where it belongs.

“We’ll work closely with residents to find the right location, and I’m delighted that we’re finally able to give this project the momentum it deserves.”

The Tollcross Clock has been a fixture of the city since its installation at what was then a thriving tram interchange.

Originally a pendulum clock, it was converted to a spring-driven mechanism in 1926 and later to electrical operation in 1969.

It was temporarily removed in 1974 for junction works but was reinstated following strong public demand.

PICTURE: DIARMID MOGG

Edinburgh College seeks two Non-Executive Board Members

Help shape Edinburgh College’s future!

We’re looking for two Non-Executive Board Members.

If you’re passionate about People/HR, entrepreneurship, sustainability, or community leadership, apply by 4 May: https://ow.ly/KNA150YQBc2

#EdinburghCollege