Inclusivity and personal safety are the key messages of this year’s Operation Summer City. The initiative, which runs annually, is Edinburgh Division’s campaign to keep the public safe over the duration of the Edinburgh International Festival. Continue reading Police launch Operation Summer City
PB Scotland and the Scottish Government yesterday launched the Participatory Budgeting Charter for Scotland.
The PB Charter is a set of seven key features showing what a fair and high quality PB process should look like. It aims to ensure PB is inclusive, uses good quality methods and is truly participative. Continue reading Participatory Budgeting Charter launched
Urban Union, an award winning regeneration company, is ensuring children can enjoy the most important meal of the day by supporting a summer breakfast club run in North Edinburgh.
The housebuilder is working with Muirhouse Library to provide a nutritious breakfast Monday-Saturday, 10.30-11.30am, throughout the summer holidays. Continue reading Urban Union supports Muirhouse Library’s Summer Holiday Breakfast Club
Development Workshop – Community Led Support
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership has recently begun work on the development of the Three Conversations model – which it is anticipated will reshape the way care and support are delivered across the city. Continue reading Three Conversations: EVOC offers community support
“Fresh thinking is turning Edinburgh into a Sustainable Food City”
Bustling, vibrant market gardens in all four corners of the Capital are helping fuel and nourish our population – especially our children and older people – with perfectly fresh, locally grown seasonal produce (writes the city council’s Sustainability Champion, Forth Cllr George Gordon). Continue reading Food for Thought from Edinburgh’s Sustainabilty Champion
First and third Mondays of the month, 1 – 3pm
As Aldi celebrates its 25th anniversary in Scotland, 14 stores across Edinburgh and the Lothians are now donating surplus food directly to 17 local charities to help prevent hunger across the region. Continue reading Aldi stores launch partnership with local charities
Scotland’s Deposit Return scheme will give industry, business and individuals the opportunity to drive sustainable economic growth while reducing their impact on the environment. according to a new report.
The wide-ranging social and economic benefits of the proposed scheme were published yesterday. Continue reading Deposit Return Scheme will drive a circular economy
Rain forces switch to ‘Plan Bee’!
It’s been a year since the magnificent Ross Fountain was restored and it is becoming a favourite meeting place for the public and the perfect photo opportunity, under the backdrop of Castle Rock. Continue reading It’s wet, wet, wet … but Happy Bee-Day for the Ross Fountain!
TORY GOVERNMENT MUST SCRAP “HEARTLESS” POLICY – SNP
13.1% of the total number of children in Edinburgh could be affected by the two-child cap, according to new research – prompting more calls for the UK Government to scrap the “heartless” policy.
The “two-child policy” allows low-income families to claim child tax credits or universal credit for their first two children only.
New research from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) (see report, below)has revealed that 160,000 families have had their income slashed by the two-child limit to-date. The charity estimates that more than 3 million children across the UK could eventually be affected by the benefit cap.
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Social security should be a safety net for all of us, but the two-child limit is having a devastating effect on families up and down the country, with 10,305 children in Edinburgh set to be affected by it.
“All families are valuable and worthy of support, but this heartless policy turns people away when they most need support, and leaves children to grow up in hardship – which can have lifelong consequences for their health and wellbeing.
“The SNP government has been left to pick up the pieces, investing over £125 million to mitigate callous Tory welfare policies.
“In addition, the Scottish Government is introducing a Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty. Without the two-child cap, this payment could go so much further.
“We have an aging population and we will be relying on children and young people in the years to come.
“The next Tory Prime Minister should make it a priority to tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty we are seeing as a direct result of the UK Government’s welfare policies, starting with reversing the two-child limit and horrendous ‘rape clause.”
