Scotland and the UK: safer together?

Threats to Scotland and the UK from organised crime gangs, cyber criminals and global terrorism are best confronted with Scotland inside the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May claimed today. However ‘Yes’ campaigners have been quick to challenge the Home Secretary’s analysis and say that Scotland will continue to work closely with international partners on security issues.

The Home Secretary (pictured below) was in Edinburgh to launch ‘Scotland analysis: Security’, the seventh in a series of UK government papers to inform the debate ahead of next year’s independence referendum.

The paper examines how the UK and Scotland derive mutual benefit from an integrated approach to security, cyber, justice and policing, as well as from security exports and our international alliances and relationships.

The possible consequences for both Scotland and the continuing UK of a vote for independence are subject to analysis in the paper. It stresses that while the UK does work with other countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, to improve security and fight organised crime, there is a significant difference between these relationships and Scotland’s current position as a privileged and influential part of the UK.

The analysis concludes that independence could disturb the united protection provided to Scotland by the UK’s security and intelligence architecture. The report suggests:

Scotland facing a technically complex and expensive requirement to establish its security infrastructure. In the meantime, there would be a risk to both Scotland and the continuing UK of diminished security.
Scotland no longer being covered by the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme, which strengthens the services the public rely on and makes the UK a safer place for businesses to operate.
Co-operation between Police Scotland and other UK forces may not be as straightforward as it is now. Long established UK-wide laws make it easier to pursue justice across borders despite different legal systems and police jurisdictions.
A limit to the amount of information the continuing UK would be able to share with Scotland. Under the “Control Principle”, the UK could not share the kind of information used to fight and counter terrorism with Scotland, passed to it by another country, unless the UK had that country’s consent.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“This report sets out in plain terms the security consequences of independence, not just for Scotland but for the UK as a whole. Undoubtedly we are stronger and safer together.

“The national security risks the UK faces are complex and changing. Terrorists and organised criminals will seek new ways to exploit any weakness in our justice and policing capabilities, and the scale of emerging threats, such as cyber crime, demands a comprehensively resourced response.

Now is the time to work more closely together for the security of all citizens of the UK.”

The UK government believes that Scotland is better off as part of the UK, and that the UK is stronger, safer and more secure with Scotland as part of it.

In the event of a vote in favour of leaving the UK, Scotland would become an entirely new state and would have to establish its own security arrangements.

However, supporters of independence have been quick to refute the Home Secretary’s claims. The Scottish government said that, in the event of independence, Scotland would work closely with the rest of the UK and international partners on security and intelligence matters.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill (pictured above) told the BBC: “These claims are wrong – not least because Scotland is already an independent jurisdiction when it comes to policing and justice issues, and current cross-border cooperation shows how well that can work to combat terrorism and other threats.

“An independent Scotland will have first-rate security arrangements to counter any threats we may face. And we will continue to work in very close collaboration with the rest of the UK and international partners on security and intelligence matters, which is in everyone’s interests.”

£300 million government boost for affordable housing

Fund to help deliver 6000 affordable homes

Hundreds of millions of pounds are to be spent across Scotland on increasing the supply of affordable housing, creating jobs and boosting the economy, it was confirmed today.

All 32 of Scotland’s local authorities have today been allocated a share of £300 million in subsidy for affordable homes as part of the Government’s investment of £391 million to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in 2015/16.

The remaining £91 million will be managed centrally, with £30 million for the Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers, £10 million for the Home Owners Support Fund, and funding for increased subsidies for homes built to a greener standard. The rest will go to other affordable housing projects, including those that promote innovation.

The funding will support delivery of over 6000 affordable homes, including 4000 social homes.

The funding for councils comes on top of an extra £27 million which was added to their 2014/15 allocations earlier this month , and brings the Scottish Government’s four-year investment in local programmes to over £1 billion, out of a total AHSP budget of £1.35 billion.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess made the announcement in Edinburgh today.

She said: “This is a substantial funding boost that will support house building across Scotland. We have listened to councils and housing associations and put in place a system of funding for housing which will provide greater certainty and allow councils to make plans for the future.

“Housing is and will remain a priority for this Government and we will continue to invest in new affordable homes. Despite the severe cuts to our budgets by the UK Government, this is a substantial funding boost that will support house building across Scotland.

“This funding keeps us on track to deliver more than 6000 affordable homes per year, of which 4000 will be social homes. But we must continue to work together to get the most from our resources and ensure that we deliver our vision that everyone should have a safe, warm home which they can afford.”

Alan Ferguson, Director of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, said:

“When the budget announcement was made in September, CIH Scotland was very happy to join with other bodies in welcoming the outline budget of £391 million for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2015/16.

“This budget represents an increase of around 21 per cent on the average annual spend of £323 million within the current programme. Making these Resource Planning Assumptions now gives councils and their housing association partners the best possible chance of pushing ahead with building much needed homes across Scotland.”

Earlier this year Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an increase to housing subsidies, which will give councils and housing associations an extra £16,000 per home. Councils now receive around £46,000, towards the cost of building a new home, while RSLs get around £58,000, or more in certain remote areas.

Change of web address for Millennium Centre

Muirhouse Millenium Centre has had to change our service provider to Go Daddy from the free Google Site, as free Google sites have a limited memory capacity and could not handle our archive news, etc.

Please visit our new site, which had to be renamed to:

www.muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk

Jim McGinty

NEN AGM reminder

NEN agm notice

The North Edinburgh News’ annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 November at 7.30pm in The Spartans Community Football Academy’s club rooms (by Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, off Pilton Drive North).

Come along and find out what’s happening with the NEN, your community newspaper. All welcome.

Let’s talk about it

Campaign launched to make organ donation wishes known

Two-thirds of organ donors were not on register

Almost two-thirds of organ donors in Scotland over the past five years were not on the organ donor register at the time of their death, according to new figures.

The statistics showing that 62 per cent of donors were not on the NHS Organ Donor Register have been revealed to coincide with the launch of a campaign to encourage more Scots to make their organ donation wishes known.

Over forty per cent of Scots are already on the register, but the campaign is also aiming to increase the number of people signed up to donate their organs.

Mum-of-one, Jill Polanski, whose husband Matt’s life was cut tragically short after a motorbike accident in August, has given her backing to the campaign.

Jill is proud that she was able to honour Matt’s wishes to be an organ donor – a hugely difficult decision that was made easier by a chat they’d had three years earlier.

The television and radio campaign has been designed to encourage people to have a ‘wee chat’ with their family to make their wishes known, and to sign up to the register.

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson met Jill and her 13-year-old daughter Bethany to learn about their story.

He said: “I am incredibly thankful to Jill and Bethany for sharing their story, and for helping to highlight how important it is for you to share your wishes with your loved ones.

“In Matt’s case, this discussion meant that Jill was able to make the decision to donate his organs, and this meant that he was able to save four lives.

“Matt and Jill’s story is a very real example of how important organ donation is, and how joining the register could save lives.

“This campaign has two simple yet equally important messages – join the register and have a chat about organ donation with your family and loved ones.

“The reality is that more than 600 people in Scotland are waiting for a life-saving transplant and across the UK three people die every day because they don’t get the organ they need in time.

“That 41 per cent of Scots are now on the Register – higher than the UK average of 31 per cent – shows we are on the right track.”

Three months on from the accident, Matt’s family are sharing their experience in a bid to get people talking about organ donation.

Matt was just 30 when he came off his bike at Knockhill. A seasoned and talented rider, Matt had weathered countless injuries through his love of racing and riding in general. However that day, Matt succumbed to a serious head injury, leaving his wife, daughter, family and the racing community devastated.

Motorbikes run through the heart of the Polanski family, with Matt, Jill and their daughter Bethany all regulars at the Knockhill Circuit.

Jill said: “When the accident happened, I was in the pit lane with our daughter Bethany who was warming up to race that day as well. As soon as I heard they’d sent for an air ambulance, I knew how serious it was.”

Matt was initially treated by the Knockhill medics before being admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

Jill, 32, from Cardenden, said: “Matt was in A&E, going through the handover when we arrived at the hospital. I was informed of how serious Matt’s condition was and I just kept asking to see his helmet, over and over again. I knew it would show how bad things were. When I saw it, I knew that was it. That it was over.

“The neuro-surgeon then broke the news that the bleeding and trauma to Matt’s head was so massive, that he’d gone.”

Jill and Bethany, surrounded by Matt’s family and friends, were approached about organ donation.

Jill said: “I remember feeling very numb as the accident had only happened about three hours beforehand. But I knew Matt’s wishes and agreed instantly to donate all his organs, apart from his eyes. His family just looked at me, but I was able to tell them that I knew that’s what he wanted.”

Jill and Matt had first discussed organ donation when Matt was renewing the photo on his driving licence.

Jill said: “I trained as a dispensing optician and have a medical science background so I knew how important organ donation was. A close family member of Matt’s has one kidney, so my view was very much that if anything happened to that kidney, he would rely on someone else giving one up.

“I clearly remember the discussion, and Matt saying he would have no objections for that very reason. He’d made the decision, all I had to do was honour it.”

Jill went through all the authorisation forms with Matt’s mum and dad as it was important to her that they were part of the decision. Jill and Bethany kept vigil beside Matt’s bed, refusing to leave him until the last possible moment when he was taken to theatre.

Jill said: “Bethany was struggling at this point, so I asked my best friend to talk things through with her. When I went outside to explain that recipients and their families would be making their way to hospital, Bethany hit me with the incredibly grown up statement that even though her Daddy was gone, because of his decision, some other little girl could still have her daddy tomorrow.

“The way she handled things helped me find peace and cope with those last few difficult hours.”

Matt’s heart saved the life of a woman, his liver went to a man, his kidney and pancreas to a woman and a teenage boy received his kidney.

Jill said: “It was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do, but I’m so grateful that something positive has come out of Matt’s death. I can see it from the recipients’ point of view and how they must feel knowing someone died to help them, but I’m planning to write to them down the line to let them know the comfort it has brought us as a family.

“I’ll never forget the care and kindness shown by the staff in A&E and intensive care unit at Ninewells. The team looking after us were so patient, answering my unending questions. They were there for us every step of the way.”

Jill said: “Motorcycling is dangerous and we knew how precious life was. I’m just glad we took time to talk about what Matt’s wishes were and I’d encourage anyone to do the same, as with hindsight, it helped during that unbearable 24 hours. People have even come up to me and said they’ve joined the NHS Organ Donor Register as a result of Matt’s death.

“Although Matt was taken from us too soon, he certainly lived his life to the full and I’m a better, more rounded and accomplished person for knowing him.”

You can Join the NHS Organ Donor Register by visiting

www.organdonationscotland.org

or by texting LIFE TO 61611.

Police issue fireworks warning ahead of derby clash

Police Scotland will be carrying out an operation at tomorrow’s League Cup Quarter Final between Hibs and Hearts, searching for anyone in possession of fireworks or flares.

Officers will be carrying out searches outside Easter Road stadium, and a specialist search dog, capable of detecting flares, will also be used to identify anyone trying to smuggle illegal items into the stadium.

Police are warning that robust action will be taken against anyone trying to take flares or fireworks into the ground. The warning follows incidents at recent derbies where flares or fireworks were used.

Superintendent Kenny MacDonald, who is in charge of the policing operation on Wednesday, said: “The match kicks off at 7pm, and I would encourage supporters to get there early, as they will be travelling to the game during rush hour and there is limited parking near to the ground.

“There will be search cordons in place around the stadium, and searches will be undertaken as a condition of entry to the ground. A specialist search dog will be used to detect anyone in possession of fireworks or flares.

“We recognise that the majority of supporters are well behaved, however there are a small minority who in the past have put themselves and others in danger by throwing fireworks or flares.

“If this behaviour continues then it will only be a matter of time before someone suffers a serious injury, and we are working with clubs and stewards to do all we can to prevent such dangerous behaviour.

“Anyone who is caught with a flare or firework can expect to be arrested, either at the time, or as a result of a post-match investigation. As well as receiving a criminal conviction, they may very well find themselves being banned from attending future matches throughout the country.”

Let’s hope all the the fireworks are ON the pitch tomorrow!

Drama to educate pupils on fireworks danger

An informative play about the dangers of misusing fireworks will be performed to around 1,500 pupils in schools across Edinburgh during the run up to Guy Fawkes night. TOAST shows pupils how dangerous fireworks can be, as well as raising issues such as peer pressure, bullying and managing aggression.

The production involves two actors playing 11 different characters, with the scene shifting between a hospital, a home, a school and a housing estate. The principal character is drawn into an ill-fated escapade with stolen fireworks, with ultimately tragic consequences.

The play, originally commissioned by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in Northern Ireland, has been adapted for Edinburgh and is being staged by the Strange Theatre Company. It lasts for 30 minutes and has been organised by staff working in the City of Edinburgh Council’s West Neighbourhood Office.

It will run until Friday (1 November) and will be performed to all S2 pupils in sixteen Edinburgh schools, including locally at Craigroyston – approximately 1,500 young people aged between 12 and 13 will see the drama.

The weeks leading up to Bonfire Night are a time of increased complaints to police and councillors about excessive fireworks noise, with elderly people, the very young and domestic pets often left particularly distressed by fireworks noise.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Leader, said: “Guy Fawkes night is great fun and families enjoy the spectacle of fireworks as the nights get darker. However, fireworks can be extremely dangerous if handled improperly.

“The play ‘Toast’ is an excellent way of helping young people understand the risks and dangers of misusing fireworks. We will be carrying out test purchasing in shops where fireworks are on sale to make sure that retailers are adhering to the legislation.”

William MacDonald, Group Commander for The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Bonfire Night is the busiest time of year for the fire service and we are urging parents and carers to be mindful of the potential risks from fireworks and the need to heed fire safety advice to ensure this year’s Guy Fawkes celebrations stay safe.

“We work closely with partners agencies including the City of Edinburgh Council to raise awareness of the risks and dangers associated with bonfires and fireworks as well as delivering fire safety advice to schoolchildren across the area. Toast, which highlights the dangers associated with fireworks, is an excellent example of this type of initiative. “Every year, hundreds of people in the UK are injured by fires and misusing fireworks which are very similar to explosives. Most at risk are unsupervised children, particularly those who play with fire or who get too close to bonfires. We want everyone to enjoy this time of year but to stay safe and advise they stick to supervised bonfires and firework displays.”

Scottish Ballet success for Waterfront dancers

Scotish Ballet success for local dance studio

Well done to Ballet pupils of Waterfront Dance studio in Granton!

This year four of the girls have successfully auditioned for places on the Scottish Ballet Junior Associate Scheme. Lara McMahon, Claire Nisbet, Lucy Garrity and Louise Black all travel through to Glasgow once a month to undertake intensive training at the Scottish Ballet Tramway Studios. Places on this prestigious training programme are very limited and competition comes from children all over Scotland.

Laura Saunderson, Fionn Hart and Amy Loughray have been offered parts in Scottish Ballet’s forthcoming production of Hansel and Gretel at the Festival Theatre. Rehearsals will soon be underway and their classmates are looking forward to going to watch them!

The girls all train at the Waterfront Dance Studio -for more information on classes visit:

waterfrontdancestudio.co.uk

Niki Forbes

Fire service issues Bonfire Night ‘community call to action’

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging members of the public to join Scotland’s fight against fire, issuing a “community call to action” in the run up to Bonfire Night:

Every year careless bonfires take firefighters away from other incidents – putting lives at risk. Choosing to attend only official bonfire events will help keep people, property and vital resources safe.

Bonfire Night is the busiest time of year for the fire service, and during the bonfire period firefighters typically see a 40% increase in emergency calls. Having to tackle bonfires means it could take crews longer to attend serious incidents – with potentially tragic consequences.

Careless bonfires also see public money go up in smoke – in previous years costs have been estimated in millions of pounds of damage.

Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the celebrations and I would urge the public to join Scotland’s fight against fire and attend official bonfire events this year.

“Not only is it the best way to stay safe, but careless bonfires take crews away from serious incidents in our communities – so choosing to attend organised events will protect people, property and ensure our firefighters can get to where they are most needed.

He added: “Every year we work with our partner agencies to raise awareness of the risk and dangers associated with bonfires and fireworks as well as the preventative measures which can be taken to improve community safety – as local people must continue to play their part in making our communities safer.

”We have no better ally in the fight against fire than our local communities who can make a difference and work together for a safer Scotland.”

ACO Ramsay continued: “Our pre-planning and response arrangements have been much easier to co-ordinate this year, given the commencement of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Our approach incorporates best practice from across Scotland and ensures services are delivered locally in a consistent and co-ordinated manner, with a clear focus on public and firefighter safety.”

Superintendent Alan Cunningham, Head of Prevention and Interventions at Police Scotland, said: “We want people to listen to safety advice and attend organised events so families can keep safe and enjoy the Bonfire celebrations.

“The best way of keeping safe is to attend official bonfire events which will also help reduce the number of unnecessary call outs for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

Minister for Community Safety, Roseanna Cunningham said: “I wholeheartedly endorse the SFRS campaign and recognise the very valuable work of our firefighters at this busy time of year.

“We can all support them and make our communities safer by attending organised events. This guarantees we enjoy the spectacle in safety and have a fifth of November to remember – for all the right reasons.”

‘Join Scotland’s fight against fire’ gives more information about how to be safe on 5 November, with a range of additional information to raise public awareness of fire safety at home and in the workplace.

The campaign lets the public know how to refer family, friends and neighbours – who may be specifically at-risk – for a free Home Fire Safety Visit, or other services that focus on protecting older people from fire.

For a free Home Fire Safety Visit, all you have to do is call the Home fire Safety Hotline on 0800 0731 999. You can also get in touch by calling your local community fire station and more information is available here.

Anyone who decides to hold their own events should always follow our vital bonfire and firework safety advice – available by clicking here.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service

Poisoned Arrows event at the Botanics this weekend

Join a fantastic storytelling event at The Botanics this weekend …

Join a mission to find John Kirk, Livingstone’s botanist, and meet Africans along the way sharing stories of useful plants, wild drugs, food and magic. Discover whether the things he predicted 150 years ago in his letters and diaries, from the end of slavery to fair trade, really happened.

Saturday 26 October & Sunday 27 October: drop-in Poisoned Arrows storytelling trail sessions from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm (last entry 12noon and 3pm), lasts approx 50 minutes.

With the 2013 Scottish International Storytelling Festival and the JANEEMO Project.

Supported by David Livingstone 200.