PARK LIFE AT CLERMISTON PARK
WEDNESDAY 23RD JULY
1:30PM – 3:30PM
Looking for something to do during the holidays?
POLICE Officers will be at Park Life alongside The City of Edinburgh Council and Community Alcohol Partnerships to offer bike marking and to answer any questions young people may have about policing.
We’ll even bring the beer goggles to test your co-ordination skills!
Millions of people could benefit from a more secure retirement as the Government revives the Pensions Commission to examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change.
The Commission of 2006 was a huge success, building a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving that means 88% of eligible employees are now saving, up from 55% in 2012.
However, new analysis shows that there is more to do with the incomes of retirees set to fall over the next few decades if nothing changes:
This partly reflects too many working age adults (45%) saving nothing at all into a pension, with lower earners, the self-employed and some ethnic minorities particularly at risk:
New analysis also reveals a stark a 48% gender pensions gap in private pension wealth between women and men. A typical woman currently approaching retirement can expect a private pension income worth over £5,000 less than that of a typical man (just over £100 per week for a woman compared to just over £200 a week for a man).
While the introduction of Automatic Enrolment increased the numbers saving, saving levels have often remained low. Around 1-in-2 workers in the private sector only save around the minimum contribution level (8% or less of earnings).
So the Government has announced it will revive the landmark Pension Commission two decades on, to address these stark findings.
The relaunched Commission will explore the complex barriers stopping people from saving enough for retirement, with its final report due in 2027. It will examine the pension system as a whole and look at what is required to build a future-proof pensions system that is strong, fair and sustainable.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “People deserve to know that they will have a decent income in retirement – with all the security, dignity and freedom that brings. But the truth is, that is not the reality facing many people, especially if you’re low paid, or self-employed.
“The Pensions Commission laid the groundwork, and now, two decades later, we are reviving it to tackle the barriers that stop too many saving in the first place.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “We’re making pensions work for Britain.
“The Pension Schemes Bill and the creation of pension megafunds mean an average earner could get a £29,000 boost to their pension pots. Now we are going further to ensure that people can look forward to a comfortable retirement.”
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “The original Pensions Commission helped get pension saving up and pensioner poverty down. But if we carry on as we are, tomorrow’s retirees risk being poorer than today’s.
“So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to finish the job and give today’s workers secure retirements to look forward to.”
Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry said: “The only route to higher living standards both in work and in retirement is through higher growth, productivity and better savings.
“As we look to the next decade and beyond, finding a consensus across business, government and our society on how to support people to save by building on the Mansion House reforms can create a pathway to a better future.
“Taking the time to review the best pathway to achieve this, whilst pursuing broader measures to support growth, will be needed to make it affordable for employers and workers and crucial to the aim of rising living standards, now and in retirement.”
Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress said: “Everyone deserves dignity and security in retirement, but right now many workers – especially those in the private sector – will find themselves without enough to get by on.
“Far too many people won’t have enough pension for a decent retirement, and too many – especially women, BME and disabled workers and the self employed – are shut out of the workplace pension system all together.
“That’s why reviving the Pensions Commission – bringing together unions, employers and independent experts – is a vital step forward. Twenty years ago the Pension Commission played a key role in bringing millions more people into workplace pensions and reducing the risks of pensioner poverty.
“We now have a chance to build on that work by reaching a long-term consensus on extending auto-enrolment to those workers still missing out, and making sure that this system delivers the decent retirement incomes all workers need.”
Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which? said: “Which? research has found that many consumers are concerned that they won’t have the money they need for a comfortable retirement, so it is encouraging to see the government take steps to reverse this trend.
“For some consumers, the idea of contributing more money into their pension pot is both daunting and unmanageable, so it is crucial that this review looks in depth at the challenges savers face, and Which? looks forward to working with the government towards long-term reform of the industry.”
The Pensions Commission will be made up of Baroness Jeannie Drake (a member of the original Commission), Sir Ian Cheshire and Professor Nick Pearce, who will be responsible for steering its work. Drawing on the success of the original Pension Commission in building a national consensus, they will work closely with stakeholders such as the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress.
The Commission will make proposals for change beyond the current parliament to deliver a pensions framework that is strong, fair and sustainable. It will build on the Investment Review and Pension Schemes Bill – both of which ensures that people’s savings are working hard to support them in retirement.
Alongside the Commission, the Government has, as required by law, also launched the State Pension Age Review, commissioning two independent reports for Government to consider when deciding the State Pension age for future decades:
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK said: “We warmly welcome the Pensions Review, which has the potential to lay the foundations for a system of retirement saving that’s fit for the future.
“If we’re to avoid future generations of pensioners experiencing financial hardship, we need reforms that enable more people to build a decent standard of living, and we need them sooner rather than later to maximise the numbers who can be helped.
“Income for pensioners in the UK is based around both State and private pensions working together to help people enjoy a decent lifestyle once retired. The current system of saving has some significant gaps which have left many current pensioners struggling to make ends meet.
“Hopefully this can be avoided in future and particularly disadvantaged groups, including low-paid women and self-employed people on low incomes, can be helped to put money aside when appropriate for them to do so.
“There’s no getting away from the fact that the State Pension provides the bulk of retirement income for most pensioners, with 1.1million (13%) receiving all their income from the State.
“It’s therefore hugely important to consider the future of the State Pension alongside the role of private savings, as only once this is clear will it be possible to say with any accuracy how much people need to put aside to attain a decent standard of living once they retire.
“We look forward to working with the Government and the reviewers in the months to come.”
Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: Too few people are saving enough for retirement, affecting millions of employees and the firms we represent. Businesses want to help their staff make the right decisions for their financial futures.
“We welcome the launch of the new Pensions Commission – which is a timely and necessary next step from the original Commission over two decades ago.
“It is essential we have a pensions system that supports both employees to build up savings and employers in managing costs. That’s even more crucial in the current economic climate.
“We also welcome the reiterated commitment that employer contribution rates won’t be increased during this parliament. Any future rises in minimum contributions must be gradual and paused if economic conditions worsen, giving business time to adjust to increased costs.”
Jon Richards, General Secretary of UNISON said: “Every worker needs a pension they can rely upon in their old age. No one should be plunged into poverty when they retire.
“Any initiative that enhances current provision would be a good thing, especially moves to improve equality between men and women.
“With more pensioners falling into poverty as time goes by, it’s vital the commission works quickly.”
António Simões, CEO of Legal and General said: “Saving enough for retirement isn’t just important, it’s urgent to securing individual futures and building a more prosperous society.
“To do this we must tackle adequacy – we need people to be able to contribute the right amount from the first pound they earn, and to build a pot that is invested in assets that will generate returns to support them in later life.
“That’s why the launch of the new Pensions Commission matters. Whether that is gradually increasing minimum auto-enrolment contribution rates or making it easier to access private market investments, like L&G has delivered through its Private Markets Access Fund, it is time to break down the barriers to building a retirement pot that are faced by millions across the country.”
Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer of The CityUK said: “The Pensions Adequacy Review is another positive step in reforming pensions investment.
“Auto-enrolment has been a policy success, bringing millions into retirement saving, but further action is needed to ensure pension savings are adequate to provide an appropriate level of income for our ageing population.
“Total contributions will have to rise if we are to emulate the successes of, for example, Australia and Canada. This will involve difficult political choices alongside technical changes to policy and regulation, so it is right the appointees to the Commission consider the options thoroughly and, crucially, that they also draw on the industry’s significant expertise.”
Steve Webb, Partner at LCP said: “The first Pensions Commission changed the UK pensions landscape and started the process of reform by getting millions of employees saving for the first time.
“But much work remains to be done, and this new Commission will have to consider reforms against a much more challenging backdrop.
“The Government has selected people who are widely respected in the world of business, the trade union movement and academia, who will be well placed to undertake this vital work, and I look forward to working with them constructively as they map out a new agenda for retirement saving.”
David Raw, Managing Director for Markets at UK Finance said: “We welcome efforts to help ensure people are saving enough to deliver a decent level of income in retirement.
“Boosting financial and pension literacy, continuing to encourage private pension holding, and building on the success of auto-enrolment are key to achieving this.
“Well-functioning capital markets play a key role in a successful pension system and UK Finance looks forward to continuing to work closely with government as it progresses its programme for capital markets and pension reform.”
Chira Barua, CEO of Scottish Widows and CEO of Insurance, Pensions & Investments, Lloyds Banking Group said: “We’ve been mapping trends in the UK’s retirement saving for 20 years and while automatic enrolment has been a gamechanger in kickstarting pensions saving for millions of workers, 39% (around 15 million) still risk facing poverty in retirement and action needs to be taken while there’s still time.
“Bringing all the right groups and the pensions industry together in this way made real progress last time, and we look forward to supporting the Commission in getting closer to cracking the pension crisis.”
First Minister John Swinney will be among the crowds of people gathering in Aberdeen today to watch the Parade of Sail on the last day of the Tall Ships Races festival.
The First Minister will meet young trainees who are taking part in the races, event organisers and volunteers before watching the 50 Tall Ships leave the harbour.
Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister commented: “The Tall Ships Races 2025 is a major international maritime and cultural moment for Aberdeen and Scotland as a whole.
“Over the past four days it has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, making it the city’s biggest event in a generation. The success of this festival is a testament to Aberdeen’s role as a maritime city with a focus on international engagement and community involvement.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting world-class events, such as the Tall Ships Festival, that raise Scotland’s profile as the perfect stage and showcase our event and tourism assets.
“Scotland is set to host several other major international and national events, including the Commonwealth Games in 2026, Tour de France Grand Depart in 2027 and the 2028 UEFA European Championships – further enhancing our global profile and supporting economic, cultural and community development across the country.”
With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the Middle East.
I’ll begin on Syria.
We have been horrified by the recent violence in the south, including civilian deaths.
Clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias have quickly escalated into intense fighting between government forces and further Israeli strikes on the Syrian military.
As I said directly to Foreign Minister Shaibani we want to see the fighting ended, civilians protected and the rights of all Syrians upheld.
The violence in Suwayda must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
We want humanitarian access to be restored, aid delivered and Syria’s sovereignty must be respected.
The UK can be proud of our support to the Syrian people over many, many years.
And a stable Syria matters to the UK’s national interest, for terrorism, for irregular migration, for regional stability.
We must work to prevent extremism, sectarianism or lawlessness taking hold now that Assad is gone.
That’s why we are backing a sustainable ceasefire and that is why we support an inclusive transition.
And that’s why I visited Damascus recently to support and to press the new government to meet its commitments.
I will now turn to the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
It’s two and a half months since Prime Minister Netanyahu restarted offensive operations.
The IDF has driven Palestinians out of 86 per cent of Gaza, leaving around two million people trapped in an area scarcely over twenty square miles.
Whatever this Israeli government might claim, repeated displacement of so many civilians is not keeping them safe. In fact, it’s quite the reverse.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the new Israeli aid system is inhumane, it’s dangerous and it deprives Gazans of human dignity.
It contradicts long-stablished humanitarian principles. It creates disorder Hamas is exploiting with distribution points reduced from 400 to just four.
It forces desperate civilians, children among them, to scramble unsafely for the essentials of life.
It’s a grotesque spectacle, wreaking a terrible human cost.
Almost 1000 civilians have been killed since May seeking aid, including 100 over this weekend alone.
There are near daily reports of Israeli troops opening fire on people trying to access food.
Israeli jets have hit women and children waiting for a health clinic to open.
An Israeli drone has struck down children filling water containers which Israeli officials blamed on a ‘technical error’.
Hamas is contributing to the chaos and taking advantage of it.
I utterly condemn the killing of civilians seeking to meet their most basic needs.
The Israeli government must answer:
What possible military justification can there be for strikes that have killed desperate, starving children?
What immediate actions are they taking to stop this litany of horrors?
What will they do to hold those responsible to account?
Mr Deputy Speaker, I have said before I am a steadfast supporter of Israel’s security and right to exist.
I treasure the many connections between our peoples
And the horrors of October 7th must never be forgotten.
But I firmly believe the Israeli government’s actions are doing untold damage to Israel’s standing in the world and undermining Israel’s long-term security.
Netanyahu should listen to the Israeli people, 82 per cent of whom desperately want a ceasefire.
And to the hostages’ families because they know it offers the best chance to bring their loved ones home.
Those hostages may be hidden in cramped tunnels under the ruins of Gaza but we will not forget them or Hamas’s despicable actions and we will continue to demand their unconditional release.
This offensive puts them in grave danger.
But still Netanyahu persists.
Indeed, Minister Katz has gone further proposing to drive Gaza’s entire population into Rafah, imprisoning Palestinians, unless persuaded to emigrate.
Mr Deputy Speaker, this is a cruel vision which must never come to pass.
I condemn it unequivocally.
Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Many Israelis themselves are appalled.
A former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said ‘it marches us into the abyss’. He was right.
Mr Speaker, today I joined a joint statement by 25 Foreign Ministers with a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now.
There is no military solution.
Negotiations will secure the hostages.
Further bloodshed serves no purpose.
Hamas and Israel must both commit to a ceasefire now.
And the next ceasefire must be the last ceasefire.
I thank the US, Qatar, and Egypt for their tireless efforts.
And I am sure all Members share my intense frustration it has not happened.
Until there is such a breakthrough, we must keep doing all we can to relieve suffering.
UK aid has saved lives.
Reaching hundreds of thousands with food, water, hygiene, and sanitation, and essential healthcare.
And under the most appalling circumstances our aid is saving lives today.
That includes, the almost nine million pounds the UK has provided to UK-Med, since we entered office,
reaching half a million patients inside Gaza, 24,000 in the past fortnight alone.
Like 3-year old Razan.
UK-funded medics removed a bullet from her neck after nearly three hours of surgery.
These doctors and nurses working in the most extreme conditions are true heroes.
They deserve the thanks and admiration of the entire House.
We are also working, of course, multilaterally.
The 149 trucks from the World Food Programme and UNICEF entering Gaza in recent day included food supplies funded by the UK.
And thousands more trucks laden with aid paid for by British taxpayers can enter, the moment the Israeli government lets it.
Today, I am announcing an extra £40 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza this year, including seven and a half million for UK-Med to sustain their vital operations in Gaza and save more lives.
Mr Deputy Speaker, accompanying the horrors in Gaza, there is an accelerating campaign to prevent a future Palestinian state in the West Bank.
It’s embraced by Netanyahu, it’s encouraged by his Ministers. It’s driven by an extremist ideology which wants to suffocate the two-state solution, the only route to a lasting peace and security.
We see it in the unprecedented pace of settlement expansion.
In the shocking levels of settler violence, even settler terrorism,
for that is what the most egregious ideological attacks are.
And in the deliberate attempts to squeeze the Palestinian Authority, unjustly denying it access to its own funds, and it harms Israel’s long-term interests.
Now, the Israeli government is reintroducing plans to construct new units in the E1 area of occupied east Jerusalem.
If built, this settlement would separate the West Bank’s north from its south and Palestinians in the West Bank from East Jerusalem.
These plans are wholly unacceptable.
They are illegal.
And they must not happen.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we are also striving to keep open the prospects of a two-state solution.
UK assistance has been preserving the Palestinian Authority, contributing to essential Palestinian workers’ salaries and supporting them to progress critical reforms.
Today, I can confirm we are enhancing our support, providing £7 million to strengthen the PA and Palestinian governance, implementing the agreement signed by myself and PM Mustafa earlier this year.
And we’re delivering the reform plans President Abbas has set out.
I can also confirm that we are providing £20 million to support UNRWA’s many services for Palestinian refugees.
And alongside this support, we are leading diplomatic efforts to show there must be a viable peaceful pathway to a Palestinian state, involving the PA, not Hamas, in security and governance of the area.
Hamas can have no role in the governance of Gaza nor use it as a launchpad for terrorism.
Israeli Ministers should support the PA – not actively undermine its economy, as Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are doing.
The UK is co-leading with Egypt the humanitarian and reconstruction track for the forthcoming Two-State Solution Conference.
And we are pushing to agree plans for a credible next phase in Gaza with a responsible, reformed PA at their core.
So we turn any temporary ceasefire into a lasting peace.
Mr Deputy Speaker, in our year in office, this Labour Government has acted to address this horrendous conflict.
We restored funding to UNRWA, after the Tories froze it.
We suspended arms export licenses, when the Tories declined to act.
We have provided nearly a quarter of a billion in humanitarian assistance, this year and next, getting medical treatment and food to hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza.
We have stood with the hostage families at every stage.
We’ve worked with Jordan to fly medicines into Gaza, with Egypt to treat medically evacuated civilians, with Kuwait and UNICEF to help children in Gaza.
We’ve delivered three sanctions packages on violent settlers, suspended trade negotiations with this Israeli government and sanctioned far-right Israeli Ministers for incitement.
We have defended the independence of international courts. We signed a landmark agreement with the Palestinian Authority, and hosted the Palestinian Prime Minister in London, pushing for the reform it needs.
We called for…
worked for…
and voted for…
an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages at every possible opportunity.
And we will keep doing so until this war is over, Hamas release the hostages and we finally have a pathway to a two-state solution.
I commend this statement to the House.
But while Lammy spoke, our country continues to supply Israel with weapons being used to slaughter innocent people in the Middle East.
Actions, not words.
Three men have been arrested in Edinburgh under the Terrorism Act 2000 for showing support for a proscribed organisation.
Around 1.30pm, a 58-year-old man was arrested by officers in the vicinity of the Scottish Parliament for displaying a sign showing support for a proscribed organisation.
Earlier, two men aged 78 and 60 years, were arrested for showing support for a proscribed organisation at a protest in Edinburgh on Saturday, 19 July 2025.
Did you know that over 66% of the UK population doesn’t drink enough water? Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, breaks down why staying hydrated is essential for overall heart health:
Water makes up over half (60%) of your body weight, and every single cell in your body, including the cells that make up your heart, needs to be properly hydrated to work well.
Water performs many roles, such as regulating body temperature through sweating, lubricating joints and removing waste products.
Proper hydration is especially important when thinking about heart health because it impacts the cardiovascular system in several ways, and we share how you can ensure that you’re getting enough water to keep your heart healthy.
How does dehydration affect your heart?
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. Fluids can be lost through breathing, sweating and if we are unwell or sick. When vital fluids are not replaced, your body may feel tired and lethargic. You could suffer from feeling thirsty, having a dry mouth, dark-coloured urine or headaches.
Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, explains: “Being dehydrated causes the amount of blood circulating in our body to decrease. When this happens, the heart must beat faster, which increases our heart rate and our blood pressure, which can increase our risk of a cardiac event. This is of particular concern if you already have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
“Many studies have found that adequate hydration is associated with reduced long-term risks of heart disease. Being hydrated helps your heart to pump blood more easily through your blood vessels and to your muscles. This means that your muscles, including your heart, do not have to work as hard.
“Older adults are at a higher risk of dehydration. As you age, your fluid reserve becomes smaller, you can struggle to sense when you are thirsty, and your ability to conserve water reduces.
“Hydration also plays an important role in aiding the digestive system to function effectively, preventing constipation and removing waste products from the body. It allows your brain to function optimally and supports your memory, mood, concentration and reaction times.”
How much should you aim to drink?
The NHS recommends that adults consume six to eight glasses or 1.5 to 2 litres of fluids per day. If it is a hot day or you do physical activity, which makes you sweat, you’ll need to drink more.
You will also need to drink more fluids if you are unwell, recovering from illness, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. All of these require your body to lose more water and fluids, and you need to replace them to prevent dehydration.
“An easy way to monitor your hydration levels is by looking at the colour of your urine,” says Lauren. “You should aim for it to become a clear, pale-yellow colour throughout the day.
“If it remains dark after your first morning trip to the toilet, it’s a sign you need to drink more. The key to optimal hydration is to drink at regular intervals throughout the day.”
How do you stay hydrated?
Drinking water is the best way to remain hydrated however, other non-alcoholic drinks such as milk, juice and herbal teas count towards your daily fluid goals.
Fruit juices and smoothies also contribute towards hydration however, these should be limited to one small glass or 150ml per day, as they can contain high levels of sugar, and they should always be consumed with a meal to minimise the impact on your teeth.
Carrying a water bottle around with you and refilling it throughout the day may help you to remember to drink regularly.
Fruits and vegetables can also help to hydrate you. They contain electrolytes, which are minerals that play a role in fluid balance, and your body needs adequate levels of electrolytes to function optimally. Cucumbers, celery, strawberries and watermelons are all great options as they contain over 90% of water.
Hydration is a fundamental part of maintaining heart health. By staying hydrated, you help your heart to function efficiently, reducing stress on your heart and supporting your overall wellbeing.
Try the Heart Research UK 30-day hydration challenge and download it today to keep your heart healthyheart healthy:
https://heartresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30-Day-Hydration-Tracker.pdf
A planning application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by Galileo Empower in West Lothian has been granted unanimously by the Council’s Development Management Committee.
The project is the renewable energy company’s first consent in Scotland.
The site for the proposed battery storage facility, with a capacity of 49.9MW, is located at Middlerigg Farm.
Situated between Bathgate and Armadale, it is located on land adjacent to the A801, northwest of Bathgate Substation.
BESS is an advanced technology which supports the transition away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable electricity, the generation of which is intermittent in nature.
This facility will store surplus electricity in rechargeable batteries when demand is low and release it back into the electricity grid when demand is high, helping to balance the network and maximise the use of renewable energy in addressing climate change and the drive toward net zero..
By delivering greater energy security and reducing reliance on volatile, imported fossil fuels, this will further benefit consumers by facilitating the supply of homegrown, more affordable, and low-carbon electricity.
Galileo Empower is committed to ensuring that local people benefit from the positive economic and social value that this project can bring. It is envisioned that a community benefit fund will focus on two key priorities: health/physical activity, as well as training/education.
The company is also committed to ensuring that, wherever reasonably possible, local suppliers and contractors are used in all aspects of the construction and operation of the battery storage facility.
Laura Petrie, project manager, said: “We are delighted to have received unanimous consent for a battery storage facility at Middlerigg, our first consent in Scotland, which followed extensive engagement with local communities
“Infrastructure such as this has a vital part to play as we move away from polluting fossil fuels to clean, green, renewable energy, playing a critical role in tackling climate change and supporting Scotland to achieve its net-zero target.
“We are confident that this project will bring considerable economic and environmental benefits to West Lothian.
“In addition to a community benefit fund, the development will also deliver considerable investment, creating jobs and boosting the skills of our current and future workforce.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with the Council and local communities as we progress the consented project.”
Moda and Apache Capital’s The McEwan development completes with 139 new homes and amenities at the city’s top rated rental neighbourhood
Moda, The McEwan, the 476-home rental neighbourhood in Edinburgh’s historic Fountainbridge district has marked the completion of its final phase.
Located on the site of the former McEwan’s Brewery, Moda, The McEwan is rated the number one BTR neighbourhood in the city on BTR review site Homeviews, with 139 new homes opening the doors to their new residents.
Spanning 140,000 sq ft, the completed development offers 15,000 sq ft of best-in-class amenities, including a 24/7 gym and fitness centre, private dining room, co-working spaces, cinema room, and rooftop terraces with sweeping views of Edinburgh Castle – all included as part of the monthly rent.
Additionally, all Moda residents benefit from access to the MyModa app from day one, allowing them to connect with neighbours, message the concierge, and book exclusive events and services from a tap on their phone.
Located in the heart of the capital, The McEwan is conveniently located within walking distance of Haymarket station, the city centre and several major universities, offering excellent connectivity for residents studying or working in Edinburgh.
The development was also the first building in Europe to achieve the highest, 3-star Fitwel rating, demonstrating Moda’s commitment to maximising the health and wellbeing of its residents and the wider Edinburgh community.
The neighbourhood was the first development in Scotland to be brought forward by Moda and its funding partner Apache Capital with its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual. Robertson Construction Central East has completed the final phase of the remaining 139 high-quality rental homes.
These add to the existing mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, ideal for a mixed demographic who make renting their tenure of choice.
Delivery of the neighbourhood’s second phase generated £32.8m of social, local and economic value, with almost £17m spend with SMEs and £18m spent with a local supply chain.
The build generated 419 weeks of on-site apprenticeship training, with 244 local people employed on the site. Robertson also achieved the highest possible Considerate Constructors Scheme score while on site, with a 45/45.
Both phases of the neighbourhood were funded by Apache Capital with its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual.
Delivered in partnership with Robertson, the neighbourhood is a key part of the wider regeneration of Fountainbridge, set to revitalise a historic part of Edinburgh with new homes, public spaces, and opportunities for the local community.
With practical completion now achieved, the new homes already have their first residents in situ.
Tony Brooks, Executive Chairman at Moda Living said: “Reaching practical completion at Moda, The McEwan is a landmark moment, and we’re grateful to Robertson, Apache Capital and its investment partners and other stakeholders for helping to deliver the second phase of this fantastic neighbourhood.
“We’re proud to be playing a role in the regeneration of Fountainbridge and to be welcoming residents into this already dynamic community, designed with health, wellbeing and community in mind, that makes it more than an apartment but a home.”
Jamie Snary, Executive Director Asset Management and Operations at Apache Capital said: “The McEwan is another exemplar BTR asset forming part of our prime regional portfolio, bringing another 139 homes into operation adding to the 6,000 units which are either operational or in the development pipeline.
“Alongside welcoming our new residents we have also secured the first commercial occupiers including a convenience-led retailer which will be opening imminently.”
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Working closely with Moda, we’ve brought new life to a once underused part of the city to create a thriving neighbourhood that has become a welcome addition to Edinburgh.
“This project gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in operating safely in complex, busy environments while not compromising the quality standards that Robertson is known for.
“A real focus of our approach was to ensure that we provided long-lasting benefits for the local economy and community throughout construction. It’s fantastic that we achieved this by supporting local suppliers, creating jobs, and offering apprenticeships that will help build skills for the future.”
Coming Up This Weekend 
…
The Edinburgh Permaculture Festival Weekend 2025
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 July 2025
Join us, all welcome, for an inspiring weekend of visits, tours, workshops, and connection celebrating the richness of permaculture across Edinburgh and beyond! …
This year includes:
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★ Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden (limited tickets left)
tour and visit, inc. forest garden + mushroom talks 
group visit
★ East Neuk Seaweed (limited tickets left)
Coastal foraging workshop (inc. the intertidal zone + beach cook up lunch)
★ Bowhouse
Short visit
Guided market garden tour with Connie + talk on Scotland The Bread (miller for 5 years)
★ Syd’s West Lothian 2 Acre Permaculture Small Holding (tickets going fast)
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From coast to countryside, walled garden to forest garden, come explore “Using the edges, value the margins” (#Permaculture Principle 11) as part of this year’s festival theme …
Details & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/edinburgh-permaculture…
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Discover how small and larger places and spaces can grow big ideas and inspire
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A year of strong results for Acas also marked a significant increase in individual disputes in Britain, according to its latest annual report.
In 2024-25 Acas dealt with over 117,000 individual disputes in Great Britain. Demand is at its highest since the covid pandemic: an increase of 13,000 from 2023-24. Acas helped resolve 9 out of 10 of these early conciliation cases without the need to go to employment tribunal.
To prevent disputes rising and to reduce the estimated £28 billion cost of conflict, Acas called on Britain’s employers and employees to work together to resolve conflict early. Disputes are always ideally solved within workplaces, without further escalation.
The news comes as major employment law reform gets underway.
Acas’s Chair called Acas a ‘critical national asset’ as these reforms come in and heralded the organisation’s success supporting small businesses through change.
Acas doubled its good practice advice and training interactions over its 2021-25 strategy period from 100,00 to over 252,000 and website advice growing from 9 million in 2021 to 20.5 million in 2025.
Collective disputes were down from 618 in the financial year 2023-24 to 522 in 2024-25. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows days lost to industrial action down from 1.85 million in 2023-24 to 597,000 in 2024-25.
In 2024-25, Acas resolved or supported progress toward settlement in 93% of collective dispute cases.
Acas Chair Clare Chapman said: “As the government introduces major employment law reform, and with the UK annual cost of workplace conflict estimated to stand at £28.5 billion, this is a reminder that Acas remains a critical national asset.
“The rise in individual disputes is concerning: just one conflict escalating can cause huge cost and stress to employer and employee. The good news is Acas now resolves 9 out of 10 early conciliation cases without the need to go to an employment tribunal.
“We call on all Britain’s employers and employees to work together to resolve conflict early. Small businesses particularly need support to avoid the damaging consequences of conflict.
“Our 2021-25 strategy helped thousands of small businesses through change. Acas doubled its good practice advice and training interactions and increased awareness of Acas support among small and medium-sized businesses from 83% to 90%.”
Results delivered 2021-25 against long-term Ambitions
· Acas helped resolve 9 out of 10 of early conciliation cases without the need to go to employment tribunal.
· Just 5% of early conciliation notifications now result in a tribunal hearing, saving time, money and further stress for all parties.
· The Acas website reached twice as many people – web sessions recorded on the website more than doubled from 9 to 20 million.
· Use of Acas good practice advice and training doubled to over a quarter of a million interactions.
· Increased awareness of Acas support among small and medium-sized businesses from 83% to 90% and among individuals from 56% to 77%.
Results delivered in the 2024/25 operational year
· Acas collective conciliation team facilitated confidential talks in over 522 disputes, resolving or supporting progress toward settlement in 93% of cases. Pay was the leading cause dispute and cases are down from 618 last year.
· Acas dealt with 117,951 Early Conciliation cases, the highest number since Covid, up on 104,884 in 2023/24.
· Advice and training had a quarter of a million interactions, a 78% increase on 2023-24.
· The Acas helpline answered 600,000 calls from employers and employees in Great Britain, a 3% increase from 2023-24.
· There was 91% positive engagement of users from the website (exceeding 90% KPI target). There were 20 million sessions in 2024-25 compared to 18 million in 2023-24, an 11% increase.
· Acas trained over 41,000 people in good workplace practice, with 94% of attendees saying their course met their objectives (exceeding 90% KPI target).
· E-learning services were accessed by more than 57,000 users, an increase of 13,000 on 2023-24.
