Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

£22 million to tackle waiting times in NHS Lothian

Additional funding to build on progress in clearing longest waits

Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed progress in reducing waiting lists at NHS Lothian as he confirmed the health board will be allocated an additional £22 million for the year ahead – as part of a £106 million investment across the NHS to tackle the longest waits.

Latest figures show a 14% decrease last year in inpatient/daycase waits for all specialties at NHS Lothian – down from 26,462 at 31 March 2024 to 22,762 at 31 March 2025.

The reduction in ongoing waits was driven by reductions in:

  • General surgery -19.6%
  • Gynaecology -20.6%
  • Orthopaedics -17.9%
  • Urology -27.9%

On a visit to the Day Surgery Unit at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Health Secretary met with staff and patients and saw first-hand the positive impact Scottish Government investment is having on waits. The Day Surgery Unit carries out 30 – 40 scheduled procedures every day – this helps allow patients to leave for home from 2pm onwards with a focus on same day discharge.

A huge variety of procedures are performed with patients from a mix of five specialties, including gynaecology, general surgery, vascular, neurosurgery and orthopaedics. Last year, around 4,500 procedures were carried out by the Unit.

Mr Gray said: “This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut waiting lists and we are determined to make it easier, faster and fairer for patients to get access to the treatment they need.

“I was pleased to meet the team at the Royal Infirmary’s Day Surgery Unit who are carrying out fantastic work to help target long waits and making significant progress.  We want to build on this success and drive that improvement across Scotland – our additional investment of £106 million support this work across all health boards.

“Figures published today show monthly A&E performance at its best since July 2023 and delayed discharge at its lowest since October 2023. Our plan to improve our NHS is working and we will build on this progress by increasing capacity and investing to tackle the longest waits to ensure patients get faster access to care.”

Six men convicted following serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian

Six men have been convicted following a number of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July, 2025, following a trial which lasted seven weeks.

They were convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The violence involved in each of these cases is completely unacceptable.

“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.

“Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.

“I would like to thank them, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.

“These convictions show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.”

Hollow victory for Labour government as controversial welfare vote passed

REBELS FORCE FURTHER CONCESSIONS

MPs voted by 335 votes to 260 to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill their initial backing last night after rebel Labour MPs forced further concessions from the government.

The Government, gearing a humiliating defeat, said it would pause changes to PIP until a review has been carried out.

Despite the concessions, 49 Labour MPs, including local North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert, voted against their government.

Ms Gilbert was one of only three Scottish Labour MPs to oppose the Bill.

45 MPs – 18 of these Labour – abstained or did not vote.

Labour Campaign for Socialism issued a statement after the vote:

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “This is an utter capitulation. Labour’s welfare bill is now a TOTAL waste of time. It effectively saves £0, helps no one into work, and does NOT control spending. It’s pointless.”

Ms Badenoch said that the Starmer government should ‘ditch the bill, do their homework, and come back with something serious’.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “Labour’s behaviour towards people with disabilities is appalling.

“The chaos that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have presided over has shown total contempt for the vulnerable. And Anas Sarwar has supported them all the way. Westminster is failing. Scotland deserves better.”

Anti-poverty campaign group Trussell said: ‘The government’s bill to cut disabled people’s social security is still proceeding, but with all cuts to PIP now set to be REMOVED. We applaud the power of disabled people, MPs, and community organisations like food banks who have tirelessly raised their voices and stood up for future of disabled people

‘The improvements to the bill agreed in recent days are the right thing to do and will protect hundreds of thousands of disabled people from being forced into severe hardship.

‘This bill should never have come before MPs. This was a chaotic and upsetting process that could have been avoided had this government stuck to its commitments to disabled people.

‘Deep cuts to Universal Credit still stand, and when MPs look at the amended Bill, they must ensure disabled people are protected from severe hardship ahead of their final vote next week. More than three quarters of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have gone without essentials in the last six months.

‘We now have an opportunity to work together to build a more compassionate, effective, and fair system of social security for disabled people, and move towards a future without the need for food banks.’

Free travel trail event for kids at The Centre, Livingston

This summer, The Centre, Livingston is inviting families to take part in a free ‘Around the World’ travel trail and learn fun facts about 30 countries, through a variety of different puzzles and games at six stations located around the shopping centre, for five weeks from Monday, 7th July until Sunday, 10th August from 11-4pm.

Visitors can pick up a free ‘Around the World’ passport at the ‘check-in’ desk, situated next to New Look, and get it stamped at every station, which will change every week, with Kenya, Brazil and Australia included in the first week.

Passports which have been stamped can be entered into competitions to be in with a chance of winning a variety of prizes from retailers, which includes a family travel voucher worth £4,000 from TUI, £3,000 from Hays Travel and £1,500 from Barrhead Travel. Other prizes include a £100 Voucher from Aerial Adventures, a suitcase from Ryman and four, £25 Gift Vouchers from Primark.

Beach themed activities and games and storytelling sessions will also take place at the ‘check-in’ desk every day and a variety of different travel and holiday-themed arts and crafts, which includes making animal wind chimes and an Egyptian wooden bookmark.

Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston said: “We are really looking forward to hosting our globe-trotting, ‘Around the World’ travel trail free activities at The Centre, Livingston this summer.

“The five-week event will provide a great opportunity for families to take some time out over the holidays and learn some fun facts about 30 countries by participating in lots of puzzles and games in the trail, located around the shopping centre, and also join in the daily travel-themed arts and crafts activities.”

For more information check out The Centre, Livingston social channels, @shopthecentre, and the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com, for competition Terms & Conditions.

Is Edinburgh home to the UK’s messiest room? 

Competition launches with incredible prize

The search is on for the UK’s messiest room, and the winner will receive a visit from a viral crime scene cleaner to give the space a proper tidy. 

The competition has been organised by self-storage operator, Space Station, which has partnered with crime scene cleaner Stacey Foyster, owner of Cleansed, to help tackle the nation’s most cluttered room. 

The competition is open until 11th July 2025, so to be in with a chance of winning the professional deep clean, simply submit a photo and short description of your messy space through this link: https://space-station.co.uk/the-search-for-the-uks-messiest-room

While the search is ongoing, Stacey Foyster has shared her top tips for cleaning your home: 

1) Be methodical 

“Working your way from left to right, top to bottom is a good tip in any home when things have become overwhelming and you want to get back on top. Having a specific zone for items to donate or be recycled is also key to keeping your space clear. But whilst that kind of disciplined technique comes from the job, it truly works wonders in any home.” 

2) Use washing up liquid 

“There are many products designed for the removal of specific stains or odour control – there isn’t a one size fits all technique. 

“Washing up liquid is heaven-sent when it comes to cleaning, however, and a little bottle packs an absolute punch when cleaning a neglected area.” 

3) Identify hazards 

“Before you begin, identify any hazards that may lie ahead and what precautions you need to take. This can be anything from an obvious hazard, such as slipping on a wet surface, to hidden hazards such as biohazard.” 

Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station, adds; “Clutter can quickly take over if items don’t have a dedicated home.

“A well-organised space isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s about peace of mind. Effective storage gives people breathing room, both physically and mentally, and can make all the difference.” 

For more information about the messiest room competition and your chance to win a visit from a professional crime scene cleaner, visit: https://space-station.co.uk/the-search-for-the-uks-messiest-room

Views sought on proposals which would introduce the crime of ecocide into Scots law for the first time

Should causing severe environmental damage be treated as a serious and distinct criminal offence? Are current penalties imposed by courts on individuals and organisations adequate? Could creating this offence impact on legitimate activities?

These are the types of questions Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee is putting to members of the public and organisations with an interest in environmental issues, as they launch their call for views into the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill.

If approved by Parliament, this Bill would introduce the crime of ecocide into Scots law for the first time.

The Bill was introduced by Monica Lennon MSP on 29 May 2025. Ms Lennon believes that creating a distinct criminal offence and increasing the penalties for perpetrators, would reduce the likelihood of future incidents and help protect Scotland’s population, wildlife and ecosystems.

Proposals in the Bill allow for both people and organisations to be convicted of ecocide with custodial sentences of up to 20 years and unlimited fines.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1939625266126418107

Launching the call for views, Convener of the Net Zero, Energy & Transport Commitee, Edward Mountain MSP, said; “We all agree on the need to address the biodiversity crisis and protect and restore fragile ecosystems. That includes making sure there are fitting penalties for serious environmental damage.

“Introducing ecocide into Scots criminal law could send a strong message to individuals and organisations about the gravity of serious environmental damage and act as a deterrent, changing corporate behaviour and individual decision-making for the better.

“While protecting the environment is vital, it’s also important to ensure that any new measures strike the right balance – avoiding disproportionate costs for public bodies, individuals and businesses, or inhibiting development or infrastructure in places where it is needed and wanted.

“And before making new laws, its right to reflect on how well current measures to combat environmental damage work and whether they’re backed up with sufficient resources.

“Please share your views with us, to help us further understand the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals before us.”

The Committee expects to take evidence on the Bill after summer recess and report its recommendations to Parliament.

The call for views will be open until Tuesday 9 September 2025.

Read the questions and submit your views on Citizen Space

Major immigration reforms delivered ‘to restore order and control’

Work to restore control of Britain’s borders has seen the first of sweeping reforms to the immigration system introduced by the Home Secretary today

New rules to be laid in Parliament see skills and salary thresholds rise, overseas recruitment for care workers end and more than 100 occupations no longer granted access to the immigration system.

These changes, the first to be rolled out from the Immigration White Paper, represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration and restore order to the points-based system, focusing on higher skills, lower numbers and tighter controls. They are an important step in ending the UK’s reliance on overseas, lower skilled recruitment. 

The introduction of an interim, time-limited and conditional temporary shortage list will make sure the immigration system works better for the UK, with international recruitment only providing support where occupations are key to the industrial strategy or building crucial infrastructure.  

Each sector must have a workforce strategy in place to train UK workers, or it will lose access to the immigration system. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  “We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years.

“These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.

“As part of the Plan for Change, we can build an immigration system that serves the needs of the British economy and people – one that values skills, tackles exploitation, and ensures those who come to the UK make a genuine contribution.”

The package of measures includes:  

  • raising the skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas, removing 111 eligible occupations
  • closing the social care worker visa route to overseas recruitment in response to widespread abuse and exploitation
  • only allowing time-limited access below degree level through a targeted immigration salary list and temporary shortage list, for critical roles only, with strict requirements for sectors to grow domestic skills
  • commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review of the temporary shortage list including occupations, salaries and benefits

Workers in occupations on the temporary shortage list will no longer be able to bring dependants and will not be permitted salary and visa fee discounts. The occupations included on the List are time-limited until the end of 2026 and will only remain beyond that date if the independent Migration Advisory Committee recommend it.  

In the interim, the government will not hesitate to restrict immigration access further, should there be clear signs of abuse and exploitation in sectors. In time, we will also abolish the previous government’s immigration salary list. 

Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes will come into effect from 22 July, and transitional arrangements have also today been set out for overseas care workers already in the UK.  

Next steps  

Further changes to be implemented by the end of this year also include:  

  • raising the immigration skills charge
  • uplifting language requirements across the immigration system
  • unveiling a new family policy framework to Parliament

The Immigration White Paper forms part of a broader programme of immigration and border security reforms, with further measures on asylum and border security to be announced later this year.

Ditching vague language essential to resolving workplace conflicts

Replacing vague phrases with clearer language is essential to informally resolving workplace conflicts, according to new research.

The research, carried out by The Social Agency for Acas, found that some language used in workplaces was misleading.

Phrases like “nipping it in the bud” were vague and confusing, while phrases like “open and honest conversation’” and “facilitated discussion” avoided the language of conflict and described resolution neutrally.

Using clear language helped to create a trusting environment, enable constructive dialogue by helping people express their feelings, and avoided unnecessary escalation of issues.

Acas Director of Dispute Resolution Kevin Rowan said: “Language matters when it comes to informal and early resolution. Some words like “dispute” and “grievance” provoke defensiveness and make people think the conversation is about conflict and sanction rather than support or problem-solving.

“Conversations for informal resolution should be different from formal processes. Whereas formal investigations are about ascertaining facts, informal conversations should be about identifying concerns and differing points of view.”

The research aimed to define informal resolution, examine the processes that underpin it, explore the views of those involved, and identify how Acas can support people effectively to use informal resolution.

The study highlighted the value of using informal resolution where appropriate as a potentially less stressful, more efficient way of managing conflict, preserving relationships and maintaining a positive working environment.

It showed that:

  • Lack of skill and confidence among managers remains a barrier to informal resolution. Employers can help by giving managers time, support, and access to practical training and resources.
  • Informal resolution is more likely to succeed in organisations that visibly support it. For example, by encouraging early dialogue and referencing informal routes in disciplinary and grievance policies.
  • Outcomes are shaped by how the process is approached, whether there’s early intervention, mutual trust, recognition of power dynamics, and willingness to stop if informal resolution isn’t working.
  • Clear, direct language helps set expectations and supports constructive communication. Vague phrases like “nipping it in the bud” can downplay the seriousness of an issue or create confusion. While descriptions like “an open and honest conversation” were felt to be more constructive.

Kevin Rowan continued: “When the annual cost of workplace conflict to UK employers is estimated to stand at £28.5 billion, there is a strong argument for managing workplace disagreements better.

“When workplace issues escalate and become formal disciplinary or grievance processes, costs escalate significantly.

“Early resolution may not always work, but where it does, there are huge financial savings as well as emotional gains to be made.”

One of Scotland’s largest private sports memorabilia collections to be auctioned for charity

John Horne marks 30 Years of business with landmark gesture

Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

In a powerful gesture of generosity, one of Scotland’s most passionate and prolific sports memorabilia collectors, is preparing to part with almost all of his decades-in-the-making collection in support of two charities close to his heart.

John Horne, Managing Director of JR Scaffold (Part of the JR Group), a leading construction and scaffolding firm celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, began collecting in 1995, the same year he launched his business.

What started as a few signed football shirts bought at charity auctions has evolved into one of the most extensive private collections of its kind in Scotland, featuring legendary names from across the globe.

To mark the company’s milestone year, John is auctioning more than 130 treasured items to raise vital funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland, causes with deeply personal meaning.

Among the highlights going under the hammer are signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Jimmy Johnstone, Brian Laudrup, and Lionel Messi; iconic framed photos autographed by Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton, and George Best; and an array of rare boxing and golf memorabilia, including items signed by Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Masters champions.

The auction, organised by event specialists Blue Parrot Events Group through their Event PAL fundraising platform, will be hosted online and live for two weeks from Monday 30th June, giving fans and collectors the opportunity to own pieces of sporting history while supporting meaningful causes.

Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

John Horne, Managing Director of JR Scaffold, said: “This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport.

“Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it’s emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time. Giving back has always been part of our company’s DNA, and this is my way of doing something personal to honour that as we hit 30 years.

“The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, a tribute to a wonderful young girl taken far too soon. Her dad, Andy Smillie, helped us start our company and our families remain close friends.

“We’re also supporting MND Scotland, in memory of Aaron Souttar, another young life lost too early. His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends also.”

Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

With something for every sports enthusiast, John hopes the collection will find passionate new owners and raise a significant sum for two very special charities.

To view the lots and place a bid, visit https://weareeventpal.com/jrgroup.

The auction launched on Monday 30th June.

You can also donate to the charity via the link:

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The JR Group was founded in Govan in 1995 as a scaffolding business and has grown to become one of Scotland’s largest building and construction firms – employing around 200 staff.

The JR Group has a proven track record of delivering outstanding projects for leading UK housebuilders, registered social landlords and private clients across Scotland and the North of England.

For more information visit www.thejrgroup.co.uk or call 0141 849 6711. 

Holyrood Committee calls for views on new Bill which would make it a criminal offence to pay for sex

The Criminal Justice Committee is seeking views on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill, introduced by Ash Regan MSP, targets those who buy sexual services by creating a new criminal offence of paying for a sexual act.

The Bill would also repeal the existing offence, under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, of loitering, soliciting or importuning in a public place for the purposes of prostitution. People who have been convicted of this offence in the past would have their convictions quashed by the new Bill.

The Member’s Bill would also give rights to ensure a person who is, or has been, in prostitution is provided with help and support. This could include accommodation, financial assistance, healthcare or legal advice and representation, depending on what is required.

As the call for views launched, Criminal Justice Committee Convener Audrey Nicoll MSP said: “This Bill raises important questions on prostitution in Scotland and how it is considered by our laws.

“It proposes changes on criminalisation, the quashing of previous convictions and the support given to those who work in this environment and we want to hear from a range of voices on whether they welcome these provisions.

“We are particularly keen to hear the views of people with lived experience, on whether they support the proposals or not, and whether the changes this Bill proposes will help achieve its ambitions.”

Let the Committee know your views 

The call for views closes on Friday 5 September 2025.