#ChildMaintenance is a vital tool to support children on low incomes. But the system isn’t working for too many households. We can make it better.
Read the Poverty Alliance research with@FifeGingerbread and others – supported by the @RobertsonTrust:
https://povertyalliance.org/child-maintenance/
Should schools be recording and reporting on the use of restraint and seclusion? This is just one of the questions a Scottish Parliament committee is asking as it considers a new Bill.
The Education, Children and Young People Committee will be considering the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill, which has been introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP.
The Bill aims to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion in schools, as well as stating that schools would need to inform the parent of a child or young person subjected to restraint or seclusion about the incident and annually report on the use of either approach.
Restraint and seclusion have been used in schools to manage children’s behaviours, but there have been serious concerns about both practices for several years, with campaigners calling for change.
If the Bill is passed, schools would need to be issued with detailed guidance about the use of restraint and seclusion. Schools would also need to inform parents of when restraint and seclusion have been used and maintain a report on the use of these approaches.
The Committee would like to understand whether the measures outlined in the Bill are appropriate.
The Committee’s call for views is open to responses until 11 July 2025. It is then due to take evidence on the proposals in the Bill in the autumn.
Douglas Ross, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, (who knows a fair bit about bad behaviour! – Ed.) said: “The use of restraint and seclusion has been controversial for many years.
“This Bill aims to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion and we want to understand the implications of adopting this approach on children and young people, parents and professionals.
“The Committee is keen to hear from people who have views on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. We’re also interested in hearing from teachers, school leaders and specialists to give us a broad perspective of views on the proposals in this Bill.”
The call for views will be available here:
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/restraint-and-seclusion-in-schools-scotland-bill
More information about the Bill can be found here:
https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/restraint-and-seclusion-in-schools-scotland-bill
Nationwide returned a record £2.8 billion in value to members last year, including £1 billion in direct payments to eligible members. It also delivered £1.8 billion in better than average rates and incentives, with deposit rates over 30 per cent higher.
Britain’s biggest building society today announced outstanding full year results with record growth in retail deposits and net mortgage lending, including help for more first-time buyers than any other lender in the UK. Statutory profit before tax rose to a record £2.3 billion, even after returning £1 billion directly back to members through last year’s Fairer Share Payment and The Big Nationwide Thank You.
Nationwide announced a new Fairer Share Payment today, with over four million members receiving £100 each. The payment goes to eligible members choosing Nationwide for their everyday banking, in addition to holding a qualifying savings or mortgage product. It will be paid directly into their Nationwide current account between 18 June and 4 July.
It is also launching a market-leading 5% Member Exclusive Bond and a £200 member-only switching incentive.
Debbie Crosbie, Nationwide’s Chief Executive, said: “Nationwide has had an outstanding twelve months.
“We returned a record £2.8 billion in value to our members and recorded our highest ever year for growth in mortgage lending and retail deposit balances, and we remain first for customer service.”
The Member Exclusive Bond is available from today to all 16 million existing members and can be opened in branch, online or via the Banking App. Members saving the maximum £10,000 would receive £762.50 in interest after 18 months – over £150 more than they would receive over the same period in our next highest-rate bond (4% 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond).
Members who didn’t have their main current account with Nationwide on 31 March can benefit from a £200 Member Exclusive Current Account Online Switch Offerfrom today.
Nationwide remained first for customer service for the 13th year running, and increased its year-end lead to the highest it has been for eight years. It was also named as the Which? Banking Brand of the Year last week.
Nationwide has a unique Branch Promise and 5.7 million customers visited its branches last year – a year-on-year increase of four per cent. Over 30 per cent of new current accounts and 40 per cent of ISAs were opened in branch last year.
Nationwide also continued to invest in digital channels – providing members choice in how they bank.
The Society saw an 11 percent increase in app usage last year. It added over 30 new features to the Nationwide and Virgin Money apps last year; other innovations included an automated income verification and valuation tool that enable mortgage borrowers to receive an offer within just 20 minutes from application.
Nationwide’s products are now drawing younger people. It attracted more than a quarter of the student current account market and helped more first-time buyers than any other UK lender.
Following rainfall at the beginning of the week, some parts of Scotland have seen temporary improvements in water conditions. However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that parts of the country, particularly in the east, remain under pressure.
Most of the East Coast from Moray and Aberdeenshire down to the Borders remains at Moderate Scarcity.
The rain has improved ground conditions and permitted widespread recovery in the west. In the south-west, the river catchments of the Almond, Annan, Nith, Dee (Galloway) and Cree have recovered from Moderate Scarcity to Alert. It has also caused a similar recovery in the Almond catchment further east.
To the north, the Leven (Dunbartonshire), Loch Fyne, the Argyll coast, Loch Linnhe, the Lochy (Invernessshire), Loch Shiel, Loch Alsh and Loch Maree have all recovered and are now in Early Warning alongside the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Awe and Etive area has recovered from Alert to Normal Conditions, due to the heaviest rain falling here.
The rest of Scotland remains at Alert.
Scotland experienced a drier than average autumn, winter and spring, leaving many rivers and aquifers struggling to recharge. Even with recent rain, groundwater remains low in many places.
The UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) forecast we would see hotter drier summers, heavier but more unpredictable rainfall and growing pressure on water resources. This is part of a long-term shift, and Scotland is already seeing the changes the climate models predicted.
Kenny Boag, Head of Environmental Performance (National) from SEPA said: “We’ve had rain in some areas but not widespread recovery. There has been some relief in parts of the West, for many river catchments the long-term deficit remains. It’s a complex picture, and while we welcome signs of recovery in some areas, most of the East Coast continues to experience water stress.
“Many catchments remain under significant pressure and the water environment is still in a vulnerable state. More rain is forecast over the next few days, but we need sustained rainfall in the right places over weeks, not just days, to make a real difference.
“SEPA continue to work closely with abstractors and sectors using water from our environment in the areas facing sustained water scarcity.
“Clear, early communication is being provided so no one is caught off guard. We know how important water is to the Scottish economy, particularly sectors like farming, food and drink, and energy – but we also know that without a healthy water environment those sectors cannot thrive.
“Balancing economic and environmental needs is at the heart of our role as a regulator. If restrictions are put in place, they will be proportionate and in place for a short time as possible. But we will act where necessary to protect the water environment because it underpins Scotland’s economy, communities and way of life.”
SEPA continues to urge everyone from farmers and producers to industry and manufacturers to continue using water efficiently and manage this shared resource responsibly. Advice is available on SEPA’s website, as well as from SEPA staff contacting abstractors with licences in areas at risk.
Festivities have been in full swing at Strachan House Care Home, as one of its residents celebrates his 97th birthday in style.
Reg Lacon was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as he was piped in to celebrate his birthday. A buffet and beverages were available to all celebrating with Reg at Strachan House, and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chefs Ross and Paul.
Reg, looked the part as he dressed to impress, proudly wearing his Northern Lighthouse Board uniform. Reg, served with The NLB for many years. He had an adventurous career, with great memories. Staying in service as long as he could before retiring, Reg moved into Strachan house Care Home in August 2024, where he is enjoying a new chapter of his life, making new memories with friends.
The birthday boy said: ‘I have had a truly wonderful day, it’s been wonderful to see everyone and to have such a great piper was exceptional!’
Fran Fisher, General Manager of Barchester Strachan House, added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Reg’s birthday. He is such a popular resident, who always has an interesting tale to tell about his travels and his career with the Lighthouse board.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides Residential, Nursing and Dementia care for short and long term stays.
ASH Scotland has welcomed the unanimous vote by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Thursday 29 May 2025) to pass the Scottish Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill Legislative Consent Motion (LCM).
The health charity believes this will be a positive step towards the opportunity of bringing in strong measures to drive down the use of tobacco as well as addictive, health harming nicotine products in the next generation.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “In supporting the World Health Organization’s 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign in Scotland, the predatory tobacco and nicotine industry’s marketing tactics must be stopped to prevent a new wave of addiction and today’s vote sends a signal that our elected representatives are rising to that challenge.
“We welcome the cross party support for the proposed robust measures in the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the Scottish Government’s LCM to restrict the advertising and promotions of nicotine pouches and vapes to reduce their visibility and availability and protect the health of children now and of future generations.”
Support Our Youth Committee’s Sponsored Walk!
TOMORROW, Saturday May 31st, our intrepid young Youth Committee from Pilton Youth and Children’s Project will be embarking on a sponsored walk on the Pentland Hills to raise funds for our charity. We are reaching out to our amazing community for support.
Every donation, big or small, makes a huge difference.
Your contributions will help us continue providing essential services and opportunities for children and young people living in Pilton and the surrounding area.
https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/28035#!/DonationDetails
for anyone making a business donation use this link or email Debbie@pycp.co.uk for bank details https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sponsoredwalkpy…
“Welcome to Super Strikers!
Edinburgh and Lothians answer to toddler football!
Start at 18 months and going up to 5 years old, Super Strikers offers fun and energetic classes.
With classes at the Royston Wardieburn Community Centre every Friday!
Our sessions help your little one not only improve and learn football skills but also helps builds confidence.
We offer a 3 week trial for all of our classes, across 7 different venues!
Find out more info and how to book here – https://superstrikers.kids.
Friday football!!! 
We are Super excited to have 8 classes on today! 
You can still join us in #Granton or #Morningside in the morning! Or join us in the afternoon in #Bonnyrigg
More info and booking here – https://superstrikers.kids
We can’t wait to see everyone! 
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to UK Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, calling for an urgent change to the UK Government’s “immoral and reckless” social security reforms.
Ms Somerville welcomed the suggestion by Prime Minister Keir Starmer that cuts to winter fuel payment could be eased, but said this was not enough.
In the letter the Social Justice Secretary said: ‘I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister announce plans to ease the Winter Fuel Payment cuts in Parliament last week.
‘I am also aware of various media reports suggesting that a change in the UK Government’s two-child limit may be announced shortly. I welcome these developments and recognise that it is a step in the right direction to delivering a more robust Social Security system.
‘However, deep concerns remain around the UK government’s damaging social security reforms, including those announced in the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper.
‘Given the speculation on the reversal or partial reversal of policies on Winter Fuel Payment and Two Child Cap, I call on you to urgently scrap these immoral proposals on disabled benefits.
‘These plans will only push more into poverty. It is therefore reckless and totally unacceptable for the UK Government to press ahead, not least due to the expected severity of the impact they will have on all our efforts to end child poverty – completely undermining the work of the UK Child Poverty Taskforce.’
POLICE are appealing for information after a teenage girl was the victim of a serious sexual assault in Edinburgh on Sunday, 25 May, 2025.
The incident happened shortly after 5am in a basement storage area on York Place.
The 15-year-old girl was approached by a man at a bus stop by Marks and Spencer on Princes Street at around 5am. He then took her on foot to York Place.
After the assault the suspect left the area in the direction of Dublin Street.
The suspect is described as a white man with blond stubble/beard who spoke with a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black zip up hooded top, khaki green trousers, and Nike trainers. He wore a black balaclava.
Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper from the Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh said: “This was a frightening incident for the girl and we have specialist officers supporting her and her family.
“From extensive enquiries within Edinburgh City Centre, we know the suspect approached her on Princes Street and then led her onto South St David Street, around St Andrew Square, onto Queen Street, then to York Place.
“Despite the early morning there was daylight in this busy commercial area. I am asking people who were within the area at the time and could have seen the suspect alone or with the victim, to come forward.
“CCTV from the New Town area is being gathered and checked – I would ask anyone with private systems to check these and submit anything of relevance to us as soon as possible.
“We continue to carry out door to door enquiries and I’d appeal to local residents and businesses in New Town who may have premises off street level to check any storage areas or lock ups and report any suspicious items or behaviour to us.”
Chief Inspector Brian Manchester, Local Area Commander, said: “We understand an incident such as this is concerning for the local community, and we have a dedicated enquiry team working on this investigation.
“Anyone with concerns should speak to officers without hesitation.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0136 of 27 May 2025. An anonymous report can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
