Introducing our first workshop for New Scots in Edinburgh
Join our free Sustainable Cooking Workshop to meet new people, practise your English, and take part in something meaningful!
Together we will explore the rich tradition of Ukrainian Borsch, a flavourful sour soup made with meat stock, fresh vegetables, and aromatic seasonings, cherished across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
Come be a part of a powerful experience that unites community, culture, and cause.
Date: 14 June 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 12:45 – 14:45
Venue: Heart of Newhaven Community Centre
Address: 4-6 Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh, EH6 4HY
Language: English and Ukrainian
Open to: New Scots aged 18 or over who have a basic understanding of English
Minister Kirsty McNeill teams up with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to champion Scotland and the UK in Spain
Boosting trade and investment between Scotland and Spain is top of the agenda as a group of 16 Scottish female entrepreneurs, led by UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), arrive on Spanish soil today (Monday 9th June).
The Scotland Office led trade mission will meet with Spanish entrepreneurs, business leaders and politicians to maximise the benefits of the recent UK-EU deal, tackle the Scottish gender export gap, promote Brand Scotland’s iconic goods and services and encourage Spanish investment into Scotland.
A recent report found that trade in Scotland could increase by more than £10 billion over two years if women-led businesses exported at the same rate as those led by men.
Women from Scotland’s world class food and drink, tech, manufacturing, energy, tourism, travel, legal services, consultancy, marketing and cosmetic sectors are on the trade mission.
UK Government Scotland Office Kirsty McNeill said: “I’m very proud to be teaming up with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and fantastic Scottish women entrepreneurs on a trailblazing mission to Spain to help kickstart economic growth, create jobs and attract investment to Scotland as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
“I want the UK to be a leader in promoting gender diversity in international trade and this is a unique opportunity for our women business leaders to build international connections, explore market opportunities, and connect with other female entrepreneurs in one of Scotland’s and the UK’s largest EU markets.
“Through ‘Brand Scotland’, we are now giving our country the global platform it deserves.”
Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Dr Liz Cameron CBE said: This trade mission marks a bold step forward in advancing Scotland’s global trade ambitions.
“By connecting some of our most dynamic women entrepreneurs and leaders with key players in Barcelona, we are opening new doors of opportunity, innovation, and growth. Scotland’s businesswomen are global in their outlook, ambitious in their vision, and ready to lead the way in forging deeper connections around the world.
“The collaboration between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scotland Office is a powerful partnership which will boost business growth, increase exports, and champion Scotland as a world-leading trading nation. This mission expands our market access and ensures the future of our business community is more representative, resilient, and internationally competitive.”
This visit marks the first Brand Scotland trade mission since the signing of a partnership agreement between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office on Friday (June 6th). The deal, backed by a £100,000 UK Government grant, is focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally and attracting inward investment.
Spain is the UK’s seventh largest trading partner (2024) and Scotland’s 10th with total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) being £64.6 billion, while the UK is the number one European destination for Spanish investment (€83 billion stock).
Last year Scotland’s goods exports to Spain reached £0.7 billion, with food and drink leading the way at over £212 million. Most recent figures show that Spain was the number six export destination for Scotch whisky, with sales worth £196 million in 2024. Spain is also among the most valuable destinations for Scottish seafood exports, including a top 20 destination for Scottish salmon exports.
The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks offers a huge opportunity for Scotland and the UK’s economy.
The agreement with the EU directly addresses challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019, especially in the food and drink sector, as it makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to markets such as Spain (see stakeholder quotes annexed below).
The two day trade mission comes after Minister McNeill hosted a gathering of female business leaders from across Scotland in Edinburgh in May to identify and tackle export challenges they face.
While in Spain the Minister will also participate in cultural initiatives, including a concert for Ukraine, being organised by the British Embassy in Madrid.
Local Scottish Greens MSP Lorna Slater has heralded the delivery of key cycling infrastructure in Edinburgh as part of Bike Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of cycling.
Thanks to pressure from the Scottish Greens during the party’s time in Government, the SNP has committed to increase spending on active travel projects across the country by more than 400% compared to 2019/20. While it still remains short of its £320m spending target on walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure, the extra funding it has provided so far has already made a major difference on the ground.
Scottish Greens MSP Lorna Slater said: “Active travel has come on leaps and bounds since we got the Government to boost spending on it.
“Now, more people can safely cycle, walk or wheel around Edinburgh and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with travelling under your own steam.
“Bike Week provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on this success – but also to look forward. I would urge the Scottish Government to meet its target of spending £320m – or 10% of its transport budget – on active travel as soon as possible.
“We’ve already seen that if the infrastructure gets built, people will use it. The SNP must provide more funding so that as many people as possible can bolster their wellbeing whilst helping the planet at the same time.”
On Saturday 7 June 2025 HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Royal Scots Regimental Association, unveiled a bronze medallion containing a figurehead of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a final addition to The Royal Scots Monument in Princes Street Gardens.
The monument, originally unveiled on 26 July 1952, commemorates the service rendered by The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) to 16 monarchs from its founding in 1633 under a Royal Warrant from King Charles I until its amalgamation under Defence Review in 2006. The additional medallion marks the final monarch under whom the Regiment served.
Her Royal Highness, accompanied by Councillor Robert Aldridge, the Right Honourable Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, was met by the Chair of the Regimental Trustees, Brigadier (retd) George Lowder MBE, and by the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Robert Bruce CBE DSO.
The unveiling was attended by many former Royal Scots and their families as well as members of The Royal Scots Club and representatives of the City of Edinburgh Council. A service of dedication was conducted by Reverend Dr Iain May, Chaplain to The Royal Scots Regimental Association.
In 2007 The Princess Royal, who was the Regiment’s Colonel in Chief from 1983 until 2006, had graciously unveiled an addition to the monument to mark the Regiment’s amalgamation, the final chapter in its history, and to acknowledge and commemorate the Regiment’s 373 years of proud and loyal service to Crown and Country.
After the unveiling, Her Royal Highness then spent time with former members of the Regiment before leaving for The Royal Scots Club in Abercromby Place where The Princess Royal graciously took the salute at the Club’s annual ceremony of Beating Retreat.
Brigadier George Lowder, Chair of the Regimental Trustees, said: “The Royal Scots have always been, and continue to be, very proud of their long service to Crown and country which is commemorated on this monument.
“Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the last Sovereign under whom the Regiment served, appointed HRH The Princess Royal to be Colonel in Chief of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 1983.
“We have been greatly honoured, therefore, that The Princess Royal, whose long and continued connection with the Regiment we cherish, has unveiled this final addition to our monument today.”.
44% of carers in employment have had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on caring responsibilities
33% of current and former carers in employment say they have postponed or cancelled their own appointments, tests, scans, treatments or therapies
Findings mark the start of Carers Week which takes place from 9-15 June. The theme of this year’s Carers Week is ‘Caring About Equality’.
Many of the UK’s unpaid carers who juggle employment responsibilities alongside looking after disabled, older or ill relatives need further support to stay in paid work and progress in their career.
New polling of over 2,000 members of the public for Carers Week 2025 found that working carers often struggle to prioritise their own health needs, and a quarter (25%) had reduced their working hours to care.
Forty-four per cent of carers in employment said they had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since they started caring – a higher proportion of carers in comparison to those not working (44% compared to 37%).
Carers and former carers in employment were also more likely to say they had postponed or cancelled their own appointments, tests, scans, treatments or therapies due to the demands of their caring role (33% compared to 27%).
Those cancelling appointments said they couldn’t find appointments at a time they could attend and were unable to take time off from paid employment for these. 40% of working carers said they needed more flexibility at work. Previous research by Carers UK has found that 600 people a day have given up work to care[1].
Carers UK and charity supporters Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Oxfam GB, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society are seeking to increase visibility and raise awareness of the inequalities carers face during Carers Week, which is a UK-wide awareness campaign.
TSB Bank is the headline sponsor for Carers Week 2025, which is also kindly supported by Regina UK and Centrica.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:“Carers need more support to ensure they can remain in work with the same career opportunities. The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 gives employees the right to five days of unpaid leave, but this is just the start.
“An understanding line manager, flexible working and paid Carer’s Leave can all make a difference – helping employees to look after their own health and wellbeing, as well as the person they care for.
“When businesses invest fully in carer-friendly workplaces this brings benefits for employees and employers alike, resulting in the retention of valued staff and taking us one step closer to equality for carers in the workplace.”
Ariam Enraght-Moony, Chief People Officer, TSB said:“As the number of carers increases, so must our commitment to support them. At TSB, we’re proud to do just that, offering 70 hours of paid carer’s leave each year – plus wider support including access to a care management service to help navigate each step of the care journey.
“Our support isn’t just about attracting talent; it’s about retaining skilled colleagues and making sure no one has to sacrifice their career to care.
“I urge businesses to consider what more they can do to support colleagues who are carers too.”
Everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
This increased threshold means no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out, with the vast majority – over three quarters – of pensioners in England and Wales receiving the payment.
Support will continue to be targeted, with pensioners above this threshold having the payment automatically recovered or able to opt out.
Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter as all pensioners in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment.
This extends eligibility to the vast majority of pensioners, with around 9 million, or over three quarters, benefitting. This threshold is well above the income level of pensioners in poverty and is broadly in line with average earnings, balancing support for lower income pensioners with fairness to the taxpayer
This change will cost around £1.25 billion in England and Wales and see means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment save around £450 million, subject to certification by the Office for Budget Responsibility compared to the system of universal Winter Fuel Payments.
The costs will be accounted for at the Budget and incorporated into the next OBR forecast. The Chancellor will take decisions on funding in the round at that forecast to ensure the government’s non-negotiable fiscal rules are met. This will not lead to permanent additional borrowing.
No pensioner will need to take any action as they will automatically receive the payment this winter, and for those with incomes above the threshold it will be automatically recovered via HMRC.
The payment of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically this winter. Over 12 million pensioners across the United Kingdom will also benefit from the Triple Lock, with their State Pension set to increase by up to £1,900 this parliament.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.
“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”
Pensioners above the £35,000 threshold will have the full amount of the Winter Fuel Payment they received automatically collected via PAYE, or via their Self-Assessment return.
No one will need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action. Pensioners who want to opt out and not receive the payment at all, will be able to do so, with details to be confirmed.
Making these changes now gives people certainty and ensures that payments can be made in time for this winter. Payments will be better targeted than before 2024-25 when they were previously paid to all pensioners regardless of their income, meaning those on lower and middle incomes will still receive the help they need, ensuring fairness for both pensioners and taxpayers.
Approximately 2 million individuals in England and Wales over State Pension age have taxable incomes above £35,000.
Edinburgh-based digital marketing agency, MB Media has acquired a stake in the Edge Media Group. Launched in 2018, MB Media is one of Scotland’s leading marketing agencies, headed up by founder and local entrepreneur, Barrie Wilkins.
The partnership is part of a wider growth strategy at Edge Media Group, owned by former Radio Forth presenter, Jay Crawford.
The group which owns and operates Edinburgh’s Hit Music Station, Edge 1 and Edinburgh’s Classic Tracks station, Edge 2 has also appointed former Forth 1 and Real Radio presenter, Micky Gavin, as the radio station’s new Programme Controller and the host of a brand-new breakfast show: ‘Micky in the Morning’.
The show, which goes live on Edge 1 on Monday 9th June, will feature Edinburgh’s biggest hit music as well as up-to-the-minute travel news and chat focused on the capital city. On-air every weekday, from 6am to 10am, ‘Micky in the Morning’ will broadcast live from Edge 1’s new state-of-the-art studios In Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square, which were formally opened by the city’s Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, in March.
Edge 1 and Edge 2 are available across Edinburgh and the Forth Valley on DAB digital radio and on the Edge Radio app.
The collaboration enables Edge Media Group to benefit from MB Media’s expertise in digital and social marketing while also working on innovative new sales and client partnerships.
Commenting on his appointment, Micky Gavin, said: “I’m really thrilled to be launching a brand-new breakfast show, live from Edinburgh for Edinburgh! I have dusted off the alarm clock and can’t wait to get started!
“I’m also looking forward to working with the on air team and will be looking to further strengthen the sound of Edge 1 and the line up in the near future.
“Finally, I get to work with my old pal and boss, Jay Crawford again! It’s an exciting time for both Edge Media Group and MB Media and I’m excited to be part of this new chapter.”
Barrie Wilkins, MD, MB Media, said: “Micky and I worked together in radio before he came to join the team at MB Media. When the opportunity came to acquire a stake in Edge Media Group, we talked about the possibilities and the benefits it could potentially have for our clients.
“I was introduced to Edge’s owner, Jay Crawford and was completely inspired by him and his vision for the radio station.
“MB Media has almost 100 marketing clients, from restaurants to large hotel chains. We’re always looking at ways to increase brand awareness for them and having radio as an option makes perfect sense.”
Jay Crawford, Owner, Edge Media Group, said: “This is an exciting time as we take our stations to the next level. Having MB Media on board for support and to help expand our brands with their expertise is fantastic.
“I’m looking forward to working with Barrie and his team, but getting Micky on board for Edge 1’s Breakfast Show and to help steer our programming is amazing”
Current breakfast show presenter, Mark Martin joins Edge 2 and will present the weekday afternoon drive time show from 2-6pm.
12 PM – 5 PM
Muirhouse Millennium Centre
Saturday 19th July 2025
£10 per table hire
0131 467 3578
