As a coalition of organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, many of whom have mental health problems, we share the concerns of many over a proposed £38 million cut to mental health spending in today’s final vote on the Scottish Budget (Tuesday 21st February).
It should be noted that we were already experiencing a mental health emergency in Scotland, even before Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis took hold. These have worsened an already devastating situation for many children and young people, resulting in a perfect storm of challenges.
It therefore beggars belief that, in the face of a mental health tsunami, the Scottish Government is set to cut the mental health budget. Combined with this, an already tight budget will have to stretch even further to keep pace with soaring inflation.
With the resultant personal cost to those concerned and their families, as well as to the economy overall, we need to invest more, not less, in our mental health services. The situation we are currently in could potentially lead to a lost generation of vulnerable children and young people who are missing out on the support they vitally need.
To address this, we must ensure our mental health services are protected and would urge the Scottish Government to reconsider these cuts and commit to increasing investment, ensuring that our children and young people receive the high-quality care they need when they need it.
A set of good practice principles for the management of School Meal debt have been published by COSLA.
The principles, which are a first for Scotland, and have been developed by COSLA, with partners from across Local Government, have been produced to promote good practice in the management of school meal debt, whilst retaining a level of flexibility to enable local authorities to design and implement approaches which align with the unique needs and circumstances of their communities.
Decisions around school meal debt management, including all aspects of policy and practice, remain at the discretion of each local authority. However these principles may be useful for supporting the review and development of local authority school meal debt policy and practice, as well as supporting effective implementation on an ongoing basis.
The intended audience for these principles is local authority staff across a range of departments (including, for example, education, catering, finance and debt collection) as well as Head Teachers, class teachers and other school staff.
Commenting as he launched the principles COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “As Local Government we’re committed to tackling child poverty and ensuring that all children and young people can engage fully in their education, free from barriers. This has never been more important than now, as families continue to face the impact of rising costs.
“COSLA recognises that school meal debt is an emotive issue but one that is complex. We’ve worked closely with colleagues in the third sector in response to the research they’ve highlighted, and have developed an agreed set of principles for councils to consider when making decisions on local policy and practice.
“I’m pleased that these new principles will support councils to reflect good practice in their management of school meal debt, as part of their own, locally responsive, approaches to supporting children, young people, and families.”
Martin Canavan, Head of Policy and Participation at Aberlour children’s charity, said: ““The level of school meal debt in Scotland is concerning and has been rising due to the cost of living crisis.
“Low income families not eligible for free school meals are struggling to feed their children, and many are accruing school meal debt as a result. We need to respond better, with compassion and empathy, to those families and make sure that no child will go hungry at school or is stigmatised by the processes in place for any child to access a meal in school.
“We welcome these school meal debt good practice principles that Cosla has published. These can help councils and schools respond to the issue of school meal debt consistently, sensitively and in a way that recognises the financial pressures and anxiety that low income families face.
“Embedding these principles in practice will help further Scotland’s commitment to the UNCRC and every child’s right to healthy and nutritious food.”
Edinburgh Tradfest’s full music programme for 2023 is now on sale. The programme includes a fantastic line-up of live music, talks, and new commissions, at the Traverse and various venues across the city, thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, and the William Grant Foundation.
Opening the Festival on Friday 28 April is the electrifying two-time winner, and six-time Grammy nominee Rhiannon Giddens performing withmulti-instrumentalist, pianist and composer Francesco Turrisi. These amazing international talentsare supported by newcomers Roo Geddes and Neil Sutcliffe whose debut album Homelands released in 2022 has been met with huge acclaim.
Over the 11 days of the Festival more than 100 artists and musicians will perform. From Scotland the line-up includes well-known award-winning bands, and emerging new musicians including Shetland pianist Amy Laurenson who was recently crowned BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Musician of the Year 2023. Other great talents taking part include legendary pipers Rona Lightfoot and Allan Macdonald; Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie whose album We Have Won The Land celebrates the success of the Assynt Crofter’s Trust in buying back the North Lochinver Estate from a Swedish land speculator 20 years ago; tenor banjo player Ciaran Ryan and his band; spell-binding vocals and harmonies from Orcadian powerhouse FARA; trailblazing cellist Juliette Lemoine (who counts SAY-award winning pianist Fergus McCreadie among her A-list backing band); award-winning singer and composer Kim Carnie (above); nu-folk singer-songwriter and ukulele musician Zoë Bestel; 2022 MG ALBA Musician of The Year nominee fiddle player Ryan Young; and, to close the festival, award-winning musical geniuses Ross Ainslie (Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica) and Tim Edey (Chieftains) playing an unmissable festival finale of foot-stomping tunes topped with great banter.
Other great musicians from further afield, include talented Austro-British, singer-songwriter, folk-punk musician Alicia Edelweiss; Mississippi Delta songbird Bronwynne Brent who was crowned Female Vocalist of The Year by Americana UK in 2019; Swedish nyckelharpa player Fredy Clue; America’s masters of old-time, bluegrass, classic country and Cajun music The Foghorn Stringband; Northumbria’s Kathryn Tickell who has twice won ‘Musician of the Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, presents Music Planet and holds an OBE for services to folk music, performing with her band The Darkening; Gnawa musician Omar Afif in a collaboration with local sax wizard Steve Kettley; and daughter/father duo Dirk and Amelia Powell from Louisiana who bring their deeply rooted Cajun, Appalachian and original sounds to the festival for the first time.
Premiering this year is the festival’s new commission Two For Joy composed and arranged by award-winning harpist Ailie Robertson, which explores the use of birdsong in music and folklore, and the positive impact that listening to birdsong has on our mental health.
Joining Ailie on stage to perform this new work are some of the most talented musicians in Scotland – Neil Sutcliffe, Alice Allen, Alastair Savage, Josie Duncan, and Heather Cartwright. Supporting this Two for Joy premiere will be the very talented Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin Band.
Also new for 2023 is ETF Spotlight which will showcase some of the most exciting new performers emerging in folk and traditional music today including high energy folk band Falasgair; guitarist and singer-songwriter Heather Cartwright; folk musician and activist Maddie Morris; and the Madeleine Stewart Trio which includes Rory Matheson (piano) and Craig Baxter (bodhran).
Returning for a third year is Edinburgh Tradfest’s Rebellious Truth lecture/recital presented in collaboration with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, which explores mental health issues in the music industry.
Led by Gaelic singer, composer, researcher and broadcaster Mischa Macpherson the lecture looks in depth at the mental pressures that traditional musicians face and also the joy in playing the music you love.
In 2021 her study involving over 2000 artists, was presented in an award-winning documentary on BBC Alba Ceol is Cradh featuring interviews with some of the folk scene’s best-known faces including Ross Ainslie, Greg Lawson Laura Wilkie and Corrina Hewat. This fascinating talk accompanied by live music from Mischa and Celtic and Scottish Studies musician-in-residence Fraser Fifield is free but ticketed and will be live-streamed.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “We’re delighted to be able to share our stellar music programme for this year’s festival ahead of the full programme being announced in March.
“Edinburgh Tradfest is brimming with musical highlights from some of the best trad and folk musicians from Scotland and around the world.”
Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotlandsaid: “An incredible mix of talent from emerging local artists through to international award winners provides another exciting and diverse programme in the capital.
“Tradfest continues to offer performance opportunities to artists and allows audiences to experience a wealth of talent, new commissions and engaging talks covering important issues within the traditional music sector.”
The full programme for this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest including events at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and the Edinburgh Folk Club will be launched mid-March and will include an unmissable line-up of talks, adult and children’s music workshops, ceilidhs, and storytelling thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, and the William Grant Foundation.
Edinburgh Tradfest 2023 will run from Friday 28 April – Monday 8 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com
Extra funding to help offset UK Government benefit cap
The Scottish Government is providing £8.6 million in direct support for people affected by the UK benefit cap as part of its work to tackle child poverty.
An estimated 4,000 families with around 14,000 children are now able to apply for extra financial support through their local council’s Discretionary Housing Payments scheme.
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We are increasing funding to help bridge the gap between what people need in benefits from the UK Government and what they actually receive. Eligible households could be £2,500 better off on average per year as a result.
“We will spend up to £84 million in 2023-24 on Discretionary Housing Payments to mitigate not only the UK Government’s bedroom tax and the on-going freeze to Local Housing Allowance rates, but now also the benefit cap which is pushing families into hardship.
“Our child poverty targets are ambitious and that is why we are choosing to invest significantly more in social security than the funding we receive from Westminster and helping to mitigate the damaging impact of UK Government welfare cuts.”
John Dickie, Chair of the Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Mitigating the UK benefit cap is absolutely the right thing to do. Support for struggling families shouldn’t have an arbitrary limit that pushes children into deeper poverty.
“It’s now vital that everyone affected by the benefit cap applies to their local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment to replace as far as possible the cash support removed by the cap. The Scottish Government has done the right thing, now the UK Government must act to scrap the cap altogether.”
Laura Millar, Strategic Manager at charity Fife Gingerbread, which helps lone parents and families in need, said: “Last year Fife Gingerbread supported the ‘Scrap the Cap’ campaign calling on Westminster to end the benefit cap and the financial hardship this causes.
“Therefore, the Scottish Government’s commitment to empower local authorities to mitigate the impacts of the benefit cap using Discretionary Housing Payments is a positive step.
“Although the number of households affected across Scotland may be relatively small this is an important measure. The greatest risk is that households may be unaware of their entitlement, and every year millions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed. Therefore, we must all raise awareness of this announcement to ensure those most in need of support receive it.”
Funding for benefit cap mitigation by Scottish local authorities through Discretionary Housing Payments is as follows:
2022-23
£2.6 million
2023-24
£6 million
Total
£8.6 million
The benefit cap is a UK Government policy which limits the total amount of benefit that most working age people can receive, even if their full entitlement would be higher.
Adapted by Isobel McArthur with Michael John McCarthy
Co-directed by Isobel McArthur and Gareth Nicholls
Based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson
Cast includes Malcolm Cumming, Christina Gordon, Kim Ismay, Danielle Jam, Fatima Jawara, Ryan J Mackay, Grant O’Rourke, David Rankine, Isaac Savage, and Karen Young.
Composer and Music Supervisor Michael John McCarthy Set and Costume Design Anna Orton, Sound Design Clare Hibbert Video Design Tim Reid Lighting Design Ben Ormerod Casting by Michael Howell
Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown
Touring the UK from Tuesday 28 March to Saturday 13 May 2023
Opening at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock and touring to Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh; Eden Court, Inverness; Perth Theatre and Northern Stage, Newcastle from March to May 2023.
Opening Performance at the Beacon Arts Centre on 31 March 2023
Kidnapped,Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure-classic is touring Scotland and Northern England in a riotous new retelling for 2023.
19-year-old Davie Balfour has never left home, never been kissed and never fired a gun. Armed with nothing but a hand-drawn map, he heads off on an adventure like no other – quickly realising that he has a lot of catching up to do. The production follows Davie on a journey of eye-opening discovery as he navigates murderous foes, Jacobite outlaws and the most inept crew of pirates this side of the Atlantic.
Kidnapped was originally written as serialised fiction in the magazine Young Folks from May to July 1886, then first appeared in book form published by Cassell and Company in July 1886. The novel, and author Robert Louis Stevenson, both have a number of local connections to the city of Edinburgh. Stevenson was born and raised in the City, studying at the University of Edinburgh. The city and the surrounding geography influenced his writing, and Kidnapped takes place in locations familiar to Edinburgh locals.
In 2004, Edinburgh was designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, and to celebrate, almost 15,000 copies of Kidnapped were given away as part of a city reading campaign in 2006. The Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh presents the lives of three prominent of Scottish writers, one of them being Robert Louis Stevenson. Visitors to the museum can see a collection of portraits, photographs, personal possessions and treasures that Stevenson found on his own travels.
The climax of the novel, Kidnapped takes place upon Corstorphine Hill, where a statue dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson now stands, on Corstorphine Road. The 15-foot-tall statue was sculpted by Alexander Stoddart and depicts principal characters Alan Breck Stewart and Davie Balfour.
A number of the streets in Dumbrae and Clermiston area take their names from locations and characters in the novel.
Rannoch Road, Duror Drive and Morven Street are named after real locations that Alan and Davie visit, and Essendean Place and Terrace are named after a fictional location created by Stevenson. Hoseason Gardens plays tribute to character Captain Hoseason, Ransome Gardens to fictional cabin boy Ransome and Alan Breck Gardens to Alan Breck Stewart.
Actors Malcolm Cumming and Ryan J Mackay recently visited the statue, ahead of the new stage reimagining of Kidnapped coming to the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Malcolm and Ryan are playing Alan Breck Stewart and Davie Balfour, respectively.
Kidnapped has been reimagined by Isobel McArthur with Michael John McCarthy, who previously teamed up for the Olivier award-winning Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), in a colourful new take on the classic historical novella and is packed full of 20th century pop music and 18th century romance, all performed by a dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians.
This vibrant production is a coming-of-age romcom for today, which celebrates the poetry, humour, and heart of Stevenson’s writing. Edinburgh audiences can see Kidnapped when it visits the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh from the 11 to 22 April 2023, after opening in Greenock, or catch the show on tour in Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, and Newcastle from March to May.
Ryan J Mackay, who is playing Davie Balfour, was most recently seen on stage in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and he will be joined by Malcolm Cumming as Alan Breck Stewart, familiar to Scottish audiences from the acclaimed James IV: Queen of the Fight, (Raw Material and Capital Theatres, in association with National Theatre of Scotland) which toured Scotland in late 2022.
They will be joined on this adventure by a talented ensemble including: Christina Gordon, who will be reuniting with Isobel McArthur and Michael John McCarthy after her run as an original cast member of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), for which she was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role; David Rankine who is a Scottish actor most recently seen in the revival of the National Theatre of Scotland production of Rocket Post, which featured song arrangements from Michael John McCarthy; Kim Ismay is perhaps most familiar to audiences for playing the role of Tanya in the West End production of Mamma Mia, and Madame Morrible in the international and UK & Ireland tours of Wicked;Danielle Jam, who recently worked with Raw Material, Capital Theatres and National Theatre of Scotland as one of the lead roles in James IV: Queen of the Fight and will be reunited with her James IV co-star Malcolm Cumming in Kidnapped; Grant O’Rourke has done extensive work in theatre, television, film and radio, and is most familiar to Scottish audiences for his role in Outlander, and more recently, Shetland;Isaac Savage is an actor, musician and composer who will joining the ensemble as the Performing Musical Director for Kidnapped, and last year was the Performing Musical Director for Cinderella at Dundee Rep; Karen Young is a Scottish actress, recently appeared in Cinderella at Dundee Rep; Fatima Jawara was most recently seen as the titular role in Eastern Angles’ Christmas production of Little Red.
Join the conversation: #Kidnapped
Touring to Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock (previews Tue 28, Wed 29, Thurs 30 March) Fri 31 March – Sat 1 April 2023;
Theatre Royal, Glasgow Wed 5 – Sat 8 April 2023,
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Tue 11 – Sat 22 April 2023;
Eden Court, Inverness Wed 26 – Sat 29 April 2023;
Perth Theatre Wed 3 – Sat 6 May 2023 and
Northern Stage, Newcastle Tues 9 – Sat 13 May 2023.
We’re all looking for cost-effective ways to show those around us that we love them, and there is no exception when it comes to our pets.
Research from the UK’s largest vet charity, PDSA, shows that the minimum lifetime cost of owning a dog starts at around £5,000 for a small breed, but can be considerably more. These costs can mount even further as owners feel pressured to pamper their pooch with expensive gifts.
Shauna Walsh, Vet Nurse at the charity – which provides vital care for pets in need – has shared her expert tips for showering pets with love, without breaking the bank.
Shauna said: “Particularly around holidays like Valentine’s Day, we often feel compelled to splurge on material gifts for those we love. However, our pets have no perception of cost, and are happiest and healthiest when their welfare needs are met and their owners are close by.
Spend more time together
“Spending quality time with your pet doesn’t cost a penny yet is often what brings them the most joy. In fact, ensuring their social needs are met and even just being in our company can improve a pet’s overall wellbeing.
“Simple things such as taking them on a walk and enjoying the great outdoors together, playing with them, and snuggling on the sofa are all great ways to bond with your four-legged friend.
Learn how to groom your pet at home
“Grooming your pet is a fantastic bonding activity and has many other health benefits too, including helping to distribute natural oils found within your animal’s coat. It also gives you the chance to check for any skin problems or lumps and bumps that, if caught early, could mean easier and cheaper veterinary treatment for your pet.
“Grooming costs can vary depending on breed and coat type, and tight curled coats and long-haired breeds especially will need regular sessions. Therefore, learning how to groom your pooch at home can save you a lot of money, once you’ve purchased the equipment needed.
Rotate your pet’s favourite toys
“While toys are great for playtime and keeping boredom at bay, your pet doesn’t need too many. Rotating them will not only avoid you spending lots of money but will also keep playtime fun and engaging. You can even re-use the same toy for different games – for example, using one for a game of fetch, then hiding it for your pet to find.
“Aside from being heaps of fun, toys are a great way to keep your pet active. Throwing a toy for your dog to chase and retrieve will not only help them stay fit but is a great way to spend time together too – just avoid using sticks, as these can cause nasty injuries, and balls that are too small or squash down easily, which could be a choking hazard.”
Owners and pets
For more advice on cutting the cost of pet care while ensuring your pet remains happy and healthy, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/lowcostpetcare.
Motorists have been told to maintain their vehicles if proposed changes to MOTs come into force.
Experts from Quotezone.co.uk have warned drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy after proposals to extend the period between tests.
The proposals have come via a consultation jointly published by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), affecting cars, motorbikes and vans.
Currently, all new vehicles must be tested after they reach three years old, to ensure they do not present a danger to other road users.
But if the new proposals are adopted, this period will be extended to four years, in line with many other countries across Europe.
Advances in technology and the increase in popularity of EVs and hybrid cars mean new vehicles are less likely to need major attention at three years old.
They also suggest that the period between MOT tests could also be extended from one year for newer vehicles.
While the experts from Quotezone.co.uk welcome the chance for drivers to create savings, safety must always be the number one priority and both the government and the motorists themselves have a duty to ensure their cars, vans and motorbikes are safe to operate.
Many countries across Europe have the four year policy, and the proposals would bring Britain in line with countries like Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Government analysis shows less frequent MOT tests could save UK drivers around £100 million per year.
Quotezone.co.uk did a sample survey in Northern Ireland – where all vehicles must be tested at a dedicated MOT centre – putting the system under increasing pressure to clear the pandemic backlog. 43% of drivers were said to be waiting over 3 months for an available test date and 59% were driving on the road pass their test due date.
These proposed changes may alleviate some issues but it’s important to remember 1 in 10 vehicles fail their MOT first time, under the proposal these vehicles would now be on the road for an additional year which some experts fear may increase the number of unsafe vehicles on our roads.
Quotezone.co.uk Founder Greg Wilson has said: “These proposals to have less frequent MOT tests is likely to put the onus on the driver to more regularly maintain the vehicle and ensure its roadworthy.
“Whilst of course money saving benefits are great in this economic climate, getting into an accident or driving an unsafe car could result in costs far bigger than a £40 MOT.
“There are several routine checks which drivers can do at home to help their vehicle stay in a safe and roadworthy condition.”
Quotezone.co.uk has provided checks you can make on your car:
Check tyres:
Before setting off, it is important to check for any cuts or wear. It is also good to check if the tyre pressures are appropriate for the load and condition of the tyres. The minimum and legal limit for tread depth of the tyres is 1.6mm – drivers can insert a 20p into the tread to double check, the tyre thickness should be more than the first line on the coin.
Check lights:
You need to make sure your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights and brake lights all work. Having any of these not working or in a temperamental condition could put you, passengers and other motorists at risk.
Check brakes:
The braking system needs to be in good working order. If the car pulls to one side when applying the breaks then this indicates an issue. Look at the handbrake too and ensure it works well, especially on an incline. If you have alloy wheels, it could be possible to do a visual inspection of the brakes without actually removing the wheel.
Check fluid levels:
Keep your screen wash topped up so you can clean dirt off your windscreen and ensure you have good visibility and top up break fluid and oil.
Check mirrors:
All mirrors must be secure and free of cracks. If they need replacing you can normally find ones for your car model online, but stay clear of self-adhesive types as these are not durable.
Check windscreen and wipers:
Ensure there is no damage to your windscreen. A chip or crack that exceeds 40mm will actually result in a failed MOT test. On top of the windscreen, the wipers and washers should be functional to ensure good visibility at all times.
Cities across Scotland can now get up to speed with consistently fast, reliable, full fibre-enabled services thanks to Giganet, one of the UK’s fastest growing internet service providers (ISP).
With the surge in demand for faster, more reliable broadband, almost 360,000 homes in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh can now benefit from the ISP’s award-winning full fibre broadband. And now with 3 months free, this is a deal that will be welcome to many as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
And its great news for environmentally conscious consumers, Giganet, often recognised for its bright yellow vans, is going green, with a commitment to plant a tree for every new Scottish customer.
Tanya Thorne, Chief Marketing Officer at Giganet, said: “We take topics such as the climate emergency very seriously, and moreover, we act. Doing the right thing for our planet is something we are passionate about.
“Through our partnership with Ecologi, each new Scottish customer will contribute to supporting local reforestation in the United Kingdom, with schemes in Ayrshire and Mull, adding further trees to our 22,000+ strong forest.”
Giganet’s full fibre will allow households to stream data-intensive video like 4K films, conference call on teams without glitches, get immersed in multiplayer gaming without the lag, and effortlessly support multiple devices being used at the same time.
Full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data all the way from the exchange to the home, which differs from most digital infrastructure today. In fact, less than 40% of premises in Scotland can currently connect to it, with Scotland still lagging behind the UK by almost 5% in the full fibre broadband rollout race.
Speaking about Giganet launching to households in Scotland on the 17th of February, Thorne added: “We pride ourselves in putting the customer first; offering excellent customer service, honest and transparent pricing, and flexible packages suited to all.
“With the cost of living rising and household budgets being squeezed across the UK, we are delighted to be offering our new Scottish customers 3 months free on a 12-month contract with no exit fees.
“Our partnership with CityFibre already allows us to offer services to Scottish businesses and I am delighted that our award-winning services are now available to Scottish homes. By combining the best standards in customer services with a robust full fibre network, we can guarantee homes in towns and cities across Scotland can now experience the holy grail in connectivity – high speed and incredible reliability”.
Last year, the ISP scooped the coveted award for Overall Fibre Provider of the Year at the 2022 Fibre Provider Awards.
For more information on Giganet or to see if your postcode is eligible for 3 months free internet, visit www.giganet.uk.
Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine marks a year of the war against Ukraine
As the first anniversary of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine approaches, Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray has offered his condolences to those who have lost loved ones and has signalled continued support for Ukraine.
He has also taken a look back at the past year and the role that Scotland has played to support displaced people from Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, Mr Gray said: “The Scottish Government has repeatedly condemned Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. We are shocked and appalled at the violence and humanitarian crisis it has caused.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to all Ukrainians who have lost their loved ones. We hope for a Ukrainian victory, which is the best outcome for Ukraine as well as for longer-term peace and stability in Europe.
“The people of Ukraine have shown incredible strength over this past year. The support of the international community has been incredibly heartening to see, especially as we have witnessed the largest refugee crisis and forced movement of people across Europe since the Second World War.
“Since the invasion began in February last year, more than 23,000 Ukrainians with a Scottish sponsor have arrived in the UK, representing more than 20% of all UK arrivals.
“More than three-quarters of these arrivals have come through the Super Sponsor Scheme, which has provided a fast and secure route to sanctuary, without which many people would otherwise have been unable to travel.
“I’m proud that Scotland has been able to play its part in supporting Ukraine, from people sending donations for humanitarian aid, to families opening their homes to displaced people from Ukraine who have arrived in the country. I’m also grateful for the swift and sustained response from partners in local authorities and in third sector groups who have played a significant role in ensuring that a warm welcome has been provided to displaced people in their time of need.
“To the people from Ukraine who are living here, the Scottish Government wants you to know that Scotland is your home for as long as you are here and we will continue to stand with you.”
Embarking on your first ultramarathon is no mean feat, but that is just what Iain Leggat – family home in Fife, but lives in Edinburgh – is undertaking for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
The son of two Armed Forces’ veterans – his father, James, was in the RAF and his mother Penny is former Nursing Officer late of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, and volunteers for SSAFA’s Fife branch – Iain will run the 36.2 miles of the coastal EnduranceLife Northumberland on February 25 starting and finishing at Bamburgh Castle.
Coincidentally, Iain turns 26 the following day, so he is hoping to give himself a bit of a birthday present by running a great time in not only his first ultramarathon, but also his first marathon following a half marathon in October 2022.
Iain, who works as a Marketing Executive for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has swapped his bike for running shoes in recent months, putting in the miles with Parkruns – including the Holyrood Parkrun just last weekend. He also trains with friends as well as with fellow members of Good Time Running Club in Edinburgh.
He is not, however, underestimating the challenge ahead of him.
Iain explained: “The blurb for EnduranceLife Northumberland states that runners will ‘… enjoy sweeping sandy beaches and rolling dunes on this striking landscape steeped in history’.
“Well, I’m not disputing that it’s a beautiful part of the world, but my focus is on doing a good run, having a brilliant time with friends, and raising a great amount for SSAFA.“
Iain has set himself a target of £360, and he is around a third of the way to his target, but he knows he can smash this.
“I want to smash this target, because of countless stories of the incredible case work that SSAFA does in Fife, across Scotland, the rest of the UK, and even the rest of the world.
“Whatever they’re facing, our Armed Forces and their families can rely on SSAFA and its personalised support to help them through it, for as long as it takes to get that person’s life back to where they want it to be.”
