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Schools: Something’s got to give (2)

EIS to escalate strikes to include targeted action

YESTERDAY, 7 February, marked one whole year since Scottish teaching unions submitted their pay claim for 2022-23 via the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).

A year on, that pay claim remains unsettled and teachers across the country are engaged in a programme of industrial action in pursuit of a fair pay settlement.

As a result, the EIS has announced an escalation of its action to include targeted strike action in schools within the constituencies of key decision makers within the Scottish Government and COSLA.

EIS Office Bearers and other senior EIS Representatives took part in photo calls outside the Scottish Government and COSLA HQ in Edinburgh yesterday, delivering Birthday cards to mark the 1st anniversary of the teachers’ pay claim being submitted.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “It is deeply regrettable that the continuing inaction, obfuscation and spin from the Scottish Government and COSLA on teachers’ pay has led to an escalation of our programme of strike action.

“It has now been a year since our pay claim was submitted, and teachers should have had their pay rise in their pay packet last April. Instead, the Scottish Government and COSLA initially offered a pathetic 2% pay settlement – at a time when inflation was nearly four times that amount.

“Since then, the Scottish Government and COSLA have dithered, delayed and dragged their feet while the cost of living has continued to soar.”

Ms Bradley added, “The latest offer, for a well-below inflation 5%, has now been kicking around for six months and has been rejected by Scotland’s teachers twice. Our members have already taken part in three days of national strike action, and a further 16-days of rolling action across the country.

“The response from the Scottish Government and COSLA has been, essentially, nil – and this now has forced an escalation in our action. The offer of a 9% real-terms pay cut, which is what is on the table, will never be acceptable.”

The escalation of action means that, in addition to 2 days of national strike action already called for 28th February and 1st March, and a 20 further days of rolling strikes across all local authority areas from 13th March until 21st April, there will be targeted action in the constituencies of the First Minister, Deputy First Minster, Cabinet Secretary for Education, and COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann.

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer’s East Dunbartonshire constituency area will also be targeted.

EIS members in four of these five areas will be called out on three consecutive days from Wednesday, 22nd February – Friday, 24th February inclusive.

All five areas will be targeted for a further three days of action from Tuesday, 7th March. Precise details of the schools involved in this action on the relevant dates will be published shortly.

Further periods of targeted action are likely, if no new pay offer is forthcoming.

Schools: Something’s got to give (1)

Holyrood and Scotland’s councils on collision course

Measures to ensure that teacher and pupil support staff numbers as well as school hours are protected have been announced by Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

The Scottish Government has committed to increasing teacher numbers by 3,500 during this Parliament.

Since 2017/18 local authorities have received funding to protect the pupil-teacher ratio, teacher numbers and to provide places for all probationers who need one.

Additional annual funding of £145.5 million is also being provided to maintain increased teacher numbers and support staff. In the year ahead (2023/24), if this is not delivered by a local authority, the Scottish Government will withhold or recoup funding allocated for these purposes.

Regulations will also be introduced under legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2016 to enshrine a statutory minimum number of school hours.

Ms Somerville said: “The measures I have outlined today demonstrate our unyielding commitment to closing the attainment gap and making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.

“We are committed to recruiting more teachers and support staff, and we have already provided significant additional funding to Local Authorities to help ensure this happens.

“The Scottish Government recognises the challenging budgetary decisions facing councils and that is why the Deputy First Minister has committed to delivering a new deal for local government. However, this Government has a clear commitment to improving education – and maintaining both teacher and support staff numbers and learning hours is crucial to that.

“I recognise the importance of strong partnership working between local government, central government and Education Scotland to achieve our ambitions.

“I will be writing to COSLA today, and each individual council in the coming days, to set out the details on protecting teacher and support staff numbers, and next steps on learning hours.”

COSLA HIGHLIGHTS MASSIVE CONTRADICTION IN RELATION TO EDUCATION AND COUNCIL FUNDING

COSLA yesterday (Tuesday) highlighted to the Scottish Government a massive contradiction in relation to Scottish Education and council funding. This followed an emergency meeting of Council Leaders on Friday and ahead of Ms Somerville’s Parliamentary statement.

At Friday’s meeting Council Leaders reacted with great disappointment to the Scottish Government’s cutting of Local Government’s funding on the one hand whilst at the same time legislating/intervening to prevent headlines showing the unpalatable consequences of those cuts.

Councils are unanimous that attainment is not just about teacher numbers, especially in areas where school rolls are declining, and depends also on a wide range of other council services and support staff.

Accordingly, councils must be left with the flexibility to manage their inadequate budgets to minimise the impact on attainment and the other services the public depend upon. To do more than this will require the Scottish Government to provide additional funding, not more restriction.

Council leaders were clear that Local Government wants to protect education. Councils want to continue to improve the attainment and achievement of children and young people, whilst also retaining the teachers and support staff that are required to do this. It’s the Budget which is putting these things at risk, not Local Government.

COSLA said that the reality is that Scottish Government Budgets over a decade have left us with a funding crisis in Local Government the likes of which have never been seen before.

Commenting yesterday in a joint statement, COSLA’s Presidential Team said: “The timing and approach of the Scottish Government’s latest move undermines the democratic mandate of Local Government and is a U-turn on previously agreed flexibilities for councils over their budgets.

“It is not the case that Local Government wants to cut any of our services; we have to work with the budgets we have and unless there is more funding, we are forced to make democratic decisions on priorities for the communities we serve.

“On the one hand our budgets have been cut in real terms, and on the other hand the Scottish Government is intervening with additional policies which means significant cuts will have to be made in other areas that support children, young people, families and our communities.

“We have been clear about the limited options facing Local Government because of the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2023/24, a view which is shared by the independent body Accounts Commission.

“We have also highlighted the impact of the initial proposed interventions on other Local Government services, including those which directly support the attainment, health and wellbeing of children and young people.

“These latest asks and the Government’s narrative demonstrates a Government who does not fully value and respect Local Government’s role. Asks of this nature are addressing a symptom, not the cause.”

New data reveals Edinburgh’s favourite video game characters

Pac-Man is Edinburgh’s favourite video game character, being Googled more than any other over the past five years at 2,900 times a month on average in Edinburgh.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Pikachu rank second and third respectively.

New research has revealed Edinburgh’s favourite video game characters, with Pac-Man taking the top spot.

The study conducted by Casino Bonus analysed Google search data from the past five years, across Edinburgh, to determine which video game characters were the most Googled.

Pac-Man is the most popular video game character in Edinburgh, receiving 2,400 average monthly searches. Originally released in 1980, Pac-Man is one of the most popular games across the globe.

The data found that Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is the second most popular video game character in Edinburgh. The speedy, blue hedgehog has 1,900 searches on Google every month in Edinburgh.

There has been a resurgence of interest in the character as well as the franchise as a result of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, which was released in 2020 and starred Jim Carrey, with the third instalment of the film series being released next year.

Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise ranks third. Searches by Edinburgh residents for Pikachu sit at an average of 1,600 per month. In 2019, Warner Bros released Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, starring Ryan Reynolds which saw searches for ‘pikachu’ skyrocket 557% above average in the UK.

Lara Croft places fourth with 720 monthly searches by Edinburgh’s each month. The fifth most Googled video game character in Edinburgh is Kirby from the Kirby franchise. Kirby is searched 700 times each month on average in Edinburgh.

The most Googled video game characters in Edinburgh
Character	Number of monthly Google searches in Edinburgh
Pac-Man	2,400
Sonic the Hedgehog	1,900
Pikachu	1,600
Lara Croft	720
Kirby	700

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Casino Bonus commented: “Video games are an integral part of many people’s lives, bringing joy and entertainment to many.

“The characters of many series can easily end up becoming iconic staples of many franchises and are beloved by many. This can lead to movies about said characters being made causing their popularity to explode even more.

“This study offers a fascinating insight into which characters – as well as franchises – interest Edinburgh residents the most.”

Divino Wine Bar & Restaurant launches dedicated Wine Tasting Nights for 2023

Edinburgh’s gourmet Italian destination begins monthly events by serving up an array of must try Italian wines

Edinburgh’s award-winning restaurant and wine bar Divino Enoteca will play host to dedicated regional wine tasting nights two Sundays of each month, giving guests unique access to some of the best Italian bottles.

With a new region featured every month, guests can enjoy a welcoming aperitivo, 5 fabulous wines to taste, and some matching nibbles for just £25.

Divino is known for serving the finest Italian cuisine and wine, boasting an impressive assortment of world wines and once voted ‘best wine list,’ the restaurant is the perfect spot for dining and get togethers allowing you to sample, appreciate and indulge in some of the finest wines in Edinburgh.

The wine tasting series will begin starting in the heart of fine Italian wine, Piedmont, on the 19^th and 26^th of February at 5pm.

In-house wine experts James and Davide will guide guests through this historic region, exploring what makes its wines so special, including the king and queen of Italian reds; Barolo and Barbaresco.

Welcoming you to the wonderful world of wine, Divino will showcase the regions most loved wines moving from Piedmont in February to Sardinia in April, and even encompassing a garden party on the restaurant’s newly renovated patio in June, showcasing some summer favourites.

These nights will pose an unmissable opportunity to compare and discover new favourites this year that will see you all the way into the winter months.

Divino’s wine tasting schedule includes:

February 19^th and 26^th at 5pm – Piedmont Wines, £25
March 12th and 26th, 5pm – Dessert Wines, £25
April 16th and 30th, 5pm – Sardinian Wines, £25
May 14th and 28th, 5pm -Biodynamic / Natural Wines, £25
June 11th and 25th, 5pm -Divino Garden Party! Summer Wines in the Courtyard, £25
July 9th and 23rd, 5pm- Producer Showcase, £25
September 10th and 24th, 5pm – Super Tuscans, £50
October 8th and 22nd, 5pm – Producer Showcase, £25
November 19th and 26th, 5pm – Amazing Abruzzo, £25

For each event, the wine tasting will take place from 5pm. Guests will also be able to book to dine a la carte throughout the evenings.

Guests can book the events directly by choosing a 5pm reservation on the desired date at: https://divinoedinburgh.com/bookings/

Miracle Max’s heart is mended and now he’s ready for love!

A one-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who is thriving after heart surgery is now awaiting his special someone to fill his heart with love.

Staff at Dogs Trust West Calder have been caring for Max since October last year when during a routine veterinary check, it was discovered he had a narrowing artery to his heart. Without treatment Max’s life expectancy was limited.

Max underwent balloon valvuloplasty in November where a small catheter was inserted through a vein into his heart. He recovered well from the procedure and is now fighting fit and ready to meet his one true love.

Kim McNeill, Assistant Manager Administration at West Calder Rehoming Centre said: “It’s fair to say we have all fallen in love with Max. He is a small but mighty dog who has taken everything in his stride. Our greatest wish now is to find him ‘the one’ and we think Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to share his uplifting story.

“Max is truly thriving after his operation. He is energetic, playful and full of life which is wonderful to see. All dogs want to love and be loved and it’s Max’s time to experience love in his forever home.”

Max is an adventurous, affectionate and active boy who likes to be keep busy throughout the day. He would much rather be exercising his brain and learning new tricks than resting on a warm lap.

He is looking for a love nest where he is taken on lots of walks, has plenty time to play with his favourite ball and where he has company for most of the day.

Max loves to be the centre of attention so does not want to share the limelight with another dog. He needs to be the ‘one and only’ pet in an adult only home.

Despite always being on the go, Max loves a snuggle and is particularly fond of having his belly rubbed.

If you think miracle Max could be the one you have been waiting for, then click here to apply:-

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/terrier-yorkshire/1251832

Reshuffle: Sunak creates four new government departments

‘Making government deliver for the British people’

To ensure the whole of government is geared up to deliver for the British people, the Prime Minister, with the approval of His Majesty The King, has today created four new departments.

The changes will ensure the right skills and teams are focussed on the Prime Minister’s five promises: to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.

A new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, has been tasked with securing our long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation.

The move recognises the significant impact rising prices have had on households across the country as a result of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the need to secure more energy from domestic nuclear and renewable sources as we seize the opportunities of net zero.

A dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy.

Having a single department focussed on turning scientific and technical innovations into practical, appliable solutions to the challenges we face will help make sure the UK is the most innovative economy in the world.

A combined Department for Business and Trade will support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade.

Finally, a re-focused Department for Culture, Media and Sport will recognise the importance of these industries to our economy and build on the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative arts.

His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade. She remains as President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities
Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP as Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport
Rt Hon Greg Hands MP as Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

‘Sickening’ BP profits show need to phase out fossil fuels

Climate campaigners have slammed the latest oil company profit announcement as ‘sickening’ as BP revealed £23billion profits after tax in the past 12 months. As with Shell last week, the profits are the largest in the company’s entire history.

Climate scientists and energy experts have been clear that in order to stay within internationally agreed climate limits, there can be no new investment in fossil fuel development.

BP’s CEO Bernard Looney recently told shareholders that BP would be focusing on maximising profits and narrowing BP’s portfolio of green energy investments in favour of more oil and gas.

A Channel 4 investigation in 2022 found that “BP invested £300m into renewables and ‘low carbon’ in the first half of 2022 — equivalent to just 2.5% of its £12.2bn profits for that time period. By comparison, it invested £3.8bn in new oil and gas projects — more than 10 times its low carbon investments.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s oil and gas Campaigner Freya Aitchison said:
“The announcement of yet another sickening profit for an oil giant should anger us all. Fossil fuel companies are being allowed to bank billions in profits whilst millions of ordinary people struggle to pay their bills.

“Bosses and shareholders at these big polluters are being allowed to get even richer by profiteering from one of our most basic needs. The harm caused by the fossil fuel energy system couldn’t be clearer.

“These companies are not serious about climate action or transitioning away from oil and gas, the evidence shows they are spending just a tiny fraction of their profits into truly green projects. In fact, BP is actually scaling down its investments into green energy and planning to be drilling for more oil and gas for decades to come.”

“The Scottish Government must seize the opportunity of its Energy Strategy to instead chart a clear path away from oil and gas and towards an energy system that is built on clean, reliable renewables. Ministers must listen to the science which tells us that to meet climate targets in a fair way, fossil fuel extraction needs to be phased out in the next decade.”

Latest Edinburgh support initiative for secondary breast cancer patients

Monthly gathering to share experiences and advice

People in Edinburgh living with secondary breast cancer now have a crucial additional support resource.

Charity Make 2nds Count, which is based in the Scottish capital, has launched a monthly meeting where patients can gather to share experiences and advice and widen their vital friendship network.

The Tea & A Chat initiative is a joint venture with the Karen Henderson Legacy Fund which raises money in memory of the 48-year-old Edinburgh mum, a pioneering Make 2nds Count patient champion, who died two years ago.

Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month, between 11 am and 1 pm, at Morningside Parish Church.

Secondary breast cancer claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK – that’s an average of 31 deaths every day. Make 2nds Count is dedicated to raising awareness of this little-known form of the disease, also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

Although it can be treated it is incurable and currently affects around 35,000 people in the UK.

Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count says it is so important that patients can share their experiences: “A diagnosis can take people to a very lonely place but being able to meet with others who truly understand the situation can be hugely beneficial.

“Friendships forged in these circumstances are uniquely valuable and we know this initiative, simple though the premise is, can make a real difference.”

Karen’s husband, Alistair Henderson says he’s delighted to be supporting the launch of the first Tea & A Chat in Edinburgh with Make 2nds Count.

“What Karen benefited from through the charity was the community and the sense of family that Make 2nds Count brought, so this event is a great opportunity for people in a similar position, to get together and support one another”, he said. “Karen would have been so pleased to be supporting this great initiative.”

To find out more about Tea & A Chat Edinburgh and to register to attend, visit: https://www.make2ndscount.co.uk/support/tea-and-a-chat-all/tea-and-a-chat-edinburgh/

Security operatives face realistic terror scenarios in George Street nightclub exercise

The Security Industry Authority (SIA), the regulator for the private security industry, ran a safety resilience exercise at the Shanghai Club in Edinburgh’s George Street on Sunday.

The SIA organised the exercise in partnership with Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers, Scottish Ambulance Service and City of Edinburgh Council.

The training event at Shanghai Club confronted security staff with a series of real-time simulations, involving volunteer actors, of possible emergency scenarios. These included an attack with a bladed weapon, an acid attack, a suspect package and a marauding terrorist attack taking place outside the club.

Security teams from Edinburgh and the surrounding area were in attendance to observe.

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Head of Compliance and Inspections, said: “These realistic scenarios are an excellent method for training security operatives and gives them an ideal opportunity to put their training to use.

“Security operatives may be the first people on the scene in an incident. Yesterday’s staged terror incidents enabled security operatives to take part and deal with the scenario, and then receive an instant debrief from counter-terror experts.

“We know from experience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while. Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this exercise could literally be the difference between life and death.”

John Sandlin, SIA Senior Manager Compliance and Inspections, said: “The main aim of exercises like this is to increase public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff.

“It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the exercise at the Shanghai Club.”

This emergency planning exercise at the Shanghai Club continues a programme of similar exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield, London, Glasgow and Leicester.

PICTURES: Ross Parker / SNS Group

Research reveals extent of trauma caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine

It is the first study to assess CPTSD prevalence in an active warzone

Addressing the post-traumatic stress caused by the Russian war on Ukraine should play a significant part in the humanitarian response to the conflict, according to new research.

The study, co-led by Edinburgh Napier University’s Professor Thanos Karatzias, is the first to ever assess the prevalence of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in an active warzone – and comes as the first anniversary of the invasion approaches.

It found 40.5% of the 2,000 participants, made up of adults living in Ukraine between July and September 2022, met the global standard threshold for either PTSD or CPTSD. This compares to a prevalence of 26.5% detected in recent analysis of adult survivors of war and around 10% or less in places unaffected by conflict.

The rates were higher in the east of the country, already occupied by Russia in recent years, although people in every region had been severely affected. Respondents also reported very high rates of war-related stressors, such as having an experience of threat to their personal safety, financial security, or local environment.

It is hoped the research could help inform measures to support Ukrainians impacted by the war.

Professor Karatzias, from ENU’s School of Health and Social Care, said: “Almost a year on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we are beginning to understand the extent of the psychological toll it will be taking on civilians.

“We found people have often been exposed to several potentially traumatic events in that time, whether it is hearing an air-raid siren, facing the destruction of local infrastructure or losing a loved one.

“If and when this war ends, we will need to think about ways we can help people move on with their lives. The humanitarian response, which is already hugely complex, will require some innovative thinking to address these psychological harms.”

Among the other findings were a higher prevalence of CPTSD (compared to PTSD) among female respondents, suggesting the conditions of war in Ukraine have left women more vulnerable to it than men. CPTSD is a more complex condition than PTSD – based on six clusters of symptoms – and may require longer interventions for recovery.

The report also notes that existing trauma treatments would likely be beneficial to support those affected by this conflict – with online delivery a potential solution, given the geographically dispersed population.

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