Online shopping is a timesaver before the holiday season, but it can also betray our plans for Christmas gifts. Even though most households own more than one device used by everyone, there are several ways that family members or colleagues can accidentally find out what presents await them.
“In the past, people would find out about their Christmas gifts by accidentally discovering them hidden in a wardrobe or by checking browsing history on the family computer. Trends are shifting, and now IP addresses and poor digital habits are usually what betray us,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.
To protect our privacy and retain the secret of gifts, Marijus Briedis advises these preventive measures:
Use a VPN. When we shop online, websites and marketers track our every move to show us an offer we might like. The main issue is that ads based on IP address targeting are shown on all devices connected to the same router. This means that recipients of the gifts can start getting ads based on the searches of one user if they use the same Wi-Fi. One of a VPN’s core features is hiding your IP address, so it’s a tool that helps you stay private and avoid IP-targeted ads.
Use incognito mode. Incognito mode does not exactly equal privacy, but this is precisely what it was made for – setting aside a single browsing session that won’t save cookies and won’t save browsing history. Incognito mode can help keep your online shopping a secret.
Get a privacy-oriented browser extension. There are plenty of powerful, free browser extensions that can help shake off trackers and keep holiday shopping searches private. There are lots of options, and they all work differently. NordVPN recommends these browser extensions.
Stop engaging with brands on social media (at least before the holidays). Likes and comments on Facebook or other social media show everyone which brands the user engages with. Usually, that’s not much of a problem, but it could give a hint to the intended recipient of what gifts to expect.
Mind your screens and windows. Users shouldn’t forget to close windows and lock their screen. This is the privacy hygiene of the digital age. Even advanced cybersecurity precautions cannot protect privacy and secrets if the user keeps their desktop open or screen unlocked.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
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For those looking to get a last-minute gift, or head to the sales after Christmas, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times over the festive period.
The centre will be open from 9am – 9pm in the week leading up to Christmas (Monday 18th – Friday 22nd December), 9am – 6pm on Saturday 23rd December and from 9am until 5pm on Christmas Eve (Sunday 24th December).
Opening days and times will vary by store, especially on Bank Holidays, so it’s always recommended that visitors check with individual retailers before setting off to avoid disappointment.
Fort Kinnaird’s full opening times throughout the Christmas week are:
· Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve): 9am – 5pm
· Monday 25th December (Christmas Day): Closed
· Tuesday 26th December (Boxing Day): 9am – 6pm
· Wednesday 27th December: 9am – 9pm
· Thursday 28th December: 9am – 9pm
· Friday 29th December: 9am – 9pm
· Saturday 30th December: 9am – 6pm
· Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve): 9am – 5pm
· Monday 1st January (New Years Day): Selected stores open from 9am – 6pm
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know that Christmas can be a really busy time of year for everyone, so we want to give our visitors plenty of time to get everything they need whilst getting into the festive spirit.
“We’re open right up until Christmas Eve, and we’re open again from Boxing Day for people looking for a reason to head out in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve.”
Alleviating Poverty in Scotland requires investment in Local Government COSLA said today (Monday).
Commenting ahead of the Scottish Budget announcement tomorrow, Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson said: “If Scotland is to make progress towards alleviating and eradicating poverty, this year’s Scottish Budget must focus on tackling the root causes, with a greater prioritisation of local prevention and early-intervention work – and Councils are key to this.
“This means investment in the essential social supports provided everyday by Councils, in schools, in local community hubs, at the right place, at the right time.
“If the core services aimed at supporting and empowering people to reach their full potential are eroded, as they have been over the last few years as a result of cuts to our core Budgets, then tackling poverty in Scotland will continue to be a significant challenge.
“Action to address poverty and deprivation was noted as a key priority for Scotland in the concluding report on children’s services reform research published by CELCIS last week and reinforces the importance of the shared priority within the Verity House Agreement.
“For too long now, the financial settlement for Local Government has meant that Councils have had to cut spend to services which are needed to tackle poverty – whether they are youth work, social work support or breakfast clubs
This year’s Budget presents the opportunity to reverse this trend, to invest in communities and realise our ambitions to tackle poverty in Scotland.
“Without a fair settlement for Councils in tomorrow’s Budget, the poverty gap in Scotland will continue to grow.
“Investing in Local Government is key to a fairer Scotland.”
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was found with serious injuries. The 63-year-old was found around 1.45am on Saturday, 16 December at Saughton Road North.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish how he came to be injured.
Detective Constable Alistair Hutton said: “We would urge anyone who believes they may have information or who perhaps came to the man’s aid to get in touch.
“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 1222 of 16 December.”
Details of progress towards a new fiscal framework between the Scottish Government and Local Government have been published.
The Verity House Agreement committed the Scottish Government and COSLA to establish a new framework, which will govern how councils’ funding is negotiated and agreed.
It is intended to give councils greater flexibility over their budgets to deliver our shared priorities and meet local needs.
Publishing the update together with COSLA, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “We have made good progress on the new fiscal framework, which is an important plank of the Verity House Agreement and our commitment to better partnership working with local government.
“Already many of the principles we have agreed together are being put into practice, such as improved engagement ahead of the publication of the Scottish Budget and joint working to consider new local tax powers.
“We will continue to work closely with COSLA to progress the next phase of work and continue the positive discussions we’ve had with them on behalf of local councils across Scotland.”
COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “I welcome this update on progress towards the new fiscal framework – getting this framework in place is a priority for Local Government.
“The new framework should, when complete, give councils greater flexibility over our budgets and enable us to deliver our shared priorities and meet local needs. It will also see much earlier budget engagement.
“The Verity House Agreement commits both spheres of Government to establish a new framework, and it is positive that we have made progress this year but there is more to do, which Ms Robison and I both acknowledge.”
Government sets out the next stages for a number of new Workers’ Rights Acts to support UK workers
UK Government sets out next steps to improve the lives of workers across the UK
Benefits include tips worth £200 million a year in the pockets of hardworking people and more say over working patterns
Government ‘also backing British workers’ by introducing the biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage
Millions are set to benefit as the Westminster government sets out the next stages for a number of new Workers’ Rights Acts – giving more money and more say back to UK workers.
Benefits range from £200 million more back in the pockets of hard-working people, to greater flexibility over when, where and how you work.
Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As we approach Christmas, it’s more vital than ever that we do what we can to support workers and families across the country.
“I’d like to encourage businesses to be as flexible as possible and give their hard-working employees the tips they deserve.
“I want to thank the MPs who brought forward this legislation to support hard working families and shape the UK’s outstanding workers’ rights record.”
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which became law in May this year, requires employers to pass all tips on to workers.
Most employers already pass on tips to the staff who earn them. However, there are still some unacceptable tipping practices by unscrupulous employers, which must be stopped.
Christmas is an incredibly busy season for hospitality workers, and usually a time of year when customers are more generous with their tips. All employees deserve to receive their fair share of tips, so the Government has launched a public consultation on the Tipping Act’s Code of Practice to gain feedback from employers, workers and other stakeholders on the fair and transparent distribution of tips.
Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “The shift in recent years towards increased use of flexible working by organisations has allowed more people to better balance their working lives and enabled employers to attract and retain skilled staff.
“Acas has recently consulted on a new draft Code of Practice which outlines good practice around requests for flexible working and explains the forthcoming changes in the law to employers and employees.”
New rights to protect new parents from redundancy, give carers extra support and help all employees work flexibly are also a step closer as government has laid legislation with plans for the measures to come in next spring.
These measures will improve the lives of hard-working families across Britain, aiding workers who have caring responsibilities or parents at risk of redundancy and ensuring everyone is able work as flexibly as needed into the new year.
An extra 2.6 million workers across the UK will benefit from the removal of the 26 week qualifying period that is currently required before making a flexible working request.
Those with caring responsibilities will also be entitled to a brand new employment right to a week’s leave to care for a dependent.
Redundancy protections are also being extended to cover pregnancy, as well as to new parents.
The UK Government is are also backing British workers by introducing the biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfilling the pledge to end low pay.
When this increase comes into effect in April, the National Living Wage will be worth nearly £21,000 a year for a full time worker – almost double, in cash terms, the amount which a full time worker on the National Minimum Wage earned in 2010.
For the first time, 21 years olds will be legally entitled to the National Living Wage, which is set to reach two-thirds of average earnings.
A VITAL national swimming framework has celebrated its fifth year, creating the next generation of safe swimmers with over 76,000 children from across the country taking part in weekly lessons.
The National Learn to Swim Framework – a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water – has gone from strength to strength since its formation, with programmes back to 88% capacity following pandemic restrictions.
Swim superstars, Olympic medallist Duncan Scott and Paralympic medallist Toni Shaw renewed their ambassadorships of the Framework which is delivered across Scotland by 38 Leisure Trusts and Aquatic Providers in more than 160 pools.
Euan Lowe, CEO of Scottish Swimming said: “Seeing the Learn to Swim Framework reach more children across Scotland is incredible. We’re very lucky in Scotland to have so many excellent local authorities, leisure trusts and aquatic providers working towards the common goal of teaching this vital life skill across the country.
“Through the Framework, we are creating a generation of happy, healthy and active young people and we are delighted that each year more children across the country are getting the opportunity to get into the pool.”
Research into the cognitive benefits of young people who take swimming lessons has shown that they achieve a range of developmental milestones much earlier than those who don’t, regardless of their gender or background.
Children who are members of a swimming club and who compete regularly, develop core competencies – such as target-setting, teamwork and leadership attributes – which can help them greatly in their future careers and lives.
Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “We are delighted that the Learn to Swim programme has bounced back so strongly after the pandemic and continues to go from strength to strength.
“Being able to swim is an essential life skill and the programme gives children the skills and confidence they need to enjoy swimming safely.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland’s miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs and shorelines safely and with confidence, and our aim is to work with Scottish Swimming and all the local authorities, leisure trusts and aquatic providers across the country to create ‘Generation Swim’, a generation of safe and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.”
Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating supportive and quality environments in which children can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop competent swimmers, as well as encouraging youngsters to adopt a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle with sport and fun at its heart to reach their full potential both in the pool and out.
For more information on the Learn to Swim programme, visit:
The Edinburgh International Festival of Magic is back for a 14th year, with international star Kevin Quantum topping the bill. Known as MagicFest it runs from 20-31 Dec. and will be a dazzling showcase of new and established magical talent.
There are new collaborations with Edinburgh Castle’s “The Castle of Light” and Wonder and Co (the capital’s new magic shop) as well as The Joker and the Thief, plus the welcome return of Future Magicians, and family shows at The Scottish Storytelling Centre.
This year’s programme
Kevin Quantum’s Christmas Special: Straight from sell-out shows in Edinburgh and Australia, Kevin returns with a high-energy, wonder-packed family show at the Church Hill Theatre. Join the Edinburgh-based international star and special guest, the contemporary conjuror Oliver Tabor, for a magical night out, with big laughs, amazement and adventure.
Venue: Church Hill Theatre.
Duration: 1hr 45 min including 15 min intermission
Ages: 5+
Tickets: Standard £20, £18 Concessions, £18 Child
Dates, times: 24 Dec 15:00. 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec 14:00 and 19:00. 31 Dec 14:00
Future Magicians: A welcome return for this very special MagicFest initiative where you get to see tomorrow’s magicians today. We take a group of would-be young magicians and pair them with professional tutors to prepare a special 15-minute magic act – which they then present on stage for you.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 60 minutes
Ages: 7+
Tickets: £12 and £10 concessions
Date: 29 and 30 Dec
Time: 14:00
Vincent Gambini: This is not a magic show: What makes magic magic? Is there really a Magic Circle Emergency Hotline for magicians in distress? A critically acclaimed performance of and about sleight-of-hand magic, its invisible mechanics, clichés, and what it tells us about live theatre and make-believe. Vincent Gambini presents astonishing close-up magic that invites us to question how enchantment and wonder are made within a theatrical situation.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 70 minutes
Ages: 14+
Tickets: £14, concessions £12
Date: 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec.
Time: 16:00
Cameron Gibson and Friends: Edinburgh magician Cameron Gibson presents a fast-paced magic and variety show that will knock your proverbial socks off. From classic sleight of hand to mind-reading and comedy, it has something for everyone. Every show features special guests from the world of magic and variety – so you never quite know what wonders await…
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 60 minutes
Ages: 12+
Tickets: £14, concessions £12
Date: 28, 29, 30 Dec.
Time: 19:45
Richard Wiseman: Mind Magic: Enter the strange world of illusion, magic, and mystery. How do magicians produce objects from thin air and defy gravity? Does the paranormal exist? Join psychologist, best-selling author, and member of the Inner Magic Circle Professor Richard Wiseman as he explores the limits of the human mind. A fun hour for all the family.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 55 minutes
Ages: 12+
Tickets: £12, concessions £10
Date: 28 Dec.
Time: 14:00
Elliot Bibby: The Best of Bibby: After a complete sell out at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the Insane Magic boys, Elliot is back with a solo hour of magic. Bringing the best he has to offer from 10 years of professional shows in this comedy magic extravaganza.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 55 minutes
Ages: 10+
Tickets: £14, concessions £12
Date: 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec.
Time: 18:00
Tricky Ricky: Festive Funtime: After sell-out performances last year, the Trickster returns with more festive fun and lots of his puns in a show starring Jingles the Reindeer and his mischievous rabbit Sonny the Bunny. Prepare to be amused and amazed in this fast paced and chaotic magic show. It’s cabaret for kids and grown-ups.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 50 minutes
Ages: 4+
Tickets: £12, concessions £10
Date: 29, 30 Dec.
Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Gary James: Wonderland: A fast-paced family-friendly show with jaw-dropping magic inspired by wide-eyed childhood memories and a career in entertainment. Gary captures the excitement and mystery from his childhood visits to the legendary Lothian Road store called Wonderland. Who’d have thought that family trips to this shop as a child would have inspired a life in entertainment?
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
Duration: 50 minutes
Ages: 7+
Tickets: £12, concessions £10
Date: 27 Dec.
Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Gary Dunn: Jokes & Tricks: One of Scotland’s favourite family entertainers returns to MagicFest for another show filled with mad magic and silly jokes.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 50 minutes
Ages: 5+
Tickets: £12, concessions £10
Date: 28 Dec.
Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Kevin Quantum: Edinburgh Magic: Unlock hidden Edinburgh and enjoy magic that’s fooled the greatest minds associated with the city, from Harry Houdini to King Charles. Amazing moments tied to the secret stories hidden in the cobbles and closes of the capital.Objects float before your eyes, money multiplies, time stands still…
Venue: Waldorf Astoria: The Caledonian.
Duration: 70 minutes
Ages: 12+
Tickets: £30-£35
Date: 20 Dec.
Times: 18:00 and 20:30
Vincent Gambini: Out of Thin Air: Stories about magicians at magic conventions, an attempt at presenting a show in which nothing happens, and magic poems about you, the spectator. Deft sleight of hand, strange poetry, and low-key spectacle.
Venue: Wonder & Co., 14 Haymarket Terrace
Duration: 30 minutes
Ages: 14+
Tickets: £8, concessions £7
Dates: 28, 29, 30 Dec.
Times: 12:00
Richard Wiseman: The World’s Greatest Card Trick and Other Mysteries: The world’s greatest card trick was invented in 1942. It has been performed by many famous magicians, amazed and astounded millions of people, and made Winston Churchill late for Parliament. In this intimate show, a small group of people join magician Professor Richard Wiseman as he reveals the unknown genius behind the trick, demonstrates other jaw dropping mysteries from the mind of this master magician, and celebrates the invention of the impossible.
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Duration: 40 minutes
Ages: 12+
Tickets: £7, concessions £6
Dates and times: 28 Dec 16:00, 29 Dec 13:00 and 16:00
Cameron Gibson: Street Magic Masterclass: Spend a morning with professional magician Cameron Gibson to gain hands-on experience in simple yet mind-blowing magic that you can do. You will master tricks with everyday objects that you can use to entertain and amaze your friends and family.
Venue: Wonder & Co., 14 Haymarket Terrace
Duration: 90 minutes
Ages: Varies depending on session
Tickets: £20
Date: 28 Dec (ages 12-18), 29 Dec (ages 18+), 30 Dec (ages 10+)
Time: 09:30
Close-Up Magic at The Joker & The Thief: Astonishing close-up magic at The Joker & The Thief pub with resident magician Tim Licata, one of Scotland’s most entertaining sleight-of-hand artists.
Venue: The Joker & The Thief, Elm Row
Duration: 120 minutes
Ages: Strictly 18+
Tickets: Free – donations welcome
Date: 28 Dec.
Time: 20:00
Castle of Light: MagicFest is partnering with Castle of Light, which transforms Edinburgh Castle with magical installations and illuminations. Watch out for some of our astounding tricks and illusions. Venue: Edinburgh Castle.
Tickets now on sale – Check out the full line up and times, and book tickets at www.magicfest.co.uk.
While all households benefit from public services – some benefit more than others
Research from 2007-08 found that the average cash benefit to households from public services was more than £21,400 per year – but that those on low and modest incomes gain especially.
Spending on public services is particularly valuable for families with children.
We know that women use and depend upon public services more than men. This is because women are more likely to be on low wages, more likely to experience poverty, more likely to have unpaid caring responsibilities for children, elderly, and disabled people, and far more likely to experience domestic abuse and gender-based violence. Services that support families on low incomes including free school meals and childcare are vital to women in Scotland.
In contrast, men disproportionately benefit from tax cuts, such as cuts to national insurance, as they earn more. Across the UK, 26% of men are classed as high earners, but only 18% of women.iii
As well as being more likely to benefit from receiving public services, women are also more likely to work in public services. In Scotland, 40 per cent of female employees are public sector workers compared to only 23 per cent of male employees.
Research from last year found that a 12% increase in public sector pay would reduce Scotland’s earnings gap between men and women by about 2 percentage points.iv
The STUC Women’s Committee is calling for tax raising measures to be put in place to protect our public services. This includes increases in income taxes for high earners, as well as wealth and property taxes.
Lorna Glen, Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee said: “If the Scottish Government are serious about tackling gender inequality, then they need to invest in our public services.
“STUC’s tax report shows that is within the powers of our parliament – through income and property taxes – to raise £1.1 billion from April next year. Coupled with longer-term wealth, property and aviation taxes, the Scottish Government could raise a further £2.6 billion.
“Rather than threatening cuts to public services, these are the measures that we need to see if we are to reduce gender inequality.
“It is women who both power our public services and depend on them.”
UK Chief Vet urges owners to take all necessary steps to ensure they are complying with the law
From 31 December all XL Bully type dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.
It will also be illegal from this date to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.
UK Chief Vet urges owners to take all necessary steps to ensure they are complying with the law.
Over 4,000 exemption certificate applications have now been received.
XL Bully owners are today being urged to make sure they are ready to comply with new restrictions that come into force on 31 December in England and Wales.
The message from the UK Chief Vet Christine Middlemiss comes with less than two weeks for the deadline for keeping XL Bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public. It will also become illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon, or let XL Bully dogs stray from this date.
There is also just over 6 weeks left to apply for an exemption certificate before the ban of the breed comes into force on the 1st February. Over 4000 applications have been now received with the majority of certificates issued in less than a week.
Owners will need to provide proof that their dog has been microchipped and it will need to be neutered by 30th June for older dogs, and the end of 2024 if the dog is under one year old.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “New legal restrictions for XL Bullies are now less than a fortnight away. Owners should read the guidance and ensure they are ready to comply with the new rules, which includes keeping your XL Bully dog muzzled and on a lead in public from 31 December.
“From 1 February 2024, it will also be a criminal offence to be in possession of an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have applied for an exemption. Please do not risk leaving it to the last minute if you want to keep your dog, you should apply now for a Certificate of Exemption.
“We recommend a precautionary approach – if you are unsure if your dog is an XL Bully or whether any puppies may grow up to be of this dog type, you should comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions.”
After the transition period ends, owners without a Certificate of Exemption could receive a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type. These measures are being introduced to safeguard the public following an increase in dog attacks in recent years. Up until 2021 there were around 3 fatalities per year. There have been 23 since the start of 2021 – with the XL Bully being disproportionately involved in this rise.
To receive an exemption, owners must hold active public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped, and pay the application fee. Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered. For most dogs, this will be by 30th June, and for dogs under one year old, this should be by the end of 2024.
During the transition period, owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs and who arrange for a vet to euthanise them may apply for compensation towards this. Owners and their vets will need to complete a form to make a claim.
Leading animal welfare organisations including Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, PDSA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have developed a range of helpful resources and free online learning opportunities to support owners to muzzle train their dogs.
Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties to them. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be put in prison for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership and their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.
If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 31 December 2024
more than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 30 June 2024
If your dog is already neutered, a vet must confirm this by:
31 December 2024 for dogs less than one year old on 31 January 2024
30 June 2024 for dogs more than one year old on 31 January 2024
DOES THE LEGISLATION APPLY IN SCOTLAND?
Then Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Therese Coffey (remember her – Ed.?) confirmed the UK Government intention to add XL bullies to the 1991 Act and plans to speak to devolved nations to implement this across the UK. If Scottish Ministers agree, then the ban will be applied in Scotland.
If a ban is implemented in Scotland then this does not mean XL bullies will be euthanised, they can be added to the index of exempted dogs.
The UK Government plans to convene an expert group to specify a legal definition of the XL bully. The group will consist of animal welfare experts, veterinary professionals, the police, experts in breeds and representatives from the four nations.
The findings of the group will inform Scotland’s actions on the ban going forward.
(INFO – Scottish SPCA)
Last month (November) a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are carefully considering the evidence as to whether changes to ban the XL Bully dogs and breed will be applied in Scotland.”
