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Government pledges never to repeat the injustices of Hillsborough

The government has signed the Hillsborough Charter, pledging to learn the lessons and make sure no family suffers the same injustices

Bereaved families will be better supported in the aftermath of major incidents, as the government commits to making sure the experiences of the Hillsborough families are learnt from and not lost.

In response to Bishop James Jones’ report, The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power, published on Wednesday 6 December, the government set a series of expectations for how public bodies should act in the aftermath of a major incident.

This comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeated the government’s apology to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster and their families, who have endured harrowing injustices for over thirty years.

Committing to Bishop Jones’ first recommendation – a Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy, or as it will be known, the Hillsborough Charter – the Deputy Prime Minister has signed the pledge and written to all departments to make sure everyone in government is aware of what it this means for the way they work.

By signing this Charter, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to a culture of honesty and transparency in public service and reminding all in government why these values are so important.

A duty of candour for policing will also be required by law, holding policing to the highest standards. Chief Constables must ensure their officers act with openness, and speak up on behalf of victims. This builds on existing requirements for individual officers to cooperate with official investigations and inquiries.

Anyone who fails to cooperate with a statutory inquiry could face criminal sanctions under the Inquiries Act and police officers found to have committed a serious breach of professional standards, including failing to cooperate with an inquiry, can face dismissal. Last week’s announcement follows the commitment made to create a permanent Independent Public Advocate.

The testimony of the Hillsborough Families made clear how the difficulties following a major disaster can be compounded by having no single person to turn to for support and advice. The Independent Public Advocate will help victims and families navigate the justice system in the wake of a public disaster, ensure that they know their rights, and that their needs are supported.

By making this a permanent position, the Public Advocate will be ready to be deployed immediately in the aftermath of any crisis.

The government will also take action in response to concerns raised by Bishop James that families should have legal representation at inquests.

A consultation will soon be launched to expand legal aid for families bereaved through public disaster where an Independent Public Advocate is engaged, or in the aftermath of a terrorist incident.

New guidance will also lead to greater transparency around how much is spent on lawyers representing central government public bodies’ at inquests. This will set a clear expectation that they should not hire more lawyers than are necessary and spend on legal representation should be published.

Speaking when the government published its response on Wednesday 6 December, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than thirty-four years later, there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through. And I want to repeat that apology today, and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage.

“Today, the government will publish its response to Bishop James Jones’ report on the experiences of these families, setting out how we will improve support for the bereaved in the aftermath of a public disaster and how we expect public bodies to act – which is with honesty, transparency and candour.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The 97 lives taken by the Hillsborough disaster will never be forgotten. So many people were touched by this national tragedy and the Hillsborough families were badly let down.

“Police dishonesty, lack of accountability and obstruction were all prevalent. That is why we promised the Hillsborough families that we would honour the legacy of their campaigning and deliver lasting change.

“By signing the Hillsborough Charter and introducing a duty of candour for policing, this government will deliver that change and protect others from similar experiences in the future.”

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC MP said: “For far too long, but with great dignity, the Hillsborough families battled to get justice. Too many others have faced similar obstructions and it must end.

“The Independent Public Advocate we are creating, as well as the free legal advice and representation we are offering will prevent other families facing these injustices and get them the help they deserve.”

Bishop James’ report was published in 2017 and made 25 recommendations for government, the police and the Chief Coroner.

Since then, the need to avoid risk of prejudice to ongoing legal proceedings for much of that time regrettably delayed the government’s response from being published. The government has been in contact with the Hillsborough families throughout the preparation of this response, and some of the families were in Liverpool on Wednesday 6 December to read the response in advance of its publication.

In their meeting with some of the Hillsborough families earlier in the year, the Lord Chancellor and former Home Secretary apologised for the time it had taken to publish the government’s full response.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing published the police’s response to Bishop James’ report earlier this year.

The Chief Coroner also published his own independent response on Wednesday 6 December.

Asylum seekers’ right to work

Changes could add £30 million to Scotland’s economy annually

Allowing asylum seekers the right to work could help them settle into communities better while boosting Scotland’s economy and workforce.

Research by the Scottish Government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population sets out how enabling asylum seekers to gain employment could improve health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of exploitation.

Changes could also benefit the Scottish economy, help fill gaps in the workforce and see increased council tax paid directly to local authorities which host asylum seekers.

The report will underpin the development of proposals for a Scottish Asylum Right to Work pilot, to be submitted for consideration to the Home Office in 2024.

Migration Minister Emma Roddick said: “Scotland provides a welcoming home to many people seeking asylum, with policies underpinned by dignity, respect and compassion.

“This independent report shows how enabling asylum seekers to find work could reduce anxiety and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable people, while supporting Scotland’s economy by helping fill skills shortages and addressing population challenges.

“As the UK Government continues to pursue repugnant policies on asylum and immigration, we are developing mitigations as far as possible within our devolved powers and budget, including through our New Scots refugee integration strategy.

“The Scottish Government will now use this report to design a proposal to work within the current devolution settlement, but only independence would give us power to implement a full Scottish asylum system rooted in respect for human rights.”

Chair of the Scottish Government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population Rebecca Kay said: “Our report shows strong international evidence that strict restrictions on the right to work have negative consequences for asylum seekers’ material and emotional well-being, and for long-term integration outcomes.

“We also find substantial evidence of the considerable barriers which people seeking asylum are likely to face on entering the labour force. These will require careful consideration by Scottish Government, and deliberate remedy, when designing a pilot proposal.

“Wider measures to provide adequate reception, settlement and integration services will be required in order to realise the full benefits of a right to work policy for asylum seekers.”

Extending the Right to Work to Asylum Seekers in Scotland: evaluation, analysis, and policy options

Council agrees next steps on Short Term Lets

The following composite motion was passed at the meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council yesterday (Thursday 14 December):

Council:

1) Notes the decision of the Planning Committee on 23 February 2022 to designate the whole of the City of Edinburgh as a short term let (STL) control area, and the decision of 19 April 2023 to amend non-statutory guidance on STLs.

2) Notes that both committee decisions were unanimous, reflecting the strong cross-party consensus on the need to control the numbers of STLs in Edinburgh.

3) Notes the STL (Planning) Judicial Review issued by Lord Braid on Friday 1 December 2023, further notes the briefing note circulated to members on 6 December, and that the Council’s Planning service will consider the implications of the ruling in detail, including considering an appeal.

4) Notes Lord Braid’s finding that the Scottish Parliament did not intend that Section 26B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 should have retrospective effect by requiring planning permission to be applied for where a secondary STL was in operation prior to the coming into force of the Short Term Lets Control Area; and that the judgement reduces the whole of the amendment to the ‘Guidance for Businesses’ agreed by Planning Committee on 19 April 2023, including several changes which were outside the specific scope of the judicial review.

5) Notes that the judgement could have significant implications for the council’s approach to effective regulation of STLs.

Council therefore:

6) Agrees to reconvene the STL working group as soon as possible to consider the next steps for effective regulation of the STL sector in Edinburgh following the judgement, and on the practical implications of licensing powers in respect of potential breaches of planning control.

7) Requests that a report come to Planning Committee in one cycle (excluding any special Planning Committees) detailing the implications of the Judicial Review and what outcomes this will have on Short Term Let Planning Policy and the assessment of Short Term Let Planning applications, what implication this may have for the Council’s Short Term Let Licensing Scheme, and potential amendments to the ‘Guidance for Businesses’ which comply with the judgement. This report should also be sent to the Regulatory Committee and the Short Term Lets Working Group for information.

8) Agrees that the Leader of the Council should urgently write to the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning to:

a) seek clarity of the position of the Scottish Government on the principle of retrospectively requiring planning permission for STLs within a control area and,

b) call for an emergency Bill to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament to address the legislative deficiencies in Section 26B, and failing that to consider what changes to primary or secondary legislation or other options might be required so Edinburgh Council can continue with its originally intended approach, as agreed cross-party.

Volunteering: Dogs Trust West Calder Seeks Canine Cupids

In a world where every dog deserves a forever home, Dogs Trust West Calder has been a beacon of hope for countless canines, rehoming 340 dogs in 2022 and currently heading towards 380 dogs successfully rehomed in 2023.

For 2024, the West Calder rehoming centre is on a mission to expand its team of reception-based volunteers, transforming the adoption process into a heartwarming matchmaking experience.

Unleashing Love: Be a Canine Cupid

Dogs Trust West Calder is calling on dog enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals to join their reception team, where they will play a pivotal role in connecting dogs with their ideal adopters. Acting as the bridge between eager families and lovable dogs, these volunteers will essentially become canine cupids, fostering connections that last a lifetime.

The Role: More Than Just a Greeting

Volunteers will not only be the welcoming faces at the centre but also the technologically savvy matchmakers behind the scenes. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating both PCs and iPads, using their IT skills to process adoption applications efficiently. In addition, a friendly demeanour is a must, as reception volunteers will regularly greet members of the public, offering assistance and guidance in the adoption journey.

Join the Pack: How to Apply

Dogs Trust West Calder invites individuals with a passion for dogs, a flair for admin, and a warm smile to join their reception team. This is an opportunity to be part of something extraordinary, making a real difference in the lives of dogs and their adopters.

To apply, visit our website https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/our-centres/west-calder/volunteering or contact our volunteer coordinator Garry Lee at garry.lee@dogstrust.org.uk

By becoming a Dogs Trust West Calder reception volunteer, you are not just a welcoming face – you are a vital part of a success story, a canine cupid making matches that create forever families. Join us in spreading love, one wagging tail at a time.

Budding young artists celebrated at Edinburgh’s Christmas

The artworks of twenty-four young budding artists were celebrated at Edinburgh’s Christmas this week as children from fifteen local schools received recognition for their festive Winter Window designs.

The Winter Windows are on display at Edinburgh’s Christmas Festival of Kindness in St Andrew Square and along the top walkway of West Princes Street Gardens.

Pupils from schools across Edinburgh and Midlothian were invited to submit their festive frescos and wintery works of art through their schools, from which twenty-four were selected to be displayed at Edinburgh’s Christmas and featured on the event’s social channels.

Designs featured a myriad of Christmas accoutrements, including elves and angels, Christmas trees and snowmen, as well as city landscapes of Edinburgh Castle, and one particularly jolly owl!

The winning artists and their family were invited to a prizegiving on Wednesday 13 December where they received a certificate of congratulations from Carol Tuzun of City of Edinburgh Council, and were invited for an afternoon of fun at Edinburgh’s Christmas including unlimited rides at the Festive Family Funfair.

The full list of winning artists (arranged by school) are:

Fola Olaniyi	Nursery	Canal View Primary School
Fareedah Alagbe	Nursery	Canal View Primary School
Louisa Lu	S3	Castlebrae Community Campus
Christina Zaloni-Noulas	P5	Dean Park Primary School
Aria Enwood	P3	Granton Primary School
Noemi Obara	P3	Granton Primary School
Ruby Bremner	P4	Granton Primary School
Leena Bahemia	P4	Liberton Primary School
Zuzanna Kasperczuk	P6	Liberton Primary School
Olivia Fuentes Granadero	P1	Parsons Green Primary School
Alasdair Robertson	P2	Preston Street Primary School
Aiden Dunleavey	P5	Royal High Primary School
Natalia Rafa	P5	St David’s RC Primary School
Zofia Berdys	P5	St David’s RC Primary School
Diddy Aravantinou	P6	St John’s Primary School
Michael Williams	P6	St John’s Primary School
Cassie Griffith	P3	St Mark’s Primary School
Finlay McDonald	P3	St Mary’s RC Primary School
Annabelle Greene	P3	St Mary’s RC Primary School
Ruan Byrne	P4	St Ninian’s RC Primary School
Hannah Capes	P4	St Ninian’s RC Primary School
Emily Fortune	P5	Wardie Primary School
Esme Martin	P5	Wardie Primary School
Braxton Williams	S1	Wester Hailes High School

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “A huge congratulations to all Winter Windows winners. It’s wonderful to see young budding artists recognised for their festive displays which will bring joy to so many over the next few weeks!”

The Winter Windows will be displayed at Edinburgh’s Christmas until Saturday 6 January 2024 and can be viewed at St Andrew Square and along the top walkway of West Princes Street Gardens.

For further information and tickets to Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions please visit www.edinburgh-christmas.com.

Primary Schools: Attainment at a record high, says Curriculum for Excellence report

Latest statistics show widespread improvement

The proportions of pupils in primary achieving expected levels of literacy and numeracy have reached record highs for children from both the most and least deprived areas, according to official statistics.

Overall, the Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL) 2022/23 show:

for numeracy, a total of 79.6% of pupils reached the levels expected in 2022/23, a rise of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous high (79.1% in 2018/19).
for literacy a rise to 72.7%, up on the previous high of 72.3% in 2018/19

The gap between the proportion of primary pupils from the most and least deprived areas achieving expected levels in literacy has also decreased to the lowest on record in 2022/23.

The figures also show improvements at secondary level compared to 2021/22, with increases in attainment across the board and the gap between those from most and least deprived areas has reduced.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “These figures show record levels of attainment across primary school level and significant improvements in secondary. I congratulate our pupils and teachers for their hard work over the last year.

“These findings are the most up to date statistics on attainment and are comprehensive across all publicly funded schools in Scotland, demonstrating a clear rise in standards above pre-pandemic levels among primary school pupils. Along with this year’s SQA results, they point to widespread rises in attainment.

“I recognise that there is no room for complacency and our programme of reform across the education and skills system will help identify where further improvements can be made and will look to drive enhanced attainment to ensure all young people meet their full potential.”

COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson Cllr Tony Buchanan said: “Today’s Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels publication shows increasing attainment and the attainment gap narrowing reflecting the work and dedication of schools, councils, and partners to improving children’s outcomes. Mainly, it demonstrates the efforts of children and young people themselves and this should be celebrated.

“The improvements are made despite the backdrop of severe and increasing pressure on local budgets and recruitment challenges in specific subjects and areas of the country. Earlier this year we set out clearly to the Scottish Government that additional core funding is crucial to enabling further improvement in the attainment, health and wellbeing of children and young people, as opposed to financial penalties relating to school staffing numbers.

This was particularly important in the context of falling school rolls, changes to Scottish Attainment Challenge funding and the ending of additional resource for councils to support Ukrainian refugees. We are clear that Local Government needs flexibility to provide the right support within and outwith schools, drawing on the expertise of a range of professionals.

“Councils have continued to demonstrate their ambition to further improve outcomes for children and young people across Scotland. In line with the Verity House Agreement, we will seek to engage constructively with the Scottish Government to work collectively towards this shared aim, including on further education reform in line with recent reports on the curriculum, qualifications and new national education bodies.”

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National Deaf Children’s Society welcomes Scottish Government’s response to review of audiology

The Scottish Government has responded to the report and recommendations of the Independent Review of audiology in Scotland, established following the NHS Lothian audiology scandal.

In response to a parliamentary question from Evelyn Tweed, MSP, the Scottish Government has committed to accept all of the recommendations of the review in principle, and to now establish a National Implementation Group to examine how best to implement the recommendations.

The Scottish Government response also stated that “this Implementation Group will be formed with partners from the third sector, as well as the health service, which will allow us to ensure the voices of those with lived experience are front and centre as changes are made.”

The National Deaf Children’s Society has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to accept all of the recommendations, and looks forward to working with Government to ensure the recommendations are swiftly and effectively delivered.

Mark Ballard, Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:  “Deaf children and their families will welcome the publication of the Scottish Government response to the Independent Review of Audiology. The review identified multiple, systemic problems within audiology services in NHS Scotland.

“We have called for the Scottish Government to grasp this opportunity for transformative change to make sure audiology is safe and fit for purpose. Parents will be relieved that the Scottish Government has committed to accept all of the review’s recommendations in principle – although we all recognise there is much work to be done to deliver on them.

“The independent review raised significant concerns about how well the results of the specialist tests carried out on children where hearing loss is suspected were being assessed. Issues with the assessment of the results of these tests, known as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) tests, were identified in every Scottish health board area. So, we’re delighted the Scottish Government has committed to act on the various recommendations made in the review to improve ABR testing.

“However, these concerns were flagged to the Scottish government eight months ago, so it is absolutely vital that we act at pace to deliver these recommendations.

“One of the key findings in the report was that there has been a long term lack of investment and prioritisation of audiology services in Scotland. In order to achieve the shared ambition of making sure audiology services are safe and fit for purpose, appropriate funding will need to be found as part of implementation.

“It is therefore great that the Scottish Government has committed to ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience are front and centre of the new National Implementation Group.

“While we welcome this commitment to implement the recommendations of the review, the we look to the Scottish Government to provide more detail and expand on their current commitments, so that deaf children and their families can be sure that will be no repeat of the NHS Lothian scandal.

“We’ll continue to campaign tirelessly until we’re satisfied plans are in place to ensure hearing services across the country are fully staffed and operating at a consistent quality, with monitoring and data collection in place – all of which are crucial if we’re to fix a broken system.

“We know deaf children can achieve anything that hearing children can when they get the right support, but for this to happen their deafness must be identified at the earliest opportunity. This is why it is vitally important that children always receive high-quality and effective testing and long-term support.”

Vandalism in St Andrew Square: Police release CCTV images

Officers in Edinburgh have released images of a man they would like to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident that involved vandalism within St Andrew Square.

The incident happened at about 4.50pm last Saturday (9 December, 2023).

The man in the images is described as white and aged between 20 – 30 years old with short brown hair. He was wearing a flat cap, knee-length coat, blue jeans and carrying a backpack.

Anyone who can help in identifying and tracing the man should report this to Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2618 of 9 December, 2023.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

RCEM: ‘We must not normalise crisis’

‘We must not normalise crisis or celebrate small improvements – our patients and our members deserve more.’ That is the response of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to the latest A&E performance data.

Yesterday (14 December 2023) two sets of data published by NHS England, have been released: the latest Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Daily Situation Reports 2023-24 (also known as Winter Sitrep); and monthly A&E performance figures for November 2023.

While there have been some small signs of improvement in certain areas the overall situation remails extremely challenging with A&E departments declaring critical incidents this week, clinicians describing things as the worst they have experienced and ambulance chiefs expressing serious concerns about the pressure their service is under.

The most recent Winter UEC Sitrep data which covers the period 4-10 December 2023 paints a worrying picture with bed occupancy running dangerously high at almost 95% (the level considered ‘safe‘ is 85%) and two-thirds of ambulances not meeting the 15-minute target to hand over patients.

There was a small uplift in the number of beds available within hospitals, but these do not appear to have helped to ease pressure elsewhere in the system, and there remain thousands of patients, who are well enough to go home, but have not been discharged – occupying beds which are needed for other people.

The November performance data reveals that last month more than 144,000 people who visited an A&E within the month were there for more than 12 hours – the target is four hours.

Reacting to these figures, Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “While the data suggest a marginal improvement compared to last year, it’s just deja-vu and we must not allow this permacrisis to become accepted as ‘normal’.

“Ambulances are queueing outside A&Es, Trusts are declaring critical incidents, patients are facing dangerously long waits in overcrowded and uncomfortable A&Es. Conditions are intense and difficult for staff, and the experience of patients is distressing and undignified.

“Clinicians are doing their very best, despite the circumstances, to deliver optimal and compassionate care, and mitigate any potential risks to patients but it is taking its toll on them too.

“It is welcome to see small increases in bed numbers, but it is not enough and patients continue to endure long waits.

“Significant and urgent action is required now to address these issues – this is what our members and their patients need and deserve.”

Data in detail:

The latest Urgent and Emergency Care Winter sitrep data for week ending 10 December (week 4 of publication for 2023/24) published today by NHS England show:

Bed occupancy levels at Trusts with a major A&E (Type 1 acute Trust) was 94.9%.
There were 99,497 beds open at Trusts with a major A&E, 1,521 more than the same week last year.
The Government promised that by winter 2023/24 there would be 5,000 more beds open when compared to October 2022 (97,287). For this week, there was an increase of 2,210 Type 1 beds compared with October 2022.
On average, one third of ambulance handovers involved a delay of over 30 minutes, while only one third of patients arriving at A&E were handed over within 15 minutes as per national guidance.
On average, 46,929 patients occupied a bed for more than seven days at a Trust with a major A&E.
On average, 384 beds were general and acute beds were occupied by patients with flu.
On average, 12,927 patients remained in hospital while no longer who were ready to be discharged.
There was an average of 49,020 daily staff absences at Trusts with a major A&E.
This is 7,547 fewer than the same week last year.

Published today (14 December 2023) by NHS England, the latest A&E performance figures for November 2023 show:

There were 1,385,701 attendances to major A&Es (Type 1 EDs) in November 2023.
This is a 1.97% decrease compared with the previous month.
In November 2023, 144,085 patients waited 12-hours or more from their time of arrival. This accounts for 10.9% of all major A&E attendances in November. This means that more than one in 10 patients waited 12-hours or more.
The four-hour target at major A&Es stood at 55.4%, this is the fourth worst four-hour performance on record and the lowest so far in 2023.The aggregate four-hour target stood at 69.7%, the lowest so far in 2023. This is 6.3 percentage points lower than the Government’s intermediary threshold target of 76% to be hit by March 2024.
42,854 patients waited 12 hours or more from decision to admit (DTA) to admission. This is a 4% decrease when compared to the previous month. It is a 13.2% increase when compared with November 2022.
Beds data for October 2023 show bed occupancy stood at 94.8%.
Data show there were 98,844 Type 1 General & Acute beds available.  This is an increase of 1,473 beds from October 2023 (97,371). And an increase of 1,636 beds from November 2022 (97,208).
Since it was announced in January 2023 that 5,000 new beds would be made available by winter 2023/24 compared with October 2022 (when there was 97,287 beds available), there has been an increase of 1,557 beds.
There were 396,755 emergency admissions at major A&Es. This is a 1.19% decrease since the previous month (401,523). This is the second highest number of admissions so far in 2023.

Holyrood Committee announces inquiry into Scotland’s Commissioners

DOES SCOTLAND NEED YET MORE COMMISSIONERS?

A new parliamentary inquiry examining Scotland’s Commissioner ‘landscape’ has been announced.

Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee will investigate whether a more “coherent and strategic approach” is needed for the creation of any further commissioners.

Scotland currently has seven commissioners directly responsible to Parliament. An eighth – the Patients Safety Commissioner – was agreed by Parliament in September 2023.

A further six commissioners have been proposed, or are being considered, that could potentially bring the total number to 14 by the end of this five-year session of Parliament.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Seven commissioners cost £16.6m, according to budget figures for 2023/24. Each office comes with its own staff and its own running costs.

“The smallest cost £0.3m and the largest £6.7m. More are being proposed, or considered, by both the government and by backbench MSPs.

“Our committee believes this inquiry is both timely and necessary.

“The Scottish Government has already stated there is very little published research on commissioners in Scotland – or the UK – and little evaluation exploring their pros and cons, powers or ways of working.

“Our committee will therefore investigate whether a more coherent and strategic approach is needed for the creation of such commissioners in Scotland.”

The committee will launch a call for views in January. Oral evidence will be taken in March / April. The committee’s report is expected to be published in May / June 2024.