Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie has today revealed the extent to which fire stations in Edinburgh have been unable to operate their second engines because of a lack of crew to man them.
Larger fire stations should have at least two fire engines ready to respond to an emergency call at all times.
Staffing shortages, however, can mean that fire stations are unable to dispatch a crew or a vehicle to an emergency call.
Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information requests to Scottish Fire and Rescue have revealed that a second fire engine was unable to operate from Mcdonald Road Fire Station for 22.9% of the previous financial year due to insufficient crew numbers.
It also revealed that in the same period, a second engine was similarly unable to operate from the Sighthill station 20.9% and Crewe Toll 18% of the time.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said:“In recent years, we have seen how the fires along Princes Street and attacks on Bonfire Night are putting additional strain on the capital’s firefighters.
“That has only been made worse by crew shortages leaving some of Edinburgh’s fire stations unable to operate their second engines on too many occasions.
“This could inevitably lead to dangerous situations where there are multiple fires happening nearby, but only one truck available.
“The efforts and service of our city’s firefighters need to be matched by leadership from their bosses and the ministers who sit behind them.”
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing service is investing in its repairs service for tenants while giving young people the opportunity to kickstart their careers.
The latest intake of nine new trainees through the Modern Apprenticeship programme brings the number of apprentices in the service to 25 – a record high – across trades including painting and decorating, joinery and plumbing.
By developing its in-house team, the Council aims to grow its skilled workforce to support the investment needed to improve the quality of its homes across the city.
Joinery apprentice Harry said:“I’ve mostly been doing repairs and I’ve been enjoying it, all the tenants are really nice.
“I like being able to visualise things, like building kitchens – having a view on what it could look like and then doing it and seeing the result at the end of it. It’s quite a good process, it’s satisfying.
Painting and decorating apprentice Sarah added:“My experience with the Council jobs are great – they all have been so different, so I get a chance to experience different techniques and ways to fix the problems.
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “In Edinburgh we continue to face a Housing Emergency, with demand for homes high and thousands of people living in temporary accommodation.
“Having said that, we’re making good progress with actions to address these pressures, and thanks to this I’m pleased that the number of people living in unsuitable accommodation continues to drop.
“Trainees brought in through the Modern Apprenticeship programme play a key role in bringing more homes into use and improving the comfort and quality of our tenants’ homes. I’m delighted to see a whole new intake of apprentices developing their skills across our estate, who will eventually have the opportunity of a permanent role at the Council when they complete their training.”
The Council declared a housing emergency in November 2023 in response to rising homelessness, affordability pressures and significant demand for homes in the Capital.
In February, as part of the Housing and Homelessness Budget Investment Strategy, a record £1.6bn was committed to increasing affordable housing and reducing the use of temporary accommodation across the city. Bringing void Council houses back into use through repairs and improvements – and growing the in-house workforce – is central to this.
Apprenticeships at the Council offer paid work while gaining experience and recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships across the Council include social care, childcare, horticulture and business management.
The Home Office’s latest policy overhaul to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), shifting the default settlement timeline from five years to a gruelling ten, is a short-sighted political stunt that threatens to inflict severe, long-term damage on Scotland and the wider UK.
Britain cannot ask overseas workers to build their lives here, pay their taxes and keep essential services running, then treat their hopes of a secure future as a political bargaining chip.
The Home Office’s settlement announcement deserves scrutiny. Its own estimate is that more than 500,000 people will wait longer than five years for indefinite leave to remain. That means years more uncertainty for families who have followed the rules.
There are important protections. Existing settled status will remain untouched, while doctors, nurses, teachers and qualifying care workers retain shorter pathways. These exceptions matter. But they do not answer the wider question: why should a worker’s salary carry such weight in deciding when their family can put down permanent roots?
A care worker’s payslip does not measure the value of helping somebody live with dignity. Nor does a hospitality worker’s wage capture their contribution to keeping a local business open.
The economic warning is clear. Skills for Care reports 96,000 vacancies in adult social care in England in 2025/26. Around 150,000 posts in independent, regulated care services were filled by workers on Health and Care Worker visas in March 2026. These are England’s figures, but the lesson reaches beyond its borders: retention matters as much as recruitment.
Scotland faces distinct demographic challenges, alongside acute sector-wide labour shortages. Our care homes struggle for staffing, our health service is under persistent pressure, and tech and hospitality businesses regularly cite workforce deficits as their primary barrier to expansion. Disincentivising global talent from settling permanently will only worsen these shortages, weaken our public services, and hamper national wealth creation.
For Scotland’s hospitals, care providers, hotels and technology businesses, prolonged uncertainty risks making recruitment and retention harder. Replacing experienced staff costs money, disrupts services and takes time. Training more domestic workers is essential; unsettling existing workers is no substitute.
Of course we must tackle immigration fraud, unlawful employment and exploitative sponsors. Enforcement should target wrongdoing, not make compliant workers, international students and their families feel permanently unwelcome.
Ministers should protect existing settlement expectations, publish a full economic assessment and work with Scotland and employers on practical workforce needs.
Britain’s reputation for fair dealing is an economic asset. Sacrificing it for a tougher headline would leave us poorer in every sense.
We need an immigration strategy rooted in economic reality, compassion, and fairness, one that respects international talent and supports the public services relying on them.
With Christmas on the horizon and the cost of the festive season starting to add up, The Vittoria Group is giving Edinburgh residents something to look forward to this November, with an exclusive 25% off food across its venues for anyone with an EH postcode.
Available from 1st–30th November, every day except Saturdays, the offer is a way for the group to show some extra love to its local community, making it easier to enjoy a great meal out, catch up with friends or spend quality time with family without stretching the budget ahead of Christmas.
Whether it’s trying somewhere new, enjoying a relaxed midweek dinner or gathering everyone around the table, there’s something for every occasion across The Vittoria Group’s collection of Edinburgh venues.
Here’s a taste of what’s on offer:
Divino Enoteca – Ideal for lovers of authentic Italian dining, Divino’s menu features everything from classic antipasto boards with fine Italian charcuterie to slow-roasted pork belly, traditional spaghetti alla carbonara and its much-loved beef cheek braised in Merlot. Guests can also explore the Enomatic self-serve wine machine, sampling wines in measures ranging from 25ml tasters to a full glass. Wednesday jazz nights make it an ideal spot for a leisurely evening out.
Vittoria on the Walk – At the heart of the city’s bustling Leith Walk, this lively venue serves up Italian favourites, including homemade meatballs, Shetland mussels with ’nduja, seafood pasta with tomato and a touch of chilli, and classic Neapolitan pizzas.
Brunswick Bookclub – Perfect for a relaxed catch-up over comforting pub classics, the menu ranges from macaroni croquettes and chilli squid to steak pie and chicken Caesar wraps. Guests can also tuck into a traditional Sunday roast, enjoy live music on Mondays and Wednesdays, or put their knowledge to the test at Thursday quiz nights.
Vittoria on the Bridge – Italian comfort food takes centre stage at this Old Town favourite, with freshly made focaccia, gorgonzola ravioli, porcini risotto and deluxe bruschetta among the highlights. Its welcoming atmosphere makes it a great choice for gathering with friends and family.
Landy’s and Bertie’s – For a taste of classic chippy fare, expect fish and chips alongside nostalgic Scottish favourites such as deep-fried Mars bars and a pizza crunch. Both located near Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile, they provide the perfect stop for a proper Scottish takeaway treat.
From Italian favourites and leisurely wine tastings, to comforting pub classics and traditional fish and chips, the offer gives Edinburgh residents the perfect excuse to discover a new favourite or revisit a much-loved local spot, all while saving a little ahead of the festive season.
Offer details: The 25% discount applies to food from the à la carte menu only and is available from 1st–30th November, every day except Saturdays. Guests must present valid identification showing their name and EH postcode to redeem the offer.
The discount cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, discounts or set menus and excludes drinks.
Forth 1 presenters joined Santa Claus to switch on the Christmas lights in the heart of Edinburgh
Christmas has officially arrived at Westfield St James Quarter, as Edinburgh’s city centre destination marked the start of the festive season with a spectacular Christmas light switch-on on Saturday 7 November.
Forth 1 favourites Boogie and Arlene were joined by Santa Claus at Register Square to illuminate the destination, bringing a touch of Christmas magic to the heart of the capital.
The celebrations saw visitors enjoy a festive parade through the Quarter, alongside entertainment featuring appearances from Santa and Mary Claus, cast members from the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh’s production of A Christmas Carol, World Champion Beatboxer Hobbit and performances from Revel Puck Circus and vocalist Unoma.
The event marked the beginning of Westfield St James Quarter’s festive programme, with a host of seasonal experiences and entertainment planned throughout November and December.
The destination is also continuing its support for Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas, helping make the festive season brighter for children and families across the local community and beyond.
Following the Christmas light switch-on, Boogie and Arlene also visited participating retailers to collect generously donated gifts from Westfield St James Quarter’s retail partners in support of the campaign.
Visitors are encouraged to get involved and help ensure children who might otherwise go without have something special to open on Christmas morning.
Westfield St James Quarter is once again acting as a donation point, inviting visitors to bring a new, unwrapped gift to the Guest Services Lounge on Level 1, from Saturday 7 November.
Mission Christmas supports children aged 0–18, with donations ranging from cuddly toys, books, dolls, puzzles and board games to pyjamas, hats and scarves, stationery, beauty products and tech.
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for 10 years following a number of offences, including theft, housebreaking, possession of weapons, misuse of drugs and dangerous driving.
John Callaghan pleaded guilty to 29 offences at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 23 September, 2026. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 5 November.
The offences included the theft of around £329,000 worth of vehicles across Edinburgh, Lothians and Forth Valley areas, between December 2024 and April 2025.
Callaghan was arrested and charged after he was stopped by officers in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 7 May, 2025.
Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “Callaghan carried out a significant number of crimes over a period of months and will now face the consequences of his actions.
“This sentence is another example of the incredible hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country to bring those responsible to justice.
“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Libraries are vital spaces for supporting literacy and learning for all ages, providing access to stories and spreading the joy of reading.
Over the first few episodes of The Joy of Books podcast, we’ve heard a lot of love for libraries from our guests. Three out of four of our guests so far have shared the role that their local library has played in their reading journey – either in childhood or as an adult bonding with their children.
Find out how libraries have shaped their lives:
You can go back and listen to the first four episodes of The Joy of Books now and stay tuned every Thursday for a new episode: www.literacytrust.org.uk/joyofbooks
A heart-warming tale of a cat reunited with its owner after going missing for nearly 500 days highlights the importance of getting pets microchipped.
Cats Protection has launched a petition calling for microchipping to be made compulsory for owned cats in Scotland, as it already is for dogs.
Ginger tomcat Frank was adopted as a kitten eight years ago after being found straying and surviving on scraps in Fort William. He would often take himself off on short adventures but when he failed to return in June 2025, his owner Joan, a vet, contacted Cats Protection Glasgow Branch for help.
Joan said: “When I adopted him, I had him microchipped so that he could always be traced back to us. I knew in my heart that he was out there somewhere, but none of the ginger cats that were being found turned out to be Frank.”
But then came the call Joan had been hoping for. “A lady contacted Cats Protection to say her friend had been feeding a cat that matched Frank’s description. It had been coming to her garden for around six months but was quite skittish so she couldn’t get close. She noticed it was quite skinny so began to feed it and provided an outdoor house.”
Cats Protection Glasgow provided a trap in the hope the cat would go inside and they could see if it was microchipped.
Kirsty Ayres, Cats Protection Glasgow Welfare Team Leader, said: “When we managed to get Frank inside the trap and scanned his microchip, we were delighted when we realised we had found him and could reunite him with Joan.
“As a supporting vet, Joan has gone above and beyond for the charity over the years so it felt like karma that we’d got him back for her. We wanted to make it a surprise and when I turned up at the surgery with a covered cage, she had no idea it was Frank inside.”
Joan added: “I lifted the cover, saw him and said his name in disbelief! As soon as he realised it was me, he cried and miaowed. I hugged the Cats Protection volunteer who had managed to trap him and scan the microchip that led him back to me.
“We’d missed him so much and so had our other cat, Frank’s brother. Now Frank’s enjoying all the cuddles and scratches he’s missed whilst away on his adventure.”
The UK’s largest cat charity says that microchipping gives lost or injured cats the best chance of being reunited with their owner. Without a registered microchip, it is extremely difficult to trace an owner, a problem the charity’s staff and volunteers see on an almost daily basis.
Microchipping is a safe and permanent method of identification. Unlike collars, microchips do not come off or put cats at risk of collar-related injuries.
Cats Protection is calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping in Scotland, following on from its successful campaign to make it a legal requirement in England, where it became law in 2024.
Alice Palombo, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager, said: “Cats are independent and curious creatures, prone to wandering, and they can become lost. Microchipping is the best way of ensuring these lost cats can be returned home.
“A microchip is also a valuable tool when cats are sadly run over and injured or killed on the roads as their families can be quickly informed.
“We are hopeful that, with public support, the Scottish Government will see the long-term benefits of compulsory microchipping for cats, people and animal welfare organisations and push forward with passing it into law.
Could you knit or crochet a little hope this festive season for people affected by bowel cancer?
Bowel Cancer UK is inviting stitchers to get sponsored to knit or crochet a star a day or do your own thing, every day in November. You can attempt our star, knit a Christmas jumper, crochet tea cosies, sew a special Star of Hope symbol or anything in between! If you can’t stitch every day, then you can choose a challenge that suits you.
Your donations could help save lives through earlier diagnosis, improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease and bring us one step closer to a future where nobody dies from bowel cancer.
Sign up today and receive your free online welcome pack including your knitting and crochet patterns: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/knitting
