New mobile ‘mini-masts’ have been installed by EE on street furniture like lamp-posts and phone boxes in Edinburgh to help boost mobile coverage in the busiest areas of the city.
The Scottish capital is the UK’s second most popular tourist destination after London, and the mobile mast installations come as the city prepares for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
During August, it’s estimated that the population of the city doubles, as more than 500,000 people visit for the festivals.
The mini antennas, known as small cells, are now delivering enhanced 4G capacity in high demand areas of the city. Small cells take advantage of existing street assets, such as BT’s iconic red telephone boxes, to help enhance street-level mobile coverage in busy areas where it’s impractical to build larger masts, such as city-centres and transport hubs.
In Edinburgh, EE has worked with partners including Edinburgh Council and Nokia to deploy small cells to boost capacity in busy locations including the Royal Mile, University of Edinburgh, Princes Street, Chambers Street and the National Museum, and the West End.
Responding to the news, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Visitors to the festival are increasingly using their smartphones for electronic ticketing, searching programme listings, booking tickets on the go, and navigating to the various venues.
“Many of these are things visitors will be able to do from the new official EdFringe app. People are also keen to share their experiences with friends and family and social media throughout the festival.
“All of this depends on having good access to mobile networks. It’s vital therefore that the city’s mobile networks can cope with this significant increase in demand during the summer. We welcome any steps like these new mini mobile masts to help boost network capacity in these busy locations.”
As well as being located on phone boxes, lamp-posts and CCTV columns, EE can also install small cells on BT’s innovative new digital Street Hubs.
James Hope, Director of Mobile Radio Access Networks at EE, said: “Edinburgh is a prime example of a city that can benefit from these small cell masts.
“The city is said to be built on seven hills and has plenty of old buildings, all of which pose a challenge to mobile coverage. It also sees huge peaks in mobile traffic in confined areas during major events. Small cells help customers continue to benefit from our fastest 4G speeds, even at the busiest times and in the most congested of locations.
“Our new digital Street Hubs also have the potential to help increase the number of small cells in the city. We’ll continue to discuss our plans with the council and we hope that Edinburgh will join other cities, such as Glasgow and Birmingham, where our new Street Hubs are already providing communities with the digital facilities needed for the future.”
14 mini masts are already live in Edinburgh, with four more sites to go live by the end of July. EE plans to deploy more small cell sites throughout the city in areas where it forecasts network congestion.
As the public consultation on proposed changes to ticket offices entered its final week, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch had received more than 100,000 responses.
The consultation on train operator proposals to close the majority of ticket offices in England ends today (Wednesday 26 July.
Launched at the start of the month, the consultation provides people with the opportunity to have their say on how operators sell tickets at stations.
Transport Focus wants to hear from as many people as possible on what the proposals would mean for them and how they might be impacted.
Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith, said: “We’ve had a huge response to the consultation so far, with 100,000 responses received already and one week still to go for people to make their voices heard.
“There’s still time to respond to the consultation if you haven’t done so yet. We want to hear from everyone, so we can consider the needs of all station users and local communities.”
Transport Focus will scrutinise the train company proposals and any mitigations in detail, alongside the public responses, to inform its response.
Transport Focus will be considering issues such as whether the station will continue to be staffed, accessibility, the alternative options for buying tickets and whether passengers will continue to be able to access station facilities like lifts, waiting rooms and toilets.
It is a regulatory requirement as part of the process that Transport Focus and passengers are consulted. Transport Focus will review the impact of the proposed changes and passenger comments received before responding to train operator proposals.
For more information and to take part in the consultation visit:
LOTHIAN MSP Foysol Choudhury is supporting the campaign to keep ticket offices open. He said: “Passengers rely on good connectivity through our train network, whether it be for work or leisure.
“What’s more, many passengers rely on ticket offices in stations to guide them through a journey and help them with buying tickets for a stress-free experience.
“This is especially true of older people or those without digital connectivity, who might not have the ability to book tickets on their phone.
“They are also a massive resource for tourists, such as the thousands who visit Scotland, to help them enjoy trips in what might be an unfamiliar environment.
“That’s why the plans to remove, or reduce the opening hours of, ticket offices for many train operators would be so catastrophic.
“Not only will this affect passengers on train services leaving Scotland, for example, the Avanti West Coast services leaving Glasgow, but it will also affect the huge numbers of passengers who wish to buy tickets in England to travel up to Scotland.
“Just the other week, I was travelling back home to Scotland from England and had difficulties buying tickets on my phone in the station due to connection issues, so much so that I missed the train I wanted to get on.
“If this was difficult for me, I can only imagine how difficult it would be for somebody who was less able to use a smartphone or navigate the complex booking and payment process online.
“Without ticket offices, passenger service could be drastically worsened due to poor accessibility, restricted access to best value tickets and a devastating lack of support for ease of journeys.
“This will also lead to a de-staffing of stations, which could worsen passenger safety, security and experience.
“The consultation runs until TODAY – 26th July 2023.
A new medal recognising people who have responded during a major humanitarian crisis is being introduced
Deputy Prime Minister unveils a new medal for those who respond to humanitarian crises such as conflict and natural disasters.
Medal one of the first new awards to be approved by His Majesty The King, on advice from the government.
A new medal to recognise people who have responded selflessly during or after a major humanitarian crisis has been announced by the UK Government.
The Humanitarian Medal will be awarded to staff in public service organisations and charities, who respond in support of human welfare or in the immediate aftermath of a crisis.
Recipients will be people who have responded to major humanitarian disasters, such as those who have provided disaster relief or helped those in need in conflict zones.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “Britain has a long and proud tradition of being first in line to help those in need, wherever they may be in the world.
“This new medal is a fitting tribute to our humanitarian heroes who put the needs of others before their own, often in the most challenging or dangerous environments.”
The UK has consistently been a world leader in providing humanitarian assistance.
The Humanitarian Medal will be awarded to those who have responded to emergencies both abroad and in the UK, including:
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods
Conflict related crises
Biological emergencies, such as an epidemic
Large industrial accidents
An example of the kind of service which the medal will recognise is the work by civilian and military organisations following the outbreak of Ebola across West Africa in 2015, which the UK marked with a bespoke Ebola Medal.
International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said: “At a time when the world faces increasing crises, this new Humanitarian Medal recognises the unsung humanitarian heroes who go above and beyond to provide aid when disasters hit.
“I applaud the efforts of those who show such courage and serve as inspiration in a range of desperate situations.
“Our work around the world depends on these extraordinary people, and this award honours their outstanding contribution in responding to a major crisis.”
The new medal will be similar to a military operational medal, in which it will seek to acknowledge service given in response to a specific event.
Civil servants, charity workers, as well as military personnel, the emergency services, such as the police and heath workers, working on behalf of the UK Government will be eligible.
The design, which has been approved by HM The King, features laurel wreaths symbolising victory in overcoming a crisis, interwoven with a banner proclaiming “For humanitarian service”. The obverse will bear an effigy of His Majesty The King.
The ribbon design reflects the different paths for humanitarian service and the variety of services involved in such responses. The ribbon has a central stripe of white to represent civilians and peace, with four narrow stripes on either side of red, light blue, dark blue and purple. Red represents humanitarian organisations. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.
Government departments will be responsible for developing recommendations for use of the medal to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. Recommendations for medal awards will then be submitted to approval for His Majesty The King.
The government is committed to making sure honours represent the length and breadth of the country, celebrating the fantastic contribution of people from every corner of the UK.
Barratt Developments is on track to deliver 270 new affordable homes across Edinburgh and the Lothians this year.
Cammo Meadows in Edinburgh, Leith’s Merchant Quay and St Clair Mews in Roslin, will all benefit from affordable housing this year, with a total of 270 homes earmarked for the region.
Barratt Developments – which consists of Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes – is working closely with affordable housing providers and local authorities to construct much needed new homes for both mid-market and social rent as part of its East of Scotland developments. The delivery includes a wide range of homes on each site in order to best meet the affordable need in the area.
Harbour Homes has been working in partnership with the housebuilder and recently completed 43 mid-market and social rent properties at Merchant Quay. These will consist of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
Meanwhile, Places for People recently delivered 114 properties at Cammo Meadows in partnership with Barratt, which includes one and two-bedroom flats and three-bed terraces.
On the outskirts of the city in Midlothian, 53 social rent properties are in development with Midlothian Council. Due for completion this autumn, these will include two-bed cottage flats and a mix of three-bedroom semi-detached and terraced homes.
Cammo Meadows also has also completed 50 apartments and terraces for sale through Edinburgh Council’s Golden Share Scheme, while Merchant Quay development has recently completed 10 Golden Share homes. The scheme consists of homes which are sold at 80% of their market value, while buyers still own 100% of the property.
While a significant number of plots have already completed, all properties will be ready to move into by October.
Cllr Stuart McKenzie, Midlothian Cabinet member with responsibility for Housing, said: “There is a real and growing need for affordable homes in Midlothian. “
Midlothian Council is currently active on 13 sites, building 552 Council homes for our communities. Working in partnership with developers is an important source of new affordable housing and we are delighted to have contracted Barratt to build 53 homes for us at Roslin.
“This mix of flats and houses with two and three bedrooms are due to be delivered ahead of schedule.”
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Harbour Homes, said:“We are pleased to have been part of this rewarding partnership which has created 43 new affordable homes in Leith, transforming disused brownfield sites into thriving communities.
“Demand for social and mid-market rent homes in the north of the city is especially high, and we are committed to providing brilliant places to live where they are needed most.”
Katie Smart, Director at Places for People Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Barratt Homes at Cammo Meadows in Edinburgh.
“At Places for People, we work to change lives by creating and supporting thriving communities and Cammo Meadows is no exception. Working with Barratt Homes we are thrilled to bring 114 new much-needed affordable homes to the area.”
Nick Wright, Development Directorat Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said:“Barratt and David Wilson have a strong track record in delivering affordable homes in the east of Scotland.
“This year alone, we are incredibly proud to be able to deliver 270 affordable homes across our Edinburgh and Lothian developments in partnership with our housing association and local authority partners.
“At Barratt Developments, we’re committed to building quality homes across the breadth of the country, including our East Scotland developments. These affordable homes will enhance the lives of those within the local community by creating modern, energy efficient accommodation in desirable locations.”
For more information on Barratt Developments in Scotland, visit:
Xani cycles 3,500 miles of UK Coast in memory of his sister
Xani, 34, lost his sister Alice to suicide in January 2022. Over the years, they had talked about the idea of Alice joining Xani on the back of a tandem bicycle to build her confidence cycling around Edinburgh. “We never made time for it. Now it’s too late, and it’s one of my biggest regrets,” says Xani.
“Since Alice’s death, I’ve learned an enormous amount from others who have lost someone to suicide. On this tandem ride (88 days and about 3500 miles around the coast of mainland UK), I’ll be joined, each day, by a different person who has been affected by suicide.
“I want to listen to them, learn from them and share their stories. People who’ve lost someone to suicide have important things to say, and we should all listen because suicidal thoughts and feelings can happen to anyone. You never think this kind of thing will happen to you until it does.”
With this challenge, Xani is hoping to raise money and awareness for two charities doing important work to stop and support those affected by suicide, including SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) and Papyrus UK (Prevention of Young Suicide) and to date, has raised almost £24.5k via his JustGiving fundraising page.
“I have attended the SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) groups for almost a year. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from everyone who attends – people from all walks of life who have lost someone to suicide.
“In my view, only people who’ve had this devastating experience can really understand what it feels like, and SOBS gives free, monthly, face-to-face support all over the UK.
People travel great distances to attend our local group. Those that have lost someone to suicide are at greater risk of suicide themselves. The SOBS groups are lifesavers. There needs to be more of them, and the volunteers need support and training.
Papyrus campaign train people and do everything they can to prevent youth suicide. If more people accessed their training, we would surely have a public that’s better equipped to talk to and support those with suicidal thoughts.”
Xani, now on day 58, started his cycle on 29th May 2023 from Portobello and is no stranger to cycling long distances.
“I was an Edinburgh Rickshaw driver for five years, so I’m used to pedalling people up steep hills! Also, a very long time ago now, a friend and I cycled from Edinburgh to Istanbul – before Google Maps!
“When people found out how far we were going, they opened their doors and supported us. I’ve already found the same generosity with this cycle.”
Set to complete his 88-day cycle on Wednesday, 23rd August, Xani reflects, “So, this isn’t a ride with Alice, but it is a ride for Alice and for everyone who struggles with suicidal thoughts.”
You can see Xani’s full Tandem Against Suicide route here.
About 1730hrs, on Sunday 2nd July 2023, a black Skoda has been travelling in convoy with a Silver Honda from Tesco, Meadow Place Road, westbound along Meadow Place Road towards Broomhouse roundabout and then onto Broomhouse Drive.
This vehicle has been involved in a road traffic collision.
If anyone has been in the area at that time and witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage of the vehicles, please contact 101 quoting incident number 2614 of 02/07/23.
Staff, residents, relatives and the visitors came together at Queens Manor to enjoy a BBQ that was held in the home’s grounds – with the theme of ‘shirts, shorts and shades’.
The hospitality team at Queens Manor served a selection of BBQ favourites including beef burgers, cajun chicken, halloumi & pepper kebabs, alongside all of the traditional favourites of coleslaw, beetroot, potato salad and sauces which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event.
Staff and residents enjoyed getting dressed up for the occasion, with some wearing their ‘nicest’ and ‘worst’ holiday shirts, Swim shorts & diamonte shorts, colourful clothing and fun hats! With music playing, drinks flowing and plenty of laughter – it was a lovely day.
Resident Caroline Taylor said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the day surrounded by lots of great people. Thankfully the sun showed up for the day and we managed to sit outside.
“Staff did a great job, not just on the day, but organising the event and getting everyone together.”
Shannon Cullen, Senior Head of Lifestyle and Enrichment at the home, said: “The team at Queens Manor are dedicated to making sure that the home full of activities and fun, 24/7.
“With a full lifestyle programme ranging from gardening, baking, quizzes and events like this, Queens manor is always a hive of activity.”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Queens Manor provides residential care, dementia care & respite carefor 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.
NEW polling reveals 1 in 2 workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding
“Gruelling” work intensity is a growing problem in “burnt out Britain”, with workers reporting that they are working harder and longer now compared to previous years, the TUC has warned.
The TUC says increasing work intensity means workers are having to pack more work into working hours – with work often spilling over into their private lives.
The warning comes as the union body releases new polling, conducted by Thinks Insight (formerly Britain Thinks) which reveals:
More than 1 in 2 (55%) workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding.
And 3 in 5 (61%) workers say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days.
The polling also reveals workers feel the situation is getting worse. Compared to the previous year (2021):
More than a third of workers (36%) are spending more time outside of contracted hours reading, sending and answering emails.
1 in 3 (32%) are spending more time outside of contracted hours doing core work activities.
4 in 10 (40%) say they have been required do more work in the same amount of time
4 in 10 (38%) say they are feeling more stressed at work
The TUC says women face greater work intensity than men.
The polling shows that compared to men, women are more likely to say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days (67% to 56%) and that work is getting more intense (58% to 53%).
Women are overrepresented in sectors such as education and health and social care. These are sectors where staff shortages and other factors, such as burdensome scrutiny and long working hours, have led to increased work intensification.
And women continue to shoulder most of the caring responsibilities at home, which can further add to time-pressures on them.
Burnt-out Britain
Recent TUC analysis revealed UK employers claimed £26 billion of free labour last year because of workers doing unpaid overtime.
3.5 million people did unpaid overtime in 2022, putting in an average of 7.4 unpaid hours a week.
As well as being detrimental to family life, long term-ill health conditions caused by overwork include hypertension and cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, and long-term effects on the immune system, increasing risk of causing autoimmune disease diagnoses.
When workers are tired, or under excessive pressure, they are also more likely to suffer injury, or be involved in an accident.
Perfect storm
The TUC says there are several factors are combining to create a “perfect storm” for work intensity. This includes:
Surveillance technology and algorithmic management: Algorithmically set productivity targets can be unrealistic and unsustainable – forcing people to work at high speed. Algorithmic management can also force workers to work faster through constant monitoring, including monitoring the actions they perform and their productivity.
Staff shortages: Low pay, excessive workloads and a lack of good flexible work are key drivers of the staffing crisis. Staff shortages put huge strain on those who remain as they try to plug the gaps, fuelling excessive workloads and long-working hours. This undermines the quality of our public services, and leads to high attrition and absenteeism rates, worsening the workload crisis.
Inadequate enforcement of working time regulations: The working time regulations contain important rights for workers which could help safeguard against work intensification and the consequential health and safety risks, but enforcement of these rights is inadequate. This is in part down to lack of resources for enforcement agencies. The Health and Safety Executive, which is responsible for enforcement of the maximum weekly working time limits, night work limits and health assessments for night work, has had its budget slashed in half over the past decade.
Decline in collective bargaining: Industrial changes have combined with anti-union legislation to make it much harder for people to come together in trade unions to speak up together at work. This decline in collective bargaining coverage has led to less union negotiation around work organisation, resulting in work intensification.
Ministers are currently looking to water down rules on how working time is recorded by employers in the UK, which they could impose using powers in the controversial REUL (Retained EU Law) Act.
This could significantly weaken our already-inadequate enforcement system even further, making it more difficult for labour market inspectors to prove non-compliance.
Action needed
The TUC says ministers must take urgent action to tackle burnt out Britain, including:
Introduce a new right to disconnect to ensure workers get a proper rest break away from work and make sure that work doesn’t encroach upon a worker’s home life.
Strengthen enforcement of working time regulations – that means funding the HSE properly and ditching proposed changes to how working time is recorded.
Fix the public sector recruitment and retention crisis, bringing down excessive workloads and dangerously unsafe staffing levels, delivering year-on-year fully-funded pay rises and making improvements to working conditions.
Make flexible working a genuine legal right from the first day in a job. People should have the right to work flexibly from day one, unless the employer can properly justify why this is not possible. Workers should have the right to appeal any rejections. And there shouldn’t be a limit on how many times you can ask for flexible working arrangements in a year.
Promote collective bargaining to make it easier for unions to speak withand represent workers – including broadening the scope of collective bargaining rights to include work organisation, the introduction of new technologies, and the nature and level of staffing.
Introduce to statutory duty to consult trade unions before an employer introduces the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems. This would ensure that both the employer and worker can benefit from the introduction of new technologies and that productivity gains lead to decent pay rises for workers.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job.
“Gruelling hours, pace and expectations at work are growing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt out Britain.
“Chronic staff shortages, intrusive surveillance tech and poor enforcement of workers’ rights have all combined to create a perfect storm.
“It’s little wonder that so many feel exhausted at the end of their working day.
“It’s time to tackle ever-increasing work-intensity. That means strengthening enforcement so that workers can effectively exercise their rights.
“It means introducing a right to disconnect to let workers properly switch off outside of working hours.
“And it means making sure workers and unions are properly consulted on the use of AI and surveillance tech, and ensuring they are protected from punishing ways of working.”
On public sector overtime and the recruitment crisis, Paul added: “Public sector workers can’t keep going on gratitude alone. Staff are getting burnt out and leaving public services in droves.
“It’s time ministers got serious about fixing the recruitment crisis blighting our NHS, our schools and our public services.”
Project fosters creativity alongside leaving legacy for Primary Seven pupils
A project involving pupils from Echline Primary School and students and staff from Edinburgh Napier University has hit the right note with the creation of a new school song.
Echline Feels Like Home has been written, performed and recorded by primary seven pupils at the school, supported by staff and students from Edinburgh Napier’s music department.
The song – which is now available on Spotify – was devised over a number of writing sessions within the primary school before being recorded by around 50 pupils in June at a studio within the University’s Merchiston-based School of Arts and Creative Industries.
The project – which was the brainchild of Edinburgh Napier music academic Dr Zack Moir and his brother Jude Moir, headteacher at Echline Primary School – saw the pupils work with Edinburgh Napier music education students and embrace their creativity to write and produce the song which will now be left as a legacy gift to the school to be sung for years to come.
The song itself features lines such as ‘We are friends ‘til the very end, and we’re always there to show we really care’ as the primary seven pupils were encouraged to reminisce on their time at the school and sing about some of their favourite experiences from throughout the last seven years.
The project gave Edinburgh Napier music education students a valuable opportunity of working in a school setting and teaching pupils about writing songs and producing music.
The backing track to the song was recorded and performed by a number of Edinburgh Napier music students as they too gained valuable performing, working with young people, and collaborative project experience.
Dr Zack Moir, Associate Professor of Music at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “It was great to be able to create an opportunity for our music education students to get into a school and work with these excellent young people.
“It was beautiful for me and my colleague Bryden Stillie to get to see our students running workshops, leading writing sessions, and just getting the pupils to feel excited about music and helping them to really believe that they are capable of writing songs and singing!”
Jude Moir, Headteacher at Echline Primary School, said: “The project was fantastic from start to finish. It allowed us to think deeply about our values as a school, and what aspirations we had for the future.
“Working alongside the University students gave the project authenticity and made the creative process very real and exciting. This is something the children will remember forever, and the fact we can listen on Spotify was the icing on the cake.”
The full track is now available to stream at numerous places online including Spotify.
Rural and island communities will have a chance to have their voices heard in local and national decision-making as a result of Scottish Government funding.
Around £80,000 will help to deliver the next Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – a grassroots democratic assembly – which will take place in the autumn.
The Scottish Government has supported voluntary organisation Scottish Rural Action (SRA) to set up four Scottish Rural Parliaments since 2014. The event is supported by a partnership of over 40 organisations, coordinated by SRA and the Scottish Islands Federation, and more than 400 people have taken part in each event.
The outcomes of discussions from the next Parliament will be presented to the Scottish Government, and will be considered as part of work to develop the Rural Delivery Plan and review the National Islands Plan. They will also be showcased at the European Rural Parliamentin September 2024, maintaining Scotland’s deep connection with institutions, networks and organisations in Europe.
Speaking at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where the Rural and Islands Parliament will be convened, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “When I became First Minister, I promised to lead Scotland in the interests of all of our people – and to listen and work with anyone and everyone who shares my vision of a fairer Scotland.
“I believe, therefore, that it is vital that rural and island communities and businesses have a say in decisions that affect them. The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – the only rural parliament in the UK – provides an important opportunity for people who work and live in these areas to have their voices heard.
“The discussions and views aired will help to inform Scottish Government policy-making. Indeed, discussions at previous Rural Parliaments helped to shape the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods within the National Planning Framework.
“The most recent Scottish Rural Parliament in 2021 hosted a democratic assembly of over 600 participants from across rural Scotland. I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up for this year’s event and to make what I am sure will be very valuable contributions to the discussions on the future of Scotland’s rural and island communities.”
Chair of Scottish Rural Action Theona Morrison said: “Rural and island places make up 98% of our country’s landmass. They are the locus of our natural assets, of our capacity to produce food and generate energy, and of a rich, enterprising, cultural and linguistic tapestry. We have an opportunity now to shine a light on the solutions that rural and islands communities offer to global challenges, including climate change.
“We look forward to sharing these solutions with the First Minister after the November event, and to working with the Scottish Government to build the resilience and sustainability of our rural and island places from the Borders and Lothians, to Shetland; and to make these solutions a reality.”
