Category: North Edinburgh News

One month to go until Alcohol Duty system changes

Today marks one month until the biggest Alcohol Duty reforms in 140 years come into effect.

On 1 August 2023, the Alcohol Duty system will become much simpler, taxing all alcoholic drinks based on their alcohol by volume (ABV).

This replaces the current Alcohol Duty system, which consists of four separate taxes covering beer, cider, spirits, wine and made-wine.

It will make the system fairer and responsive to new products entering the market as consumer tastes evolve.

Small producers, including pubs and restaurants, will benefit from reduced rates on qualifying products, such as draught beer and cider.

The new system reflects the UK Government’s commitment to tax simplification, helping to foster the right conditions for businesses to prosper and the economy to grow – one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies said: “Because we left the EU we can make sure our alcohol duty system works for us. From next month the whole system will be simpler – the duty will reflect the strength of the drink.

“We will also protect pubs and brewers with our Brexit Pubs Guarantee keeping Draught Duty down, and a new Small Producer Relief.”

Jonathan Athow, Director General of Customer Strategy & Tax Design, HMRC, said: “After listening to feedback from industry, economists, consumer organisations, public health groups and many business owners, the new Alcohol Duty system will be based on the founding principle of taxing alcoholic products by strength, ensuring consistency across the board for the first time.

“The new system will support the government’s public health objectives, and provide extra support to small producers, pubs and the hospitality sector.”

The new system will create six standardised alcohol duty bands across all types of alcoholic products and apply to all individuals and businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, holding and sale of alcoholic products across the UK.

These reforms will replace and extend the existing Small Brewers Relief with Small Producer Relief. This means that all small businesses that produce any alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% will be eligible for reduced rates on qualifying products, if they produce less than 4,500 hectolitres per year.

To support the hospitality industry, and recognising the vital role played by pubs in our communities, there will also be a reduced rate for draught products – known as Draught Relief. This will reduce Alcohol Duty on qualifying beer and cider by 9.2%, and by 23% on qualifying wine-based, spirits-based and other fermented products, sold in on-trade premises such as pubs and restaurants.

The reforms will mean that every pint in every pub across the UK will pay less duty than their supermarket equivalent, in line with the UK Government’s Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

To support wine producers and importers in moving to the new method of calculating duty on their products, temporary arrangements will be in place for 18 months from 1 August 2023 until 1 February 2025.

To support innovation and responsible drinking, low strength drinks below 3.5% ABV will be charged at a new lower rate of duty. In making these changes, the UK Government aims to encourage product innovation and ensure the Alcohol Duty system works for business and consumers.

More information on the new Alcohol Duty rates and reliefs can be found on GOV.UK.

Those involved in the production of smaller quantities of alcoholic products, can check the reduced rates of duty that apply to them by using the Small Producer Relief calculator. HMRC is also running a series of live webinars throughout July 2023 and in the months ahead to further support the alcohol industry through these changes.

  • More details on changes to Alcohol Duty can be found on GOV.UK
  • The new Alcohol Duty system will tax products by Alcohol By Volume (ABV) per litre of alcohol. Stronger alcoholic products will attract higher duty rates than lower strength products. From 1 August 2023 the new rates are:
Table 1 
Alcoholic strength of alcoholic productRate of duty per litre of alcohol in the product
Less than 1.2%Nil
At least 1.2% but less than 3.5%£9.27
At least 3.5% but less than 8.5%See Table 2
At least 8.5% but not exceeding 22%£28.50
Exceeding 22%£31.64
Table 2 
Description of alcoholic product (of an alcoholic strength of at least 3.5% but less than 8.5%)Rate of duty per litre of alcohol in the product
Still ciderSparkling cider of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 5.5%Spirits, wine, and other fermented productsSparkling cider of an alcoholic strength exceeding 5.5%£9.67
Beer£21.01
Spirits, wine, and other fermented productsSparkling cider of an alcoholic strength exceeding 5.5%£24.77

Wine between 11.5% and 14.5% ABV will be treated as if it is 12.5% ABV for the purposes of calculating the charge to alcohol duty from 1 August 2023 until 1 February 2025.

  • Further details on the new rates can be found on GOV.UK
  • The Small Producer Relief is available to those who produce less than 4,500 hectolitres (hL) of alcohol per year. More detail about this relief can be found here (insert GOV.UK link) GOV.UK
  • Reduced rates for draught products, also known as Draught Relief, will apply to products under 8.5% ABV, packaged in containers of at least 20 litres and which incorporate or are designed to connect to a qualifying dispense system. More detail can be found on GOV.UK
  • A new penalty is being introduced to prohibit decanting alcoholic products subject to reduced rates for draught products – also known as Draught Relief. This aims to reduce misuse of the relief.
  • The temporary wine arrangements, in place for 18 months from 1 August 2023 to 1 February 2025, will treat all wine between 11.5% and 14.5% ABV as if it is 12.5% ABV for the purposes of calculating the alcohol duty. More information on this can be found on GOV.UK
  • Changes to the approval as an alcohol producer and new arrangements for duty returns and payments are scheduled to take effect from late 2024. Further detail on the timing of these changes will be announced at a later date. HMRC intends to provide at least 12 months’ notice so that businesses have time to prepare.
  • The changes to the Alcohol Duty system follows a commitment made at Autumn Budget 2021.
  • Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice

WWE arrives in London for premium live event, MONEY IN THE BANK

WWE Superstars Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Bianca Belair and Ridge Holland have arrived in London ahead of Money in the Bank, WWE’s first Premium Live Event in the capital in over two decades, taking place at The O2 Arena tonight (Saturday 1st July).

Pictured atop an iconic London open top bus, the Superstars will this evening be entertaining thousands of fans at The O2 at SmackDown – which is the first time ever this event has been broadcast live from the UK – before they appear at Money in the Bank on Saturday night.

Money In The Bank will feature WWE’s biggest Superstars and bring its signature ladder matches to the UK for the first time in history, with each winner receiving a briefcase containing a contract for a championship match at a time and place of their choosing anytime within the next year. 

The announcement follows the huge success of WWE’s record-breaking Clash At The Castle® in Cardiff in September 2022, which was the first major WWE stadium show to be held in the UK since 1992 and the most-watched international premium live event in WWE history, with the largest European gate ever. 

WWE brings Money In The Bank to The O2 in London on Saturday 1st July. To watch, fans can tune in to the WWE Network: https://watch.wwe.com/

Our survival depends on people choosing local, say Edinburgh businesses

Survey by Scotland Loves Local highlights critical need for Edinburgh residents to get behind people and enterprises in the city

Nine-in-ten businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians say the support of local people is critical to their survival as they battle continued unprecedented challenges.

The statistic has been revealed by the Scotland Loves Local campaign as it issues a rallying cry for people to choose local this summer and support enterprises – and protect jobs – in their community, unlocking millions of pounds worth of spending.

Research was carried out by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local, among its members and stakeholders, which include the country’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – with the findings reinforcing the importance of grassroots action in fuelling a fairer, stronger, more sustainable national economy.

It found: 

  • 93% of businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians said the support of the local community was important, of which 85% said it was “extremely important”.
  • 93% also said it was important that people “love local” and get behind businesses in their communities this summer.
  • And the circular impact of businesses boosting their local economy was reinforced by the survey responses, with nine-in-ten (93%) who took part saying they buy from and sell to other local enterprises across the region.

Born as the nation emerged from the first Covid-19 lockdown in summer 2020, Scotland Loves Local has evolved into a campaign for longer-term good – encouraging people to make the places they live better by supporting the people and businesses around them.

That synergy between business and community was demonstrated in STP’s survey findings, with nearly three-quarters (73%) of survey respondents involved in wider community initiatives across Edinburgh city and the Lothians – such as skills development, volunteering and charity fundraising. 

Businesses and communities mutually supporting one another is a philosophy close to the heart of Fin Clarkson, Food Services Manager at Space, a community Hub in Broomhouse, that operates a community café on site and Outta Space Pizza across the city.

Fin Clarkson said: “It’s hard out there at the moment – both for local businesses and the communities they serve.

“At Space, we are working hard to support local people through regular community meals, cooking classes and food education as well as an employability pathway from our Training Academy courses to paid employment within our social enterprises. Coming up we have our Kids Go Free no-questions-asked free school holiday meal provision which is a key part of our community focus.

“Keeping money in the local community is really important, and local businesses and social enterprises play a massive part in this. Our growing working lunch event catering and Outta Space Pizza create fantastic produce in Broomhouse that has the dual benefit of raising the profile of social enterprise and enabling us to reinvest the money into our services in Edinburgh’s south west. 

“We couldn’t deliver these services without the support of the community around us and, in these challenging times, that support is more important than ever before. By loving local this summer, people can discover all the amazing experiences that we have on our doorstep – while supporting local enterprises that keep millions of pounds-worth of spending in local communities.

“That support will allow us to make Edinburgh an even better place to live, work and visit.

STP Chair Professor Leigh Sparks, the leading retail academic who’s also the University of Stirling’s deputy principal, said: “Towns, villages and local places across Scotland – and the businesses that operate at their heart – are the economic and social glue of the country and our communities.

“The cost of living and the cost of doing business, though, continue to challenge both consumers and businesses.

“Local support is the common thread that helps everyone weather this and build sustainable places and communities. By choosing local – and getting behind the businesses in our communities – we will ensure the survival of shops and services. Local consumer spending generates local business spending and protects the jobs of family, friends and neighbours.

“By loving local, we will also ensure that our high streets and town centres build a fairer, more sustainable Scotland – creating even better places to live, work and visit.”

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, added: “We need to begin a permanent behaviour change in thinking local first this summer, whether for shopping, days out or simply local businesses trading with each other. Choosing local is not only good for our economy and environment, but the communities these fantastic local businesses serve too.”

People across the region are also being urged to spend using the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, ensuring the money they spend stays local for longer by directly supporting shops, attractions and jobs in the area. Businesses and charities are also being encouraged to use them as rewards.

A new deal with local government

Verity House Agreement signed by First Minister and COSLA President

A landmark agreement to forge a stronger partnership between local and national government has been signed by First Minister Humza Yousaf and COSLA President Shona Morrison.

The Verity House Agreement sets out principles for working together to empower local communities, tackle poverty, transform the economy and provide high-quality public services.

It includes commitments to:

  • agree a new Fiscal Framework governing how local authorities’ funding is allocated, reducing ring-fencing and giving them greater control over their budgets to meet local needs
  • regularly review councils’ powers and funding, with the expectation that services will be delivered at a local level unless agreed otherwise
  • incorporate the European Charter of Local Self-Government into Scots Law
  • reform public services, building on the partnership working established during the pandemic recovery
  • develop a framework for collecting and sharing evidence to ensure progress is maintained

The First Minister said: “Today we have committed to build a stronger relationship with local government, with mutual trust and respect at its core.

“The Verity House Agreement is based on the idea that councils know best how to serve the people in their communities. By giving them greater flexibility over how they use their budgets and regularly reviewing their powers and funding, we can empower them to put that knowledge into practice – whether that’s to tackle poverty, transform our economy to deliver net zero, or to provide the high quality public services on which we all rely.  

“This is just the start of the process, and we look forward to working further with COSLA and councils in the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Councillor Morrison said: “Signing the Verity House Agreement today at COSLA’s offices is a clear signal that both parties want to reset the relationship between central and local government in Scotland. 

“This agreement is about creating a new way of working as a partnership of equals – discussing key issues as early as possible and using our collective expertise to deliver for communities across Scotland.

“Scottish local government is the sphere of government closest to the people of Scotland and delivers a range of essential services that impact on people’s everyday lives and livelihoods – from education to improving health; from social care to the fabric of our communities.

“When national and local government work together to tackle shared priorities, the result will be better outcomes for the people of Scotland. This is ultimately what councils seek to achieve every day of every year – better local outcomes for the people we serve, enabling everyone to live well locally.”

NHS Lothian’s LEAP programme hires ‘peer bridgers’ to ease access to rehab services

The Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) has become the first rehabilitation service in Scotland to hire people with lived experience to bridge the gap between community treatment and rehab.

LEAP, run by NHS Lothian and partners, is the only therapeutic community rehabilitation for alcohol and other drug dependencies offered by the NHS in Scotland.

Before the launch of this programme, the service was supported by volunteers with addiction and recovery experience but now officially employees six Peer Bridgers.

Peer Bridgers are people with lived experience of addiction and recovery whose role is to support others through rehabilitation and help improve outcomes. 

Recruitment began earlier this year, with the most recent bridger joining in June 2023.

Phil Hayes (above, right) is one of the new Peer Bridgers now employed by LEAP.

Phil suffered from substance misuse issues earlier in his life but, thanks to a community programme, moved into recovery over 20 years ago.

Since then, he spent several years learning about the behaviours that led to his own issues around addiction.

Phil said: “I think society in general views recovery as either unattainable or a continual hard slog of fighting your inner demons day in, day out. I want to be able to show people that isn’t the case.

“With the right support and guidance, as well as some honest hard work, anyone can move completely into recovery and be both happy and of value within their wider community.

“The peer bridging project allows me, and the rest of the team, to engage with people from the moment they decide to change their lives.

“We can provide continuity of support and guidance for them to build a life for themselves outside of addiction.”

Recently published research has shown that residential rehabilitation programmes, like LEAP, are effective in reducing the use of substances and have a positive impact on the overall health and quality of life of those with substance use issues.

Research also shows that positive changes in behaviour after residential rehabilitation can be maintained over time.

David McCartney, Clinical Lead for LEAP, said: “Tackling Scotland’s drug and alcohol-related deaths and improving outcomes from substance misuse treatments, including residential rehabilitation, is a national priority.

“LEAP is a unique programme in Scotland. In other areas, the road to rehab can be much more complicated so we’re very lucky in Lothian to have this service.

“There are few people in Scotland whose lives are untouched by the harms of addiction, whether experienced by individuals, their families, friends or colleagues – addiction affects us all.

“We support our service- users through medical and psychosocial interventions within a therapeutic community setting, giving individuals an opportunity to heal from trauma and addiction and continuing to support them after treatment.”

LEAP is part of the services provided by the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Care Directorate in NHS Lothian and is delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, the Cyrenians, Encompass and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

The service is funded thanks to both Scottish Government as well as the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

999 Anniversary: Strachan House says thanks to local emergency services

Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall hit the road and made some surprise visits to its local emergency service responders this week, armed with goodie boxes and letters of appreciation for everything they do.

It comes as the 999 emergency number reached its 86th birthday on the 30th June. 

The care home staff and residents took to the roads and visited police, fire and ambulance in the Blackhall area to show their appreciation for everything our heroes do in our hour of need when the well-known number is dialled.

Drylaw police officers, Telford Road fire station and paramedics at the Western General were all very surprised when they received our hampers of thanks!

Mandy Burgen, Head of Wellbeing and Lifestyle for Strachan House, said: “Behind every emergency number dialled it’s important to know there is a team of people who respond without hesitation. It has been an honour for staff and residents to deliver these boxes of goodies to say thank you.

“Our local emergency services do so much, so to surprise them with a little gift of kindness was amazing. Our residents loved being able to say thank you, as well as meet and chat with local police, fire personnel and paramedics”

Louise Abraham, a resident at the home, said: “It was lovely to be able to meet so many of our emergency services and show our appreciation for all their hard work they do.” 

Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community, regularly holding community events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours.  

Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to our local services and 999 day was the perfect day to demonstrate how much appreciate all their hard work and dedication”. 

Strachan House 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. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Transformed Granton walking and cycling path named after explorer

A newly upgraded walking, wheeling and cycling path, which provides a vital link in the north of Edinburgh, has been officially named after a famous explorer who once studied in the area.

Speirs Bruce Way was formally opened yesterday (Friday, 30 June) and celebrates the accomplishments of William Speirs Bruce, a late 19th/early 20th century scientist known for his expeditions to Antarctica and who studied at the Scottish Marine Station for Scientific Research in Granton.

The core path in Edinburgh’s Granton Waterfront connects the heart of the neighbourhood with public transport links and shops along with Granton Beach, the future cultural and leisure offering at West Shore Studios, the promenade and a planned coastal park. Speirs Bruce Way will also serve a future housing development to the west of the path.

The project forms part of the wider £1.3bn Granton Waterfront Regeneration programme and has been supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

Plans for the wider regeneration of the area to make Granton Waterfront a new sustainable coastal town for Edinburgh include 3,500 net zero homes, a new primary school and lots of green and open spaces.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “This major upgrade has not only brought a key walking, wheeling and cycling route back into use, but has created a much more accessible and safe space for people to spend time, whether travelling with a wheelchair, using a buggy or out for a jog.

“Today I was delighted to help officially open the path, which recognises the area’s former student and pioneering explorer, scientist and oceanographer William Speirs Bruce.

“Our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront is one of the largest and most ambitious projects of its kind in Scotland. Improving connectivity and strengthening active travel links is central to this, and our wider ambitions to achieve net zero by 2030, reduce kms travelled by car and to create a safer, more sustainable and pleasant transport future for Edinburgh.”

Simon Strain, Head of Places for Everyone Programme at Sustrans Scotland, said: “This upgraded route is an important achievement for Granton Waterfront.

“The Speirs Bruce Way greatly improves the link between Waterfront Avenue and West Shore Road with a path that is suitable for all to use, whilst also enhancing connections to the nearest bus stops and the Waterfront Broadway local centre.

“By making it safer and easier for residents and visitors to the area to walk, wheel and cycle we hope that many more people will have the confidence to leave the car at home when making their everyday journeys.

“We’re grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council and local community members for their hard work and considered input which has helped make this project a success.”

Upgrades include widening the path to provide space for both pedestrians and cyclists, the installation of new lighting and path access improvements at the north end where it meets West Shore Road.

As well as providing a key north-south link, Speirs Bruce Way passes by the 17th century Caroline Park House, the remnants of Granton Castle to the east and the boundary wall of the former Granton Gasworks to the west.

A Historic Environment Scotland plaque has been installed to commemorate Sir Thomas Hope (Lord Advocate to King Charles I) who lived at Granton Castle. 

Granton Castle Walled Garden is also accessed directly from the path and is managed by the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden.

Through Places for Everyone, the Scottish Government has granted Stage 0-2 funding for further projects in relation to Phase 1 of the Granton Waterfront Regeneration, on which an initial planning consultation is currently underway.

Designs for the upgraded path were produced by WSP, with construction carried out by Mackenzie Construction.

Find out more about Granton Waterfront regeneration.

Prepayment meter customers to pay less for energy from today

Prepayment meter households will no longer pay more on average for their energy than direct debit customers, as the UK Government scraps unfair charge

  • Unfair charge on prepayment meter customers scrapped
  • change will help around three million households and save on average £21 a year
  • together with the new energy price cap taking effect today, households will save hundreds of pounds on their bills

Fairness will be delivered for households today as the government scraps the unfair charge on prepayment meter customers.

The change, taking effect from today, will help around three million households using prepayment meters across Great Britain – bringing their bills in line with those who pay by direct debit, with the government stepping in to cover the difference.

Currently, households on the pay-as-you-go meters pay more on average than direct debit customers, as it costs suppliers more to service their homes – such as collecting payments or giving out vouchers – with the charges passed onto consumers.

Removing the prepayment meter premium means these households will save around £21 a year on their bills, making sure the system is fair and providing extra support to consumers who are typically on low incomes.

Scrapping the prepayment meter premium comes as Ofgem’s latest price cap takes effect today – which thanks to improvements in the wholesale market, will bring the typical annual energy bill down from £2,500 under the Energy Price Guarantee to around £2,074. This will help lower inflation – one of the Prime Minister’s five promises – as high energy prices drive up prices across the economy.

The fall in energy bills will save the average household around £426, or 17%, and means for every £100 previously spent on energy bills, consumers will now pay £83.

Energy Consumers and Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway said: “No one should be charged more for having a prepayment meter – today, we’re putting an end to this historic injustice.

“With households on prepayment meters typically on some of the lowest incomes, this is a vital change.

“Alongside the hundreds of pounds coming off energy bills from today, thanks to the fall in the price cap – this will offer extra help to ensure families stop being unfairly penalised.”

To ensure the prepayment premium comes to an end as quickly as possible, the Government will be funding the change up to April 2024. Ofgem as the energy regulator will be devising a plan that will eradicate it permanently after that date.

Earlier this year the government took steps to crack down on the abuse of prepayment meters by energy suppliers. The Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps demanded action from Ofgem and suppliers to put an end to wrongful prepayment meter installations in vulnerable households.

The government is clear moving customers to prepayment meters must always be the very last resort and has asked for regular updates from Ofgem and consumer groups to make sure all suppliers adhere to the regulator’s new Code of Practice – which puts measures in place to protect against them being installed in homes where they shouldn’t be.

Recent figures showed nearly £40 billion was spent by government between October 2022 and March 2023 to help keep household and business energy bills down, the most ever provided to subsidise household bills in UK history.

Over winter, the government covered nearly half a typical household’s energy bill and saved the average home roughly £1,500 by the end of June. That included providing £650 million to households on traditional prepayment meters through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The scheme saw vouchers totalling £400 issued over six months from October with latest figures showing 85% had been redeemed by the end of May.

While the deadline for applications has passed, that number is expected to rise with the last applications and reflected in figures due over the Summer.

Project aims to speed up delivery of treatments for motor neuron disease

A new project by researchers in Edinburgh aims to identify combinations of existing drugs that could be used together to treat motor neuron disease (MND).

Led by Prof Siddharthan Chandran, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and Director of the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, both at the University of Edinburgh, the £3.3 million project is funded by the medical research charity LifeArc, as part of an ongoing partnership between the charity and the UK DRI.

The partnership brings together the strengths of UK DRI’s research into discovery science with LifeArc’s translational expertise to take exciting lab discoveries forward and translate them into tangible benefits for patients.

MND is a life-limiting condition that causes progressive weakness of the muscles due to the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. There is currently only one drug approved to treat the disease in the UK, riluzole, which has only a modest effect.

There is an urgent unmet need for effective therapies to treat MND. But the brain is complex, and targeting one biological pathway with a single drug might not be enough to slow down or stop the degeneration of motor neurons.

The new project seeks to drastically accelerate the development of new treatments by identifying existing drugs which target multiple disease mechanisms implicated in MND.

Typically, new drugs can take up to 15 years to progress through development and clinical trial stages, but with this approach, treatments could be tested in the clinic within four years.

Prof Siddharthan Chandran, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and Director of the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, both at the University of Edinburgh, said: “As has been shown for cancer therapy, using combinations of drugs that target different pathways might be our best chance of slowing or stopping the progression of MND.

“This innovative project is an important next step in identifying effective medicines for MND.”

In the first stage of the study, the researchers will prioritise the top drug candidates, using both laboratory-based tests on motor neurons grown in the lab from patient donated stem cells, and a machine-learning, artificial intelligence approach to review published scientific studies of MND.

Next, the top candidate drugs will be tested in pairs in combination in the stem cell models of MND, against different biological pathways known to be implicated in MND.

The ultimate goal is to seek regulatory approval to test the most promising and effective combinations of drugs in the Euan MacDonald Centre’s MND-SMART (Motor Neuron Disease – Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial) trial.

This pioneering trial across 20 sites in the UK is designed to shorten the time it takes to find medicines that can slow or stop MND. Unlike typical clinical trials which test a single treatment, MND-SMART is testing several treatments at the same time. It is also an adaptive trial which means that new drugs can be added, and those proven ineffective can be dropped.

This new project complements another recently announced MND initiative, EXPERT-ALS, which aims to rapidly identify promising drug candidates in small scale trials, before definitive evaluation in Phase 3 platform trials such as MND-SMART.

Dr Paul Wright, MND Translational Challenge Lead at LifeArc said: “Our involvement in this research is part of an ambitious long-term £100m funding programme we have launched to help tackle neurodegenerative conditions and find treatments where none currently exist. 

“By working with UK DRI we are uncovering promising life science research, like Professor Siddharthan’s, that we can support with funding or by offering our scientific resources and expertise in translational research.

“Ultimately, our aim is to accelerate the process of finding medical breakthroughs that can prevent and stop these life-threatening diseases progressing.”