Category: North Edinburgh News

Workers say no to increased surveillance since COVID-19

New TUC polling reveals majority of workers say they have experienced surveillance in the past year

  • Overwhelming support for stronger regulation to protect workers from punitive use of AI and surveillance tech 
  • Post Office scandal must be a turning point on uncritical use of worker monitoring tech, says TUC 

Intrusive worker surveillance tech and AI risks “spiralling out of control” without stronger regulation to protect workers, the TUC has warned. Left unchecked, the union body says that these technologies could lead to widespread discrimination, work intensification and unfair treatment.  

The warning comes as the TUC publishes new polling, conducted by Britain Thinks, which reveals an overwhelming majority of workers (60 per cent) believe they have been subject to some form of surveillance and monitoring at their current or most recent job. 

The TUC says workplace surveillance tech took off during the pandemic as employers transferred to more remote forms of work. 

Surveillance can include monitoring of emails and files, webcams on work computers, tracking of when and how much a worker is typing, calls made and movements made by the worker (using CCTV and trackable devices). 

Three in 10 (28 per cent) agree monitoring and surveillance at work has increased since Covid – and young workers are particularly likely to agree (36 per cent of 18-34 year olds). 

There has been a notable increase in workers reporting surveillance and monitoring in the past year alone (60 per cent in 2021 compared to 53 per cent 2020).  

In particular, more workers are reporting monitoring of staff devices (24 per cent to 20 per cent) and monitoring of phone calls (14 per cent to 11 per cent) compared to 2020. 

In calling for stronger regulation, the TUC highlights the recent Post Office scandal which saw hundreds wrongly prosecuted for theft and false accounting after a software error – and says it must be a turning point on uncritical use of worker monitoring tech and AI. 

Creeping role of surveillance 

The creeping role of AI and tech-driven workplace surveillance is now spreading far beyond the gig economy into the rest of the labour market, according to the TUC.  

The following sectors have the greatest proportion of workers reporting surveillance: 

  • financial services (74 per cent) 
  • wholesale and retail (73 per cent) 
  • utilities (73 per cent) 

The union body warns of a huge lack of transparency over the use of AI at work, with many staff left in the dark over how surveillance tech is being used to make decisions that directly affect them. 

The use of automated decision making via AI includes selecting candidates for interview, day-to-day line management, performance ratings, shift allocation and deciding who is disciplined or made redundant. 

The TUC adds that AI-powered technologies are currently being used to analyse facial expressions, tone of voice and accents to assess candidates’ suitability for roles. 

To combat the rise of workplace surveillance tech and “management by algorithm”, the TUC is calling for: 

  • A statutory duty to consult trade unions before an employer introduces the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems. 
  • An employment bill which includes the right to disconnect, alongside digital rights to improve transparency around use of surveillance tech  
  • A universal right to human review of high-risk decisions made by technology   

The TUC points out that the government recently consulted on diluting General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as part of its post-Brexit divergence agenda, despite it providing some key protections for workers against surveillance tech. 

The EU is currently putting in place laws dealing specifically with the use of AI, whereas the UK does not have anything like this. The TUC says this is yet another example of the UK falling behind its EU counterparts on workers’ rights. 

There is significant and growing support among workers for stronger regulation of AI and tech-driven workplace surveillance: 

  • Eight in ten (82 per cent) now support a legal requirement to consult before introducing monitoring (compared to 75 per cent in 2020)  
  • Eight in 10 (77 per cent) support no monitoring outside working hours, suggesting strong support for a right to disconnect (compared to 72 per cent in 2020) 
  • Seven in 10 (72 per cent) say that without careful regulation, using technology to make decisions about workers could increase unfair treatment (compared to 61 per cent 2020). 

Last year the TUC launched its manifesto, Dignity at work and the AI revolution, for the fair and transparent use of AI at work. 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Worker surveillance tech has taken off during this pandemic – and now risks spiralling out of control. 

“Employers are delegating serious decisions to algorithms – such as recruitment, promotions and sometimes even sackings. 

“The Post Office scandal must be a turning point. Nobody should have their livelihood taken away by technology. 

“Workers and unions must be properly consulted on the use of AI, and be protected from its punitive ways of working.  

“And it’s time for ministers to bring forward the long-awaited employment bill to give workers a right to disconnect and properly switch off outside of working hours.” 

IT’S ONLY FLIPPING PANCAKE DAY!

ALDI OFFERS QUALITY, VALUE AND STACKS OF CHOICE

Whether it’s sweet or savory, plain or packed with toppings, Aldi Scotland will be a pancake paradise this Shrove Tuesday (1st March) with a wide range of top quality pre-made pancakes and locally sourced ingredients all at ‘in-crepe-ibley’ good value.

With the delectable mixture of low prices, pancakes, crumpets and more toppings than you can shake your pan at, Aldi Scotland is making this Pancake Day the best flipping one yet. 

At just £0.75, Browning’s the Bakers are keeping things sweet with their ready-to-eat Large Maple Syrup Pancakes, while their Large Buttermilk Pancakes (£0.75) ensure the pancake conventionalists aren’t left feeling flat. 

Stack your maple syrup pancakes high with Aldi’s Specially Selected Scottish Streaky Bacon (£1.99, 240g) and a smothering of Specially Selected Ayrshire Sea Salted Butter (£1.65, 250g) for the ultimate sweet and savory experience.  Mix it up with a six pack of Browning’s the Baker crumpets (£0.55) topped with a smear of Specially Selected Scottish Strawberry or Raspberry Preserve for just £1.19. 

Aldi’s Pancake Day products are on sale now and are available across all 102 Scottish stores, so be sure to prepare for a perfect Pancake Day this year.  

You can find your nearest Aldi store here. 

Aldi currently work with over 90 local suppliers, stocking 450 Scottish products and are constantly looking to bring more of what Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry has to offer to their customers. 

Employment surge at Surgeons Quarter as it focuses on recovery

A MAJOR conference and events business is reporting that 2022 is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels – and looks to expand its headcount by 70%.

In a positive sign for Edinburgh’s crucial hospitality and business tourism sectors, Surgeons Quarter – the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) – has experienced demand for in-person meetings and events well ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The Living Wage-accredited organisation which manages a vast mix of historic and purpose-built RCSEd venues, as well as Ten Hill Place Hotel, Café 1505 and Surgeons Quarter Travel – has seen events and conferences that postponed due to the pandemic rebook their events for 2022 as well as a high level of new enquiries.

This trend which has included new bookings for major conferences such as the Functional Regulatory Genomic Disease Meeting, a conference which will bring together international leaders in the study of genetics of disease in April 2022, has led to Surgeons Quarter returning to operate at close to maximum levels.

As a result, Surgeons Quarter is set to recruit for 60-70 positions during April, May and June.

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, said: “It’s a pleasure to be in a position to expand our hospitality teams again and add vital jobs to help us service the increasing levels of business we’re bringing in.

“It’s important that we get the recovery right – hospitality and the business tourism economy are integral to the city’s overall prosperity. We can see first-hand the direct effect it has on employment.

“In addition to our busy events calendar, Ten Hill Place Hotel is seeing encouraging occupancy levels predicted to exceed the pre pandemic levels.

“To further boost our activities in 2022, we are actively planning for the full return of the Festival Fringe for which we are one of the largest operators – and at the end of the year, we are looking forward to a busy festive period of celebration, which we have all missed in the past 18 months”.

The organisation also launched its first TV advertising campaign on 25th February with the theme highlighting guests will be ‘In Good Hands’ as a reference to its surgical connections and charitable aims which should help further raise its profile.

During the first lockdown Ten Hill Place provided free rooms and meals to key workers tackling the pandemic. Over 2,100 rooms were supplied free of charge at a cost to the company of over £100,000.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgical standards worldwide.

For anyone interested in joining the dynamic and award-winning Surgeons Quarter team, please email recruiment@surgeonsquarter.com

For more information on events, conferences and meeting space at Surgeons Quarter visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/conferences-meetings/

International guests can book directly by visiting Surgeons Quarter’s own travel agency at: https://www.sqtravel.co.uk/

Improved support on the way for Scotland’s unpaid carers

PLANS FOR A NEW BENEFIT

Views are being sought on plans to improve support for Scotland’s community of unpaid carers through the introduction of a new benefit.

Under Scottish Government proposals, Scottish Carer’s Assistance will replace Carer’s Allowance, currently delivered by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and be delivered by Social Security Scotland.

It will support over 80,000 people who provide 35 hours per week or more of care to those receiving certain disability benefits. An additional payment of more than £500 a year will be made to those who care for more than one person.

A consultation published today outlines proposals aimed at improving the service that carers receive, including increased financial support and links to wider support in areas such as social care, employability, education and bereavement.

It also highlights how support could be expanded once those already in receipt of Carer’s Allowance have been transferred from DWP to Social Security Scotland.

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Caring for a loved one can be a positive and life changing experience but also presents many challenges. We will deliver Scottish Carer’s Assistance in a compassionate and considerate way, linking carers to wider services.

“We will also create a weekly payment of £10 for those caring for more than one person, and if the person they care for is challenging a change to their disability benefits we will make support available.

“This is in addition to continuing support for young carers and maintaining the extra support from our Carer’s Allowance Supplement, providing eligible carers with an extra £460 a year.

“When we have introduced our new benefit, and safely and securely transferred people from Carer’s Allowance to Scottish Carer’s Assistance, we intend to make further improvements. We will look for opportunities to make these changes sooner if we can do so without putting carers’ existing benefits at risk.

“These further changes would help remove barriers to education, allow carers to add together hours spent caring for more than one person to qualify for support, extend support after the loss of a cared for person or when a cared for person is in hospital, and enable carers to earn more from paid work.

“We want to hear people’s views on these plans, other potential changes beyond these, and thoughts on how improvements would help address inequality and poverty.”

Fiona Collie, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at Carers Scotland, said: “Carers Scotland is very pleased to welcome the publication of this consultation on proposals for Scottish Carer’s Assistance and a new Carer Additional Person Payment to support unpaid carers. 

“This opportunity to improve the main financial support for carers in Scotland is an important one and carers have long discussed ways in which it can be changed to recognise their caring and better meet their needs. 

“I would encourage as many carers as possible to respond and bring their views and experiences to the consultation, either individually or through events and activities that are planned.”  

The Scottish Carer’s Assistance consultation is open for responses until 23 May 2022.

The Forth Awards are back and looking for your local heroes!

The Forth Awards are back for its 17th year this June (23rd) to celebrate the local people who are making a difference across Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians.

After a short hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, The Forth Awards in partnership with St James Quarter, will be returning to Edinburgh’s Usher Hall this summer to recognise the contribution of local do-gooders across the regions.

Radio Forth listeners are being encouraged to vote for the individuals and organisations which they believe go the extra mile for their community, as well as their top pick of famous names and emerging talent.

This year’s ceremony will be like no other as nominees, celebrities and locals get together to mark the occasion for the first time since 2019.

Winners from previous years include teachers and selfless charity fundraisers and founders, as well as Wet Wet Wet who won the Contribution to Music Award in 2019, and Lewis Capaldi who collected the Rising Star Award in 2018 days before claiming the number one spot in the charts.

This year’s winners will be revealed on Thursday, 23rd June during a glittering awards ceremony in the magnificent surroundings of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. The event is one of the biggest in the capital and a surprise star-studded line-up of performances will be revealed on the day.

This year there are 10 awards, including the Local Hero Award, the Icon Award with The Edinburgh Playhouse and the Cash for Kids Award with Newton Decor.

Each category is individually sponsored and listeners nominate those that they feel are worthy of the awards.

Richie Jeffrey, Events & Marketing Manager, Radio Forth said: “Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians are packed full of people who do amazing and selfless things every day.

“Over the past few years, we have seen some magnificent examples of local communities pulling together to support those less fortunate, and we are ecstatic to get a chance to recognise and celebrate these achievements for the first time since 2019.

“The Usher Hall is, as always, the perfect space for this star-studded event – a big thank you to them and our sponsors at St James Quarter for their support in the return of the much missed Forth Awards.”

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “St James Quarter is excited to partner with The Forth Awards again this year.

“Throughout the development of St James Quarter and now in operation, we are proud to support the community of Edinburgh and are thrilled to celebrate with Radio Forth again on this special occasion.”

To nominate friends, colleagues and local businesses for The Forth Awards 2022 simply head to https://bit.ly/ForthAwards2022.

The complete list for The Forth Awards this year is as follows:

  • The Forth Charity Volunteer Award with Newtown Refurbishment
  • The Forth Best Teacher Award with Fuse
  • The Forth Cash for Kids Award with Newtown Decor
  • The Forth Best Artist Award with Victor Paris
  • The Forth Best Restaurant Award with Heritage Portfolio
  • The Forth Local Hero Award with The Edinburgh Evening News 
  • The Forth Contribution to Music Award with The Liquid Rooms
  • The Forth Icon Award with The Edinburgh Playhouse
  • The Forth Fringe Award with Multrees Walk
  • The Forth Visitor Attraction Award with Mediaworks

CityFibre celebrates latest milestone in Edinburgh’s Full Fibre rollout

More than 65,000 homes and businesses across Edinburgh can now access the best digital connectivity available thanks to progress made by CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, on the city’s new digital infrastructure rollout.  

Edinburgh is one of a growing number of locations in the UK to benefit from CityFibre’s £4bn Gigabit City investment programme which will bring new and better broadband infrastructure within reach of up to 8 million homes and 800,000 businesses nationwide.

In Edinburgh alone, CityFibre has invested £100m to make it one of the world’s best digitally connected communities.  

This latest milestone adds to a growing list of completed neighbourhoods in Edinburgh, which includes: Currie, Balerno, Granton, Leith, Duddingston, Mountcastle, Newhailles, Liberton, Moredun, Gracemount, Sighthill, South Gyle, Carricknowe, Silverknowes and Barnton areas.   

The next areas earmarked for the rollout include Redford, Craiglockhart, Portobello, Wester Hailles, Kingsknowe, Corstorphine, Leith Links, Craigentinny, Piershill, Holyrood, Drylaw and Pilton.  

Once the city-wide rollout reaches completion in 2024, almost every home and business locally will have access to full fibre services over CityFibre’s independent network, which will give users a choice of internet service providers (ISPs).  

Paul Wakefield, CityFibre’s City Manager for Edinburgh said: “CityFibre has been making great progress in Edinburgh since 2019 and it is fantastic that so many residents can now enjoy the benefits of having access to the fastest and most reliable broadband services available.

“We are using our state-of-the-art technology to build a brand-new network, ensuring that residents have access to the digital infrastructure needed to support their data needs for generations to come. Once the network goes live in an area the process for accessing it is very straightforward. 

“I am delighted that residents connecting to our Edinburgh network already have the choice of three quality ISPs – launch partner Vodafone, plus TalkTalk and Zen, with at least one more to be added before the summer. 

“We are continuing to work hard to connect more homes and businesses across the city and I want to thank residents for their patience as we work to bring our state-of-the-art full fibre network to the region.” 

Unlike copper-based ‘fibre broadband’ services available today, full fibre networks use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at lightning speed all the way from the home to the point of connection.

This gives users consistently faster speeds for upload and download (up to 1,000 Mbps), near limitless bandwidth so everyone at home can work, study, stream or game simultaneously, while providing connectivity users can depend on.  

Construction is being delivered by CityFibre’s build partners Glenevin and IMS Scotland. The teams, who work closely with CityFibre’s own build managers and build assurance engineers, are using a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Edinburgh City Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while minimising potential disruption.  

As work is completed in each neighbourhood, ISPs will ‘light up the network’ with some of the fastest and most competitive broadband packages available in terms of both data and price.   

Residents interested in giving their home broadband a boost can find out more about the build, pre-register their interest and find out which ISPs are available at  https://www.cityfibre.com/ 

Corstorphine Community Centre update

Statement from the CCC Management Committee (25/2/22):

We can now confirm that as of 23rd June 2022, CCC will be vacating their current premises at 191 St John’s Road after being served formal notice by the site’s owners. This is in line with neighbouring units.

We are currently in the process of assessing alternative sites for the continuation of  activities currently undertaken by the various groups who use the Hub and are consulting with the group leaders.

In respect of the charity shop, this will continue to operate as usual up until the end of the lease and in the meantime we are also looking at alternatives as to where the shop may be based in the future. We are also communicating with the shop supervisors.

We will continue to update the local community, our members, volunteers and staff as we make progress to identify and hopefully secure other premises.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for alternative premises for the shop or activities please let us know via admin@ccchub.online’

Call for Capital’s sustainable food projects to sign up to new directory

Edinburgh’s sustainable food producers and suppliers are being called upon to apply to have their details registered in a new directory.  

The Sustainable Food Directory is designed to help people find out where they can source sustainable food locally and to support the promotion of the capital as a leading food destination in Scotland. 

Managed by Edible Edinburgh, and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, the directory will aim to showcase the best places to find local, sustainable food in Edinburgh, for residents and visitors.

Local food growing projects, community food organisations, shops, markets, cafes and restaurants are all being asked to apply to become part of the directory – with the aim of gaining recognition as  the most sustainable food places in the city.

Applicants are being asked to complete a short form, detailing why they should be included in the directory, along with a sustainability statement outlining how they’re actively working towards sustainability in their services; supply chain, packaging and recycling.

Councillor George Gordon, Chair of Edible Edinburgh, said: As a food partnership, we want to promote the breadth of sustainable, healthy, local food choices on offer to residents and visitors to Scotland’s capital city. Food that’s grown locally has less distance to travel to get to our plate, meaning less carbon emissions from things like transportation and storage. 

“We know that Edinburgh’s amazing local food and drink producers work hard to bring high quality, sustainably produced food to people’s plates. So, we’re calling on sustainable food businesses, growers, suppliers and producers in the city to apply to be listed on our new directory, highlighting their business action and ambition, to make it easier for people to support local food producers, shops and communities in Edinburgh.”

The project to create a Sustainable Food Directory was announced as part of Edible Edinburgh’s Inspiring Food event at Edinburgh College Granton Campus on Friday.

The college event promoted some of Edinburgh’s leading food businesses, charities, growing projects and pantries.

Business can find out more about the directory and how to register by emailing Edible Edinburgh on hello@edible-edinburgh.org.

The directory is scheduled to go live to the public in early summer.

Experts back call to transform Scotland’s economy, protect the planet and provide wellbeing for all

Calls for radical, transformative changes to Scotland’s economy in order to ensure wellbeing for all within our environmental limits have been backed by  almost 40 leading economists and climate change academics.

In advance of the publication by the Scottish Government of its new economic strategy on Tuesday 1 March, these experts have endorsed Ten Points for a Transformative Economic Strategy produced by the ‘Transform Our Economy’ alliance.

These ideas outline a new purpose at the heart of our economy: providing wellbeing for all within environmental limits. They will require the government to set the trajectory for the economy and present a credible plan for delivery using all the powers at their disposal.

The alliance, comprising Scottish Environment LINK, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland, is also calling for much more extensive public debate about the direction of our economy and believes that participation from workers, affected communities and those who are in greatest need of economic transformation has been lacking.

Matthew Crighton, Sustainable Economy Adviser at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “”In the midst of climate and nature emergencies, with too many people trapped in poverty and businesses still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, there is no question that economic transformation is needed.

“In the face of these challenges, the Scottish Government must plot a new direction in building a truly sustainable and just economy that can meet people’s needs.

“Recent history has shown us there is a persistent gap between high-level aspirations and the actual performance of the government in effectively intervening the economy in Scotland. The fear is that the new economic strategy won’t redesign the economy, but will instead continue to deliver inequality and environmental destruction.

“New ideas are sorely needed for a transformative economic agenda which can provide sufficient investment to deliver a just transition to zero carbon, integrate the protection of nature into economic decision making and ensure social equity and participation by currently marginalised groups.”

Professor Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development, University of Surrey and acclaimed author of Prosperity Without Growth backing the plan said: “With the forthcoming 10-year Strategy for Economic Transformation the Scottish Government has a unique opportunity to make Scotland a global example of an economy that is fit to address the challenges of the 21st century, delivering wellbeing for all within environmental limits.

“To do that, the Strategy needs to put at its heart care for people and planet, it needs to build on meaningful participation of those at the sharp end of our economy, and it needs to put in place measures which will give priority to ensuring people’s wellbeing rather than the pursuit of GDP growth for its own sake.”

The ten points proposed by the ‘Transform our Economy’ group offer a robust framework for building such a strategy. The Scottish Government would be well advised to take note.”

Professor Jan Webb, Professor of Sociology of Organisations, University of Edinburgh, and one of the 38 signatories, said: ““Orthodox economic strategy aims to maximise GDP, and then to make some adjustments for fairness and environmental harms.

“A transformative strategy, fit for addressing climate emergency and major inequalities, has to direct all economic action to achieving a fair, and sustainable, society.

“This means all investment prioritises decent work, zero waste, biodiversity and climate protection. I hope the Scottish Government will respond promptly and constructively to the Transform Our Economy alliance.”

The headings of the Ten Key Points are:
1. The goal: wellbeing for all within environmental limits
2. Setting specific economic objectives to care for people and the planet
3. Using all the tools available to government to meet those objectives
4. Policies must show how the objectives can be achieved
5. Combat economic pressures which are helping cause the problems
6. Public priorities must lead the direction of development of the economy
7. Clear tests for all investment programmes
8. Measure performance through metrics which matter
9. An economic strategy for all sectors – economic transformation as a national mission
10. An inclusive and participatory process

The full text of the Key Points can be read below:

Ten-Points-for-a-Transformative-Economic-Strategy-generalDownload

at https://foe-scotland.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5ad0d61b2a67d22c68bf7d8d&id=67d24d88dd&e=195fc3d780