North Edinburgh News – Page 1712 – The NEN

Royal Bank reveals the true cost of splurging on fun after examining Scots spending priorities in 2022

Research from Royal Bank of Scotland reveals Scots spending priorities in 2022
Young people battling desire to splurge post-pandemic with need to budget for the future
Soaring energy costs identified as key concern

As the country begins to look at life beyond the pandemic, new research from Royal Bank of Scotland reveals that nearly half (42%) of young people surveyed in Scotland view spending money on fun as more of a priority post-lockdown.

Despite the renewed sense of freedom and recent relaxation of restrictions, young people are struggling with an internal conflict between the desire to enjoy life and pressures to save, with as many as 85% of 18 to 34-year-olds feeling guilty when splashing their hard-earned cash on themselves.

This is further compounded by social situations, where nearly two-thirds (63%) of 18 to 34 year-olds admit to feeling pressured by their friends to spend money – even when they feel they don’t have enough cash to spare.

Contributing to this feeling of guilt, just over half (51%) of those interviewed confessed that they don’t have a monthly budget set aside for having fun, with nearly eight in ten (79%) admitting that they will need to rethink their spending this year in the wake of energy price rises.

Respondents cited the pandemic – and prolonged periods of lockdown – as key motivators for their changing spending patterns. Almost two-thirds (63%) agree they’re happy to splurge if it means the chance to make memories with friends and loved ones, whilst a third (33%) are keen to make up for the experiences they lost during lockdown.

The findings suggest that the desire to spend more money in 2022, combined with a lack of budgeting confidence and the rising cost of living is mixing together to create a financial storm.

Addressing some of the key concerns raised in the survey, Royal Bank of Scotland is launching a new campaign to help young people balance their longing to make up for moments and memories lost to the pandemic, with the need to set realistic and achievable budgeting goals.

Backing the campaign to support young people, social wellbeing analyst and award-winning businesswoman Charlotte Armitage said: “Dealing with anxiety related to your personal finances is one of the most pressing challenges coming out of the pandemic.

“Financial goal setting can be an effective strategy against the struggle. Momentum is critical and if you have a long-term savings goal, you need to break it down into manageable milestones, give yourself some easy wins and reinforce positive actions.

“After the past few years, it’s certainly okay to have fun and spend your hard earned money on yourself. Taking stock of your finances and getting a clear picture of your spending and saving will allow you to spot those areas where you can make small changes without sacrificing fun, allowing you to create memories and be confident about your financial future.”

Royal Bank is committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities and will continue to offer every person in Scotland a free, judgement free Financial Health Check. The importance of such services is demonstrated in the research, with over one-fifth (22%) of respondents aged 18-34 citing a lack of knowledge as a reason why they don’t have a financial plan whilst almost one in five (19%) feel they are unable to afford a financial advisor.

Royal Bank is also encouraging customers to make use of new features available through its award-winning app such as the new ‘spending’ and ‘savings’ tabs, which allows customers to easily understand where their money is going and how they’re tracking against their goals.

Commenting on the findings, Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “It’s vitally important that we continue to listen to young people and understand the everyday challenges they face when it comes to managing their money.

“Whilst everybody’s financial situation is unique, it is through research and dialogue like this that we can design effective solutions and provide the tools to help make dealing with money easier for our customers.

“Royal Bank is committed to providing everyone with the support and skills they need to make responsible financial decisions, which in turn, will help them have fun and make memories.”

Royal Bank continues to make financial management easier and more accessible by providing the following:

· Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a banking advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, as well as tips for everyday spending and achieving future goals. This could include setting savings targets, advice on tracking monthly spending and creating budgets. Customers can choose to chat in a branch or over the phone. personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html

· Royal Bank of Scotland app – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app are able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending by category each month, helping them stay in control of their money.

· MoneySense – MoneySense provides parents and teachers with the tools to give young people the confidence to use money responsibly on their own. The programme is the longest-running bank-led financial education programme for young people in the UK. MoneySense is fully digital and downloadable, and can be delivered by teachers in schools.

The good, the bad and the real: Rare Birds Books launches Mother’s Day book bundle

‘Mums’ the word at Rare Birds Books this Mother’s Day …

This Mother’s Day home of female fiction, Rare Birds, has launched the perfect gift for mamas who love nothing more than to curl up and get lost in an good book.

The Good, The Bad and The Real, is the brand new three-book bundle (£30) offering the crème de la crème of our favourite mums in literature – but not necessarily the ones you would expect …

Split into three categories – Good Mothers (positive portrayals of mothers in fiction), Bad Mothers (negative portrayals of mothers in fiction) and Real Mothers (non-fiction books about motherhood and its impact) – the bundle will have you laughing, crying and wondering where amongst it all your own mother sits.

So, which mums – and which stories – will this bundle explore?

(Good Mothers) Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

A heart-breaking historical novel about the personal tragedy which inspired Shakespeare’s most famous play. An exploration of what a mother will do to protect her children, and the fracturing of family relationships when this is not enough.

(Bad Mothers) The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante

When her two daughters leave home, Leda embraces her newfound freedom and embarks upon a solo holiday to an Italian coastal town. But a chance meeting with an unsettling family forces Leda to confront her own past, and the choices she has made as a mother.

(Real Mothers) (M)otherhood: On the Choices of Being a Woman by Pragya Agarwal

Part memoir, part meticulous research, this is an urgent and necessary examination of motherhood, identity, and the continuous societal obsession with women’s reproductive bodies.

Bound in a gorgeous Rare Birds branded box with the books elegantly wrapped, the gift is not only thoughtful, but beautiful.

For those who are keen to delve further into the theme of motherhood, Rare Birds has put together a list that you can pick and choose from to help you continue on your reading journey. Following the above themes, founder Rachel Wood, invites you to decide what being a mum really means …

Books for Good Mothers

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Can a trans woman, her de-transitioned ex, and his new straight girlfriend all raise a baby together? A witty and wise examination of sex, gender and contemporary family life.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto

A hysterical and heart-warming romcom, in which Meddy’s meddling mother and aunties get more than they bargained for when she accidentally kills the blind date they sent her on.

Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple

When her enigmatic architect mother goes missing before a trip to Antarctica, fifteen-year-old Bee will do anything to find her. A funny and heart-warming look at what happens when motherhood upends your sense of identity.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison’s heart-breaking novel tells the story of Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman whose life has been spent desperately trying to protect her children. A raw and ruthless depiction of the horrors of slavery, and the power of a mother’s love.

Room by Emma Donoghue

Told from the perspective of five-year old Jack, this emotional novel details he and his mother’s captivity in a single room. Inspired by true stories, this is a searing portrayal of mother’s love for her child.

Books for Bad Mothers

Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson’s fierce work of autofiction narrates her choice to abandon the missionary career her adopted mother had planned for her in order to be with the woman she loves. An unflinching depiction of religious zeal and desire.

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

In this witty and unsettling novel, the struggling artist mother of a young toddler finds herself undergoing a canine transformation. The only thing is those around her seem oblivious.

Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

Sun-drenched and surreal, this novel depicts the strained relationship between Sofia and her mother, Rose, whom she has accompanied to the Spanish coast in search of a cure for Rose’s mysterious illness. A haunting exploration of sexuality, womanhood, and the maternal bond.

Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi

When Antara was young, her mother Tara ran wild – preferring to lavish her attention on the guru of an ashram than her own daughter. Now Tara’s memory is failing her, and Antara bitterly administers the help she needs. This is a sticky, biting novel which asks the question: are we obliged to take care of those who fail to take care of us?

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

In Margaret Atwood’s classic dystopian novel, motherhood is separated from pregnancy, as those women who are fertile are forced to produce children for the upper class who aren’t. But of these, June, longs to be free and reunited with her daughter.

Books for Real Mothers

The Other Mother: A Wickedly Honest Parenting Tale for Every Kind of Family by Jen Brister

A funny and moving look at mothering from the perspective of the ‘other mother’ in a lesbian relationship, addressing everything from IVF to sleep deprivation with the kind of anecdotes that will make you laugh-out.

Motherhood by Deborah Orr

At seventeen, Deborah Orr left Motherwell to attend university against her mother’s wishes. In this gritty and honest memoir, she recounts her girlhood in the industrial town, and the sticky bond between mother and daughter, ultimately asking the question: what does it mean to mother well?

Blue Nights by Joan Didion

Joan Didion’s memoir detailing the death of her own daughter is a gut-wrenching account of motherhood, uncertainty, and ageing. Bleak and beautiful in equal measure, this is a book which will haunt you long after it is finished.

The Panic Years by Nell Frizell

In this poetic and candid book, Nell Frizzel navigates the difficult personal decisions faced by women in their late twenties and thirties. The hardest of all? Whether or not to have a baby.

Mother: An Unconventional History by Sarah Knott

A fascinating exploration of the history of maternity, from medieval royals to 1950s housewives, through the lens of historian Sarah Knott’s own experiences with pregnancy, motherhood, and loss.

For more information visit www.rarebirdsbooks.com

NHS Lothian’s record staffing levels

NHS Lothian has recorded record numbers of staff levels this year with 23,116 employed by the health board – a 15.1% increase over the past five years.

Scotland wide, more than 155,000 staff have been hired, with increases in whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff for ten consecutive years.

Across NHS Lothian there has been a 4.3% increase in the past year in staffing levels and a 15.1 % increase in the past five years.

Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “Our staff across NHS Lothian have shown incredible dedication and commitment to our health service in the past two years and beyond. We will never be able to thank them enough for their heroic efforts.

“Under the Scottish Government, staffing levels in the NHS have increased to record levels. The Scottish Government’s long-term investment in the workforce has accelerated since the outset of the pandemic and we are seeing that in reality, with a 15.1% increase over the past five years here in NHS Lothian.

“The SNP also continues to recognise the effort of our staff having offered them the best pay rise in the UK. They also continue to be the best paid health staff compared to their counterparts in the rest of the UK.”

Underbelly at the Festival Fringe 2022

First shows announced – and they’re udderly brilliant!

Photographed by David P Scott for Underbelly. All rights reserved.

Underbelly has revealed the first 10 shows to go on sale for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The stellar line-up includes the cream of the comedy and circus crop. Festival goers can purchase tickets via the Underbelly website – www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk.

Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe runs from the 3 – 29 August 2022 across four sites: George Square, Circus Hub on the Meadows, Cowgate and Bristo Square.

McEwan Hall

With over 500 million views online, legendary comedy group Foil Arms and Hog will be back in the magnificent McEwan Hall this year to premiere their new show ‘Hogwash’. A mix of sketch comedy, audience participation and improvisation, get ready for some side splitting laughs!

McEwan Hall will also host Fringe-favourite comedian Jason Byrne with Jason Byrne: Unblocked. Join him live on stage as he unleashes what he does best – guaranteed, pure and utterly unfiltered joy and laughter.

Udderbelly George Square

The Amazing Bubble Man is back for a 14th year with another show of spellbinding bubble tricks to keep the whole family mesmerised. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourite will return to Udderbelly George Square with his family friendly show, exploring the breath-taking dynamic of bubbles.

Edinburgh Comedy Allstars returns to the purple cow with weekend comedy line-ups comprised of the biggest, brightest, and most hilarious comedians at the Fringe. Previous performers include a who’s who of comedy giants, from John Bishop, Phil Wang and Fern Brady to Joel Dommett – a sell-out show since 2017 and a must see!

The Cow will also play host to The WhatsOnStage Awards 2022 winner Rob Madge forBest Off-West End Production. Rob Madge: My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do), is the joyous autobiographical story of social-media sensation Rob, who brings to life their childhood rendition of a very memorable performance of a Disney parade. Hopefully, this time no one will mistake Aladdin for Ursula and by all means nobody dare to rain on it.

Circus Hub at The Meadows

Five-star Fringe favourite CIRCA returns to Underbelly’s Circus Hub with Circa: Humans 2.0 – the sequel to its internationally acclaimed and sold-out Fringe 2019 show. A symphony of acrobatics, sound and light, this next chapter of Humans is a tightly woven choreography of bodies pulsing with music. Intimate, primal, and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human.

Circus for all the family, Hotel Paradiso is the irresistibly colourful, loud, and fun show, from Guinness World Record Holders, Lost In Translation Circus. Heart-stopping aerials, stunning floor acrobatics, extraordinary juggling and theatrical storytelling combine to create this follow up to international hit The Hogwallops.

Bristo Square

Bristo Square will play host to Fringe World 2019 Best Comedy Show nominee Troy Hawke: Sigmund Troy’d! and Dave’s Funniest Jokes 2019 runner-up Richard Stott: Afterparty.

Underbelly Cowgate

Paul McCaffrey: We Go Again is a hilarious new stand-up show from the star of Live at the Apollo, Russell Howard’s Good News, Impractical Jokers UK and Stand Up Central.

Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe runs from the 3 – 29 August 2022 across 19 venues and 4 sites; George Square, Circus Hub, Cowgate and Bristo Square. Further exciting programme details will be revealed in the coming months.

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Underbelly, said: “The Fringe is where Underbelly started 23 years ago and is the place, we call home. It’s been a challenging few years for everyone – we deserve to laugh, dance, sing and gaze in awe at some of the incredible acts we have lined up for 2022.

“We are incredibly excited at the prospect of Underbelly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe being back with a bang this year!”

REVEALED: The true cost of smoking

BURNING MONEY: How much you could be saving per year by giving up smoking

Giving up a pack of cigarettes a day could save you up to £4,197 a year – the price of a family holiday abroad.
Cutting out that weekly pack of cigarettes could save you £598 a year, or £2,991 over five years.
Quitting for good could save you up to £41,975 over ten years – equivalent to a 20% deposit on a new home.

You could be saving up to £4,197 a year by giving up a pack of cigarettes a day according to new research, with savings of £598 a year for less frequent smokers.

Vaping experts over at IndeJuice calculated how much money you could be saving based on the average UK cost for a pack of 20 cigarettes over various timespans. They broke down how much you would save throughout your lifetime if you kicked the habit for good, as well as comparing what you could be spending the money on instead.

The research reveals that if you are smoking one pack of cigarettes per day at the average UK cost of £11.50 per pack, you would save £334.58 per month or £4,197 over the course of a year by quitting – the cost of a family holiday abroad for four people, the cost of running your car for ten years or paying for 11 years’ worth of gym memberships.

Someone who regularly smokes a full pack of cigarettes a day can expect to see staggering savings in the long run – banking up to £41,975 over ten years from quitting smoking. This is the equivalent of a 20% deposit on a £200,000 property, the price of a Porsche Cayman or nearly a kilogram of 24 carat gold.

For people who are only smoking a couple of cigarettes a day, the cost can still quickly add up. If you are smoking just one pack of cigarettes a week at the same average cost, you could still make savings of £598 a year, or £2,991 in your pocket over the next five years.

The money saved by quitting for one year, could cover the cost of a three-course meal for you and your significant other 11 times a year, the cost of nine weekly food shops or seven annual Netflix subscriptions.

A spokesperson from IndeJuice added: “Many smokers are already aware of the harm imposed on their body by regularly smoking, but it is easy to overlook the financial savings that could be made by choosing to quit for good.

“When looking at Google Trends data over the past five years, there has been a significant increase in people searching the term ‘quit smoking’ year on year, with the exception of 2021 where there was a 2.3% decrease in searches from the previous year.

“As we emerge out of the pandemic, it is important that we continue to reflect on the health benefits of quitting for good, and the long-term savings offer an additional incentive to do so.”

Mental Health Foundation: Mental health problems cost the Scottish economy at least £ 8.8 BILLION a year

Mental Health Foundation calls for Scottish Government commitment to cost-effective prevention of poor mental health
Cost to UK economy is at least £117.9 billion, around 5 per cent of GDP

Mental health problems cost the Scottish economy at least £8.8 billion annually according to a new report published today by the Mental Health Foundation and London School of Economics and Political Science with support from the University of Strathclyde.

Almost three-quarters of the cost (72%) is due to the lost productivity of people living with mental health conditions and costs incurred by unpaid informal carers who take on a great deal of responsibility in providing mental health support in our communities.

To put the economic cost of mental ill-health in Scotland into context, the NHS Scotland operating budget for 2020/21 was around £15.3 billion.

The UK cost is at least £117.9 billion – equivalent to around 5 per cent of the GDP.   Across the UK there were 10.3 million recorded instances of mental ill-health over a one-year period, and the third most common cause of disability was depression.

The report, ‘The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK’, makes the case for a prevention-based approach to mental health which would both improve mental wellbeing while reducing the economic costs of poor mental health.

Lee Knifton, Director of Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, said: “Our report reveals the opportunity we have to revolutionise our approach to mental health in Scotland.

“It’s time to increase investment in population-level prevention of mental health problems. We can’t only treat our way out of the mental health crisis, which is worsening due to the pandemic, and we cannot afford the spiralling costs to both people’s wellbeing and our economy.

“We urge the Scottish Government to pay attention to what the evidence is telling us and commit to prioritising prevention in mental health. A prevention-first approach will not only help break down the barriers to good mental health but empower people to thrive at every stage of their lives and boost our economy in the long run.”

Research gathered from the UK and internationally shows the potential public health and economic benefit of programmes that target and prevent mental health problems and empower more people to live well, for example, by addressing issues such as perinatal depression, bullying, and social isolation in older people.

Other well-evidenced initiatives include promoting positive parenting, rapid access to psychological and psychosocial supports for people with identified needs and building supportive and inclusive workplaces.

A growing number of studies report on the significant return on investment from parenting programmes. Methods and costs vary, but those assessed in this way cover a long-time frame and report positive returns of up to £15.80 in long-term savings for every £1 spent on delivering the programme.

Similarly, a review of workplace interventions found savings of £5 for every £1 invested in supporting mental health.

Lead author of the report, David McDaid, Associate Professional Research Fellow in Health Policy and Health Economics at London School of Economics, said: “Our estimate of the economic impacts of mental health conditions, much of which is felt well beyond the health and social care sector, is a conservative estimate.

“What is clear is that there is a sound economic case for investing in effective preventive measures, particularly at a time when population mental health may be especially vulnerable because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This requires further sustained and coordinated actions not only within the health and social care sector, but across the whole of government.”

The £8.8 billion costs to the Scottish economy is likely to be a significant underestimate of the true costs – based on the lack of data available around some key areas.

For example, health service costs are based on the number of people receiving treatment and do not consider the many people who would benefit from treatment but either does not receive it because of pressure on services or do not seek help.

Additionally, no costs are included for reduced performance at work due to mental health problems, costs to criminal justice and housing systems linked to poor mental health, costs associated with addiction issues, or the costs associated with self-harm and suicide.

To read the full report visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

UK backs ambitious global action to tackle plastic pollution

The UK provided support to kick start negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution at the United Nations Environment Assembly.

As the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi draws to a close, the UK has worked with international partners to secure a breakthrough on negotiations to kickstart a new legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

While the terms of the treaty are still to be negotiated it could include measures that promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics, as well as more environmentally sound waste management.

It is also hoped it will help tackle marine plastic pollution, one of the greatest global environmental challenges. It’s predicted that unless action is taken there will be a threefold increase in the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean between 2016 and 2040.

This comes as our landmark Environment Act gives us a raft of new powers to step-up our war against plastic pollution. We are also committed to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which will recycle billions more plastic bottles and stop them being landfilled or littered.

At the conference, which was attended by the Lord Zac Goldsmith, UK Government Minister for International Environment, the UK provided support to kick start negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

The UK has also supported other ambitious action, including on:

Establishing an intergovernmental Science Policy Panel to conduct horizon scanning, assess current issues and facilitate communication between scientists and policy makers
Agreeing on the importance of nature-based solutions and on actions to scale up their implementation to simultaneously provide benefits to people and the planet.

Lord Zac Goldsmith, UK Government Minister for International Environment said: “This agreement by governments at UNEA is truly historic, and I’m so proud that the UK co-sponsored the proposals and helped get them over the line.

“In the space of just one human lifetime, we have caused unimaginable damage to the global environment, choking every single part of the global ocean with plastic pollution. And although there is much to be done now to turn it into an ambitious and far-reaching treaty, we can now begin to close this ugly chapter. I am so grateful to UK negotiators for their fantastic work securing agreement this week.”

While there are multilateral agreements to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change, up to now there has been no equivalent agreement to tackle plastic pollution.

The resolution, proposed by Peru and Rwanda, had received strong support and was backed by over 60 countries.

The plans have also received considerable support from the private and third sector with 111 organisations having signed The Business Call for a UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, P&G and Unilever.

The resolution titled “End plastic pollution: towards a legally binding international instrument” establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with preparing a new treaty that would address plastic pollution through a life-cycle approach, with the aim of producing the treaty by 2024.

The UK was also a key proponent of plans for a new science-policy panel to contribute to policy making on the sound management of chemicals and waste, and preventing pollution. This will act in a similar way to the IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which provides advice to governments on the scientific consensus on climate science.

This new science-policy panel will produce assessments on current issues; identify possible future risks and opportunities and provide up-to-date and relevant information, promoting effective communication between scientists and policy makers.

The UK has made nature a top priority during our COP26 Presidency year alongside strong action on cutting emissions. The UK has continued to drive international support for nature-based solutions that address biodiversity loss, climate change and poverty, co-sponsoring a resolution on their benefits and how to scale them up.

Drumbrae Library Hub seeking donations to support Ukraine

Hello Library friends!

We have started a box for donations to help the people of Ukraine.

We are accepting:Sanitary products – nappies – dental hygiene – first aid kits – bandages – plasters – sterile gloves – wet wipes – canned food – baby formula – bottled water – dummies – baby blankets – regular blankets – thermals – waterproofs – candles – lighters – sleeping mats – sleeping bags – tents – camping pots – camping pans – camping cups – unopened painkillers – glucose tablets – water purifying tablets.

Any donations would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Dental services for all?

Revised arrangements will reward dentists for seeing more NHS patients – but dentists remain concerned

Revised payment arrangements for NHS dentists will be linked more closely to the number of patients they see under changes being introduced in April.

The revised arrangements will help ensure patients are able to access NHS services while dentists continue to be supported as they operate under necessary coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. The revised payments replace the emergency top-up arrangements that were introduced to protect the sector from the immediate impact of the pandemic.

Separately, an advisory group will be established to consider long term reform of the sector and future structure of NHS dentistry.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “The pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of dental care and our focus must now be on recovery and ensuring we equip the sector to work through the significant dental backlog.

“From April, the new system will support dentists to see more patients while avoiding a cliff-edge for practices and ensuring a soft transition during what is still a constrained period for dental teams.

“Importantly, this means dentists could earn more than they do now through COVID-19 payment support.

“We’re delivering record investment in dentistry – with a 9% increase in the budget for NHS dental services in 2022-23 – and there has been a 39% increase in the number of high-street dentists in Scotland between 2007 and 2021. Last year there were 55.6 dentists per 100,000 of the population providing NHS care in Scotland compared to 39.9 in England.

“We are absolutely committed to improving oral health, including the removal of NHS dental charges during the lifetime of this Parliament.”

Chief Dental Officer Tom Ferris said: “We know how important it is that NHS dental teams get the right support to carry on providing the services patients need. We’re confident that these revised arrangements are a step in the right direction to improving access, by linking financial support to seeing patients.

“We have been sharing our proposals with the British Dental Association from before Christmas, listening to the concerns of the sector and the need to avoid the cliff-edge when the emergency support payments come to an end.

“These revised arrangements are in addition to £50 million of financial support for dentists during the pandemic, along with £35 million of PPE. It also comes on top of new and increased fees for dentists for a range of treatments including enhanced appointments from 1 Feb 2022.”

However The British Dental Association Scotland has warned that dental practices will continue to face grave uncertainty, as the Scottish Government moved to impose an interim funding model for the service without meaningful negotiation.

While the BDA has welcomed the introduction of a ‘multiplier’ to be applied to dental fees, dentists have significant concerns that the planned 3-month review will have serious implications for patient care and will leave practices unable to plan.

The union remains steadfastly opposed to the return to the unworkable high volume/low margin model of care that operated pre-COVID, and has urged the Government to apply the multiplier until new contractual arrangements are in place.

The BDA had argued that the Scottish Government needed to significantly increase the current inadequate fees for extractions and denture repairs. Increased lab fees mean that dentists often provide these treatments at a loss, and the treatments are particularly prevalent in more deprived areas so any reduction in provision may further widen oral health inequalities.

The announcement follows a bruising debate in Holyrood last week, in which all opposition parties accused the Scottish Government of failing to heed the warnings from the BDA on the potential collapse of NHS dentistry in Scotland.

A BDA survey from late last year reported that 80% of dentists expect their practices will reduce their NHS commitment should the Scottish Government withdraw emergency support and return to pre-COVID models of care.

Dentist leaders have also warned that comments made yesterday by the Public Health Minister fly in the face of the facts, given the tight restrictions practices continue to work to.

Maree Todd MSP incorrectly stated that “from April, the new system will support dentists to see more patients”: an impossibility without meaningful change to COVID operating procedures.

Both the Scottish Government and the BDA recognise the urgent need for long-term contractual reform. The Government has committed to start discussions as soon as the interim funding model is in place. The BDA stress the negotiations must include all practice activity – including work on prevention that is currently unremunerated – and adopt an evidence-based approach to address the current low fees.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “Bruised by the political pressure that’s been brought to bear in recent weeks Ministers have railroaded through a package that will leave practices totally unable to plan.

“The idea this package is the result of meaningful negotiation is laughable, and any idea that practices can see more patients from April flies in the face of the facts. Dentists are still working to tight restrictions, and there is no sense we are returning to anything resembling ‘business as usual’. The Government needs to communicate this clearly to patients.

“Applying a multiplier is the right call but the Government should have taken this opportunity to address derisory fees. We have faced the absurd situation where dentists are providing NHS care at a loss.

“What NHS dentists desperately needed was some certainty on what’s expected of them in the year ahead. The choice to put these new arrangements in place for just three months is an exercise in futility.”