Frontline health and social care workers and those aged 70+ are currently being invited forward for the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster to provide longer protection against coronavirus.
Others who are eligible for the vaccine will be invited forward soon.
Visit http://nhsinform.scot for more information.
2021 marks ten years of Book Week Scotland, and Scottish Book Trust has today (12 October) launched a programme of events around the theme of ‘Celebration’.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with partners to provide both online and in person events.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “2021 marks a decade of Book Week Scotland, a massive milestone that all of us at Scottish Book Trust are extremely proud of.
“Last year alone, we reached 292,000 people through free Book Week Scotland events. Book Week Scotland would not be possible without the many libraries, bookshops, community groups and schools that take part.
“Over the last ten years, Book Week Scotland has become a highlight of Scotland’s literary calendar, the national event where a huge range of partners celebrate the connective power of reading and writing.
“It is where communities all over Scotland gather together to have conversations with writers and other readers, and where individuals all over the country share their love of books and the books they love.
“We look forward to celebrating ten years of Book Week Scotland with a fantastic line-up, with events both online and in person.”
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: “For a decade now, Book Week Scotland has provided the perfect opportunity for readers across the nation to come together in community groups, bookshops, libraries and at home to share and explore a love of reading.
“With an exciting and diverse line-up of emergent and established names and forms of writing, from live poetry to comics, the centenary year programme is a true celebration of literature.”
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of The Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) said: ““Libraries will be hosting events from Shetland to the Borders, connecting communities and ensuring everyone across the country can meet likeminded individuals, and enjoy all that the week has to offer.
“We will also be celebrating Mobile Libraries Day as part of Book Week Scotland, which allows us to recognise the vital role that our mobile libraries play in some of the remotest parts of Scotland, as well as for those who are not able to visit their own local library.
“Reading is Scotland’s favourite pastime, and we look forward to sharing in the country’s love of books.”
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of reading and writing and it returns on Monday 15 November to Sunday 21 November.
Award-winning author Denise Mina kicks off the celebrations at Glasgow Women’s Library, where she filmed a new documentary: The Women Writers of Garnethill with tour guide Melody House.The film explores the contribution women writers have made to the area, and the city of Glasgow. It will premiere on YouTube on Monday 15 November at 12.30pm.
Book Week Scotland will also launch a social media campaign, #ILoveMyLibrary, on Monday 15 November, encouraging the public to join in and share their memories of their favourite or local library. Top authors in Scotland will also join the campaign, celebrating the library they most treasure.
On Monday evening, for those who wish to join Book Week Scotland from the comfort of their own homes, there will be a downloadable role-playing game written by visual artist Adrian Barber. A star-studded line-up will play through the game, featuring: Marvel comic writer Kieron Gillen; bestselling author Val McDermid; DC Comics writer Ram V; Marvel comic writer and bestselling novelist Marjorie Liu; and award-winning comic artist and author Hari Conner.
On Tuesday 16 November at 11am, there will be a Book Week Scotland special Authors Live event with Patience Agbabi. The event will jump into the world of her time-travel adventure stories, The Infinite and The Time Thief. Patience will be talking about the climate change themes that inspired the novel, and she will also share her love of wordplay and poetry.
On Wednesday 17 November at 12.30pm, Book Week Scotland will premiere a new documentary with former Makar Jackie Kay on her debut novel, Trumpet. The film will offer exclusive insight to the inspiration and writing of the bestselling book.
On Thursday 18 November at 11am, there will be another Authors Live event: a panel on Young Scottish Voices featuring Nadine Aisha Jassat, Chris McQueer and Cat Hepburn. They will showcase their writing and share how young people can use their own voices and experiences in writing and storytelling.
On Thursday evening, the Damian Barr Literary Salon will team up with Book Week Scotland to bring an unmissable event starring Baggage author Alan Cumming in conversation with Damian Barr, and poetry performances from the ascendant talents of Lennie Pennie and Courtney Stoddart. The event will run online Thursday 18 November at 7pm and tickets are available to buy here.
In the year of Scottish coastlines and waterways, Harry Josephine Giles, Evie Wyld and Raman Mundair will join Book Week Scotland for a Celebrating Island Literature panel, chaired by Pàdraig MacAoidh. The event will premiere on Saturday 20 November at 4pm on YouTube.
Libraries and community groups across Scotland are also taking part in Book Week Scotland, some who have been partners of the programme for a decade, including Glasgow Women’s Library, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scottish Union Learning, Uist Art Association and Wigtown Book Festival.
50,000 free copies of the Celebration book, which includes real life stories from people around the country, will be available from libraries and other community venues during Book Week Scotland. The book includes 22 stories selected by a panel, plus commissioned pieces from Courtney Stoddart, Elle McNicoll, Eòghan Stewart, Mòrag Law and Ross Sayers.
The full Book Week Scotland 2021 programme will be live from Tuesday 12 October.
Highlights from Book Week Scotland 2021 programme:
Monday 15 November
Tuesday 16 November
Wednesday 17 November
Thursday 18 November
Friday 19 November
Saturday 20 November
Sunday 21 November
World leaders must come together for our planet and deliver in Glasgow on the promise made at COP21 in Paris, COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma will say today (Tuesday 12th October) in a major speech at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in the French capital.
The landmark Paris Agreement was reached at COP in 2015, which committed countries to avoid the worst effects of climate change by limiting global temperature rises well below 2C, aiming for 1.5C.
Mr Sharma will point to progress made since the Paris Agreement and outline the importance of leaders taking ambitious action at COP26 in the UK later this month. The Summit will open in Glasgow on 31st October.
The COP26 President will highlight four elements for COP26 to deliver the level of ambition required:
1) climate action plans to significantly reduce emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by mid-century, and to support adaptation to tackle climate threats
2) concrete action to deliver these plans, including agreements on reducing coal, electric cars, protecting trees and reducing methane emissions
3) to honour the $100bn dollar pledge, and
4) a negotiated outcome that paves the way for a decade of ever-increasing ambition.
Mr Sharma will echo the call from the countries most vulnerable to climate change for all G20 countries and major emitters of greenhouse gases to come forward with enhanced, ambitious 2030 climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions. The leaders of the G20 countries will meet in Rome at the end of this month.
He will also urge world leaders to take the lead from those climate vulnerable countries which are taking action in the most difficult circumstances to protect the planet and its people.
COP26 President-Designate Mr Sharma is expected to warn leaders: “COP26 is not a photo op or a talking shop. It must be the forum where we put the world on track to deliver on climate. And that is down to leaders. It is leaders who made a promise to the world in this great city six years ago. And it is leaders that must honour it.
“Responsibility rests with each and every country. And we must all play our part. Because on climate, the world will succeed, or fail as one.”
The President will be clear that we must see new commitments on public and private finance to support the countries most vulnerable to climate change and progress on adaptation to the effects of our changing climate, accounting for the loss and damage that it can cause.
He will also speak about the work done ahead of COP26 to make it the most inclusive COP to date, despite the unprecedented challenges the world faces in hosting an event during the COVID-19 pandemic. He will set out the measures in place to make the Summit safe, including the vaccine offer to developing countries, daily testing regime and social distancing in the venue.
On this, Alok Shama is will say: “It will be an extraordinary COP in extraordinary times. But collectively, we must pull together to make it work. Forging unity from the unfamiliar. Because we have no choice but to deliver.
“Each country must step-up. And as COP26 President I will ensure that every voice is heard. That the smallest nations are sitting face to face with the world’s great powers. As equal parties to the process.”
The House of Commons and Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee have published their Report, Coronavirus: lessons learned to date, examining the initial UK response to the covid pandemic.
The 150-page Report contains 38 recommendations to the Government and public bodies, and draws on evidence from over 50 witnesses—including Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Professor Chris Whitty, Sir Patrick Vallance, Sir Simon Stevens, Dame Kate Bingham, Baroness Harding of Winscombe and Dominic Cummings—as well as over 400 written submissions.
The Report was agreed unanimously by members of both Select Committees, which consist of 22 MPs from three political parties—Conservative, Labour and SNP.
The joint inquiry, which began in October 2020, examined six key areas of the response to covid-19: the country’s preparedness for a pandemic; the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as border controls, social distancing and lockdowns to control the pandemic; the use of test, trace and isolate strategies; the impact of the pandemic on social care; the impact of the pandemic on specific communities; and the procurement and roll-out of covid-19 vaccines.
The inquiry concluded that some initiatives were examples of global best practice but others represented mistakes. Both must be reflected on to ensure that lessons are applied to better inform future responses to emergencies.
In particular:
The 38 recommendations made, if implemented by the Government and by public bodies such as the NHS, would ensure that during the remaining period of the pandemic and in any new emergency, the UK could perform better by having distilled lessons—positive and negative—from the UK’s initial response to covid.
In a joint statement on the publication of the Coronavirus: lessons learned to date Report, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, and Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said: “The UK response has combined some big achievements with some big mistakes. It is vital to learn from both to ensure that we perform as best as we possibly can during the remainder of the pandemic and in the future.
“Our vaccine programme was boldly planned and effectively executed. Our test and trace programme took too long to become effective. The Government took seriously scientific advice but there should have been more challenge from all to the early UK consensus that delayed a more comprehensive lockdown when countries like South Korea showed a different approach was possible.
“In responding to an emergency, when much is unknown, it is impossible to get everything right. We record our gratitude to all those—NHS and care workers, scientists, officials in national and local government, workers in our public services and in private businesses and millions of volunteers—who responded to the challenge with dedication, compassion and hard work to help the whole nation at one of our darkest times.”
The Report includes an Executive Summary with conclusions, recommendations and lessons learned at the end of each Chapter.
Are you a semi-professional, amateur or fledgling photographer from Scotland? Would you like to display your work in an atmospheric London gallery?
The London Photo Show is set to return for its sixth year running to the Southbank this autumn, giving professional, semi-professional, independent and amateur photographers from all over the world the chance to exhibit their work to the public in a professional and high-profile location.
Show organisers are calling upon photographers of all abilities to enter their most well-loved shots, which will be displayed at London’s Bargehouse Gallery, situated in the iconic Oxo Tower Wharf, between 11 and 14 November 2021.
Founder and professional photographer, Andrew Mason, who established the photography exhibition in 2016 to put a focus on undiscovered talent, said: “We can’t wait to bring the show back to the Southbank this November.
“Even though we managed to run the event last year, it was on a smaller scale, we are hoping this year will be the biggest yet. We are once again looking forward to filling the gallery space at The Bargehouse with authentic, raw and evocative images, many captured throughout the pandemic.
“I know myself the thrill and fulfilment that comes from seeing your own work exhibited in a public arena. Our event is more than welcoming to photographers of any level, that’s what makes us different. Our doors are not just open to those at the top of the profession.
“The London Photo Show is known for bringing together those with a love of photography all under one roof each year. The event offers the chance for anyone involved to build their profile and get noticed, whilst allowing visitors the chance to see some truly original artwork for free.”
The open exhibition, which welcomes all subject genres including portraiture, fine art, wildlife, architecture, fashion, nature, travel, sport, reportage, and landscape is expected to host submissions from around 60 photographers around the globe. The event is open to the public across four days with no admission fee.
Andrew ended: “The show was started so that photography can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone – its foundations have been built on inclusivity and we can’t wait to see what artwork this time around.”
Places at The London Photo Show are extremely limited and those wishing to reserve their place should visit: www.londonphotoshow.org for further information.
With costs starting from just £275, exhibitor packages include:
· Wall space with your bio and information
· Advice on choosing and printing images
· Photographer networking events in the lead up to the exhibition
· Hanging of images by professional installation team
· Invitations to the Private View for you and your guests
· Exhibitors profile listing on the London Photo Show website, and promotion though social media
A man has been arrested and charged following an attempted robbery at a convenience store on West Granton Road.
The incident happened around 7.45am yesterday (Sunday, 10 October). The 31-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Tuesday 12 October).
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “Fortunately no one was hurt and there was no threat to the wider public. I would like to thank the public for their patience.”
Leading Scottish law firm Thorntons welcomed six further trainee solicitors this September. This follows an earlier intake of ten trainees in March of this year and underlines the firm’s commitment to growth.
The new recruits will undertake a two year course across the firm’s network of offices, developing their skills and knowledge across a variety of legal disciplines, as part of their traineeship.
All trainees will adopt a blended work approach, working both from home and in the Thorntons’ offices, ensuring they have direct support from their supervising partner and other colleagues.
The trainees are Walter Buckman from Glasgow, David Durie and Finlay Williamson from Dundee, Antonia Kildare and Hannah Smethurst from Edinburgh, and Martyna Kotlarz from Aberdeen.
Structured around four six-month department rotations, the trainees will gain hands-on experience, complete practical work and have direct client contact from early on. The group will also benefit from Thorntons’ diverse learning and development programmes, mentoring scheme and internal virtual networking opportunities which are all designed to further advance skills and knowledge.
Additionally, all trainees are allocated a specially selected mentor from Thorntons’ team to offer advice and guidance throughout the duration of the training contract.
New trainee David Durie said: “Going to University in Dundee, Thorntons was a huge presence in the legal community. But the firm didn’t just appear to us in billboards, on the television, and on the radio. The people at Thorntons were always willing to give their time to help with events, offer their knowledge and advice, and even act as a sounding board regarding doubts about our futures.
“When I was given the opportunity to join the firm as a trainee and pay forward the help I was given, I knew I had to grab it. I have a lot to learn over the next two years, and there’s a lot of work to be done. But that work is made all the more rewarding by witnessing first-hand that ‘doing what’s right’ isn’t just a slogan, it really is Thorntons’ mission.”
Lesley Larg, Managing Partner at Thorntons, said: “Our trainees play a vital role in the success of the firm, and I’m hugely excited to welcome our new team members.
“As Thorntons continues to grow, and more and more opportunities become available for newly qualified solicitors, this is a particularly exciting time for our trainees to embark on their careers. Each year a significant number of successful trainees stay on to continue their careers with us, and we look forward to working with them to develop their skills and knowledge.”
For more details on Thorntons traineeships visit:
Leading sustainable waste management company Biffa is launching a partnership with Simon Community Scotland (SCS) to tackle homelessness in the country.
SCS is a Scottish charity that provides help and support to homeless people via their street teams, drop in support and advice centres, and 24-hour helpline. SCS work across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Central Scotland.
The partnership with Biffa will support the services that SCS provides as well as raising awareness for the charity.
Biffa is sponsoring the cost of the helpline and street team throughout the month of October to give advice and support to those in need. On average, the helpline receives 500 to 600 calls per month. On the streets 140 Biffa vehicles will also carry the SCS logo and helpline number as they complete their rounds in Scotland.
SCS are committed to eliminating homelessness and firmly believe that everyone should have a safe space to live and access the support they need.
Gavin Money, the regional manager at Biffa, commented: “This is a really positive, socially-engaged organisation that I am excited to be a part of with Biffa. The reality is our collection teams are on the streets every day and come across people that need support, and we want to be able to do as much as we can to help.
“Our partnership with SCS will allow us to educate our staff, volunteer and make a difference to people’s lives.”
Biffa has worked hard to raise awareness of the dangers of people sleeping in bins, issuing a call to action on waste management companies to make their bins harder to access, as well as commissioning research with the Open University and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management to find out the extent of the issue in the sector. Biffa introduced its own approach to the issue by implementing warning stickers, locks and even trialling human detection technology.
The collaboration with SCS is part of Biffa’s continued support to tackle the issue and eradicate homelessness.
In 2020 – 2021, the Scottish government recorded 42,000 people in homeless households with 25% of these households’ containing children, despite rooms and housing offered during the pandemic reducing applications for housing. With the lockdown rules ending, this figure is likely to increase to pre-pandemic levels.
Murray Easton, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Simon Community Scotland, said: “Everyone at SCS is delighted to be working in partnership with Biffa. Our street teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow are out every single day, connecting with people who are sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough. We provide advice, support to access services and some on-street services.
“Our partners at Biffa are also out on the streets every day, making this partnership feel incredibly natural and we’re excited about how we can work together to increase awareness of the issue, change and ultimately save lives.
We really appreciate Biffa’s support – their teams will be on the ground helping with our helpline the week commencing with world homeless day on 10th October.”
You can find out more about the work Simon Community Scotland are doing here: https://www.simonscotland.org/, or you can ring their helpline on 0800 027 7466.
Professional, scientific and technical services – including financial management, scientific research and development and agricultural – have received the UK’s highest increase in average wage since the pandemic began, a new study shows.
Comparing ONS average wage figures from January 2020 with those from July of this year, research from leading software developers Bacancy Technology reveals that the average salary for those working in professional, scientific and technical services has gone up by 11.4% – the highest increase across industries in the UK. Overall, this sector’s monthly pay packet of £2,270 per month in Jan 2020 has increased to £2,529 in July of this year.
Roles within the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector have seen the second highest average wage increase, going up by 10.8%. The industry’s average has gone from £1,255 in January of 2020 to £1,391 in 2021 – a growth of £136.
Though positions within Finance and insurance saw the third highest percentage increase in wages of 10.6%, the sector saw the highest raw average financial increase from last January to this July, of £308. Average wages in this sector increased from £2,883 to £3,191 per month.
At the other end of the spectrum, employees within Accommodation and Food Services ranked with the lowest wage growth, both in percentage and raw financial increase – seeing an average increase of less than 1% – just £8 per month.
Construction services have also seen slow growth over the lockdown period, placing the second lowest in the table with an average increase of just 1% – an additional £23 per month to their pay checks.
Assessing these findings, a spokesperson for N.Rich commented: “This breakdown shows a number of interesting facts surrounding the UK’s most lucrative industries for personal financial growth over time. The rising demand for financial guidance, agricultural suppliers and medical research and development over lockdown has clearly impacted the wages received by the employees of these businesses.”
The study was conducted by N.Rich, which offers a rich array of intent data and ad inventory that enable marketers to drive awareness and lead generation effectively.
UK industry average wage increases – January 2020 to July 2021
| Sector | Avg. wage in GBP (Jan ’20) | Avg. wage in GBP (Jul ’21) | Increase in GBP from Jan ’20 to July ’21 | Raw financial increase rank | Percentage increase from Jan ’20 to July ’21 | Percentage increase rank |
| Finance and insurance | 2,883 | 3,191 | 308 | 1 | 10.68 | 3 |
| Information and communication | 2,836 | 3,129 | 293 | 2 | 10.33 | 4 |
| Professional, scientific and technical | 2,270 | 2,529 | 259 | 3 | 11.41 | 1 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 1,255 | 1,391 | 136 | 4 | 10.84 | 2 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 1,668 | 1,803 | 135 | 5 | 8.09 | 5 |
| Energy production and supply | 3,228 | 3,358 | 130 | 6 | 4.03 | 15 |
| Administrative and support services | 1,580 | 1,707 | 127 | 7 | 8.04 | 6 |
| Health and social work | 1,768 | 1,895 | 127 | 8 | 7.18 | 8 |
| Extraterritorial | 2,796 | 2,920 | 124 | 9 | 4.43 | 14 |
| Education | 1,891 | 2,013 | 122 | 10 | 6.45 | 9 |
| Real estate | 1,995 | 2,104 | 109 | 11 | 5.46 | 12 |
| Manufacturing | 2,298 | 2,402 | 104 | 12 | 4.53 | 13 |
| Other service activities | 1,360 | 1,461 | 101 | 13 | 7.43 | 7 |
| Transportation and storage | 2,254 | 2,344 | 90 | 14 | 3.99 | 16 |
| Wholesale and retail; repair of motor vehicles | 1,476 | 1,557 | 81 | 15 | 5.49 | 11 |
| Mining and quarrying | 3,870 | 3,939 | 69 | 16 | 1.78 | 19 |
| Water supply, sewerage and waste | 2,457 | 2,517 | 60 | 17 | 2.44 | 17 |
| Public administration and defence; social security | 2,460 | 2,519 | 59 | 18 | 2.40 | 18 |
| Households | 910 | 963 | 53 | 19 | 5.82 | 10 |
| Construction | 2,196 | 2,219 | 23 | 20 | 1.05 | 20 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,070 | 1,078 | 8 | 21 | 0.75 | 21 |
Laings The Jewellers is honoured to welcome revered luxury maison, Fabergé, to its showrooms in Edinburgh and Cardiff, alongside its online store.
Fabergé has become renowned throughout the world as an artist jeweller, creating extraordinary jewellery and objects of art, as well as bespoke commissions for an international clientele.
Founded in 1842, Fabergé has gained an unrivalled legacy ever since Peter Carl Fabergé became the official goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court, providing exquisite jewels and the legendary series of lavish Imperial Eggs.
These eggs were adored by the Empresses of Russia’s royal House of Romanov and gained acclaim throughout the European world of royalty and aristocracy.
Today, Fabergé has carved out a unique place in the cultural landscape as a symbol of the ultimate prestige and luxury.
Iterations of the iconic Fabergé Egg have featured in Hollywood productions such as James Bond Octopussy, Peaky Blinders and Ocean’s Twelve, and Fabergé’s High Jewellery creations regularly adorn celebrity red carpet appearances, worn by the likes of Helen Mirren, Dua Lipa and Winnie Harlow.
Stuart McDowell, Managing Director of Laings, said: “It’s an honour to offer our clientele the opportunity to enjoy Fabergé, a magnificent maison that values ‘A Life in Colour’ and has an incredible legacy.
“The collections present a beautiful relationship with the brand’s history and the present day, and we are looking forward to showcasing Fabergé’s magic in Edinburgh, Cardiff and our online store.”
Laings will launch Fabergé with an array of collections including Heritage – a quintessentially Fabergé offering drawing inspiration from its historic masterpieces, Colours of Love – a vibrant array of jewellery that exemplifies the philosophy of ‘A Life in Colour’ and celebrates special lifetime events, and Essence – a selection of egg-inspired jewellery that embodies Fabergé’s world of surprise and delight.
Antony Lindsay, Managing Director of Fabergé, said: “We are delighted to be working with arguably one of the most esteemed and established jewellers here in the UK that offer nothing but the very best for its distinguished clientele.
“Both Laings and Fabergé have a rich, illustrious history that when combined spans well over two centuries and has allowed for time-honoured values and traditions to be refined, perfected and passed onto our discerning clients.”
Fabergé is showcasing a much anticipated exhibition ‘Romance to Revolution’ at the Victoria & Albert Museum London, opening 20 November 2021.
Laings encourages all Fabergé enthusiasts to explore the wonder of the maison at the exhibition, which will host over 200 precious objects including three remarkable Imperial Eggs lent to the V&A by Moscow Kremlin Museums.
For more information on Laings, visit www.Laingsuk.com.
