Category: North Edinburgh News

Get your Child Benefit claim wrapped up in time for baby’s first Christmas

  • More than one million parents have claimed online or via the HMRC app since new digital service launched
  • New parents who claim Child Benefit online could get their first payment before Christmas
  • 87% of new Child Benefit claims are made online

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals more than one million families have claimed Child Benefit using the new digital service launched earlier this year. New parents are reminded if they claim online or through the HMRC app, they could get their payment in time for their baby’s first Christmas. 

Child Benefit is worth £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 a year for each additional child. It can be claimed online at GOV.UK  or via the HMRC app just 48 hours after registering a baby’s birth and parents typically receive their first payment within 3 working days. 

Parents are opting to claim for Child Benefit digitally because it is quick and simple to do. Latest figures show 87% of new claims each month are via the app or online – ensuring more parents are getting their cash quicker. 

Downloading the free HMRC app makes managing claims even easier too. Families can use the app to track payments and update their details on the go – from changing their address or bank details, to seeing when their next payment is landing. 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“Having a baby is a busy and expensive time but claiming Child Benefit online or via the app means you’ll get cash in your bank account as soon as possible. Claim now and you could get your first payment in time for your baby’s first Christmas. Download the HMRC app today.”

Claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks, so the sooner families claim, the better. Child Benefit is typically paid every 4 weeks.

To get started, parents will need to create an online account for HMRC services. To make a claim, families will need: 

  • child’s birth or adoption certificate
  • bank details
  • National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
  • child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK

HMRC has released a YouTube video which explains what new parents need to do and how to make a claim.

If either parent has individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be. 

If families claimed Child Benefit before 6 April 2024, and the higher earner had an individual income of over £50,000, they may have to pay the tax charge for 2023 to 2024. If they need to pay the charge, they must register for Self Assessment.

Families who were subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge when the threshold was £50,000 and opted out of payments are able to restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app if they choose to. 

There’s more to Child Benefit than just payments though, as claimants receive National Insurance (NI) credits which count toward their future eligibility for the State Pension. This can help people who are not in paid employment and not receiving NI credits through their employer or other routes, such as Universal Credit. 

A person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive NI credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.

Claiming Child Benefit also makes sure the child automatically gets their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

Whitehouse Road fatality: driver charged

A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal crash in Edinburgh.

The incident happened on Whitehouse Road around 8.20am on Friday, 1 March, 2024 and involved a schoolboy and a bin lorry. Emergency services attended but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man has been charged with a road traffic offence and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

He is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Today: Craft & Flea Fair at The Pitt

Saturday, 14 December 

Edinburgh Craft & Flea 

10:00 – 18:00 Tickets £3.00 under 12s free

Shop small and shop local in our authentic twist on the traditional Christmas market with a huge selection of products from illustration to vintage bric-a-brac, plants to jewellery, sustainable products to food, ceramics to candles and so much more!

Shelter Scotland calls for “immediate intervention” against City of Edinburgh Council after vote to strip homeless households of human rights

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law“

  • Charity says it has “lost confidence” that the City of Edinburgh Council will uphold the rule of law and calls on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene immediately – the first time the charity has called for special measures to be taken against a local authority
  • City Council acting unlawfully in use of unlicensed HMO accommodation to house some homeless households
  • City’s elected and unelected members voted in favour of suspending lifeline housing rights until March 2028, breaching housing laws they are charged with upholding
  • If the Scottish Government and SHR decide to intervene, it will be the first time that they have exercised the powers afforded to them to protect the housing rights of people experiencing homelessness

Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity has today (12 December) called on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene against City of Edinburgh Council after the local authority voted in favour of stripping homeless households of their basic rights.

At a meeting of the city’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, councillors voted six to five in favour of proposals to strip people experiencing homelessness of their right to adequate housing through the provision of suitable temporary and permanent housing.

The vote follows confirmed cases of homeless households being placed in unlicensed HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupancy) properties as temporary accommodation – a criminal offence. (2)

In a letter to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator (3), the charity’s director Alison Watson warned that the Council’s plans are a concerted effort to undermine Scotland’s housing and homelessness rights system and that sanctions must be taken.

She states that: “We cannot stand by and watch efforts to strip people of their housing rights without putting up a fight on behalf of the most disenfranchised people in our communities. Law breaking on this scale cannot be normalised.”

The call comes following the Scottish Government’s reversal of cuts to the affordable homes budget last week after pressure from housing campaigners.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland said: “It should outrage everyone in Scotland that officers and elected members within a local authority have unilaterally decided to strip people in the capital of a fundamental human right.

“Edinburgh’s homelessness crisis is partly of the Council’s own making, but instead of showing compassion and seeking to help some of the most disenfranchised people in our society, they have chosen instead to punish them in this inhumane way by taking away hard-won rights.

“Shelter Scotland has lost confidence in the leadership of the City of Edinburgh Council to do the right thing and uphold the rule of law. The leadership has systematically failed homeless people for years and is now stripping them of their rights to cover up their own failures.

“I have written to the First Minister John Swinney MSP, urging him to use his powers to call in the council’s homelessness strategy for scrutiny. It is our belief that this will highlight that the current strategy is not only unfit for purpose and cannot guarantee the rights of people at risk of homelessness but is in fact in breach of the law.

“The Scottish Government must do more to fully fund local services through the upcoming budget. However, more money won’t work if the wrong decisions are being taken locally on how to spend it.

“I have also written to the Scottish Housing Regulator as recent assurances provided by the council leadership in their annual statement clearly do not hold up to scrutiny.

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law. They must reverse the committee’s decision or else immediately step aside.”

Shelter Scotland is calling for the Regulator to consider its powers to use sanctions up to an including the appointment of new management in the housing department within the City of Edinburgh Council, under its powers contained in the Housing (Scotland) 2010 Act.

Under Scottish housing legislation, Scottish Ministers have the powers to call the City of Edinburgh Council’s homelessness strategy in for review, including its provision of temporary accommodation.

Alison Watson added: “Shelter Scotland has never called on the Regulator or Ministers to intervene in this way. We do not do so lightly. However, we will not stand by – and nor should the people of Scotland – and watch people’s rights be eroded without a fight.

“We cannot normalise law breaking on this scale. There must be consequences otherwise there can be no prospect that other rights will be protected, nor of the situation improving for the thousands of people in desperate need of a safe and secure home.”

There are currently around 5,250 households in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh. It is estimated that over a quarter (1,488) of these households are living in properties under an Unsuitable Accommodation Order.

WaterSafe spreads Christmas cheer with 12 days of Christmas tips

WaterSafe is bringing festive cheer and plumbing tips to households across the region with its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign.

The national register of approved plumbers has created a version of the classic Christmas carol, with each day offering a new plumbing tip or piece of advice to keep homes’ plumbing safe and water-efficient during the holidays.

From insulating water pipes to finding your stop tap, WaterSafe’s tips are designed to be both informative and fun.

“We wanted to combine the joy of the festive season with practical tips that can help our community,” said Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe.

“Water-related disasters, such as frozen or burst pipes, can cause chaos at any time of year – but particularly over the festive season when many are hosting friends and family.

“Our 12 Days of Christmas Facebook posts put a light-hearted twist on this Christmas classic to share our top tips to protect your home from common winter plumbing issues.”

12 days of Christmas tips

WaterSafe’s 12 Days of Christmas:

WaterSafe encourages everyone to follow their Facebook page and join in the festive fun: “By the end of the 12 days, you’ll have a wealth of knowledge to keep your plumbing in top shape all winter long.” added Julie.

WaterSafe holds an online register of approved plumbers who are competent and qualified in the water regulations which keep water safe.

For more information, visit www.watersafe.org.uk.

NHS: Winter Vomiting Bug advice

🌟 How to Cope with the Winter Vomiting Bug 🌟

We have some important advice for dealing with norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, after a recent increase in calls to the 111 service.

Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. While it can be very unpleasant, it usually goes away in about 2 days. Symptoms include:

🤢Feeling sick (nausea)

💩 Diarrhoea

🤮 Vomiting

🤒 High temperature

🤯 Headache

😩 Aching arms and legs

Unfortunately, norovirus spreads easily and quickly. If you catch it, here’s what you should do:

☑️ Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

☑️ Avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.

☑️ Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food.

☑️ Remember, alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill the virus.

To prevent spreading norovirus, maintain basic hygiene and cleaning:

☑️ Disinfect surfaces and objects that could be contaminated using a bleach-based household cleaner.

☑️ Wash clothes and bedding separately on a hot wash (60°C).

☑️ Don’t share towels and flannels.

☑️ Clean toilets and surrounding areas with a bleach-based household cleaner.

Dr. Ron Cook, NHS 24’s Medical Director, advises: “If you experience sudden diarrhoea and/or vomiting, stay at home until you’re feeling better.

“There’s no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse.

“Babies should continue to feed as usual. You don’t usually need medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem. Alleviate fever or aches with paracetamol and get plenty of rest.

“If you or someone you’re caring for shows signs of dehydration, use special rehydration drinks from your local pharmacy. Once you feel like eating, try plain foods like soup, rice, pasta, and bread.”

Stay healthy and take care this winter! 💙

Local group keep the pressure on Senior Housing Staff

On 27 November 2024, North Edinburgh Parents Action Group met Edinburgh Council’s Senior Housing Staff including the chair of the housing committee for the second time.

Cases shared with the director of housing

As a result of the group’s work e.g. producing a report, launching an exhibition and organising meetings with senior housing staff, the director of housing requested that the details of all people involved in this project be sent to him so that they could try to resolve all these issues and learn from this.  The group felt that the managers listened to the issues and are trying to understand what is going wrong.

Change is possible

22 cases were sent to the director of housing and his team in October and November. There have been some successes;

  • some people have been rehoused
  • some work on repairs and some dampness issues have been addressed
  • families have been provided with support.  

More needs done

There is still much more work to be done and the group are waiting on a detailed update from the director of housing regarding all the outstanding work.  This should be completed by the next meeting with the parents at the end of February.

Suspension of EdIndex

The group are concerned about the suspension of EdIndex and non-urgent repairs and feel this is going to make the situation even worse.  The group are also concerned that there are not enough larger houses being built at the waterfront and not enough houses for social rent.  Many of these new houses will be out of local people’s reach.

The group heard that no council properties are going to be advertised until 7 Jan 2024 or later.  This is due to the council putting homeless families in unlicensed (illegal) accommodation.  The council need to move these families into long term empty houses (voids) with minimum work done to them apart from minimum Health and Safety checks.

Use Tourist Tax (Visitor Levy) to invest in Housing

The group believe that the tourist tax should be spent on housing where it is most needed (the consultation on the tourist tax ends on 13 December).

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/visitor-levy

Further Action

Th group told the senior managers that they plan to:

  • raise this issue with the Minister for Housing at the Scottish Parliament
  • explore group legal action as a last resort
  • invite senior managers and the chair of housing to a third meeting at the end of February 2025

Sara, a group member said: “We are serious about keeping up the pressure on the council to ensure people have a safe, warm, damp free home to live in.

Some options that the group are considering include going to the media to highlight people’s stories, taking the campaign to the Scottish Parliament, and contacting a law firm about the possibility of a group action.”

Housing Report FINAL AW (1)Download

Police appeal following robbery on Leith Links

Detectives are appealing for information following the attempted robbery of a woman in Leith.

The incident happened between 11.30pm and 11.50pm on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024 on Leith Links.

Two men pushed the woman to the ground and attempted to take items. Nothing was stolen from her.

The first man is described as being of slim build and the second is described as being of stocky build. Both are around 6ft tall and were wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable James Palmer said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact us.

“We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dashcam footage to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0052 of 11 December, 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.