First West Lothian team up with Edinburgh Trams to offer a through ticket on all services to link up with the tram at Ingliston Park & Ride, Gyle Centre and Edinburgh Park Station
£4.50 ticket offers a value for money through journey connection via bus and tram with Edinburgh City Centre.
Advice to all passengers is to check latest Scottish Government advice on essential travel guidelines in the area in advance of all journeys.
Local bus operator First West Lothian has teamed up with the Edinburgh Trams to provide customers with another direct link to Edinburgh City Centre via the new bus and tram through ticket.
Available exclusively on the award-winning First Bus App, the all new £4.50 Bus/Tram through ticket is available across all services on the West Lothian network meaning customers now have a convenient connection between their local bus service and the tram into the city centre.
Service 20 in particular offers passengers a drop off at the park and ride directly for quick and convenient access to the tram.
Alternatively, customers can still purchase the First day ticket for just £4.00 for the region (L&M) which gives access to all First West Lothian services including connections to Edinburgh City centre by bus alone. For example, with the day ticket customers can connect onto the X25, X24 and X38 straight into town.
First West Lothian Commercial Director Graeme Macfarlan said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people who need to make essential journeys to get around and get to their destinations safely during these unprecedented times.
“We were asked to consider the introduction of a through bus and tram ticket that offered the same benefits as those offered by the previous operator, and so, in responding to the needs of our customers, we are delighted to be introducing a through ticket to replicate that offering.
“The hope is now that the customers utilise this offer and support these services once they are able to do so as Coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease again.”
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams said: “We are delighted to be partnering with First West Lothian to allow their customers to seamlessly connect to the city centre by tram.
“We offer fast and frequent services which an easy interchange with First services at Ingliston Park & Ride, Gyle Centre and Edinburgh Park Station for Hermiston Gait.
“We encourage all customers to check our website for the latest timetables and travel advice.”
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “This new ticket will give passengers even more options for seamless, reliable travel by public transport between Edinburgh and West Lothian.
“Of course, people should only be making essential journeys by any mode of transport at the moment. But this joint offer from First West Lothian and Edinburgh Trams will be beneficial for communities served by both in the future.”
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs said:“This is an excellent initiative from First West Lothian and Edinburgh Trams to improve connectivity between Edinburgh and West Lothian.
“Having an affordable multi-purpose ticket is a good way to make best use of the trams and make transport easier between West Lothian, Edinburgh city centre and the airport.
“I would like to see a paper ticket made available for those who don’t have a smartphone to buy a ticket on the First Bus app.”
A series of new measures aimed at driving down coronavirus (COVID-19) rates in Scotland have been announced.
Current restrictions, including the ‘stay-at-home’ requirement, are set to remain in place until at least the end of February and schools will continue to be closed to most children for the rest of this month.
Nurseries and Primaries 1 to 3 are, however, now scheduled to return full-time on 22 February, subject to final confirmation two weeks from now that sufficient progress in tackling the virus has been achieved.
In an update to Parliament the First Minister confirmed that a managed quarantine system for anyone who arrives directly into Scotland regardless of which country they have come from will be introduced as soon as practicably possible.
In addition to guarding against the increased importation of new cases, access to testing to find cases and interrupt transmission already taking place in Scotland will be stepped up:
from the middle of February, routine testing of healthcare workers will be expanded to cover patient-facing primary care workers such as GPs, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists, as will testing for all patient-facing staff who work in hospices
from later this month, regular testing will be offered to support the return to schools and nurseries. Senior phase secondary school students, and all staff in primary, secondary and special schools, including school-based ELC staff, will be able to benefit from routine at-home testing two times a week
certain workplaces where the risk of transmission is greater and which provide essential or critical services, such as those within the food processing and distribution sectors and staff within emergency service control rooms, will also be supported to introduce routine workforce testing
targeted community testing will continue to be expanded – so that testing is available to people locally, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms
from mid-February tests will also be offered to all close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-enabling Test and Protect teams to identify their contacts and track, and break further, chains of transmission
In order to promote people’s ability to self-isolate when necessary, financial support will be significantly expanded to include all workers earning the Real Living Wage or less, as well as those in receipt of a council tax reduction because of low income.
The £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant will also be extended to people who cannot work because someone they have caring responsibilities for is asked to self-isolate.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “As levels of the virus continue to fall in Scotland, it becomes ever more important that we stop the virus from being imported again. The threat of new variants is real and we must be ever-more vigilant.
“That is why we intend to introduce a managed quarantine requirement for anyone who arrives directly into Scotland, regardless of which country they have come from.
“We want to work with the UK Government to avoid travellers sidestepping restrictions and arriving in other parts of the UK before travelling to Scotland, however the most effective approach to prevent this and to stop new variants being imported is for the UK Government to introduce a compulsory quarantine for anyone travelling into the UK from overseas.
“Since we still have work to do these measures will not be introduced this week and more detail will follow shortly.
“We believe that targeted community testing can play a particularly valuable role in communities where prevalence is starting to rise rapidly which is why we have expanded our testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission.
“Lockdown is starting to slow down the virus. But we also need to pick up the pace in our vaccination programme. We are doing that and will accelerate the programme further over the next fortnight – providing that we have sufficient supplies of the vaccine – as we work towards being able to vaccinate 400,000 people a week by the end of the month. We are making rapid progress in protecting those who are most at risk from COVID-19.”
On schooling, the First Minister added: “I am acutely aware of the pressure school closures is putting on working parents and on family life more generally.
“Our room for manoeuvre, given the current state of the pandemic, is limited. But the government is determined to use every inch of headroom we have to get children back to school.
“Based on the advice of our expert advisers, if we all agree to abide with the lockdown restrictions for a bit longer so that our progress in suppressing the virus continues, we can begin a phased, albeit gradual, return to school from 22 February.”
The EIS has responded to the First Minister’s statement on a planned phased return for schools, welcoming the planned roll-out of regular testing for staff and students – but warning that virus levels must fall ‘substantially’ before the plans for a phased return for pupils can be confirmed.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Clearly, any school return remains contingent upon continued progress on community suppression of the virus and that is not a given so we need to see infection levels coming down substantially before the return date can be confirmed.”
Mr Flanagan continued, “Whilst a phased return is a more cautious approach, we are surprised that the First Minister did not discuss the need for physical distancing amongst P1-P3 pupils, given that she clearly stated the new variant impacts on all age groups, whereas previously younger children seemed to be less directly involved in transmission than adults.
“The EIS believes that a blended learning model, i.e. implementing physical distancing, would be a safer strategy to deploy and we would need to see strong scientific evidence to justify the Government’s approach. Frankly, in the absence of such evidence this model creates unnecessary risk for staff and pupils.”
On the planned rollout of testing for school staff and some secondary pupils, Mr Flanagan added, “The availability of regular testing for staff is something the EIS has called for, so that is welcome, as is its extension to senior phase pupils which will offer some reassurance to their families.”
“The EIS also notes the limited number of senior pupils able to return at any one time, but this must be organised in a way which explicitly enables physical distancing amongst pupils.”
Responding to the First Minister’s COVID-19 update concerning a phased return to schools in Scotland, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Drew Duffy said: “Yet again the Scottish Government failed to acknowledge the role of school support staff in the response to COVID-19.
“This morning over 1,000 of our members in support staff jobs, including cleaners, caterers, and pupil support staff, wrote to the First Minister asking her to strengthen school safety guidelines and the implementation of them across our thirty-two councils.
“This afternoon’s statement said little to these workers, despite the fact support staff are most at risk against the backdrop of more virulent strains of COVID-19 because many continue to work in our schools throughout this lockdown.
“We need full consultation with Ministers on a consistent approach to worker safety in the phased return of schools. That’s the only way we are going to give these forgotten key workers some badly needed confidence their safety is a priority for this government.”
Education leaders in Edinburgh have welcomed the phased return of school pupils announced by the Scottish Government.
Cllr Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I know many families across the city will be pleased to hear that a phased return to schooling will be in place by the end of the month.
“Our teaching staff are doing a tremendous amount of great work with home learning but we all know there’s no better place for our children than being back in school with their peers and learning face to face.
“Our schools will now work really hard to put plans in place so P1 to P3 pupils and some senior phase pupils can return on February 22 which will hopefully be confirmed by the Scottish Government in two weeks time.
“In the meantime home learning will continue and we hope to be to welcome more pupils back to school in the coming months as long as the virus continues to be suppressed.”
Cllr Alison Dickie, Education, Children and Families Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “These are extremely challenging times for families and no one can underestimate the impact the pandemic has had especially for those struggling at home.
“Everyone’s mental health and wellbeing is really important so it’s welcome that early years, childcare and P1 to P3 pupils will be back in school where they belong in a few weeks time.
“Supporting the children who need it most is vital and I’m glad they will continue to attend their schools as we all work together to get through this. With the number of positive cases coming down in Edinburgh and the rollout of the vaccination programme we hope even more pupils will be able to come back to school when it is safe to do so.
“We will continue to follow the latest Scottish Government and health advice in ensuring our schools continue to be safe learning and teaching environments for all our young people and teaching staff.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I appreciate only too well the burden being placed on many families as they navigate this COVID pandemic. I am also acutely aware of the need to maintain teaching and learning wherever possible. In doing so, the health and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff is paramount.
“My priority has been to ensure a safe return for children and young people to school and nursery as quickly as possible. That is why the steps that have been announced today are guided by the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and public health experts.
“Children and young people will begin a gradual, phased return to classrooms supported by a testing regime and enhanced guidance. A sense of caution underpins the plans unveiled today, but this is essential as we work to return to full time teaching in schools.”
Police are appealing for the help of the public following a serious assault in the East Pilton Farm area.
At around 8.25pm on Monday (1 February) a 35-year-old man was walking alone near to the junction of Pilton Drive and East Pilton Farm Place when he was approached and assaulted by a group of males.
The victim was knocked to the ground where the assault continued. He was later taken to hospital where he is being treated for a serious facial injury.
Detective Constable Zaira Marker said: “At this stage we are unsure of the motive for this appalling attack. The victim has suffered a serious injury to his face and is still in hospital. We have no further information regarding the description of his assailants, other than they were four men in their 20s and were all wearing dark coloured clothing.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this attack or may have information which might help the investigation to get in touch with us.
“I would also ask anyone who was driving in a vehicle in the area which has a dash-cam fitted to examine the device to see if it holds any footage which might assist in this case. Anyone wishing to pass on information can do so through 101, quoting reference number 3200 of 1 February.
“Anyone wishing to pass on any information while remaining anonymous can do so through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Three of Scotland’s most innovative SMEs secure a global audience at the CAN DO Innovation Summit with #SMEstage competition win
Further details of the Summit are released
Scotland’s CAN DO Innovation Summit takes place tomorrow and there’s still time to book your seat at the virtual event.The national event for innovation in business will be live from 8amon Wednesday3 February.
The three winners of the competition, open to all small and medium sized Scottish businesses, were chosen from high-quality entrants who were asked to submit a short video demonstrating how they are building innovation into their daily practices.
The winners are rising stars from across Scotland – Edinburgh-based Scene Connect, Aberdeen-based Recycl8 and Edinburgh-based Space Intelligence. Getting a spot on the Summit’s SME stage gives the businesses exposure to a global online audience of over 800 investors, academics, entrepreneurs and innovators.
The winners will also benefit from two days of support from an Innovation Specialist at Scottish Enterprise.
This year’s CAN DO Innovation Summit, a headline event of the VentureFest Scotland festival of innovation, has been carefully crafted to support Scottish SMEs to build innovation-led recovery, resilience and sustainable growth after recent national and global challenges. It will feature a speaker line-up of over 40 multi-sector SMEs and a range of innovation support agencies across 12 industry-led panel sessions.
Panel discussions and live Q&A sessions will run throughout the day covering the following themes: Journey to a Sustainable Future; Recovery & Resilience; Workplace Culture; Advance manufacturing & Digitisation; MedTech/Health Innovation.
Speaker highlights on the day will include world class keynotes: Lolita Jackson, Special Advisor for Climate Policy and Programs, in New York City’s Mayor’s Office; Ivan McKee, the Scottish Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation; Craig Foster, Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios; Chloe Demrovsky, the youngest and first female chief executive to oversee and expand the Disaster Recovery Institute’s international network; Dyan Finkhousen, founder and CEO of Shoshin Works in the US and John Reid, CEO of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).
It has never been more important for business to be agile and creative – and over 800 delegates have already signed up to this year’s event, from Scotland, the UK and beyond. They have given a range of reasons for getting involved, including aiming to make new connections; wanting to learn about progressive workplace practices and hoping to learn how new technologies can help them tackle business challenges.
Enabling connections is a key objective of the Summit, at a time when networking can be difficult in a virtual world. With multiple opportunities to connect with new people, share knowledge and ideas and explore opportunities for partnership, the Summit makes it easier than ever to spark new connections online.
Delegates can meet innovation leaders, support agencies, investors, entrepreneurs and academics through live Q&As, speed networking, 1:1s in the Delegate Hub, drop-in sessions and the Summit’s virtual Support Village.
Dr Laura Bell of the CAN DO Innovation Summit, said:“Recent events have created huge challenges for SMEs, who will now be critical to tackling the economic and societal challenges we are facing. This year’s Summit has been carefully crafted to help SMEs explore opportunities to develop new and better business models and to drive sustainable competitive advantage.
“Our virtual focal point for business will help SMEs adopt new technologies, build progressive working cultures and access the right support for innovation-led recovery and growth. We have a wide selection of world-leading experts and local talent lined up to speak at the event, as well as interactive sessions which can benefit SMEs across all sectors.
“I’d also like to thank our panel of judges for selecting three excellent winners to take their well-earned place in the spotlight at the Summit on the #SMEstage. We look forward to welcoming many more SMEs on 3 February.”
The #SMEstage competition winners were selected by an independent panel of judges made up of senior representatives from Scottish EDGE, Innovate UK and Scottish Enterprise.
The winners will have their moment in the spotlight at the Summit at 3.45pm when they will showcase how they are building innovation into their daily practices.
Evelyn McDonald said:“Judging the #SMEstage competition was a great way to start the year as it reminded us all that despite the challenges we are currently facing there are a wealth of entrepreneurs and businesses in Scotland creating new technologies to enable innovation led recovery and growth.
“Winning the competition will give the businesses access to a wide audience which will hopefully bring useful connections and support as well as linking them into invaluable support from Scottish Enterprise.”
This is the second Summit, following a successful inaugural event in Glasgow, and is the first time it has been held virtually.
– Accreditation and challenges available to help employers focus on health and wellbeing –
SCOTLAND’s walking charity and public health minister have jointly called on employers to empower staff to take daily walks within guidelines to boost physical and mental wellbeing.
With lockdown rules tightening and fewer reasons to leave the house, Paths for All believe regular exercise has never been more important to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing, especially for those working from home.
A study conducted by University College London has reported two-fifths of people say they are doing less exercise now than during the first lockdown back in March, with individuals stating they have found this period tougher than ever before.1
Now, the charity and new Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon are asking employers to look at ways to enable their staff to take screen breaks, be more active and enjoy getting outdoors more during the working day.
The charity offers bespoke accreditation and challenges tailored to an organisations requirement to help get their workforce moving. The Walk at Work Award and Step Count Challenge both look to make walking fun and interactive by virtually connecting colleagues.
Under current restrictions, outdoor exercise is permitted, but individuals must walk alone, with their household, or can meet one other person from another household while distancing. Exercise should be planned to avoid busy areas.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Mairi Gougeon said: “The current restrictions, on top of shorter days and poor weather are all having an impact on our wellbeing at the moment. But taking a break from work to get some fresh air and get moving is one of the best ways to boost your mood, and keep fit.
“Right now it’s more important than ever to find time to focus on your health and wellbeing, and I’d encourage all employers to get involved and do what they can to support people. There are lots of creative ways to encourage home workers to stay physically active, such as introducing fun challenges or sharing resources.”
Firms are being encouraged to look into dedicated screen-free time initiatives such as a fake commute, whereby teams are encouraged to take exercise in the middle of the day in order to get their steps up throughout the working day.
Research has shown that physical activity helps to reduce anxiety and depression, and alleviate negative moods whilst improving self-esteem and cognitive function, with those who are active during their working day deemed as more productive.
Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer at Paths for All, said: “We must do what we can to keep Scotland moving, safely and responsibly, throughout this lockdown, to ward off potential mental and physical health crises.
“Walking helps boosts our mood, our fitness, our productivity and our relationships. At this moment in time, it’s a chance to take stock and appreciate our local communities’ walking routes.
“With most of the country working from home and exercise being one of the few essential reasons for leaving your home, it is the perfect time to get into walking to look after our physical, mental and social health.”
The Walk At Work Award is aimed to reverse the trend of inactive workplaces and the accreditation supports businesses in tackling issues of staff wellbeing and corporate carbon footprint, while enhancing productivity.
Employers receive one-to-one support on how to create a walking culture at work as well as examples of best practice and where to find extra help and resources
The Step Count Challenge is made up of teams of five and has one simple aim of encouraging people to walk more to feel happier and healthier, with participants having access to leader boards, goal setting and team chat to keep them motivated and connected.
Businesses can register a team of five for just £30 – and can customise their own challenges with tailored branding and personalised messaging.
Paths for All believes regular walking is key to leading a happy and healthy life, and it’s even more important for people to continue enjoying short, local walks where it is safe and appropriate to do so with to the huge array of associated benefits.
Paths for All’s focus is clear: it wants to get Scotland walking: everyone, every day, everywhere.
The FCA has published a report on change and innovation in the unsecured consumer credit market following a Review by its former Interim Chief Executive, Christopher Woolard CBE.
The Woolard Review sets out how regulation can better support a healthy market for unsecured lending, taking into account the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, changing business models and new developments in unregulated buy-now pay-later (BNPL) unsecured lending. The Review was commissioned by the FCA Board.
Christopher Woolard, Chair of the Review, said: ‘Most of us will use credit at some point in our lives. So, it’s vital that we have a fair market that works for everyone. New ways of borrowing and the impact of the pandemic are changing the market, with billions of pounds now in unregulated transactions and millions of consumers at greater risk of financial difficulty.
‘Changes are urgently needed: to bring BNPL into regulation to protect consumers; to ensure that there is secure provision of debt advice to help all those who may need it; and to maintain a sustained regulatory response to the pandemic.
‘Alongside these urgent issues the Review sets out a series of recommendations for how the FCA, working with partners, can build a better market in future.’
UK households have nearly £250 billion of outstanding consumer credit debt and more than 42.5 million people used consumer credit in 2019.
The Review sets out 26 recommendations to the FCA, sometimes working with Government and other bodies, to make the unsecured credit market fit for the future, including:
The regulation of unregulated buy-now pay-later: BNPL products which are currently exempt from regulation should be brought within the regulatory perimeter as a matter of urgency. The use of BNPL products nearly quadrupled in 2020 and is now at £2.7 billion, with 5 million people using these products since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The emergence and expansion of unregulated BNPL products gives consumers a significant alternative to more expensive credit, but this also comes with significant potential for consumer harm. For example, more than one in ten customers of a major bank using BNPL were already in arrears. Regulation would protect people who use BNPL products and make the market sustainable.
Debt advice: The provision of debt advice will be critical to a sustainable market in the long term, especially through the recovery from coronavirus. Free debt advice services need secure, long-term funding as demand increases to as many as 1.5 million additional cases, following the pandemic. Funding needs to be in place to help the poorest pay fees when applying for debt relief orders.
Forbearance: The FCA responded quickly and effectively in the emergency phase of the pandemic – it needs to sustain this response through the recovery, for example by looking at whether it should revise its rules and guidance to drive greater consistency in the type of support firms offer consumers struggling to pay.
Alternatives to high-cost credit: A sustainable credit market needs more alternatives to high-cost credit. The FCA should work with the Government and Bank of England to reform the regulation of credit unions and Community Development Finance Institutions. More should be done to encourage mainstream lenders into this space.
Outcomes focused: Regulation should be driven by the outcome being sought and how consumers use products in the real world. Regulation should deliver similar protections where consumers face similar harms. In addition to making sure products are affordable, there should be an increased focus on lenders meeting consumers needs’ for as long as they hold the product. The FCA should review repeat lending.
The FCA welcomes the Woolard Review report into change and innovation in the unsecured credit market and supports the recommendations directed to the FCA.The Board agrees that there is a strong and pressing case to bring buy-now pay-later business into regulation.
Charles Randell has written to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury setting out the Board’s view and proposing that the FCA works with the Government to design the appropriate regulation.
Ensuring consumer credit markets work well is one of the FCA’s five priorities. The Board has asked the FCA executive to build the Review’s recommendations into its business planning. The FCA will publish its 2021/22 Business Plan in April, and will give further details of the response to the Review.
Charles Randell, Chair at the FCA, said: ‘Unaffordable credit can damage the lives of people who are already struggling to manage everyday expenses. While we have made progress in reducing unaffordable debt in the years before coronavirus, the pandemic has had an unequal impact on households.
“Many people have been able to reduce their debts, but some of the poorest in our society have exhausted any savings or run up more debts. All the authorities which cover debt and debt advice must act together systematically to prevent problem debt and to help people get out of a spiral of debt through properly funded debt advice.
‘Regulation should be consistent and the Review shows how we can ensure high standards in consumer credit regardless of the form of credit.
‘The Review has powerful recommendations on debt advice and insolvency including on the IVA market. We are ready to work with other regulators to reduce the harm that IVAs can produce for people that use them, and to reduce the scope for unscrupulous operators to prey on vulnerable indebted people through for-profit debt packaging.
‘As the market innovates and changes, regulators and legislators need to respond quickly and decisively to protect consumers by facilitating credit where it is beneficial and clamping down on it when it does harm. The FCA agrees that there is a strong and pressing case to bring buy-now pay-later business into regulation.’
Age Scotland is seeking the views of older people in the first comprehensive survey of what it is like to grow older in Scotland.
The Big Survey explores all areas of life for older people including health and wellbeing, housing, media representation and the impact of Covid-19.
The national charity hopes to gain a better insight into what older people think, experience and care about. Survey responses will help prioritise its future campaigns and shape policy.
The Big Survey launches after an exceptionally challenging year for older people. This was the age group most severely affected by Covid. Older people were asked to shield, the overwhelming majority of deaths took place among the over 75s and care home residents faced months of separation from family and friends.
Lockdown has contributed to soaring levels of loneliness and the absence of regular exercise activities and sports has had an impact on physical fitness.
Age Scotland wants to hear from as many older people across Scotland as possible to find out what their lives are like now, what issues are important to them and their expectations of later life.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “We are pleased to be launching The Big Survey at such an opportune time. This has been a tumultuous time for older people and undoubtedly the past 12 months have had a profound impact across society.
“We want to hear how older people’s lives have been affected by Covid, what their expectations are now, how they want to live and what their requirements are for enjoying a fulfilling and happy later life.
“I would urge as many older people as possible to take part. Each and every response will be considered and they will help shape our policies and our work in the coming years.
“So please take the time to share your views and help us be there to support older people throughout Scotland in ways that make a real difference. We look forward to hearing from you.”
Edinburgh Airport is first Scottish Airport to offer rapid Covid-19 screening services
Edinburgh Airport and ExpressTest (a division of Cignpost Diagnostics Ltd) have announced the launch of an on-site Covid testing service.
The site offers fast and accurate lateral flow and PCR testing and is located through the Covid Screening entrance to the left of the departures entrance.
PCR tests costs £99 per person for the general public, £80 per person for airline passengers and £60 per person for Edinburgh Airport staff. Lateral flow tests are available for £50 per person.
No booking is required for lateral flow tests as this is a walk-in service, customers will be asked to fill out their details and sign the consent form at the site. The customer will then be guided through to their testing booth by a member of ExpressTest staff, where they will be swabbed. The customer will then wait for 20 minutes and subject to the test result being negative, will receive a Fit to Fly certificate.
Customers who require a PCR test should book via the ExpressTest website prior to arrival. ExpressTest aim to deliver PCR test results by 10pm the day after the test, however, results could take up to 48 hours to receive.
ExpressTest is delivered using lateral flow tests and the latest gold standard PCR equipment that is all fully CE-IVD certified and manufactured to the highest possible standards. The tests are carried out by a trained screening practitioner in full PPE.
This ExpressTest service is available now but people in Scotland must continue to follow the latest government guidance, including travel restrictions, as laid out by the Scottish Government. This ExpressTest service will be an important aspect of the UK’s return to travel once restrictions are lifted.
ExpressTest was set up by its parent company, Cignpost Diagnostics, whose clients include Netflix, the BBC and the PGA European Tour. The company’s founders Nick Markham, Steve Whatley and Professor Denis Kinane, also the Chief Medical Officer, are now using their expertise to deliver world class testing to the general public.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said:“Testing will form an important part of travel for the foreseeable future and providing that facility at airports will form part of our business as normal plans.
“Introducing this on-site will make things easier for those people who are either carrying out essential travel or who return to travel when it is safe to do so.”
Nick Markham, Founder of ExpressTest said: “As a growing number of airlines and destinations now require a negative lateral flow test as well as a negative PCR test to be able to travel, we are very excited to be supporting Edinburgh airport in offering these services.
“We hope that these testing services will play a big role in helping to lift the travel restrictions currently in place, and we’re delighted to be able to offer safe and reliable services to the public.”
Edinburgh College’s International team has been named as a finalist at the China-Scotland Business Awards for the second year running.
The team has been shortlisted in the Educational Partnership of the Year category for its work in developing a new five-year English for Business programme with Hainan University’s College of Foreign Studies.
The English for Business course is designed to provide Hainan University students with greater fluency and confidence in English for business settings and will include preparation for Cambridge English qualifications in Business English. The course will be embedded into Hainan University’s four-year undergraduate programme, giving enhanced career opportunities for students upon graduation.
The first part of the programme was due to be delivered in Hainan, however Covid-19 prevented this from happening. Instead, the College utilised an interactive online delivery model and will continue to combine this teaching method with face-to-face teaching throughout the duration of the five-year programme.
This partnership is designed to be sustainable, with the course running over five years. It is anticipated that new cohorts of students will begin the programme each year, which will benefit a greater number of students and provide them with an international education experience without leaving home.
The China-Scotland Business Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise and celebrate achievements in trade and investment between Scotland and China.
International Business Manager Sarah Gore said: “We are very proud to be nominated for this award. Our Edinburgh College staff and Hainan University colleagues have put a lot of work into developing and delivering this programme and partnership, and it is heartening to see this recognised within the China Scotland Business community.
“We look forward to working with our dedicated Hainan students and colleagues for many years to come, and continuing to build on our strong and supportive partnership.”
The awards will be held virtually on Thursday (4 February).
‘We are putting tackling poverty at the heart of the Budget’ – Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville
Tackling deep-seated poverty and inequality will be supported by increased funding from the 2021-22 Scottish Budget.
To ensure all children have the best start in life, £68 million will be invested in the Scottish Child Payment, and £53 million will fund universal Free School Meals to all children in primary one, two and three.
Communities impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will continue to be supported through funds aimed at helping them recover and rebuild.
The 2021-22 Scottish Budget includes:
a near doubling of spending through the Tackling Child Poverty fund with £23.3 million of investment, and providing £6 million to local authorities to continue providing a school clothing grant worth at least £100 to every eligible child
£3.6 billion for social security to carers and those on low incomes
£150 million for fuel poverty and energy efficiency measures
£711.6 million for affordable housing and a new £55 million programme to support town centres
£32 million to promote equality and human rights, including actions to ensure this approach is embedded across government and the wider public sector
£15 million to further support children and young people with Additional Support Needs
more than £26 million of investment in the vital Third Sector
£81.6 million for projects to support community regeneration, town centres and 20 minute neighbourhoods – where people can meet their needs within a 20 minute walk from their home
over £12 million to support the Ending Homelessness Together action plan, including specific actions to scale up Housing First, end the use of communal night shelters, advance legislative protections for people experiencing domestic abuse and explore alternative routes to reduce migrant homelessness
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are putting tackling poverty at the heart of the Budget. In two weeks we introduce our new game-changing Scottish Child Payment, backed by investment of £68 million.
“As well as mitigating the impact of UK Government welfare cuts, we are supporting carers, young people, and low income families through our range of new benefits. This year also sees the start of the introduction of the first disability benefits as we continue to establish a social security system that is based on dignity and respect and investing in our people.”
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell (above) said: “In addition to responding to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, this budget is investing in actions designed to tackle deep-seated poverty and inequality including almost doubling our child poverty budget to £23.3 million.
“This means we will deliver our £50 million Tackling Child Poverty Fund commitment in full, continuing with investment in actions including our Parental Employability Support Fund, Access to Childcare Fund and innovative Children’s Neighbourhoods Scotland programme.
“Funding for more affordable, greener housing is at the heart of the Scottish Budget, contributing to our net-zero ambitions while helping to ensure everyone has a home that meets their needs.
“We will also invest over £26 million in the local and national Third Sector infrastructure, support the capacity and growth of social enterprises, and ensure the Third Sector can help people and communities recover from the impact of the pandemic.”
