PROPERTY sales in Edinburgh were up 38% on last year in the final months of summer.
The city’s leading experts, Warners Solicitors & Estate Agents, have released their quarterly review showing that property sales took a significant jump this year compared to the same three month period in 2019. Continue reading Hot summer for Edinburgh’s property market
A sea change in social security policy to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the current UK Government disability payments process has been given strong public support.
A consultation found that Scottish Government proposals for a person-centred approach was favoured over the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ system of the UK Government.
The new Scottish social security system has fairness, dignity and respect designed in from the start. Measures will include:
This contrasts with the UK Government system which users have criticised for having complicated and inaccessible application routes, unnecessary face-to-face assessments and inaccurate reports.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I have heard from far too many ill and disabled people who currently know only of stigma, stress and anxiety when it comes to accessing welfare support and fear the ‘dreaded brown envelope’ from the Department for Work and Pensions.
“That is why I want a sea change in accessing disability payments. A new system designed from the ground up – together with users themselves – that puts people first.
“We are supporting people to access the financial support they are entitled to and actively seeking to move away from the stigma of benefits to recognise they are an investment in our people.
“That means a process that is clear and accessible from start to finish and ensures people understand how and when their application will be dealt with.
“It is part of our promise to the people of Scotland that our social security system is a public service and will treat everybody with fairness, dignity and respect.”
Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance at the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens yesterday. Continue reading Lord Provost opens Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a report of serious injuries to a woman in West Pilton.
The woman was discovered around 5.25am yesterday, inside a common stairwell at an address in West Pilton Avenue and police are investigating how she obtained her injuries. Continue reading Woman found injured in West Pilton stair
A consultation on short-term lets has found wide support for regulation, according to independent analysis published yesterday.
More than 1,000 responses from communities, landlords and businesses raised a number of concerns about the effects of short-term lets, including anti-social behaviour, safety fears and the impact on the housing market. Continue reading Short-term Lets: wide support for regulation
Continue reading North Edinburgh Arts celebration fundraiser
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Chair of the Edinburgh’s Community Safety Partnership, writes about protecting the public around Bonfire Night:
“In recent years we’ve seen an escalation in anti-social behaviour in the time leading up to Halloween and Bonfire/ Guy Fawkes Night. Protecting our communities from harm during Bonfire Night and beyond, is a priority for us in the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership. Continue reading Bonfire Season: keeping Edinburgh residents safe
An Edinburgh-based art gallery and studio has adopted new technology to improve customer experiences for disabled visitors.
Edinburgh Printmakers, which is home to a gallery, printmaking studio and café, is one of the latest businesses to have subscribed to ‘Welcome’ by Neatebox. The innovative platform, which was developed by former guide dog mobility instructor Gavin Neate allows users to notify venues ahead of their arrival and request additional support if needed. Continue reading Edinburgh Printmakers embracing tech to help disabled visitors
The Old Kirk and Muirhouse church, Drylaw Parish Church, and North Edinburgh Arts have pulled together this programme for “To Absent Friends“, for folk to talk about good life, good death, good grief.
It started yesterday with our annual ‘All Souls’ service and moves around the area for the next fortnight (see poster for details). All welcome.
Alan Fisher (The Old Kirk & Muirhouse Parish Church), Julie Crawford (North Edinburgh Arts), Jenny Williams (Drylaw Parish Church) and Stephen Ashley-Emery (The Old Kirk & Muirhouse Parish Church).
GMB, the union for Asda workers, has written to company bosses calling on them not to sack 12,000 workers just before Christmas.
In an open letter to senior vice president Hayley Tatum, GMB calls on the company to withdraw its threat to sack all workers who don’t sign the controversial Contract 6 on November 2.
Earlier this month Asda workers handed in a 23,000 strong petition opposing the contract to Asda HW during a mass protest in Leeds.
Hundreds of people from across the UK gathered in Leeds to voice their anger.
Asda workers have been told to sign the contracts – which will see them lose all their paid breaks and forced to work bank holidays – or be sacked on November 2 in the run up the Christmas.
Stand with Asda workers – sign our petition
Dr Who star Paul Mcgann, who also starred in cult hit Withnail and I and Aliens 3, and Rob Delaney, who appeared in Catastrophe and Deadpool 2, both lent their support to Asda workers.
Latest company accounts show directors trousered a whopping £12million last year – and profits rocketed more than £92 million – at the same time Asda slashed 5,000 jobs
Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said: “If Asda is serious about not wanting to sack thousands its employees on the run up to Christmas, they need to withdraw the dismissal notices and sit down with GMB to resolve this dispute.
“Asda has served notice on up to 12,000 of its loyal employees – that can not be right.
“The onus is now on them to save people’s jobs with a better deal that their employees can sign up to.”
