Category: North Edinburgh News

£52m requested for ‘no deal’ preparations

The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from the UK Government’s EU Exit Operational Contingency Fund ahead of 31 October to help prepare for a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.

Restating the Scottish Government’s opposition to a Brexit of any kind, and in particular to a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay called on the UK Government to cover all additional costs associated with preparing to leave the EU, including those beyond 31 October.

The UK Government has indicated that funding is available where Scotland faces disproportionate costs.

Requests include funding to support:

  • the disproportionate effect of ‘no deal’ on rural communities including ensuring medical support reaches these areas
  • increased demand on Marine Scotland compliance activities around Scotland’s coastline
  • additional communications to EU citizens living in Scotland
  • increased demands on Police Scotland
  • poverty mitigation measures to support financially vulnerable households

Mr Mackay said: “The UK Government now seems to be actively pursuing a ‘no deal’ outcome which is utterly unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.

“We have requested £52 million from the UK Government’s fund to help us prepare for a ‘no deal’ outcome. This is the minimum requirement for operational activity but the real costs of a ‘no deal’ Brexit will massively outweigh these and further funding will be required.

“Exiting the EU was not Scotland’s choice and the Scottish Government has been clear that any related costs must be covered by the UK Government. The Scottish Government should not have to cut spending on public services to fund Brexit preparations.

“As a responsible government, we are already taking steps to protect jobs and our economy from a ‘no deal’ Brexit and we will set out those plans to Parliament shortly but we are facing additional and disproportionate costs to mitigate the impact of such an outcome.

“We will continue make the case for staying in the EU and will stand firm against efforts to take us out against our will.”

Scots are using less water due to fears for the environment

The majority of Scots are reducing how much water they use at home amid environmental concerns, according to new research by Water Plus.

  • More than half (56%) of Scots say they’re using less water at home than they did 12 months ago
  • Two-thirds (67%) cite environmental concerns as their main motivation for cutting back
  • But just two in five (39%) have done similar at work, with water-efficiency bottom of organisations’ sustainability priorities across both the public sector and the private sector, according to employees.

The majority of Scots (56%) have reduced the amount of water they consume at home over the last 12 months, according to research commissioned by the UK’s largest business and public sector water retailer, Water Plus.

The research, published in a new report, surveyed 500 people employed in the private and public sector across Scotland on their attitudes towards water use both at home and at work. Notably, of those who said they had reduced their domestic water use, more than two-thirds (67%) were most motivated to do so because of their concerns about the environment. That’s in comparison to just one in 10 (15%) who have done so primarily to reduce their bills.

But while Scots are increasingly doing things like showering instead of bathing and only using washing machines and dishwashers when full to reduce the amount of water they use at home, more could be done in Scottish workplaces, workers say.

Surveying workers from across the public and private sectors, the study found just two in five (39%) people had acted to reduce their water use at work in the last 12 months, with almost two-thirds (64%) suggesting that their employer could do more to encourage them to be more water-efficient – including highlighting information on water-saving targets and progress towards those.

Water not a priority

According to the research, water is the resource both public sector and private sector organisations are least likely to promote among workers as a way of reducing their environmental impact, behind resources including paper, plastic, glass, energy and food. The findings have been released to provide unique and up-to-date insight for those managing utilities for public bodies to consider their water management further and the opportunity to lower running costs.

Despite water-efficiency being a low priority in the workplace, some Scots are bucking the trend, with a quarter of workers (24%) taking more care of water use at work than at home.  Almost three quarters (70%) of those taking more care at work said the main reason they do so is because their employer encourages them to act more sustainably.

Andy Hughes, chief executive of Water Plus, said: “The findings paint a picture of the Scottish public becoming increasingly in tune with its environmental responsibilities, but not acting with the same sustainable vigour at work as it does at home.

“While we’re seeing a clear trend in people becoming more conscious about how much water they use, the research highlights the significant potential for employers in the public and private sectors to introduce new initiatives to cut consumption at work that could not only reduce bills but also enable them to become more environmentally sustainable. This is not about suggesting workers are wasteful in their water use at work but increasing awareness and encouraging them to take a responsible approach wherever they are.”

The regional outlook

In Scotland’s most heavily populated cities, including Glasgow (60%) and Edinburgh (52%), over half of those questioned have reduced their water consumption at home in the past year. By comparison, three-quarters (75%) of those surveyed in England have reduced their domestic consumption, with Manchester (90%) and Nottingham (89%) proving the most increasingly water-efficient cities.

Andy Hughes added: “As the ‘Blue Planet effect’ continues to influence people’s decision-making in the home, there’s an opportunity for businesses to inspire behaviour change that not only lowers their costs but also contributes to their corporate social responsibility goals.

“It’s evident when looking at issues such as plastic and paper use that there is a direct correlation between those who are encouraged to reduce their environmental impact and those who act – and this can be applied across the board, including for water.”

Water Plus’s new report Flowing in the Right Direction is available to download for free.

NHS Lothian trials tiny eye implant to treat glaucoma

Experts in NHS Lothian are trialling a microscopic eye implant to revolutionise glaucoma treatment.

The team, led by Dr Andrew Tatham (above) at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, are conducting a study of the pioneering biodegradable device. Continue reading NHS Lothian trials tiny eye implant to treat glaucoma

Under Pressure: something’s got to give in Edinburgh derby

Tenth vs Twelfth … who could have imagined this at the start of the season?

It’s the derby game neither manager can afford to lose. There’s always added pressure in derby games, but even more so when after five league games Hibs languish in tenth place in the Premiership and Hearts prop up the league on just two points.

And with tough League Cup fixtures coming up in midweek, the pressure’s ramped up ust that little bit higher.

The stakes really couldn’t be much higher for Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Levein – it’s not an exaggaration to say the next two games could well determine the Edinburgh clubs’ seasons – or at least the fate of their managers. Win both, your season’s back on track and the critics are silenced – at least for a wee while. Lose both, and even the most fair-minded fans will be calling for your head.

With both teams out of form, supporters will be looking desperatly for any reasons for optimism. For Hearts, the return of key personnel could be just the lift they need.

Craig Levein confirmed that Joel Pereira, Michael Smith and Steven Naismith should be fit for today’s Edinburgh derby.

The return of the trio eases the manager’s injury list, with Conor Washington joining those on the sidelines after he had surgery on his hamstring through the week.

“We’ve got the likes of Naisy and Michael Smith, who are in rehab mode and they’re getting close to being ready to play. I would expect both of them to be fit for Sunday.

“Joel’s come back up from Manchester United and is feeling good. The problem he had was a thigh strain, so we’ve not done an awful lot of kicking to this point, just to make sure we give him plenty of time to recover. That’ll be the last thing he has to do. If he gets through that, then he will be available as well.”

However, centre back John Souttar has been ruled out.

Christophe Berra thinks that Hearts can take confidence from their performances at Easter Road last season as they head into their first Edinburgh derby of the season.

The Hearts skipper believes there is no better game with which to turn around their fortunes.

“We know it’s a big game. It always is, the derby. There’s a lot of media coverage on it, both teams aren’t doing very well in the league so there’ll be a lot at stake.

“We have got a good squad of players. It’s just about gelling as a team. We are working hard out there and doing our utmost to get that performance and victory first and foremost and build on that with performances.”

Hearts captain Berra played in both games in Leith last season, the highlight being a 1-0 win just before New Year thanks to an Olly Lee wonder strike against the run of play.

“Our last two games we’ve won and we’ve drawn, so we’ll take confidence from that. It is a new season, there’s different demands on both sets of players and it’s always a tough place to go to.

“It’s about us applying our game plan, starting on the front foot and making sure the home fans turn against them, make it a difficult atmosphere for them and make it volatile.”

“Adrenaline will be high. You’ll be up for it – we always are – but it’s live on telly, away to your biggest rivals. Playing at Easter Road is always good. I don’t know what kind of atmosphere it will be. It’s a good game to have – as long as you’re coming out on the winning side.”

For Hibs, this would be the perfect fixture to return to winning ways – but to that they need to recapture the ability to score.

Hibs’ last two performances have been insipid – and goalless. Fans will be hoping the return to Easter Road and a full house against their oldest rivals will be enough to galvanise their favourites into a level of performance that has been sadly lacking this season.

While it’s unlikely to be a game of flowing football – derbies seldom are – there will be no shortage of incidents and talking points. Like their bosses, the players will be feeling the pressure – and it’s those who can handle the pressure best who will triumph on the day.

With so much at stake, both managers would probably settle for a point. As ever, though, the diehard fans of both clubs will be looking for a lot more. Pressure, what pressure?

Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is to put new proposals on managing disputes over children when families break down under the microscope.

The Committee has launched a call for views to inform its scrutiny of the plans which are contained in the Scottish Government’s new Children Bill. Continue reading Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans