POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for assistance in tracing 22-year-old Santra Saju who has been reported missing from the South Gyle area.
Santra was last seen about 8.30pm on Friday, 6 December, 2024 in the Burnvale area of Livingston.
Her current whereabouts are unknown and her friends and family are becoming increasingly concerned.
She is described as being 5ft 6 inches tall, Indian ethnicity, slim build, short black hair and last seen wearing a black jacket with a fur hood.
Inspector George Nisbet from Corstorphine Police station says “Santra has not been seen for a number of days now and this is completely out of character for her.
“Her current whereabouts are unknown and her family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned about her.
“If you believe you have seen Santra or have any information please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3390 of Sunday, 15 December 2024.”
ED-TECH PLATFORM HOSTS CHRISTMAS SOIRÉE TO PROMOTE AND SHOWCASE THEIR IMPACT
Scot-Study, Scotland’s pioneering ed-tech platform dedicated to helping international students, have successfully showcased the power of fostering diversity and international collaboration in Scotland, at their second annual Christmas Soirée.
This milestone event was held on 30th November 2024, at The Glasshouse, Edinburgh and was attended by influential figures including Ben Macpherson, MSP, Enoch Adeyemi, founder of Black Professional United Kingdom, and George Tah, founder of Jambo! Radio.
Other distinguished group of stakeholders gathered to celebrate the organisation’s mission, included university representatives, tech entrepreneurs, policymakers, and international students.
“Scot-Study is more than just a platform—it’s a community. We aim to make every international student feel at home in Scotland and provide the tools and support they need to thrive,” said Solomon Adeniji, Founder of Scot-Study.
“Our brief interaction with MSP Ben Macpherson was particularly encouraging, and we look forward to growing our initiatives, including Scot-Stay and Scot-Tour, to better support Scotland’s international talent.”
The event underscored the economic and cultural contributions of international students featuring an inspiring keynote address by Enoch Adeyemi, founder of Black Professional United Kingdom, focusing on the economic and cultural contributions of diversity fostered by International Students in Scotland.
MSP Ben Macpherson, who briefly attended the event, praised Scot-Study’s efforts, expressing interest in supporting the organisation’s initiatives and highlighting its potential to impact Scotland’s migration and diversity policies.
Scot-Study team unveiled its progress, including doubling its student community, expanding operations to India and Pakistan, and increasing its reach across ten nationalities.
“The soirée was a testament to Scot-Study’s impact. The diverse talent and community they’re fostering are exactly what Scotland needs to drive innovation and economic growth.” said Finlay Kerr, a funding readiness expert and attendee.
International students contribute significantly Scotland’s economy—£4.75 billion in 2022—and bring fresh perspectives, cultural diversity, and entrepreneurial energy to local communities.
However, industry research has continued to show London as a top choice for international students choosing to study in the UK. Scot-Study, as a first of its kind ed-tech platform, are working to redirect this focus towards Scotland by highlighting its unique offerings.
They are exclusively promoting Scotland and attracting exceptional talent who might otherwise choose London or other parts of the UK for their education. This shift not only benefits Scotland but also addresses broader challenges, such as population disparities, with most of the UK’s growth heavily concentrated in England.
“Scot-Study was started with the vision of making Scotland the ultimate destination for higher education, bridging the huge recruitment gap existing between England, Scotland and rUk.” said Scot-Study founder Solomon Adeniji.
Scotland’s population growth in 2023 has recently been reported as the fastest since the 1940s, credited to migration from abroad and other parts of the UK. Scot-Study is playing a crucial role in accelerating this trend by promoting Scotland’s vibrant culture, world-class education and thriving job market.
“Our entire team is proud to be living in Scotland. We’re committed to helping the country become a global leader in innovation and education,” said Garima Grover, Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager, Scot-Study.
Scot-Study’s core mission is to promote Scotland as a top destination for international education and create a supportive ecosystem for international students. Its innovative platform offers personalised tools for comparing institutions, scholarships, and courses, while the Scot-Community initiative ensures students receive ongoing support, from career resources to peer networking.
In 2024 alone, Scot-Study served over 35% more students, with representatives from countries like Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Mauritius and UAE.
They also announced their ambitious plans for 2025, such as launching an AI-driven matchmaking service to enhance student experiences, expanding community support services to include out-of-city Scottish students, and growing their platform’s reach across additional regions.
About Scot-Study and Scotia World Ltd
Scotia-World Limited is a tech start-up based in Edinburgh, Scotland established to help students achieve their academic goals abroad, focusing on Scotland’s exceptional quality of life.
Their flagship product, Scot-Study is Scotland’s leading ed-tech platform dedicated to connecting international students with higher education opportunities in Scotland. By fostering a vibrant community through its Scot-Community initiative, the organisation ensures students transition smoothly into academic and cultural life while supporting Scotland’s economy and diversity goals.
Glasgow GP and former Bake Off contestant James Morton is on a campaign to save the planet – one patient at a time.James has a new role with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the lead organisation for improving the quality of healthcare in Scotland.
As part of his new role, James is keen to help tackle the issue of over-prescribing in the NHS – an issue that costs the health service £300 million in waste in the UK each year – by ensuring that clinical guidelines and advice put prevention and non-pharmacological treatments ahead of those medicines that don’t help improve the health of the patient in the long term. As a result, helping ensure that healthcare is right for the patient and right for the planet, while ensuring the NHS is fit for the future.
The GP is advising people who take medications regularly to consider having a review with their GP at their next visit to ensure their healthcare regime is the right one for them.
He said: “There are so many things we can all do to help our own health and to cut down on over reliance that might lead to waste in the NHS. I would ask people, particularly those who have been on medicines for a long time, to have a look at what they are taking and review it with their GP to ensure they’re not taking them unnecessarily.
“I want to emphasize that this is not about saving money, but about improving health and encouraging people to have more involvement in their own health.
“Traditionally, this time of year is when lots of people resolve to try to lead healthier lives in the new year. It would be good for all of us to think about our health, and our healthcare regimes in general, as part of those fitness and improvement commitments.”
James is also encouraging people to look again, particularly over the festive period, at the regular medication they take and ensure they’re not over-ordering on repeat prescriptions.
In his new role, James has been elected as the new vice-chair of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Council, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland. SIGN develops guidelines, based on the most recent medical research, to help health and social care professionals make decisions, with their patients, about care, and make sure patients get the best care available, wherever they live.
James, who lives with his wife and two young children, practices sustainability in his own GP practice in the city’s southside, by cycling to see patients. He is a passionate campaigner for people to make positive lifestyle changes and have more ownership over their own health.
He said: “Sustainability is an issue for all of us as the vast majority of our carbon footprint is preventable. For GPs, like myself, we need to look at prescribing as at least half of medicines that we prescribe are not taken as prescribed. This is a huge waste.
“For example, we understand the messaging with regards to antibiotics, and not to over prescribe to cut down on antibiotic resistance, but we can certainly use the climate and sustainability argument to add some further emphasis to the good practices we already should be following.
“I want us to try to engage with patients to motivate them to improve their health and prevent illness in future where possible through social prescribing. That means sometimes rather than giving someone medicines, working in a garden or taking part in an exercise class can have greater benefits.”
Safia Qureshi, Director of Evidence and Digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We are delighted that James is supporting us with our focus on sustainability.
“Our guidelines already have a keen focus on sustainability, for example, emphasising effective non-pharmacological treatments, such as our guideline on management of depression, and our forthcoming guideline on type 2 diabetes.
“We want our guidelines and advice to provide the best evidence that will empower people to be fully involved in decisions about their health and wellbeing.”
MP IAN MURRAY RECOGNISES EDINBURGH BROTHERS FOR THEIR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF THE ERIC LIDDELL COMMUNITY
Two remarkable young brothers from Edinburgh, 13-year-old Seb Jellema and 10-year-old Max Jellema, have been presented with Community Hero Awards by Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South.
“The awards celebrate their exceptional commitment to the Eric Liddell Community’s Olympic Year Appeal, a key part of the Eric Liddell 100 campaign commemorating the centenary year of the Olympic Hero’s iconic 400m gold medal victory at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell’s triumph earned him the enduring title of ‘The Flying Scotsman’.
Seb and Max have embodied Eric Liddell’s values of passion, compassion, and integrity through their inspiring fundraising challenges. Both brothers have maintained extraordinary daily running challenges, with Seb on day 712 of running and Max on day 347.
As part of the Flying Scots Challenge, a September initiative within the Eric Liddell 100 campaign, the brothers also completed an impressive 100km to raise funds and awareness for the Olympic Year Appeal. This challenge united participants across Scotland in celebrating Eric Liddell’s legacy while supporting the Eric Liddell Community’s work in education, sport, and community service.
Ian Murray MP praised the brothers’ determination: “I was absolutely delighted to present Seb and Max with Community Hero Awards in recognition of their superb efforts for the Eric Liddell Community’s ‘Flying Scots’ Challenge.
“They are a real credit to themselves, their family and the whole of the south of Edinburgh. Well done Seb and Max – keep up the good work!”
Seb and Max’s journey is rooted in their admiration for Eric Liddell, a Scottish Olympic Hero renowned not only for his Olympic victory but also for his values of passion, compassion, and integrity. Earlier this year, Seb and Max were honoured with Eric Liddell 100 medals at a ceremony marking the renaming of a path in Bruntsfield Links to ‘The Eric Liddell Way.’
Reflecting on their sons’ achievements, Claire and Nick Jellema shared: “We couldn’t be prouder of Seb and Max for receiving these Community Hero Awards.
“For them, their daily running challenge isn’t just about physical effort – it’s a source of joy and personal growth. They cherish the time spent outdoors, often in nature, using it as a moment to reset from busy days, catch up with each other, and gain a real sense of accomplishment.
“Max has especially enjoyed connecting his challenge to the incredible legacy of Eric Liddell. Learning about such an inspiring figure and seeing how one person’s story can continue to influence and unite others has been profoundly motivating for him.
“It’s amazing to see our children embodying the values of passion, compassion, and integrity, and being recognised for their efforts means the world to all of us.”
John MacMillan, CEO of the Eric Liddell Community, praised the brothers’ efforts: “Seb and Max have been extraordinary ambassadors for the Eric Liddell Community.
“Their dedication reflects the spirit of Eric Liddell and shows how young people can lead the way in preserving his legacy while making a difference in their communities.”
For those who would like to support the Eric Liddell Community, the charity invites you to contribute directly to its Christmas Appeal, to donate please visit The Eric Liddell Community website at ericliddell.org.
UK Government reaches legally binding agreement with EP Group that protects Royal Mail’s workers and key services whilst keeping it headquartered in the UK
Business Secretary reaches agreement with Royal Mail’s prospective new owners after in latest example of government working hand in hand with private sector to improve crucial public services.
Agreement backs Government’s Plan for Change, creating the strong foundations needed in Britian’s supply chain to kickstart economic growth and deliver for workers.
Deal protects workers and key services whilst seeing Royal Mail continue to be headquartered in Britain, securing jobs and tax receipts in the UK.
The Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has today [16 December] received legally binding commitments from Royal Mail bidder Daniel Křetínský that are intended to secure the long-term, sustainable future of Royal Mail whilst protecting crucial services for millions of customers across the UK.
This significant agreement, between the Department for Business and Trade and Daniel Křetínský’s EP Group, contains commitments that protect, and secure investment in, Royal Mail’s postal network which is important to everyone from small business owners in Southampton to online shoppers in Shetland.
These commitments deliver on the Government’s Plan for Change, kickstarting economic growth by providing stability to a national institution that strengthens the foundations of Britain’s domestic supply chain and delivers better public services to people across the whole country.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:“For too many years progress on securing a stable future at Royal Mail has stalled, but from day one we have been committed to providing a secure future for thousands of workers and customers.
“Today’s agreement is yet another example of this Government’s commitment to working hand in hand with business to generate reform give respite to people right across the UK, as we are working towards ensuring a financially stable Royal Mail with protected links between communities other providers can’t reach.
“I’d like to thank EP Group and Daniel Křetínský for their constructive approach to our discussions and their commitment to protecting this national icon. I look forward to working with them to fix the foundations and ensure Royal Mail continues to deliver for the communities and businesses who rely on it most.”
Recognising the importance of Royal Mail as an iconic national institution, the government has negotiated a ‘Golden Share’ which will ensure that, with very limited exception, the headquarters of Royal Mail cannot be moved abroad and that Royal Mail cannot change where it pays its taxes, in either case without UK government approval.
These restrictions will apply to any future owners of Royal Mail and, alongside other commitments to the brand and cypher, secure Royal Mail’s identity as an iconic British institution whilst also allowing it to operate as a fully private company without day-to-day government interference.
EP Group have also committed to honour any new agreements entered into with the postal unions, recognising that workers should be placed at the heart of a sustainable Royal Mail.
After months of constructive engagement, these legally binding commitments were voluntarily offered by EP Group in recognition of the significant contribution that Royal Mail makes to Britain’s national identity and the importance that it has in everyday life in the UK.
EP Group Chairman Daniel Křetínský said:“EP Group is very pleased to have reached this historic agreement with the Business Secretary to safeguard the future of Royal Mail, under EP Group ownership.
“We would like to thank the Business Secretary for the constructive negotiations that have resulted in unprecedented commitments and undertakings that demonstrate the high regard EP Group has for Royal Mail as an institution, the service it provides to millions of UK homes and businesses, and Royal Mail employees.
“EP Group is a long term and committed investor with a mission to make Royal Mail a successful modern postal operator with high quality service and products for its customers. We look forward to delivering on this mission alongside our partners in government.”
Millions of small businesses and consumers across the country rely on Royal Mail for everything from magazines to medicine deliveries, which is why protecting its future following any takeover is critical.
The commitment we have offered include significant financial safeguards including assurances around financial investment and restrictions on value extraction linked to the financial strength of the Royal Mail business and the achievement of specific service level standards.
Today EP Group has also announced that it has reached negotiators’ agreements with the unions representing Royal Mail’s workforce.
The Government welcomes the negotiators’ agreement and is confident that the constructive and collaborrative approach between the unions and the buyer can represent a restart for Royal Mail.
Postal Services Minister Justin Madders said: “We have agreed these commitments with EP Group with the intention of securing the best outcome possible for Royal Mail’s customers, incentivising high performance and protecting the important services communities rely on.
“Royal Mail’s workers will also play a crucial role in getting the company back on track, and I’m pleased that EP Group and the CWU have worked quickly to reach an agreement on their part in the takeover.
“A sustainable Royal Mail is a successful Royal Mail, and through this agreement we’re paving the way towards a brighter future where it can be a source of national pride once again.”
Communication Workers Union General Secretary Dave Ward said: “We are pleased to have reached a negotiators settlement with EP Group covering crucial areas such as job security, the governance of the company, a meaningful stake in the business for employees, restoring quality of service, legally binding commitments and improving the terms and conditions of our members.
“This agreement provides the foundation to rebuild Royal Mail. These have been challenging negotiations but through the support of our members we have delivered what by any measure is a groundbreaking agreement which puts postal workers and customers back at heart of everything Royal Mail does.”
ROYAL MAIL GROUP TAKEOVER BID – NEGOTIATORS AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN CWU AND EP GROUP
Dear Colleagues
Further to last week’s national briefing, CWU branches, reps and members would have seen this morning’s announcements setting out that EP Group and the government have reached agreement on a deed of undertaking, which contains legally binding guarantees from EP Group over the future of Royal Mail.
In light of this development, CWU is pleased to announce that we have reached a groundbreaking negotiators agreement with EP Group, subject to ratification by our Postal Executive.
The key parts of the agreement covers:
•Job security commitments and new legally binding commitments to employees
•Agreed principles on resolving a range of outstanding issues
•The introduction of a radical new governance and business model
•A meaningful stake in the business for employees
•Restoring quality of service •improving the terms and conditions of our members.
•A commitment to a new plan to grow the business
•A complete re-set in employee and industrial relations.
Ultimately the CWU will always campaign for Royal Mail to be returned to public ownership – but the reality is once it became clear the government would support this takeover – our role as a trade union was to do everything possible to protect our members.
Whilst many will fear Royal Mail falling into the hands of a foreign equity investor, the truth is every postal worker knows the status quo is what will kill off postal services in the UK. The Royal Mail Group Board have been running the company into the ground over a sustained period and in the process have completely alienated their own workforce. It is time for a fresh start and a complete re-set of employee and industrial relations.
At this stage, the transaction is not completed and still has some formal stages to go through which include:
•Clearance under the national security act
•Clearance under European regulations
•Shareholders vote
It is likely that all of these processes will be cleared in the first quarter of 2025.
NEXT STEPS FOR CWU
Subject to the document being cleared by our Postal Executive, we will be putting together a comprehensive engagement package this week including briefings for our branches, reps and members.
A new approach to development and the environment will boost the number of homes being built
Measures will create a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth.
Rules will focus on driving up environmental outcomes over rigid processes that block and delay development, with developers able to pay into a fund for improvements to nature as a quicker and simpler way of meeting their environmental obligations.
Measures to turbocharge housebuilding have been set out (15 December) as part of wider proposals for the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The Bill will play a key role in promoting economic growth, unlocking a new scale of delivery for housing and infrastructure.
Common sense changes to environmental rules will support the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and advance 150 major infrastructure project decisions, while also helping halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats.
A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact – accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.
Currently developers may need to secure mitigation for environmental harm before being granted planning permission.
This adds cost, delays and can entirely block the housing and infrastructure our country needs – with rules too focused on preserving the status quo instead of supporting growth and charting a course to nature recovery.
Under these reforms, developers will instead be able to pay into the fund allowing building to proceed immediately – quicker, simpler, and more certain that the broken status quo.
A delivery body, such as Natural England, will then take responsibility for securing positive environmental outcomes, for example, delivering a reduction in nutrient pollution affecting the water environment or securing habitats to increase the population of a protected species.
This represents a shift away from a broken system which has stifled development, growth and nature recovery for far too long – failing communities and the environment.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we so desperately need.
“For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need.
“Our Plan for Change will put an end to the status quo while restoring nature. It’s win-win for development and our environment, including targeted reforms allowing us to use the economic benefits of growth to fund tangible and targeted action for nature’s recovery.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “We were elected on a mandate to get Britain building again and protect nature.
“But the status quo is blocking the building of homes and failing to protect the environment.
“These reforms will allow tens of thousands of homes to be built while protecting the natural environment we all depend on.”
The proposals set out three steps the government will take to help developers get building while delivering their environmental obligations in a more sensible and strategic way.
This approach will mean developers don’t have to pay for individual site level assessments for the matters covered by the Nature Restoration Fund – which adds cost and delay – and will no longer have to deliver mitigation needed.
A single payment will enable development to proceed. A delivery body will then take the actions needed to drive nature recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale:
Government will lead a single strategic assessment and delivery plan for an area – not an individual site – which will allow decisions to be made at an appropriate geographic scale. The current process is uncertain and costly, with assessments on issues such as nutrient neutrality requiring bespoke calculations and significant technical expertise at the level of each individual project. This also misses the opportunity to support the best outcomes for nature.
A public delivery body will consider which actions are needed to address the environmental impact of development across an appropriate area and determine how much developers will pay into the Nature Restoration Fund. The delivery body will secure the actions funded by developers, removing the need for actions to be taken on a case by case basis.
Contributions will be secured from developers to fully fund nature recovery actions. This would enable developers to meet certain environmental obligations through a single payment into the Nature Restoration Fund – which would streamline the process and maximise the impact of money spent on nature by directing it to real world action instead of paperwork and process.
The proposals are set out in a working paper, which seeks views from stakeholders including communities, housing and clean power developers, nature service providers and local authorities. Feedback from the working paper will inform the next stage of policy development.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “It is evident that we need to take urgent action to address the worsening decline of nature, and we must also lean into the challenges posed by housing shortages.
“We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans – but the two key issues of today, nature and economic recovery, should not be pitted against one another, as we step up efforts to avoid losing what protected remnants of nature remain while also restoring some of what has gone.
“Instead, we should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale.”
Commenting on the National Planning Policy Framework, countryside charity CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “‘The broken housebuilding market is to blame for the painfully slow delivery of much-needed new homes. When big housebuilders deliberately limit the supply of new homes to maximise their profits, supercharging the current system will not lead to the change the government is looking for.
‘The government’s plans risk a huge hike in the number of unaffordable, car-dependent homes. Building on England’s 1.2 million shovel-ready brownfield sites would do far more to unlock growth, regenerate communities and provide sustainable, genuinely affordable new homes.
‘We welcome the commitment to local plans and affordable homes. However, local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality Green Belt and farmland. Inevitably, many of these will be approved to meet nationally imposed targets.
‘The ‘grey belt’ policy needs to be much more clearly defined and exclude working farms. It will undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.
‘There’s some hope ahead with plans for a strategy that covers all our use of land. Longer-term commitments to build genuinely affordable and better designed homes are welcome too. Until then,, our countryside will remain needlessly under threat.’
The government would use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to introduce legislative changes to drive action at a strategic level which will provide certainty for both developers and the environment.
This will also establish a more efficient and effective way for Habitats Regulations and other environmental obligations to be discharged, pooling individual contributions to deliver the strategic interventions necessary to drive nature recovery.
Water safety charity launches new video to encourage everyone to #BeAMate this Christmas
With Christmas just around the corner and festive tipples in full swing, a national charity launches its annual winter campaign with sobering new video to encourage everyone to ‘Be a Mate’ this December.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is running its annual Don’t Drink and Drown campaign from 12-20December 2024, targeting festive partygoers to ‘Be a Mate’ and ensure their friends make their way home safely after a night out.
In the last six years, of those aged 18-25 who drowned, 46% lose their lives through a substance-related drowning, informing the charity’s efforts to target this age group through the campaign (WAID, 2018-2023).
Forming part of the December campaign, RLSS UK has released an impactful video which showcases the devastatingly real risks involved when people journey home alone after consuming alcohol – and the tragic reality for some. This scenario helps to reinforce the charity’s wider message of the campaign, urging those enjoying the festive period to be responsible for themselves and their friends if they have had too much to drink and help them to avoid dangerous routes and return home safely.
As work Christmas parties and gatherings with friends and family for the festive period take place across the country, RLSS UK fears that this could result in accidental fatalities as drunk people walk home near the water.
Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “Our research indicates that among those aged 18-25 who lost their lives to accidental drowning, almost half had alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream.
“In a bid to reduce this worryingly high number of substance-related drownings around this time of year, we’ve launched our brand-new campaign video during the festive period, when people are more likely to get merry, and so the risk is significantly higher.
“The video seeks to highlight the importance of making all the right decisions – from not journeying home alone after consuming alcohol, actively looking out for friends, to taking routes home away from water – bringing to life the very harsh reality that this could happen to anyone.
“Our key message remains the same. We encourage everyone to look after their friends, to ‘Be a Mate’ and ensure that everyone gets home safely to their families this Christmas.”
RLSS UK wants to reinforce the message of safety in numbers, avoiding dangerous routes home near the water, and staying together to make sure everyone makes it home safe.
Matt continued: “We know that alcohol and drugs are known to lower inhibitions, which can lead to impaired judgment, and this is where we see people taking risks and getting themselves into trouble in and around water.
“We can’t stress enough the dangers of cold-water shock around this time of year and encourage everyone to partake in festivities, but to do so safely – and to stay safe and away from the water after drinking.
“After all, your presence is the greatest gift your loved ones could ask for this Christmas.”
For more information on the campaign and to support RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign this December, visit www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown where you can also download resources to spread the word and help keep your friends and family safe this winter.
Thanks to everyone who has given us feedback so far by completing our survey!
GIC are passionate about providing the best possible service to our clients and we are delighted with the results and the many positive comments we’ve received since April:
The financial situation of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) is very challenging. In 2025/26, the IJB seek to realise around £51m of savings. Future years will see further savings required, currently estimated to be £76m in 2026/27 and £105m in 2027/28.
These savings will be difficult and their impact will be substantial. So, managing change, and ensuring key services are delivered to communities will require collaboration by the IJB and city partners, including the Third Sector.
Reference Group
On November 1 2024, Third Sector representatives presented deputations to the EIJB challenging proposals around the Third Sector Grants Programme and an in-year cut (2024/2025). The IJB did not approve the proposal for the in-year cut with an alternative proposal being approved.
Following that meeting, the IJB invited Third Sector representatives to talk through concerns and identify areas to work together. To inform those meetings, EVOC and their TSI partners collaborated with the Edinburgh Community Health Forum and representatives of other Third Sector interests across the city to create a Reference Group.
The purpose of the Reference Group is to:
inform governance and city partnerships
assert the value of the Sector
shape investment
support change
distil the voices of the Third Sector to effectively represent the sector on the IJB
EIJB Engagement and Proposals
The Reference Group has rapidly considered the short-term issues around funding, and the longer-term issues of future partnership models, sharing a briefing note with the IJB on issues and options in early December. The engagement with EIJB has been positive given the difficult circumstances, and this positive engagement has resulted in an EIJB paper to the December Board which recommends:
That the Health Inequalities grants programme, due to end on 31 March 2025 should be extended for three months into 2025/26 which will help provide time for the organisations affected to adapt.
The Board support work currently underway to undertake a series of collaborative workshops which will inform some of the savings proposals and invest-to-save opportunities that will be submitted for consideration by the EIJB in March 2025.
In the current landscape this is a positive outcome for the Third Sector, informed directly by the voice, needs and priorities of the Sector.
City of Edinburgh Council Engagement and Proposals
Given the challenges to funding for the Third Sector and the impact cuts will have to the viability of Third Sector Organisations, the Reference Group have also argued the need for a cross city partnership approach to investment.
Following the November 1 EIJB meeting, the TSI wrote to the Chair of the EIJB, the Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian asserting the need to [a] reset investment [b] reform ways of working [c] repair relationships. In the immediate term, a key priority is to secure a commitment from City of Edinburgh to invest to mitigate the risks to critical and anchor organisations.
On December 10 the Council Policy and Sustainability Committee considered and approved a proposal that recognised that the Council may need to provide core or foundational funding to stabilise vital third sector organisations. The TSI with ECHF collaborated to present a joint deputation, welcoming the Council proposal, and offering support.
Council officers were instructed to:
Work on a briefing paper for the Council’s political groups on what the Third sector needs now, specifically transitional funding, medium term, ahead of the Council setting its budget in February;
Undertake a review of all grant funding, exploring the provision of longer term, sustainable funding;
Work with the Edinburgh Partnership and Third Sector to co-design solutions, and agree terms of reference for a short life group and report back to Policy and Sustainability Committee in March.
Priorities: December EIJB meeting and Future Planning
The Reference Group will continue to meet and shape the next steps. An immediate priority is to agree on Terms of Reference and confirm representatives in the Group. We will be sharing a set of proposals before Christmas for your consideration.
A strong voice is essential to shape the long-term relationship with the EIJB and in particular the workshop series in spring 2025.
The Edinburgh TSI with EVOC and others from the Reference Group will support the paper to the EIJB on December 17 on progress on the Third Sector Grants Programme and the next steps in working collaboratively with the Sector, and also with the City of Edinburgh Council.
If you need any further information in advance of the IJB meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 17 December), please get in touch with us or reach out to any member of the Reference Group.
We will also provide regular briefings on progress, through the fortnightly EVOC E-news and targeted updates on key information as necessary.
