Young journalist from Portobello aims to tackle election misinformation

A new youth-led broadcast project is set to tackle misinformation and disinformation during the upcoming Scottish Elections, giving young people across the country a platform to investigate claims and engage voters with fact-checked reporting.

Launched yesterday (25 March 2026) Future Proof is an innovative initiative led by the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF). Six young journalists from across Scotland have been recruited to report on election campaigns through the lens of misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content.

One of the six journalists is Rory Kirkpatrick from Portobello. Rory said: “As misinformation seems to get more and more prevalent, bringing attention to the truth only becomes more important.

“I believe we all must adapt to the ways that the spread of misinformation is changing in the age of social media.

“I’m joining SYFF’s Future Proof newsroom with the aim of helping people stay informed so that they can make decisions based off facts.”

Also joining Rory will be Emilie from Fort William, Robert from Kiltarlity, Rachel and Santi from Glasgow, and Tom from Kirkcaldy. Together, they offer a broad and diverse perspective on the issues affecting young people across the country.

Starting from 8 April, the team will produce four weekly live shows on YouTube, broadcasting every Tuesday at 6pm until 29 April. Each programme will investigate misleading claims, fabricated facts and AI generated content circulating during the campaign, while highlighting the issues that matter most to young voters.

Following each broadcast, the team will host a companion interactive webinar, allowing young people across Scotland to question the journalists directly and engage with expert guests on the key topics shaping the election.

The sessions aim to support engagement among young and first-time voters, while also providing relevant discussion material for teachers and pupils in schools.

David Barras, co-founder of the Scottish Youth Film Foundation, said:
“It’s fantastic that Rory is supporting this really important project. Future Proof puts young people at the heart of one of the most important conversations in modern democracy – how we recognise truth in an age of misinformation.

“By giving young journalists the tools to investigate claims and question narratives, we’re helping ensure that the next generation of voters is informed, confident and ready to engage.

“The project was inspired by a discussion on media literacy and disinformation at the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics in summer 2025. Building on that conversation, Future Proof invites young people to articulate the issues that go beyond party political priorities and bring their perspectives to the centre of election debate.”

The post-show webinars are being delivered with support from Scotland’s Development Education Centres, working collectively on media literacy as part of global citizenship education under the umbrella of Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA).

The project is being advised by Huw Owen, a former BBC Scotland News Editor who is also the Co-Chair of the Education Committee of SIDA.

Huw Owen said: “The impact of malicious and careless communication via digital and social media is now having a profound effect on all our lives. Supercharged by AI fakes, it is fuelling polarisation and fear within and between many of our communities here in Scotland and beyond. It is a clear threat to civilised debate and long shared democratic values.

“Across the globe, the distortion or misinterpretation of facts about conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and now Iran, or the undermining of well-established research on the climate crisis, must be combated with up-to-date guidance and support to help us turn the tide towards truth, honesty and decency in our politics.

“As a global citizenship community across Scotland and beyond, we firmly believe this effort must start in our schools and other places of learning. We need to reaffirm universal values of fairness and tolerance along with up-to-date tools and techniques to actively combat disinformation. 

“This must be an overarching priority for whichever government is elected at Holyrood. It’s not too late to future proof our democracy.” 

The initiative also brings together a range of national partners supporting young people’s participation in democratic debate.

Global fact-checking organisation Full Fact will provide training to the young journalists. The organisation has warned about the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation during election campaigns and continues to call for stronger responses to protect democratic processes.

Mark Frankel from Full Fact says: “These elections are taking place against a backdrop of an unprecedented distortion of facts. The public feels ill-equipped to deal with the manipulation of information they see before them and the threat of AI as they see it.

“Things are emerging online which are being pushed to them and they don’t know whether to believe it. It’s clear that this is undermining trust in our politicians, trust in the political system and the future of our democracies.”

Additional partners include Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament, whose report “Young People and Politics” has informed the project and whose networks will help bring young voices into the conversation through guest speakers and participation opportunities.

The John Smith Centre will also contribute guest speakers and provide access to a youth hustings event taking place at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on 26 April.

Future Proof will stream live on YouTube at 6pm on 8, 15, 22 and 29 April. Each broadcast will be followed by an interactive webinar open to schools, youth organisations and young people across Scotland.

Foysol Choudhury reflects on Parliamentary term

As his term as a Member of the Scottish Parliament comes to a close, Foysol Choudhury reflects on five years of representing the people of the Lothians, highlighting key achievements and defining issues during his time in office. 

Since being elected in 2021, Foysol Choudhury has worked to address the most pressing concerns facing constituents, including NHS waiting times and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He has concluded thousands of constituency cases, the majority of which relate to health, housing, and civil law and rights. 

Many of these cases involve highly complex issues that Mr. Choudhury has supported his constituents with over several years. 

Healthcare has remained a central focus of his work. Choudhury consistently advocated for improved access to GP services, reduced waiting times, and increased funding for diabetes treatment and brain tumour research. His work in this area contributed to progress in diabetes care and earned recognition through a Holyrood Awards nomination. 

In 2025, he led the Parliament’s first Members’ Business debate on access to medical devices, placing patient experience at the forefront of policy discussions and pushing for improved access to essential treatments. 

Beyond healthcare, Mr Choudhury supported communities on a wide range of local issues. He campaigned against unsafe housing conditions such as damp and mould, helped residents in Westfield Court pause demolition plans, and worked with communities in Eyre Place Lane to challenge over-scaled developments. 

His work also covered infrastructure and local services, where he applied sustained pressure to progress projects such as the Winchburgh train station, supported South Queensferry residents seeking improved access to new housing via Ferrymuir Gait Road, and advocated for the revitalisation of Drylaw Shopping Centre. 

He further pressed for faster progress on a new East Calder Health Centre and challenged cuts to health, social care, and community funding, warning of their impact on vulnerable communities. 

As the first Bangladeshi Member of the Scottish Parliament, Foysol Choudhury worked to bring issues of racism and inequality to parliamentary debate. He called for stronger action to tackle racism, greater clarity on resources for schools, and supported efforts to promote a more inclusive curriculum reflecting Scotland’s diversity. 

Foysol Choudhury also played a key role in advancing a petition on swimming provision, backing his constituent’s campaign and calling for a consistent national approach to ensure all children can swim by the end of primary school, emphasising it as a vital, life-saving skill. 

Reflecting on his time in office, Foysol Choudhury said:It has been a true privilege to represent the people of the Lothians. I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, shared their stories, and allowed me to champion their causes.

“This work would not have been possible without the dedication, care, and tireless efforts of so many: my team, colleagues, organisations, and communities driving change. My sincere thanks to you all.

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Football Aid: Looking for Jodie

Does anyone recognise this photo?

PYCP have been contacted by the founder of Football Aid, who shared this brilliant picture taken at Tynecastle Park when Football Aid first launched.

The girl in the photo is believed to be Jodie Anderson from Pilton, who was around 6 years old at the time — so likely to be around 27 now.

They’d love to reconnect with her, so we thought we’d share it here in case someone knows her or she happens to see it herself.

Please feel free to share with family and friends.

20th anniversary of Scotland’s leading smoke-free law celebrated

Public health charities, trade union representatives and people whose health or business improved following the ban of smoking in indoor public spaces are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s UK-leading smoke-free legislation coming into force on 26 March.

Despite tobacco industry’s misinformation and campaigns to prevent the legislation which cleared the air in hospitality venues across the country, there was a recorded 99.4% compliance rate in pubs within eight weeks of the ban.

Longer term benefits of the ban included a 17% reduction in adult heart attack admissions to Scottish hospitals, reversing a previous rising trend, and an 18% decline in child asthma admissions. Second-hand smoke exposure among bar workers also reduced by 86%.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Scotland’s UK-leading smoke-free public spaces legislation was a major public health success in encouraging many people to give up smoking and driving down the dangerous exposure of toxic second-hand smoke for staff and customers, including children, in indoor settings.

“We are delighted to celebrate what is considered one of the most important public health measures in the first quarter of the 21st century and a landmark achievement of the devolved Scottish Parliament.

“We hope its success encourages the next generation of MSPs to further extend smoke-free protections especially to areas most used by children such as in playgrounds, around schools and in sporting facilities.”

Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the Scottish Trade Unions Congress (STUC), said: “The indoor smoking ban has been an unparalleled success and it was entirely right – thanks to the campaigning of organisations and unions across the country – that the then Scottish Executive showed leadership in introducing UK-leading smoke-free legislation. 

“Protecting workers in their workplace is a core principle of our movement. We’re proud to have helped deliver improved health outcomes and a safer working environment for bar workers and hospitality staff across Scotland and will continue to build on that work as this leading legislation marks its 20th anniversary”

Lilian Macer, UNISON Scottish secretary,said: “The smoking ban marked a fundamental shift in public health in Scotland. UNISON is Scotland’s biggest health union, and this decision had a significant impact on our health services and improved workplaces. 

“It seemed like radical legislation at the time, but it quickly became the new normal and it would now be unthinkable to return to smoke filled rooms.

“I remember feeling pride as people in Scotland just got on with it. The lack of resistance was because civic Scotland built a consensus around the legislation.

“It was a catalyst for a big reduction in smoking, particularly amongst young people and we’ll reap the benefits for generations to come – particularly in the NHS. Of course we’ve much more to do, but it’s important to mark the significant progress we’ve made.”

Gareth Brown, Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: “As we welcome the 20-year anniversary of the smoking ban in Scotland, we can reflect that something that seemed controversial at the time is now commonplace across much of Europe and indeed the world with widespread and popular support.

“The ban ensured that smoking inside public places has thankfully ceased, with the link between socialising and smoking broken. Since then, generations of young people have never started smoking and have largely avoided the harms caused by passive tobacco smoke.

“This has helped to bring down smoking rates, but there is much still to be done, particularly in more disadvantaged area. Scotland needed this ban to improve the nation’s lung health, and our fight continues to help everyone breathe better.”

Revitalising communities

Initiatives to drive economic growth and tackle poverty

Funding for community regeneration projects in Granton and Wester Hailes

Projects to create jobs and regenerate communities across Scotland will benefit from funding set out in the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes outlined 32 projects across Scotland which will benefit from the latest round of the £36 million Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The proposals are expected to support more than 1,200 new jobs and 800 training opportunities as well as bringing 21 disused or derelict sites back into use.

Initiatives include funding to transform Granton Lighthouse into a hub for musicians, artists and creative businesses, with studios and offices as well as exhibition space and a café open to the public.

Other projects include:

  • starting works on an advanced manufacturing park for maritime technologies on the River Clyde
  • creating affordable homes in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands
  • expanding watersports businesses in Tarbert and Campbeltown
  • extending Harris’s only visitor centre to include retail and events space and student accommodation

Following a visit to Granton Lighthouse Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This investment will make a real difference to people’s lives – providing affordable homes, economic opportunities and community spaces the length and breadth of Scotland.

“Creating hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will boost family incomes and give children a better start in life.

“Granton Lighthouse is a beacon for its community’s future. Once derelict, it will become a vibrant creative hub as part of our commitment to support plans to regenerate Granton Waterfront into a thriving coastal community.”

Granton Lighthouse will be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust after its restoration. Rob Hoon, Chief Executive of the trust, said: “Out of the Blue is delighted that the Scottish Government has granted regeneration funding for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse. 

“We have been an integral part of the team planning the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a significant landmark listed building loved by local people, who see an exciting opportunity for involvement in a new creative space, with opportunities for learning, a cafe, studios, music practice and recording.”

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund projects for 2026-27:

  • Granton Lighthouse Creative Hub (City of Edinburgh) — £2,277,545
  • The Scottish Marine Technology Park (West Dunbartonshire Council) – £4,229,000
  • Achagarry: homes for Coigach (Highland Council) — £575,920
  • Sustainable living in Applecross (Highland Council) — £552,000
  • Hebrides People Visitor Centre (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) — £1,850,000
  • Kintyre Seasports (Argyll and Bute Council) — £800,000
  • Tarbert Harbour Community Water Sports and Activity Hub (Argyll and Bute Council) — £850,000
  • North Uist Community and Heritage (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) — £599,000
  • Tighnabruaich community refuelling and business hub (Argyll and Bute Council) — £120,000
  • 130–132 High Street, Dumfries (Dumfries and Galloway Council) — £838,909
  • GDI site remediation and enabling works, Gatehouse of Fleet (Dumfries and Galloway Council) — £1,034,058
  • Kirkton Community Centre (Dundee Council) — £1,426,916
  • Bourtreehill village regeneration (North Ayrshire Council) — £1,169,000
  • The Cairnlea Centre: a wellbeing hub for Airdrie (North Lanarkshire Council) – £1,700,000
  • Grant Lodge: gateway to Moray (Moray Council) — £1,104,827
  • Speldiburn Community Hub enhancement project (Shetland Council) — £997,943
  • A new community hub and civic square for Dalgety Bay (Fife Council) — £1,500,000
  • Rouken Glen Wellbeing and Enterprise Hub (East Renfrewshire Council) — £450,000
  • Shawfield Innovation – Red Tree Labs (Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company) – £1,000,000
  • Nonhebel Park final phase (Argyll and Bute Council) — £648,500
  • Aberfeldy Affordable Housing (Perth and Kinross Council) — £300,000
  • Greenway Micro Community Hub (City of Edinburgh Council) – £464,200
  • Ionad Eilean na h-Òige (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) – £959,000
  • CRT new speculative units (Fife Council) – £3,756,638
  • Springburn Winter Gardens (Glasgow City Council) – £1,129,059
  • Community and business units at the Space (Highland Council) – £500,000
  • Westray Community Hub (Orkney Council) – £1,200,000
  • Johnstone vision – Houston Court regeneration (Renfrewshire Council) – £850,000
  • The bandstand project (South Ayrshire Council) – £700,000
  • Barr Community Hub (South Ayrshire Council) – £500,000
  • Glassford Village Hall redevelopment (South Lanarkshire Council) – £750,000
  • Stoneyburn Community Hub (West Lothian Council) — £1,200,000.

Information on Wester Hailes’ Greenway Micro Community Hub:

Celebrating the Scotland men’s national team

First Minister: “Qualifying for the World Cup was a landmark moment”

First Minister John Swinney has met the Scotland men’s national team in Glasgow to celebrate the squad qualifying for their first World Cup finals since 1998.

The Scotland men’s national side, managed by Steve Clarke and captained by Andy Robertson MBE, will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C this summer, with matches taking place in Boston and Miami.

The Scottish Government has announced £2 million for a “Summer of Sport” football fund to support clubs across the country to deliver new opportunities for children and young people by using the power of football.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Football is woven into the fabric of life in Scotland. The men’s team qualifying for the World Cup was a landmark moment, and the reaction to the dramatic win against Denmark illustrated how important football is to this country.

“Thousands of fans will make the journey to the USA, but the whole country will be right behind the team. The Scottish Government will build on the excitement surrounding the World Cup and Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games to deliver new sporting opportunities for young people across the country.

“Qualifying for the finals is an incredible achievement and I’m very proud of the team – tonight was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate that success.”

World Cup Public Holiday – gov.scot

World Cup bank holiday confirmed – gov.scot

Investing in sport and physical activity – gov.scot

Scotland’s World Cup group fixtures:

  • Scotland v Haiti — Boston, 14 June, 02:00 BST
  • Scotland v Morocco — Boston, 19 June, 23:00 BST
  • Scotland v Brazil — Miami, 24 June, 23:00 BST

Under Barker’s Orders – Corgi Derby takes centre stage at Musselburgh Racecourse on Easter Saturday

Mussleburgh Racecourse Easter Saturday 2025

The race distance is only 70 metres but for the packed field taking part in Musselburgh Racecourse’s famous Corgi Derby on Easter Saturday it will take a marathon effort to claim victory.

Now in its fifth year, the hotly-contested event returns on Musselburgh’s opening Flat fixture of the season on 4 April, bringing together 15 dogged rivals in a race that has grown from a one-off Jubilee celebration into an event with genuine international interest.

First staged in 2022 to mark the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and her well-known love of corgis, the race has taken on a life of its own, attracting entries from across the UK.

More than 50 dogs were entered so a ballot was held, but among those lining up are familiar faces including former champions Georgie Rumbles (2022) and Rodney (2023) – returning to try to recapture their titles – while ever-present contenders Toffee and Pippin maintain their record of having competed in every race so far.

Mussleburgh Racecourse Easter Saturday 2025

Last year’s top dog and local hero Juno, will be looking to retain the crown, fresh from a training routine that including chasing down seagulls on nearby Portobello Beach. The race is scheduled for 12.15pm, with the runners gathering beforehand in the racecourse parade ring where the 2026 champion corgi will return for a trophy presentation.

While the corgis may grab the headlines, the day itself offers the highest quality Flat racing with a £300,000-plus card, featuring the Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup, the historic Queen’s Cup and the introduction of a new £80,000 Listed contest – the Virgin Bet Goliath Cup.

Off the track, Musselburgh lives up to its reputation as one of Scotland’s best family day-out venues, with live music between races provided by Banjo Lounge, a wide range of street food and bars, and a lively after-racing party hosted by Forth One’s Garry Spence, ensuring the fun continues after the final race.

For families, the popular Kid’s Clip Clop Zone returns, complete with free fairground rides, face painting and the Easter Bunny who will be handing out free chocolate eggs, while children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Mussleburgh Racecourse Easter Saturday 2025

Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development, at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “The famous Corgi Derby has become something of a runaway hit and what started as a bit of fun has grown into a real highlight of the Easter weekend for thousands of our visitors.

“It’s a perfect fun start to what is a high-quality day of racing and it underlines that a day at the races can combine both top-class competitive sport and great entertainment.”

Admission tickets purchased before midnight on 3 April benefit from a £4 discount. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Payment rise for foster and kinship carers

Scottish Recommended Allowance to increase in line with inflation

Financial support for kinship and foster carers will increase in 2026-27 – helping them meet the cost of living challenges and to provide more for the children and young people they care for.

The Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) will be uprated by 3.8% for 2026-27, which is in line with the Consumer Price Index inflation rate recorded in September 2025.  This uplift – part of the Scottish Government’s work to Keep the Promise to Scotland’s care experienced young people by 2030 – will be supported by an additional £4.3 million investment.

From April 2026, kinship and foster carers will receive a weekly allowance, based on the age of each child they care for, of:

  • 0 to 4 years: £177.68
  • 5-15 years: £206.71
  • 16-17 years: £283.35

The SRA was first introduced in Scotland in August 2023 to ensure all eligible foster and kinship carers receive a consistent minimum level of financial support, regardless of where they live.

Following a review of the allowance, the Scottish Government agreed in March 2026 to uplift the SRA annually in line with inflation.

Promise Minister Natalie Don-Innes said: “Foster and kinship carers do an extraordinary job in providing safe, stable, and loving homes for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people. It is only right that the financial support they receive keeps pace with the cost of living.

“This uplift is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Keep The Promise and to ensuring that carers are properly supported in the vital work they do. I am grateful to all the foster and kinship carers, local authorities, and organisations who contributed to the review of the SRA, and look forward to continued partnership working to build on the progress we have made.”

The Scottish Government provides an annual investment of £17.9 million for the allowance. The uplift for this year is backed by an additional £4.3 million. 

Funding boost for Outdoor Play across Scotland

Children and families across Scotland will soon benefit from expanded outdoor play  opportunities, as 41 organisations receive funding to develop local initiatives. 

Three Edinburgh projects are set to receive funding:

  • Bridgend Farmhouse £15,625.00
  • Smart Play Network £15,972.00
  • Wester Hailes Growing Communities £19,751.00

The Outdoor Community Play Fund, managed by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish  Government, supports free, child‑led outdoor play in communities where it can have the  greatest impact.  

Outdoor play is essential for healthy childhoods, stronger families, and thriving communities.  Access to this funding ensures that children living in Scotland’s most deprived areas, as well  as those in rural and remote communities, can access safe, high-quality and inclusive play  opportunities. 

Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise Natalie Don-Innes said: “We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. Playing outside is great for  children’s health and happiness. 

“For the first time, local grassroots groups in rural areas will receive funding to create  opportunities for children to play outside in rural parts of Scotland, and the fund will also  continue to support play charities to create opportunities for children in the most deprived  areas to play outside. 

“While the funding supports opportunities for outdoor play all-year-round, with the warmer  months approaching it’s a great time to find out what outdoor play is on near you. I’m really  pleased the Scottish Government can help make this happen.”  

Twenty-two Scottish charities working in the most deprived communities will receive funding  support to deliver free, child‑led outdoor play.

Outdoor play will be delivered using the Play  Ranger model, helping children build confidence, develop social skills, and enjoy nature in a  way that supports their wellbeing and development. 

A further 19 grassroots groups in rural and remote areas will receive funding to develop  sustainable outdoor play provision that reflects the needs, geography, and character of local  communities.

The aim of this funding is to help smaller community organisations overcome  barriers, build capacity, and commence delivery of outdoor play for children and families. 

OutLET: Play Resource, one of the organisations to receive funding, said: “We are delighted  to have received Outdoor Community Play funding this year.

“This valuable funding ensures  we can continue delivering our Wellwoods programme, providing inclusive, high-quality  outdoor play experiences for children and their caregivers.

“Families tell us these  opportunities are a lifeline – providing a welcoming space where they can support their  wellbeing, and feel confident enjoying their local woodlands and greenspaces for play,  connection and growth.”  

In addition to managing the fund, Inspiring Scotland plays a central role in strengthening the  sector by offering funded organisations a wide range of support to build capacity and share  best practice nationally.

Through hands-on guidance, practical tools, and strategic advice,  Inspiring Scotland helps enhance the quality and effectiveness of third sector delivery across the country.

Funded organisations also benefit from support to secure match funding,  increasing investment in communities experiencing high levels of deprivation as well as  those in rural and remote areas. 

Julia Abel, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland, said: “This welcomed investment recognises what the evidence has long shown: outdoor play is  essential for children’s wellbeing, development, and long-term outcomes.

“Inspiring Scotland  is proud to continue to collaborate with community organisations nationwide to create high quality, inclusive outdoor play opportunities that build resilience, strengthen families, and  improve life chances.”  

Funding will support the delivery of outdoor play opportunities and contribute directly to the  ambitions set out in the Scottish Government’s Play: Vision Statement and Action Plan.

By  investing in locally‑led outdoor play, the fund aims to strengthen community resilience,  support parents and families, improve wellbeing, and enable more children to enjoy  everyday play in nature.