Category: North Edinburgh News

“High streets revived and children given safe places to play”

New initiative will support local areas to reimagine and revive their struggling high streets

Communities are set to see their areas transformed through a £319 million investment announced today, as part of the Pride in Place strategy to restore pride and opportunity in neighbourhoods across the country. 

The investment is delivered through four clear strands: 

High streets reinvigorated – A £301 million commitment to High Streets Innovation Partnerships will support local communities to reimagine and revive struggling high streets and make them fit for the future.  

Through these partnerships, town centres could be transformed into mixed-use spaces with new homes, health services, libraries, community hubs and green spaces.  

Local businesses and other organisations will be encouraged to get involved, with locations confirmed in due course.

Funding will also support a summer of activity on high streets this year, with innovative measures to boost footfall — just as areas are set to benefit from major culture and sporting events including the World Cup. 

Safe places for children to play – A further £18 million will be spent ensuring children in 66 of the most deprived communities have quality play spaces, with cash earmarked to buy new or upgrade playgrounds across the country from Tyneside to Torquay.  

Areas with the highest income deprivation affecting children and the poorest access to play were chosen, to ensure money goes to places that need it most. 

Local progress accelerated – Plans are also moving forward for areas in the first phase of Pride in Place, providing communities £20 million over 10 years to spend on what matters most to them and kickstarting a wave of regeneration across the country. 

Tearing up the rulebook on public spend2ing – Five projects will test a new initiative to get local agencies such as councils, the NHS and schools to pool their cash and work together instead of operating in silos.  

The projects will tackle the SEND challenge in Liverpool, prevent youth offending in the North East, support teenagers struggling with their mental health in the Black Country, help adults facing multiple disadvantage in Doncaster, and get young people into work in West Yorkshire.  

If it works, the government intends to roll this model out nationwide. 

Taken together, this marks the latest step forward in the government’s mission to restore pride in communities across the country and put power back in the hands of people with skin in the game. 

Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “People have watched their communities decline for too long, with little say over how they’re run. This government is determined to change that — giving communities the tools, the funding and the power they need to rebuild. 

“From new playgrounds to reimagined high streets, we’re putting power back in people’s hands. People across the country will see and feel the difference this investment makes, restoring pride in local areas.” 

Funding for playgrounds will flow straight to local areas, with no requirements to bid or compete against other places. Councils receiving funding will also be encouraged to consider buying British materials. 

Pride in Place areas pressing ahead with their plans today include: 

  • In Canvey Island, where the community plan puts the cost-of-living front and centre – with funding directed at a stronger town centre, better local health services, more for young people to do, and improved job opportunities and wages. 
  • In Clifton, a new community hub at the heart of their neighbourhood will be built – a focal point for local services, activities and support. The funding will also improve parks, strengthen the high street, and open up new opportunities for young people. 
  • In Dewsbury, the Neighbourhood Board is funding the establishment of an enforcement and prevention team to address crime and anti-social behaviour. 
  • In Dudley, 15 trusted community representatives have been trained to lead conversations in their own networks, reaching residents who might not engage through traditional routes – building community power from day one. 
  • In Durham, the funding will create a ’children and young people’s fund’ and support local businesses to invest in street safety and active travel. 
  • In Eastbourne, the plan centres on bringing empty and neglected buildings back into use — giving them new purpose for the community. Funding will also target deprived neighbourhoods, revitalise the town centre and seafront, and create better opportunities for local people. 
  • In Greenock, a new Enterprise Hub will give start-ups and growing businesses a base to thrive — backed by investment in skills, heritage, town centre living, and place branding to attract residents, visitors and investors. 
  • In Leigh, young people are firmly in the driving seat, with strong youth leadership, extensive local engagement and clear power-sharing embedded from the start. 
  • In Torquay, residents are driving improvements to streets, the town centre, and skills and training. 
  • In Wrexham, the funding will go towards a new youth zone and making the town centre safer and more welcoming for everyone.

This funding package was first confirmed at the Budget by the Chancellor.

The 66 communities receiving playground funding are: 

Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley, Salford, Tameside, Wolverhampton, Redcar and Cleveland, Bolton, Oldham, Wirral, Rotherham, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Tendring, Knowsley, North East Lincolnshire, Hyndburn, Blackpool, East Lindsey, Thanet, Middlesbrough, Castle Point, Pendle, Trafford, Sunderland, Rochdale, Preston, Manchester, Stockport, Wyre, North Tyneside, Medway, Hartlepool, Sefton, St. Helens, County Durham, Dover, Blackburn with Darwen, Havant, Bradford, Wigan, Bury, Doncaster, Wakefield, Calderdale, Fenland, Bassetlaw, Kirklees, Darlington, Isle of Wight, North Northamptonshire, Torbay, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Eastbourne, Mansfield, Northumberland, Ashfield, Barnsley, Wychavon, Cheshire East, Canterbury, Hastings, Halton, Lincoln, West Lancashire, Southend-on-Sea (i.e none in Scotland).

G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on support to partners in the Middle East

Joint Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and the High Representative of the EU

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies.

We condemn in the strongest terms the regime’s reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Iraq, in line with UNSC Resolution 2817.

The Iranian regime’s unjustifiable attacks against these states also threaten regional and global security. We call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks by the Iranian regime.

We reaffirm the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, and safety of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and all associated critical waterways, as well as the safety and security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets. We stand ready to take necessary measures to support global supply of energy such as the stockpile release decided by International Energy Agency members on March 11.

The G7 has repeatedly stated that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and that it must halt its ballistic missile program, end its destabilizing activities in the region and around the globe, and cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people. 

We support the right of the countries unjustifiably attacked by Iran or by Iranian proxies to defend their territories and protect their citizens. We reaffirm our unwavering support for their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

We condemn the brazen attacks in Iraq by Iran and its militias against diplomatic facilities and energy infrastructure, particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and against U.S. and Counter ISIS Coalition forces, and the Iraqi people.

The Poverty Alliance: Tacking the stigma of poverty

How can we reduce the prejudice and judgement that’s too-often placed on people on low incomes?

Our research team worked with SPIRU at Glasgow Caledonian University and the Wales Centre for Public Policy | Canolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru to see what the evidence says.

https://wcpp.org.uk/…/Policy-brief-What-works-to-reduce…

Policy-brief-What-works-to-reduce-poverty-stigma-February-2026Download

New Framework Agreement in place to deliver £350m worth of housing projects in Edinburgh

The first part of a Framework Agreement to support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Edinburgh, worth around £350m, is now live.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s four-year New Build Housing Framework Agreement will provide an efficient route to procure the construction of new build housing. This will help tackle the city’s housing emergency by aiding the Council’s ambition to deliver 25,000 affordable homes.

Lot 1, the first of two lots encompassed by the Framework, was approved by Finance and Resources Committee in January and, after a mandatory standstill period, is now live. The Lot is split into three sub-Lots based upon the size of prospective sites – one to 30 homes, 31 to 100 homes and 100+ homes. By splitting Lot 1 into sub-Lots the Council aimed to encourage greater participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), reducing overall reliance on a small number of contractors.

Now that successful contractors have been awarded a place under the Agreement, the Council can progress housebuilding projects with them more quickly, without the need for a full tender process each time.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Tim Pogson, said: “We’re fully committed to addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, pledging a record £1.6bn to housebuilding in this year’s budget, helping to realise our ambition to build 25,000 new affordable homes across the city.

“Procuring the right contractors to deliver these homes can take time, so I’m pleased that Lot 1 of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement is now in place, helping to streamline the process and letting us tackle the issue at pace.

“Our Procurement Service’s innovative approach to the Framework has opened opportunities to a broader range of contractors, including SMEs, increasing capacity for house building projects.”

Lot 2 will focus on collaboration, allowing the Council to work with other partners to jointly procure sites to achieve economies of scale.

A further award report for Lot 2 will be presented to Finance and Resources Committee in the coming months. Contracts awarded under both Lots of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement are valued in total at an estimated £600m.

A robust tender process carried out by Commercial and Procurement Services involved engagement with the market and attracted 22 responses across both Lots.

According to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) for the South-East Scotland area, there is demand for between 36,000 and 52,000 new homes in Edinburgh between 2021 to 2040, between 24,000 and 35,000 of which need to be affordable.

Read the report Award of New Build Housing Framework Agreement – Lot 1 online.

A1 fatal crash: Can you help Police?

POLICE appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A1.

The crash involved a Renault Austral and Land Rover Defender and happened around 9.05am yesterday – Saturday, 21 March – near Torness Power Station.

The female front passenger of the Austral was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver and the rear passenger were taken to hospital for treatment.

Her next of kin have been informed, however formal identification has yet to take place.

The male driver of the Defender was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died.

“Our enquiries are continuing and I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage, and has not yet spoken to or provided this information to officers, to contact us as soon as possible.

“The road re-opened at 4.15pm on Saturday 21 March, 2026. I want to thank members of the public for their patience while we investigated this serious crash.”

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0753 of 21 March, 2026.

Funding for humanitarian network

£200,000 to support rapid crisis response

An international aid network has received £200,000 Scottish Government funding to support its work responding to humanitarian crises around the world.

The Start Network, bringing together more than 145 non-governmental organisations, provides critical responses to small and medium‑scale crises that often receive little international attention – ensuring communities are not left waiting for support while longer-term solutions are pursued.

Millions of people worldwide have already been supported by the network’s rapid response action in the first days of crises, including support to people displaced by conflict in Ethiopia and Colombia and to those affected by the measles outbreak in Chad.

External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Not all humanitarian crises make the headlines and this money will help some of those that do not attract the world’s attention.

“This funding will strengthen the Start Network’s ability to respond quickly to smaller, often overlooked crises, ensuring that help reaches communities when they need it most. It also reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to localisation, supporting frontline organisations who are best placed to act early and save lives.’

“Regardless of the deeply worrying decision from the UK Government to cut its own Overseas Development Aid allocations, I want to be clear that the Scottish Government’s commitment to international development is absolute and we are proud of the role Scotland plays on the international stage.”

Ira Paredes, Business Development Director of Start Network said: “We would like to thank the Scottish Government for its contribution to the Global Start Fund, one of our key pooled funds.

“We are very excited about this new partnership and the impact it will have on transforming emergency response and locally led humanitarian action.”

Find further information on the work of Start Network here

National Audit Office: Investigation into the Afghan resettlement schemes

Improvements needed to ensure successful completion of Afghan resettlement programme

The government must overcome ongoing challenges including a lack of available housing and poor data to ensure its programme to resettle thousands of Afghan citizens in the UK is successfully completed, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.

Since 2010, the government has offered resettlement in the UK to certain groups of Afghan citizens, including people who worked with the UK government in some capacity during its military presence in Afghanistan. This work sometimes came with significant risk to those Afghan citizens and their families, who feared reprisals from the Taliban.

Although the schemes closed to new applicants in July 2025, thousands of Afghans are still being processed for resettlement.3 As at November 2025, 29,655 people were waiting to hear the results of their eligibility assessments.

Between April 2021 and December 2025, 37,950 people arrived in the UK under the schemes and, as at February 2025, the government estimated it would ultimately resettle around 9,000 more. Of those resettled, as at December 2025, 80% were living in settled accommodation.

The government anticipates that its work to resettle and integrate people will continue until 2032-33, costing a total of £5.7 billion. It spent £3.1 billion on the schemes between April 2021 and December 2025, meaning a significant proportion of the costs have not yet been incurred.

Several government departments worked at pace under complex and demanding circumstances when establishing the schemes, especially after the Taliban takeover resulted in a far greater number of people applying and becoming eligible for resettlement than had originally been envisaged.

The need to respond quickly, coupled with departments being responsible for different groups of people and resettlement stages, meant that the schemes became complex and inefficient. This is likely to have led to higher costs and worse outcomes for resettled people.

To address these challenges, in December 2024 the government merged the resettlement schemes into a combined Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), which aims to bring all eligible Afghan citizens to the UK by March 2029 and to have moved those citizens out of transitional accommodation by December 2029.

Although the creation of the ARP has led to some improvements, significant risks remain. These include poor data on the people to be resettled and their needs, and a lack of available housing, resulting in greater than anticipated levels of resettled people becoming homeless.  

To ensure the successful completion of the ARP, the NAO recommends that the UK government:

  • urgently completes the outstanding elements of effective programme management
  • undertakes scenario analysis to understand the potential barriers to completing the resettlement of all eligible people to the UK, and how these can be overcome
  • monitors the effect of the changes under the ARP, particularly the introduction of a nine-month limit for transitional accommodation
  • uses the results of pilot programmes involving local authorities and community organisations to identify innovative approaches and spread good practice
  • identifies measures of successful integration for Afghan resettled people and uses these to assess outcomes

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “Government departments have worked together in challenging conditions to resettle thousands of Afghan citizens who were at risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

“Although progress has been made under the new Afghan Resettlement Programme, the government has more to do to successfully resettle the affected people in the UK.”

Think Twice: Spotting Scams at Stockbridge Library

Did you know that 1 in 5 older adults has experienced an online scam—with billions of pounds lost every year?

To help tackle this growing issue, we’re hosting a free, practical, and easy-to-understand workshop designed especially for older adults and their families.

💡 Learn how to recognise and respond to AI-driven misinformation, including:

• Deepfakes

• Online scams

• Misleading content on TV, messaging apps, and social media

This session is interactive, supportive, and completely non-technical—no prior knowledge needed.

📍 Join us and gain the confidence to stay safe in today’s digital world.

👉 Spaces are free—don’t miss out!

Mon 13th April 6.30 pm at Stockbridge Library

Public Health Scotland: Update on Meningitis

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), other public health colleagues across the UK and NHS Boards in Scotland, to monitor the outbreak of meningitis in Kent.  

There are currently no cases known to be linked to this outbreak in Scotland and therefore no evidence of any increased risk here. 

Dr Jim McMenamin, Head of Health Protection Infection Services at PHS is encouraging everyone to be aware of signs and symptoms of meningitis: “Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia can be very serious and life threatening if not treated quickly. 

“Signs and symptoms include a sudden high temperature, severe and worsening headache, a stiff neck, joint and muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, confusion, drowsiness or unresponsiveness, a dislike of bright lights, and seizures (fits). These symptoms can appear in any order, but some may not appear. 

“If you or anyone you know develops symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department. Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.”

Vaccination against meningitis

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continues to review evidence on the most effective use of meningococcal vaccines within the UK routine schedule.

There are currently no plans to offer MenB vaccination outside the existing routine childhood schedule, other than for those identified by the Incident Response Team in Kent.

Two different types of meningococcal vaccines are available in Scotland and are part of routine immunisation programmes for children and young people.  

  • The Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine was introduced in 2015 and is offered to infants and young children under 2 years old.
  • The Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine is offered to all young people in S3 as part of the school-based immunisation programme. This vaccine protects against disease caused by meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

Anyone who has missed the MenACWY vaccine offer can still receive this up to their 25th birthday. Visit www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesforstudents to find out how to catch up.

Parents are encouraged to check if their children are up to date on their vaccinations. For information on how to check your own or your child’s vaccination history, please visit: www.nhsinform.scot/gettingvaccinations

More information on signs and symptoms of meningitis is available at 

www.nhsinform.scot/meningitis

Alliance to Liberate Scotland hails “standing room only” launch

Pledge to Turn Wasted List Votes into Working Class Independence Voice at Holyrood

The Alliance to Liberate Scotland (ATLS) has hailed Thursday night’s packed Glasgow candidate launch at the Renfield Training and Conference Centre as “the moment Glasgow’s working class put Holyrood on notice that wasted list votes are no longer acceptable.”

Speaking to an overflowing audience, Glasgow Regional List lead candidate Tommy Sheridan argued that the old “SNP 1 & SNP 2” message has repeatedly failed to deliver additional independence representation for Glasgow on the regional list, and has instead handed list seats to Labour and the Conservatives in a city that votes Yes.

In Glasgow alone, around 245,000 SNP second votes (SNP2-Regional List Vote) across the last two Holyrood elections failed to elect a single SNP list MSP, while Labour and the Tories took all seven regional seats in our Yes city.

Sheridan pointed to the Scottish Parliament elections of 2016 and 2021, where the SNP swept all nine Glasgow constituency seats yet failed to secure a single additional regional list MSP in the city, despite topping the regional vote on both occasions.

In 2021, Glasgow’s regional list MSPs were returned as four Labour, two Conservative and one Green, but zero SNP list MSPs, even though the SNP won the largest share of the list vote.

Tommy Sheridan said: “The facts are crystal clear. In Glasgow, in both 2016 and 2021, tens of thousands of SNP list votes did not elect a single additional pro-independence MSP. Those ‘SNP 2’ votes were effectively wasted, while Labour and Tory unionists walked into Holyrood from the Glasgow list. That cannot be allowed to happen again in a Yes city.

The Alliance to Liberate Scotland exists to give Glasgow’s working class a hard, effective independence vote on the list. A list vote for ATLS is not a gesture – it is the serious business of putting more pro-independence fighters into parliament and cutting the number of unionist MSPs sent from this city.”

Independent analysis of past elections has repeatedly highlighted how large blocks of list votes for parties already dominant in the constituencies can fail to translate into list seats under Scotland’s Additional Member System, particularly in regions such as Glasgow, where one party already holds most or all constituency seats.

Second-placed Glasgow list candidate Dhruva Kumar, who chaired the event, said the campaign would speak directly to working-class voters across all of Glasgow’s communities:

Dhruva Kumar said: “Last night showed that Glasgow’s working people – old and new, from every background – are hungry for a serious, disciplined independence strategy.

“This campaign is about unity and action. When people give their list vote to the Alliance, they are turning frustration into seats, anger into votes, and hope into hard numbers for independence at Holyrood. Glasgow’s working class built this city, now we intend to help them win the power to shape its future.”

Glasgow list candidate Gail Sheridan stressed that ATLS offers determined, grassroots-rooted representation rather than careerist politics. She said: “I’ve stood with Tommy through every major battle for justice and independence in this city.

What we heard from the floor last night was clear: people are tired of politicians who talk about independence but park it the day after the election.

The Alliance to Liberate Scotland is different. We are rooted in working-class Glasgow, we are organised, and we are ready to fight tooth and nail in Holyrood for decent wages, warm homes and real self-determination. A list vote for ATLS is an independence vote that counts.”

Glasgow list candidate Hilda McMahon drew a direct line from Glasgow’s radical history to the new Alliance campaign. She said: “Glasgow has never begged for change; it has organised for it.

“From Mary Barbour to Jimmy Reid and John Maclean, our city’s heroes understood that real power comes when working people stand together. The Alliance to Liberate Scotland is carrying that flame into the 2026 Holyrood election.

“We are deadly serious about increasing the number of pro-independence MSPs and finally delivering the self-determination that the people of Scotland demand.”

The Alliance to Liberate Scotland insists that, in the 2026 Holyrood election, a Glasgow Regional List vote for ATLS is the most effective way for independence supporters in the city to turn previously wasted list votes into additional pro-independence MSPs, strengthening the voice of Glasgow’s working class at the heart of Scotland’s democracy.