Category: North Edinburgh News

Extend Child Benefit for your teen by 31 August

Child Benefit can be claimed for children after they turn 16 if they are staying on in approved education or training

Parents have less than 2 weeks to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) their 16-19 year-old is continuing education or training or their Child Benefit payments will stop.

Hundreds of thousands of teenagers will decide on their future this week as they receive their GCSE results on Thursday (22 August 2024).

For parents of 16-19 year-olds who haven’t yet extended their claim, Child Benefit payments will stop after 31 August. If their child is going to continue in approved education or training, parents can continue receiving Child Benefit and HMRC is urging them to extend their claim now.

To make sure they do not miss out, parents can quickly and easily extend their Child Benefit claim online on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app. More than 270,000 parents have extended their claim digitally so far, with the changes applied to their record without the need to wait on the phone.

Parents should keep their claim details up to date, even if they’ve opted not to receive Child Benefit payments due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Parents who want to opt back into receiving Child Benefit payments, can do this quickly and easily online on GOV.UK or in the HMRC app. 

Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child, and up to £881 a year for every additional child.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Child Benefit is an important financial support for many households and we don’t want to see any eligible family miss out.

“You can extend your claim quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK.”

Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families, said: “Child Benefit is valuable to families and particularly single parent families, who are forced to make ends meet on a single income.

“It’s really important, with the 31 August deadline fast approaching, that parents whose children are going into further education and training extend their claim as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this crucial financial help.”

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in non-advanced education, which includes:

  • A levels or Scottish Highers
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Home education – if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
  • T levels
  • NVQs, up to level 3

Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:

  • in Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
  • in Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work
  • in Scotland: the No One Left Behind programme.

If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or via the HMRC app and payments will be adjusted accordingly.

Parents can check the status of their claims at any time by viewing their proof of entitlement in the app or online. 

Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. If they do not have one already, they can register on GOV.UK and will just need their National Insurance number or postcode, and 2 forms of ID.

Edinburgh volunteers needed for Scottish Poppy Appeal

Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, has put out a call for volunteers to step forward and make a difference across Edinburgh.

Every year, Poppyscotland runs the iconic Scottish Poppy Appeal, which provides the nation with the national symbol of Remembrance, the four-petalled Scottish Poppy.

Hundreds of volunteers step up annually to help organise the Scottish Poppy Appeal in their local area, volunteering their time to help distribute poppies and collecting tins, and arrange collections at supermarkets, shopping centres and other key locations.

This year, volunteers are needed in the capital to help organise the Appeal, with dedicated support from the Poppyscotland team. The charity is seeking members of the community, a community group, school, local business, or anyone who wishes to make a difference to Scotland’s Armed Forces community in the city.

The money raised during the Scottish Poppy Appeal goes directly to Poppyscotland’s Welfare services, supporting veterans, those still Serving and their families at times of need. This could include, for example, providing an emergency grant to stop a veteran losing their home, funding housing adaptations so that a disabled veteran can continue to live with their family, and much more.

Current Poppyscotland volunteer, Eilidh, said: “It has been really interesting getting to meet people who have Served or have had family Serving. They provide the most incredible stories. People just want to talk to you when they see you volunteer with Poppyscotland, so it never gets boring.

“Poppyscotland are amazing and have supported me with every step. Any time I have a slight worry or confusion, they’re there to help me out and they are some of the friendliest people I’ve met. I’ve loved everything about my experience to date.”

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, said: “Every year, we are so grateful for the generous support of the public. But our volunteers are the strength behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Their tireless dedication and professionalism means that the national symbol of Remembrance can be found across the nation.

“We have a dedicated team that look after our volunteers. This makes volunteering for Poppyscotland easy and stress free. But we need you to step forward so that we can continue to change lives for the better.”

To find out more about volunteering for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, contact Poppyscotland’s Volunteering team on 0131 550 1597, email:

volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk 

or visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/volunteer

Students urged to ‘sound the alarm’ if they suspect meningitis

The UK’s leading meningitis charity Meningitis Now is calling for students to recognise the disease as an emergency and ‘sound the alarm’ if they spot its signs and symptoms. 

20-year-old University of Manchester student Sophia Speirs nearly died from meningitis in 2023, but says her life was saved thanks to her mum and her university flatmates who sounded the alarm by calling the emergency services who rushed her to hospital. 

The student who is originally from Hertfordshire is joining forces with Meningitis Now to call for more people to recognise the disease as an emergency which needs swift action. 

Sophia says, “I had just celebrated my 19th birthday and five days later I was fighting for my life in intensive care. 

“I woke up feeling incredibly achy, which quickly turned into violent sickness. I was telling people I had a sick bug but I knew something was really wrong – I just didn’t want to believe it.” 

Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be fatal and can kill within 24 hours. Its early symptoms can be mistaken for the flu or even a hangover so it’s vital for students to know when to seek help and ‘sound the alarm’.  

Sophia added, “I woke up the next morning feeling even worse. I heard my mum ringing me to check I was ok, but she quickly realised I was unable to speak properly. I was slurring my words. She got me to text my flat mates asking for help.” 

“Two of my flatmates then came rushing into my room. My parents also called campus security who came straight away.” 

Sophia spent three nights in intensive care in Manchester Royal Infirmary, another nine days in a high dependency unit and a final three days on a regular ward. 

The 21-year-old had emergency surgery for a septic joint in her hip, and had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), as well as permanently losing hearing in her right ear. 

Sophia says, “I am grateful to be alive and although I feel unlucky, I know that compared to others I got off lightly! I am really keen to spread awareness. It’s so important that university students know what to do in a case of meningitis.” 

Meningitis Now’s student awareness campaign urges parents, universities and students to know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis, to act fast if they suspect meningitis and seek urgent medical help. 

Meningitis Now Chief Executive Dr Tom Nutt says, “Meningitis is an emergency so we’re asking students to make sure they know when to sound the alarm. 

If you or a friend are ill and getting worse, it could be meningitis. Sound the alarm by calling 111 or your GP – you could save a life.”  

Universities are also being encouraged to order Meningitis Now’s free awareness materials, with the charity aiming to have materials in every UK university over the next five years. Parents can also request a free student meningitis awareness pack at www.meningitisnow.org/students  

Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, dislike of bright lights, and a stiff neck. In cases of septicaemia (which can occur simultaneously), a rash that does not fade under pressure may also appear. 

Dr Nutt added: “It’s really important that everyone is aware of the risk of meningitis because it can affect anyone at any age.

“Teenagers and young people are at an increased risk. This is because they are more likely to be carrying the bacteria that cause meningitis in the back of their nose and throats.” 

“Vaccines are available to prevent some types of meningitis and most of these are available as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule. However, not all types of meningitis can be prevented by vaccines. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms and seek urgent medical help if you are concerned.” 

For further information about the signs and symptoms of meningitis visit:

www.meningitisnow.org 

and if you have been affected by meningitis, contact the Meningitis Now nurse-led Helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or email helpline@meningitisnow.org. 

Edinburgh International Book Festival programme update: Steven Moffat

STEVEN MOFFAT: A Journey through Screen and Time

Unfortunately, David Mamet can no longer attend his event tomorrow (Thursday 22 August) at 3.15pm. However, EIBF are delighted that Steven Moffat (aka Doctor Who) will join us instead!

Steven Moffat: A Journey through Screen and Time

Steven Moffat has been one of the UK’s most prominent and creative screenwriters and producers for almost 40 years.

From his origins working on the cult teen drama series Press Gang, becoming showrunner and head writer for five series of the revived Doctor Who, his iconic reworking of Sherlock for the BBC, to his most recent series, Douglas Is Cancelled, Moffat has created, or evolved, some of the most iconic characters in modern TV history.

His work has won countless awards as well as millions of fans around the world, and he joins us to reflect on his remarkable career, and how TV can not just survive, but thrive, in the streaming era.

Living Spaces: Outdoor photography exhibition opens in city centre vandalism hotspots

A new outdoor exhibition of photographs by five local photographers has gone on display in Edinburgh’s busy urban thoroughfares.

Living Spaces, commissioned by Places for People Scotland, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise, has been installed in five different locations across the city, all of which were identified as vandalism hotspots following numerous repairs and treatments by the Places for People Scotland team over the years. 

After identifying the locations, Places for People Scotland brought local photographers on board, who suggested various images which they believed would work well across the sites.

The artists and Places for People Scotland recognised the importance of resident participation in this project – as these are ‘living spaces’ –  and customers living in the area were invited to  select the final images to go on display using an online poll.

The chosen photographs vary from moments of calm within the natural world, to colourful snapshots of interior and exterior life around the city.

Katie Smart, Director of Places for People Scotland said: “We are delighted to see this project come to life, our goal with this project was to transform living spaces across the city that had been victim to vandalism for both our customers whose homes are in the area and the wider Edinburgh community.

It was important to us to involve our customers in the decision process, it feels extra special knowing that the artwork has been chosen by those most affected whilst being able to provide incredible local photographers with a platform for their work.”

Christina Webber, participating photographer and Director of AGITATE, said: “It’s such a joy to see this project realised and AGITATE are proud to host a version of the work at 6WS during the Festival season.

“We love the August buzz and to be able to platform local artists to a visiting international audience is a really important opportunity.

“As a photographer, exhibiting work in alternative spaces with so many people passing each day is really exciting. Engagement with photography is so often digital, having the chance to be part of people’s everyday journeys is a privilege.”

Smaller scale versions of all the works are on display at 6 William Street (6WS) throughout August, alongside a Festival ‘rest space’ and a short programme of drop-in workshops to complement the work.

The artists whose work is included in the project are:

Dave Ferrie

Everything that exists in cities is of interest to Dave, but particularly the areas where old and new meet, and the spaces where nature and man-made structures coexist.

Dave loves exploring urban environments and photographing the moments, places and sights which grab his attention.

Kat Gollock

Kat is a graduate of both Stevenson College (now Edinburgh College) and Edinburgh Napier University, where she graduated with first class honours, and has over 15 years experience in the photography industry. 

Kat specialises in events, portraiture and live performance. As well as commercial photographic work, she teaches photography, and is an exhibited photographic artist and a published writer on the subject. 

Zoe Hamill

Zoe is a photographer from Co. Antrim, now living in Edinburgh.

She is interested in the relationship between humans and the environment, as well as the systems of classification that we use to make sense of the world around us. 

Jack Low

Jack Low is a lens-based visual artist based in Glasgow, having studied Photography and Film at Edinburgh Napier University.

Drawn into photography at a young age through an interest in technology, he has produced works critically examining modern culture, social media and the human condition through means of installation pieces and typologies.

Christina Webber

Christina is a visual artist who loves pictures, words, and their potential when put together. She completed a First Class BA (Hons) in Photography & Film from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015, and works as a Freelance Digital Communicator for a variety of clients.

Additionally, Christina is Co-Director of AGITATE, a hub for photography based in Edinburgh’s West End.

Free Day Trip to Edinburgh Festivals

Hey North Edinburgh youth! Ready for an epic day out?

Together with Imaginate UK, we’ve planned an exciting day exploring the Edinburgh Festivals on Saturday 24 August, from 10.30am – 5.30pm. Expect interesting arts exhibitions, amazing live performances, and loads of fun. 🎭🎨

This free event is for local young people aged 11-13 living in the loca area of Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton, and Drylaw. Food and travel will be provided.

This event will be also be an informal opportunity to learn more about NEA Youth Arts Collective, a new creative group for 11-13 year olds living in North Edinburgh. Part of Imaginate and North Edinburgh Arts project, Creative Encounters, which puts children at the heart of decision making

📅 Advance booking required so book your spot soon:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/972069745777

📞 Got a question?

Call us: 0131 315 2151 (Monday – Friday, 10am – 1pm)

Email us: admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Dalgety Bay pub is best in Scotland

CAMRA announces the top pubs in the UK

CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2024 competition is hotting up with the announcement of this year’s finalists from the UK’s nations and regions. 

The Hillend Tavern in Dalgety Bay has been named as the best pub in Scotland.

This community-focused village pub near Dalgety Bay, Fife previously won the Regional Scotland & Northern Ireland Pub of the Year award in 2023.

Locally known as “the Tav”, the pub has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with cosy coal fires. The traditional bar serves four changing cask beers, and a spacious area at the rear is used to host village events. The Hillend Tavern proudly supports and sponsors local sports teams, including cricket, football and squash.

A total of 17 fantastic pubs have battled it out with thousands of pubs across the UK to be crowned the winner in their area. Pubs in the competition are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry. 

The regional and national finalists will now compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award, with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September. CAMRA’s esteemed National Pub of the Year title is the topmost accolade the campaigning group can bestow upon a pub. The overall winner will be announced in January 2025. 

Last year’s UK National Pub of the Year winner was the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, which won the crown consecutively in both 2023 and 2022. 

The recognition of pubs and their place in our communities has never been more important, as the announcement of the top 17 pubs come hot on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the demolition of the iconic Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire. 

The total destruction of this beloved establishment sent shockwaves across the nation, putting a spotlight on unlawful demolitions and conversions of pubs. 

CAMRA continues to fight for stronger planning protections for pubs in Scotland, including closing the planning loophole where freestanding pubs can be demolished without the need for planning permission – being lost to their communities without local people having a say.

Andrea Briers, National Coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition says: “These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK – they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hardworking staff.  

“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”

Top-17-POTY-winners-list-2024Download

Pay offer to NHS Agenda for Change staff

5.5% pay increase for nurses and NHS workers in 2024-25

Nurses and healthcare staff across Scotland have been offered a pay increase of 5.5% that will ensure they have the best pay package in the UK.

The offer, if accepted by trade unions, will see an investment of more than £448 million in 2024-25 and will ensure almost 170,000 NHS Agenda for Change staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – benefit from the pay rise which will be backdated to 1 April 2024.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Following weeks of constructive engagement with trade union representatives, I am pleased to have agreed an offer, in recognition of the Pay Review Body recommendations, that will ensure Scotland’s nurses and NHS staff have the best pay package in the UK.

“The unions will now consult their members and I hope it will be accepted.

“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking healthcare staff for their commitment and patience – they are the very backbone of the NHS and we are committed to supporting them, particularly during a cost of living crisis.

“I am grateful for the continued efforts around the table and that the trade unions will now put this to their members.”

A total of £448 million has been committed for Agenda for Change pay in 2024-25. This equates to an uplift of 5.5% for all staff.

Examples of increases for 2024-25:

  • experienced porters (band 2) will receive £1,395
  • experienced healthcare support workers (band 4) will receive £1,651
  • experienced staff nurses (band 5) will receive £2,072
  • experienced paramedics (band 6) will receive £2,535.
 Scottish Pay Settlement2023-24Scottish Pay in2024-25after 5.5%UpliftUplift as£New Hourly Rate
Band 1£23,240£24,518£1,278£12.71
Band 2£23,362£24,647£1,285£12.78
 £25,368£26,763£1,395£13.87
Band 3£25,468£26,869£1,401£13.93
 £27,486£28,998£1,512£15.03
Band 4£27,598£29,116£1,518£15.09
 £30,019£31,670£1,651£16.42
Band 5£30,229£31,892£1,663£16.53
 £32,300£34,077£1,777£17.66
 £37,664£39,735£2,072£20.60
Band 6£37,831£39,912£2,081£20.69
 £39,498£41,670£2,172£21.60
 £46,100£48,635£2,535£25.21
Band 7£46,244£48,788£2,543£25.29
 £48,010£50,651£2,641£26.25
 £53,789£56,747£2,958£29.41
Band 8a£56,992£60,126£3,135£31.16
 £61,522£64,906£3,384£33.64
Band 8b£67,285£70,986£3,701£36.79
 £71,978£75,937£3,959£39.36
Band 8c£79,466£83,837£4,371£43.45
 £85,181£89,866£4,685£46.58
Band 8d£94,345£99,534£5,189£51.59
 £98,384£103,795£5,411£53.80
Band 9£111,595£117,732£6,138£61.02
 £116,428£122,831£6,404£63.67

Poice Scotland confirm closure of Portobello Police Station

LANDMARK BUILDING IS UP FOR SALE

Plans to dispose of Portobello police station following public consultation has been approved and the building will now be marketed for sale.

Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy.

Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub. The consultation on Portobello opened on 17 January 2024 and closed on 13 March 2024. In total there were 116 respondents.

Portobello has historically been underutilised; operational officers have not been stationed there since October 2016. Community and response officers have been based at Craigmillar police station. The disposal of Portobello would lead to no change in this operational model.

Public counter services can be accessed at Craigmillar police station and St Leonards Police station which are approximately three miles away. Musselburgh police station, in East Lothian also has front office counter provision.

Speaking about the approved disposal, Superintendent Murray Tait said: “Portobello is a very large Victorian building and has continued to incur significant annual running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance.

“I realise that for many, the physical presence of Portobello police station has provided reassurance and confidence to the local community over the years. However, it’s important to clarify that operational police officers have not been stationed in the building since 2016.

“Community and response officers will continue to actively patrol the Portobello area We are committed to maintaining a strong presence and ensuring the safety of the community.

“Some respondents to the consultation expressed concern about crime during busy summer periods when the town sees greater visitor numbers.

“As part of our policing plan, we have increased police resource throughout the summer in Portobello every year and I would reassure residents this will continue.

“With advances in digital technology and our fleet, officers spend most of their time out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public rather than sitting in police stations.

“Our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work hard to police the area.

“I would like to assure local residents that our officers will continue to be active, visible and accessible. 

“Our officers based at Craigmillar and St Leonards will continue to patrol the east side of the city and the public will receive the same high level of service.”

Copies of the consultation findings have been published on our Engagement Hub.

Education Secretary welcomes female Afghan medical students

Nineteen female Afghan medical students have arrived in Scotland after they were banned from completing their studies by the authorities in Afghanistan.

The Scottish Government amended student funding legislation to ensure the women could be treated as home students and receive free tuition and cost of living support.

Scottish charity the Linda Norgrove Foundation has been supporting the women and secured agreement with four Scottish universities – St Andrews, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen – where the students will now continue their medical degrees as they work to become doctors.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth met the students at Edinburgh Airport to welcome them to Scotland.

Ms Gilruth said: “Gender should not be a barrier to accessing education, and I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support these extraordinary women in their journey to complete their medical education.

“The changes we made to the legislation will ensure they can access the same benefits as their peers, including free tuition and student support. 

“Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people from across the world who need support.

“I wish each and every one of these inspiring women the warmest of welcomes to Scotland and look forward to the positive contribution they will make to our country.”