Ian Murray thanks the hard work of people behind the scenes who make the festivals a success
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, hosted a reception as the Edinburgh Festivals get underway this week.
The event, which was hosted in Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government’s flagship building in Edinburgh, was attended by representatives from Edinburgh’s 11 Festivals. Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill also attended.
There was a performance from Ryan Corbett, a classical accordionist from Glasgow.
The UK Government is supporting artists bringing work to the Fringe Festival through its ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund, an initiative launched in 2023. Supported by £1 million from the UK Government over two years (2024 and 2025), there are 180 recipients of £2,500 bursaries this year.
The UK Government is also helping to fund a central premises for the Edinburgh Fringe Society to house staff and provide a venue for visitors throughout the year.
Speaking at the event, Mr Murray said: “For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh becomes the global epicentre of culture as we welcome an explosion of creative energy. Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste.
“It is of course not only a cultural and social asset, but a huge contributor to our economy, generating around £360m and supporting around 7000 jobs each year. The creative industries are the fastest growing part of our economy and we should nourish and support this growth.
“They are all a key part of Brand Scotland, and I am determined the Edinburgh festivals form part of our plan to attract international investment to Scotland, so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the festivals whose hard work helps make this success story possible.”
The Edinburgh 900 programme launch took place at the City Chambers yesterday evening, where successful applicants to the civic and community funds were officially announced.
Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of shared history, and the full programme will examine how Edinburgh came to be over the centuries, from commerce to conflict and from faith to finance. The programme will also celebrate Edinburgh in the present day and look ahead to our future ambitions and aspirations.
The Lord Provost congratulated recipients and expressed his appreciation to those who took the time to apply to take part in the Edinburgh 900 programme.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “We are celebrating nine centuries of history, traditions and stories and we have a real opportunity to shine a light on Edinburgh’s local communities.
“These two funds represent a great opportunity to showcase these stories to our city and the wider world.
“We had an overwhelming response in terms of applications, which shows how 900 years is resonating with so many in the city.
“We sincerely thank everyone who took the time to submit a funding request. There were so many excellent applications, that we’re disappointed that we are unable to fund each one of them.
“It is imperative that our communities play a central role in these celebrations, from discovering stories of local heritage to events programmes alongside our partners across the city, I’m really excited to see the programme come to life.”
As part of the Edinburgh 900 budget, £100,000 was allocated to a community fund and a further £100,000 to a civic fund.
The community strand will feature local events run by community groups across the city over 2024-25 promoting local heritage and initiatives, designed to engage with new local audiences and to showcase the diversity of Edinburgh.
The civic strand is an opportunity for our cultural and heritage organisations to exhibit Edinburgh and it’s illustrious past like never before.
Successful Community Fund applications:
Citadel Arts Group Leith Customs: £5,000.00
Ukraine at Margaret’s Saturday School & St Cuthbert’s Parish Church 900 Artworks
Exhibition for the 900th Anniversary: £3,000.00
The Living Memory Association Our Working City: £4,860.00
Art and Spirituality CIC “International South West Community Project”: £3,466.00
THE MELTING POT Innovation: Past and Present: £4,750.00
Passion4Fusion Black History Month Gala: £5,000.00
Abbeyhill Colony of Artists Colony of Artists 20th Anniversary Celebrations: £5,000.00
Leith walk polisbox Outside the (polis)box: £5,000.00
POLICE are appealing for the assistance of the public in tracing 20 year old Rory Dowling-Clarke, who has been reported missing from Granton, Edinburgh.
Rory was last seen at 2pm on Monday 29th July, 2024 in the Granton area and is thought to have since been in Leith and the City centre.
If you have any information please contact 101 and quote police incident 2038 31/07/24.
Criminals intent on causing violence and unrest on our streets will be stopped in their tracks thanks to a new National Violent Disorder Programme, the Prime Minister has announced today.
At a meeting of police chiefs in Downing Street this afternoon, he offered his clear backing to forces up and down the country – pledging that the government will work in direct partnership with them to stamp out the violent disorder seen in recent weeks.
Following the meeting, he has announced the immediate creation of the new programme, which will bring together the best policing capabilities from across the country to share intelligence on the activity of violent groups so the authorities can swiftly intervene to arrest them.
Local insight and data will be used to gain a national understanding of where these criminals are operating, including the British Transport Police alerting where they see a spike in train ticket sales that could be linked to organised violent disorder.
It will also consider how we can deploy facial recognition technology, which is already used by some forces, more widely across the country. This will mean criminals can be targeted, found and brought to justice quickly.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this afternoon: “I’ve just held a meeting with senior police and law enforcement leaders where we’ve resolved to show who we are. A country that will not allow understandable fear to curdle into division and hate in our communities and that will not permit, under any circumstances a breakdown in law and order on our streets.
“Because let’s be very clear about this. It’s not protest. It’s not legitimate. It’s crime and violent disorder. An assault on the rule of law and the execution of justice.
“And so, on behalf of the British people who expect their values and their security to be upheld, we will put a stop to it.”
The programme will also support the swift deployment of surge teams to forces who need them, for example, when they’re faced with intelligence that suggests organised violence in a particular area.
The tragic events in Southport on Monday shone a light on the heroism of our emergency services and the work they do to keep the public safe. However, this was exploited by a criminal minority who directly targeted the police in a shocking display of aggression later that day which left fifty officers injured.
The Prime Minister was clear that criminals will never be allowed to hide behind the legitimate right to protest in order to wreak havoc and intimidation in our communities.
The plans form part of the government’s mission to take back our streets by halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Southport suffered a horrific attack that no community should ever have to face. But instead of being shown respect for their grief, the community had to endure violent disorder and thuggery.
“For the emergency services who responded with bravery to save lives on Monday to then face attack themselves on Tuesday is disgraceful and it only adds to the trauma when we should be thinking of the families of the little girls, and making sure they can get justice.
“Communities have a right to feel safe without deliberate organised violence or thuggery in our streets. Criminals need to face the full force of the law and today we made clear that the police have our strong support in keeping the streets safe. We will work with senior police officers across the country to make sure there is rapid intelligence sharing and swift action to stop violent disorder and make sure criminals pay the price.”
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair said: “I would like to thank all the officers and first responders involved for their bravery and unity. At times like these it is encouraging to see the way forces come together to support each other, as well as the wider public.
“All of us in public leadership or in positions of influence have a responsibility to use our platform to help bring people together. It is more important than ever for us to call out disinformation, highlight harmful practices, report and condemn criminal and work together for a better society.”
“We welcome any support which helps us to strengthen our policing capability to deal with these types of incidents. We look forward to working with government and receiving more details on the creation of a National Violent Disorder Programme and further work on tools such as Live Facial Recognition.”
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, said: “My thoughts remain firmly with the families of the little girls killed in Southport and the other people who are still recovering. I cannot begin to comprehend the extent of their grief and trauma at this time.
“This violence, from thugs who are hijacking the terrible grief felt across the country, is despicable, unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The same police officers who run towards harm to protect us are now being pelted with bricks, bins and fireworks. I’m grateful to the prime minister for extending his support to my colleagues as they deal with this criminality.
“Tonight, and over the weekend, police officers will be out in large numbers to protect us and our families. The College of Policing is making sure public order commanders have the support and guidance to utilise the full extent of the law and the tactics available to us.
“I say clearly to anyone who is seeking to bring further violence to our streets that your thuggish behaviour is not acceptable and not welcome in our communities. Police are already tracking down those involved in violence and anyone else thinking of joining in should know they will face the full force of the law.”
EARLIER this afternoon, Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a statement in Downing Street:
This week – we are a nation in shock.
A country coming to terms with an attack so inexplicably vile…
That fear is an understandable reaction.
Our first thoughts of course are with the families at the heart of this…
Their pain is unimaginable.
And so I call on everyone to give them and indeed the wider community at Southport…
The space to grieve.
And time for the authorities in Merseyside…
To do their job.
There will be a time for questions.
And we will make sure that the victims and families in Southport…
Are at the heart of that process…
That’s the very least that we owe these families.
But we also owe them justice.
So while there’s a prosecution that must not be prejudiced…
For them to receive the justice that they deserve…
The time for answering those questions is not now.
And I remind everyone that the price for a trial that is prejudiced…
Is ultimately paid by the victims and their families.
Who are deprived of the justice that they deserve.
Let me turn now to the actions of a tiny, mindless minority in our society.
Because in the aftermath of this attack
The community of Southport had to suffer twice.
A gang of thugs, got on trains and busses…
Went to a community that is not their own…
A community grieving the most horrific tragedy…
And then proceeded to throw bricks at police officers.
Police officers who just 24 hours earlier…
Had been having to deal with an attack on children in their community.
Their community.
And make no mistake…
Whether it’s in Southport, London – or Hartlepool…
These people are showing our country exactly who they are.
Mosques targeted because they are Mosques.
Flares thrown at the statue of Winston Churchill.
A Nazi salute at the Cenotaph.
And so I’ve just held a meeting with senior police and law enforcement leaders…
Where we’ve resolved to show who we are.
A country – that will not allow understandable fear…
To curdle into division and hate in our communities.
And that will not permit, under any circumstances…
A breakdown in law and order on our streets.
Because let’s be very clear about this.
It’s not protest.
It’s not legitimate.
It’s crime…
Violent disorder.
An assault on the rule of law and the execution of justice.
And so on behalf of the British people…
Who expect their values and their security to be upheld…
We will put a stop to it.
I want to thank all of the police officers, across the country…
Who have already, as they so often do…
Stood up to intimidation and violence in the past few days…
And indeed, throughout the summer.
And let me be clear – the meeting this afternoon was not about pointing the finger of blame…
That is not how this Government of Service conducts its business…
Because it doesn’t work.
Rather – this was a meeting to pull together our response…
A response both to the immediate challenge…
Which is clearly driven by far-right hatred.
But also – all violent disorder that flares up.
Whatever the apparent cause or motivation – we make no distinction…
Crime is crime.
And so – to that end…
I can announce today, that following this meeting…
we will establish a national capability, across police forces…
To tackle violent disorder.
These thugs are mobile…
They move from community to community…
And we must have a policing response that can do the same.
Shared intelligence…
Wider deployment of facial recognition technology…
And preventive action – criminal behaviour orders…
To restrict their movements…
Before they can even board a train…
In just the same way we do with football hooligans.
And let me also say to large social media companies and those who run them…
Violent disorder clearly whipped up online…
That is also a crime.
It’s happening on your premises.
And the law must be upheld everywhere.
That is the single most important duty of Government…
As part of the UK Government’s review of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, has today [01 August 2024] extended the current backdating period deadline by two years from 31 August 2024 to 31 August 2026.
The scheme was opened in August 2021 to provide acknowledgement payments to individuals who were permanently injured in Troubles-related incidents.
Following concerns raised by a number of individuals and organisations, including groups who represent victims and survivors of the Troubles, that some potential applicants could lose out on backdated payments, the Secretary of State has moved to ensure all potential beneficiaries of the scheme have sufficient time to consider making an application.
This extension will allow anyone deemed eligible in the five-year lifespan of the scheme to avail of a payment backdated to 2014.
Explaining his decision to extend the backdating period of the scheme, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said: “Approximately 40,000 people were injured during the Troubles, and it is essential that we recognise the great hurt that was caused during this dark period in our history.
“The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, overseen by the Victims Payments Board, has made progress in making acknowledgement payments to permanently injured victims of the Troubles.
“But with the deadline approaching, there was a risk that some potential applicants would miss out on backdated payments. I have therefore decided to extend the period for which backdated payments are available by a further two years.
“I hope this will assist both those who have suffered and are applying to the scheme, and those who are supporting applicants.”
A fund to help victims of crime opens to applications for the fifth time today (1st August).
Organisations that support victims of crime will be able to bid for a share of more than £940,000 in the Victim Surcharge Fund to provide direct, practical help to victims.
Since its establishment in November 2019, 14 organisations have been awarded over £1.3 million from the fund which is financed by penalties imposed on offenders who receive a court fine.
The Victim Surcharge Fund annual report, which was published today, details that £477,451 was paid to nine organisations in 2023-24.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Our priority is putting the rights of the victim and their needs at the heart of the criminal justice system. It is only right that criminals should pay towards helping victims of crime recover from their experience.
“Too many people face financial hardship as a result of crime and this funding can help meet the costs of essential items including property repairs and installing alarms.
“The awards will also enhance the valuable work carried out by victim support organisations.”
The victim surcharge came into force in November 2019 and applies to those who commit an offence and are subsequently convicted and receive a court fine.
To date, the Victim Surcharge Fund has provided support to over 5,000 people with fourteen organisations sharing £1,322,437.
Victim’s organisations interested in applying to the fund can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by 12 September.
To date, the Victim Surcharge Fund has provided support to over 5,000 people with fourteen organisations sharing £1,322,437.
The latest Scottish GDP stats are published this morning here for the month of May and here for Q1 of 2024.
Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.3% in May 2024, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. This follows growth of 0.2% in April 2024.
In the three months to May, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.9% compared to the previous three month period. This indicates an increase relative to the growth of 0.5% in 2024 Quarter 1 (January to March).
Output in the services sector, which accounts for around three quarters of the economy, grew by 0.6% in May. Output in the production sector is estimated to have contracted by ‑2.2% in May. The largest contribution to overall GDP came from contraction in the output of Electricity & Gas Supply.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray says UK Government’s key mission is growing the economy, making work pay and creating jobs and opportunity for all parts of the UK.
Mr Murray said: “Economic growth is one of the key missions of the UK Government. We inherited a dire fiscal situation, with a £22billion black hole in spending for this year alone that the previous government left us.
It’s the worst economic inheritance of any incoming government since the Second World War and tough decisions will be required. That’s why the Chancellor is taking immediate action to achieve the economic stability vital for growth.
“The UK Government will rebuild and regrow. We are making work pay, ensuring the national minimum wage is a true living wage. And with the end of exploitative zero-hours contracts, workers will have increased job security.
“Backed by £8.3bn of UK Government investment, Scottish-based GB Energy will bring jobs and opportunity for all parts of the UK and trade talks have resumed globally to forge stronger links with our international business partners.”
During the school summer holidays families can face increased costs for everything from childcare and extra activities to food bills.
We are asking our partners and stakeholders to help spread the word about financial support available and ask people to check if they are eligible for any of our family payments.
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment – one-off payment of £314.45 to help with the costs of early learning when a child is between two, and three years and six months
Best Start Grant School Age Payment – one-off payment of £314.45 to help with the costs of starting school available between 1 June and the last day in February in the year when a child is first old enough to start primary one
Best Start Foods – up to £42.40 every four weeks from pregnancy up to when a child turns three to help buy healthy food, milk and first infant formula.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government extended eligibility by removing income limits for Best Start Foods. Now, anyone who gets a qualifying benefit, and is pregnant or has a child under 3, is eligible, regardless of their other income.
Some people might not think they are eligible for payments because they are working. However, people in work, whether part-time or full-time, can also receive many of the payments delivered by us, including those designed to help families on low incomes.
In Scotland, around one in three people getting Universal Credit are in work, and Universal Credit is one of the qualifying benefits for getting Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and the three Best Start Grant payments.
Parents, carers and guardians can get more information at Children and family – mygov.scot or by calling us free on 0800 182 2222.
A call to value our workforce & embrace Third Sector solutions with immediate increased funding
With over 40 years of experience in various roles within the health and care systems, from a clinician in the acute sector to working in primary care, and now as the Chair of LifeCare Edinburgh, I have witnessed significant changes and challenges (writes LORNA JACKSON-HALL).
The recent impact of financial cuts to third sector care contracts in Edinburgh, along with the recent changes in the Westminster Government, compel me to share some thoughts on short-term solutions as we work towards long-term strategies.
Valuing Our People
It’s crucial to value everyone involved in our health and care systems, both the workforce and those we serve.
The NHS faces immense pressure, primarily driven by the need to manage patient flow into hospitals and expedite their discharge into supportive environments. The workforce crisis, identified over a decade ago, continues to escalate.
An ageing population among clinical staff, coupled with cuts in university courses, training places, and bursaries, has led to a crisis in the number of Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, and Doctors.
Addressing this workforce gap will take approximately ten years as we train and equip new staff with the necessary skills.
Maximising the Potential of the Care Staff Workforce
In the interim, we must focus on our care staff workforce in both social care and the third sector.
It’s essential to examine the health economics of utilising this workforce to its full potential. These dedicated individuals perform incredible work, significantly contributing to keeping people supported in their home environments, thereby delaying or even preventing hospital admissions.
Programmes such as befriending services like Vintage Vibes and buddying services for isolated individuals, play a vital role in enhancing the health and well-being of our older population.
Urgent and immediate increased funding for third sector organisations such as LIfeCare Edinburgh could help to alleviate some of the current pressures on hospitals.
These organisations run meals on wheels, care at home services, and day services, all of which support frail elderly individuals and/or those living with dementia their carers to remain at home longer.
Impact on Hospital and GP Services
Implementing these measures would help reduce the influx of patients into hospitals and improve the discharge process, allowing acute hospitals to focus on reducing elective lists.
This, in turn, would ease the burden on GP Practice services, enabling them to prioritise preventative care. Such a shift is essential to support the growing number of people living with multimorbidity in Scotland today.
By valuing our workforce and maximising the potential of third sector organisations through true partnership working and appropriate funding, we can make meaningful progress in addressing the immediate challenges while laying the foundation for a healthier future.
UK government will recruit more than 1,000 newly qualified GPs thanks to action to remove red tape
Government acts to fix front door to NHS and deliver more appointments
Slashing burdensome red tape to boost capacity in surgeries and hire over 1000 more newly-qualified doctors
Government listening to sector to help end scandal of patients struggling to see a doctor
More than 1,000 newly qualified GPs will be recruited thanks to government action to remove red tape currently preventing surgeries from hiring doctors.
Bringing back the family doctor is central to the Government’s plan to rebuild the health service, and the changes being made to cut through the current rules will help more patients get access to GPs, and ensure more GPs are able to find roles, so that people in communities across England will receive the timely care they deserve this year.
Currently, under a scheme known as the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, primary care networks (PCNs) can claim reimbursement for the salaries (and some on costs) of 17 new roles within the multidisciplinary team – meaning more specialists are available to treat patients.
They are selected to meet the needs of the local population, but are currently prevented from using this to recruit additional GPs. The changes announced today means that newly qualified GPs can quickly be recruited into the NHS through this scheme in 2024-2025.
It’s thought hundreds of newly qualified GPs could be without a job this summer in England. But thanks to this intervention, they will be able to be hired by the end of the year.
The Government is listening to GPs, and this has been hard fought by the British Medical Association, Royal College of General Practitioners, and many other groups who petitioned for it, receiving over 11,000 signatures.
It comes as the Government accepts recommendations of the Pay Review Bodies in full, increasing GPs’ pay by 6% – their first meaningful pay rise in years.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It is absurd that patients can’t book appointments while GPs can’t find work.This government is taking immediate action to put GPs to work, so patients can get the care they need.
“This is a first step, as we begin the long-term work of shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to fix the front door to the NHS.
“I want to work with GPs to rebuild our NHS, so it is there for all of us when we need it.”
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, said: “With hard-working GP teams delivering millions more appointments a month compared to before the pandemic, it is vital they are given the resources to manage this increase in demand.
“Adding General Practitioners to the scheme is something that the profession has been calling for in recent months to make it easier for practices to hire more staff – so I welcome this measure which is an important first step to increasing GP employment in the long-term.
“We will continue to work with GPs, the BMA and the Government to avert any potential action but in the meantime the NHS has a duty to plan for any possible disruption to ensure services continue to be provided for patients – so the public should continue to come forward for care in the normal way if collective action does go ahead.”
This is an emergency measure for 2024-2025 to ensure patients are able to access GPs and GPs are able to find roles, while the Government works with the profession to identify longer term solutions to GP unemployment and general practice sustainability as part of the next fiscal event.
The Government will ensure the NHS has the funding it needs to deliver this, paid for by £82 million from the existing department budget.
In expanding general practice capacity, the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme improves access for patients, supports the delivery of new services and widens the range of offers available in primary care.
