Update on incorporating UN Convention into Scots law
Amendments to legislation incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child will deliver a clear, coherent and workable Bill that provides some valuable protections for the rights of children in Scotland.
The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in 2021 but certain provisions within it were later ruled outwith the parliament’s legislative competence at the Supreme Court.
The Bill requires all Scotland’s public authorities to take proactive steps to protect children’s rights and gives children, young people and their representatives a new ability to use the courts to enforce their rights.
Changes will be brought forward after the parliamentary recess which will mean public authorities will only be required to comply with the UNCRC requirements when delivering duties under powers in an act of the Scottish Parliament.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville told Parliament that this is the only way to minimise the risk of a further referral to the Supreme Court, while also minimising the complexity for those using the legislation. However ministers will continue to call for the UK Government to adopt the convention into UK law.
Ms Somerville said: “These proposals will result in a Bill that provides valuable protections for children’s rights and that does so in a way that is legally sound and is clear for users.
“It will also allow us to begin our journey to legislate for children’s rights and wider human rights and provide a solid legal foundation on which to build in the future. That would become easier if there was political commitment in Whitehall to legislate for children’s rights.
“Once again we find the democratic will of this Parliament blocked by Westminster. It remains true that the simplest way to secure protection for children’s rights, in Scotland and across the UK, and to do so as fully as possible, is for the UK Government to incorporate the UNCRC into UK law.”
Households in Edinburgh are being urged to check if they are eligible for over £1.3m of unclaimed fuel poverty vouchers before the deadline for using them runs out on Friday this week (30 June).
The Energy Bills Support Scheme, which ran between October 2022 and March 2023, enabled households to save £400 off the cost of their energy bills over the course of the six months.
Whilst most households received this discount automatically via their energy supplier, traditional prepayment meter (PPM) users were required to redeem monthly vouchers sent to them by their supplier for use at either Post Office or PayPoint top-up points.
Although the majority of vouchers have been redeemed there are still over £1m unclaimed vouchers in the city and the City of Edinburgh Council is calling on anyone with friends or family on a PPM electricity meter to make sure all eligible households benefit.
The deadline for claiming fuel poverty vouchers was highlighted in a motion from Forth Green Cllr Kayleigh O’Neill at Full Council on Thursday 22 June.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We know there are many people in the city suffering from fuel poverty especially since the high levels of energy costs came into force. There is financial support out there for people on prepayment meters suffering from fuel poverty but the voucher scheme ends this Friday.
“According to Ofgem 34% of eligible households in Edinburgh have not redeemed vouchers which is the equivalent of £1.3m of crucial financial help going to waste. I would really urge anyone on prepayment meters who hasn’t claimed their vouchers to do so in the next few days before the scheme ends.”
Claiming a voucher is simple. PPM users should bring their voucher, ID and energy prepayment key or card to the top up point specified by their energy supplier. Vouchers can then be redeemed in store immediately.
Previously issued vouchers expire after 90 days but can be reissued before 30 June. If a person thinks that they have missed their vouchers, they should contact their energy supplier. All vouchers must be used by 30 June.
73% of vacationers in Edinburgh are planning a holiday with at least three generations of their family this year
Multigenerational holidays are a key trend for 2023, with people desperate to make up for lost time after Covid.
According to a new survey, 73% of vacationers in Edinburgh are now contemplating the idea of planning a getaway involving at least three generations of their family. Grandparents are excited to celebrate milestone events with 33% with a fifth saying it is key they can indulge in luxury experiences.
It can be difficult to keep three generations happy, 52% want to explore and discover shared interests together. For parents with children under one, the excitement of booking multigenerational holidays is just beginning with 95% saying they would consider booking one.
Having other members of the family about helps take the burden off new parents with 55% saying a multigenerational holiday is so important for them as they are more relaxed than when they are at home.
The research, commissioned by Visit Dubai and based on a survey of a thousand British adults, suggests families are increasingly looking for opportunities to spend quality time together with 70% expressing a desire to creating lasting memories while on holiday.
One thing that the whole family can agree on is that good weather is at the top of the agenda with parents saying this is the most important thing for them (60%). Grandparents agree at 52%, and kids at 46%.
TOP HOLIDAY PRIORITIES BY GENERATION
Parents: Good value (61%) Good weather (60%) Plenty of activities for everyone (54%) A stress-free and relaxing experience (52%) Entertainment (50%)
Children: Lots of kid’s activities (68%) Entertainment (65%) Good weather (46%) Plenty of activities for everyone (37%) Safety (25%)
Grandparents: Good weather (52%) A stress-free and relaxing experience (49%) Good value (47%) Safety (37%) Entertainment (32%)
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is bringing the States to Scotland with its Fourth of July, American-themed celebration.
Hosted within the hotel’s dining and event space, Eve, and in its recently opened suntrap courtyard, guests will be able to celebrate Fourth of July in style with live music, city-themed cocktails and classic BBQ serves.
Running from 7:30pm till late, the free ticketed event is taking place on Tuesday, the 4th of July.
With a USA theme, guests can enjoy live entertainment from The Banjo Lounge giving hip-hop classics a bluegrass twist, providing the perfect soundtrack to get up and dance.
Paying homage to its American counterparts, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh guests can enjoy themed cocktails from each of the US Virgin Hotels.
From the Nashville Peach Julep cocktail to the Watermelon flavoured Miami Heat, Virgin Hotels will be bringing the taste of America to the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
No Fourth of July celebration is complete without the perfect menu, and Virgin Hotels’ acclaimed chefs will be serving up US staples; fried chicken wings, burgers, grilled corn on the cob, apple pie and the true American classic, smores.
The US-themed celebration will also see American-style pop-ups take over Eve, with a Corn Hole game, hot dog stand and a special VIP area complete with props, hats and all things red, white and blue, serving as the perfect backdrop for the ultimate Instagrammable moment.
David Moth, Virgin Hotels Vice President of Operations and Interim General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “As an international brand, Virgin Hotels loves to treat its guests to experiences from around the world and this time we’re tying into our American roots with a traditional US Fourth of July celebration.
“From a line dancing worthy band to hot dogs and US themed cocktails, we’re ready to bring all things USA to Edinburgh and mix up our usual menu with a special limited time offering.
“With a glorious open-air courtyard, there’s really no better place to celebrate this summer occasion than at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, we’re just keeping our fingers crossed for that US sunshine!”
For more information and to book free tickets please visit:
Fourth of July is just one of many events taking place at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, including a host of seasonal activations and brand takeovers throughout the year.
To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s channels on social media here:
Now that the long school holiday is on the horizon, many parents in Scotland will be sorting out extra childcare over the break.
At the NSPCC Helpline, we often receive calls asking about the appropriate age to allow children to stay home alone. Between work appointments and other family commitments it’s inevitable that some parents will have to deal with this situation.
It can be difficult to know what’s best to do and it’s natural for parents to worry. With this in mind I thought it would be a good opportunity to give some insight into when it is safe for your child to be home alone.
There is no legal age that a child can be left home alone but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Every child matures differently so it would be almost impossible to have a ‘one size fits all’ law. A child who doesn’t feel comfortable should never be left home alone and, obviously, infants aged 0 to 3 should never be left, even for a few minutes. Also, we wouldn’t recommend leaving a child under 12 years old home alone, particularly for longer periods of time.
However, as children get older they may want more freedom and independence. This can present another tough decision for parents and carers, and one that will differ from child to child. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plan in place, to help to build up their independence at a pace that is right for them.
It’s absolutely vital to talk to your child about how they feel about this situation and to ask if they are worried about anything when home alone. Regularly checking how they feel can pinpoint any concerns and will give you an idea of how to help or why they might not be ready. If they are happy to be home alone for a while, it’s always good to check in with them during that time to make sure they feel safe.
Parents can contact our helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk for more advice.
Our Childline service is available too, and children can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or via a one-to-one chat on www.childline.org.uk
SCOTLAND’S largest water retailer has saved the country’s public sector a record £2.85million over the course of the last year, taking total savings over three years to £6.4million.
Business Stream has supported public sector organisations across the country, including NHS Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government with leak detection, water efficiency and smart monitoring services as part of a three-year contract.
As a result of the retailer’s activities, the sector has also saved more than 1.365 billion litres of water over the past year, equivalent to the volume of 546 Olympic swimming pools.
This in turn has delivered energy savings reducing 574,778 kg of carbon – comparable to removing 438 single passenger flights from Edinburgh to New York.
Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: “We’re really pleased to have delivered significant savings for Scotland’s public sector again this year.
“Our experience in working with the sector has allowed us to develop a suite of services and solutions that are helping the sector to reduce costs, save time and generate environmental efficiencies. We’re looking forward to delivering further savings in the year ahead”.
Through constantly striving to improve efficiency and service, the 350-strong water retailer has increased public sector savings year-on-year, from £1.4 million in 2021 to £2.2 million in 2022.
As one of the largest water retailers in the UK, Business Stream was awarded the Scottish Government Public Sector Water and Waste Water Framework contract in early 2020. The contract, worth around £200 million over three years, also includes the Scottish Prison Service, universities and colleges and local authorities. In 2022, Business Stream was awarded an additional one-year extension to the contract, which is currently underway.
A spokesperson from the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate utilities team, said: “Business Stream has continued to work with the public sector to identify water efficiency opportunities.
“This pro-active approach has reduced water consumption and provided financial savings for public sector customers of the Water and Waste Water Framework. Reducing cost and carbon impact is essential for supporting Scotland’s green economic recovery and helping us on our journey to a Net Zero Nation.”
The water retailer recently announced it had delivered £50,000 of funding to six public sector initiatives through its annual Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Water Efficiency Fund.
This year’s successful candidates of the Fund include a Heriot-Watt University initiative to install a water chiller unit to cool, condense and recirculate used water; the installation of modern, electronic low-flow taps at Glasgow Caledonian University; and the fitting of waterless urinals and aerator tap technology at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.
Jo added: “The Water Efficiency Fund plays a key role in identifying and funding innovative ways to minimise water waste and generate efficiency savings. Our investment in these projects highlights our commitment to supporting Scotland’s public sector.”
Originally created in 2006 to offer best in class water services to businesses in Scotland, Business Stream later acquired the non-household customer base of Southern Water ahead of the planned opening of the English retail water market.
That market change in 2017 paved the way for 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England to be able to choose their water supplier. In 2019 Business Stream acquired the customer base of its competitors Yorkshire Water Business Services (YWBS) and Three-Sixty, doubling its market share.
Business Stream has its HQ in Edinburgh, as well as a presence in Worthing, West Sussex and in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It is guided by its ambitious vision to make a positive difference to its customers, its people, the environment and local communities.
Since launching that vision in 2019, the retailer has introduced more than 30 initiatives, including a 20% water efficiency pledge to help customers reduce water usage. It has also invested in a tree-planting programme which has delivered an additional 10,000 trees in Scotland.
The savings success comes after Business Stream recently halved its carbon emissions in just one year, exceeding the retailer’s pledge to cut emissions by 20% over the same period.
Two Edinburgh charities have each won a top award at the Scottish Charity Awards run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
Fresh Start Scotland, a charity working to help end homelessness, and Feniks, which supports the integration and wellbeing of the Central Eastern European community in Edinburgh, won their respective awards at a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday (23 June).
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 32 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.
West Pilton-based Fresh Start Scotland won the Community Action award. Biddy Kelly, managing director, Fresh Start Scotland, said: “We would like to say how delighted we are to win this prestigious award.
“We have only been able to achieve this thanks to the thousands of people who support us, the dedication and hard work of all our staff and volunteers and to positive and supportive partnerships.”
Feniks won the Campaign of the Year award for their campaign ‘Shed your armour, show the scars’. Magda Czarnecka, chief executive, Feniks said: “Winning the Campaign of the Year category is a humbling and exhilarating experience.
“This victory is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our Community Ambassadors, who dedicated their time and skills to address the most stigmatized challenge within the Polish community.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, See Me Scotland, who believed in our cause and stood beside us on this inspiring journey. This award strengthens our commitment to continue advocating for change and creating a brighter future for the Polish community in Scotland.”
The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 14,000 votes cast online.
The winners for the Scottish Charity Awards 2023 are:
Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “What a fabulous event to celebrate the achievements of organisations and people across the voluntary sector in Scotland.
“Our finalists and winners are all shining examples of the great things happening thanks to the commitment of people working and volunteering in charities, community groups and social enterprises, all championing good causes, providing vital support and making our communities better places to live.
“Every community, and every part of our society, benefits from the work that SCVO is lucky to see on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Scottish Charity Awards this year, including our sponsors, the Sheraton Hotel for hosting us and of course to Sally Magnusson who was lovely as ever.
“Congratulations to all the finalists – I’m already looking forward to what the next year brings!
Our Pick of the Fringe and comedy selection shows this year will be spread throughout the day, and this year along-side the adult shows we have the ‘Clean Pick of the Fringe’ for the first time – a PG rated stand-up show suitable for all 12+.
And we know comics can occasionally slip-up and accidentally put a swear in. So our host Dave Chawner will be on hand with the swear jar and some stern words for any naughty comics!!!
Performers unveil new kit ahead of international competition
A group of polished performers from Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA) will represent Team Scotland at the Dance World Cup which kicks off in Portugal this week.
The award-winning dance school, founded by its Principal Julie Mitchell, is bringing a team of 72 pupils to the event, the largest contingent from Scotland.
The team will be among 7500 dancers from all parts of the globe taking part in the week-long competition being staged in Braga from 30 June – 8 July.
The EDA delegation will be comprised of dancers from its Performance Group, aged between seven and 18.
The performers will take part in the Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Show and Commercial sections with EDA teacher Hannah Boyle also competing for Scotland in the Over-18 section performing a solo dance.
In total, the group will take part in over 100 acts where they hope to emulate the school’s gold medal-winning success when it last travelled abroad to compete at the 2018 Dance World Cup in Spain.
The dances have been choreographed by Hannah Boyle, Megan Ireland, Millie Thomas, Ellen West and Jenni Inglis, who was named the UK’s most inspirational choreographer at the British Isles competition held earlier this year in Blackpool.
Some of the EDA competitors taking part in the Dance World Cup took a break from rehearsals today to unveil their new Scotland track suits which the team will proudly wear at this summer’s event.
