North Edinburgh News – Page 800 – The NEN

Barratt Developments Scotland donates £10k to SocialBite

Five Scottish charities to receive a share of £50k fund to help people facing homelessness, financial crisis or social exclusion

Local housebuilder Barratt Developments Scotland, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has donated £10,000 to help homeless people in Edinburgh.

Social Bite is one of five charities to benefit from a share of Barratt’s £50k fund to help people facing homelessness, financial crisis or social exclusion.

The UK charity is an innovative social enterprise, which is committed to ending homelessness through food, employment and housing. In Edinburgh it has coffee shops on Rose Street and Shandwick Place, along with the Social Bite Village – a supported community providing accommodation and assistance for up to 20 people affected by homelessness.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, co-founder of Social Bite, says Barratt’s donation will go towards supporting those who are affected by homelessness, experiencing high financial risk, or in crisis and in need of support.

Josh Littlejohn said: “On behalf of Social Bite and the people we support, I’d like to thank Barratt Developments Scotland. We know that ending homelessness requires everyone to play their part, and we are incredibly grateful for this generous donation.

“This support will enable us to continue to develop innovative programmes of food provision, supported employment and housing; to bring about systemic change, and empower people who have been homeless to transform their own lives.”

Churches Action for the Homeless (CATH) in Perth, The Highland Homeless Trust in Inverness, Aberdeen Cyrenians in Aberdeen and Community Veterans Support in Glasgow are among the other charities to benefit from a share of Barratt Development’s bumper £50,000 fund.

Alison Condie, managing director of Barratt Developments East Scotland, said: “As a homebuilder, we work in communities across the country to increase the availability of quality homes.

“Addressing homelessness is a cause that’s very close to our hearts but, sadly, the pandemic has exacerbated many of the social and financial issues and put many more people at risk.

“We are pleased to be able to provide some financial support to these organisations at a time when they need it most, and hope that our donations will help those who are vulnerable or facing hardship across the country.”

For more information on Barratt Developments Scotland, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/

MSP encourages Edinburgh families to complete Scotland’s Census

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald is urging the people of Edinburgh to play their part in planning for future services across Edinburgh by completing the Scottish census.

Speaking ahead of the May 1 deadline for completing the census, Gordon MacDonald said: “The census is the official count of every person and household in the country, takes place every 10 years and it is in the interests of everyone in Edinburgh to complete it accurately and on time.

“The census benefits everyone because it helps the government and other service providers like local councils make important decisions about vital services such as education, healthcare and employment. Completing the census helps officials make better decisions about the things that matter to you.

“By setting aside just a few minutes to answer questions about yourself, your household, and the place where you live, you play a vital role in helping shape important community services across the city, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.

“So, it is hugely important to play your part to make sure everyone is heard, and everyone’s individual needs are accurately recorded.”

Every household in Scotland must complete Scotland’s Census. It’s a legal responsibility and householders are responsible for making sure they respond. Anyone who hasn’t completed the census by the 1st of May could face a fine.

For anyone who has yet to complete it, help and support is available on the website census.gov.scot or via a free helpline on 0800 030 8308.

Guidance is available for every question in English and 16 other languages on the website.

An interpretation service covering most languages can be accessed by calling 0800 030 8333.

You can also request copies of the guidance in Braille, large print or on audio CD or USB.

There are guidance videos in British Sign Language on the key pages of the website and a video relay service offered by contactscotland-bsl.org can be used by BSL users to access advice from the helpline.

UK faces ‘biggest rail strike in history’

THE RMT union is preparing to ballot members over what could be the biggest rail strike in British history.

RMT senior assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey said it is preparing to ballot members over pay freezes and safety standards.

Eddie Dempsey told GB News: “This dispute’s been a long time in the making. We’ve been through the pandemic period where our members made lots of changes to their working practices and worked right through a pandemic to keep the country moving and many of our members have had pay freezes.

“Now some of them are in the third year of a pay freeze. We’ve changed how we work, we’ve made lots of sacrifices to help the railways going and we’ve been working with the industry in the rail industry recovery group, putting forward ideas on how to help the industry recover.

“But that’s turned into a forum where we’re told now the intention is to strip £2 billion out of the rail industry to make that money come out through stripping out jobs and attacking terms and conditions and keeping wages low.”

Mr Dempsey made his comments during On The Money with Liam Halligan on GB News yesterday. He said the cuts, which have been proposed because of fewer passenger numbers due to people working at home, threaten to put safety at risk.

He added: “We’ve put forward lots of ideas on how they can save money.

“We’ve told them many ways they could make efficiency savings, but they’re intent on making those efficiency savings in removing safety critical jobs, in slashing maintenance standards and safety schedules, and in keeping wages down and tearing up terms and conditions for railway workers.

Mr Dempsey said that money could be saved by cutting pay for executives. “We’ve pointed out that director pay is out of control with Network Rail

“Seven of the highest paid civil servants in the country are Network Rail employees.

“If you strip their money back, just to what the Prime Minister’s being paid, you’d save nearly £6 million a year.

“They’ve got eight non-executive directors, they spent nearly three quarters of a million pounds for those people to attend eight meetings over one year during a pandemic.”

PM: UK – India partnership ‘brings security and prosperity for our people’

PM will meet Narendra Modi in New Delhi today for high-level talks on defence, diplomacy and trade
UK will work with India to boost security in the Indo-Pacific, including new fighter jet technology, helicopters and collaboration in the undersea battlespace
PM will also discuss new cooperation on clean and renewable energy

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will reiterate the vital importance of the UK-India partnership for global peace and security, as he visits New Delhi today [Friday].

He is expected to discuss next-generation defence and security collaboration across the five domains – land, sea, air, space and cyber – in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as our nations face complex new threats.

This includes support for new Indian-designed and built fighter jets, offering the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft. The UK will also seek to support India’s requirements for new technology to identify and respond to threats in the Indian Ocean.

To support greater defence and security collaboration with India over the coming decade, the UK will issue an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India, reducing bureaucracy and shortening delivery times for defence procurement. This is our first OGEL in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The world faces growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off free and fair trade and trample on sovereignty.

“The UK’s partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas. Our collaboration on the issues that matter to both our countries, from climate change to energy 2security and defence, is of vital importance as we look to the future.

“I look forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi today and working together to deliver a more secure and prosperous future for both our peoples.”

The Prime Minister will also discuss new cooperation on clean and renewable energy in his meetings in New Delhi today, aimed at supporting India’s energy transition away from imported oil and increasing its resilience through secure and sustainable energy, and addressing climate change in both the UK and India.

The UK and India are launching a virtual Hydrogen Science and Innovation hub to accelerate affordable green hydrogen, as well as new funding for the Green Grids Initiative announced at COP26, and collaboration on joint work on the electrification of public transport across India.

As well as boosting our domestic energy and economic resilience, the UK and India are collaborating as a force for good globally. The governments are committing up to £75 million to roll out adaptable clean tech innovations from India to the wider Indo-Pacific and Africa, and working together on international development and girls education.

Mr Johnson’s foreign adventures are doubtless a welcome distraction but they have done nothing to reduce the pressure on him to resign following his lies to Parliament over the Partygate scandal.

The Prime Minister is now to be investigated by a Westminster committee over claims he misled Parliament about parties in Downing Street during lockdown.

MPs yesterday approved the Privileges Committee instigating an inquiry as soon as police have finished their investigation into the gatherings.

Johnson’s government had tried to delay the vote, but were forced into making a U-turn following opposition from its own Tory MPs.

And with the full details of the Sue Gray report still to come, Boris Johnson’s political future is very much still in the balance.

West Pilton incident: boy charged

Following the theft of a motorcycle from the North West of Edinburgh, which was reported on Monday (18 April), police were made aware of a linked incident in the West Pilton area later that day involving a group of youths.

This resulted in a 13-year-old boy being identified and charged in connection with attempted robbery and possession of a blade.

Enquiries are ongoing into the theft of the motorbike.

Proposals for new Bill to tackle misogyny

Public to be consulted on laws to criminalise misogynistic conduct

Plans for future legislation are part of the Scottish Government’s official response to the independent working group on misogyny.

A new Bill to tackle misogyny is being considered by Scottish Ministers as part of these proposals.

Chaired by Baroness Kennedy QC, the group’s report recommended a number of new offences to criminalise specific forms of misogynistic conduct – including stirring up hatred against women and public sexual harassment of women.

The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendations are pivotal in challenging misogyny and will develop draft legislative provisions for public consultation.

The timing of a final Bill will be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s future legislative programme.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: “The independent report rightly recognises the need to address misogyny and makes a compelling case for creating new laws to tackle this unacceptable conduct.

“The Scottish Government response outlines how we intend to make progress on the blueprint for legislation contained within the report by bringing forward a Bill to the Scottish Parliament.

“With such a substantial and significant report it will take time to work through the recommendations in discussion with key partners, but we are confident the resulting legislation will help send a clear message that male attitudes which emanate from prejudice and misogyny have no place in a modern and equal Scotland.”

Extreme wildfire risk over weekend

The risk of wildfires across many parts of Scotland over the next few days has been declared as ‘extreme’.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning that fires could ignite and spread easily with warm temperatures and strong winds forecast.

The warning applies from tomorrow, Friday 22 April and lasts until Monday 25 April.

• North, Central and West Scotland EXTREME Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th April

• West Scotland EXTREME Monday 25th April

Group Commander Keith Langley, who is one of SFRS’ Wildfire Tactical Advisors, is urging the public to take the utmost care in the countryside. He said: “The key issues over the next few days are sunshine, warm air temperatures, low humidity and moderate to strong winds.

“Dead grass, leaves, twigs and heather on the ground will dry quite quickly in these conditions and when ignited can burn very fast with extreme fire intensity.

“Please exercise caution outdoors to avoid fires breaking out and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.”

Wildfire danger assessments are made on behalf of the Scottish Wildfire Forum. They are done on a broad area basis.

The wildfire warning map can be found at https://twitter.com/fire_scot

Tesco launches Mobile Money Saving Tool as cost of living soars

Tesco Mobile launch calculator to help customers save money on mobile phone contracts

With the cost of living surge the worst crisis Brits have faced in 30 years, phone contracts are among one of the many inflated costs that families will face from 1 April.

The big networks will be hitting millions of customers with hikes of up to 11.7%at the worst possible time.

To help customers save money and plan their finances, Tesco Mobile has launched a new calculator which allows consumers to find out just how much they could save over the length of their contract.

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All consumers need to provide is the length of their contract, their network provider, and their monthly cost – the calculator will do the rest!

A spokesperson from Tesco Mobile commented: “This year, mid-contract mobile price hikes are at their highest ever and they couldn’t come at a worse time. We know that phones are a lifeline which is why the price our customers pay when they sign up, is the price they pay for the duration of their contract.

“What’s helpful about our money saving calculator, is that families can find out exactly how much other networks are taking out of their pockets, making it easier for them to plan their finances for the future.”

The calculator can be found at www.tescomobile.com/fixedprices

Third sector hustings: Preventing Poverty for the People of Edinburgh

Be part of a conversation with some of the candidates standing for election in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface (EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, Edinburgh Social Enterprise) and the Poverty Alliance invite you to be part of an conversation with some of the candidates standing for election on Thu 5 May.

The main focus of this event is the challenges arising from cost-of-living increases that are impacting people and communities across the City linked to:

the importance of a thriving voluntary sector
the benefits of an enterprising City
the need for wealth building within communities

Welcome & Introduction: Bridie Ashrowan, Claire Pattullo, Paul Wilson.

Panel Q&A:

Claire Miller, Edinburgh Greens candidate for City Centre
Vicky Nicolson, SNP candidate for Inverleith
Ross McKenzie, Labour candidate for Sighthill / Gorgie
Neil Ross, Liberal Democrats candidate for Morningside
Representatives from each of the political parties have been invited.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Please submit any questions you have in advance, or if you are unable to attend the event to: comms@evoc.org.uk

ZOOM LINK:

The link will be sent out to everyone who has registered by 1pm on the day.

Keeping People Safe: Chief Constable welcomes new probationary constables to Police Scotland

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone welcomed 297 new probationary Constables to Police Scotland and thanked them for their commitment to public service during an oath of office ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan yesterday.

The recruits made the Police Constable’s declaration to faithfully discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, and promised to uphold fundamental human rights under the authority of Justice of the Peace, Dr Vicki Nash.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Our officers come from the diverse communities we serve and from who draw our legitimacy. What unites us in Police Scotland are our values and a shared mission to keep people safe.

“As Chief Constable, I welcome our new Constables and thank them for stepping forward to make what is a significant commitment to public service and to underline the values and behaviours they must uphold and promote.

“Policing is a demanding but rewarding vocation. The oath of office ceremony is an important opportunity to emphasise that Constables who discharge their duties in accordance with our values and their oath have my support as Chief Constable, and the support of the Police Service of Scotland.”

The intake, made up of 56% male recruits and 44% female, ranges in age from 19 to 52, with the majority falling in the 25 – 34 years age bracket.

Of the intake, 10% identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 29 officers, and languages spoken fluently by recruits include Polish, Romanian, Norwegian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian and Chinese Mandarin.

Six of the recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland, two were members of Police Staff, and 17 of the new constables have previous military service.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Recruiting officers who share our values and reflect and represent all our communities is vital to maintain and enhance our crucial bond of trust with the public we serve.

“We have a positive moral and legal duty to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. This includes being representative of the communities we serve, making us accessible and approachable. The increasing diversity of our recruits continues to help our organisation to do this.”

The new recruits will undertake 12 weeks of initial training before joining colleagues serving communities across Scotland during a two-year probationary period.

The Chief Constable spoke earlier this year of the measures taken in response to the COVID pandemic as well as the need to provide effective policing during the COP26 climate change summit. This included amending intakes and initial training, meaning overall officer numbers were lower than would otherwise be the case.