The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit the City Chambers and learn about Edinburgh 900
The Edinburgh 900 programme has received a royal boost, with the Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron welcoming TRH The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to the ‘Showcasing Edinburgh 900’ event at the City Chambers on Monday evening.
Edinburgh 900 is a celebration of the nine centuries of history and traditions in Scotland’s capital city since the founding of the royal burgh by King David I in around 1124.
To celebrate the event the main Council Chamber was set up to represent the ten themes of Edinburgh 900, where the royal party were given an insight into each theme by invited experts.
The evening concluded with a moving musical piece from Shionka Kamikaji-Inkster, playing the clarsach.
The city council says Edinburgh’s communities have a central role to play in these celebrations. The Edinburgh 900 Community Fund aims to allow our residents to celebrate their city’s rich heritage and inspiring present.
Community fund applications need to be led by an Edinburgh-based community group and focussed on activities or events held within their local area. Each application can be to a maximum of £5,000.
The full criteria and guidance for applications are available on our website. The deadline for applications is 27 May 2024.
If you’re already planning events for 2024 or 2025 and would like to be part of our Edinburgh 900 programme, you can apply through our separate application process to use the Edinburgh 900 logo and be advertised on the programme website and marketing activity.
Depute Lord Provost, Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I was delighted to welcome TRH The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to the ‘Showcasing Edinburgh 900’ event at the City Chambers, which gave us an opportunity to shine a light on the main themes of the programme. It’s fantastic to have this Royal support for such a key project for our city.
“It was wonderful to hear from a wide variety of representatives from the local community to discuss these themes.
“I’m looking forward to the official launch of Edinburgh 900, which is due to take place in July.
“It’s been really encouraging to have a number of community groups from across the city show interest in taking part in Edinburgh 900.
“There’s still time to get your application in for the community fund during the next week, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”
Statement from the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement following the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke about the anguish the infected blood scandal brought to those impacted by it. I want to reiterate his words and apologise again today. I am sorry.
The Prime Minister also spoke – on behalf of the whole house – of our gratitude to Sir Brian Langstaff and his team, for completing his comprehensive report…
I think seven volumes, two and a half thousand pages…
…and of our appreciation of all those who came forward as part of the inquiry.
It was the greatest privilege of my ministerial career to have met over 40 representatives of the infected blood community…
…in Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Belfast, Birmingham and Leeds…
… as we finalised our response to compensation for this appalling tragedy.
The whole community’s bravery through immense suffering is what has enabled justice today…
…I know many of them will be watching in the gallery today….
…and I want to honour their fortitude through their unimaginable pain, as I lay out a more detailed response to Sir Brian’s second interim report on compensation.
We will provide the House with a further opportunity to debate the Inquiry’s full report after the Whitsun recess.
The Government will also respond to each recommendation in full as quickly as possible within its comprehensive response to the report.
Compensation
Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday that the Government will pay comprehensive compensation to those who have been infected and affected as a result of this scandal.
I will now set out to the House the scheme the Government is proposing
…. And of course, more details of the scheme will be published online today.
(ALB, Eligibility, Burden of Proof)
We are establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, an arm’s length body to administer the compensation scheme.
A shadow body has already been set up and an interim CEO has been appointed…
…and today I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert Francis as the interim Chair of the organisation.
The experience and the care that Sir Robert will bring to this role will ensure that the scheme is credible and trusted by the community…
His support in delivering this scheme will be invaluable.
Mr Speaker, those who have been infected or affected – as a result of this scandal – will receive compensation.
To be crystal clear…
…if you have been directly or indirectly infected by NHS blood, blood products or tissue contaminated with HIV or Hepatitis C…
…or have developed a chronic infection from blood contaminated with Hepatitis B …
…you will be eligible to claim compensation under the scheme.
And where an infected person has died, but would have been eligible under these criteria, compensation will be paid to their estate.
And this will include where a person was infected with Hepatitis B and died during the acute period of infection.
But, Mr. Speaker, Sir Brian could not have been clearer.
It’s not just the harm caused by the infections that requires compensation…
…it’s also all the wrongs suffered by those affected that must also be compensated for.
So, when a person with an eligible infection has been accepted onto the scheme…
…their affected loved ones will be able to apply for compensation in their own right.
That means partners, parents, siblings, children and friends and family who have acted as carers of those who were infected are all eligible to claim.
Now I am aware that being asked to provide evidence of eligibility will likely be distressing.
So I am determined to minimise that as much as possible.
And I am pleased to confirm today that anyone already registered with one of the existing Infected Blood Support Schemes will automatically be considered eligible for compensation.
Loss Categories
Mr Speaker, I would like to give thanks to the dedication and hard work of Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery and the other members of the Expert Group…
… who were critical in advising on how the Government could faithfully translate the recommendations of Sir Brian for the scheme.
And in line with our previous commitment, we will publish the names of those experts today.
Now in his report Sir Brian recommended compensation be awarded with respect to the following five categories.
An Injury Impact Award…
…acknowledging the physical and mental injury caused by the infection.
A Social Impact Award…
…to address any stigma or social isolation as a result of the infection.
An Autonomy Award…
… acknowledging how family and private life was disrupted during this time…
A Care Award…
…to compensate for past and future care needs of anyone infected…
And finally, a Financial Loss Award…
…for past and future financial losses suffered as a result of the infection.
The Government accepts this recommendation…
…with two small refinements, informed by the work of the Expert Group, and designed for simplicity and speed. Two other principles that Sir Brian asserted.
First, the Care Award will be directly awarded to the person with the infection…
…or their estate.
And second, the Financial Loss Award will be paid either directly to the person with the infection, or
…where an infected person has tragically died before the establishment of the scheme, their estate and affected persons who were dependent on them…
Now,sadly many people have links to multiple individuals who were infected, or are both infected themselves and affected by another’s infection…
…so multiple injury awards will be offered to reflect the scale of the loss and suffering.
The scheme will be tariff-based. And we will be publishing an explanatory document, including examples of proposed tariffs on gov.uk.
However, Mr Speaker, this is not the end.
Over the next few weeks Sir Robert Francis will seek views from the Infected Blood Community on the proposed scheme before its terms are set in regulations, to make sure that the scheme will best serve those it is intended for.
Now, Sir Robert has welcomed the Government’s proposals as positive and meaningful. He will set out more details on engagement with the community shortly.
Payment Process
The Inquiry recommended that the scheme should be flexible in its award of compensation…
…providing options for a lump sum or regular payments.
We agree, and that is why awards to living infected or affected persons will be offered as a lump sum or periodical payments.
And where the infected person has died, estate representatives will receive compensation as a single lump sum to then distribute to beneficiaries of the estate as is appropriate.
We will also guarantee that any payments made to those eligible will be exempt from income, capital gains and inheritance tax…
…as well as disregarded from means tested benefit assessments.
We will also ensure all claimants are able to appeal their award…
…through both an internal review process in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority…
…and, where needed, the right to appeal to a First-tier tribunal.
And our expectation is that final payments will start before the end of the year.
Now, Mr Speaker, if you would permit, I would like to return to the House when the regulations are laid later this year…
…to make a further statement on an update on the delivery of the compensation scheme.
Support Schemes
But, I know from my discussions with the community just how important the existing Infected Blood support scheme payments are to them.
I recognise that many people sadly rely on these payments …
…and they are rightly keen to understand what the Government’s intentions are.
And I want to provide reassurance to all those out there today…
…that no immediate changes will be made to the support schemes.
Payments will continue to be made at the same level until 31 March 2025…
…and they will not be deducted from any compensation awards.
From the 1st April 2025, any support scheme payments received will be counted towards a beneficiary’s final compensation award.
This will ensure parity between support scheme beneficiaries, regardless of whether they were the first or the last to have their compensation assessed by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.
And we will ensure that no-one…no-one, receives less in compensation than they would have received in support payments.
Interim Payments
Now Mr Speaker, I recognise that members of the infected blood community are still dying each week from their infections.
And there may be people, indeed there will be people listening today…
…who are thinking to themselves that they may not live to receive compensation.
So, I want to address some of those concerns too.
Today I am announcing that the Government will be making further interim payments ahead of the establishment of the full scheme.
Payments of £210,000 will be made to living infected beneficiaries – those registered with existing Infected Blood Support Schemes…
…as well as those who register with a support scheme before the final scheme becomes operational…
…and the estates of those who pass away between now and payments being made.
I know that time is of the essence…
…which is why I am also pleased to say they will be delivered within 90 days, starting in the summer.
….so that they can reach those who need it so urgently most.
Memorial
Mr Speaker, before I conclude, I would like to turn to the matter of memorialisation.
Many of those who were infected by contaminated blood or blood products have since died…
…died without knowing that their suffering and loss would be fully recognised, either in their lifetime or at all.
The lives of most of those who have died remain unrecognised.
And I note Sir Brian’s recommendations on memorialisation across the UK…
…and the Government will address these recommendations in detail as part of our wider response to this report.
Conclusion
So in conclusion, Mr Speaker, I know that the whole House will want to join me in thanking Sir Brian and the Inquiry for the work that they have done…
…and pay tribute to all those who have been caught up in this terrible tragedy and battled for justice for so long.
Yesterday was a day of great humility for everyone implicated by this Inquiry…
…and today, I can only hope – with the Inquiry’s report published, and with our firm commitment to compensate those touched by the scandal – the infected blood community knows their cries for justice have been heard.
Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Apology to victims of infected blood scandal
First Minister makes statement in parliament
First Minister John Swinney has formally apologised on behalf of the Scottish government to everyone who has been infected or affected as a result of infected NHS blood or blood products in Scotland.
On Monday, the Infected Blood Inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff made clear in the report that the situation was a result of “systemic, collective, and individual failures”.
The First Minister said: “More than 30,000 people across the UK were infected by contaminated blood products and transfusions between the 1970s and 1991 – with around 3,000 of those here in Scotland.
“That is 3,000 families in Scotland who have faced decades of unnecessary heartbreak and pain. They have been failed by the organisations and process that should have been in place to protect and support them and I am sorry.
“Those infected and impacted by this tragedy have worked tirelessly to ensure that its impact, and their suffering, is not ignored – and to ensure that what they have endured is never repeated.
“People who were infected with HIV or hepatitis as a result of NHS treatment have endured unimaginable suffering, and I know that Infected Blood Inquiry report published yesterday, will not heal wounds nor bring back those love ones who have been lost. I do, however, hope that it is a step forward in the journey towards a semblance of justice and a better future.
“The Scottish Government has already accepted the moral case for compensation for infected blood victims and we are committed to working with the UK Government to ensure any compensation scheme builds on the interim compensation which was paid out in 2022 and works as well as possible for victims.
“The Scottish Government will take forward the Inquiry’s recommendations for Scotland along with charities representing the infected and affected.
“We are determined to use the Inquiry’s report to ensure lessons have been learned so a tragedy like this can never happen again. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has extremely high standards of blood safety and I would continue to encourage anyone who can do so to give blood, as this remains essential for thousands of patients.”
Scotland’s councils faced a collective gap of up to £585 million between the money needed to deliver services and the money available when setting their budgets this year. This is estimated to increase to £780 million by 2026/27. Ever tougher decisions must be made to ensure councils are financially sustainable.
Councils are addressing this most commonly by making ongoing savings, using reserves and raising money through charging citizens for some services.
An Accounts Commission report on the budgets set by councils for 2024/25 says that a near six per cent increase in Scottish Government revenue funding to councils – totalling £13.25 billion – masks significant underlying financial challenges and strain. Almost all the increases in funding have been ring-fenced for policies and to cover the costs of pay increases in 2023/24.
Whilst councils received £147 million of government funding to mitigate the impacts of this year’s council tax freeze, there are longer-term financial consequences as future rises will provide less income for councils. Also, a third of councils say the government funding does not fully-fund the freeze.
The full impact of proposed savings by councils on service delivery and communities is unclear. There has been significant public opposition in some council areas to cuts to services, with new and increased charges also affecting people.
We will continue to monitor this area closely, as councils must meet savings in full this year. Failing to do so will intensify and exacerbate the impacts on services in future years, as further savings will be needed.
Councils must look to the future as they make increasingly difficult decisions to deliver savings, at scale, to address projected budget gaps. Planning and delivering on transformational change are vital if councils are to be financially sustainable.
Derek Yule, Member of the Accounts Commission said: “It’s getting harder for councils to do more with less. They have to find and then deliver significant levels of savings to address budget gaps.
“Fully engaging with local people and being clear about the different and difficult budget choices is vital, whilst understanding the impacts on the most vulnerable.
“Councils need to improve the way in which they present financial information, and do this in a clear, consistent and accessible way.
“The Accounts Commission calls on councils to increase the accessibility and transparency of publicly available budget information. This will allow for improved comparison between councils, particularly around key information including actions to tackle existing and future budget gaps, as well as savings plans.”
A prestigious evening Awards Ceremony celebrating the best of the independent care at home and housing support sector will be held tonight (Friday 17 May) at Radisson Blu in Glasgow.
The awards are a perfect opportunity to recognise the workforce in the homecare sector, who work tirelessly day and night to allow people to live independently in their own homes.
Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care services across Scotland and organisers of the event are encouraging those working in the sector and the wider public to join the Awards Ceremony to recognise and celebrate the role of homecare workers.
Winners will be announced by the Awards Host – Pop Idol winner, Michelle McManus.
Awards will be presented over ten categories:
Emerging Talent Award
Care Services Coordination/Administration Award
Care Learning Award
Leadership Award
Outstanding Achievement Award
Care Worker of the Year
Care Innovation Award
Technology & People Award
Provider of the Year
Positive Impact Award
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care and the co-host of the Awards Ceremony said: “Homecare services and the remarkable individuals behind them play a vital role in fostering connections, independence, and community inclusion for those they support.
“They serve as lifelines for thousands across Scotland, enabling others to flourish and thrive. It’s essential that we acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contributions of these dedicated professionals who make such a profound difference in people’s lives every day.
“The awards ceremony serves as a platform to honour and recognise the exceptional dedication and commitment of our workforce and sector as a whole.”
The awards have been hailed as a huge success in recognising individuals, teams and companies, with more entries than ever flooding in each year from employers, homecare staff, service users and relatives nominating their peers, colleagues and local services.
The Care at Home and Housing Support Awards follow a full-day conference for the homecare sector.
The title of the conference is ‘Care Revolution: Time to Act’, bringing people together from across the sector and addressing key themes like evidencing social value and effective voice. Through a range of insight sessions, delegates will explore topics as diverse as experiences of ethical commissioning; international recruitment; wellbeing; homecare software; technology, digital and data.
The conference, exhibition and care awards are the largest of their kind for the care at home and housing sector in Scotland.
Deidre Brock MP has called for compensation for the victims of the infected blood scandal to be put in place without further delay.
The Edinburgh North and Leith MP formally handed in a petition to the UK Parliament on behalf of her constituents, prior to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry being published on Monday May 20th.
The petition calls on the UK Government to implement the findings of the second interim report published in April 2023, which has already provided recommendations about compensation.
The inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff made clear at the time that the compensation scheme should be set up straight away, to avoid adding to the decades-long delays people had already suffered, yet over a year later there is still no clarity and no timeframe has been set for payments.
The petition was led in Edinburgh North and Leith by Deidre Brock’s constituent Justine Gordon-Smith who, together with her sister Rachel lost their father, Mr Randolph Peter Gordon-Smith, to the contaminated blood scandal in deeply traumatic circumstances. They have been tirelessly campaigning ever since.
Ms Brock said: “I am handing in this petition on behalf of everyone in Edinburgh North and Leith who is working so hard for justice – people who received infected blood, their carers and the families of those who have been lost in the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
‘The moral case for compensation has long been accepted by government, so what are we waiting for? More delays merely worsen people’s suffering.
‘It’s a tragic truth that people who were infected are dying while the government dithers over the justice they and their families deserve.
‘The interim report was clear that they should go ahead with compensation immediately and that was published over a year ago.
“When will they lay out a clear – and short – timeframe for victims to get the compensation they’ve been waiting decades to receive? Or is the UK Government planning to kick this into the long grass again until they are kicked out of office?
‘I commend the efforts of my constituent Justine who has been tireless in her fight for equitable treatment for all those affected. I stand squarely with her, her sister and everyone who has suffered as a consequence of this scandal. They have already struggled enough and this battle for compensation is one they should not have to keep fighting.
‘I urge the government to finally do the right thing and deliver justice to the victims of the infected blood scandal.”
The Ripple Project is proud to announce a new Community Enhancement Partnership with the University of Edinburgh.
The pioneering new initiative has seen three University of Edinburgh Master of Architecture students work with The Ripple Project and its Restalrig residents to design and construct new social structures to enhance the wellbeing of the local community.
Made from recycled and sustainable materials, this year’s students created a new community noticeboard and seating area, as well as a set of hand-crafted stools, moulded with earth clay and decorated by local residents.
Tristan Green, Community Action Worker, at The Ripple, commented: ‘We’re excited to partner with the University of Edinburgh and are thankful for the support of the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) at Edinburgh College of Art.
“Art and wellbeing are at the beating heart of The Ripple Project, and we’re excited to work together to give students valuable practical experience whilst enriching the local area with their fantastic creations.
“The hand-made ‘storage stools’ were made with clay earth and designed with local residents, whilst the community noticeboard has enhanced our ability to inform local residents of our new refillery, key social activities and lifeline services including foodbanks and councillor surgeries.”
Dr Simone Ferracina from the University of Edinburgh commented: ‘Our partnership with The Ripple focuses reflects on our ambition to turn architectural design into a form of resource stewardship and care, and to help Edinburgh become a more sustainable and equitable city.
‘The Ripple was identified as an ideal partner as it is a pioneering local charity, with a progressive and sustainable vision for the city. The partnership has offered our students valuable practical experience to enhance their coursework and future employability, whilst benefitting the local community.’
See the comments from the students about their own projects:
“This structure was designed and built by hand using locally sourced ’waste materials’ from various spaces across and outside of Edinburgh.
“Using recycled scaffolding boards and retired climbing ropes, ’Noticing: The Ripple Project’ was specifically designed following time spent at the project – gaining an understanding of what they do and building connections with those who work and visit here – in order to better advertise the amazing work, space and groups that they offer to the local community.
“This structure aims to provide space for advertising of local events & activities. I hope to have provided a necessary space and structure for this purpose and look forward to seeing it in use”.
“Modular Earth: Co-Designing Through Surfaces is the result of a year-long immersive collaboration interaction with the ongoing activities, integrating with volunteers, and visitors at The Ripple Project.
“It culminates in a modular system that addresses the client’s need for additional storage as well as seating, and this design response provides punctual interventions which can act independently and aggregate to form larger social and functional installations.
“The design is comprised of a timber frame, which was adapted from locally sourced and dismantled pallets, faced with light earth (a mixture of subsoil and fibres), and earth plaster with glazed finishes made from natural vegetable pigments.
“The project aims to create moments of ownership and interaction, through easy-to-learn plastering techniques, with finishes serving as tactile, stimulating interfaces for sharing memories and ideas.
“Community members participated in the finishing of the modules through hands-on workshop sessions, fostering a sense of ownership and pride, embedding the participants’ identities within the work.”
The UK Government has funded 350 additional medical school places in England for the academic year 2025/26 in latest step to deliver NHS Long Term Workforce Plan
The Government has funded 350 additional medical school places in England for the academic year 2025/26
This is the next stage in delivering the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan commitment to double medical school places by 2031
The places have been allocated to medical schools across the country but targeted to address disparities in the distribution of places and support under-doctored areas
The Westminster government has allocated an additional 350 medical school places, to deliver the future workforce the NHS requires.
Last year, the NHS set out its Long Term Workforce Plan, backed by more than £2.4 billion in government funding. It outlines how the NHS will recruit and retain hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years – delivering the biggest training expansion in the health service’s history.
One of the key commitments is doubling the number of medical school places in England to 15,000 by 2031, and levelling up the geographic training of places to help tackle unequal access to services.
In the next step to deliver this commitment, the Office for Students (OfS) has now allocated 350 places in the academic year 2025/26 to medical schools across the country.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Thanks to the Government’s plan for a faster, simpler and fairer healthcare system, the NHS now has record funding, and a record number of doctors.
“I want to make sure that we will have the medical professionals we will need in the years ahead.
“That’s why we are delivering the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, and doubling the number of medical school places, so we can train the next generation of world-class doctors to offer patients the highest-quality care.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Our frontline health workers do tremendous work in serving the nation every single day and ensuring all of us receive the care we need.
“I know what a popular career medicine is among young people, and it’s so important they have the chance to pursue their ambitions.
“With this expansion of places – alongside our new doctor degree apprenticeship – the opportunities for a career in medicine are greater than ever.”
Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England said: “This is a hugely important moment for the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and marks one of the first steps towards our ambition to train more doctors in England than ever before – the record expansion will help us boost care for patients right across the country.
“The ambitious blueprint for our workforce, is a once in a generation opportunity to put NHS staffing on a sustainable footing, particularly as we continue to adapt to new and rising demand for health services.”
Dr Katie Petty-Saphon, CEO, Medical Schools Council said: “The Medical Schools Council welcomes the announcement of 350 additional student places from 2025.
“Medical schools are committed to widening participation to the profession and particularly important is the need for local recruitment in under-doctored areas.
“We will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the NHS has the staff it needs to deliver high quality patient care.”
Places have been provided across the country, but the OfS has used analysis of geographical distribution provided by NHS England to target under-doctored areas in its allocation of the places.
This includes substantial increases to medical schools at universities in Sunderland, Leeds, East Anglia, Anglia Ruskin, Plymouth and Surrey. The University of Surrey is also receiving government-funded places for the first time.
This is the second year of expansions to deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Delivery started a year early, allocating 205 additional medical school places for the 2024/25 academic year, including providing Government-funded places to three schools for the first time.
This builds on the 25% expansion of medical school places in England that the Government completed in 2020, taking the total number of places to 7,500 per year and delivering five new medical schools.
A combination of the additional medical places this year and next, along with medical apprenticeship places, puts us on track to exceed current plans.
Through the allocation of places for 2026/27 and beyond, the Government and NHS England will work closely with partners including medical schools, NHS trusts and the General Medical Council to deliver ambitious reforms to medical education set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Responding to the announcement the Government is to fund 350 further medical school places for 2025/26, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Adrian Boyle said: “This latest news detailing the uplift of med school places is welcome. Medicine remains one of the best, rewarding – and, I hope, – still attractive careers.
“But medical school places can only ever be part of the picture. They must also be accompanied by the educators needed to teach and mentor these students, and enough dedicated specialty training places for them to move on to when they have qualified.
“However, it is pointless investing in the next generation if the Government does not also look after the current workforce – morale is at rock bottom, stress levels are sky high, and attrition is a serious problem.
“Medicine is a vocation which starts the day you step through the doors of Med School and lasts a lifetime. Proper government support is nothing less than these dedicated professionals need and deserve.”
Do you have experience in community engagement and development? We have an exciting new paid role for a Community Navigator, to support more people in North Edinburgh to access and benefit from Lauriston Farm.
The Community Navigator will work to foster relationships, increase engagement, make the farm more accessible and inclusive and reach people within our neighbouring communities of Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton.
You would collaborate with local organisations such as Pilton Community Health Partnership (with a desk based at PCHP), North Edinburgh Arts, Granton Youth, Low Income Families Together, Muirhouse Medical Practice and Community Renewal to offer activities and support individuals and groups with their engagement at the farm.
We would particularly like to encourage people from the Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton areas and from under-represented and marginalised groups to consider applying for this role.
Click here to see all details and the application process:
The mystery of a paint-like substance spotted by members of the public on coastlines around Scotland has been solved by scientists from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Staff from SEPA’s National Monitoring Team came to the rescue and collected samples of the substance on the West coast from a stretch between the Isle of Arran, Fairlie and Largs.
The samples were taken to the agency’s Marine Ecology Team based at Eurocentral near Motherwell. They processed the samples and identified the strange substance as conifer pollen deposits.
Reports of the pollen deposits have been reported across Scotland with enquiries coming in from Glasgow, the Hebrides, the Highlands, and Fife and Angus.
While pollen is produced every year, a spell of warm weather can release a large amount at the one time. These deposits are harmless to the environment and naturally occurring due to many trees of the same species, in this case conifers and spruce, growing together close to the sea. When they all produce pollen at the same time, it collects on the shorelines.
During the summer months, there may be other natural occurring events, including the presence of algal plankton blooms which can discolour water or form shoreline slicks or scums.
Myles O’Reilly, Senior Marine Ecologistt from Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “At this time of year, the public can expect to see yellowish slicks of pollen deposits collecting on shorelines around Scotland.
“In Spring around April and May, conifer trees, such as spruce or pine, produce copious quantities of pollen. Conifer pollen grains have little buoyancy sacs to help them disperse in the wind, and these sacs also mean they float well on water.
“The pollen deposits can form a mat or slick on the sea, collect around the seashore and look like a paint-like substance covering rocks and beaches. It can also coat parked vehicles and stationary objects which may look like a yellow dust.”
We would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who spots anything they think might be a potential pollution incident to contact SEPA via the Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 or report an environmental event on our website.
