Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has selected the winner of his annual Christmas card competition, which he has been running since his election to the Scottish Parliament in 2016.
This year’s Christmas Card theme was NHS Scotland, to honour frontline workers who have worked incredibly hard throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The competition was open to all primary schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and Elsie Adams age 8, from P4 at St Peter’s Primary School in Morningside, was chosen as the winner.
Elsie won £50 Amazon voucher (sponsored by Morrison Construction), afternoon tea at the Caledonian (sponsored by Waldorf Astoria) and a family day out at Conifox Adventure Park (sponsored by Conifox).
Miles was unable to present Elsie with her prize in person due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“There were some very creative Christmas cards this year and pupils in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s once again showed their artistic talent.
“The competition was very close with hundreds of Christmas card entries from primary schools across the region, with inventive designs from hand sanitiser to the distinctive NHS rainbow.
“What was clear from the entries was that primary school pupils are aware of the tremendous effort that NHS staff have made throughout this year.
“Congratulations to the winner Elsie, whose bright card and fun design stood out as the winner of my 2020 Christmas card competition.”
The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee has indicated it will support the general principles of the Hate Crime Bill on condition it is amended in line with recommendations the Committee is unanimously making. The committee’s recommendations build on, but go further than, the commitments already made by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to make changes to the Bill.
The Justice Committee has concluded that further changes should be made to the Bill to ensure that those making comments which others find offensive are not criminalised, while still robustly tackling those perpetrating hate crimes.
The Committee has unanimously concluded as follows:
For behaviour to be considered “abusive” under the Bill, prosecutors must be required to show that a ‘reasonable person’ would consider the behaviour to be abusive, setting a higher bar for prosecution;
The Bill’s provisions safeguarding free speech must be deepened and strengthened;
The ‘reasonableness’ defence available to a person charged with a stirring-up offence must be clarified.
The Committee also agreed that while there should not be an absolute defence against prosecution for acts in private homes, people should be allowed to express their own, perhaps offensive, views within their own home or other private space without fear of investigation or prosecution.
It has therefore called on the Scottish Government to find a way to amend the Bill that better reflects its view around ‘stirring up’ offences having a public element to them.
The Committee welcomed the appointment of Baroness Helena Kennedy QC to chair a working group on misogynistic harassment, and has called on the working group to report within a year to avoid further significant delay. However, any legislative change that is recommended by this group should be subject to the fullest possible parliamentary scrutiny.
Speaking as the report was published, Committee Convener, Adam Tomkins MSP, said:“Balancing freedom of expression and legislating to ensure hateful actions can be prosecuted is a difficult task.
“The Committee is grateful for the wealth and variety of evidence we heard, and hope we have reflected, in our report. We also welcome the Cabinet Secretary taking the unusual step of accepting that his Bill required amendment before we began our scrutiny.
“We believe that, if amended in line with our unanimous recommendations, this Bill should be fit to protect the communities it affords extra protections to, without encroaching on the ability of citizens to have robust debates, hold views others find unpalatable, and express themselves freely.
“It is a testament to the open-mindedness of all Members to have found such consensus on what has undoubtedly been a contentious piece of legislation.”
The Committee’s call for views received an unprecedented response, with almost 2,000 submissions. A release about this and the Bill timetable is set out in this release.
The Committee heard oral evidence from almost 40 stakeholder organisations.
A group of like-minded car enthusiasts are supporting the launch of VOCAL’s Carers Are Stars! campaign with the unveiling of their special modified car.
The members of Lothian Modified unveiled the ‘dressed’ cars at VOCAL’s carers’ hub in Dalkeith to launch a campaign and appeal in support of the vital role played by unpaid carers across Edinburgh and Midlothian communities.
“As a family-friendly group we include carers and people living with disabilities and conditions who need extra support. So we wanted to help carers in whatever way we can” said Linda Lawton, group moderator/administrator and instigator of Lothian Modified’s support for VOCAL. “We want to make sure that our community recognises the role of unpaid carers and let them know that they are stars.
“As a carer for a child with additional needs and as a person with a disability, I know the work that goes into being a carer. VOCAL has been so helpful to me and my family and it is so important that others know they are not alone” added Linda.
“VOCAL has continued to support carers across Edinburgh and Midlothian through the COVID pandemic when many more people have taken on caring roles and caring duties have increased in hours as well as intensity.
“This Christmas, we want to let the carers in our community know that they are stars. They bring light and hope to cared-for people and deserve all the support that VOCAL can provide” said Julie Forster of VOCAL.
VOCAL’s Carer are Stars! appeal asks supporters to make a donation and put another star on the VOCAL’s Christmas tree.
Julie added: “We have been doing so much virtually this year that we wanted to make our tree real. We will be genuinely hanging one of our special stars on our tree when you make a donation.”
Sweet potatoes make a tasty alternative to white potatoes and they are very versatile. Unlike white potatoes, sweet potatoes count towards your 5 a day and they are packed with vitamins and fibre to keep you healthy.
Sweet potatoes can be mashed, baked, roasted and boiled in the same way as white potatoes.
We provide some tips to help you include sweet potatoes in your meals:
For a healthy lunch, why not swap your regular baked potato for a baked sweet potato (without butter). Choose a healthy filling, such as vegetarian chilli, tuna, baked beans or cottage cheese and serve with a healthy salad.
Try switching from regular mashed potato to mashed sweet potato. Alternatively, you could make your mash with 50% white potatoes and 50% sweet potatoes. Instead of adding cream, butter or salt, try adding a splash of milk or low-fat crème fraiche and a pinch of nutmeg before mashing. Mashed sweet potato makes a great topping for shepherd’s pie or fish pie, or you can serve it alongside a roast dinner.
Ditch your deep-fat fryer and switch from chips to sweet potato wedges, baked in the oven. Cut your sweet potatoes into wedges (keep the skins on for extra fibre), toss them in a small amount of oil and add some dried herbs and/or spices, such as Cajun spice mix, cumin or paprika. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Serve with a dollop of reduced calorie crème fraiche.
WHAT: The perfect Christmas roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, from Aldi and top chef Neil Rankin
WHEN: Available to order via Deliveroo on 12th December, for delivery on 13th December
PRICE: £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly
Aldi has announced ‘Christmas on a Plate’, the perfect roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, in collaboration with top chef Neil Rankin.
The launch comes as the supermarket’s research reveals 36% of Edinburghians are planning more than one Christmas dinner this year, despite nearly one in ten Edinburgh residents saying cooking a roast dinner is too stressful. Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ is a delicious alterative, helping to take the pressure off cooks this festive season.
The partnership with Great British Menu star Rankin and Deliveroo sees a Christmas dinner delivery roll out across Edinburgh on Sunday 13th December, giving customers the chance to order a perfectly cooked roast in return for a £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly.
With the option to order either traditional turkey or a vegan meal, the roasts have been expertly curated by Rankin and will include tasty side dishes and ingredients from Aldi’s Specially Selected range.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director for Buying at Aldi, comments: “After a year unlike any other, we want to give our customers a treat by taking the stress out of cooking at home, which is why we’ve partnered with Neil Rankin and Deliveroo to create Christmas on a Plate.
“Our research has shown that people will be celebrating in many different ways this year, but one thing is for certain – the nation is still gearing up to enjoy an amazing Christmas dinner and that’s where we’re best placed to help, with beautiful food at great value.
“We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy quality food not just at Christmas, but every day of the year, and that’s why all proceeds of our initiative will go to Neighbourly, supporting local charities and communities.”
Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ roasts will be available for the cost of a £5 charitable donation per meal from Deliveroo’s app.
Customers will have the option to also donate more money to the Neighbourly charity on the page if they do not wish to order an additional meal.
Customers will need to keep their eyes peeled for the order page, which will launch at 12PM on Saturday 12th December for pre-order the following day.
Shoppers will need to be quick, as always with Aldi’s limited-edition products, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
The Citizens Assembly will meet for Weekend 8 today – Saturday 5 December. Convener Kate Wimpress has written a blog where she provides an overview of the weekend (see below).
We will be livestreaming the plenary sessions on our website,
and materials for the Assembly that members will use, are also available to view online.
Convener Kate Wimpress (above) said: “I am very much looking forward to the last meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly.
“Members will be meeting online on Saturday, 5th December, to discuss support for the final recommendations to advance their vision for Scotland. This is the culmination of the remarkable journey we have taken, together, as Scotland’s first Assembly. As usual, we will be livestreaming the plenary sessions on our website: www.citizensassembly.scot
“Members will be reading out their recommendations, and it will be a privilege to hear the recommendations, formed through careful deliberation, shared in their own voice. They will also be voting on the levels of support for each recommendations agreed during weekend 7.
“The recommendations are varied and speak to a number of broad themes:
How decisions are taken
Recommendations about improving citizen participation, the provision of information, and accountability in our political institutions.
Constitutional issues
Some recommendations explicitly call for further powers, for example, around taxation and negotiating trade agreements. Others call for changes in areas that are currently reserved, including aspects of employment law, incomes and regulation of utilities to support environmental objectives.
Building a sustainable country
A range of recommendations about environmental sustainability.
Tax and economy
Recommendations on changes to, and improving the understanding of, the tax system
Income and poverty
Recommendations covering a range of action to address poverty including to improve information on poverty and relating to income and employment.
Helping people to realise their potential
A broad range of recommendations, including around education and training for young people, and action around health and wellbeing, the NHS, and wider health services
“There is a great deal of detail within each of the themes and members will be finalising their recommendations during Weekend 8.
“The final report will incorporate the Assembly vision and the recommendations, alongside a description of how the process worked, and reflections from Members on their journey. It is to be published early next month, presented to the Scottish Government and Parliament, and debated in the Scottish Parliament.
“We are making plans for communicating the final reports and our subscribers will be kept up to date with all the latest developments.
“In the meantime, we will continue to promote the Assembly across our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media channels.”
Police in Edinburgh have confirmed that a 44-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hit and run on the West Approach Road.
The incident happened around 4.40pm on Friday, 6th November, 2020, when a car struck a six-year-old pedestrian. The boy was taken to hospital for treatment of facial injuries.
The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Buy Social Scotland campaign launches to make it easy to find presents with a purpose
The pandemic has set the public on course to transform their shopping habits as they turn to businesses that give back.
New research from Social Enterprise Scotland shows that 38% of Scottish residents said the experiences of lockdown have made them more likely to support social enterprises. [1]
There are over 6,000 social enterprises in Scotland generating over £3 billion in trading income and employing almost 90,000 people. Socialenterprises deliver positive social or environmental change and re-invest some or all of their profits into supporting Scottish communities.
Currently a third (29%) of Scottish consumers have bought from a social enterprise in the last year, with 20% of these buying products and services from social enterprises on a regular basis.
But of those who haven’t purchased from a social enterprise this year, 46% highlighted it’s because they don’t know of any social enterprise to buy from.
To address this problem, Buy Social Scotland, a new online directory of social enterprises, has been launched. It will tap into the huge demand for gifts, goods and services with a positive impact on communities, local areas and the environment.
BuySocialScotland.com features a wide range of ethical gifts that give back, with products, experiences and vouchers ranging from arts and crafts to health and beauty, home and garden, clothing and accessories for adults and children, and sport and wellbeing.
The directory includes 100 listings from social enterprises from all over Scotland.
These include Invisible Cities, which trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides in their cities and Mecoco, that offers work experience opportunities for disabled people to make eco-friendly candles, diffusers and soaps.
Also featured are Grace Chocolates where women who have touched the Scottish Criminal Justice System make exquisite handmade chocolates and The Blankfaces, the UK’s first non-profit fashion label, helping the homeless in Glasgow.
Another participant in the campaign, Chris Gillan, Founder of Heroes Drinks, said: “There has never been a more important time for the public to buy local and support businesses in their community. Buying Social is a great way to do this, as profits are often used to support those most disadvantaged or in need of support in our community.”
“Heroes Drinks was formed to support our military community by donating profits to our partner charities and using the remaining profits to support employment and work placement opportunities for veterans.”
A 2019 study by the Thomson Reuters Foundation claimed Scotland was a “rising star” when it came to supporting social enterprises, in part due to Scottish Government support for the sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell said: “Scotland’s social enterprises have a positive reputation for giving back to their communities and delivering positive change while contributing to the Scottish economy. They are supported through the Government’s social enterprise action plan.
“The Buy Social Scotland directory will help the public support their local communities by choosing to buy a present with a purpose this festive season.
“I would encourage people to see if there is a good ethical gift option for their loved ones this year, so they can make a gift with a difference.”
Chris Martin, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Scotland, added:“Scotland leads the way in social enterprise, but for too long many social enterprises have been a hidden secret.
“With so many ethical shoppers looking to find great products and services while also helping to build a better, fairer society, now is the time for Scotland to Buy Social and support businesses that give back.”
Public health advice is NOT to alter Christmas term date
Christmas and New Year school holiday dates will remain as planned.
The timing of school holidays, which vary around Scotland, was raised with Ministers in the Education Recovery Group, given many schools break up very close to Christmas and the potential for increased social interaction in households following the limited relaxation of rules between 23-27 December.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney said: “Being in school is in the best interests of children and our priority remains to ensure schools are safe, and open. I want to thank school leaders, teachers and school staff for their outstanding commitment to education that has enabled children and young people to learn safely in school since August.
“The advice I have received from public health officials, and the COVID-19 Sub-group on Education and Children’s Issues, is not to alter Christmas and New Year holiday dates.
“We also know vulnerable children may be at greater risk if they are out of school for an extended period, and I am mindful of the impact an extension to school holidays would have for working parents. For these reasons I do not see a clear rationale for changing term dates and disrupting children’s education.”
Teachers union EIS says the decision will anger many teachers – and some have turned their anger on their own trade union.
One said: “This is the most horrific insult to everything teachers have been doing this year! @EIS are you actually going to stand up for us and do anything about this? If not now, then what exactly is your purpose?
Another added: “What?!! Are you completely ignoring the fact most people return a week after everyone has been allowed to mix indoors? This is the most alarming part: how many pupils and teachers are going to have to isolate in January! When are you going to actually stand up for us!
A third said: “This is an absolute disgrace. I am so angry at the Scottish Government. It is a complete insult to all school staff who are exhausted and on their knees after a very difficult term in very uncertain times. EIS have to start doing something NOW!!
The EIS website is currently down.
Read the advice from COVID-19 Sub-group on Education and Children’s Issues.
More details about the COVID-19 Sub-group on Education and Children’s Issues, including a list of members, can be found here.
More than 1,000 children have been waiting more than a year for treatment
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading independent and third sector providers of children’s services, has warned of a “mental health emergency” as new figures indicate that more than 1,000 children and young people have been waiting more than a year for mental health treatment.
The figures from Public Health Scotland also indicate that only one Scottish health board is meeting the Scottish Government’s waiting time target of 18 weeks from referral to treatment over the quarter to September 2020 and two out of five are not being seen within this 18 week target.1
The SCSC has called on the Scottish Government to redouble its efforts and for a “national crusade” to tackle this emergency as the number of referrals return to pre-lockdown levels.
It has also backed calls by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland that £145 million from additional £1.1 billion COVID-19 funding granted in the autumn be applied to mental health services.
While 4,032 children and young people were treated over the period July to September 2020 by child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), only 60.6 per cent were seen within the 18-week waiting target and only one health board, NHS Ayrshire and Arran met this target.
The report also highlights that in September 2020, 1,060 children and young people had been waiting more than a year for treatment, up from 632 on the same point last year.3 In addition, 365 had been waiting over a year prior to treatment compared with 220 in the same quarter the previous year.
The SCSC has warned that mental health services will face an overwhelming and unprecedented pressure due to pent-up demand created by the COVID-19 lockdown, coupled with a cut in youth support services. This could potentially lead to a “lost generation” of vulnerable children and young people who are missing out on the support they vitally need.
It has called reiterated its call for a “national crusade”, with the Scottish Government working closely with authorities, including the third and independent sectors, and investing significantly in mental health services. The coalition has also urged that greater awareness is made of the services on offer, especially those at a community level.
The SCSC has warned that self-isolation and social distancing have had an impact on young people struggling with issues such as anxiety and depression. It has noted that even the most resilient children are going to need additional support as they navigate this transition back into whatever is the new normal, and some will need a lot of extra support.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “These latest figures are deeply troubling and point to a highly challenging environment for both our young people and our mental health services.
“While referrals are beginning to return to pre-lockdown levels, it is vital that children and families are provided with the support they so desperately need, especially given the impact of the pandemic on mental health. The fact that more than 1,000 of our most vulnerable children have been waiting more than a year for treatment in this respect is deeply troubling.
“We would urge the Scottish Government to look to not just the NHS, but the third sector and other independent organisations to play a key role in this. Our mental health services must receive the funding they vitally need or we face a ‘lost generation’ of vulnerable children and young people.”
Waiting times (with adjustments) for people who started their treatment from July to September 2020, by NHS Board of treatment:
Health board
Total number seen
% seen within 18 weeks
NHS Island boards
62
83.9%
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
95
88.4%
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
233
91.9%
NHS Lanarkshire
248
62.1%
NHS Lothian
518
59.5%
NHS Grampian
343
85.7%
NHS Fife
274
63.9%
NHS Forth Valley
182
40.1%
NHS Borders
32
71.9%
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley
1,451
47.6%
NHS Highland
198
74.2%
NHS Tayside
396
57.8%
NHS Scotland
4,032
60.6%
The number of young people waiting for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Lothian has dramatically increased since March this year.
The number of young people waiting 0-18 weeks for mental health support has dropped from 1,223 in March to 963 in September this year. The number of young people waiting over a year to be seen for mental health support has risen from 381 in March earlier this year, to 581 in September, an increase from 14.8% to 21% of young people having to wait over a year.
Waits for young peoples mental health support have been growing over the last two years, but have significantly increased over the last 6 months since Covid-19.
At the start of this year NHS Lothian invested £3 million to hire 40 extra staff including, clinical psychologists, registered nurses and occupational therapists
In September this year Edinburgh Council and Midlothian Council, in partnership with MYPAS, announced pilot schemes for counsellors to be place in schools for this academic year.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“In Edinburgh and the Lothians we were already facing a mental health crisis for young people, which has only got worse since Covid-19.
“Young people having to wait over a year to be seen for mental health support is very distressing for the person who is note getting the support they need and their family.
“CAMHS staff work tirelessly to provide invaluable mental health support, but they must be further supported by SNP Ministers and NHS Lothian to meet the high demand for their services.
“Remote mental health support is not the right solution for everybody, but where appropriate this must be fully utilised to reach and support as many young people as possible.
“SNP Ministers have been in charge of our health service for over 13 years, during which time mental health service waiting times for young people have got significantly longer.”
