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Scottish Government steps in to avert local authority pay strikes

Intervention by the Scottish Government has led to the suspension of planned industrial action by council workers, including refuse collectors, this week.

The action has been suspended by all three trade unions after the Scottish Government provided £77.5 million to fund an improved pay offer.

New funding from the government enabled local authority organisation COSLA to make an offer to unions worth an overall value of 4.27%, with a rise of 5.63% being offered for the lowest paid workers.

Finance and Local Government Secretary Shona Robison said: “We value this vital workforce and I welcome the fact that members will now be able to consider this strong pay offer which was reached following a strategic intervention from the Scottish Government.

“It has paused the prospect of costly industrial action this week which would have impacted businesses and communities across Scotland.

“Our swift action to ensure this strong offer could be made has been taken against an extremely challenging financial landscape and – while fair – represents the absolute limit of affordability.

“In order to fund the offer, we will have to move money from elsewhere in the budget and reduce funding for other programmes. We are taking on significant, additional financial pressure and have been clear painful choices have had to be made to fund this pay deal.

“The offer will provide an above inflation pay increase for all and support the lowest paid. I am pleased it is now with the workforce for their close consideration and would urge members to strongly consider this significantly improved envelope.”

COSLA has welcomed news that strikes have been suspended as Unite, GMB and Unison members will be given the opportunity to have their say on the latest pay offer from COSLA.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, said: “I am heartened today to hear that Unison, Unite and GMB have all agreed to take our latest strong offer to their membership for consideration and to suspend strike action while this is considered.

“Intense but constructive discussions between COSLA, Trade Unions and Scottish Government in recent weeks have resulted in additional Scottish Government funding. This has allowed us to make an improved offer without further risk to our vital council jobs and frontline services. This is a positive and welcome outcome, and I thank everyone involved for their valuable input.

“If accepted, this latest strong offer is worth an average of 4.27% across the whole workforce and would guarantee at least a 3.6% increase for all pay points. The offer directly reflects what trade unions have asked for with a greater increase for the lowest paid workers who would receive £1292 (or 5.63%). We are hopeful that this good offer, which is better than offers made to local government workers in the rest of the UK, will be accepted.

“We strongly urge all council employees who are eligible to vote to use this opportunity to accept the offer and secure a speedy settlement and pay uplift.” [

Kids eat free this Fringe at city centre restaurants

Families in Edinburgh need look no further than the city’s George Street for a fantastic family day out that won’t break the bank.

With the Fringe festival in full swing, George Street plays host to multiple venues and food vendors which can quickly add up during this busy but expensive time of year in the city.

Popular city centre restaurants, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse and Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh have both recently launched family friendly deals with ‘kids eat free’ options at both venues.

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse Edinburgh

Families in Edinburgh can immerse themselves in the true essence of Brazilian Churrasco dining, as they experience everything Rio Brazilian Steakhouse has to offer. Expert Gaucho chefs skilfully carve a selection of non-stop meats, served right to the table, offering an unforgettable dining experience in the iconic Assembly Rooms restaurant.

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse is the ultimate family friendly restaurant, guaranteed to suit even the fussiest of eaters. Kids under eight eat free every day at Rio Edinburgh, with a fantastic selection of delicious meats, unlimited salad bar and sides available.

The restaurant has also recently introduced a new discounted price for kids aged 8-12, at just £14.95 per child.

To find out more about Rio Brazilian Steakhouse and to book your table, please visit: www.rio-steakhouse.co.uk/edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

This August, families can make the most of the festival fun and enjoy a kid’s breakfast for free at the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, situated just a stone’s throw from the popular Assembly Rooms venue. Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh offers a menu of classic American flavours and street food bites in a fun and vibrant setting in the heart of the city.

Lil’ rockers can choose between Pancakes with hot fudge chocolate sauce, banana and fresh berries or a Kid’s Full Breakfast.

Available until Saturday 31st August, from 9am to 11am, t&c’s apply.*

To find out more about Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh and to book your table, please visit: https://cafe.hardrock.com/edinburgh/

*Receive one complimentary kids’ breakfast menu item with the purchase of each adult breakfast entree; limit one per child. 

Offer valid from Saturday 10th August to Saturday 31st August from 9am to 11am. Available for children aged 10 years and under. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Dine-in only. 

Disabled teacher leads inclusivity course for educators

Educational practitioners and  students have the chance to develop their diversity and inclusion skills with a new short course developed by Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh.

The online course Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners will provide educators with the knowledge and confidence to effectively and sensitively discuss disability with their pupils. Participants will also develop a better understanding of how to create an inclusive environment which best supports their young learners.

The new short course is run by QMU lecturers and chartered psychologists, Drs. Siân Jones and Clare Uytman. Both have practical experience of working in inclusive education in both academia and in the classroom, and have also recently launched their own website, Toy Box Diversity Lab, a selection of free resources which aim to help practitioners enhance disability literacy.

Senior Lecturer in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education at QMU, Dr Siân Jones, has hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy, which means she is disabled.

Siân acknowledges that much has been done in schools to represent ethnicity in recent years, but she wants to support teachers to demonstrate diversity of disability in the classroom.

She said: “Growing up, there were no toys in the toybox or the shops that looked like me. If there isn’t an opportunity to play with disabled characters, or children don’t come across disabled people doing everyday things in books and films, we’re losing an opportunity to broaden the next generation’s understanding of the world and the people in it.

“Despite efforts to foster inclusion in mainstream settings, there is persistent negativity in interactions between some non-disabled children and their disabled peers. Given the significant implications of this, we have looked for ways to foster meaningful and positive interventions to reduce ableism and discrimination towards disabled children.

“When disability is portrayed more prominently, particularly in the classroom, our research shows only positive outcomes in children’s wellbeing and acceptance.”

Siân continued: “I think that disability literacy is such an important facet of teaching, and maybe one day, could even be a necessary requirement given its emphasis in the Scottish education curriculum.

“Our new professional development course will be the perfect accompaniment for those in teaching roles, helping to foster positive environments for disabled learners across the country.”

The Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners course is entirely online and fully flexible, so participants can complete the course in their own time and at their own pace. It runs from September 2024 for six weeks and costs £150 per person. Applications must be submitted by 22nd September.

Joint Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Psychology and Senior Lecturer at QMU, Dr. Clare Uytman, said: “Positive understanding, representation and discussion around disability is so important for achieving a more inclusive learning environment, which will help children understand the importance of these topics from an early age.

“We hope that by the end of this course, participants will be able to engage effectively with students, parents, and colleagues about disability in an empathetic manner, understand the importance of disability positive learning environments that represent diverse abilities, and be able to confidently create and monitor the effectiveness of representative teaching materials.

“It is so rewarding to see years of hard work and thorough research come together with the creation of this highly beneficial course, which we hope will be of real value to the teaching profession.”

Get more course information at Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners and start building your skills and experience.

View Dr. Clare Uytman and Dr. Sian Jones’ website of free resources, Toy Box Diversity Lab.

GMB and BRINDEX warn government: Don’t ignore voices of oil and gas workers

GMB and members of the Association of British Independent Exploration companies (BRINDEX) today (Monday 12 August) warned the UK government not to ignore the voices of the UK’s oil and gas workers – and urged Ministers to engage the sector in meaningful discussions.

GMB and BRINDEX agreed a Memorandum of Understanding last November, committing to “represent workers’ voice and employer concerns to better engage policy makers” and to “make the case for pro-jobs policies and strengthening energy security.”

Meetings between union and industry representatives in July discussed how to further develop the better cooperation outlined in the MOU.

Today’s warning follows government proposals for the sector’s fiscal regime in the Autumn Budget and uncertainty about future licencing, provoking widespread concern across North Sea operations about a cliff-edge threat for investment, jobs and skills, and vital carbon capture development.

GMB visited the Armada Kraken offshore production facility in May, representing a step forward for better cooperation between the sector’s oil and gas independents and the UK’s energy union.

Further visits are planned this summer to infrastructure owned by some of the UK’s leading North Sea producers, including Serica Energy, EnQuest, and others.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “GMB is a proud and unambiguous energy union, and we want the voices of our offshore workers to be heard loud and clear in the corridors of power over the decisions affecting their livelihoods.

“The government is rightly focused on a growth agenda after years of instability and industrial decline, and the transition presents a huge opportunity to unleash investment for jobs, infrastructure, and security.

“But that means creating the right conditions to turn that ambition into reality, and better cooperation between unions, industry, and government is fundamental to this because ‘business as usual’ won’t work.”

Robin Allan, Chairman of BRINDEX, said: “Hard working families sustained by the oil and gas sector across the UK’s nations and regions deserve to be treated with respect from government – and so do our independent operators who support these livelihoods.

“Our ongoing engagement with GMB through these latest offshore visits recognises that if the transition is going to be a success, then change must be done with the people doing so much to keep the lights on, homes warm, and industry running – not to them.

“That’s why we are urging the government to work with us and engage in meaningful discussions with the very people on whom they depend to help accelerate the UK’s industrial transition, growth, and energy security agendas.” 

Get ready for an exhilarating ride as theSpaceUK welcomes Fringe Week 2!

With over 100 BRAND NEW exciting shows, there’s no shortage of new experiences. The stage is set for an incredible lineup, and this is your chance to catch some truly remarkable performances

As Week 2 unfolds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.

From rollicking cabarets to queer icons, mice stories to folk-rock renditions of Queen Mary’s life, and even a (almost) comeback from Gilbert and Sullivan. With over one hundred new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.

Here’s a small taste of the new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK: 

3.. 2.. 1… Spell! 
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (theSpace @ Niddry St, 12-24)
This musical tellsthe story of six middle-schoolers growing up and of the relationships they form. With audience participation and improv elements, it is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of childhood motivations, friendship, making yourself proud and juiceboxes!

Dark Web Shenanigans
Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! (theSpace @ Niddry St, 12-24)
The story follows trusting, lonely and technologically naïve Aunt June, desperate to connect with her niece Andy, who suggests that June fill her time instead by finding friendships online. Matters take a strange turn when June unwittingly finds herself on the Dark Web. 

Shaking Up Shakespeare
Sonnets from Suburbia (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24)
In Sonnets From Suburbia, Lady Penelope AKA actress Penny Peyser shakes up Shakespeare with her own quirky take on modern life through her wry, beautifully crafted sonnets, while stubbornly clinging to the world’s longest COVID quarantine. An infectious hour of theatre: in the best sense of infectious!

He’s in the best-selling show
Is There Work on Mars? (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24)
Can someone with ADHD and dyscalculia pass Elon Musk’s Mars immigration test? Set in a dystopian future of space colonisation, Is There Work on Mars? rants about many things: ableist education systems, living in the diaspora and ridiculous immigration requirements. 

Feels Good To Be Bad
Good Boy (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24)
Boy is in love with his first boyfriend. But, after discovering a devastating secret, their relationship crumbles and Boy’s world shatters. Good Boy is a shockingly funny debut play about trauma, the social politics of hook-up apps, and suicidal rabbits. And unbelievably… it’s all true.

It’s A Tough Gig
Tales from a British Country Pub (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24)
Join comedy musician Chris Sainton-Clark as he takes you through his troublesome and hilarious experiences of working in British pubs.

Hear stories of compulsive liars, disruptive youths, fruit machine addicts and much more. Armed with just a guitar, Tales from a British Country Pub is sure to keep you entertained.

Lights. Camera. Delusion! 
Nina Rose Carlin: Seeking Representation (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24)
Comedian Nina Rose Carlin turns her years of experience in the entertainment industry (derogatory) into a rollicking cabaret with stand-up, clown and musical comedy.

Get an inside scoop of pop culture and Hollywood through her witty and absurdist lens, inspired by her time hosting red carpets, assisting A-List celebs and seeking stardom.

Crazy In Love
A Brief Case of Crazy (theSpace @ Symposium, 12-24)
Thomas is a remarkable, unconventional introvert – fiddling and fumbling his way through a 9 to 5 job, occasionally looking up to admire his wide-eyed and equally shy colleague, Daisy. Buckle up for a heartwarming and moving story, told through physical comedy, dance numbers and ludicrous characters.


Now… that’s all I can remember
If I live until I be a man (theSpace on the Mile, 12-24)
1483: The young princes Edward and Richard are taken to the Tower of London by their uncle Richard in preparation for Edward’s coronation. By the end of the summer, Richard III is crowned and the boys are never seen again. A comedic, playfully anachronistic, unsettling exploration of childhood during perpetual war.

Missing boy: Have you seen Aiden?

Police are appealing for help to trace a 14-year-old boy who has been reported missing from the Ferniehill area of Edinburgh.

Aiden Webb was last seen around 12.45pm on Tuesday 6th August, 2024.

He is described as white, 5ft6, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black top and black tracksuit bottoms.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Aiden’s welfare and are appealing to anyone who thinks they may have information regarding his whereabouts to please get in touch.

“We would urge members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us”.

“Anyone with information can call us on 101, quoting incident number 3995 of Tuesday 6th August, 2024.”

Charity Alzheimer Scotland call on people to sign up to Edinburgh Memory Walk 2024

A fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia is returning to Edinburgh in September.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2024 takes place on Sunday, 8 September and will raise vital funds to support dementia care, research and improvements in brain health.

People across the area are being encouraged to sign up for the outing at Meadowbank Stadium, where they can walk in memory of loved ones affected by the illness.

The Edinburgh event is one of four Memory Walks taking place across Scotland through every weekend in September.

Those looking to take part can sign up at memorywalk.alzscot.org.

Events are taking place in Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and children can be registered for free. It’s quick and easy to set up a sponsorship page, which can be shared with family, friends and colleagues.

Every penny raised will help people with dementia and their carers, as well as supporting better brain health for everyone in Scotland.

Scotland’s Memory Walk is also about celebrating the lives of people with dementia and walking to remember them.

Cathy Cooney, 61, will be taking part in Edinburgh Memory Walk 2024 in memory of her mum Mary who died of vascular dementia in 2019 aged 83. She will also be walking for two close friends who have been affected by young onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Cathy, a retired senior business analyst based in Edinburgh, said: “Taking part in Memory Walk is important to me because my mum and two good friends have been affected by it. I haven’t done anything in their memory before and this event is a great opportunity to do something for them.

“My mum Mary passed away in 2019 after being diagnosed with vascular dementia. She was a tiny lady – just 4ft 11 and a half inches tall – but she was such a kind person who loved her family and her bingo.

“I’ll also be remembering my friend Alison who was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s and passed away in 2020 aged just 57. We met through work and anytime my old colleagues and I get together we always remember her and what an amazing woman she was. She was so intelligent and finished her Master’s degree despite being in the early stages of her illness.

“Another friend, Lorna, is only 62 and was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s in 2022, so I’ll be thinking of her too.

“Alzheimer Scotland is such a great cause and I hope that any money raised might help towards making progress in finding ways to prevent and treat this illness.”

Lauren Heap, centre manager for Alzheimer Scotland’s Edinburgh and West Lothian Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is proud to support people living with dementia and their families and carers, from our centre here in Edinburgh.

“We are absolutely delighted to host this fantastic new Memory Walk in Edinburgh. It is such a special event and it will be wonderful to walk alongside our supporters again in the local community.

“Scotland’s Memory Walk has always had a wonderful ability to bring people together. Every pound raised helps Alzheimer Scotland continue to develop and deliver vital dementia support. We can’t wait to see Meadowpark Stadium filled with a sea of purple t-shirts.”

To find out more and to sign up for Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit:

memorywalk.alzscot.org 

Painting the Capital red, white and blue: Tattoo’s American performers

The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, one of the world’s premier military college bands, found a home from home at Edinburgh’s American themed Diner, the City Café, while in the capital for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Performing as part of this summer’s Show, Journeys, The Citadel are transforming the Esplanade, combining mentions of the old school American dream with contemporary twists.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which runs from 2 – 24 August 2024. Tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or call 0131 225 1188.