Uncategorized – Page 28 – The NEN

Scotland urged to put housing justice at heart of next election

People with lived experience of homelessness are uniting with dozens of leading organisations to demand urgent action on Scotland’s worsening housing crisis.

Their joint manifesto will be launched today at Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference, hosted by Homeless Network Scotland, on 27 and 28 October in Perth.

It calls on all political parties to commit to a programme of housing justice that will ensure everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure place to call home.

The scale of the crisis has been laid bare in recent statistics, with more than 17,200 households currently trapped in temporary accommodation, a 6% increase in one year, including over 10,000 children.

Nearly 250,000 people are on waiting lists for a social home, and 40,688 households have applied to their local council for help with homelessness last year. On average, those in temporary accommodation wait 238 days for a settled home.

The call comes from members of Everyone Home, a collective of nearly 40 third and academic sector organisations focused on ending homelessness, and All In for Change, a platform that unites lived experience and practitioner insight of homelessness across Scotland to enable decision-makers to drive real change.

All in for Change said: “In the Change Team, we see every day how the housing emergency hurts people who are homeless and those trying to help them. Frontline workers do amazing work, but they’re trapped in a broken system with too little housing and support to fix it.

“Some of us have been homeless ourselves, so we know the reality first-hand. But we believe this can be made better for others, with real political commitment and funding being used more wisely.

“We’ve laid out clear expectations for party manifestos, and we’ll keep pushing to shield people from the worst of homelessness in this housing emergency.”

Set almost 18 months after Scotland’s housing emergency was formally declared, the manifesto outlines a practical, values-led approach to resolving a crisis that continues to deepen inequality and exclusion.

It sets out five priority actions for the next Scottish Government, under the banner of SCALE. It calls for the launch of a national ‘Big Build’ programme to dramatically increase the supply of social housing, with a target of nearly 16,000 new homes each year of the next parliament backed by at least £8.8bn.

The manifesto urges political leaders to coordinate support services more effectively, so that housing is fully integrated with health, social care and justice to ensure no-one falls through the cracks.

It demands that public funding decisions align with housing priorities, including the use of tax powers and long-term investment plans that can give frontline workers and those they support greater certainty.

It insists that housing rights must be protected and fully resourced, warning that too many local authorities are currently struggling to meet their legal obligations.

Finally, it calls for fast-track housing and support for groups facing systemic exclusion, including people affected by poverty, discrimination, trauma, gender-based violence and UK immigration policy.

Maggie Brünjes, chief executive, Homeless Network Scotland, said: “Scotland’s housing emergency is a plan gone wrong, driving homelessness and deepening inequality. To reverse this, we must invest in more social housing, higher incomes, proactive prevention and support that is fully integrated across health, housing, justice and social care.

“The Everyone Home collective manifesto is a plan to put that right and a call for Housing Justice. Combining first-hand, professional and academic insight, the manifesto outlines real-world measures to reduce inefficient spending, prevent the worst harm among the worst off, and scale solutions for a Scotland where everyone has a home.”

The manifesto launch will take place at Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference, this year titled ‘It’s Personal: the human face of the housing emergency’.

The two-day event will shine a light on the real-world, human impact of the crisis, through people with lived experience, advocates and experts sharing knowledge and practical ideas to deliver lasting change.

Helen Murdoch, Asst. Director of Strategic Operations & Development (Scotland) at conference delivery partner The Salvation Army, said: “This year’s conference takes place in the shadow of a housing and homelessness crisis that tests our compassion, our resources and our collective resolve.

“The demand for services that support people experiencing homelessness is far outstripping supply – that must change and change quickly. Conference is an opportunity to explore our role in bringing about that change and The Salvation Army is proud to be an event partner.

“It is also a time to look beyond the headlines and statistics, to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary courage and resilience of teams working in communities, the third sector, local authorities and religious bodies to support people experiencing homelessness.”

Keynote speakers include Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan MSP, who will address the event, renowned children’s rights campaigner and author Baroness Floella Benjamin, and rising social justice advocate Eireann McAuley, named one of the Young Women’s Movement’s ‘30 under 30′.

Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE said: “Having a safe and secure home is the key building block for living a happy and fulfilling life, yet today that basic human need is being denied to too many people. The impact on them is heartbreaking.

“All it takes is the grit, perseverance and determination to face the challenges and to keep on pushing for positive change. There is no shortage of people willing to fight this fight and I support all those who are working to change people’s lives.

“When I address Scotland’s annual homelessness conference I hope to energise and inspire the audience, to bring them joy amid the struggle. I want to remind people that even though it sometimes doesn’t feel like it, the work they do every day can and does change lives. So never give up.”

The launch marks the start of a national conversation aimed at ensuring housing and homelessness are top-tier priorities ahead of the 2026 election.

Pedestrian critical following Ferrari collision

Policing officers are appealing for information following a serious road crash in Stennhouse.

The incident happened around 8.50pm last night (Saturday, 25 October, 2025) on Stenhouse Drive, just west of its junction with Stenhouse Grove, and involved a red Ferrari 488 Spider and a pedestrian.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains in a critical condition.

The road was closed to allow enquiries to be carried out and reopened around 12.20am on Sunday, 26 October, 2025.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the crash to assist.

Following enquiries, it is believed a white saloon type car was driving ahead of the Ferrari prior to the collision and may have witnessed what happened.

Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of this incident to please contact us with any information that may assist.

“In addition, anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage is asked to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference 3121 of 25 October, 2025.

Poverty Alliance: This is just the start

SCOTLAND DEMANDS BETTER

Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. That is why thousands of people took to the streets of Edinburgh yesterday to say with one voice that we demand better – better than poverty, better than inequality and better than divisive, hateful narratives that seek to pit our communities against one another.

Trade unions, faith groups, community organisations and charities stood shoulder to shoulder with people from across Scotland to demand fair work, strong public services and dignified social security.

It was a showcase to our political decision makers at all levels that we are tired of waiting for change on the injustice of poverty, and we are standing together to demand action.

This isn’t the end. It is the start of a movement, together in hope and solidarity, for a better Scotland for all of us.

THE POVERTY ALLIANCE

Aldi celebrates 30 years serving the Musselburgh community

Popular discount supermarket, Aldi, is celebrating 30 years of trading in Musselburgh, marking three decades since the store first opened its doors to local shoppers on 26 October 1995.

Since welcoming its first customers, Aldi’s Musselburgh storehas become a staple in the community, providing high-quality products at unbeatable prices while supporting jobs and investment in the local area.

Over the years, Aldi has grown from its first Scottish store in Kilmarnock in 1994 to a household name, with more than 100 stores across the country today. The business is a major employer in Scotland with over 3,600 staff located between its stores and headquarters in Bathgate.

Aldi is consistently recognised by shoppers and the industry for its championing of locally produced Scottish food and drink. It is the only retailer to have a dedicated Scottish Buying Department, and it currently works with more than 90 Scottish suppliers and stocks 450 Scottish products.

In 2016, Aldi’s Musselburgh store underwent a major extension to meet growing demand, increasing its shop floor space from 760 sqm to 960 sqm, allowing it to offer an even wider range of Aldi favourites to local shoppers.

As well as serving customers for three decades, Aldi’s Musselburgh store has been at the heart of the local community. In 2023, the store was one of the branches selected for Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep initiative, which saw a Musselburgh local raise over £650 for The Pennypit Trust Foodbank. That same year, the Musselburgh Windsor 2011 Girls Team was awarded the top amount of £2,500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund.

Peter Greasley, Store Manager, said: “It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of Musselburgh for the past 30 years.

“Over the past three decades, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming generations of customers through our doors, and their loyalty and support have made this milestone possible. We are very much looking forward to continuing to serve the community for many more years to come.”

Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “It’s really special to look back at how far we’ve come as a business since we first opened our doors in Scotland.

“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers and devoted team members in Musselburghwho have been with us every step of the way.”

SCVO partners with AccountsIQ to modernise finance operations

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the national membership body representing over 3,800 voluntary sector organisations in Scotland, has partnered with cloud accounting software leader AccountsIQ, to modernise its finance operations and drive efficiency.

SCVO needed to replace its legacy, server-based finance system, which was costly to maintain and relied heavily on manual processes across sales, purchase ledgers, banking, and reporting. With Salesforce already embedded as SCVO’s CRM system, it was critical to implement a financial management platform with proven integration, flexibility, and ease of use.

AccountsIQ was selected for its cloud-native architecture, intuitive interface, and seamless Salesforce integration as well as smart automation features and data-driven reporting capabilities. The onboarding process included bespoke support to configure general ledger and reporting structures tailored to SCVO’s needs.

Since implementation, the platform has automated repetitive workflows, eliminating time-consuming manual data entry and freeing the finance team to focus on higher-value tasks. Bank reconciliations have been streamlined through automated feeds, significantly reducing errors. Integration with Excel also enables fast, accurate, real-time reporting, giving the finance team instant visibility across the organisation.

Martin McComb, Head of Finance at SCVO, said: “AccountsIQ stood out because of its intuitive platform and proven history of Salesforce integration.

“The onboarding process was smooth and efficient, and we now have far greater automation across our finance function. It has saved us significant time, reduced errors, and allowed our team to focus on strategic, value-added work.

“I would absolutely recommend AccountsIQ to any organisation looking for a scalable, cloud-based solution.”

The system is agile and continues to evolve alongside SCVO’s operational requirements, ensuring that the finance function remains efficient and future-ready. The result is a single, integrated finance ecosystem where reports can be generated in seconds, routine processes are automated and the finance team can concentrate on analysis and strategic priorities rather than administrative tasks.

Darren Cran, CEO at AccountsIQ, added: “We’re proud to be supporting SCVO in its mission to champion Scotland’s voluntary sector.

“By integrating seamlessly with Salesforce and automating critical finance processes, AccountsIQ is enabling SCVO’s finance team to save time, improve accuracy and focus on what really matters – supporting members and driving social impact.”

Scotland’s oral health gap set to widen

New data shows decades of progress on children’s dental health risk going into reverse, with gains at best plateauing.

The latest report of the National Dental Inspection Programme, published this week, shows stark and persistent inequalities are widening between Scotland’s most deprived and most affluent communities.

Just 68.2% of P7 children in the tenth most deprived areas were found to be decay free – compared to 91.5% in the tenth least deprived – a gap of 23.3%, up from 20.1% in 2019.

The report acknowledges that since 2005 obvious decay experience has declined, but this downward trend appears to have flattened out since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reform to the system NHS dentists work to was rolled in November 2023. While the BDA secured some improvements there remain question marks as to whether the level of change is sufficient to keep practices sustainable and narrow inequalities of both access and outcomes. The BDA is advocating a fully funded workforce plan to ensure Scotland has the dental professionals it needs.

Gillian Lennox, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said: “Vital progress tackling deep oral health inequalities has at best plateaued, and at worst gone into reverse.

“As we head into an election year It’s a stark reminder that there can be no complacency when it comes to dentistry.

“Our children will pay the price for any indifference here.”

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Ukraine: United in Support

Chairs’ statement following yesterday’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Leaders’ meeting

The Prime Minister and President Macron yesterday co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, attended by President Zelenskyy.

Leaders were united in their support for Ukraine, in particular during the challenging winter period, and desire for a just and lasting peace and an end to the bloodshed. They welcomed President Zelenskyy’s support for a full, unconditional ceasefire. They noted that President Putin, by contrast, had rejected a ceasefire, and that Russia had escalated its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure and recklessly violated NATO airspace.

They fully supported President Trump’s comments that the current line of contact must be the starting point for any talks. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principle that borders must not be changed by force.

Leaders underlined the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia now and until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine has been secured. They resolved to take further steps to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, end remaining imports into their territories, and deter third countries from trading in Russian oil and gas and fuelling Russia’s war effort. They welcomed the United States’ recent action to that end.

In addition, Leaders agreed to pursue additional measures to tackle the threat posed by shadow fleet vessels to the maritime environment and national security.

These would include further sanctions, steps to discourage third countries from engaging with the shadow fleet, increased information sharing as well as readiness to make use of regulatory and interdiction powers. They agreed to take forward closer coordination to increase collective impact.

They also expressed their intent to address Ukraine’s pressing financial needs for 2026-2027 including working up options to use the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to defend its territory and rebuild its armed forces.

They were clear that this should be in addition to existing flows of bilateral military aid, which would not diminish.

They strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, an effort clearly intended to create a humanitarian disaster and break the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

They agreed to ensure Ukraine’s energy resilience and to provide urgent assistance to protect and rebuild energy infrastructure, and to continue to provide additional military support, including air defence.

Finally, they reiterated their determination to put in place robust arrangements for Ukraine’s future security, so that it can deter and defend against future attack.

They confirmed that plans are in place to deploy a Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, with a view to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.

Loganair marks four-year partnership with CHAS with aircraft naming

Loganair has marked the fourth anniversary of its partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) by naming one of its aircraft in honour of the charity.

The aircraft will carry the charity’s name across the airline’s network, helping raise awareness of its work among passengers and communities across the UK.

“Spirit of CHAS” was formally adopted as the name of the new ATR72-500 plane.

The partnership has developed into a long-term collaboration between the airline and the charity, combining financial support with practical assistance. As part of this, Loganair provides flights for CHAS at Home nurses, enabling them to reach families in island and remote communities where specialist care is often more difficult to access.

Loganair also operate the famous CHAS flight, which this year took place at Glasgow Airport. Seven children and their families went on a sightseeing route along Scotland’s west coast, offering a safe space for families to enjoy air travel and see the incredible sights.

The day included character visits from Snow White, Rapunzel, Spiderman and Batman, who helped make the experience especially memorable for those taking part.

The CHAS flight has become a regular fixture in Loganair’s calendar, having previously taken place from Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.

Since forming the partnership in 2021, Loganair has raised over £85,000 for CHAS through staff fundraising activities and customer donations on the airline’s website.

Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said: “CHAS provides an invaluable service to families across Scotland, and we are pleased to continue supporting the charity through both fundraising and practical assistance.

“The naming of one of our aircraft reflects the importance of our partnership and our commitment to helping CHAS continue its work. Our hope is that ‘Spirit of CHAS’ will inspire others to support and promote the amazing work of the charity.

“Our customers’ generosity through the £2 donation scheme has been remarkable, and we’re very proud that their contributions are helping CHAS reach more families who rely on its care and support.”

Rami Okasha, chief executive officer at CHAS, said: “Witnessing the ‘Spirit of CHAS’ plane launch was a delight. We are proud to celebrate four years of our partnership with Loganair and would like to thank them for all their support.

“This important partnership means, we can bring smiles, comfort, and precious memories to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys.

“Loganair’s special support to CHAS families includes free flights for staff to reach families on Scottish islands who use our CHAS at Home service. CHAS is there for children and families in every part of Scotland, no matter where they live.

“Through customer donations at checkout, Loganair has raised over £40k, helping us to fund essential services, including CHAS at Home, providing a vital lifeline for families, especially those in remote or rural communities.

“Our CHAS at Home team supports children and families in their own homes, providing a range of care and support, including symptom management and emotional support, as well as moments of connection and play.

“The incredible amount raised will help us fund a CHAS At Home Nurse for a year.”

Police seek witnesses to serious assault at South Gyle Access

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault and collision involving a coach at South Gyle Access, Edinburgh.

The incident took place around 2.50pm yesterday – Tuesday, 21 October, 2025.

Enquiries have established that a 17-year-old male was approached by two males who had exited the No.22 bus. One of the males chased the victim into the road, where he was hit by a coach travelling in the opposite direction. The victim was then attacked whilst on the ground.

The victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged approximately 17, around 5ft 11 and slim build. He was wearing dark clothing and a dark beanie hat.

Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: “This was a violent, unprovoked attack and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to track down the male responsible.

“We believe there were members of the public who will have witnessed the incident and are yet to speak to police, so would encourage anyone with information to please come forward.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 1855 of 21 October. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Cutting-edge Digital and Graphic Design degree launches at Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has launched an innovative BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design course, which is set to welcome its first cohort of undergraduate students in September 2026.

Created in consultation with leading design companies, the course will ensure that QMU graduates have the contemporary skills, experience and attributes that employers value most.

This exciting new course has been designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the creative industries and other industry organisations, blending artistic expression with advanced digital technologies.

Students will gain hands-on experience in visual communication, branding, web design, motion graphics, and strategic storytelling, preparing them for exciting dynamic careers in design studios, advertising agencies, media companies and freelance practice.

Dr Dave Wood, Programme Leader for the new BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design, brings decades of experience in design education and industry to the role. He explained: “There has never been a more exciting time to work in digital and graphic design, particularly when the development of AI is allowing designers to take their creative work to a whole new level.

“It’s a growing and exhilarating area to work in, and with all sectors requiring graphic and design specialists, graduates can follow their passion by developing their careers in their chosen field – whether that be in business, healthcare, public sector, education, the creative industries or the charitable sector – in the UK or internationally.

“Our industry colleagues across Scotland and the UK have been incredibly supportive about the development of this course. We’ve worked hard to build a curriculum that responds to the evolving needs of the creative sector, with input from leading design companies across Scotland and the UK.

“We are excited about empowering students to become confident, thoughtful designers who can shape the visual culture of tomorrow.”

The course will be a creative, fun and exhilarating experience for students who will have the chance to develop their skills in visual storytelling, visual strategy and innovation, which will allow them to create their own unique design voice.

The programme will be delivered by the Division of Media, Communication and Performing Arts and draws on QMU’s strong reputation in media and creative industries. Students will benefit from real-world projects, industry-standard software, and opportunities to collaborate with professionals through industry workshops, guest lectures, and work-based learning.

There will be lots of practical experience so that graduates will be able to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work. This includes the opportunity to work on live briefs and the chance to build a professional portfolio during the four years of study at QMU.

And with a strong emphasis on industry engagement and career readiness, the course includes networking opportunities and insights from experienced designers and creative agencies, ensuring that graduates understand and are equipped for roles such as UX/UI designer, motion graphics artist, digital brand strategist, and more.

Dr Wood added: “Designers don’t just make things look good – they shape how we communicate, interact, and understand the world.

“This course encourages students to think critically and creatively, using design as a tool for meaningful change and to bring stories to life!”

Prospective students are invited to attend QMU’s upcoming Undergraduate Open Day on 25 October 2025, where they can meet staff, explore facilities, and learn more about the course. It’s also a great opportunity for students to learn about the different industries and roles that might be available to them following graduation.

Applications for the BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design are now open via UCAS for 2026 entry. For more information, visit QMU’s course page.