Newhailes visitors get the chance to win tickets and vouchers for upcoming Christmas shopping fair
Deck the Halls, a brand new Christmas gift fair coming to the SEC from 28-30 November, is teaming up with partner, National Trust for Scotland to host a giant festive gift hunt at Newhailes House and Gardens
Newhailes House & Gardens in Musselburgh will host the gift hunt from Friday 7 – Sunday 9 November, giving visitors the chance to seek out hidden golden envelopes containing tickets to Deck the Halls and up to £150 worth of vouchers to spend at the upcoming event.
Coming to Glasgow for the first time in partnership with National Trust for Scotland, Deck the Halls promises to be an upmarket Christmas shopping experience like no other. Featuring up to 125 handpicked exhibitors, ranging from unique gifts to food and drink and interactive festive workshops, Deck the Halls will help visitors tick off their Christmas list and get into the festive spirit in luxury and style.
Gift hunt winners will get the chance to browse artisan food and drink brands like BeeHype Honey and Craobh Gin; explore handcrafted gifts from Lin-Pin Crafts, Marc Peters Glass and Edinburgh Illustrations; shop unique accessories from Maccessori, Lindsay McDowall and Gist Jewellery; as well as discover thoughtful gifts for everyone from the likes of Birlinn Publishing and National Trust for Scotland.
Speaking about the gift hunt, event organiser Springboard Events’ Managing Director, Mark Saunders said: “We wanted the lead up to Deck the Halls to feel every bit as magical as the event itself.
“Our gift hunt with National Trust for Scotland gives visitors the chance to soak up the Christmas spirit and enjoy some festive fun in the properties’ picturesque surroundings before stepping into Scotland’s newest festive shopping experience. It’s a taste of what’s to come as we get ready for our Glasgow debut later this month.”
National Trust for Scotland Director of Commercial Enterprises, Caroline Reid said: “We’re excited to be part of the celebrations leading up to Deck the Halls. Newhailes House & Gardens will provide the perfect setting for a festive adventure, and the gift hunt is a fantastic way for visitors to celebrate Scotland’s heritage and Christmas spirit while enjoying some of our most loved properties.”
Visitors to Newhailes House & Gardens this weekend will be invited to participate in the Deck the Halls gift hunt and find the limited number of hidden golden envelopes at each property containing tickets and vouchers for the event*.
Tickets for Deck the Halls are available to book now and save £2. General admission is £16 but with advanced booking, tickets can be purchased now for just £14 (children under 15 go free).
New study led by Edinburgh Napier University shows how rough conditions affect faithfulness
Wild seabirds are more likely to split up in windy weather, according to a newly published study led by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).
The paper, published in the journal Animal Behaviour today (4 November) reveals that environmental conditions before the breeding season appear to have an impact on mate faithfulness – whether birds reunite with the same partner to breed each year, or ‘divorce’ to form a different pair.
Researchers from ENU, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) analysed data collected over the course of two decades from more than 1,500 birds on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, in the Firth of Forth, and compared them with late winter weather records to understand their breeding habits.
The study focused on European shags (Gulosus aristotelis), given their long lifespan and tendency to change partners between breeding seasons. While the birds analysed for this study had a fidelity rate of 45%, this varied markedly from year to year.
Although age and previous breeding success have been established as strong predictors of mate faithfulness, this paper demonstrates how weather conditions in the lead up to the breeding season are also a significant factor affecting seabird mating habits. Out of the weather conditions analysed, wind speeds had the strongest effect on whether couples stayed together.
Importantly, birds that remained with the same partner tended to lay eggs earlier, which is strongly tied to how many chicks they rear.
The findings are significant given that climate change is bringing about warmer and windier weather conditions.
Ecologists are now calling for further investigation into how shifting environmental conditions could disrupt social relationships among wildlife.
“It is a time when adults are returning to colonies and preparing to breed. When conditions are tough – particularly when it’s windier – it appears that ‘divorces’ are more frequent.
“Until now, the effects of pre breeding weather conditions on faithfulness have been largely under-appreciated. Our study suggests that it warrants further consideration.”
Co-researcher Professor Francis Daunt, from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: “This study is one of the few to test how changing environments influence social behaviours in wildlife.
“It is excellent to see our long-term data used to tackle these important questions, given the current concerns about the impacts of future climate change.”
TODAY (Tuesday 4 November), the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will ‘vow to take the fair choices to deliver strong foundations for our economy and secure our country’s future’.
In a speech delivered in Downing Street this morning, the Chancellor will address the country as she lays out the economic choices she will take at the Budget later this month to cut hospital waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living.
The Chancellor is expected to say: “Later this month, I will deliver my second Budget as Chancellor.
“At that Budget, I will make the choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for our economy – for this year, and years to come.
“It will be a budget led by this government’s values, of fairness and opportunity and focused squarely on the priorities of the British people:
“Protecting our NHS, reducing our national debt and improving the cost of living.
“You will all have heard a lot of speculation about the choices I will make.
“I understand that – these are important choices that will shape our economy for years to come.
“But it is important that people understand the circumstances we are facing, the principles guiding my choices – and why I believe they will be the right choices for the country.“
Chancellor’s ‘Scene Setter’ speech ahead of Budget 2025
Later this month, I will deliver my second Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
At that Budget, I will make the choices necessary to deliver strong foundations for our economy.
My Budget led by this government’s values of fairness and opportunity…
…and focused entirely on the priorities of the British people:
Protecting our NHS,
reducing our national debt,
and improving the cost of living.
There is a lot of speculation about the choices that I will make.
I understand that – these are the important choices that will shape the future of our country for years to come
I want people to understand the circumstances we are facing,
the principles guiding my choices,
and why I believe they will be the right choices for our country.
We are a country with considerable economic strengths:
An open, trading economy,
A global hub for cutting-edge industries from AI to Biotech,
With world-leading universities and scientific institutions,
and a talented and a committed workforce.
[political redaction]
At the Budget last year, I fixed the foundations:
[political redaction]
I put the public finances back on a firm footing,
Provided an urgent cash injection into our faltering public services,
And began rebuilding our economy.
But since that Budget,
The world has thrown even more challenges our way.
The continual threat of tariffs has dragged on global confidence –
Deterring business investment, and dampening growth.
Inflation has been too slow to come down as supply chains continue to be volatile –
Meaning that the cost of everyday essentials remains too high.
And the cost of government borrowing has increased around the world –
A shift that Britain – [political redaction] – has been particularly exposed to.
And in an uncertain world, we also face pressure to increase our defence spending – and it is right that we do that…
…protecting ourselves from hostile actors and supporting our allies.
And there are other pressures on the public finances.
The Prime Minister, the Secretary of Work and Pensions and this whole government are committed to reforming our welfare state…
…so that it is not a system that counts the cost of failure…
…but one that invests in success and protects those who need it most.
There is nothing progressive about refusing to reform a system that is leaving one in eight young people out of education or employment.
So, we have begun the job of creating a system that protects people who cannot work and empowers those who can.
And there are longer-term challenges too:
That feeling, shared by millions of people across the country that the economy isn’t working as it should.
Alongside the Budget this month,
The Office for Budget Responsibility – the UK’s public finance watchdog – will set out the conclusions of their review of the supply side of the UK economy.
I will not pre-empt those conclusions…
…but it is already clear that the productivity performance [political redaction] is weaker than previously thought.
A less productive economy is one that produces less output per hour worked.
That has consequences for working people – for their jobs and for their wages…
…and it has consequences for the public finances too, in lower tax receipts.
It’s not a question of how hard people work –
Poor productivity means we are putting in more and getting less out.
It means too many businesses and workers don’t have the tools they need:
Trains that run on time,
Broadband that’s fast and reliable,
Access to new technologies,
Or proper training so people have the right skills for the job.
For a long time, commentators have talked about Britain’s ‘productivity puzzle’.
But it’s not a puzzle.
The causes of our economic underperformance are well understood.
The chronic stop-go cycle of public investment has left us with roads full of potholes, high energy prices and unstable conditions for vital business investment in skills and technology…
…and long-term failure to invest in our regions has built growth on a narrow base – with some parts of the country forging ahead while others fall behind.
[political redaction]
All this meant that when the pandemic arrived our country was under-prepared…
…our public services weakened and our economy fragile.
And we finished the pandemic with higher death rates and higher debt than our peers.
This isn’t about relitigating old choices.
It’s about being honest with people about the consequences those choices have had.
It is my job to deal with the world as we find it…
…not the world as I would wish it to be.
Not to commentate or speculate,
But to act.
In my Mais lecture last year, I set out our plan for solving our productivity problem through a programme of stability, investment and reform,
And when I became Chancellor, I began to put that plan into action.
Stabilising our public finances –
Making the tax and spending decisions to get debt down and to fund our public services sustainably.
Changing the fiscal rules to increase public investment by £120bn over the course of this Parliament…
…and crowding in private investment too…
For road and for rail, for housing and nuclear power.
And reforming our economy:
Ripping up the planning rules so we can build housing and infrastructure across the country…
Bringing the brightest and best to our shores with a new visa regime…
And signing trade deals with the EU, the US and India to help our businesses export around the world.
We have begun to see the results of those plans…
…in falling interest rates and falling NHS waiting lists…
…in rising wages and rising investment.
But I know that real progress takes time.
Our growth was the fastest in the G7 in the first half of this year – but I don’t expect anyone to be satisfied with growth of 1%.
I’m not – and I know there is more to do.
The first part of our planning reforms will add an additional £6.8bn to the size of our economy in the next five years,
But the next part – our planning bill – must complete its passage through Parliament before it can make a difference.
Interest rates, which rose from 0.1% to 5.25% in the last Parliament, have now been cut five times…
…but at 4% they are still a constraint on business borrowing and a burden on family finances.
[political redaction]
…and the choices I make in the Budget this month will be focused on getting inflation falling…
…and creating the conditions for interest rate cuts to support economic growth and improve the cost of living.
I understand the urge for easy answers.
[political redaction]
The UK’s national debt now stands at £2.9trillion:
Equivalent to 95% of GDP.
[political redaction] our borrowing costs were in the middle of the pack compared to other advanced economies…
…but now, we have the highest borrowing costs of any G7 country.
Today, 1 in every £10 of taxpayer’s money is spent on debt interest.
Not on paying that debt down…
…but just paying the interest to our creditors.
At the Budget last year, I changed the fiscal rules to strike a careful balance:
To invest more in capital alongside a credible plan to grow our economy and bring debt down within this Parliament.
That was the right decision to break the cycle of low productivity and low growth.
But that additional investment can only be delivered because markets know that my commitment to the fiscal rules is ironclad.
Some people say we should just sidestep those rules…
…that we can borrow more without consequences by simply reclassifying areas like defence or education.
But no accounting trick can change the basic fact that government debt is sold on financial markets.
There are limits on the price that banks, hedge funds and pension funds are willing to pay for our debt…
…and we are competing constantly with other countries also selling debt .
The more we try and sell, the more it will cost us.
It is important that everyone – the public and politicians – understands that reality.
The less we spend on debt interest, the more we can spend on the priorities of working people…
…our NHS, our schools, our national security…
…the public services essential to a decent society and a strong economy.
At the Budget last year, I provided our public services with a vital cash injection…
…and I’m proud of that choice:
Proud that it [political redaction] that is providing record investment in our NHS getting waiting lists down by over 200,000 since the election,
Proud that it [political redaction] that is investing in our children through the rollout of free breakfast clubs and free school meals,
And proud that it [political redaction] that is funding our armed forces and remains resolute in our NATO commitments.
The alternative is to row back on those investments:
[political redaction]
Stifling our economic growth,
And weakening Britain’s foundations in an unstable world.
I will not repeat those mistakes.
But if we want strong public services in the decades to come, then we must recognise that productivity and efficiency are not only a challenge for business, but they are a challenge for our public sector too.
At the Spending Review I announced £14bn of efficiencies per year to be delivered by 2029:
Cutting government spend on consultancies,
Getting rid of bureaucratic quangos and regulators,
And driving efficiency through AI and digital technologies.
But I know that there is more to do,
In the Budget and beyond, I will continue to drive for more productive and more efficient public services, right across government…
…making savings and rooting out waste wherever I find it.
[political redaction]
When I was appointed Chancellor, people put their faith in me to take our country forward…
…not to be swayed by political convenience…
…not to always do what is popular, but to do what is right.
At the Budget, I will continue to deliver on the priorities of the British people:
Cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living.
And in the context of the long-term challenges on our productivity and heightened global uncertainty…
…any Chancellor of any party would be standing here today, facing the choices that I face.
The difference is in the priorities – and the values – that will guide those choices:
Mine will be a Budget for growth with fairness at its heart…
…and a Budget that supports businesses – to create jobs and to innovate.
As I take my decisions on both tax and spend…
…I will do what is necessary to protect families from high inflation and interest rates…
…to protect our public services from a return to austerity…
…and to ensure that the economy that we hand down to future generations is secure, with debt under control.
If we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute to that effort…
…each of us must do our bit for the security of our country and the brightness of its future.
There is a reward for getting these decisions right,
To build more resilient public finances – with the headroom to withstand global turbulence…
…giving business the confidence to invest and leaving government freer to act when the situation calls for it,
To continue to invest in our infrastructure and our industry to build a stronger economy,
And to get the cost of borrowing down – spending less on debt interest, and more on schools and our health service.
The Office for Budget Responsibility will make their forecasts at the end of this month…
…but let’s be clear about what forecasts are:
They are not visions of the future…
…they are a look in the rear-view mirror.
The OBR rightly make their predictions based on the data that has gone before…
…but I do not believe that our past has to determine our future…
…or that a stuttering economy, poor productivity and falling living standards is somehow Britain’s destiny.
A brighter future is within our grasp.
We were elected to break with the cycle of decline…
…and this government is determined to see that through.
So we will go further and faster, on planning, on the industrial strategy, on reforming to regulation…
…all to deliver growth throughout our economy, in all parts of our country.
We will bear down on waiting lists, on the cost of living, and on the national debt which compound these challenges…
…and when that requires hard choices, we will act – guided by the interests of working people.
We were elected on a commitment to put country before party; the national interest before political calculation…
…and, whatever challenges come our way – whatever challenges come my way – we will not be swayed from that.
At the Budget this year, I will continue to build the strong foundations to secure Britain’s future.
For a fairer Britain
A more prosperous Britain
A Britain with an economy that works for everyone.
The Scottish Hindu Foundation, in collaboration with The Scottish Parliament, proudly hosted its Annual Diwali (Deepavali) Celebrations at Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh, bringing together communities, leaders, elected reps, and well-wishers to mark the Festival of Lights — a celebration of hope, unity, and renewal.
The evening opened with uplifting kirtans led by Prana Prabhu Ji and devotees from International Society of Krishna Consciousness [ISKCON]. The formal proceeding began with a traditional Hindu ceremony to mark and bless the occasion led by Pandits and Acharyas from all of Scotland’s Hindu Mandirs in pooja hymns with explanations, offering insight into the spiritual meaning of Diwali.
A diya-lighting ceremony by all Hindu Mandir Presidents across Scotland reinforced the spirit of unity among Hindu communities. The ceremonies capped the first Hindu cultural performance of the evening; Siddharth Bhagchandani, an ode to Lord Ganesh highlighted the vibrant classical dance performances, symbolising removal of obstacles.
Ms Kirsty McNeil opened the evening by reflecting on the growing relationship between Queen Elizabeth House and the Scottish Hindu Foundation, marking the fourth time they have had the honour of hosting the Diwali celebration.
She spoke about the enduring lessons of Diwali — the power of community, and the triumph of light over darkness — values that continue to resonate deeply across Scotland. She also congratulated Dr Sinha on her being awarded an MBE in 2025 for her work on Hinduphobia.
Dr Richa Sinha MBE, followed with remarks on the vital role the Scottish Hindu Foundation plays in safeguarding the community and advocating for its interests. She noted that while only a fraction of the Foundation’s work is publicly visible, achievements such as its efforts to address Hinduphobia and the success of Scotland’s International Yoga Day stand out as testaments to its ongoing impact.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP delivered an inspiring keynote address, sharing his joy at being part of the celebration and reflecting on what Diwali means to him and his family. He spoke warmly about the festival’s message of light overcoming darkness and the importance of carrying that light — of hope, compassion, and community — into everyday life.
Former MP Martyn Day also shared heartfelt insights about celebrating Diwali at home, drawing from his experience of being married into a Hindu family. He spoke appreciatively about the warmth, values, and traditions that make the festival so meaningful, while commending the Scottish Hindu Foundation for its tireless advocacy in representing and supporting the Hindu community across Scotland.
The event progressed to its second Hindu cultural item, a symphony of divine expression and artistic brilliance as National Award–winning artist Debabrata Pal captivated the audience with his signature dance concept, NrityaChitram — a rare confluence of live painting and classical dance performed in perfect harmony on stage.
The evening also celebrated outstanding community contributions through the Scottish Hindu Foundation Annual Awards.
The Guiding Star Award was presented to Mrs Brij Gandhi MBE in recognition of nearly five decades of dedicated service to the community and her leadership in numerous charitable projects.
The Rising Star Award honoured Ms Sowparnika Gopalakrishnan for her remarkable efforts in supporting Hindu students and her role as a founding member of the Edinburgh Universities Hindu Society.
The Hindu Business Award was conferred upon Dr Niveditha, CEO of GoKrsna, a pioneering Glasgow-based enterprise championing sattvik and sustainable food practices.
The Shooting Star Award recognised Dr Pradeep Dhvij a Neuroscientist by profession Dr Dhvij has applied his knowledge to wellbeing, technology and community enhancing ancient Ayurvedic knowledge for a modern audience.
A Diwali-themed Interactive quiz, brought engagement and proceeding to an entertaining and joyful close to all attendees, and the grand prize won by Mr Ali representing the Ahmadi Muslims in Scotland.
The celebration concluded with a warm vote of thanks from Mrs Naina Penman the Vice Chair of the Scottish Hindu Foundation and a networking opportunity with the sharing of Sattvic food, chai, and desserts, fostering fellowship and togetherness.
The Scottish Hindu Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to all partners, guests, sponsors and volunteers who made this event a luminous celebration of Scotland’s multicultural spirit.
Cycling is growing in Scotland – for commuting, fitness, and leisure – but with it comes the responsibility to make our roads safer for everyone.
The Cycling Road Safety Roadshow brings together experts from law, policing, advocacy, engineering, and local government to share knowledge, discuss solutions, and build stronger partnerships for safer cycling across Scotland.
Whether you’re a cyclist, campaigner, policymaker, or simply passionate about safer roads, this free event is for you.
Hear from a panel of leading voices in road safety and cycling:
Roz Galloway – Partner, Cycle Law Scotland
Expert in representing injured cyclists and championing legal rights on Scotland’s roads.
Scott Runicman – Cycling UK (Scotland)
Advocate for everyday cycling and accessible infrastructure.
Simon Bradshaw – Cycling Scotland
Specialist in cycling policy, training, and active travel initiatives.
Stewart Sinclair – Police Scotland Road Policing
Insights from law enforcement on cyclist safety, collisions, and enforcement.
Eric Hill – Sweco UK
Perspective from transport planning and infrastructure design.
Malcolm Hall – Glasgow City Council
Bringing a local authority viewpoint on cycling infrastructure and policy.
POLICE are asking for the help of the public to trace an 80-year-old woman reported missing from the Bruntsfield area.
Ruth Hannah was last seen around 10.55am yesterday (Thursday, 30 October) at a supermarket on Colinton Road.
She is described as around 5ft 4ins, of average build with short dark hair and wears glasses. When last seen she was wearing a dark-coloured coat, a grey jumper, black trousers and black shoes. She was carrying a shoulder bag with a long strap.
Inspector Caroline Herbert said: “Concerns are growing for Ruth’s welfare and it is important we make sure she is safe and well.
“We are asking anyone who has seen Ruth or knows where she might be to get in touch. Please also check gardens and sheds in case she has sought shelter.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2329 of Thursday, 30 October, 2025.
Health Secretary Neil Gray has announced new measures to ensure the continued safety and quality of maternity and neonatal services, following the publication of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s (HIS) inspection report on Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Gray said he was establishing a new Scottish Maternity and Neonatal taskforce to provide additional leadership.
He also confirmed that NHS Lothian maternity services will be moved to level 3 of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework. This will ensure additional support is in place to allow the board to act immediately to implement the 26 recommendations made by HIS.
Mr Gray said: “We are taking these concerns extremely seriously and have escalated NHS Lothian Maternity Services to Level 3 of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework. This intervention will provide enhanced support and scrutiny and I expect to see evidence of improvement before the end of the year.
“In Scotland, we are working towards our shared vision of continuous improvement in maternity services. The HIS inspection programme is giving us vital insight into what is working and what needs to change, holding services to account and ensuring lessons are learned quickly.
“To further strengthen national oversight, a new Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce will be established, chaired by the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health and including voices of maternity service users and frontline staff, senior figures from across the health system, independent bodies, third sector and advocacy organisations.
“Our commitment to continuous improvement across our NHS is vital. We must empower our services and staff to ensure the safest and highest-quality maternity care in Scotland.”
The Health Secretary’s statement to Parliament is available on the Scottish Government’s website.
The HIS inspection report on Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is available on its website.
With Bonfire Night approaching, two major campaigns were launched last week across Scotland by independent charity Crimestoppers and its youth service Fearless. As the initiatives gather momentum, the charity is today urging both young people and adults to play their part in preventing the kind of fireworks-related disorder seen last year.
The charity’s dual approach aims to reach both young people and adults, following significant fireworks-related disorder in pockets of Scotland in 2024.
Emergency workers were attacked, communities disrupted, and animals harmed – including the tragic death of baby red panda Roxie at Edinburgh Zoo – on Bonfire Night last year.
Giving young people a voice
Fearless’ new campaign has been co-designed with young people themselves. It followed a major engagement event last month that brought together over 160 young people, emergency services and third sector partners.
Insights from the event showed:
Adults supplying fireworks illegally to under-18s is a major concern.
Alcohol, peer pressure and social status are strong motivators for misuse.
When they hear the impact of fireworks misuse, young people really do care.
Young people want safer, silent community alternatives and feel unfairly stigmatised for the actions of a minority.
These findings have helped shape the Fearless campaign, which will run on Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram, with content designed by and for young people. It’ll include a youth-created soundtrack, “red flag/green flag” videos and impact stories from firefighters, bus drivers, animal carers and more.
Resources have also been developed for parents, carers and youth workers, giving them the tools to start supportive conversations with young people and to understand the laws in place.
Adults must play their part
The Crimestoppers campaign, launched in parallel, is focusing on adults – calling on communities to speak up 100% anonymously about illegal firework sales, proxy purchasing and planned attacks on emergency workers.
Angela Parker, Scotland National Manager at Crimestoppers, said:‘Our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe. We want everyone to have a safe and fun Bonfire Night, but we are here for communities and front-line crews who experience serious disorder and fire-raising attacks.
“Our guarantee of anonymity has already prevented serious attacks on crews, so we know that it’s vital that people speak up if they know who is involved.”
Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland Manager, added:“The vast majority of young people already make safe, positive choices. They care about their families, their friends, and their communities. But risks increase when there’s peer pressure, lack of knowledge or when adults put them in unsafe situations by supplying fireworks illegally.
“Behind every poor decision by a young person, there’s often an adult who has placed explosives in their hands. That’s why it’s so important that if you know who is selling, buying or supplying fireworks to under-18s, you speak up before serious harm occurs.
“This campaign is about equipping young people with knowledge and confidence, while also supporting adults to have positive conversations. By listening and working with young people, we make them part of the solution – and that benefits all of us across Scotland.”
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said:“We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly. “Misuse of fireworks puts communities and emergency services at risk and the Crimestoppers and Fearless campaigns are a stark reminder of the harms that can be caused.
“The Scottish Government has brought in a number of measures to improve firework safety, including a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.
“We have also provided local authorities with powers to designate firework control zones in local areas and a number of these are/will be in place this year.
“I would encourage anyone who has information or concerns about criminality to report it. This can be done anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting the Crimestoppers or Fearless website.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs from Police Scotland said:“The campaigns by Crimestoppers and Fearless are vitally important to the multi-agency commitment to tackling fireworks-related disorder over the Bonfire Night period, as they encourage the public to make positive choices when it comes to fireworks and not engage in activities that can have a detrimental impact on communities across Scotland.
“We will continue to have significant local, national, and specialist resource in place throughout the key dates between Halloween and Bonfire Night to keep communities safe and respond to any incidents that arise, but we know that intervention and prevention work is equally important as the enforcement activity we undertake.
“I am grateful for the continued support and co-operation of all key partners as we work towards a shared aim of a safe and peaceful Bonfire Night period.”
Fireworks and the Law
Age: You must be 18 or over to buy most fireworks.
Times: Normally between 6pm–11pm (midnight on Bonfire Night; 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year).
Places: Fireworks can’t be set off in the street, in parks, or in Firework Control Zones.
Offences: It’s illegal to sell, buy or supply fireworks to under-18s, to throw or set off fireworks in public areas like parks, streets or roads, or to cause unnecessary suffering to animals.
Local councils may also designate Firework Control Zones, and Police Scotland can introduce Dispersal Zones in areas where antisocial behaviour is a problem.
How to speak up – 100% anonymously
Adults: Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Young people: Visit fearless.org to give information anonymously.
Both services are completely anonymous: no names, no phone numbers, no IP tracking.
Please note: No-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers. With Fearless.org and Crimestoppers-uk.org, computer IP addresses are never traced. For telephone calls to the independent charity’s UK Contact Centre, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.
Young people in Edinburgh are set to benefit from a share of more than £3 million (£3,092,915) awarded today (Wednesday 29th October) to 40 project across Scotland run for and by young people.
Seven youth projects from across Edinburgh will share a total award of over £450,000. These are Granton Youth, Multicultural Family Base. Passion4Fusion, Children in Scotland, Lothian Autistic Society, The Fruitmarket Gallery and Think Circus.
The dormant assets funding from Young Start and delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, helps 8-24 year olds build confidence, develop confidence and thrive in their communities.
Each organisation will use its share of funding to deliver projects that will boost wellbeing, encourage community involvement and equip young people with the skills to excel and champion their voices. See full list of projects.
Passion4Fussion receives £65,529 to develop and expand its sports outreach, volunteering and peer mentoring programme to support at least 180 children and young people in Edinburgh and West Lothian, helping them to build their confidence and leadership skills.
Vinomaandero Tjihumino, 22, joined the charity as a young person before becoming a volunteer coach.
He said: “When I first came to Edinburgh, I had no friends and felt isolated as an immigrant. Joining Passion4Fusion changed everything, I made so many friends, grew in confidence, and later became a volunteer.
“The organisation supported me through my coaching licence, and now I’m studying a sports programme at university! I’m so proud that I can give back to my community and help others overcome the same challenges I once faced.”
When asked what the Young Start funding means for the charity, Isaac Akhadelor, Project Coordinator, Passion4Fusion said: “This funding will be transformational for our sports programme.
“It’s empowering us to reach more young people across Edinburgh and West Lothian, using sport as a tool for inclusion, confidence-building, and community connections.”
Another organisation, The Fruitmarket Gallery, also based in Edinburgh will use its £57,286 grant to launch and run its Youth ART Connects project, which aims to engage young people aged 16 to 25 who are blind and or visually impaired, from ethnically minoritised communities, and or identify as LGBTQIA+, to create three bodies of work to be exhibited at The Fruitmarket Gallery.
The Youth ART Connects project will run over two years supporting young people through the creative process and providing career and access opportunities within the arts and culture sector.
Tracy Morgan, Community Engagement Manager, The Fruitmarket Gallery said:“Delivered by Fruitmarket in partnership with leading artists and youth organisations across Scotland, this programme aims to reshape how galleries engage with young people – creating lasting change by amplifying the voices and visions of those who deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”
EDINBURGH AWARDEES:
Children in Scotland £62,250
This group will use funding to run the two year ‘My Rights, My Say. Building Bridges’ project, led by young advisors aged 12-15 year old with additional support needs (ASN), aims to empower and connect children and young people with ASN across Scotland while bridging the gap with education professionals.
Granton Youth Ltd £53,481
This group will use the funding to support up to 60 young people aged 14-25, in Granton, across two years. The young people will be supported to volunteer, peer mentor and work toward accreditation with recognised awards.
Lothian Autistic Society £99,518
This group will provide wrap around support and mentoring for 45 young people with autism and other developmental disabilities, aged 12-18 years old in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, over three years.
Multi-Cultural Family Base £65,785
This group will use two years funding to deliver and expand their Young Ambassadors programme, for 60 young people aged 12-15.
Passion4Fusion £65,529
This group will use funding to develop and expand their sports outreach, volunteering and peer mentoring programme for up to 200 young people from ethnically minoritised communities, aged eight-24 years.
The Fruitmarket Gallery £57,286
This group will use their funding to engage with young people from three underrepresented groups (blind and visually impaired, ethnically minoritised communities, and LGBTQIA+ young people), over two years, in Edinburgh within the arts sector to create three bodies of work to be exhibited at the Fruitmarket Gallery.
Think Circus SCIO £49,415
This group will use the funding to support up to 65 girls from primary six to first year in high school in Edinburgh, over two years.
See below for full list of successful applications:
Announcing the funding Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “Organisations such as Passion4Fusion and The Fruitmarket Gallery empower young people to play an active leadership role in their local and wider community.
“Equipping them with the skills, network and confidence they need to unlock their full potential.
“We’re incredibly grateful to support them on this journey through this latest round of Young Start funding, that will improve the lives of young people across Scotland, through 40 inspiring projects.”
Young Start helps young people aged eight to 24 become more confident and play an active part in realising their potential. Funding of up to £100,000 is available for youth led projects.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland: Inspection report Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian
Healthcare Improvement Scotland today (Wednesday 29 October) published a report relating to a Maternity Services Safe Delivery of Care inspection visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian.
We carried out the unannounced inspection of maternity services at the hospital on 23-24 June 2025.
Speaking of the report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “During our inspection of the maternity services we saw staff working hard to provide compassionate and responsive care in very challenging circumstances. All interactions observed during inspection between women, babies and families were positive and respectful.
“We saw good teamwork and innovation within the maternity triage department involving extended members of the multidisciplinary team including obstetricians, midwives and the healthcare support team.
“However, during the course of this inspection, we escalated serious concerns within NHS Lothian to senior staff and Scottish Government. These concerns related to culture, oversight of patient safety and staff wellbeing within Edinburgh Royal Infirmary maternity services.
“Some staff were complimentary and described their line manager as supportive. However, the majority of the multidisciplinary team we spoke with were frustrated at staffing levels and told us this presented a safety risk, which they’d raised on multiple occasions with managers.
“They shared their concerns and feelings of being overwhelmed, unsupported and not listened to. They said this has impacted staff confidence to escalate staffing concerns.
“During the inspection we observed delays to the induction of labour process of up to 29 hours and other delays to women who required ongoing care within the labour ward due to lack of staff availability, capacity and the complexities of patient conditions.
“Staff described suboptimal skill mix and challenges in providing and maintaining one to one care for women within the labour ward, as well as delays to observations or escalation of clinical concerns.
“Our inspection has highlighted gaps in incident reporting and a reluctance to submit incident reports, with staff describing a culture of mistrust. These are concerning issues that may have significant impact on the learning from adverse events in the system and reduce opportunities to improve safety.
“Women told us of mixed experiences within the hospital, whilst some were complimentary of their care, they also informed inspectors of poor communication that left them feeling uninformed and with no ‘voice’ in their care.”
Other areas for improvement identified included fire safety requirements, safe storage of cleaning products and improvements to the environment.
Speaking of our expansion of Safe Delivery of Care inspections into maternity services, Eddie Docherty, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation, said: “In response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Neonatal Mortality Review in 2024, we made a commitment to expanding our Safe Delivery of Care inspection approach to include inpatient maternity services.
“The maternity inspections will provide women, and families with an assessment of the quality of care provided by their local maternity service and an independent review of any required improvements.
“Our organisation is also producing a set of standards for maternity services, which will in time support our inspection process for maternity services.”
The maternity services inspection at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh resulted in five areas of good practice, two recommendations and 26 requirements.
An improvement action plan has been developed by NHS Lothian to meet the requirements for maternity services.
The full Lothian maternity inspection report is available to view at:
Pre-empting the report, NHS Lothian issued a statement yesterday:
KEY MESSAGES FOR PATIENTS
You are likely to read or hear some stories in the media this week about maternity services in NHS Lothian.
A new BBC documentary will air on Tuesday and will explore challenges in maternity services across Scotland. It is looking at situations and cases in the bigger units of Glasgow and Edinburgh and is following up on the improvement work that is already underway in NHS Lothian.
Then on Wednesday, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) will publish a report into Women’s Services following two unannounced visits in June.
You might understandably have some questions or concerns about what is going on. It is also to be expected that you may feel more anxious than normal.
We can reassure you that your health, and that of your baby, is our main priority.
If you have any questions at all, please raise them. If your expert midwife can’t answer them, they will be able to find someone else who can help.
A phoneline has also been established to help answer any questions or concerns. It will be manned by our Patient Experience Team with a local contact in Women’s Services for any specific issues.
You can make contact on: Tel 0131 536 3370 (open Mon-Fri, 9am to 2pm) and on email: LOTH.Feedback@nhs.scot
Many of the things to note are:
We know these reports will be concerning and we apologise to women, people who use the service, and their families and can reassure them that these issues are being taken extremely seriously.
A major improvement programme began last year and is already underway across women’s services in NHS Lothian.
Many of the points we expect to be mentioned in the BBC documentary and many of the findings in the HIS report actually reinforce the work that is already underway and serve to strengthen the improvement plan.
The issues are being taken extremely seriously, and we have always been clear that wider ranging matters, such as staffing, recruitment and working culture within the department, will take time to resolve.
Significant investment and improvements have already been made, and many new posts have been filled, but there is still more to do to ensure our staff feel supported at work, safe to raise concerns and able to thrive.
We are working to enhance patient safety, quality of care and improve working conditions for our teams.
The first and ongoing phase of improvement work focussed on patient care. The second phase is focussed on staff working culture, training and environment.
As part of the programme, we have improved triage and escalation increased staffing, boosted training, altered placement rotation and created robust patient pathways.
The report highlighted some areas of good practice, particularly our maternity triage system which is one of areas already targeted by the ongoing improvement programme.
