Category: Uncategorized

100 days to go to Self Assessment deadline

Self Assessment customers have just 100 days left to submit their tax return ahead of the deadline on 31 January 2024.

And with the clock ticking down, customers can find various types of help from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at the click of a mouse – from webinars to step by step guides.

Anyone who needs support to complete their return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year can access the online help available on GOV.UK. It explains how to access HMRC’s services and ask for help, without having to call us.

Completing a tax return sooner means that customers can find out what they owe and can work out how to pay between now and the deadline.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “My advice for anyone completing their Self Assessment is to get prepared and, if they need extra support, to access HMRC’s free online help and resources. Search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

Customers can pay through the HMRC app. If customers cannot pay in full, HMRC wants to help them to find an affordable way for them to pay the tax they owe. 

If  customers owe less than £30,000, they may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement and do this online without speaking to HMRC.

For a full list of ways to pay any tax owed, visit GOV.UK.

If anyone thinks they no longer need to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, they should tell HMRC as soon as possible to avoid any penalties. HMRC has produced 2 videos explaining how customers can go online and stop Self Assessment if they are self-employed and those who are not self-employed.

Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

Four Square’s Springboard Project

The Springboard programme is for young adults aged 16-25 who are currently either at risk of homelessness or accessing homelessness services across Edinburgh.

Participants will be able to gain qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work as well as Elementary Food Hygiene.

We will support the group with employability skills such as CV writing, Job Interview Skills and Job Applications. We also run workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing as well as weekly social outings to encourage participants to form lasting friendships.

The programme also includes a 3-day Residential trip with the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre to allow the participants to try their hand at some adventurous outdoor activities like rock climbing, abseiling, archery and much more!

Bus fare can be covered by Four Square and lunch will be provided on each day of the course.

Self-referrals can be made by emailing springboard@foursquare.org.uk

FM to visit Brechin following Storm Babet

Humza Yousaf will meet people affected and thank those involved in the response

First Minister Humza Yousaf will visit River Street in Brechin today where the River South Esk burst its banks on Friday.

The First Minister is expected to meet residents who have been impacted by the storm and thank volunteers, the local council and the emergency services for their work in supporting people evacuated from their properties.

Angus Council has had an overwhelming response to an appeal for accommodation for those unable to return home because of the damage caused by the floods. In addition, a call for clothing and toiletries led to hundreds of donations.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the First Minister said: “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives to the extreme conditions caused by Storm Babet during what will be difficult time.  

“I want to pass on my thanks to local authorities, volunteers and the emergency services for all their efforts in these extremely challenging conditions.

“The local community in Brechin, like others across Scotland, has come together to offer support to all those affected by the floods with Angus Council receiving hundreds of offers of alternative accommodation for those forced to leave their homes.

“The process of assessing the full amount of damage caused in all areas affected by the storm is now underway. This will take some time and we are working closely with local authorities to support the people and businesses affected.”

Angus Council Chief Executive Margo Williamson said: “I am tremendously proud of Angus’ response to Storm Babet. Working closely with partners from across Tayside we have done our best to preserve life in extremely challenging conditions.

“I would like to pay tribute to everyone who supported this effort, particularly our volunteer organisations such as the Red Cross, Voluntary Action Angus, and our Tayside 4×4 drivers who have played a vital part in this operation.

“Our staff in the council, in the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, and our leisure trust ANGUSAlive, have all gone above and beyond, facing challenges on an unprecedented scale.

“I would also like to reassure the residents of Angus, who have shown such community spirit, that their care and support is our absolute priority, particularly those who are displaced. We are now firmly focused on making a full recovery, and this work has already started.”

Celebrating Edinburgh’s care experienced community

A series of activities are taking place across Edinburgh next week to showcase and celebrate the care experienced community in Edinburgh.

Care Experienced Week takes place annually at the end of October with this year’s theme being Lifelong Rights.

The City of Edinburgh Council and partners have come together, in recognition of their role as corporate parents, to host a number of events which highlight the successes and the various avenues of support available for Edinburgh’s care experienced community.

There are challenges experienced too and this week allows us connect with the care experienced community and reflect on what works and what we could do better.

Activities being planned for the week, which runs from Monday 23 until Sunday 29 October, include: creative arts, a children and carers bookbug session, mental health support, a family cookbook event and the launch of a Corporate Parenting e-learning module for council staff. 

One of the main events during the week is a special remembrance service in West Princes Street Gardens on Tuesday (24 October, 5.30pm to 6pm) to mark the passing of members of the care experienced community and the official unveiling of a remembrance bench.

It’s an opportunity for people to pay their respects and spend time together remembering the importance of those that have passed away.

The week’s events build on the success of the Edinburgh Champions Board which provides a platform for the care experienced community to talk directly to their corporate parents, local Councillors and service providers. This means they can ensure that decisions which affect their lives are informed by their own experiences leading to improvements in services and support available to them.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that all care experienced people receive the vital support they need to improve their life experiences and their educational outcomes.

“It’s really important that we listen to the children and young people in our care ,and people who are care experienced, treat them with respect and make positive changes when they speak up.

“Care Experienced Week is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate their successes and inspire the care experienced community to achieve their full potential.”

Almost 7,000 pumpkins picked at Craigies Farm as Halloween events launched

Craigies Farm in South Queensferry has seen nearly 7,000 pumpkins picked so far this October. This comes as they launch their family-friendly Halloween events last weekend.

The daytime Spooky Days and nighttime Haunted Tunnels events invite kids and grown-ups alike to explore the farm, play terrifyingly fun games, meet a colourful cast of characters, and enjoy illuminations at night.

Pumpkin picking is included with tickets to both events, with 6,662 pumpkins having been picked since October 1st.

The Halloween events are the perfect blend of scary and fun, offering families a unique day out this October.

Tickets can be purchased online here: https://craigies.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Edinburgh ‘leads the way on Climate Action’

The City of Edinburgh has claimed the top spot of councils in Scotland on climate action, it has been announced this week (Wednesday 18 October) by Climate Emergency UK.

The Council Climate Action Scorecards cover 7 sections, ask 91 questions, and were created in consultation with over 90 different organisations and key individuals. 

Collectively this provides some of the most in-depth analysis of climate action in UK local authorities to date.

With a total score of 58%, the City of Edinburgh Council ranks joint 4th overall in the UK, and 1st in Scotland. Edinburgh was also the only council outside of London which placed in the top six of the table.

Edinburgh scored highest in the sections for Collaboration & Engagement (78%), Planning & Land Use (70%) and Waste Reduction & Food (67%).

Disappointingly, only 41 of the UK’s 388 local and combined authorities scored above 50%, with the average score being just 32%.

The Council will use the Scorecards to understand where it can be bolder, and where it needs to make faster progress on climate action.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Whilst I welcome this excellent news about Edinburgh’s ranking from Climate Emergency UK, we still have a long road ahead to reach our goal of Edinburgh becoming a net zero city by 2030 and addressing the other key challenges in our 2030 Climate Strategy.  

“It is important though that we highlight the good progress we’re making. From pioneering our sustainable active travel and public transport networks, to combatting food waste, and making our Council houses and buildings more energy efficient, alongside flagship projects like our Granton Waterfront net zero redevelopment (above), I’m inspired by what I see around the city.

“I’d add that in the next few months reports on our Council Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) and progress on city-wide emissions, and delivery of our 2030 Climate Strategy will be heard at committee.

“I’m conscious that whilst local government has a key role to play in our just transition to net zero, but this must be done alongside wider society with coordination and cooperation alongside government, private sector, third sector and our citizens.

“This was underlined in January of this year, when the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee stated clearly in their report that Scotland will not meet its climate targets without a more empowered local government sector, and the removal of key barriers facing not only our Council but many across the country.  

“We’re bold and ambitious in our approach and aims, but this is absolutely essential if we are to properly confront the climate emergency, which is undoubtedly the key existential challenge of our times. “

Climate Emergency UK Co-Director Annie Pickering said: “The low scores across the board shows that there are national barriers for local authorities that make it harder for most councils to deliver the necessary climate action.

“A lack of funding and government policy U-turns are some of the barriers to effective local climate action.”

High five for Musselburgh Racecourse shortlisted in major industry awards

Musselburgh Racecourse leads the field with five nominations in the racing industry’s RCA Showcase Awards.

The East Lothian track has been shortlisted in the marketing, food & beverage, raceday, Racing Post Readers’ Award and the RCA/ROA Owner’s Racecourse of the Year categories.

York Racecourse is in the running with four nominations while all five Scottish racecourses have been nominated, with Hamilton Park listed in three categories.

Musselburgh’s hugely popular Corgi Derby on the opening day of the Flat season – which attracted national headlines – is in the running for winning the marketing award, while the annual Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day is listed in the Raceday award.

In the Racecourse of the Year category, Musselburgh is up against strong opposition from Newbury, York, Bangor-on-Dee and Hamilton Park.

The eight core categories in the Showcase Awards are chosen to reflect the diverse operation of a racecourse, while two public-voted awards offering customers the opportunity to have their say and crown their racecourse of the year in raceday and owners’ experience.

Paul Swain, Head of Raceday Experience & Communications at the RCA, said: “This list represents the best of British racecourses over the past 12 months and demonstrates their commitment to providing a fantastic experience for participants and racegoers alike.

“Our independent judging panel commented on the high standard of entries this year which was evident when considering the scores awarded. There is an abundance of best practice that should be replicated across the sport and the RCA will ensure this is front and centre of our raceday experience programme in 2024.”

The Showcase Awards ceremony will be hosted by Aintree Racecourse on 23 November.

GC Live to back local charity Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas Campaign

25p per every full-price ticket sold for Wondrous Woods and Starry Nights will be donated to Cash for Kids to support local children across Scotland’s central belt this Christmas. 

GC Live, a new major events organiser has announced that they will be donating 25p from every full-price ticket sold for their two largest seasonal events to Cash for Kids Mission Christmas. 

Now the largest gift appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas helps ensure every child wakes up to a visit from Santa as presents are delivered to hundreds of thousands of children who would otherwise go without. 

Geoff Crow, Director of GC Live said, “We are delighted to support Cash for Kids with their Mission Christmas campaign.

“With an expected audience of over 60,000 visitors across both events, we are looking forward to being able to donate a sizable sum to the charity which will help support those kids who need presents the most at Christmas time.” 

Wondrous Woods, at Gosford House near Edinburgh and Starry Nights at Dean Castle near Kilmarnock, will be delivered by technical and event management partners, 21CC Group and will offer magical illuminated experiences for families across Scotland.  

Cash for Kids East Lothian’s Charity Manager, Vic Hendry said: ‘We are so grateful for the support we are receiving through the Wondrous Woods and Starry Nights illuminated trail experiences.

“The money that’s donated through the ticket sales will buy presents that will bring joy to many local children, allowing them to experience the magic of Christmas, as every child should.” 

Cash for Kids Senior Corporate Fundraiser for the West of Scotland, Rebecca Campbell, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as the chosen charity for the Starry Nights event at Dean Castle.

“The funds donated to Cash for Kids will help us make Christmas special for local children who would otherwise miss out on this magical time of year.”  

The spectacular illuminated adventure that is Wondrous Woods runs over Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions from October 27 to November 19, including a special run during the last week, where sessions are extended to run from Thursday to Sunday. 

Kirsty McGill, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, who are supporting Wondrous Woods this year as an official sponsor, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this event and in turn the Cash for Kids charity. It’s incredibly important to us to support the local community and the work we do is a lot more than just building high-quality homes.   

“Being able to work with local businesses, charities and organisations that surround our developments means a great deal to us and it’s great to be part of the first Wondrous Woods in East Lothian.  We are excited to be involved and we hope the event brings lots of fun and joy to those who visit as well as presents to children who need them most this Christmas.” 

Tickets are available to buy online at https://www.wondrouswoods.com/ticket-information from £12 per child and £19 for an adult. Tickets for Starry Nights at Dean Castle will be available for purchase soon.  

Tickets start from £9 for children 4 to 15 years old plus booking fee and from £14 for adults plus booking fee. Children under 3 go free. Grotto tickets can be added to your basket from just £9 per child. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.christmasatdeancastle.com