Edinburgh City Paramedic, Jay Watt, is running in this weekend’s Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for SAMH, clad in a full suit of metal armour.
Jay has been running the Edinburgh Marathon every year since 2011 in a new costume to raise money for local and children’s charities. Previous years’ costumes have included Buzz Lightyear, aliens, and a bunny suit, raising money for The Yard and The Teenage Cancer Trust, amongst others.
Speaking about his latest challenge, Jay said: “In my job, I have encountered patients struggling with their mental health, so this year I wanted to raise awareness of the support SAMH give and raise money to help them continue their important work.
“This is my 20th marathon, and I’ve run in big mascot costumes before, but this year I wanted to break through the stigma of mental health and let people know it’s okay to have a chink in your armour.”
In addition to running the marathon, Jay has been putting the suit through its paces by skiing, boxing, kayaking, and more. He has had some help from a Scottish blacksmith, Kev Paxton, to ensure his suit can withstand each challenge.
Jay said: “Kev has helped me adjust the suit so I can do these activities in it and raise as much awareness as I can.
“By taking part in these sports and fitness activities, I am looking to encourage a positive vibe about mental health and encouraging people to reach out.”
Follow Jay’s journey and donate to his fundraiser here:
Police Scotland has been urged to review staffing levels at one of the country’s busiest police custody centres.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carried out a joint inspection of the police custody centre at St Leonards Police Station, in Edinburgh.
Staff at the custody centre described it as ‘significantly understaffed’ and told inspectors that gaps in staffing levels meant the care provided to detainees was not to the standard they would like to see, or that detainees deserve.
Inspectors found that staffing pressures could compromise the completion of routine tasks including the provision of showers for detainees and time spent with them.
Local policing officers taking detainees to the custody centre said there were rarely enough custody staff available to run the three charge bars at the police station.
They said this commonly resulted in queues of arresting officers with their detainees and had a knock-on impact on operational policing as officers remained delayed at St Leonards rather than returning to frontline policing.
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, said: “HMICS and HIS have now jointly inspected ten police custody centres across Scotland, and during this latest inspection we identified a number of issues that we have previously highlighted elsewhere – including issues around staffing levels.
“We recently made a recommendation to Police Scotland that they examine staffing levels and make arrangements to ensure that appropriate staff resource is in place to maintain safe and effective custody centre operations.
“While we have not repeated this recommendation, it has relevance for the St Leonards custody centre.
“Consideration should be given to reviewing the rationale for the existing staffing model to ensure it remains suitable and fit for purpose.”
Inspectors said the national custody staff model which is used by Police Scotland – with one sergeant and one staff member per ten detainees – did not meet the needs of such a busy custody centre.
St Leonards has 34 cells and serves as the main police custody centre for Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.
Records show 7,157 people were held in custody at St Leonards police station during 2024-2025.[1]
Staff reported limited ability to take breaks.
They also highlighted challenges associated with sickness absence, delays in body armour provision that restricted the deployment of new members of the custody team, and with some staff being on restricted duties which meant they were unable to assist at the charge bar.
Limited management visibility was also raised by staff, with some expressing concern that Police Scotland was not responding effectively to pressures within the custody environment.
HMICS and HIS inspectors visited the St Leonards custody centre in September last year, as part of their review to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, any individuals being detained.
The joint review found child detainees who were brought to St Leonards custody centre were managed appropriately, with none placed in cells and the longest detention period under five hours.
Inspectors said this was a significant improvement from previous inspections.
However, the inspection found there were issues around the recording of information on the National Custody System, including details relating to wellbeing observations of detainees, their meals, healthcare interactions, care planning and legal rights.
Care plans and handovers were found to routinely lack case-specific details, while records frequently relied on ‘generic, copy-and-paste entries’ which diminished their value.
The inspection team said the physical condition of the custody cells at St Leonards was good, but they identified safety and operational concerns related to the recent addition of a new detainee holding room opposite the charge bar area.
The report said the narrow layout often resulted in congestion when accommodating multiple detainees and their escorting officers.
Inspectors stated: “Staff described incidents since the opening of this facility in which disorderly or incapacitated detainees obstructed exit routes, leading to unwanted physical contact and, on one occasion, a physical assault on a member of staff who was rendering assistance.”
Inspectors also found that while the recently upgraded charge bar facilities were bright and spacious, the layout resulted in limited confidentially during detainee processing, with conversations audible to others.
The joint custody report made 10 recommendations for improvement, including a number of healthcare-specific recommendations addressing infection prevention and control, training and the management of medicines.
The recommendations were directed at both Police Scotland and NHS Lothian who provides healthcare services in the custody centre.
[1] The number of arrested persons includes individuals who have appeared in custody on more than one occasion within the reporting period.
Everyday symptoms could signal serious autoimmune condition
This Coeliac Awareness Month (May), Coeliac UK is warning that thousands of people in Scotland could be living with an undiagnosed autoimmune condition, after new research reveals many are brushing off key persistent or recurrent symptoms as part of everyday life.
24% of adults in Scotland say that they wouldn’t speak to their GP at all about the symptoms of coeliac disease. Meanwhile, nearly half (40%) of people in Scotland dismiss persistent tiredness as normal, and 30% say the same about brain fog or difficulty concentrating – despite these being common warning signs.
Coeliac disease affects 1 in 100 people; only 36% of people with coeliac disease are diagnosed, yet awareness remains worryingly low.
Symptoms ‘hidden in plain sight’
Despite its prevalence, coeliac disease can affect the whole body – but many of its most common symptoms are overlooked and often mistaken for everyday issues or other conditions.
While issues like bloating or diarrhoea are more widely recognised, others – including fatigue, anaemia and neurological symptoms such as brain fog – are frequently dismissed or misattributed.
New YouGov research commissioned by Coeliac UK highlights the critical awareness gap in Scotland:
Over half of UK adults (56%) aware of coeliac disease don’t realise coeliac disease causes symptoms beyond digestion
Myths and misconceptions remain widespread.More people attribute symptoms to stress or lifestyle rather than a serious medical condition. 21% blame diet/lifestyle, 13% blame stress and 14% think it’s part of ageing, over a medical condition (21%).
Only 11% of people know how common the condition is in reality
Coeliac disease is not a food intolerance or lifestyle choice. It is a serious autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own tissues when gluten is consumed, damaging the gut and preventing nutrients from being properly absorbed.
This has real consequences. On average, it takes 13 years from the onset of symptoms for an adult to be diagnosed – more than a decade of potentially avoidable ill health.
Left untreated, coeliac disease can lead to serious long-term complications, including osteoporosis, infertility, chronic gut ulcers, increased risk of infections, and neurological damage.
Hilary Croft, Chief Executive at Coeliac UK, said: “This isn’t a lifestyle choice or a popular food trend – it’s a serious autoimmune condition. We’re seeing people normalise symptoms and ignore their body’s warning signs. Signs that could point to coeliac disease.
“The result is that many people end up waiting for over a decade before they find out what’s causing their pain and discomfort. Fatigue, brain fog or ongoing digestive issues shouldn’t just be dismissed as part of a busy life or getting older.”
This Coeliac Awareness Month, Coeliac UK is urging people not to ignore persistent or recurrent symptoms, and instead to take action and seek medical advice. Their free online self-assessment, Is It Coeliac Disease, helps people understand their risk and start conversations with healthcare professionals.
Hilary continued: “Take action today, and check whether your symptoms could be coeliac disease, with the Coeliac UK self-assessment.”
For nearly 60 years, Coeliac UK has advocated for people affected by coeliac disease by raising awareness, improving diagnosis pathways, funding research and working to ensure safe and affordable access to gluten free food.
Jenny Gilruth takes on “greatest honour of my life.”
Jenny Gilruth has been appointed Deputy First Minister by First Minister John Swinney.
Ms Gilruth described it as “the greatest honour of my life” as she accepted the role.
Ms Gilruth will support the First Minister in ensuring the Scottish Government delivers on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
Her Cabinet portfolio will be confirmed in due course.
The First Minister said: “Jenny Gilruth has already shown she can deliver for the people of Scotland, not least in averting damaging teachers strikes earlier this year.
“Now, as my government takes on the emphatic mandate we were given by the people, she will play a central role in making sure we deliver on people’s priorities.
“This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland. We have pledged that we will support people with the cost of living, ensure easier access to the NHS and deliver a fresh start with independence. That is exactly what we will do, and I am pleased that Jenny will bring her drive and determination to that task.”
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Being asked to serve as John Swinney’s Deputy First Minister is the greatest honour of my life.
“We are coming into government refreshed by the faith people have placed in us and determined to deliver on the job they have asked us to do – supporting people through the cost of living crisis, giving people easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“That is our task and it is one I will dedicate myself to delivering as Deputy First Minister, in a Scottish Government working for Scotland.”
People in Scotland donated an estimated £910 million to charity last year, declining from £1.1bn in 2024, according to new research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
CAF’s research finds that the number of people giving to charity has been declining. Last year, 58% of people in Scotland donated or sponsored to support charities. Against the backdrop of household financial pressures, one in five (22%) people in the UK report they don’t donate to charity because they cannot afford it.
CAF’s UK Local Giving Report looks at levels of charitable giving, community engagement and local pride in every UK constituency.
More than a third (38%) already engage in their local community in Scotland, but one in six (17%) would like more opportunities to get involved. More than half (51%) of people in Scotland have a sense of local pride, increasing to 65% in Mid Dunbartonshire which has the strongest sense of satisfaction and belonging.
The report highlights the virtuous circle that when people engage in their local communities, they are more likely to donate to charity and feel a sense of local pride.
Mid Dunbartonshire also gave the highest percentage of household income to good causes with an average of 1.14%. This compares to Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, where people donate 0.64% of their household income.
Mark Greer, Managing Director of the Charities Aid Foundation, commented: “Charities are at the core of our communities. Through their work up and down the country, they strengthen local areas and support those in need.
“When we are facing a sustained trend of declining donations, part of the solution to unlocking greater giving lies in understanding the power of place and community. It might seem obvious, but places matter to people.
“This report shows that when people are engaged in a local area, they tend to give more. It tells us that the people in areas with low levels of engagement and giving aren’t disinterested – they need and want more opportunities.
“We need targeted investment and collaboration from government, philanthropists and businesses to revitalise local cultures of giving and encourage community connections, helping to strengthen charities and the places they support, for the future.”
Ten most generous constituencies in Scotland based on proportion of income donated to charity:
It is shameful to note reports that Edinburgh University has pulled the plug on financial support for a proposed £750,000 sculpture in the heart of the city’s Old Town, marking the capital’s historic links with the slave trade in the Caribbean.
This comes less than a year after a review of its own historic links to slavery and racism revealed that the university had received the equivalent of at least £30m in “philanthropic gifts” that can be traced to the profits of colonial commodities like tobacco, sugar and cotton.
Based on present-day earnings, that is equivalent to £202m today, or as much as £845m based on the UK’s growth in overall wealth and productivity since then.
The Edinburgh report found 27 specific endowments from donors directly linked to the slave trade and colonial profiteering. These were responsible for funding professorial chairs in music, agriculture, and engineering, as well as student bursaries, prizes, and scholarships. Funding also contributed to the construction of university buildings, including Old College, New College and the Medical School.
To put matters in context, in its most recent financial year, the university reported a surplus of £43 million on a total income of £1,477 million.
It is quite disgraceful that a university that has benefited so extensively from the wealth created on the back of slavery is not willing to contribute what is a relatively paltry sum to deliver a memorial to mark this hideous trade.
The Pensions Commission has today (19 May) published its interim report on the state of retirement saving in the UK, setting out the key challenges facing the current system and where it will focus its work next.
Interim report highlights key challenges in retirement saving across the UK with 15 million people currently undersaving for retirement.
Findings sets direction for further work to improve retirement outcomes ahead of final recommendations in 2027.
Commission set up as part of government’s wider reforms to pensions system to help more people retire with dignity.
The Pensions Commission has today (19 May) published its interim report on the state of retirement saving in the UK, setting out the key challenges facing the current system and where it will focus its work next.
The report highlights that many people are not saving enough for retirement, particularly among low and middle earners, the self‑employed and women, and points to the need for the system to evolve to meet modern working lives.
There are currently 15 million people under saving for retirement which could reach 19 million without action, leaving large groups across the UK facing a severe cliff-edge when they retire, according to a new report from the Pensions Commission.
Set up by the Government in July 2025, the Commission aims to address a savings challenge that has been building for decades, examining why tomorrow’s retirees’ risk being worse off than today’s and making recommendations to reverse this.
This follows the success of the 2002 to 2006 Commission which built a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving, resulting in 89% of eligible employees now saving into their pensions, up from 55% in 2012.
Its findings include:
Low and middle earners are most at risk, with around half saving only at minimum Automatic Enrolment levels with little else to fall back on.
45% of working-age adults – around 18 million people – are not saving into a pension at all, despite nearly half of them being in work.
Where employers are contributing about the statutory minimum this is largely benefiting higher earners.
Just 4% – one in 25 – of wholly self-employed workers are saving for retirement, and it’s even lower among younger self-employed people.
On current trends around 3 in 10 private pension pots are accessed at the earliest possible opportunity with half of all pots taken out in full. Nearly half of these are spent on large expenses like a car, holiday or renovations.
The Commission examined why tomorrow’s retirees are on track to be poorer than today’s with too many working age adults are saving nothing at all into a pension. A final report with recommendations will follow in early 2027.
Pensions Commissioner, Baroness Jeannie Drake said: “Over the past two decades since the Turner Commission there is no doubt pensions reform can be described as a success. Yet the second Pensions Commission is looking forward and seeing many people not saving enough and millions not saving at all.
“This demands a renewed national settlement on pensions.
“Achieving this will require clarity of purpose, but it also offers a moment of opportunity; to renew a social contract that commands confidence across the country.
“The recommendations we present in our final report will address the need to secure adequate income in later life and a pension system that is fit for decades to come.”
The Commission will set out the course to improving future outcomes whilst ensuring the system is fair and sustainable within and between generations.
Minister for Pensions, Torsten Bell MP, said: “Britain has got back into the pension saving habit, but the job is only half done with tomorrow’s pensioners still on track to be poorer than today’s.
“The Pensions Commission sets out clearly the scale of the challenge: not enough people are saving for retirement, and many of those that are aren’t saving enough.”
The Commission warns that without action millions more people could be at risk of becoming reliant on state support in retirement.
It adds that there is much for public policy to do to shape the future of pensions, whilst maintaining the broad political consensus pensions has had since the Turner Commission in the 2000s. The Commission is clear that change must happen in the right way, with any recommendations for change implemented gradually.
The Government has ruled out any changes to Automatic Enrolment contributions this Parliament.
Dr Yvonne Braun, ABI Director of Long-Term Savings Policy said: “The report makes a powerful case for a new national settlement for pensions. Automatic enrolment is a sturdy foundation, but must evolve to meet the scale of the challenges ahead.
“We and our members stand ready to work with the Commission to deepen saving, extend coverage and support better decisions in retirement, so that everyone can look forward to greater financial security in later life.
“Over the next year the Commission will hear a wide range of views before presenting its final report and recommendations in early 2027. A call for views from all interested parties has also launched today.
Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which? said: “Which? welcomes this interim report from the Pensions Commission and the valuable evidence it brings together on the UK’s pension adequacy challenge.
“It is very encouraging to see recognition of the need to increase private pension saving rates and coverage, while also acknowledging the financial pressures caused by the cost of living crisis.
The report rightly highlights that too many working people are projected to reach later life without sufficient savings, and that women, carers, the self-employed and many ethnic minority groups continue to face structural barriers. It is also promising to see a strong focus on how to support people to use their pension savings throughout retirement.
“Which? looks forward to continuing to work with the Commission, industry and wider civil society groups to help drive the reforms needed so people are better prepared for retirement.”
Julian Mund, Chief Executive of Pensions UK, said: “Pensions UK welcomes the breadth and ambition of this report, and shares the Commission’s view that we need a new national settlement on pensions.
“Evidence presented in the report clearly strengthens the case for more pension saving over longer working lives, alongside systemic change that delivers sustainable incomes – building on welcome reforms in the Pension Schemes Act.
“We look forward to working with Government to explore how that diagnosis can be turned into a practical roadmap for reform, well before the next generation fall short of the retirement incomes they expect and deserve.”
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK: “We welcome this new report from the Pensions Commission, which provides an excellent analysis of the problems facing our pensions system today.
“This is the first and necessary step for ensuring the pensions system of the future enables tomorrow’s older people to have a decent standard of living.
“There’s a clear need to improve the way the State Pension and private pension systems work together; otherwise people on low incomes are at risk of falling through the cracks and hurtling towards their retirements without the required funds, or the time to make up the shortfall.
“We look forward to working with the Commission as it explores the best solutions for future pensioners.”
Aside from the commission, the government is also reforming the pension landscape and improving retirement for today’s workers. The Pension Schemes Act, passed this month, will benefit 22 million workers by up to £29,000 by the time they retire, driving down costs, boosting returns and enabling the automatic consolation of small pension pots to ensure every pound saved works harder for working people.
Louise Hellem, Chief Economist, CBI, said: “The publication of the Pensions Commission’s interim report is an important step towards building a long-term framework that delivers adequate living standards in retirement. Getting this right requires the government, businesses and individuals all to play their role in supporting better saving.
“As the debate progresses, it is vital that retirement adequacy is considered hand in hand with the UK’s growth ambitions. Strong economic growth underpins sustainable pension outcomes by supporting employment and higher sustainable wage growth, enabling individuals to save, and driving stronger investment returns over time.
“It is only growth that can sufficiently reduce difficult trade-offs and maintain political, public and business support for change.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Workers deserve a pension system that guarantees against poverty in retirement and enables them to maintain their standard of living.
“Although millions more people are now building up workplace pensions, far too many on low and middle incomes are not heading for a decent retirement – with women, Black and minority ethnic and disabled workers, and those in the gig economy at highest risk.
“The Commission must now develop a bold plan to fix this, which will need to include higher employer contributions and a fair deal for those currently missing out.”
Nausicaa Delfas, Chief Executive of The Pensions Regulator, said: “The pensions system is still unfinished business with too many people on track for an inadequate retirement income.
“That is why we welcome the Pensions Commission report, and look forward to continuing to work with the Commission, Government and industry to create a system which delivers what matters most: a sustainable income in retirement for everyone.
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE reacts to the Pension Commission’s interim report:“We welcome the Pension Commission’s interim report, which clearly sets out the challenges future pensioners will face in securing an adequate income.
“It is positive that the Commission recognises the vital role of the State Pension and social security entitlements in supporting those on low incomes. The findings that certain groups, including women and disabled people, are at greater risk of under-saving are concerning, but not unexpected. They echo our own research, which shows that these groups are more likely to experience poverty in later life.
“With 1.7 million older people currently living in poverty and 1 million more hovering precariously on the edge, it is clear change is needed to ensure a future where everyone in later life has a dignified and financially secure older age.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Commission as it develops its final recommendations.”
POLICE are appealing for information after the driver of a van failed to stop after colliding with a man standing on the verge off the A720 Edinburgh city bypass near the Sheriffhall roundabout.
The incident happened around 3pm yesterday (Sunday, 17 May), following a minor crash at the roundabout.
The occupants were exchanging details when a white van collided with the 29-year-old man at the side of the eastbound carriageway. He sustained an arm injury but did not require hospital treatment.
The driver of the vehicle, described as a Citroen Relay style van, did not stop and enquiries are ongoing to trace them.
Constable Stewart Logan said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to find the driver of this vehicle and we are asking anyone who saw the incident to get in touch.
“If you were driving in the area around this time please also check any dash-cam you have to see if it has captured what happened.
“I am also appealing to the driver to get in touch.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1833 of Sunday, 17 May, 2026.
Applications open: 18 May – 29 June 2026
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