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First Minister launches £36.9m fund to reduce drug and alcohol deaths

Three-year investment to support prevention, treatment and recovery across Scotland

First Minister John Swinney will today call for a new collective approach to reduce deaths and harms from drugs and alcohol, as he addresses a summit on drugs deaths in Edinburgh.

It comes as a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will provide £36.9 million to frontline services and organisations working with people affected by alcohol and drugs, is launched. 

The summit, organised by Public Health Scotland, will bring together health board chief executives, local authority leaders, justice representatives and third-sector partners alongside people with experience of drug and alcohol use, including representatives from family organisations and recovery groups.

Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister said: “This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

“It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families. I have heard from the third sector about the need for stability and longer-term support – this multi-year funding recognises that.

“We have increased residential rehab capacity, with funded placements now close to our 1,000 target, set new treatment standards, opened The Thistle – the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility – and improved surveillance of the most potent and dangerous drugs entering circulation.

“But it is clear we now require a different collective approach and we need to go further. I am determined we make the change and new ways of working needed – and I am focused on confronting the need for reform of how our public services deliver.

“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”

The fund is open to third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery, and their children and families.

It supports delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–35, a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative backed by more than £160 million in 2026–27, which sets out a 10-year approach to reducing deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs.

Corra Foundation Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said: “It is a privilege for Corra to deliver this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.

“Corra looks forward to working closely alongside people with lived and living experience of drugs and alcohol as we deliver this fund.”

Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

Waterfront: Community Drop-In

📣REMINDER – GRANTON WATERFRONT DROP-IN, MON 22 JUNE📣

Come along for an update on Phase 1 construction works from the Council’s Granton Waterfront team and developer Cruden.

The team will be on hand to answer your questions!

🗓Monday 22 June 2026, 4.00pm – 7.00pm

📍Granton Station

MyCare.scot available on app store

Next step in programme to deliver UK’s most comprehensive health and care app

The MyCare.scot app can now be downloaded onto smartphones, giving people across Scotland direct access to their health information on their phone. 

The first version of the free app will allow people to view their medications and allergies, check their vaccination history and use the national service finder to find local health and wellbeing services. 

It follows the successful roll-out of a web-based service that began in NHS Lanarkshire in December 2025 and began roll-out nationally in April. The app will continue to develop through to 2030, to enable users to check appointments, provide information about themselves and receive digital letters through MyCare.scot. When fully delivered, it will provide the most comprehensive health and care app in the UK, integrating health and social care services into one space.

The long-term delivery of MyCare.scot will also support the Government’s ambitions to deliver a new NHS national booking system within this Parliamentary term.

Speaking on a visit to meet staff and patients using MyCare.scot in Lanarkshire, Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The availability of MyCare.scot on the app store is an important milestone in this government’s programme to give people a single, secure digital access point to their personal health information.  

“I am clear that our NHS in Scotland will never be for sale. That is why the app has been developed within the public sector, protecting the privacy of patient medical records and ensuring best value for the taxpayer. 

“Over time, MyCare.scot will make it easier to manage appointments, reduce the need for patients to retell their story, order prescriptions, and gain access to the information they need to help them stay well and supported. It will also be integrated with Scotland’s social care and social work system.” 

Karen Reid, Chief Executive of Public Services Delivery Scotland said: “MyCare.scot is about beginning to make it simpler for people in Scotland to access their own health and social care information, in a way that is secure and easy to use. The new mobile app is an important step forward, helping people find what they need quickly, to inform their care.

“Public Services Delivery Scotland is leading this work to bring information together in one place and create a more joined-up, consistent experience. We will continue to improve MyCare.scot based on what people tell us they need.”

COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “The launch of the MyCare.scot mobile app is a significant step forward in our shared ambition with the Scottish Government to improve outcomes across health, social work and social care. Crucially, this is just the beginning.

“Work is already ongoing to expand MyCare.scot into social work and social care, advancing our vision of truly integrated, person-centred services. This will give people across Scotland greater choice and control over their care, helping to build a more sustainable system fit for the digital age.” 

MyCare.scot rollout plan 

All welcome at Granton Archive Project drop-ins

TUESDAYS 2 – 4pm at MADELVIC HOUSE

What to find out more about the fscinating history of Granton?

Come along to Granton Hub on Tuesday afternoons to ask questions, be curious, and learn. You’ll receive a warm welcome and cup of tea!

Have you seen Christopher?

POLICE are seeking your assistance in trying to locate a 37-year-old man missing from the Leith area.

Christopher Tatton is just over 6ft tall, with a medium build. He has green eyes and short, fair-coloured hair. Concerns were raised for Christopher on Thursday, 11 June, 2026.

He was last seen on CCTV footage in a shop in the Longniddry area of East Lothian around 6.30am on Monday, 15, June 2026.

Enquiries have also established he visited the North Berwick area between 11 and 15 June, 2026.

Inspector Grant McCulloch said: “Despite our enquiries and the CCTV sighting, Christopher is still to be traced and our concern is growing. We just want to know he is safe and well.

“If anyone has seen Christopher or has any information on where he may be, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, quoting incident number 2150 of Thursday, 11 June, 2026

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society unveils first look of new Fringe Central

TODAY, 16 June 2026, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has unveiled the first look of the new permanent home for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe community, which will be known as Fringe Central.

Historically, Fringe Central was the name given to the Fringe’s annual temporary pop-up hub for artists, media and arts industry during August.

From August 2026 Fringe Central will be a permanent place for everyone who participates at the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as being a new base for the Fringe Society team.

Over the last 12 months, the former schoolhouse at 6 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, has undergone a major refurbishment, with accessibility and sustainability at its core. New features include air source heat pumps, an accessible Changing Places toilet and a new lift, all while preserving the history and aesthetic of both the building and the surrounding area.

Throughout the refurbishment process the Fringe Society has engaged with nearby schools who will benefit from access to the new building and arranged performances and workshops with Royal Mile Primary School, Sciennes Primary School and James Gillespie’s High School as part of this process.

They have also worked with community groups including Canongate Youth (co-tenants in the building) and LGBT Youth Scotland, building on the strong relationships that have developed thanks to the Fringe Days Out project.

The Fringe Society is extremely grateful for the funding support from the UK Government via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Foyle Foundation, SP Energy Networks Transmission Net Zero Fund, and Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund.

The Fringe Society would also like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for supporting this project with the signing of a 99-year lease for the building.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said ‘Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Fringe Society, as we formally move into 6 Infirmary Street, which will be known from now as Fringe Central. 

“For nearly ten years we have had a desire to create a welcoming space for everyone involved with the Festival Fringe – from artists, producers and venues to Edinburgh’s residents and stakeholders across the city.

“We are extremely grateful to the UK Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and our wider funders and supporters for helping us realise this long-held ambition. 

“With just weeks now until the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we can’t wait to open the doors to the thousands of participants coming to Edinburgh this August for the most important cultural event in the world.”

Arts Minister Ian Murray said: ‘The Fringe Society does fantastic work keeping the largest performing arts festival in the world thriving. It’s high time they have a permanent home, and I know this will support their great ambitions for the festival.

“I know from my summers working at the Edinburgh Fringe that it is all about bringing people together. This hub for the Society, the artists, producers and media is the perfect embodiment of that.

“I know everyone associated with the Fringe and the wider Edinburgh festivals will benefit hugely from the new hub.’

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: ‘It is wonderful to see the vision for Fringe Central realised in this first look.

“As a year-round city centre base, this fantastic facility will provide a welcoming space for everyone involved in the Fringe festival while also creating valuable opportunities and space for local cultural organisations.

“It will serve as a hub for the outstanding outreach work carried out throughout the city all year round.’

The Fringe Society is thankful to all the funders who have supported this project to date, and there is still more to accomplish.  As work continues on Fringe Central, the Fringe Society welcomes conversations with organisations and individuals who want to help build the home of the world’s most important cultural festival.

Fringe Central will be a permanent investment in artist support, creative freedom and the future of the performing arts – a space where careers begin, ideas flourish and thousands of artists each year can access the support they need to succeed.

Fringe Central will open to the media and arts industry from Wednesday 05 August, and to artists from Friday 07 August.

Edinburgh Climate Festival programme revealed

And our programme is LIVE! 🎪💃

We are excited to share with you this year’s free performances, workshops, talks and activities – including our wonderful art installations (and of course our many fabulous stalls during the day)!

We are really looking forward to seeing you all there, keep an eye out for further info and easy read versions being released soon! 🌻

🔊 Indicates activities and areas that are estimated to have a higher noise level

#edinburgh

#June

#festival

#ClimateAction

Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster

National Audit Office assesses progress of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme    

A new National Audit Office (NAO) report examines the progress and evidence underlying the costed proposals for the programme to restore and renew the Palace of Westminster (the Palace) and assesses them against established practice to determine whether the programme is currently set up for success.

The Palace, a Grade I listed building within a UNESCO World Heritage site, requires extensive restoration to address serious risks, including failing mechanical and electrical systems, fire safety issues and high levels of asbestos.

The Restoration and Renewal Programme (the Programme) is intended to address these concerns.

The Programme is now at a critical stage, with parliamentary approval being sought to reduce the number of options from four to two.

The two recommended options are:

  • Full decant: £11.1 billion to £15.6 billion, 19 to 24 years
  • Enhanced Maintenance and Improvement plus (EMI+): £19.5 billion to £39.2 billion, 38 to 61 years

Building on its previous work, this new report by the independent public spending watchdog finds that further delaying the decision on which option to pursue carries risks to achieving value for money, with each year of delay adding between £320 million to £420 million to the overall cost of delivering the Programme.

Although the options and their underlying estimates have been through a standard process of development and have been subject to internal and external checks to examine and assure them, all are at an early stage and are likely to face cost and schedule pressures as designs develop.

The costed proposals provide enough information for a decision, although the EMI options are less developed and more uncertain.

The proposals also recommend that Parliament approves an initial seven-year programme of ‘Phase One’ enabling works capped at £3 billion.

Undertaking these works is a sensible approach, as this allows the Programme to progress while managing several risks. But plans for how the works will be overseen and delivered need to be finalised.

Suitable temporary accommodation is essential if the Houses are to decant and Parliament is to function properly. All Programme options depend on this accommodation being ready on time, but current risks could delay the move, particularly the full decant option.

The Programme must also strengthen its governance arrangements to be able to bear down on cost, schedule and scope; manage interdependencies across the Programme; and support Parliament’s decision on the final delivery option.

To put the Programme on a stronger footing, the NAO recommends that the responsible delivery teams:

  • publish and regularly update a clear, non-technical summary, potentially alongside its business case, akin to Strategy and Delivery Plans used for mega-projects
  • provide cost estimate ranges for all ‘Phase One’ work packages and set out how interdependencies between key projects will be managed
  • ensure that links and decision-making responsibilities between projects across the Programme and related work on the Parliamentary estate are managed through a single, integrated delivery plan
  • work with MPs and Lords at speed to create a clear vision for how each House, and Parliament as a whole, will operate in their temporary accommodation
  • review the Programme’s governance arrangements to set clear requirements and hold those delivering to account

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, said: “Today’s NAO report on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster provides valuable information to parliamentarians on the costs of the proposals and the significant decisions they will need to make.

“This project will affect the working lives of parliamentarians and staff for many decades to come. It is therefore vital that they are provided with comprehensive and accurate information in advance of a parliamentary vote, so that they can reach an informed judgement on this important matter.”

Exclusive exhibition invites public to share their fondest Edinburgh Zoo memories

As Edinburgh Zoo celebrates 110 years, recently retired keeper Karen Stiven shares her favourite memories and encourages the public to add their own stories to the archive

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is inviting members of the public to share their memories of Edinburgh Zoo as part of its 110th anniversary celebrations, helping to preserve the stories that have made the zoo a cherished part of Scottish life since it first opened in 1913.

Among them is Karen Stiven, who has recently retired after 45 years at RZSS. Joining the zoo in 1981, Karen dedicated her career to caring for a number of animals from birds to hoofstock and became one of the zoo’s longest-serving keepers.

Now retired from her role as Experienced Keeper, Karen has witnessed decades of change at Edinburgh Zoo. One of her fondest memories is hand-rearing a young hippo, Cleo, a challenge that involved sleepless nights and round the clock care. Seeing the calf grow and thrive made all the hard work worthwhile and remains one of Karen’s most treasured memories.

Karen believes preserving the zoo’s history is just as important as creating new memories for future generations. She said: “Having these archives is a huge achievement.

“They allow people to look back and see where everything started, how much has changed and how far we’ve come.

“The stories are incredibly important and I hope people continue adding their own memories so future generations can do the same for many years to come.”

The appeal comes as RZSS continues to uncover and preserve stories from across its history. While archive collections contain official records and photographs, the charity says some of the most valuable insights come from the personal memories of people who have visited, worked at or supported Edinburgh Zoo over the years.

David Field, CEO of RZSS, said: “Karen’s story is a wonderful example of the memories that make Edinburgh Zoo so special. After 45 years of dedication, she has been part of countless moments that have shaped the zoo’s history.

“Karen’s story is just one of thousands and for 110 years, Edinburgh Zoo has played a part in the lives of people across Scotland and beyond.

“We know there are an abundance of family photographs, favourite animal encounters, school trip memories and personal stories waiting to be shared, and we would love to hear them. Every memory helps us build a clearer picture of our past and preserve it for future generations.”

Members of the public can share photographs, souvenirs and other memorabilia with the team as part of Memories Week running from 13 – 21 June, helping ensure the next chapter of Edinburgh Zoo’s story is recorded alongside the first 110 years.

McGill’s Buses becomes ‘McGinn’s’ as Scotland World Cup fever grips the nation

McGill’s Buses is getting behind Scotland’s World Cup heroes by temporarily rebranding one of its electric buses as ‘McGinn’s’ in tribute to midfield favourite John McGinn.

The specially branded Yutong E12 electric bus will take to the streets with a playful twist on the McGill’s name, celebrating Scotland’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup and paying tribute to one of the national team’s most recognisable and much-loved players.

The one-off rebrand comes as excitement builds across the country ahead of Scotland’s return to football’s biggest stage, with John McGinn’s passion, personality and commitment making him a firm favourite with the Tartan Army.

The ‘McGinn’s’ bus will operate on the McGill’s N6 service, giving fans the chance to spot it on the road as World Cup fever gathers pace.

Colin Napier, Group Service Delivery Director, said: “Scotland reaching the World Cup is something the whole country can celebrate, and we wanted to mark the occasion in a way that would get people smiling.

“John McGinn has become one of the real faces of this Scotland team. He plays with heart, humour and total commitment, so turning one of our buses into ‘McGinn’s’ felt like the perfect tribute.

“We are proud to back Scotland and we hope the bus helps spread a bit of excitement as supporters get ready for what promises to be a brilliant summer.”

With Scotland’s matches set to bring late nights for supporters, McGill’s is also going the extra mile to help fans get home safely after cheering on the national team.

The operator has confirmed enhanced NightBus services during Scotland’s World Cup fixtures, with additional journeys and later departures on key routes to support fans travelling to and from pubs, clubs and city centres for the big matches.

Services including the N3, N4, N6, N26, N38 and N60 will see extra late-night journeys, helping keep supporters moving long after the final whistle as Scotland chase World Cup glory.

Stephen McGinn, former professional footballer and brother of John McGinn, said: “John would probably be equal parts proud and embarrassed to see a bus named after him, but it is brilliant and sums up the excitement everyone is feeling about Scotland getting to the World Cup.

“He has always given absolutely everything for Scotland and the support from fans means a huge amount to him and the players.

“Seeing ‘McGinn’s’ out on the road is a great bit of fun and hopefully it helps build even more excitement as we all get behind the team.”

Fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for the ‘McGinn’s’ Yutong E12 on the road and to follow McGill’s social media channels for updates on NightBus services during Scotland’s World Cup campaign.