A wide range of projects supporting young people across Scotland to develop their natural talents and make lasting connections within their local communities, are today sharing in £3,518,157 from Young Start.
Young Start funding, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, awards money from dormant bank accounts to projects that help young people reach their full potential.
Music youth charity Loud n Proud has been around for over twenty years, actively seeking out local young people, who might want to get involved in the music business.
Now, thanks to funding of £94,600 they will be able to run a community–based, performance event management training programme for young people from the Renfrewshire area.
Ethan Livingstone, 22 from Johnstone is one of the group’s oldest members and is more than happy to mentor young people who are new to the organisation. His day job, working in IT couldn’t be more different to his passion for playing the drums.
He said: “If you want to just learn new skills you can do that, but if you want it to be more social, it can be. I would say to anybody thinking about coming along, not to be nervous and just go for it. You’ll get the chance to learn new things and it’s fun.”
Tommy McGrory, Founder, Loud n Proud, explained: “Wherever possible we try to operate an open door policy because we understand that young people often have a lot going on in their lives, outside of the time they spend here and they can’t always commit to the same time every week or any kind of rigid structure.
“Thanks to the Young Start funding, our young people will not only learn practical skills but also skills related to the music business like putting on events. Even if they decide not to pursue this as a career, the skills they learn can be transferred to lots of different types of work.”
Another organisation working hard to engage with and support young people to develop their passion is Scottish Athletics.
An award of £60,310 means they can now employ a part-time Digital Content Creator and Marketing Officer to work closely with their Athletics Trust Scotland Young People’s Forum (ATS YPF). The ATS YPF is a voluntary group led by Scottish Athletics to give young people a voice in sport.
Working closely with the Forum to create engaging digital content and resources and promote them on platforms like – Tik-Tok, the new role will help the group reach a wider audience and increase awareness of topics affecting young people in sport, including athlete health, inclusion and retention of young people in sport.
Scottish AthleticsCEO, Colin Hutchison, said: “We are delighted to have received funding from the Young Start Fund to support the work of our Young People’s Forum.
“This will have a significant impact on the lives of young people in our sport and allow us to reach a wider, younger audience which will help -our young people meet their full potential through physical activity and sport.”
Announcing the funding Kate Still, The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair said: “We are delighted to announce our latest Young Start funding, which allows us to support organisations like Loud n Proud and Scottish Athletics who are providing a safe and welcoming environment where the door is always open for young people to go and learn new skills and hone their talents.
“Through our Young Start grants we want to continue to support more projects like these which work so hard to encourage and develop the potential of young Scots.”
Featuring iconic authors, international voices, and critical political commentators, alongside figures from sports and entertainment
The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly, expanded to 14 events, including two for schools
Line-up gives the first taste of the range of voices and opinions represented in the wider 2025 programme, yet to be announced
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launches her highly anticipated memoir, Frankly
Literary luminaries Maggie O’Farrell, Ian McEwan, R.F. Kuang, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Asako Yuzuki appear
Political insights on offer from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Anne Applebaum, Edward Wong, and Alexei Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya
Two special Schools Edition events with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Laura Bates
£5 tickets available across all events for those in receipt of income benefits
Tickets on sale to the public at 10 am on Tuesday 6 May
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is delighted to announce the second year of The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly. Taking place at the beautiful McEwan Hall, next to the Festival’s main venue at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, this year’s The Front List is expanded to 14 events, following the huge popularity of 2024’s inaugural series, including many audience members who were attending a Book Festival event for the very first time.
Together, the events represent the breadth and diversity of the Book Festival’s full line-up of 600+ events, to be announced on Tuesday 10 June, with voices from across the UK, America, Japan, Russia, and Nigeria taking to the stage.
We are thrilled to be launching Frankly, the highly anticipated memoir from Scotland’s first female – and longest-serving – First Minister, as Nicola Sturgeon shares the story of her journey from shy, working-class child to one of our country’s most significant political leaders.
We’re joined by acclaimed and international writers, speaking about their careers and works. The luminous Maggie O’Farrell celebrates 25 years of creativity since her debut publication, and Ian McEwan looks back over his remarkable body of work and forward to what comes next.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie proves to be well worth the wait as she delves into the story and decade-long process behind her new novel Dream Count, Yellowface author R F Kuang unveils Katabasis, her thrilling new title about a rescue mission to the Underworld, and breakthrough writer, and winner of the 2024 Waterstones Book of the Year, Asako Yuzuki, tells us about Butter – the book that took the world by storm, and changed her life completely.
With the Trump administration continuing to unravel the last 70 years of established world order with breathtaking speed, essential political insight comes from The Atlantic columnist and author
Anne Applebaum and New York Times Diplomatic Correspondent Edward Wong, who together take on recent seismic political shifts and explore whether democracy can ever be truly protected. Elsewhere, journalist and activist Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the widening gulf between the myth and reality of modern America, on both a personal and international level.
Poignantly, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband’s courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism.
Movie fans won’t want to miss the UK’s favourite film critic, Mark Kermode, who brings us the first edition of his energetic MK3D show (a frequent sell-out of the British Film Institute’s programme) outside London, previewing upcoming releases and revelling in the Golden Age of Cinema alongside very special guests including Succession patriarch, Brian Cox.
No one knows better the pleasure (and, unfortunately, immense pain) of being a dedicated fan of Scotland’s national football team than sporting legend Ally McCoist, who joins us to discuss Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. And Gavin and Stacey co-creator and writer Ruth Jones lets us into the secrets of her writing craft, and her tender new novel, By Your Side.
The line-up is completed by two very special The Front List: Schools Edition events with
Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Steven Lenton, who’ll take pupils in P4-6 on a globetrotting adventure complete with draw-along, and Laura Bates reimagines the story of King Arthur, Excalibur and the Round Table with a magical twist for pupils in S3-6, as part of our 2025 Schools Programme.
As well as buying tickets, bookers can also treat themselves to pre-ordering books for most The Front List events, including the first chance to get their hands on Nicola Sturgeon’s Frankly, and Mark Kermode’s Surround Sound.
To ensure these events remain accessible in times of great economic pressure, under-30s can purchase tickets at just £14 and £5 tickets are available to those in receipt of governmental income benefits.
Jenny Niven, Director and CEO, Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025.
“At this challenging moment in history and politics, we’ll be offering a comprehensively informed and critical eye on international affairs, and also the chance to escape them through the work of some of the world’s foremost fiction writers, entertainment, and sporting figures.
“There’s plenty more to come in our full programme announcement, but we hope our line-up for The Front List offers a delicious taster of what you can expect from this year’s Book Festival.”
Underbelly Site Photography
Marina Dixon, Head of Programming, Underbelly, said: “”Underbelly’s partnership with the Book Festival continues to bring some of the most vital, thought-provoking voices of our time to the heart of the city and the festival season and so we’re absolutely delighted to welcome back The Front List.
“At Underbelly, we’re passionate about creating space for bold ideas and unexpected conversations—and The Front List does exactly that. It’s a real joy to be working together again on a programme that feels urgent, alive, and connected to the spirit of the Festival.”
Tickets for The Front List events go on sale to the public at 10 am on Tuesday 6 May, and are available at edbookfest.co.uk.
Full listings for The Front List events:
Tues 12 Aug, 13.30 – Ruth Jones
Wed 13 Aug, 13.30 – Mark Kermode
Thu 14 Aug, 13.30 – Nicola Sturgeon
Fri 15 Aug, 13.30 – Maggie O’Farrell [Sponsored by the National Library of Scotland]
Sat 16 Aug, 13.30 – Ta-Nehisi Coates [Sponsored by the University of Edinburgh]
Sun 17 Aug, 13.30 – Anne Applebaum & Edward Wong [Supported by the Turtleton Charitable Trust]
Anti-poverty charity Trussell is calling on the First Minister to take bold and decisive action on hunger and hardship in its Programme for Government next month
Failure to tackle hunger and hardship leads to the Scottish government spending an additional £860 million a year on public services like the NHS, schools and children’s social care
Trussell is calling on the UK government to urgently rethink planned cuts to support for disabled people, and update Universal Credit so that it protects people from hunger and hardship.
Failing to act on hunger and hardship in Scotland is costing the public finances and economy £5.6bn each year, new research by anti-poverty charity Trussell has revealed.
Published today, the Cost of Hunger and Hardship report includes analysis from economic and public policy experts WPI Economics on how much failing to tackle hunger and hardship costs Scotland’s economy and public finances. Informed by interviews with people with lived experience, the report explores how facing hunger and hardship is linked to worse health, employment outcomes and housing security.
The report finds that Scotland’s economy loses out on over £2.9 billion each year due to reduced employment and lower productivity, because of the ways in which hunger and hardship can harm people’s chances of gaining and maintaining stable employment.
For example, people said how facing hardship led to deteriorating physical and mental health, making it far more difficult to find and stay in work. Others talked about not being able to afford transport or the right clothes to attend a job interview, or not having access to the technology needed to complete job applications.
The public purse also loses out on over £1.4 billion in income from taxes (tax revenue) each year and needs to spend an additional £405 million on social security payments as a result of people facing hunger and hardship in Scotland. This is due to the scarring effects of severe hardship, which can lead to long-term unemployment and lower wages which can trap people in a cycle of hunger and hardship.
It found that failure to address hunger and hardship in Scotland leads to £860 million in additional spending each year on public services like the NHS, schools, children’s social care, and more.
Over half of this figure, £450 million, is spent on healthcare in Scotland alone, due to how hunger and hardship is linked to worse physical and mental health. Indeed, people who are disabled or living with someone who is are disproportionately more likely to experience hunger and hardship.
That’s why Trussell is calling on the UK government to rethink its cuts to disability benefits, as the anti-poverty warns that cutting support risks pushing more disabled people to food banks.
Cara Hilton, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Trussell in Scotland, said: “Trussell’s major new research demonstrates the huge impact of hunger and hardship on Scotland’s public services and the cost of failing to act.
“The Scottish Government has significant powers to turn the tide on hunger and hardship and must take bold and decisive action in Programme for Government next month, so no one else has to experience hunger and hardship under their watch.
“Not only is it the right thing to do, its common sense for our economy. Scottish and UK governments have both a moral and economic responsibility to act. There is no time to lose.
“At the same time, we are calling on Holyrood to use its voice to urge the UK government to rethink its cruel cuts to disability benefits, which risk pushing more disabled people to the doors of food banks.”
Responding to these findings, Trussell is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to:
Increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week. This would lift 84,000 people out of hunger and hardship with a reduction of costs to the economy, public services and the public purse of £435 million.
Ensuring everyone can access the financial support they’re eligible for would lift 100,000 people in Scotland out of facing hunger and hardship. This would lead to a reduction in costs to the economy, public services and public purse of £800 million.
Take action to reduce the disability employment gap. This would lift 36,000 people out of hunger and hardship, reducing costs to the economy, public services and the public purse by £230 million.
And across the UK, Trussell is calling on the UK Government to urgently rethink planned cuts to support for disabled people and to update Universal Credit so that it protects people from hunger and hardship:
Abolishing the two-child limit would lift 27,000 people in Scotland out of hunger and hardship by 2025/26. This would lead to a reduction in costs to the economy, public services and public purse of £115 million.
Introducing an Essentials Guarantee would lift 204,000 people in Scotland out of hunger and hardship and reduce the costs to the economy, public services and the public purse by £1.5 billion.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Member’s Bill introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Liam McArthur MSP on 27 March 2024.
The Committee has highlighted a number of areas which it says will require further consideration at Stage 2, should MSPs vote to approve the Bill at Stage 1.
Concerning those rights set out in the European Convention of Human Rights that may be affected by the Bill, the Committee notes that individual MSPs will need to consider a number of ‘important factors’ before deciding how to vote at Stage 1.
These include the extent to which the Bill strikes an appropriate balance between providing a right for terminally ill adults to access assisted dying and the requirement to protect vulnerable groups; and the likelihood that the Bill may be subject to a human rights based legal challenge that could result in eligibility for assisted dying being extended over time.
Should the Bill progress to Stage 2, the Committee says that creating an independent oversight mechanism or assigning responsibility to the Chief Medical Officer for monitoring its implementation could help to strengthen safeguards in the Bill and its compliance with human rights requirements.
The Committee concludes that the requirements that individuals must be at least 16 years of age and must have been ordinarily resident in Scotland for at least 12 months prior to making a request for assisted dying may require ‘further clarification’ should the Bill progress to Stage 2.
The Committee acknowledges that the definition of terminal illness in the Bill does not include a life expectancy timescale and that this would mean widening eligibility for assisted dying to include individuals who, although living with an illness or condition that is progressive and untreatable, may not be approaching death for a considerable period of time.
However, it also recognises that life expectancy can be very difficult to predict and that determining whether an individual does or does not meet the eligibility criterion of being terminally ill is ultimately better left to clinical judgement.
The Committee has also concluded that the issue of conscientious objection for healthcare workers will require further attention should the Bill progress to Stage 2, to ensure the relevant provisions of the Bill provide an appropriate level of legal clarity and certainty for all parties involved in the assisted dying process.
Concerns from those opposed to the Bill around the issue of coercion are highlighted in the report and the Committee welcomes Liam McArthur’s commitment to look at reviewing and updating guidance on coercion should the Bill be approved at Stage 1. The Committee emphasises the importance of comprehensive guidance to ensure health practitioners can assess coercion effectively and to allow the related offence created by the Bill to be appropriately policed.
The Committee’s report notes a number of competence-related issues involved with practical implementation of the Bill, were it to become law, which have also been recognised by Mr McArthur. Should the Bill progress beyond Stage 1, the Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to open dialogue with the UK Government in order to resolve these matters, to enable the Bill to take full legal effect.
Speaking on publication of the report, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “Our Committee understands the strength of feeling about this Bill and that assisted dying is a complex and sensitive issue.
“We have considered this Bill and the issues related to it in great detail, hearing views from a variety of individuals and organisations, and from those both for and against assisted dying. Ultimately, our Committee believes the Stage 1 vote is a matter of conscience for each individual MSP and as a result has made no overall recommendation as to how they should vote on the general principles of the Bill.
“However, should the Bill progress to Stage 2, we have highlighted a number of areas which we feel will require further consideration before the Bill can become law. These include issues around human rights, coercion, eligibility criteria, provision of assistance, self-administration and conscientious objection for healthcare workers.
“We also recognise that there are particular complexities associated with those aspects of the Bill which extend beyond the limits of the powers currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament. If the Parliament approves the Bill at Stage 1, there will need to be an open and constructive dialogue between the Scottish and UK Governments to resolve these issues and to allow the Bill to take full legal effect.
The Convener added: “I’d like to thank all of the individuals and organisations who provided evidence to our Committee.
“Their considered and detailed responses have aided our scrutiny of this Bill and we hope our report can help inform Members as they decide whether to vote for or against the proposals at Stage 1.”
Other key findings in the report:
The Committee highlights the substantial evidence it has received on the importance of palliative care and expresses its hope that, irrespective of the outcome, the current debate will provide a catalyst for further improvements to be made to the quality and availability of palliative care services in Scotland.
The Committee calls for further consideration of issues around capacity should the Bill reach Stage 2. This includes the resource implications for medical services assessing the capacity of those requesting assisted dying; and ensuring the capacity of people with a mental disorder is assessed in a way that is fair and non-discriminatory, while also giving suitable protection for vulnerable individuals.
The Committee highlights concerns over the risk of “doctor shopping”, where an individual’s initial request for an assisted death is declined and they seek another medical practitioner’s assessment. Should the Bill progress to Stage 2, the Committee say it may be beneficial to explore further amendments to guard against “doctor shopping”, including creation of a central register of psychiatrists or an independent body or ethics committee to oversee, monitor and review medical practitioners’ decisions.
The Committee recognises the intention that, should the Bill become law, assisted dying would be delivered as an integrated part of existing healthcare services rather than a stand-alone service. At the same time, it emphasises the importance of monitoring the impact of the Bill on existing services. It also suggests that certain aspects of assisted dying might be better delivered on a stand-alone basis, in particular to ensure consistent access across the country.
The Committee also emphasises the need for a combination of further amendments at Stage 2 and detailed guidance on self-administration and provision of assistance as part of the assisted dying process to ensure absolute clarity and appropriate protection for all parties involved, should the Bill become law.
The Committee notes Mr McArthur’s willingness to explore further the possibility of creating an “opt-in” model of participation in assisted dying for health practitioners and says this warrants further debate should the Bill progress to Stage 2.
The Committee notes the potential inclusion of a sunset clause (meaning the legislation could not remain in force beyond a defined period without a further vote in the Parliament) may be the subject of further discussion, if the Bill progresses to Stage 2.
Responding to the report by the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said: “I welcome the Committee’s report and the fact that MSPs will have a free vote on extending compassionate choice to dying people who need it most in the coming weeks. For too long the status quo – a blanket ban on assisted dying – has caused dying Scots anguish and desperation.
“In forcing people to travel abroad, stop eating and drinking or take matters into their own hands in it is lacking in both compassion and safety. The most dangerous thing Parliament could do here is nothing.
“I am pleased that the committee has noted from evidence provided that assisted dying can comfortably sit alongside palliative care and that where an assisted dying law based on terminal illness and mental capacity alone, such as the one proposed for Scotland, has been introduced there has never been a loosening of the eligibility criteria.
“I’ve spoken to countless terminally ill people who are desperate for the peace of mind that this Bill would bring, and to so many who have watched someone they love endure a terrible death and don’t wish anyone else to suffer in a similar way.
“I know that many will wish that these experiences were covered more fully in the report. The upcoming vote gives them all hope that needless suffering can be consigned to the past.
“As MSPs come to their own decision’s I urge them to listen to the experiences of their constituents, reflect on the evidence from countries like Australia and New Zealand and vote for more compassion, choice and safety.”
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees
Future Woodlands Scotland (FWS), the charity dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has selected the first seven projects to receive large grants of up to £100,000 from its Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund.
The Urban Forestry Programme is an ambitious ten-year project that sees FWS working alongside project founding partner bp to support and improve green spaces in Scotland’s cities, towns, and urban areas.
The seven successful projects focus on increasing access to green spaces in underserved areas, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. They aim to create a long-lasting impact on local communities, offering opportunities for outdoor education, mental and physical health improvement, and strengthening community ties.
The projects include:
Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Creative Canopy Project, Glasgow (above)
An arts and environmental project based in Govanhill which invites residents, artists and growers to co-create a dispersed orchard across the neighbourhood.
Glasgow City Council, The Glasgow Canopy Project
Planting street trees, woodland planting, hedgerows and habitat creation in the Govan and Dalmarnock areas of Glasgow.
St Marks Primary School, Planting our Way to a Better Future, Glasgow
Planting a combination of whips and standard trees in school grounds in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire.
Edible Estates, Nature Around Us, Edinburgh (above)
Working with residents, schools and community organisations to establish woodlands and orchards within two council housing estates in Edinburgh.
West Lothian Council, West Lothian Urban Tree Planting Project
Planting trees in parks and public green spaces, residential areas and school grounds and giving residents the opportunity to be involved.
South Lanarkshire Council, Removing Barriers to Tree Planting
Planting trees in strategic locations across South Lanarkshire, with a link to Clyde Climate Forest to allow collaboration with partners.
City of Edinburgh Council, Canopy Communities Project
A partnership project with Granton Community Gardeners to support tree planting and ecological connectivity in three areas of the city including co-design with residents.
Funding for these projects follows an announcement earlier this year about the first three projects – Friends of Inch Park, Friends of Linn Park and Norton Park SCIO – to receive small grants of almost £51,000 between them.
A total of 33 applications were submitted across two competitive grant categories: projects ranging from £2,000 to £20,000, and those ranging from £20,000 to £100,000.
Shireen Chambers, CEO of FWS said: “It’s been fantastic to see the response to the first year of the Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund with 10 projects selected for funding across both grant categories.
“We looked for projects with a strong urban focus which prioritise areas most in need of trees and woodlands. We want to ensure everyone can benefit from trees – by learning about them, engaging in their care or simply spending time around them.
“These greening projects will bring more trees into the heart of our towns and cities – enhancing spaces, strengthening communities and helping more people connect with nature.
“We are proud to lead this important initiative with the backing of our founding partner bp and we look forward to seeing how these projects create lasting change over the coming years.”
Projects were chosen based on the contribution they could make to the Urban Forestry Programme goal of helping towns and cities across Scotland achieve the 3:30:300 rule: everyone should see three trees from their home, every neighbourhood should have 30% tree canopy and quality green space within 300 metres
The City of Edinburgh Council was awarded £100,000 over three years to recruit a Canopy Development Officer for its Canopy Communities project.
The project will support the co-design of greener spaces in three areas of the city, educating residents on species, biodiversity and the importance of trees, with the aim of achieving 30% canopy cover.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Trees make life better for everyone and this is an opportunity to plant more, where people want them.
“We know just how important green spaces are to people’s health and wellbeing and initiatives like Canopy Communities, alongside others like our commitment to become a Million Tree City by 2030 and our Thriving Green spaces 2050 strategy, are about involving communities to create, protect, and sustain woodland and biodiversity across Edinburgh.
“I’m delighted with this funding, which will let us progress essential work on our Canopy Communities project. It recognises the impact this project will have on enhancing and growing green space in the city where it is most needed.”
Increasing the number of trees in Scotland’s cities and towns is crucial in supporting the journey to net zero and delivering a wide range of socio-economic benefits. Urban tree cover is currently less than 16%, much lower than the EU average of 30.2%.
Applications for funding were assessed using the Tree Equity tool, which was created to address imbalances in urban tree distribution by American Forests, a US non-profit organisation, and was brought to the UK by the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.
In addition to the 10 funded projects, the Urban Forestry Programme has also supported two pilot projects: a fruit and nut tree planting project in Stirling, and a tree warden volunteer scheme in Glasgow.
Applications for the 2025 Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund will open in November.
Over half a million people get payments for winter 2024/2025
Last winter over half a million children and families across Scotland enjoyed warmer homes after receiving a total of £37.3million towards their heating bills from Social Security Scotland.
Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who get certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people. It has replaced the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Cold Weather Payment in Scotland.
It is a guaranteed payment that everyone who is eligible receives, no matter what the weather. Cold Weather Payment is only paid if the average temperature falls – or is forecast to fall – to freezing or below for a full week.
Child Winter Heating Payment was introduced by the Scottish Government in November 2020 and is only available in Scotland.
It is paid once a year to children and young people if they are under 19 years old and get certain benefits.
The figures, taken from statistics released today (Tuesday 29 April), also show that 95% of Winter Heating Payments were made by December 2024 and 93% of Child Winter Heating Payments were made by October 2024.
A total of 465,510 Winter Heating Payments, worth £27.3 million, were made for 2024/2025, along with 39,590 Child Winter Heating Payments, worth £10 million.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“We have issued over 505,100 payments to families on low incomes, and those supporting children or young people with a disability, to help with the cost of heating their homes.
“Many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills. The importance of these payments was brought home to everyone this month with the Energy Price Cap rising by 6.4%. Ofgem estimates that this will add £9.25 a month to the typical household’s energy bill.
“This year we will also be providing extra support to pensioners. While the DWP’s Winter Fuel Payment will only be available to some pensioners, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will provide money to every pensioner household in the country. The Scottish Government will continue to protect pensioners and people on low incomes in Scotland.”
Petroineos, the company which runs the refinery, has informed staff that all oil refining work at Grangemouth had ended.
Workers were told by email yesterday: ‘With the shutdown of CDU2 today, Grangemouth Refinery will cease processing crude oil and the era of refining at Grangemouth comes to an end.’
The news of the final confirmation of the site has come as a hammer blow to staff and is the latest nail in the coffin of Scottish industry.
Reacting to the news that oil refining at Grangemouth has ended Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:“This is a dark day for Scotland and a betrayal of the workforce by Labour. At the election, they promised to save the refinery but have gone back on that pledge whilst at the same saving British Steel in Scunthorpe.
“Labour have cynically pocketed the votes of the workers and then abandoned them once elected. This is a betrayal for which Labour will never be forgiven.
“Scotland is now the only major oil producing nation in the world not to have its own refining capacity.
“The skills of the workforce have been sacrificed and Grangemouth reduced to an import export terminal.
“This is the cost of the Union and demonstrates how Scotland is powerless without Independence.
“Independence is required so we can protect what is left of Scottish industry and put Scottish workers first.”
The UK Labour Westminster government and the SNP Holyrood government have yet to make an official statement on the end of oil refining at Grangemouth.
Motorists are being warned of the rise in car cloning crimes, amid a worrying increase in vehicle identity theft.
Car insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have urged drivers to stay alert, avoid posting images of their car online and park in garages when possible to minimise the risk of car cloning.
This comes after an investigation revealed a 64% surge in car cloning in London alone.
The crime is a form of fraud and involves stealing or copying another person’s car registration plates, allowing criminals to run up fines for speeding, driving through low emission zones or to hide the identity of stolen or salvaged vehicles.
Number plates can be physically stolen or purchased through fraudulent suppliers.
Those who have fallen victim to car cloning will start to receive fines for crimes they have not committed, and proving innocence can be difficult, so it’s important to understand ways to prevent cloning.
The car insurance experts also say people can fall victim to car cloning through buying a used cloned vehicle, which can lead to significant legal and financial problems which could see motorists losing the car and the money they paid for it.
Motorists are not able to completely prevent car cloning, but there are some things which can help minimise the risk, including parking in a garage whenever possible, or using a car cover so your number plate is not easily visible.
The experts are advising motorists to be careful with what they post online, as images including number plates can make your vehicle more susceptible to criminals.
Those buying used cars must also be careful and make sure to check all car details beforehand. Make sure all VINs on the vehicle match each other and those in the logbook.
Anyone concerned they may be buying a cloned car should run the registration number, make and model of the car through the DVLAs vehicle enquiry service.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.
“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in.
“In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it. An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued.
“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It’s also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.
“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses – which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what’s included.
“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”
Payit by NatWest provides Utilita with a simple and safe way for their customers to top up their smart meter or wallet
Payit™ is now available to customers through the My Utilita app to allow them to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet.
Payit™’s open banking technology means no card details are required and no customer’s sensitive information will be stored by a third party.
Digital alternative to card payments that negates the need for One Time Passcode.
The UK’s leader in smart Pay As You Go energy and the original pro-pocket, pro-planet supplier, Utilita, has rolled out NatWest’s multi award-winning1 open banking payments solution Payit™, to enable their customers to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet through the My Utilita app.
Utilita currently has more than 800k households using their services and as part of their mission to offer consumers better service and a fairer deal has added the Payit service.
Adding Pay by Bank from Payit as a payment option in the My Utilita app allows customers to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet.
Powered by open banking technology through payments initiation, Payit™ by NatWest provides customers with an additional digital payment method to be able to manage their energy payments in a safe and simple way.
This means that Utilita customers can link their bank account and experience one-click payments with reduced friction caused by the need for a card and One Time Passcodes.
The use of Strong Customer Authentication to prove the account is live and accessible and means sharing account information digitally, in real time also removes the risk of manual error.
The option is available to all Utilita customers using the My Utilita app with a bank account with access to online banking or a mobile banking app.
James Hodgson, CEO of Payit™ by NatWest, comments: “We are delighted to be helping Utilita leverage the benefits of open banking through Payit to streamline and simplify making and collecting payments.
“Payit™’s safe and secure platform provides a flexible and seamless way for people to make payments directly from their bank accounts and for businesses to improve their operational costs.”
Utilita Founder and CEO, Bill Bullen, comments: “At Utilita, we’re constantly innovating and developing solutions to ensure our customers have a smooth journey on our award-winning My Utilita app. We are immensely grateful to Procode for providing us with the required technical expertise to enable easy access of Payit on the My Utilita app for our customers.
“With Payit, our customers can make secure and fast payments directly from their bank account, via mobile banking. The added security afforded by open banking technology also massively reduces the risk of sensitive information such as card details falling into the wrong hands. Payit offers an efficient and secure service – one that will make life easier for many of our customers.”
Payit™ by NatWest offers key benefits to businesses and their customers, including:
Speed: Payit™ directly opens the customer’s banking app of choice and allows them to select the appropriate bank account to pay with. Transactions are completed quickly and securely and businesses receive funds immediately.
Simple and secure: As there is no need for card details to be stored by a third party, the risk of online fraud is minimised, allowing both the business and customer peace of mind.
Cash flow management: Instant availability of funds is essential for businesses managing cash flow.
Reduced transaction costs for the business.
1 2023 Banking Tech Project Awards Best Use of Tech in Payments, Best Open Banking Initiative at Payment Awards 2024
Expansion of pricing structure to offer greater flexibility for families
SCOTLAND’S only all-boys’ independent boarding and day school has introduced a new day pupil option, offering families greater choice and a pricing structure that prioritises clarity, transparency and value.
The existing wraparound care option available at Merchiston Castle School for day boys, now known as “Day Plus” remains unchanged, offering a full day of lessons, co-curricular activities, wraparound care until 9pm, and two hot meals – an offering which has proven popular with busy, working families.
Now, a new “Day” option is being introduced that covers the core academic school day (8am to 4.30pm) and lunch, priced at £24,000 per annum.
Unlike many other independent schools, the quoted price is all-inclusive, with no additional charges for lunch or other standard services, providing full transparency and removing the burden of hidden extras often found elsewhere in the sector.
The new “Day” structure has been created in direct response to the changing financial pressures facing families in 2025, including the introduction of VAT on school fees and wider inflationary challenges. In addition, a new flexible boarding package has been introduced giving families a two-night boarding option.
Gareth Baird, Chairman of the Board of Governors, welcomes the move as an important step in ensuring the school remains accessible to a broad range of families.
He said: “Merchiston has a long-standing reputation for excellence in both education and character development. By expanding our day offering, we are responding to the wider challenges following the introduction of VAT and rising inflation this year, while demonstrating that as a business we are agile and responsive to the needs of our families, both existing and prospective.
“The introduction of a flexible day offering is a natural evolution for the school. It ensures we continue to provide the highest quality education while recognising the diverse and changing needs of families.
“We want to ensure that more families can benefit from the exceptional education and sporting facilities available across our 100 acre campus, and with class sizes averaging around 16 students, we believe our new day proposition will be very attractive to local families.”
Founded nearly 200 years ago, the introduction of this new structure reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of modern families, while maintaining the highest standard of academic excellence, pastoral care and co-curricular activities.
The school’s boarding provision, for which it is renowned, will remain unchanged, with Merchiston continuing to offer a vibrant and nurturing environment for students who choose to board.
Founded in Edinburgh in 1833, Merchiston Castle School is Scotland’s only all-boys independent day and boarding school. It focuses on providing a transformative educational experience that nurtures young men to become confident, compassionate, and accomplished individuals.
