Book Week Scotland has opened applications for Pitch It!, which lets community groups, organisations or individuals pitch to host an event with a brilliant writer. We’ll provide up to £500 to help with event costs for the successful pitches, as well as tailored support to help make your event the best it can be.
This year’s Pitch It! line-up comprises:
· Kiran Millwood Hargrave, for an event on Friday 17 November
Kiran Millwood Hargrave is an award-winning poet, playwright, and bestselling novelist writing for both children and adults. Her books include The Girl of Ink and Stars, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies. Kiran is particularly interested in events relating to the environment, conservation and nature.
· Nooruddean Choudry, for an event on Saturday 18 November
Nooruddean Choudry, also known as @BeardedGenius, is best known for his football writing. His new book Inshallah United is a humorous look at faith, football and growing up in a working-class immigrant family.
Book Week Scotland (13–19 November 2023) is a week-long celebration of books and reading, with hundreds of events taking place online and in communities all over Scotland. This year’s theme is ‘adventure’.
The deadline to pitch your event by is Monday 25 September at midday, and further info and the application form can be found at bookweekscotland.com.
Scotland’s winter vaccination programme has started in Lothian with over 3,500 people getting their flu vaccine on the first day (Monday 4th September).
Invitations to book or attend an appointment have already been sent to those eligible for a flu vaccine by post in a white NHS Scotland envelope, or by email or text depending on communication preferences.
Flu is serious and even healthy people can become very ill from it. Flu cases were at their highest since 2018/19 last year, with over 14,000 confirmed cases in Scotland.
The flu virus is always changing and vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you. NHS Lothian is strongly encouraging those eligible to take up the vaccination offer when it comes.
Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be offered to people most vulnerable to illness and, where possible, administered at the same time. Eligible groups will be invited for vaccination as the programme progresses through the autumn and winter.
To prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19, the advice remains to stay home with any respiratory symptoms and to wash hands regularly.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care who oversees the delivery of the winter vaccines programme in Lothian, said: “Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and flu this winter. Flu vaccines are available to 50 to 64s, people aged 18 to 49 with an eligible health condition and health and social care workers now.
“There are a variety of clinics across Lothian covering evenings and weekends, and we strongly encourage you to book or attend your appointment when invited.
“Coming forward as soon as you’re invited will ensure you’re protected and help alleviate pressures on the NHS over the challenging winter months.”
Don’t miss the birthday celebrations at The Leith Collective, Fort Kinnaird this Friday
The Leith Collective celebrates one year at Fort Kinnaird with music, drinks and a lot of love for the planet
Locals are being invited to party like there’s no Planet B this Friday as The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird celebrates its first birthday.
Now established as the go-to store for Edinburgh’s eco-conscious consumers, the multi award-winning Leith Collective is hosting a special evening of music, drinks, art and sustainable shopping to thank their customers for their support during their first year in business.
And what a year it has been! The store has been championing sustainable solutions at every opportunity, organising a range of initiatives such as the Winter Coat Exchange which saw locals donate 7,000 coats to those in need.
This was followed by the Free School Uniform Exchange, which aimed to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, whilst simultaneously addressing the cost of living crisis.
The store has also played host to a range of inspiring art exhibitions, including The Printmakers Salon, featuring the work of artists from the Edinburgh Printmakers, which is currently on display at the store.
Earlier this year, founder Sara Thomson was invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate Burns’ Night with PM Rishi Sunak in recognition for the continued positive impact the store is having.
And the store later scooped two SME UK Enterprise Awards – Most Unique Community Retail Space Scotland and the Sustainable Excellence Award.
The birthday party is open to all and free to attend, and revellers can enjoy music and drinks, view the current art exhibition, and browse one-off items from some of Edinburgh’s most talented artists and makers.
From clothing and jewellery to homeware and toiletries – all the items available to purchase in store have been created with the planet in mind.
Founder Sara Thomson and the team will be at the party to talk about the steps they are taking to make shopping a more sustainable experience for all.
Commenting ahead of the party, Sara explained; “Retail is changing. More and more consumers now want to know where their goods have come from, and what impact the manufacturing process has had on the planet.
“And that’s exactly why The Leith Collective’s first year at Fort Kinnaird has proved to be so successful. Our customers are choosing to support local artists and protect the planet, so we’re throwing this party to say thank you for shopping sustainably.”
The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird first birthday party will take place on Friday 8th September, 6pm – 8pm. The event is free to attend and the invitation is open to all.
£1.5 million to open up entrepreneurial opportunities
The first phase of a new initiative to identify and nurture new entrepreneurial talent has been launched.
Funding of up to £1.5 million will be delivered through the Pathways Pre-Start Fund this financial year to provide support, mentoring and advice services for people thinking about taking the first steps towards creating a start-up company.
It will have a particular focus on closing the gender gap and widening participation in entrepreneurship, and is the first step to developing a pre-start network to bring more people into the entrepreneurship pipeline.
This week’s Programme for Government has committed to a further £15 million of investment in Scotland’s start-up community, encouraging entrepreneurs from all walks of life to start and scale their business.
To launch the Pathways Pre-Start Fund, Wellbeing Economy & Fair Work Secretary Neil Gray visited the offices of PwC UK in Glasgow to meet with members of the Black Social Entrepreneurship Programme, run by The School for Social Entrepreneurs in collaboration with PwC.
He said: “Through the jobs they provide and problems they solve, new businesses play a fundamental role in growing our economy while creating better futures for our people and communities. That is why we must inspire more Scots to view starting a business as a viable path.
“We want to cultivate a thriving, world-leading entrepreneurial ecosystem and our Programme for Government 2023/24 sets out a very clear vision and tangible actions to help this and future generations of entrepreneurs succeed.
“There is a moral and economic duty to do more to ensure women – indeed, every under-represented group – have the support and opportunities they need to start and grow successful businesses.
“Kick-started by immediate funding this year, our Pre-Start programme will play an important role in breaking down barriers and ensuring Scotland’s start-up community continues to flourish.”
A supported internship programme for young people with a disability has welcomed 21 recruits.
Each young person will spend the next nine months gaining work experience within the council or with one of the city’s Project SEARCH partners, which includes NHS Lothian and Virgin Hotels.
Edinburgh Project SEARCH is a programme where young people with a disability, aged between 16 to 29 years, are given the opportunity to complete three 10-week work experience placements across the academic year while also studying for a qualification with Edinburgh College. The programme, which is now in its ninth year, aims to prepare young people to move into mainstream employment upon completion.
Tom Randall joined the council as part of Project SEARCH and has recently gone on to secure a position within the council’s facilities management team. He said: “I have come; I really feel I can do the job for the Facilities Management team now and Edinburgh Project SEARCH has helped me to do this.
“Now that I have this job I am really looking forward to feeling like I am a real part of the team and doing a good job with all the tasks. With my first wages I am planning to get a big takeaway!”
Most recent figures show that just 4.1% of young adults with a learning disability and/or autism in Scotland enter secure paid employment following education, compared to 80% of their peers.
Supported internships – work-based study programmes for 16 to 29-year-olds with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – dramatically change the employment outcomes for those who take part.
DFN Project SEARCH figures show that 70% of people who complete their supported internships achieve this and successfully remain in employment.*
Hannah Goodall participated in Project SEARCH and now has a job in the City Chambers. She said: “I was an Edinburgh Project SEARCH intern on the 2022/23 programme. Project SEARCH helped me with my confidence and helped me to prepare and successfully apply for a job with the City of Edinburgh Council.
“I work at the City Chambers in the licencing department. My job title is licensing support assistant. All my colleagues are friendly and supporting. I like knowing that every month money is coming into my account, and I can choose when to take my holidays. I like being independent when I go out to work every day and maybe one day I’ll be able to move out and live independently.
Connor McDermid, another Project SEARCH alumni who enjoyed a placement with Virgin Hotels, has also secured a job since his internship. He said: “Edinburgh Project SEARCH really helped me develop my confidence.
“My work experience placement with Virgin Hotels Edinburgh helped me further develop my customer service skills too. These gave me the motivation to apply for a role as a concierge in the hotel – a job I was successful getting!
“This was all made possible with the support of my workplace buddies and the ‘People Team’ in the Virgin Hotels Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Project SEARCH team.”
Edinburgh’s new starts were welcomed by Council Leader Cammy Day, Planning Convener James Dalgleish and Chief Executive Andrew Kerr at a special induction ceremony.
Celebrating the start of the new Project SEARCH term, Council Leader Cammy Day said: “One of our biggest priorities in the aftermath of the pandemic has been to improve opportunities and outcomes for our young people, including those with complex needs.
“I’m proud of the inspiring and talented group of graduates we’ve nurtured to date and excited for the 21 new recruits. Such internships give these special young people the same opportunities as their peers and space to shine.
“Since 2014 Project SEARCH has been about teaching skills to be an employee as well as learning and a number of graduates have gone on to succeed in getting jobs in the council, which is fantastic! The placements can unlock confidence, build CV skills and be the difference between someone choosing to enter the workforce or feeling unable to.”
The CMA is opening a review of how veterinary services are bought and sold amid concerns that pet owners may not be getting a good deal or receiving the information they need to make good choices
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a review looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
It will explore how well the market, worth over £2 billion in the UK, is working for pet owners including whether they are receiving the information they need at the right time to get appropriate treatment for their pets.
Almost two-thirds of households in the UK own a pet, with the number of pet owners having increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CMA is concerned that pet owners may not find it easy to access the information they need about prices and treatment options to make good choices about which vet to use and which services to purchase.
Households are under strain from the rising cost of living and it is important that pet owners get value for money from their vets – but figures suggest that the cost of vet services has risen faster than the rate of inflation, which is something that the CMA will be looking into as part of its review.
The ownership of vet practices has also changed in recent years – independent practices accounted for 89% of the UK veterinary industry in 2013, which fell to approximately 45% by 2021. In some cases, a single company may own hundreds of practices and it may be unclear to people whether their vet is part of a large group.
People may also be unaware if their vet is part of a group which owns other vet practices in their area or that the services which are being sold to them (such as diagnostic tests or treatments at a specialist animal hospital) are provided by that group. This could impact pet owners’ choices and reduce the incentives of local vet practices to compete.
The CMA is keen to hear more about pet owners’ and vet practitioners’ experiences of:
Pricing of services, including whether pet owners were aware of how much a treatment would cost, and how they pay for it (whether they pay themselves or via insurance)
How prescriptions and medication for pets are arranged and sold
Choosing a vet surgery and whether people are aware that their vet may be part of a larger chain which might also own other surgeries in the area
Using out-of-hours and emergency vet services where options might be limited
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: “Caring for an ill pet can create real financial pressure, particularly alongside other cost of living concerns. It’s really important that people get clear information and pricing to help them make the right choices.
“There has been a lot of consolidation in the vet industry in recent years, so now is the right time to take a look at how the market is working.
“When a pet is unwell, they often need urgent treatment, which means that pet owners may not shop around for the best deal, like they do with other services. This means they may not have the relevant information to make informed decisions at what can be a distressing time. We want to hear from pet owners and people who work in the sector about their experiences.”
The CMA would like to hear from pet owners, veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers and veterinary businesses as part of this work. To get in touch please visit the case page.
The CMA will provide a further update on this review in early 2024, outlining the issues it has identified and its proposed next steps.
Private and voluntary sector staff working in Adult Social Care (ASC), Children’s Services (CS) and those who deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) will receive at least £12 an hour under a new pledge made by the First Minister.
This uplift, announced in the First Minister’s first Programme for Government, will mean an increase of more than £2,000 a year for some staff in April 2024.
The £12 minimum pay rate represents an increase of 10.1% from the £10.90 minimum rate that was introduced in April 2023 for eligible staff in ASC and ELC.
For workers in CS who previously received National Minimum Wage, this increase will represent a minimum increase in pay of 15.2% compared to April 2023.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Up to 100,000 workers will benefit from this policy. They fulfil a vital role in society, and we are immensely grateful for the contribution they make.
“Pay and conditions are of great importance in the wellbeing and retention of the social care workforce, and that is why we are committing to make sure staff in these vital services are paid at least £12 per hour.
“Four out of five people who will benefit from this uplift in pay are female. Increasing pay not only helps the workforce in question, but will also help achieve our wider priorities on child poverty, fair work, and post-Covid recovery in the health and care sector.”
The Scottish Government is working with COSLA and local authorities to support the implementation of this commitment and will set out further details in the coming months, building on the current guidance that supports implementation of the real Living Wage commitment.
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with three youths being assaulted in Niddrie Mains Road.
A police spokesperson said: “The incident happened around 8.30pm on Sunday, 3 September, when three male Ukranian youths, two aged 13 and one aged 15, were approached by another group.
“Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances.”
Healing the Rift: UK to associate to Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes in new agreement with the EU
UK to associate to Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes through a bespoke new agreement with the EU.
Prime Minister secured improved financial terms of association that are right for the UK and protect the taxpayer.
British scientists encouraged to apply now for grants and projects with certainty.
UK confirms it will take forward its own fusion energy strategy instead of associating with the Euratom programme.
UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme, Horizon Europe, as the Prime Minister secures a bespoke deal with improved financial terms for the UK’s participation.
From today (Thursday 7 September), UK researchers can apply for grants and bid to take part in projects under the Horizon programme, with certainty that the UK will be participating as a fully associated member for the remaining life of the programme to 2027.
Once adopted, the UK will also be able to join the governance of EU programmes – which the UK has been excluded from over the last three years – ensuring we can shape collaboration taking place next year. And UK researchers will be able to lead consortia in the next work programme of Horizon Europe projects.
Horizon will give UK companies and research institutions unrivalled opportunities to lead global work to develop new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to AI. This will not only open up cooperation with the EU, but also Norway, New Zealand and Israel which are part of the programme – and countries like Korea and Canada which are looking to join too.
This follows a call between the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen yesterday (6 September). They are encouraging UK scientists to apply with confidence from today and they agreed that the UK and EU will work together to boost participation.
As part of the new deal negotiated over the last six months, the Prime Minister has secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon Europe that are right for the UK – increasing the benefits to UK scientists, value for money for the UK taxpayer, and mitigating the impact that the EU’s delays to our association will have on participation rates of researchers.
The UK will also associate to Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme. This will provide the UK’s earth observation sector with access to unique data – valuable to helping with early flood and fire warnings, for example – and with the ability to bid for contracts, which they haven’t been able to access for three years.
In line with the preferences of the UK fusion sector, the UK has decided to pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy instead of associating to the EU’s Euratom programme. This will involve close international collaboration, including with European partners, and a new, cutting-edge alternative programme, backed by up to £650m to 2027. It will ensure UK taxpayer funding is spent in the UK’s best interests.
Together, this deal is set to create and support thousands of new jobs as part of the next generation of research talent. It will help deliver the Prime Minister’s ambition to grow the economy and cement the UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: Innovation has long been the foundation for prosperity in the UK, from the breakthroughs improving healthcare to the technological advances growing our economy.
“With a wealth of expertise and experience to bring to the global stage, we have delivered a deal that enables UK scientists to confidently take part in the world’s largest research collaboration programme – Horizon Europe.
“We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers.”
New financial protections for the British taxpayer, especially in the first years of association when UK scientists’ participation will be recovering, ensures:
UK taxpayers will not pay for the time where UK researchers have been excluded from since 2021, with costs starting from January 2024 – delivering much better terms for 2023. This will also provide breathing space to boost the participation of UK researchers in open calls for grants before we start paying into the programme.
The UK will have a new automatic clawback that protects the UK as participation recovers from the effects of the last two and a half years. It means the UK will be compensated should UK scientists receive significantly less money than the UK puts into the programme. This wasn’t the case under the original terms of association.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said: “Today is a fantastic day for UK science and our whole economy. We have listened to the sector, and through hard work and negotiation we have secured an excellent deal for researchers, taxpayers and businesses.
“The Horizon programme is unrivalled in its scope and opens up a world of opportunity for cooperation on science that delivers real-world benefits for the UK – creating jobs, boosting our economy and opening up collaboration for the sector with some of our closest partners, whether on tackling climate change or advancing cancer research.
“This deal is a crucial step forward on our mission to become a science and tech superpower by 2030.”
Health and Social Care Committee Chair, Steve Brine MP said: “The announcement that the UK will rejoin the flagship Horizon research programme is of huge importance to the future of cancer research.
“Too much time and work has been lost leaving many in the health and scientific communities angry. They must be profoundly relieved having warned that without access to Horizon, the UK risked losing not only its world-leading reputation on science but access to research upon which crucial work depends.
“Next week we’ll be speaking to renowned specialists in cancer research and questioning them on what impact this major development is likely to have for their work as they seek to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of future cancer.”
President of UUK, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone: “The entire research community, within our universities and beyond, will be delighted at the news that an agreement has been reached.Overcoming the obstacles to association was no small feat and we are grateful to the government and the commission for their perseverance to secure this successful outcome.
“Horizon Europe has been the basis of scientific collaboration for over 30 years. From early detection of ovarian cancer to developing clean energy networks involving dozens of universities and many industrial partners, Horizon lets us do things that would not be possible without that scale of collaboration.
“Allowing our scientists to work together, irrespective of borders, is in all of our interests. Our universities will now do everything possible to ensure the UK rapidly bounces back towards previous levels of participation and is able to secure genuine value, delivering the wealth of research opportunities available.”
The Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society have issued a joint statement on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe:
‘This is a great day for researchers in the UK and across Europe. The Horizon programme is a beacon of international collaboration and UK-based academic and industrial researchers will now be back at the heart of that.
‘Research is vital to tackling the key problems we face, from global challenges such as climate change to driving productivity growth and creating new jobs locally. Our involvement in Horizon Europe will make the UK stronger and is a big win for global research and innovation.‘
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Horizon Europe association is overwhelmingly in the best interests of cancer patients and scientists, and it is great news for cancer research that agreement has finally been reached between the UK and EU.
“There will be relief throughout the research community that the uncertainty of the last two and a half years has come to an end. Nearly three quarters of respondents to our survey of cancer researchers cited funding from the EU as important for their work, showing how crucial Horizon Europe association is for the future of cancer research.
“We hope that this deal paves the way for the UK’s ongoing participation in future European research programmes. It is essential that the European Commission, the UK Government and UK research funders work with urgency to rebuild the strong position the UK occupied in the Horizon programme, and get funds and global collaboration flowing again into our research institutions.”
Dame Professor Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser said: “This is great news for UK science and technology.
“International collaboration is a vital part of a thriving science ecosystem and association with the Horizon programme bolsters our plans to secure our status as a science and technology superpower.
Chief Executive of the Russell Group, Dr Tim Bradshaw said: “Association to Horizon Europe is tremendous news for UK science, research and innovation.
“We are delighted that a good deal has been struck, so all credit to the negotiating teams who have been working hard behind the scenes to get this over the line.
“This deal is a true win-win for everyone. The scale of research supported by Horizon Europe will help deliver medical breakthroughs, new technologies, and advances in areas such as AI to improve all our lives and help tackle the shared environmental, economic, and social challenges we face.
“The research community on both sides of the Channel are raring to go and will spare no effort in making our association a success. Universities have plans in place to get researchers to apply and our partner universities and businesses across the EU – and in other associated countries – are eager to work with our institutions.
“We will be ready to work with Government and the Commission to make the most of Horizon’s opportunities from day one and beyond into its successor.”
John Hanley, Chair of the UKspace trade body, said: “UKspace welcomes the news that the UK is reassociating with the EU Copernicus and Horizon Programmes.
“We have a strong track record within Copernicus with UK industry securing valuable contracts that have delivered jobs and growth across the country whilst unlocking a better understanding of our planet.
“We look forward to working with the Government to capitalise quickly on this agreement and identify the actions needed to build upon the UK’s national Earth Observation initiatives to ensure that industry can once more take a leading role in the largest multi-lateral EO Programme in the world.”
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer for Rolls-Royce, said: “Horizon Europe has had a significant impact on Aerospace technologies and in helping Rolls-Royce remain at the forefront of technological advancement.
“We greatly welcome the UK’s return to the Horizon Europe programme, and look forward to going further and doing more, leveraging public-private partnership to continue driving world-leading innovation and competitiveness.
Dr Diana Beech, Chief Executive Officer, London Higher said: “The confirmation that the UK will rejoin Horizon Europe is welcome news for universities across London, the UK’s top ranked innovation cluster.
“The wait to associate to Horizon may have been lengthy but worthwhile, as today’s announcement shores up the future of research, innovation and higher education across the United Kingdom.
“With the assurance of association, London’s higher education and research community now has a renewed sense of purpose and optimism that London can reach its true potential as a research powerhouse.
“Association is both a recognition of the value we bring to the international scientific community and the acknowledgment that we are still very much a part of a global network of knowledge-sharing and innovation.
“Our universities now have the certainty and stability needed to continue powering the engine of UK innovation and to build connectivity across the regions as we seek to level up across the country and make the UK a global science superpower.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with our European partners, leveraging our collective expertise to drive innovation, support research excellence, and build a brighter future for all.”
Professor Paul Stewart FMedSci, Academy of Medical Sciences Vice President, Clinical, said: “Today marks a pivotal moment for UK science. After a hiatus, the scientific community is celebrating the tremendous news that we are once more part of the EU’s flagship funding programme.
“By associating to Horizon Europe, we now have the commitment and momentum to drive forward the Government’s vision for an innovative, high growth future and are well placed to support the diverse and highly skilled research talent that underpins our life sciences sector.
“Health research is an international endeavour, it relies on supporting the best ideas, but also on creating cross-border networks which is good news for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Association sends a very strong message that the UK is open for business and remains a prime destination to work on health research and innovation to improve lives.”
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “Today’s agreement on UK association to Horizon Europe is brilliant news.
“The UK has a long track record of mutually beneficial participation in previous EU schemes and this decision enables us to build on those highly successful collaborations to maximise the opportunities membership of Horizon Europe provides.
“UKRI is looking forward to working with our communities and partners to capture the many benefits of Horizon Europe for researchers and businesses.”
John Harrison, Chairman of Airbus UK: “It is great news that the U.K. will be rejoining Horizon Europe, which is a key funding programme for research and innovation, as well as the Copernicus programme.
“Having provided many of Copernicus’ critical technologies from the U.K., as well as designing and building the Sentinel 5P satellite in Stevenage, we look forward to contributing to future Copernicus Earth observation missions which play such a key role in understanding and tackling the planet’s changing climate.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “The UK has a long history of expertise and innovation in Earth observation, so it is excellent news that we are going to continue our association in the EU part of Copernicus programme. This is a great outcome for our world-leading Earth observation sector, who we have worked closely with to support.
“Participating in Copernicus will enable the UK space sector to continue to play a significant role in the development of critical missions that will enable us to monitor our planet more effectively and lead a global effort through the use of satellite data to find new solutions to the urgent challenge of climate change.”
Ilan Gur, CEO of Advanced Research + Invention Agency: “A strong, interconnected scientific ecosystem is the foundation of breakthrough discovery and invention.
“This is wonderful news — a boost to science innovation not just for the UK but for the world!
