Edinburgh urges other cities to join it in signing up to Scotland’s new Civic Charter on Climate

Edinburgh City Centre View

The City of Edinburgh Council is calling on others to follow its lead and sign up to the newly launched national Civic Charter on Climate.

Edinburgh was the first – and is so far still the only – Council in Scotland to put its name to the document, which emerged from the painstaking deliberations of the national Climate Assembly.

The Civic Charter is addressed to the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, and to Scottish society as a whole. It stresses the need for urgent changes to the way we live, what we eat and grow, and how we travel and work in the future to help Scotland tackle climate change. The Scottish Government will formally respond to the recommendations of the Climate Assembly later this year.

Elected members in the Capital voted to sign up following a motion to Full Council by Environment Convener and Vice Convener Councillors Lesley Macinnes and Karen Doran in September, which also highlighted that Councils will require additional resources if the Scottish Government adopts all the charter’s recommendations.

Councillor Macinnes said: “Climate change is a real and urgent issue that we simply cannot ignore. Last month we were very proud to become the first – and so far only – Scottish local authority to put our name to this hugely important document. Doing so sends a clear signal to those who look to us as a Capital city that we and our partners are prepared to take bold action and find the right solutions in the face of the climate change emergency.

“We sincerely hope other Councils and organisations right across the country will now follow suit and add their voices to the national call for action and change to tackle the climate crisis in an effective and fair way.”

Councillor Doran said: “As Scotland’s Capital and economic centre, we want to make sure that a cleaner, greener and fairer future for everyone is at the heart of our plans to rebuild a strong economy after Covid-19.

“We have set an ambitious target for Edinburgh to become a net-zero city by 2030 and we’re already investing in a number substantive actions to support the city’s target and secure a greener future for our citizens.

“Achieving net zero will take a concerted, citywide effort to cut emissions and as a country, we need a similar collective mindset and approach. This Civic Charter will help lay the foundations for a national strategy for Scotland to deliver on its climate change commitments.”

Scotland’s Climate Assembly was set up to find common ground on how Scotland can tackle the climate emergency in a fair and effective way.

Over the course of seven weeks, 100 randomly selected, but demographically representative members considered evidence from three areas: diet, land use and lifestyle; homes and communities; and travel and work.

From this members identified 16 goals for reducing climate impacts which make up the Civic Charter. These covered a broad range of issues, including household heating, emissions, land use, taxation and the economy. The Climate Assembly was also the first to include young Scots, through a partnership with the Children’s Parliament.

People are urged to support Scotland’s Climate Assembly on social media using the hashtag #SignForScotland – and watch their animated 2-minute explainer video for more information.

Hearts back charity call to UK Goverment for £50 million

Heart of Midlothian FC is showing its support for 21/22 front of shirt partner, MND Scotland, by joining a call to the UK Government to invest £50 million into motor neurone disease (MND) research.

The Club proudly launched its new home kit for the 2021/22 season in July, with charity MND Scotland taking pride of place on the front of the jersey, thanks to an innovative two-year sponsorship deal with Dell Technologies.

Over the past year, the Club and its supporters have undertaken several fundraising activities as a tribute to former captain, Marius Zaliukas, who tragically lost his fight to MND in 2020.

Now, the Heart of Midlothian players are standing with MND Scotland, to urge the UK Government to invest£50 million over five years into targeted MND research.

The United to End MND campaign is being led by a coalition which includes MND Scotland, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the MND Association, people living with MND, and neurologists from across the UK.

Currently the UK Government’s funding for targeted MND research stands at less than £5 million a year, which the coalition says is not enough. £50 million from the UK Government over five years would fund a virtual institute for MND Research, providing the infrastructure needed for accelerating treatments for MND.

Just last month the coalition delivered a personal letter from people living with MND to 10 Downing Street, which stated ‘MND is a death sentence’ but that ‘research has now reached a point where a cure or life-saving treatments can be found’.

It continued ‘The current piecemeal and protracted approach of funding individual projects will not deliver the life-saving treatments we need…we urgently appeal for action and investment now’.

Andrew McKinlay Heart of Midlothian Chief Executive, said: “We know all too well at Heart of Midlothian the devastating impact MND has, having lost one of our own, Marius Zaliukas.

“If there was a cure, or effective treatments, Marius could still be with us. That’s why we are here today to support this call to the UK Government, for more targeted investment into MND research. 

“The work MND Scotland does to support families living with this frightening disease is hugely important, as is their drive to find a cure for future generations. We are united with them to help end MND.”

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, said : “The support United to End MND has received from people in the community, politicians, clinicians, researchers and partners has been incredible to date, and we thank Heart of Midlothian for joining with us too.

“Too many lives like Marius’ have already been lost to MND, and people living with the disease today do not have time to wait for a cure. MND isn’t incurable, it’s just under-funded. Together, we will beat MND, but we cannot do it without the UK Government’s support.”

A bid for investment has been submitted to the UK Government’s Spending Review, and the call has already been debated in the UK Parliament after a petition to garner public support gathered more than 100,000 signatures in just three weeks.

Members of the coalition have also met with key politicians to explain the desperate need for the cash, to shore up the investment made by charities and industry.

To find out more about the campaign visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/united or tweet your support @MNDScotland @MNDAssoc and @MNDoddie5 using #United2EndMND.

Storm heading for the Botanics!

Next Saturday, a 10 metre tall sea goddess will appear at the Botanics.

🌊With eyes the colour of oyster shells and a voice like the chorus of the waves, Storm has emerged from the deep to encourage us all to celebrate our seas, care for our coastlines and empower us to put the environment first.

This intimate experience from Vision Mechanics marks Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 and is an incredible opportunity to see a folklore giant made-real.🌎

From 11am on Saturday 30 October 2021 | Free entry | RBGE Creative Programmes

HMRC: Self Assessment deadline countdown begins

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers that today, on Sunday 24 October, they have ONE WEEK LEFT to submit paper tax returns and 100 days to go for online tax returns.

The Self Assessment tax return deadlines for 2020/21 tax year are 31 October 2021 for paper returns and 31 January 2022 if customers complete their tax return online.

More than 10.7 million customers completed a tax return by 31 January 2021, of those 96% submitted it online. Completing it online is the quickest method and with around 100 days to go, customers have plenty of time to get it done.

Even if customers submit their completed tax return now, they do not have to pay any tax owed until 31 January 2022. Anyone who is worried about how to pay their bill can access support on GOV.UK. Various payment options include:

·       Paying through a customers’ tax code (PAYE customers only)

·       Payment on Account

·       Setting up an online monthly payment plan (self-serve Time to Pay)

·       Pay by debit or corporate credit card

·       Pay at a bank or building society

Visit GOV.UK for a full list of payment options and the eligibility criteria. Customers should contact HMRC if they have concerns about paying their bill.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “There are 100 days left to complete your tax return, but you don’t have to wait for the 31 January deadline. Why not do it now and get it out of the way? Visit GOV.UK and search ‘self assessment’ to find out more.” 

The 2020/21 tax return covers earnings and payments during the pandemic. Customers will need to declare if they received any grants or payments from the COVID-19 support schemes up to 5 April 2021 on their Self Assessment, as these are taxable, including:

·       Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

·       Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

·       Other COVID-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments, local authority grants and those for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The £500 one-off payment for working households receiving tax credits should not be reported in Self Assessment.

HMRC urges everyone to be alert if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information. HMRC sees high numbers of fraudsters emailing, calling or texting people claiming to be from the department.

If in doubt, HMRC advises not to reply directly to anything suspicious, but to contact them straight away and to search GOV.UK for ‘HMRC scams’.

Festival of Politics: The Final Day

Everything that’s happening today, the final day of the Festival of Politics

Sunday 24th October

Use the links below to book your free tickets to these online discussions:

The Covid-19 decade: Understanding the long-term societal impacts 

10am – 11am

Big brains for big solutions to save the world 

11.30am – 12.30pm

Is the North to blame for the climate crisis? 

12pm – 1pm

Why culture is key to good health and well-being 

2pm – 3pm

Resilient and sustainable cities 

4pm – 5pm

Prioritise Mental Health 

6pm – 7pm

Explore the full programme: festivalofpolitics.scot

COP26: Holyrood government to drive global climate action with distinctive Scottish programme

Details of the Scottish Government’s COP26 programme have been announced, kick-starting three weeks of action to secure an ambitious climate deal at COP26 in Glasgow.

The First Minister will make two key note addresses this week – setting out the Scottish Government’s ambitions for COP26 on Monday before opening the UN’s Conference of Youth on Thursday.

As European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, the Scottish Government will use its platform to encourage devolved, regional and state governments to agree ambitious climate action – and push national governments to go further and faster.

The Scottish Government will co-host the Multi-level Action Pavilion in the official COP Blue Zone to showcase the vital role of states and regions in the international response to the climate crisis.

The pavilion will be opened on 1 November and Scotland will also play a prominent role in the Peatland, Nordic and Cryosphere Pavilions in the Blue Zone.

The First Minister will also take part in formal Presidency events that will profile the action and ambitions of women, young people and states and join the UN High Level Champions to promote the role that can be played by governments at all levels in tackling climate change.

To showcase the best of Scotland’s innovative low carbon businesses, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise have joined forces to create Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone, at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. With over 60 in-person or hybrid events, it will be a shop window of the best of Scotland’s climate action.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “Scotland is ready to play its part in delivering success at what will be one of the most important global gatherings of the 21st century.

“This must be the moment that the world moves from promises to action. For COP26 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, governments at all levels, businesses, civil society and communities need to work together to agree ambitious actions and the finance and resources needed to deliver them.

“Scottish Ministers will participate in events and discussions throughout COP and we will use our position as co-chair of the Under 2 Coalition to help deliver that ambition, and to demonstrate that global climate action requires ambitious action by governments at all levels.

“This is also a unique opportunity to showcase Scotland to the world – including what our businesses and communities are doing to meet our world-leading climate targets.”

Charlotte’s skipping challenge raises funds for deaf children

Charlotte Hinton, 10, from Loanhead, has skipped 1,000 times a day for ten days – 10,000 skips in total – to raise funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Charlotte, a member of 1st Loanhead Brownies, devised the challenge to earn her Charities Badge and because it gave her a focus during a period of isolation from school. She was inspired to raise funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society because her cousin Ellen was born deaf and her family has been receiving ongoing support from the charity.

She has smashed her fundraising target of £50, with £275 raised so far. All the funds raised go directly to the National Deaf Children’s Society, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families.

Charlotte lives in Loanhead with her parents, Karen, a teacher, and Colin, and her little brother Ross, 7.

Charlotte said: “I want to thank everyone for their donations. Some days were hard, especially skipping with hair down – not the best idea. Sometimes my legs were sore but I kept going.

“I really enjoyed skipping and was shocked at how much I raised. I even managed to do 1,000 skips in under ten minutes on my last day, which I really wanted to achieve.”

Karen added: “Charlotte was inspired by her PE teacher who had been teaching her class skipping. Charlotte immediately knew she wanted to skip to raise money. I knew this would give her a purpose and focus during isolation and was happy to support her.

“I’m so proud of Charlotte. She has the most caring heart and I know that her care and worries will one day change the world. She transformed a pretty rubbish time into something amazing – some adults could learn a lot from that.”

Elle Billinge, who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Charlotte for taking on such an original challenge for us. It was a lovely thing to do, and we’re so grateful.

“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. The efforts of energetic fundraisers like Charlotte will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.”

GMB leader backs strikes to support care workers’ ‘Fight for £15’ campaign

If the Government fails to value care workers we will start organising for industrial action across the care sector, says GMB Union

Three years on from the historic Glasgow Equal Pay strike, GMB General Secretary Gary Smith backed care workers to organise for strikes in their fight for a £15 an hour social care minimum wage.

Addressing rallying social care staff outside the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the GMB leader pledged the union would, “summon the spirit of the Glasgow Women’s Strike” in the fight for fifteen.

Workers from across the social care sector also detailed their experiences and struggles of care delivery before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, making the case for substantial pay increases as the Scottish Government consultation over a National Care Service continues.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “Pay is the priority in tackling the growing understaffing crisis and lifting the unsustainable pressures not just in social care, but in our NHS too – that’s why we are ‘fighting for fifteen’.

“We know the prospect of wages just above £10 an hour won’t cut it, and if you want to retain and recruit the people we need then we must value this essential work properly.

“After the awful events of this pandemic and with a bleak winter ahead, the consequences of continuing to neglect these key workers should be crystal clear to everyone.

“But if government fails to recognise this then we will summon the spirit of the Glasgow Women’s Strike and start organising for industrial action across the care sector.”

Drinks spiking: MSP calls for co-operation to keep women safe

Lothians list MSP Foysol Choudhury has called for co-operation to keep women safe following reports of drinks spiking incidents in Edinburgh.

The Labour MSP said: “Many constituents have been in touch regarding the recent reported spiking incidents in Edinburgh. The council has implemented a number of measures to ensure women’s safety, particularly during the night-time economy. 

“This includes a  a network of 193 interconnected CCTV cameras in locations that have been identified as real or emerging hotspots for antisocial or other behaviour that can compromise safety. 

“A network of an additional 13 mobile CCTV cameras are also deployed on a weekly basis to ensure safety in public places. All permanent and mobile CCTV cameras are monitored 24-hours, 7 days per week.

“They are also interlinked and connected with Shop Watch, Pub Watch and Police radio, so as soon as an incident or concern arises, an immediate coordinated response is triggered. 

“This response can involve Police officers,  and/or Street Assist , whose responsibility is to support people who are identified as being potentially vulnerable.

“The Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership provides Transport Marshalls for our busiest taxi ranks located on Lothian Road, the High Street, and Leith Street, who make sure that passengers are safe while waiting for and upon entering a black cab, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm to 4.30am.

“Currently licenced premises are required to perform more checks in terms of collecting more visitor information than ever before. 

“I intend to monitor the situation in the City and look to ask questions in Parliament.”

Police Scotland said: “We are aware of posts circulating on social media about spiking incidents involving injections in Scotland.Officers are carrying out enquiries, and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow areas are being investigated.

“These do not appear to be linked.We take all reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact Police via 101.”

£700 million Budget boost for UK’s sports and youth clubs

  • Chancellor expected to confirm £700 million to improve sports and youth clubs.
  • Up to 8,000 state-of-the-art sports pitches to be built or improved across the UK to ensure every young person has a chance to take up sport.
  • Hundreds of youth facilities to be built or refurbished across England and the National Citizen Service to continue helping young people to build confidence and leadership skills outside of school.

As part of the government’s drive to level up the country, local communities will benefit from a £700 million wave of investment in football pitches, tennis courts, and youth facilities to help build the next generation of young talent, the Chancellor is expected to announce next week.

Following on from England’s roaring success at the Euros (Eh? – Ed.) and Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory, Rishi Sunak is set to announce new funding to build or improve up to 8,000 state-of-the-art sports pitches in villages, towns, and cities across the UK, as well as supporting a range of projects, including new clubhouses and community buildings.

This sits alongside the government’s commitment to refurbish more than 4,500 tennis courts across Great Britain.   

Up to 300 youth facilities, which could include scout huts, youth centres and activity centres, will also be built or refurbished in the most deprived areas, and funding will be committed to continue the National Citizen Service until 2024/25 – which provides 16-17 years olds from all backgrounds the opportunity to mix with their peers outside of school.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: “We’re backing the next generation of Ward-Prowses and Raducanus, not just sporting stars, but inspiring young leaders. Sports can be a fantastic way for young people to make friends and learn skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives – leadership, teamwork, and determination.

“This funding will level up access to sport and social clubs for youngsters ensuring they can get together and play the games they love most.”

Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “I want every young person, no matter where they’re from, to have the chance to get the best start in life and achieve success.

“This £700 million investment is a downpayment on our commitment to open doors for those who have been shut out. It will give young people the pitches and clubhouses they deserve to reap the benefits of sport and youth groups and help level up the country for the next generation.”

Robert Sullivan, Football Foundation Chief Executive Officer, said: “This investment is welcome news for all those involved in grassroots football across the country.

“We know that playing on good quality facilities helps people get fitter, improves mental wellbeing, grows confidence and builds stronger relationships. This is all essential for individuals and communities as we emerge out of the Covid-19 crisis.

“With the government, Premier League and The FA’s investment, we have made plenty of progress in the last two decades, but there is still lots of work to do to ensure all communities across England get the standard of local sports facilities they need and deserve.

“This new funding will unlock the power of even more pitches to help transform people’s lives.”

Mark Bullingham, Chief Executive of The FA said: “This investment into grassroots football pitches and multi-sport facilities is fantastic news for communities throughout the country.

“It will help the nation get active as we emerge from the impact of Covid. This is an important part of the Government’s £550m commitment to transform our grassroots football infrastructure, which will have a massive social and economic impact”.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England said: ‘We welcome the government’s decision to continue to invest in our young people and provide vital funding to support the facilities we need to enable sport in our communities.

‘There has never been a more important time to get the nation active and give people the opportunity to play sport, no matter their background.’

The government is investing £173 million to fund the continuation of the National Citizen Service in England; £368 million to fund up to 300 youth centres across England; and £155 million additional funding is being provided to invest in multi-use sports pitches and facilities throughout the UK.

DCMS will also receive a further £20 million to invest in youth services in England and the government will set out more detail in due course.

This builds on the government’s commitment to sport, having announced £50m of UK sports facility funding in July, as part of our ambition to ensure that you are never more than 15 minutes away from a high-quality pitch; and is in addition to the £30 million investment to refurbish more than 4,500 tennis courts across Great Britain; and the £25 million provided by the Chancellor for grassroots sports facilities throughout the UK at Spring Budget 2021.

The UK Government’s Plan for Jobs is also helping young people find new opportunities and better paid work; the government recently announced a £500 million extension of its supported schemes – targeted at young workers – including extensions to the Kickstart scheme, Job Entry Targeted Support Scheme, and the £3,000 incentive payment for businesses to hire apprentices.