Police Scotland has seized drugs worth a combined value of almost ÂŁ14million in the run up to Christmas, marking a record week for recoveries across the country.
One of the largest busts of cocaine, worth more than ÂŁ8million, was made when officers executed a warrant in Bellshill on Thursday, 11 December.Â
Significant quantities of ecstasy, amphetamine and mephedrone were also seized in Fraserburgh, worth more than ÂŁ3.5million, on Friday, 12 December.Â
In Perthshire, officers acting on intelligence recovered cocaine worth ÂŁ1.2million on Thursday, 18 December, from an address in the Dunning area. On Sunday, 14 December, ÂŁ560,000 worth of cocaine was also discovered at a business premises in Bridge of Earn.
Cocaine and cannabis, worth more than ÂŁ500,000, were found in the loft of a property after a warrant was executed on Thursday, 18 December, in the Lhanbryde area of Elgin.
Officers stopped a car on the M74 near Moffat on Wednesday, 17 December, and a quantity of cocaine, estimated to be worth ÂŁ175,000, was recovered from inside.
Fifteen people have been arrested and charged in total in connection with drugs offences following the recoveries.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: âThese significant seizures mark one of our most successful weeks for removing drugs from the streets of Scotland, and they will have a huge impact on the cocaine supply across the country.
âPolicing does not stop just because itâs Christmas time and we remain relentless in our fight against drugs.
âControlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain.
“This work also underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the countryâs Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
âAction like this is only possible with the continued support of our communities. Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.â
Budding gardeners will learn how to recycle their Christmas trees
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free-to-attend childrenâs workshop on Sunday 4 January at its Edinburgh store, where children can discover fun and creative ways to recycle their Christmas trees as the festive season comes to a close.
In Januaryâs Little Seedlings Club workshop, children will learn about where real Christmas trees come from, why Christmas trees are good for nature, what happens to them after Christmas, the importance of recycling and how to stay safe while doing so.
Children will then get to take part in a true or false game to test their knowledge on what they have learnt during the session. This is then followed by a build a mini wildlife habitat activity which involves children using recycled Christmas tree branches to make a habitat for their own gardens, that animals from hedgehogs, insects to frogs can call home in the cold winter months.
Dobbiesâ Little Seedlings Club is designed to be fun and engaging space for kids to learn about gardens and nature, with interactive activities and games, and the chance to ask lots of questions. The session takes place monthly at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh and covers a range of topics and activities to fit with the seasons.
Dobbiesâ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: âOur Little Seedlings Club in January is ideal for young gardeners looking for an exciting project now that Christmas is over.
âThe workshop at our Edinburgh store also covers some simple ways to help the planet. We are all looking forward to welcoming the Little Seedlings for the first session of 2026 and to see their wildlife habitat creations created from recycled Christmas trees.â
Those interested in learning more about the free childrenâs workshops at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh are encouraged to visit www.dobbies.com/events to book a free space.
Labour MSP for the Lothians, Sarah Boyack has expressed her disappointment that the committee has not endorsed her memberâs bill.
The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill aimed to embed legally defined definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing into law.
It would also have created a Future Generations Commissioner, modelled off the Welsh equivalent, that would have oversight powers to ensure that public bodies would have to consider the long-term implications of their actions.
The bill had been making its way through the Social Justice Committee at Holyrood as experts gave evidence regarding the bill.
The bill was first unveiled by Ms Boyack in 2023.
The SNP backed a wellbeing and sustainable development bill in their 2021 manifesto but came out against Ms Boyackâs bill earlier this year.
Commenting after the committee’s decision, Sarah Boyack said: “I am extremely disappointed that my memberâs bill has not been supported by the majority of the committeeâs members.
âThe bill would have ensured that Scotland focuses on implementing sustainable development and wellbeing policies and deliver the leadership, accountability, advice and guidance we urgently need.
âI want to thank all those who supported my proposed bill as it has raised the need for joined up action and implementation onto the Parliamentâs agenda.
âItâs clear from reading the committeeâs report that there is action which the Scottish Government needs to deliver.
âI still believe that my bill would complement and reinforce that action.â
More than 4,800 Self Assessment scams have been reported to HMRC.
In the last 10 months, HMRC received more than 135,500 reports of suspected scams.
HMRC urges people to stay alert to potential scams ahead of the Self Assessment deadline.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning after more than 4,800 Self Assessment scams have been reported since February 2025.
Scammers use persuasive and threatening tactics to target people when they are more likely to receive correspondence from HMRC. They send fake tax demands or attempt to pressurise people to hand over personal information.
In the last 10 months, customers have reported more than 135,500 HMRC-related scams, including 29,000 scams referring to fake tax refund claims.
HMRC is reminding customers to be vigilant as the Self Assessment deadline nears and check whether the email, SMS message or phone call claiming to be from HMRC is genuine on GOV.UK.
The Self Assessment deadline to file returns and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 31 January 2026. Customers can file online on GOV.UK.
Lucy Pike, HMRCâs Chief Security Officer, said:âMillions of people file a tax return each year and scammers mimic HMRC to try and catch unsuspecting victims out.
âIâm urging people to stay vigilant and if any emails, text messages or phone calls appear suspicious â donât be lured into clicking on links or sharing your personal information â report it directly to HMRC. Just search âreport an HMRC scamâ on GOV.UK to find out more.â
HMRC has taken swift action to close down nearly 25,000 fake websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months. HMRC will never:
leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
ask for personal or financial information via text message or email
contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim one
Anyone who receives suspicious communication from HMRC can forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, SMS messages to 60599 or report phone calls mimicking HMRC on GOV.UK. Find out more about how to report scam activity to HMRC on GOV.UK.
New process will cut waiting times and support earlier skin cancer diagnosis
Patients at all GP practices in Scotland are benefiting from a digital dermatology service designed to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes.
Since the national rollout in September, GPs have referred more than 12,000 patients. It is estimated that up to 130,000 dermatology referrals a year could be made this way, reducing demand on dermatology waiting lists by up to 50%.
The national rollout has been funded by ÂŁ1.8 million from the Scottish Government through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) initiative.
GPs can now securely send images of a patient’s skin condition to dermatology specialists for analysis using a mobile device. An initial assessment of the condition is done digitally, and patients are then offered a face-to-face appointment, directed to a more suitable service, or given advice on managing their condition.
Around half of annual dermatology referrals are for suspected skin cancer, and the new service means that cancer can be ruled in or out more quickly – providing either earlier relief or diagnosis for patients.
Early melanoma diagnosis is vital for patient outcomes. At stage one, almost all patients live five years or more, compared to only 50% at stage four.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Digital dermatology is a fantastic example of how innovation is improving access to healthcare and delivering our Programme for Government commitments.
“It provides faster reassurance for patients who do not have cancer and earlier diagnosis for those who do, potentially leading to better treatment options and outcomes.
“I want to thank everyone who has worked hard to deliver this successful national rollout as we continue to harness technology to reform our NHS for the future.”
Dr Fiona Macdonald, Consultant Dermatologist and Clinical Lead for Dermatology at the Centre for Sustainable Delivery said: âDigital dermatology helps dermatologists carry out robust referral triage without the patient being present, enabling them to prioritise the most urgent referrals.
“Referrals with images also allow the option to offer advice and/or a diagnosis to colleagues in primary care at the point of referral rather than patients having to wait for an appointment.
âThe new system will help support the referral process where appropriate, and patients will still have the choice of whether to include an image. If they choose not to then the referral will be processed efficiently in the usual way.â
Giving children with cancer the chance to bring their imaginary friend to life
Cancer Support UK has launched the 2026 Create Your Dream Bestie competition, inviting children receiving treatment for cancer to design their very own imaginary best friend – with the winning creation being brought to life as a real cuddly toy by WarmiesÂź – famed for their cuddly toys and wellness products, which can be microwaved for warmth and comfort.
Now in its second year, the national competition encourages children in hospital to dream big, be creative, and let their imaginations soar, despite going through the toughest of times. The initiative follows the success of 11-year-old Spencer Codling (pictured above), winner of the 2025 competition and designer of the hugely popular Bat Cat toy, produced and sold by Warmies in support of Cancer Support UK.
Giving children moments of joy, hope and distraction
For many children undergoing cancer treatment, art and storytelling offer precious moments of escape. Spencerâs mum, Karen Codling, said the competition was âa lifeline of joyâ during her sonâs treatment.
âTaking part in the competition gave Spencer something positive to focus on during each stage of his treatment,â Karen said. âIt distracted him from the difficult days, gave him hope, and gave us something to look forward to together. Seeing Bat Cat come to life was absolutely magical.â
Following the success of Bat Cat, which has sparked messages of support nationwide – Spencer himself shared a message for other children considering entering this yearâs competition:
âI just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who bought a Bat Cat teddy in support of me and Cancer Support UK,â said Spencer, who wanted to create a superhero teddy, which children could cuddle when having treatment to make them feel better.
âYour kindness and generosity made our hearts smile! Every purchase puts a HUGE smile on my face and helped Cancer Support UK do their amazing work.
Encouraging creativity during treatment
The 2026 competition invites children undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals across the UK to create and submit drawings of their âDream Bestieâ – a companion who makes them feel brave, happy, safe or magical.
Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK, said: âEvery day, we meet children who show extraordinary bravery while facing cancer. The Create Your Dream Bestie competition gives them a chance to escape into creativity, to imagine someone who brings comfort and to see that imagination celebrated.
âThis competition is about joy, hope and believing that dreams can come true, even in the hardest times. Last year Spencer inspired us all with Bat Cat, plus we received some amazing designs from children across the UK. Now we canât wait to see what children create for the 2026 competition.
âEntry forms are available to download from the Cancer Support UK website. In addition, forms will be available from all major cancer treatment centres in the UK.
âWe really hope people will be inspired to buy one of the remaining limited edition Bat Cats – itâs a lovely comforting toy that anyone can appreciate.â
WarmiesÂź bring the magic to life
WarmiesÂź, known for their heatable soft toys designed to provide comfort and calm, will once again manufacture the winning design as a limited-edition cuddly toy – to be sold in support of Cancer Support UKâs work with people of all ages who are affected by cancer.
David Tweedale, CEO at WarmiesÂź, said: âPartnering with Cancer Support UK on this competition is one of the highlights of our year. Seeing the joy on Spencerâs face when Bat Cat was created was unforgettable and weâre honoured to bring another childâs Dream Bestie to life in 2026.
âWarmies toys are all about warmth, comfort and soothing moments, and this competition brings those values to children who truly deserve them.â
The winning Dream Bestie will be professionally designed, manufactured and released by Warmies in 2026, with proceeds supporting Cancer Support UKâs services people living with and beyond cancer.
Primary cancer treatment centres in the UK
Entry forms for the competition will be available at these hospitals (as well as online)
Addenbrookes
Alder Hey
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Cardiff and Vale UHB -Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital
Edingburgh
John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford
Leeds – Leeds General Infirmary
London – The Royal Marsden Hospital
Manchester – Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Newcastle – Great Northern Children’s Hospital
NOTTINGHAM Childrens Hospital
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow
Sheffield – Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Southampton – Southampton Children’s Hospital
University College London Hospital
University Hospitals Plymouth
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children- Ocean Unit and wards
Commenting on the Employment Rights Act becoming law (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: âThis is a landmark day for millions of workers.
âThe Employment Rights Act represents the biggest upgrade in workersâ rights in a generation.
âIt will deliver common sense changes like banning exploitative zero hours contracts, protecting workers from harassment and sick pay for all â and so much more. These are hard-won rights that the union movement and workers have long campaigned for.
âFor too long, we have lagged behind our European counterparts on workersâ rights. This legislation takes us closer to the mainstream.
âWe are finally closing the door on the broken status quo defined by insecurity, poor pay and weak rights.
âItâs now vital the government finishes the job â ensuring workers feel the benefits of all these new protections as soon as possible. That means watertight secondary legislation, which delivers new rights fully and quickly.â
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has welcomed the new Employment Rights Act, describing it as a significant opportunity for employers and staff to work together to help businesses thrive and improve working lives.
The Act, which received Royal Assent on Thursday, will update British employment law and includes the following changes:
· protection from unfair dismissal will become a right after 6 months of being in a job instead of two years
· new rules to limit âfire and rehireâ practices
· the right to guaranteed hours for workers on zero hours contracts
· statutory sick pay will be paid from the first day of illness
· whistleblowing protection for disclosing sexual harassment at work
· proactive duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and obligations to prevent employees from 3rd party harassment
· paternity leave will become a day one right instead of needing to work for an employer for 26 weeks
· stronger protections against dismissal for pregnant workers and those returning from maternity leave
· new rules around trade unionsâ right to access workplaces to meet and support workers, and simplified rules for trade unions to negotiate with employers over pay and conditions
Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said: âThis is a once-in-a-generation change to employment law in Britain and an opportunity for employers and workers to work together to bring all workplace relations up to the standard of current best practice, and help businesses thrive and improve working lives.
âAcas will be updating its training and advice as the new laws are implemented. We stand ready to help employers, workers and their trade unions work together to make the most of the opportunity presented by these reforms to build better, healthier and more productive workplaces.â
Acas will play a crucial role in supporting the Actâs implementation, through:
· developing comprehensive advice on all aspects of the new legislation as they take effect
· producing statutory Codes of Practice to ensure employers and workers understand their legal obligations and good working practices
· providing a range of training and support, including webinars, workshops and resources
· continuing to provide expert, impartial conflict resolution through its conciliation and mediation services
Acas is working with the Department for Business and Trade, as well as other partners to provide advice and help employers and employees prepare for the changes.
Employers and workers seeking information can visit www.acas.org.uk.
Around 3,000 more parent carers who look after disabled or seriously ill children will be able to take a break from their caring routine thanks to increased investment.
Theywill receive cash grants to help finance a short break, like a day out or time away with their loved ones, after an additional ÂŁ1.1 million was given to Family Fund, a charity supporting parents who look after disabled and seriously ill children.
Taking the total number of short breaks supported by the Scottish Government up to more than 8,500 in 2025-2026, the cash grants will go to those who originally applied for financial assistance but were unsuccessful due to high demand.
Recognising their selflessness over the festive period and throughout the year, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: âUnpaid carers are the unsung heroes of so many peopleâs lives. They go above and beyond to provide comfort and dignity for thousands of people, and they do so with pride.
âBut it can also be a demanding and tiring responsibility. I am proud that we are supporting more parent carers to look after themselves, helping them to reset with a short break away from the day-to-day routine of caring.
âThey show dedication, love and support, not just over the festive period, but every single day. They have my utmost respect and gratitude for the work that they do.â
Family Fund previously supported Yunus, 46, who is a Livingston-based father of four, to take his family to Blackpool last year.
Yunus had stopped working in cyber security to become a full-time, unpaid carer for his daughter, Arya, 5.
She suffered from Acute Lympoblastic Leukaemia, a cancer in blood cells, which her dad described as âhell on earth.â
Arya rang the bell last Christmas, marking the end of her treatment. Now, she receives regular health checks and is doing well aside from minor side effects from treatment.
Yunus also cares for his wife and his son with autism. He said: âThe support that organisations like Family Fund provide people facing the circumstances I have is invaluable.
âYou never expect the worst to happen to your own family, but when it does, itâs crucial that help is available. I am so proud of my daughter and of my entire family.
âBeing able to take a short break brought some light back to our lives during one of the toughest periods for my wife, my children, and myself. Iâm pleased the Scottish Government is helping to make that a reality for many others.â
