£3M FUNDING BOOST FOR EDINBURGH’S SMART DATA FOUNDRY

Smart Data Foundry (SDF) has been awarded £3 million funding to operate a new Financial Data Service, enabling more researchers to study the financial health of millions of households across the UK, by providing secure access to financial behaviours, economic resilience, and regional economic activity.

The funding is made by Smart Data Research UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The new service, which will operate from SDF’s base at Edinburgh Futures Institute, will be part of a network of five other data services across the country.

Together, they will put the UK at the forefront of smart data research and innovation. Providing safe and efficient ways for researchers to access and use the smart data generated through everyday interactions with the digital world, including via mobile apps, navigation systems, social media and shopping.

Led by SDF’s Dougie Robb and Professor Chris Dibben from the University of Edinburgh, the new Financial Data Service will provide unprecedented insights into the economic health of the UK through secure access to de-identified banking and finance data from millions of households and businesses.

Since its establishment in 2022, SDF has earned national recognition for its work using anonymised financial data for public good, including research in partnership with NatWest Group into how Covid-19 affected how people earned, spent and saved during and post pandemic and its work with Sage and CEBR on their quarterly SME tracker.

Dougie Robb, SDF’s Interim CEO, said: “We look forward to joining five of the most forward-thinking data service organisations in the UK in this groundbreaking network. It will foster data sharing partnerships between academia, public institutions and private enterprise leading to public good outcomes which will improve the lives of people across the UK.

“In partnership with the University of Edinburgh (UoE) we’ve made great progress in holding and making available for public benefit research financial data resources. We have forged fruitful data partnerships with NatWest Group, Virgin Money, SAGE, and Equifax,  and built a team of transdisciplinary experts with expertise across finance, banking, digital technology, product, data science, and information governance.”

Professor Chris Dibben added: “Understanding the financial situation of households across the UK is a vitally important for social and economic research. However this key aspect of economic life is often poorly measured in our research datasets or even absent.

“This investment by Smart Data Research UK in a Financial Data Service will allow us to change this situation, enabling more public benefit social and economic policy research. I am really excited to be working with Smart Data Foundry and SDR UK to deliver this significant new resource over the next three years.”

By partnering with financial institutions and leading research institutes, the new Financial Data Service will deliver insights into productivity, prosperity and health and wellbeing, providing access to detailed evidence about financial behaviours, economic resilience, and regional economic activity.

This data will enable researchers to tackle urgent policy challenges including the cost-of-living crisis, financial inclusion, the changing nature of employment, and productivity in different economic sectors and geographic places.

The service will enable a transformation in the UK’s understanding of how economic shocks and policy interventions affect different communities, helping policymakers design more targeted and effective responses to economic challenges.

Magdalena Getler, Head of Academic Engagement at Smart Data Foundry, said: “With the new Data (Use and Access) Bill currently going through Parliament, we are at the beginning of a new age for data.

“If successful, the new legislation will empower safe data use, access, and sharing for the good of society like tackling challenges such as the impacts of poverty and economic inactivity.”

Also awarded funding in this latest tranche was Smart Energy Data Service, part of the Energy Systems Catapult. All six will work collaboratively as part of the Smart Data Research UK programme.

These two new data services join four others previously announced:

·       Imagery Data Service (Imago)

·       Smart Data Donation Service

·       Geographic Data Service

·       Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service

A strategic hub based within the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) will provide leadership and coordination. It will also offer common services and ethical guidance.

Joe Cuddeford, Director of Smart Data Research UK, said: “Our six interconnected services will enable researchers to access unprecedented insights across finance, energy, health, geography, and beyond – empowering innovative solutions to complex societal challenges facing the UK today.”

Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council, added: “This investment in a new network of smart data services helps put the UK at the forefront of data-driven innovation.

“Data infrastructure is as critical to our shared prosperity as transport, water or power networks. When we invest in data infrastructure we are investing in economic growth, improved public services, and a more sustainable future.”

Ministers to ‘bang the drum for Britain’ at Davos gathering

  • Chancellor and Business Secretary at World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos this week
  • Ministers will meet CEOs and investors to bang the drum for British business
  • UK delegation to tell global business leaders and investors that the time to invest in Britain is now
Impressions from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland 18 January 2025. Copyright: World Economic Forum/Thibaut Bouvier

Ministers will be banging the drum for Britain at Davos this week, with the most visible UK Government presence in recent years pitching the UK’s investment offer to top business chiefs.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet with leading members of the global business community to encourage them to put their money into the UK and back British business.

They will highlight the UK’s political and economic stability, making us an attractive place to do business. This is backed by an unashamedly pro-business government that is slashing burdensome regulation, launching ambitious planning reform, and leveraging our trade relationships with Europe, America, Asia, the Gulf and beyond to help businesses use Britain as their base to connect with exciting global markets.

The visit will continue to deliver on the government’s number one mission to grow the economy and raise living standards for working people, coming days after the IMF revised their growth forecast for the UK economy upwards for next year.

The government’s Davos attendance also follows a survey from consultancy firm PwC, who on Monday ranked the UK as the second most investible location globally after the U.S. – the first time the UK has secured this position in the 28-year history of the survey.

Impressions from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland 18 January 2025. Copyright: World Economic Forum/Thibaut Bouvier

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Business leaders and investors need to know that the UK is where their businesses will flourish, so I’m meeting them face to face in Davos to make our case.

“We are one of the most exciting places in the world for them to put their money, with a history of innovation, a skilled workforce and a stable government that backs business. I will not rest until the UK economy is growing and this government is delivering on its Plan for Change, so we can put more money in people’s pockets.

“The time to invest in Britain is now.”

The Chancellor will be on the ground at Davos on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 January. She and the Business Secretary will speak at a Bloomberg event on Wednesday morning.

She will also speak at the Country Strategic Dialogue alongside Ruth Porat, president and CIO of Google and Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, to over 80 global CEOs and business leaders from across tech, financial services and green industries. In the evening the Chancellor will attend the Global Goals dinner.

On Thursday, the Chancellor will take part in a fireside chat with the Wall Street Journal to an audience of business leaders, following which she will speak at an economy roundtable with fellow finance ministers on global issues. The Chancellor will also speak at a lunch hosted by the CBI to an audience of 50 senior executives from UK-based businesses and international investors.

Meetings are planned with a wide range of CEOs and business leaders, including Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan, Jo Taylor, president of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs – amongst others.

The Business and Trade Secretary will have bilateral meetings with many of his international trade counterparts, including Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor of Germany, Maros Sefcovic, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

He will also meet with a range of businesses and investors, including AON; Anglo American; AWS; Carlsberg; Capgemini; Honeywell; RWE; and SABIC.

Impressions from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland 18 January 2025. Copyright: World Economic Forum/Thibaut Bouvier

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Britain is back in business under this government, and our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.

“The UK is the most connected market on earth, and we will continue to be the home for innovative businesses looking to face outwards to the world. We’ve lifted barriers to investment and secured £63 billion at the International Investment Summit, creating thousands of jobs in the process.

“These investments promise better wages, stronger communities, and better services and I’ll be at Davos to build on this momentum.”

The UK Government’s presence at Davos will also be the most visible in years, with print and out of home marketing promoting the UK’s connectivity, openness and opportunity to coincide with the summit.

Graham is finalist in competition to win a year of free flights

An Edinburgh man has been named as a finalist in Loganair’s A Season of Connections competition, which could see him win a year’s worth of free flights.

The image shows proud uncle Graham Stevenson, 56, surrounded by his nieces and nephews on the beach at Cornwall, preparing to enjoy a festive Santa duck race organised by his family.

Christmas holds special significance for Graham, whose birthday falls on Boxing Day. Each year, he travels to Cornwall to reunite with his siblings and their families, celebrating both occasions with festive cheer.

The youngest of four siblings, Graham has always been at the heart of his family’s Christmas celebrations, bringing his love of the festive season with him wherever he goes.

As a finalist for Loganair’s A Season of Connections competition, Graham and two other entrants have the chance to win a year’s worth of free flights for themselves and a companion on Loganair’s extensive network, while two runners-up will be treated to return flights for two on the airline’s iconic Glasgow to Barra route, which famously lands on the beach.

Inspired by the airline’s uplifting and heartwarming Christmas advert, Loganair, Actually, the competition asked entrants from across the UK to submit an image or video that captures a heartwarming moment of connection with their loved ones.

Jan Wigley, Graham’s sister, said: “Christmas is Graham’s favourite time of the year. He loves getting together with family, meeting the new babies, and playing games with his nieces and nephews, who are his pride and joy, especially with the help of Loganair’s special assistance service, which makes sure he’s able to travel down to Cornwall with the support he needs.

“Winning this competition would make the festive season even more special for Graham and give him the chance to share more time with his family.”

Graham, who lives with learning disabilities, has lived for almost 40 years at Garvald Home Farm Community near West Linton.

The social enterprise supports adults living with learning disabilities to live and work on a farm according to biodynamic principles.

Graham said: “I love going to Cornwall to see my family, especially at Christmas. It’s my favourite time of year, and being with my nieces and nephews makes it even better.

“I am so excited to see the new babies in the family and spend time with them.”

Lyn MacDonald, head of marketing and brand at Loganair, said: “Graham’s story truly embodies the spirit of our A Season of Connections competition, which is all about celebrating the connections that make life so special.

“His festive family traditions and the joy he brings to those around him are incredibly heartwarming.”

Public voting for the finalists is now open and will run until midnight on Wednesday, 23rd January 2025. The winner will be announced on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

Passengers flying from Edinburgh and Newquay can explore a diverse range of destinations. From Edinburgh, travellers can enjoy direct flights to cities like Cardiff, Exeter, and Southampton, or head further afield to Bergen, Newquay, and the Isle of Man.

Meanwhile, passengers departing from Newquay can seamlessly connect to Scottish destinations such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as well as routes to Manchester, Newcastle, and beyond. With its expanding network, Loganair provides convenient travel options for both leisure and business travellers across the UK and Europe.

To vote for Graham visit the Loganair Facebook page.

To book flights, visit www.loganair.co.uk.

47,000 young people to benefit from Big Bang at School Blueprint thanks to RAF Charitable Trust partnership

EngineeringUK is partnering with The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) to expand the reach of its Big Bang at School Blueprint programme, where secondary schools can host their own exciting science and engineering days. 

With a skills and labour shortage in the engineering and technology sector, and EngineeringUK and Royal Society research showing some girls are switching off from science, the partnership with RAFCT aims to support up to 47,000 young people to enjoy their own Big Bang at School day with amazing science and engineering activities, workshops and projects and spark a passion and curiosity for all things STEM. 

The funding will enable Big Bang at School Blueprint, which aims to bring the same fun, excitement and interactive learning experience as The Big Bang Fair, held each year at the NEC, to the classroom to benefit 11 to 14 year-olds and bring to life science, engineering and technology careers through shows, workshops and activities. 

RAFCT aims to inspire young people to consider careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and is powered by the proceeds of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Dr Kevin P Stenson, Director of RAFCT said, “The RAF Charitable Trust, powered by RIAT, is delighted to support EngineeringUK’s Big Bang School at School Blueprint programme.

“This new partnership, part of our aim to be able to support an annual National STEM programmes for 500,000 young people aged 5 – 25 years, represents a huge leap forward for us by enabling nearly 50,000 11 to 14-year-olds to be inspired to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology. 

“This secondary school programme builds upon existing programmes we enable with primary schools.”  

Bursaries for the Big Bang at School Blueprint are available for priority schools to help teachers host their own STEM project and workshops. 

Engineering UK Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with the RAF Charitable Trust to help spread the reach of the Big Bang at School Blueprint.

“More young people from all backgrounds across the UK need to know about the exciting and impactful jobs to be had in science, technology and engineering.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the RAF Charitable Trust to help us make that happen through the Big Bang at School Blueprint – and we’ll make sure children have some fun along the way!” 

Double-jobbing no more?

Draft regulations to be laid at Holyrood in autumn

Views are being sought on the implementation of the ban on MSPs from also serving as MPs or in the House of Lords.

Following the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill being passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in December, a consultation seeking views on the principles and practical issues of ending dual mandates has launched.

The consultation, which runs until 23 March, looks at issues such as grace periods once elected and salary or parliamentary limitations during this period.

The Bill places a duty on Scottish Ministers to bring forward regulations which prohibit MSPs from also serving in the House of Commons or the House of Lords, and may additionally prohibit MSPs from also serving as councillors.

The regulations will be laid in autumn 2025 so they are in place for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, and will be subject to scrutiny and a vote by MSPs.

Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn said: “Following the unanimous passage of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill in December, MSPs will be barred from also being an MP or Peer through regulations to be brought forward in autumn 2025.

“This consultation on the issue will allow political parties, local government and most importantly the public to comment on the details of how that will work in practice, ahead of the practice being ended before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.”

The consultation paper is available at Consultation on Dual Mandates

Coaching opportunities at Spartans

Unleash your passion for football and make a real difference in North Edinburgh! We are on the hunt for dynamic and inspiring sessional coaches to join our thriving Football Development Department where, you’ll do more than coach, you’ll contributing to changing lives and supporting the community of North Edinburgh.

Be part of a team delivering top-tier commercial football programmes and driving social impact in local schools. We’re looking for enthusiastic, high-energy and engaging coaches who can ignite the love of the game in grassroots players aged 3-15 years.

If you’re ready to inspire the next generation of footballers and create a lasting impact in your community, this is your chance!

Applications close on 3rd February at 5pm.

Find out more about the opportunity here: https://www.spartanscf.com/…/we-are-hiring-community…

Chinese Lunar New Year Market at Out of the Blue Drill Hall

SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY from 12 – 5pm

Chinese Lunar New Year Market

Saturday 1st February (12pm – 5pm)

  • Exciting new market, celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year
  • Featuring art and craft stalls and cultural workshops
  • Free to enter, taking place in the vibrant Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith

HelloArt is delighted to announce the Chinese Lunar New Year Market – the first of its kind in Edinburgh.

This vibrant and immersive event will take place on 1st February 2025 at the iconic Out of the Blue Drill Hall and promises to bring the rich traditions and cultural celebrations of the Lunar New Year to life for all to enjoy.

The market will feature:

  • Art and Craft Stalls: Unique Chinese-inspired creations by local and international artists.
  • Interactive Cultural Workshops: Hands-on experiences in traditional crafts like calligraphy, paper cutting, and lantern making.
  • Delicious Pre-Made Food Stalls: Authentic treats including tanghulu, steamed buns, and rice cakes.

The Lunar New Year Market is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of cultural exchange and community connection. By introducing Scottish residents to the lively traditions of the Lunar New Year, HelloArt aims to bridge cultural gaps, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.

“We are thrilled to bring this unique celebration to Edinburgh,” said Ying Gao, Founder of HelloArt. “Our goal is to create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together to experience the joy and richness of Chinese culture, while also supporting local artists and vendors.”

This event highlights the importance of cultural inclusion, creating a platform for dialogue and connection through art, food, and shared traditions.

The market is open to all and promises to be a memorable experience for families, individuals, and anyone curious about the magic of the Lunar New Year.

Public Health Emergency: People’s panel calls for action on drug related harms

A cultural change and “brave and bold action” are required to tackle a “public health emergency” created by drug use in Scotland, according to a report sent to MSPs by a people’s panel.

The panellists’ report recognises that progress has been made, but says that further action is needed. It calls for public campaigns to raise awareness of drug harm and drug use, recommends funding should be ring fenced and prioritised on prevention and seeks improvements in information shared between government agencies.

However, the introduction of the Naloxone programme to prevent fatal drug overdoses, and the opening of the safer drug consumption room, The Thistle, are welcomed in the report.

The panel’s report also calls for greater involvement of the third sector and people with lived experience. It concludes that a lack of urgency in responding to drug harm and use reinforces the stigma already associated with these issues.

The creation of the people’s panel, formed of 23 people, was requested by the Cross-Committee on tackling drug deaths and drug harms. Members of the Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and Social Justice and Social Security Committee commissioned the panel to gather public views on the question, ‘What does Scotland need to do differently to reduce drug related harms?’. The panel met at the Parliament in October and November 2024.

Over the course of two weekends, members of the panel heard evidence from people with lived experience of drug harms, from academics and researchers, and from stakeholders who work in this area, before developing their report.

The panel’s report will help inform the cross-Committee’s scrutiny of matters related to reducing drug deaths and tackling problem drug use. It’s 19 recommendations cover rights and people’s lived experience, justice, access to treatment, care and support, prevention and harm reduction.

Panel Presentations Weekend 2Download

Mairi McIntosh, from the Highlands and Islands region, was one of the members of the People’s Panel. She said: “I found participating in the People’s Panel humbling.

“The team at the Scottish Parliament organised a diverse range of experts and worked hard to lay out the worrying and rapid escalation in drug related deaths and harms in Scotland. The wide range of speakers gave us great insight into the data and evidence about the complexity of the issue including the causes, impacts and ways they believed the Scottish government could help.

“Hearing from those such as Steph McCutcheon about having success with service users through the East Ayrshire Recovery Hub, matches up with what we heard from others about the importance not only of the third sector’s role in local based solutions but how it is imperative those with lived experiences are valued and involved in every stage of the planning and implementing of measures being taken.

“All the evidence we heard highlighted the urgency for action from the Scottish government to implement brave and lasting change. Change needed to seriously reduce the deaths, impacts of harms to individuals, their families and communities and the pressure this puts on health, care, police, justice, other services and the people who are working to help those suffering.

“I feel it would be a poor reflection on our country to allow this issue to further impact some of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

“I am hopeful that our report shows that as voices from across Scotland, representing different backgrounds and lives, some directly affected by the issues of drug harm and death and others not, that we want the Scottish government to acknowledge the causes and barriers like stigma and discrimination and realise that we cannot afford to not take bold action now.”

Reflecting on the publication of the panel’s findings Audrey Nicoll MSP, Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee said: “We would like to thank the panel for their focused and determined work in delivering this serious and well considered report.

“Our Committees look forward to thoroughly considering the panel’s findings and putting its report’s recommendations to the Scottish Government.”

Read the report

Read the Panel’s report

Report of the Peoples Panel on reducing drug harm and deaths in ScotlandDownload

Take 5 Tuesdays at PCHP

If you’d like to know more about healthy, sustainable and affordable food that is also DELICIOUS, then this is the group to come along to.

Anyone living in the area is welcome to join Sally on Tuesdays at 10am for this relaxed but fun activity.

We’ll start preparing and cooking from 10am, then at around midday we can either sit and enjoy the food together, or you can pack it up and take it away!