COPING WITH GRIEF AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas is often portrayed as a season of wall-to-wall joy and celebration. But for those of us who have lost loved ones, this season can sometimes feel heavy and complicated. 
Our CEO Mark reflects on his own journey with grief at this time of year and offers tips for those who may be struggling during the holidays.
Read the blog now: https://shorturl.at/USg13
Supported by the British Council, Scottish musician RuMac is in India this week bringing the accordion to thousands of people at Hornbill festival, one of India’s largest cultural festivals
Originally from Ullapool, Ruairidh Maclean, a singer-songwriter who performs as RuMac, took to the main stage at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland this week (Tuesday 02 December), where the United Kingdom is this year’s Country Partner for the festival.
RuMac’s performance at Hornbill marks his first visit to India. Following his festival appearance, he performed at the historic Tollygunge Club in Kolkata (Thursday, 4 December).
Nicknamed the “Festival of Festivals”, the 10-day Hornbill Festival is celebrating its 26th year and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It is India’s largest celebration of tribal heritage, with audiences given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions, music, and folklore of the Naga people.
RuMac began his solo set in front of a large projection of the Scottish flag, bringing a blend of traditional Scottish folk, Gaelic song, and a mix of genres to the Hornbill stage. Known for high-energy performances that move from traditional accordion playing to heavy rock, he has built a reputation as a unique live act that went down well with the large crowd.
RuMac said he felt proud to showcase Scottish culture internationally and saw parallels between Highland and Naga folk traditions, saying: ““I’m thrilled to be performing in India for the first time, in a part of theworld I’ve never had the chance to visit before.
“I didn’t know how the performance would go as the accordion is quite a weird instrument! but the crowd have made me feel at home and it was brilliant.
“I’m especially looking forward to my show in Kolkata and to bring a little bit of The Highlands of Scotland along with me; hopefully they’ll like what I do! Slàinte!”
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant to follow RuMac’s journey to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival, which is such a significant moment in the Indian cultural calendar.
“His performance shows how music can bridge cultures and continents and we’re proud to create platforms for Scottish musicians to find new global audiences.”
The British Council has brought UK artists to Hornbill in previous editions, with the festival creating opportunities for musicians to connect with audiences and experience the rich musical traditions of Nagaland, a region whose folk heritage resonates strongly with Scotland’s own.
The visit forms part of the British Council’s ongoing work to foster cultural connections between the UK and India, creating opportunities for artists from both regions to share their work and develop new collaborations.
It continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts and education.
With less than two months until the Self Assessment deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is asking people filing their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year ‘What’s your filing style?’ and encouraging them to start now.
HMRC is launching an online poll asking people to pick how they choose to file.
Are they an early bird – filing within a few days of the new tax year, a dipper – someone who dips in and out throughout the year – or, a last minute panicker – rushing to submit their form in the last hours of 31 January?
The poll will run on HMRC’s X, LinkedIn and Facebook channels for 7 days.
Last year 735,316 Self Assessment customers in Scotland filed before the 31 January deadline. In total more than 11.5 million taxpayers filed their 2023 to 2024 tax return on time.
Millions of people have already filed their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, with 58,000 early birds returning theirs on 6 April 2025 – the first day they could. Customers can complete their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year on GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: ““For customers yet to file, there’s still time to start and submit an accurate tax return. Don’t leave something as important as your tax return to the last minute. Go to GOV.UK to start today.”
Those who start their tax return early can take their time to access the range of online help available to them. Once started they have time to dip back in as many times as they need to check it’s accurate before submitting.
Those who file their tax return early don’t need to pay their tax bill straight away but can consider the best way to settle it ahead of the deadline.
The quickest and easiest way to pay is via the free and secure HMRC app although a full list of alternative payment options are available on GOV.UK.
For customers who are unable to pay their tax bill in full, HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time To Pay. They can set up a plan online on GOV.UK. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline.
If anyone is unsure if they need to fill in a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year, they can use the Self Assessment checker tool on GOV.UK where they can also register and notify HMRC if they no longer need to complete one.
Child Benefit claimants who would only file a tax return to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) can now opt out of Self Assessment and choose to pay it through their tax code via the new PAYE digital service.
Eligible customers can call HMRC to de-register from Self Assessment before the filing deadline. Where a tax return has already been sent, customers can choose to de-register from the following tax year. HMRC will then amend their tax code and they will be registered to pay HICBC through the new PAYE digital service.
Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating payment in Scotland, on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027. More information can be found on GOV.UK.
Self Assessment customers are at increased risk of being targeted by criminals and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
Regional filing figures for 2023 to 2024 tax year:
| Area | Taxpayers filed by 31 January 2025 |
| North East | 299,933 |
| North West | 1,008,962 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 752,622 |
| East Midlands | 732,126 |
| West Midlands | 846,517 |
| East of England | 1,217,512 |
| London | 1,993,782 |
| South East | 1,941,142 |
| South West | 1,122,640 |
| Northern Ireland | 269,220 |
| Scotland | 735,316 |
| Wales | 432,488 |
| All | 11,519,566 |
Four high school pupils have illuminated the city’s skyline by officially switching on the Christmas lights adorning the crane above The Jenners Building, where GRAHAM is underway with construction works to sensitively restore one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
The pupils – Metis To, Rebecca Price, Julianne Herbert, and Lovely Loquias – are participants in GRAHAM’s ConstructHER programme, a pioneering initiative designed to inspire more young women to explore careers in construction.
Developed by GRAHAM in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the six-month programme will see participants spend one morning each week on-site at The Jenners Building.
The cohort will also take part in workshops, university visits, and employability sessions – gaining practical experience and valuable insight into the diverse career opportunities within the construction industry.
The Edinburgh rollout builds on the success of the ConstructHER pilot in Glasgow, which helped its first cohort of students progress into apprenticeships and further study within the sector.
Serena House, Social Impact Manager at GRAHAM Building North, said: “It’s always an exciting time of year as Edinburgh’s festive spirit comes to life, and it was fantastic that our ConstructHER participants had the honour of switching on the festive crane lights this year.
“ConstructHER is an important initiative that helps inspire the next generation of the construction workforce – showing young women the wide range of rewarding and creative opportunities our industry has to offer.”
GRAHAM began work on The Jenners Building earlier this year, overseeing the shell and core works on the historic Princes Street landmark. Spanning 17,500 square metres across ten floors, the redevelopment skilfully blends the preservation of the building’s rich architectural heritage with contemporary design.
Andrew Keith, Managing Director, The Jenners Building: “We are delighted to support GRAHAM’s ConstructHER programme this Christmas, a time of year that has always been a magical part of the history of The Jenners Building.”
The NHS in Scotland has not improved in line with commitments made by the Scottish Government, despite having more staff and more money.
Health spending in 2024/25 was over £20 billion – a £3 billion real terms increase from 2019 and 25 per cent higher than a decade ago.
The NHS now employs more than 160,000 whole-time equivalent staff, a 20,000 increase since 2019.
However, despite health boards making unprecedented savings, the NHS in Scotland remains financially unsustainable. In 2024/25, boards struggled to break even and seven needed Scottish Government loans.
Activity has increased in acute hospital settings, helping cut waiting times and waiting lists, but is still below pre-pandemic levels. Demand is high across the health system, and it remains to be seen if this progress can be sustained.
The Scottish Government has made progress in setting out its plans for reform, including a short-term operational improvement plan and longer term health and social care frameworks.
But the published improvement plan lacks clear actions, timeframes and accountability, which will make reporting its progress difficult.
And some of the ambitions within the documents, such as moving more care into communities, are longstanding and have yet to be delivered.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: ‘Despite increased spending, the NHS in Scotland remains unsustainable and it will be extremely challenging to eradicate long waits by the spring of 2026.
‘The plan and frameworks the Scottish Government has put in place for
reforming the NHS are welcome. But there is still a persistent implementation gap between policy ambitions dating back over a decade and delivery on the ground.
‘This time round, it’s vital that the Scottish Government delivers on its reform plans. That means publicly setting out the detailed, measurable actions that will enable change and help everyone understand how a different health service will work.’
Read the Auditor General’s annual overview of the NHS here:
Scottish deal site, itison, has returned with its much loved £5 Christmas Appeal voucher which can buy a person who is vulnerable or experiencing homelessness a Christmas meal or gift this festive period with Social Bite.
The £5 vouchers have become a tradition for many kind-hearted Scots who like to give back over Christmas and help make a difference to people who are facing a challenging winter period. Since the partnership between itison and leading homelessness charity began in 2014, they have raised over £4.5 million, providing more than 700,000 people with a much needed gift or Christmas meal – which may be the only one they receive this festive period.
Despite the rise in costs across the country, Social Bite and itison have ensured that the vouchers stay at £5 to continue to reach as many people as possible.
A fiver goes further with Social Bite and itison – with just one voucher you can buy a gift for a child or individual to open on Christmas Day, a hot Christmas meal with all the trimmings, or help break the cycle of homelessness in the UK by helping to fund Social Bite’s services and its supported accommodation villages in South Lanarkshire and Edinburgh.
Oli Norman, founder of itison, said: “So many of us take for granted that we will wake up on Christmas Day to gifts, the company of our loved ones and a filling meal in a warm, safe place – unfortunately that’s not the reality for a growing number of people in Scotland. But by purchasing a £5 Christmas Appeal voucher on itison, you can change that for someone.
“It’s hard to imagine the incredible difference even just one voucher can make to children, individuals and families who are facing a challenging Christmas. We want to support a record number of people this year, so please, get involved and let’s spread Christmas cheer!”
Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, said: “When the £5 Christmas Appeal started we had no idea how much of an annual tradition it would become for many generous supporters.
“It has now grown into one of Social Bite’s most exciting fundraising moments of the year and is a key part of our Festival of Kindness campaign. A huge thank you to everyone who buys a voucher, and to itison for their ongoing support.”
In addition to the itison £5 Christmas Appeal, donations and gifts can be made to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness online or at one of the Kindness Trees located throughout the UK:
To donate virtually or find out more, visit: Social-Bite.co.uk/Festival-Of-Kindness
The £5 vouchers are available now at itison.com/donate
NHSGGC encourages people to wear masks when visiting hospitals
As is the case throughout the UK, hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently seeing rising numbers of patients with symptoms of flu.
While all our staff are doing all they can to address these challenges, we are asking visitors to help us reduce the spread of the virus and to minimise the risk to vulnerable patients.
In response to advice from our Infection Prevention and Control Teams, and in line with other Health Boards across Scotland, we are encouraging all visitors to our hospitals, and all clinical staff, to wear Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks – similar to those used during the COVID pandemic – at all times while they are on our premises.
We will keep this situation under review and we will advise of any changes as soon as we can.
In addition, we are asking people who have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms not to attend A&E or visit friends and family in hospital – and to follow a few simple suggestions:
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing at NHSGGC, said: “Flu season is here, and we want to ensure that you, your loved ones, and those who are the most vulnerable stay protected.
“By wearing a mask when you visit a hospital, or by following our simple suggestions if you are experiencing symptoms, you are doing your bit to help reduce the spread of the virus.”
However, we are also reminding people that the best thing they can do to maximise protection from flu is to get the vaccine if they are eligible.
If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation to get your vaccine, and we would encourage people to take up their appointment.
Alternatively, or if you have missed your appointment, many community pharmacies are administering the vaccine if you check availability in advance, while mobile vaccination clinics are operation throughout NHSGGC, where eligible patients can drop in without an appointment.
For more information on vaccines, go to NHSGGC – Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/26.
Great news for Edinburgh – 4 new Changing Places toilet registrations at:
South Queensferry: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3730
The Meadows: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3733
Inverleith Park: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3732
Leith Links: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3734
Well done @edinburgh_council!
BALFOUR Beattie started work on the West Edinburgh Link this week (December 3). The West Edinburgh Link (WEL) will transform provision for cycling, walking, and accessibility around one of Scotland’s key business parks, whilst better connecting local communities to places of work, retail, leisure, and education.
WEL will also link up with key active travel routes to the city centre, including Quiet Route 8, the Union Canal and the Water of Leith Path.
Some of the work the city council is undertaking in the first phase includes new segregated cycleways on South Gyle Access and Bankhead Avenue, along with widening, surfacing, and improving lighting on the Torwood Path.
Full details on phase one and the wider project are available on the city council’s website.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “It’s brilliant to see this new work getting underway in the west of the city.
“Properly connecting our communities and encouraging our residents to travel in more sustainable and healthy ways remain key priorities for us. WEL is an important project under our ambitious City Mobility Plan as we keep Edinburgh moving.
“From revitalising active travel provision on the Torwood Path to improving access to Edinburgh College at Sighthill, alongside a host of other improvements, I’ve no doubt that local people will experience real benefits once this transformational project is complete.”
The works are expected to last until Summer 2026.
Almost one million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package.
Thanks to the funding, 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit to help them develop on the job skills, employer networks, and CV and interview coaching – breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring every young person has the chance to reach their potential.
In total, 900,000 young people on Universal Credit and looking for work will also benefit from a dedicated work support session, followed by four additional weeks of intensive support.
They will be referred to one of up to six pathways by their work coach: work, work experience, apprenticeship, wider training, learning or a workplace training programme with a guaranteed interview, designed in partnership with employers.
The investment will provide a springboard to a better future for close to a million young people, giving them the chance to gain crucial skills and support to find a job with long term prospects.
As part of this training, young people will receive six weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their first foot in the door towards meaningful employment, boosting their prospects and supporting a stronger economy as part of our Plan for Change.
55,000 young people also stand to gain from a government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain. These regions are:
More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six months alone, with local partners and employers to play a key role in supporting young people as they transition into meaningful employment with fully funded wages and wraparound support for young people.
Alongside this, Youth Hubs – centres where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track – will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. This will ensure young people up and down the country can access the lifechanging support Youth Hubs offer, such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.
There is an expectation that young people will take up the opportunities they are offered, and sanctions to benefits could be applied for those who don’t engage with the offered support without good reason.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, said: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.
“That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.
“This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Too many young people fall out of education unnoticed, crippling their life changes and denting the economy.
“Smarter data and early-warning tools will change that – helping us to spot risks sooner, step in faster, and keep learners on track through our Plan for Change.
“With these ambitious measures, we can break down barriers to opportunity to make sure every young person gets the support they deserve.”
Recent data shows that almost one million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Today’s announcement represents a major intervention to reverse this trend and ensure no young person is left behind.
It builds on a wide range of measures the Government is bringing forward to support young people, including expanded funding for youth trailblazers, and a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn into the barriers preventing the young from accessing work.
Earlier intervention is being prioritised, with a £34 million investment to make it easier to identify young people who need support before they drop out of the system. This includes a new Risk of NEET indicator tool, giving local areas more accurate insights to target support where it’s needed most.
The Government will also invest in further education attendance monitoring and provide targeted support for young people in state-funded alternative provision schools, helping them secure valuable work experience.
To ensure young people transition effectively from school into post-16 education or training, we are working with schools and piloting automatic enrolment with further education providers for young people without a place.
As announced by the Chancellor, the Government has committed to delivering a Jobs Guarantee for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been searching for work whilst in receipt of Universal Credit for 18 months.
The initiative will provide 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work to every eligible 18- to 21-year-old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. The young people will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.
The Government is finalising its National Youth Strategy, shaped by insights from over 14,000 young people, that will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across government.
Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO & Founder, Youth Employment UK: “The Youth Guarantee is a hugely important step forward and reflects many of the recommendations we have championed through our work.
“More than 8,000 young people took part in our 2025 Youth Voice Census, and the message was clear: they value work experience, skills development and local support, but too often cannot access it.
“This package – from the Youth Guarantee Gateway and expanded Youth Hubs to additional work experience, SWAPs and apprenticeships – represents the most focused investment in tackling youth unemployment we have seen in many years.
“We particularly welcome the commitment to early support, personalised pathways and strong local partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the government, Mayors, local areas and employers to ensure delivery reaches every young person, especially those facing the highest barriers. Together, we can make this Guarantee a meaningful reality for all.”
Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: “Youth Futures Foundation welcomes the Government’s focus and investment in tackling the growing, stubborn challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity.
“Today’s measures present an ambitious, comprehensive package to reform the system and support more young people into earning or learning.
“Crucially, reforms like the Jobs Guarantee are grounded in the evidence of what works, especially for marginalised young people. This will be vital to ensure a better future for young people and drive long-term economic prosperity.”
Naomi Clayton, CEO, Institute for Employment Studies, said: “With one in eight young people out of work and not in education and training, and the lasting scarring effects that can have, we’re pleased to see the government’s reforms to support more young people.
“We welcome the dedicated support being introduced through the Youth Guarantee Gateway to help prevent young people becoming long-term unemployed, alongside broader preventative measures to make it easier to identify young people who need support. We also welcome the wraparound support that will be provided to long-term unemployed young people as part of the Jobs Guarantee.
“Supporting young people to access meaningful work experience, training opportunities and good jobs will help secure a brighter future for a generation, their communities and the economy.”
Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said: “At The King’s Trust, we know that when you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives. This Youth Guarantee is a crucial step towards unlocking that potential.
“Increasing training and work experience opportunities, alongside a guaranteed job scheme for the long-term unemployed, will help the young people we support in our centres each day to start overcoming the barriers they face, and take their first steps into work.
“If we get this right, we can transform the futures of young people out of work across the UK, and build a healthier, wealthier society.”
Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent said: “Giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing, so we’re fully supportive of government’s Youth Guarantee.
“At Severn Trent we’re tackling youth unemployment head on, and we’re giving young people real chances to grow and creating opportunities that unlock potential and true talent. We look forward to working together on this, and the role business can play in giving the next generation the very best start.”
Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus, said: “We are delighted that the Government has chosen to invest in the futures of young people.
“With hundreds of thousands of young people neither earning nor learning, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds twice as likely to be NEET as their better off peers, this Youth Guarantee is much-needed to ensure everyone aged 16-24 gets the support they need to succeed, whether that’s a work placement, work experience or training.
“Expanding Youth Hubs across the country is a particularly encouraging move, especially as they are a place where young people can access support even if they are not currently claiming Universal Credit.
“As our Blueprint for a Youth Hub research found, a culture of hospitality enables Youth Hubs to be an easy front door for young people to start accessing the opportunities they need for a fulfilling life.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “There is a moral and economic imperative for government and businesses to work together to support more young people into training and work.
“These announcements will allow more young people to gain the vital experience that only work can provide.”
Dr Emily Andrews, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, said: “With nearly one million young people neither earning nor learning, we welcome today’s announcements to tackle the current waste of potential and boost our future workforce.
“Building on our long-standing call for a Youth Guarantee, we are pleased to see a more comprehensive offer developing, with a range of new opportunities for young people to access experience and training in the workplace.
“Crucially, the national system-level offer is being balanced by more place-based approaches, including Trailblazers and the continued expansion of youth hubs to reach young people outside the benefits system.
“We will continue to work with partners on the delivery and implementation of this package at a national, regional and local level, to make the most of these opportunities.”
Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “From employment, mentoring and education programmes to sport and wellbeing initiatives, EFL Football Clubs and their charities are deeply embedded in their communities, empowering young people to unlock their potential and thrive.
“Through the Youth Guarantee, we look forward to maximising opportunities for young people via new employment hubs in EFL communities, ensuring they can access guaranteed pathways into work, training, and skills development.”
Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training is at its highest level for a decade.
“BCC research also shows that 75% of businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers, so it is good to see the government taking action with an ambitious plan to get young people into work.
“Expanding Youth Hubs and investing in the Jobs Guarantee will help young people gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the workplace. Our network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK stands ready to help government deliver the Youth Guarantee in full.
“Ensuing young people can access fulfilling careers and businesses can find the talent they need are vital to unlocking growth.”
Tracey Collins, Director of Emerging Talent and Social Impact at Kier, said: “At Kier, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people and bring emerging talent into construction through hundreds of work experience and apprenticeship positions every year.
“It’s important that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background or history, as every young person deserves the chance to flourish.
“To support this, we are delivering a number of initiatives to make Kier accessible to underrepresented groups including a pilot project with the Youth Futures Foundation as well as through our Kierriculum schools’ engagement programme.
“We believe that the Youth Guarantee will further strengthen this activity and we are proud to support the government’s work to collectively reduce long-term youth unemployment and help them reach a better future.”
