Menu for Friday the 12th of December
We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you today. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu today:
Tomato and root veg soup
Fish pie with veg
Pea and lemon bites
Chocolate and coconut slice
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens.
And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out! Do come along and enjoy.
Thank you!
Report sets out views on how the profession could change over next two decades.
A new report exploring views on how Scotland’s medical workforce might need to evolve over the next 15 to 20 years has been published.
The Future Medical Workforce report follows six months of extensive engagement with the profession, and we have listened to over 2,000 doctors through a national survey and 40 focus groups.
Those who took part shared the privilege and joy they feel in caring for patients but also highlighted significant pressures in balancing service delivery with training and managing increasing workloads.
The report emphasises that any plans for the future should take into consideration the importance of ensuring doctors feel valued and inspired by their profession and able to sustain fulfilling careers.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our doctors are the backbone of our NHS and it’s vital that we plan now to ensure we have the right workforce in place to meet Scotland’s healthcare needs in the decades ahead.
“I have been clear of the need to listen closely to doctors at every career stage, and I am grateful for their honesty and insight which is invaluable in shaping our next steps.
“Scotland’s population is changing. People are living longer and many of the cases we see in hospitals are now more complex. The decisions we make today will shape our future medical workforce and we are committed to empowering our doctors with positive working environments, manageable workloads and the resources they need to continue providing excellent care.
“We have invested a record £21.7 billion in our NHS this year and reached a historic deal with GPs by investing £531 million over the next three years.
“The next phase of this project will turn these insights into action, working in partnership with the profession to deliver meaningful change that supports the medical workforce and improves care for patients across Scotland.”
Professor Andrew Elder, Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland (Scottish Academy) said: “The Scottish Academy welcomes the publication of the report and commends all those involved for achieving a high level of engagement with doctors at all stages of their careers.
“Whilst multi-professional working is key to delivering high-quality care, we welcome the clear focus on the role of the doctor, and the report accurately and honestly reflects both the hopes and detailed concerns of doctors and underlines the central contribution they must continue to make to patient care.
“We are committed to working together with the Scottish Government to ensure that the key recommendations of this work are taken forward in a fluent and effective manner.”
Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards at the General Medical Council, said: “This report reflects how the medical workforce is changing, and how doctors’ education, training and development will need to change and adapt in the future.
“That aligns with our own ambitions, which include a comprehensive review of medical education and training to ensure we build education programmes that provide medical professionals with flexible, fair and innovative learning, and that equip them with the skills they need to provide the best patient care.”
Future Medical Workforce Project report
A 39-year-old man has been convicted of possessing and discharging a firearm in Edinburgh.
Nicky Robertson pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 11 December, 2025).
Around 3.05am on Thursday, 20 March, police received a report of a firearm having been discharged at a property on Niddrie Marischal Crescent.
Robertson was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Thursday, 24 April.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, it was a concerning incident for the local community.
“Through the hard work of the officers involved in Operation Portaledge we were able to recover the firearm involved and ultimately bring the man responsible to justice.
“This conviction highlights Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance chaired a resilience meeting yesterday to discuss the rising number of flu cases and the subsequent pressure on health services.
She was joined by the Health Secretary, the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith and Public Health Scotland Head of Health Protection (infection Services) Jim McMenamin.
Flu cases have risen 24% in the past week, with hospital admissions up 15%. Ministers heard of measures being taken to alleviate the pressures on health and social care services and ensure they have enough resources.
This includes additional support to NHS24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service, as well as a £20 million investment to support social care and front door pressures to improve flow.
Yesterday, the Health Secretary Neil Gray convened a meeting of the Winter Pressures Oversight Group to ensure health and care services have the resources needed during peak demand. He said: “We are seeing an increase in flu cases earlier this year and we know flu hits harder for some people, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against the virus and I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for theirs if they have not yet done so.
“New evidence from Public Health Scotland and early evidence from UKHSA shows that this year’s vaccine does a good job of preventing hospital admissions for the strains currently circulating.
“As of 7 December, over 1.2 million adult flu vaccines have been delivered – over 97,000 more than this point last winter. In addition, more than 470,000 children have had their vaccine, bringing the total number of flu vaccinations delivered this season to over 1.7 million.
“But as flu typically peaks in late December or January, driven by the socialising we do over Christmas and New Year, we are urging those eligible to get vaccinated before the holidays and help protect each other and our NHS this winter.
“We are taking a range of measures to ensure our health service is as resilient as possible over the next few months £20 million has been allocated for health board initiatives to increase social care capacity and relieve pressure on acute services.”
New evidence from Public Health Scotland published yesterday (Dec 11) shows that the flu vaccine provides important protection against severe illness.
PHS found so far this winter, children in Scotland are 78% less likely to be admitted to hospital with flu if vaccinated; with vaccinated adults in Scotland aged 65 and over 37% less likely to be hospitalised.
As of 7 December, over 1.2 million adult flu vaccines have been delivered – over 97,000 more than this point last winter. In addition, more than 470,000 children have had their vaccine, bringing the total number of flu vaccinations delivered this season to over 1.7 million.
Healthcare support over winter – gov.scot
SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER at 2pm
ST MARY’s CATHEDRAL, PALMERSTON PLACE
This Saturday (13th December) at 2pm, come and sing Community Carols with us!
No booking required, just come along for a good sing of carols round the piano.
All welcome, with refreshments afterwards.
ASH Scotland is encouraging youth workers in Edinburgh to access the charity’s new resources on vaping illicit substances to build their knowledge and confidence in starting conversations to help educate young people to protect their long-term health.
The charity’s ‘Understanding illicit substance vaping’ briefing features insights from young people across Scotland which were shared with the charity’s Youth Conservations Hub.
The resource is published at a time when the emerging major public health issue of youth vaping and the availability of illicit substances in e-cigarettes is causing immense concern for people working with children.
The briefing provides up-to-date facts covering a range of important topics including how younger people are accessing vapes. and the risks and side effects associated with vaping illicit substances such as Spice (man-made drugs designed to mimic the effects of cannabis) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis).
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “With concerned youth workers across Scotland regularly contacting us for advice about vaping cannabis, THC and Spice, it is vital that those working with young people in Edinburgh can access robust, evidence-based information to engage and empower youngsters to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
“Our new ‘Understanding illicit substance vaping’ briefing can enable youth workers to promote a vape-free culture and encourage the younger generation in Edinburgh to understand the risks associated with vaping illicit substances and make positive choices to protect their physical and mental health.”
The new resource can be downloaded at https://ashscotland.org.uk/illicit-substance-vaping/, and people who work or volunteer for youth groups can join ASH Scotland’s Youth Conversations Hub at www.ashscotland.org.uk/hub.
A charitable trust, established by a family member of one of Scotland’s largest media companies, will help continue the NSPCC’s work to keep children safe online after pledging a donation of £150,000.
The Northwood Charitable Trust, which was set up by a member of the DC Thomson family in 1972, has pledged to donate £50k annually over the next three years to the children’s charity to support its campaign and research work on online safety.
DC Thomson is famous for publications such as the Beano, The Courier and the Sunday Post.
The core purpose of the Northwood Charitable Trust, which has supported the NSPCC for over a decade, is making communities better and more supportive places for people to live, work and prosper.
Their additional funding will be used for the NSPCC’s work to help protect children and young people online, including a youth-led project collaborating with the Scottish Youth Parliament which aims to ensure that young people’s voices are central to the development of a safer internet.
The NSPCC continues to advocate for stronger protections in online gaming and digital platforms, trying to ensure children are protected from harm wherever they spend time online.
Blair Thomson, head of the Northwood Charitable Trust, said: “The Trust is proud to support the NSPCC’s pioneering work in online safety.
“In an increasingly digital world, we believe no child should ever feel unsafe or unheard. The NSPCC’s efforts give vulnerable young people a voice and safeguard the innocence every child deserves.”
Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Northwood Charitable Trust for their continued support. This generous donation strengthens our work to keep children safe online and ensures that young people’s voices are heard where it will make the most impact.
“In a fast-changing digital world, it’s vital that we stay ahead of emerging risks and advocate for stronger protections across platforms- so that every child can explore and connect safely.
“With this support, we can continue pushing for meaningful change that protects children now and into the future.”
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
If you are concerned about a child you can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk.
Job seekers are being warned of fake delivery driver work being listed over the festive period, enabling insurance details to be stolen by fraudsters.
Stolen identities are highly valuable to fraudsters, who use them to carry out harmful scams such as Crash for Cash and Ghost Broking. Cases of identity theft reported to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) have risen annually, with a sharp 42% increase in the past year alone [1]. Amid this trend, several insurers have told the IFB they’re finding more people are having their personal information stolen through fake delivery driver roles for insurance scams.
With Christmas and the January sales bringing a rise in courier vacancies, job hunters are being urged to be extra vigilant and report any evidence of insurance fraud to the IFB’s CheatLine.
Nicola Smith, Intelligence and Investigations Manager at the IFB, said: “We’re concerned that more people are being caught out by fake delivery driver jobs and having their insurance details stolen for organised fraud.
“With more of these roles appearing in the run-up to Christmas and January sales, it’s crucial for those looking for delivery work to be aware and stay vigilant.
“Victims are misled into believing they’ve secured a job and are encouraged to hand over copies of their insurance certificate, driving licence and other sensitive documents. The consequences are serious – fraudsters may take out multiple insurance policies in victims’ names, third parties can pursue them for costs, and their credit scores can be badly damaged.
“Young people may also be more vulnerable to this scam, as fraudsters exploit their need for work and they may be less aware of how important it is to protect their personal information.
“We want everyone to recognise the value of their personal information and protect it at all costs. We’re working closely with the industry and law enforcement to tackle this issue. If you believe your details have been stolen for an insurance scam, report it to our confidential CheatLine.”
Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas, added: “The rise in fake job adverts targeting delivery drivers is part of a broader trend of identity fraud that continues to dominate the fraud landscape.
“In the first half of 2025 alone, Cifas members reported a record 217,000 fraud risk cases, with identity fraud making up 118,000 (55%) of all filings.
“These figures underline how quickly criminals adapt to exploit seasonal opportunities. Our advice: apply only through official job sites, seek a second opinion on offers, and never share sensitive details under pressure.”
How does the scam work?
Insights show that fraudsters advertise courier roles on social media and classified ad websites. Applicants are told their application has been successful and are then asked for personal details – including their name, address, date of birth, car insurance information and a copy of their driving licence – supposedly to set them up as delivery drivers.
Fraudsters may use this data to take out policies in the applicant’s name and resell them as doctored policies, by posing as fake insurance brokers in a fraud known as Ghost Broking. This is a scam that tricks people who struggle to afford cover into buying fake car insurance online.
The fraudsters may also hijack genuine insurance policies to stage fraudulent claims in a scam known as Crash for Cash, which involves causing deliberate collisions for compensation. A type of this activity known as moped scams – which has been rising across London and Home Counties – is often driven by identity theft.
In such cases, the fraudster will use details stolen from the job seeker to fraudulently admit liability in their name, while the fraudster or an accomplice of theirs acts as the injured party. Doctored images and documents are then used to support the claim, often exaggerating damage, injuries and costs to inflate the payout.
The warning comes as the IFB recently announced cases of ID theft linked to organised insurance fraud have risen year on year, with levels in the past year now over seven times higher when compared with 2021. To help tackle the issue, the UK’s top policy fraud hotspots were revealed following an analysis of 2.4 million insurance policies, to highlight areas where people appear to be at greatest risk.
The rise also follows a recent announcement by Cifas, a not-for-profit organisation which protects public, private and voluntary sectors from fraud, reporting a 25% increase in insurance fraud linked to identity theft and false applications.
How can I protect myself?
People who are looking for delivery driver roles are encouraged to be vigilant, apply to reputable companies and ideally through their website to help ensure personal information is kept secure.
Simple measures can also protect personal information:
Report insurance fraud
The IFB is a not-for-profit organisation which leads the insurance industry’s collective fight against insurance fraud. Evidence of an insurance scam can be reported to the IFB’s confidential CheatLine online or via its phoneline (powered by CrimeStoppers) on 0800 422 0421.
Advice is available for anyone who believes their identity has been stolen in an insurance scam.
In Scotland, we believe in justice and compassion. We want to see everyone with enough to live a decent life – and the opportunities to flourish – through an economic system that prioritises people and the planet.
We know that this is possible.
That is why the 2026 Scottish Parliament election is so important. With one in five people in Scotland held back by poverty, the time for action is now.
We are proud to present our 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto. We are clear that tackling poverty must be given the priority it deserves in the commitments of all political parties.
Our overarching ask of the next Scottish Government and Parliament is to progress the delivery of a Minimum Income Guarantee for Scotland. We believe that the delivery of this bold idea would provide us all the freedom to create a more secure life for ourselves and our households, and a better society for everyone.
To make this progress, we need to see action to deliver:
Fair, well paid jobs;
Accessible public services;
Strong social security;
Reformed devolved taxation;
Fair funding for community and voluntary organisations; and
Just climate action.
You can find our full manifesto here:
A Bill to raise funds towards Scotland’s cladding remediation programme carries “significant risk” to the housing market, says a parliamentary report published today.
Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee says it is “unconvinced” that the Scottish Government has fully considered the implications of the Bill on the nation’s ‘housing emergency’.
The committee has decided, therefore, to make no recommendation on the general principles of the Bill – a first time for this committee – and says it hopes the government will respond positively to its findings.
The committee is also calling on the government to carry out market ‘sensitivity analysis’ prior to deciding levy rates and reliefs, and to monitor the effect of the new tax on the housing sector.
Finance and Public Administration Committee convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Our committee understands the Scottish Government’s intent behind this Bill, but we believe the introduction of the levy carries significant risk.
“We have concerns regarding its potential impact on the housing market, and on the delivery of houses in areas where the viability of building sites is already challenging.
“We are unconvinced that the government has fully considered the implications for its self-declared housing emergency when designing the policy approach for this levy. We also believe the policy design has been focussed on the arbitrary figure that the levy could raise, and not sufficiently focussed on developing a good, well-structured levy that is sustainable.
“On the basis of the evidence received, our committee makes no recommendation on the general principles of the Bill. We trust that the Scottish Government will respond positively to our recommendations to inform further discussion of the general principles during the Stage 1 debate in the chamber in January 2026.”
Calling for regular reports on the housing market impact, Mr Gibson said: “Our committee recommends that the reporting requirements in the Bill be strengthened, so that the government is required to report every three years on how the levy is working. That report should include an assessment of how the levy is impacting the Scottish housing market in practice.”
Mr Gibson went on: “Our committee does not consider the levy to be fully reflective of the sensitivities of the housing market in Scotland.
“We therefore recommend the government undertakes a sensitivity analysis, to assess in more detail, the impact of the levy on the housing market – in particular on rural sites and on SME developers.
“The analysis should be published in time to inform the government’s decisions in setting levy rates and, where applicable, any reliefs, through secondary legislation.”
Other findings and recommendations:
Minister Ivan McKee announced in November 2025 that introduction of the levy rates will be pushed back by more than a year to April 2028.
The Stage 1 debate on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill is expected to be debated by Parliament in the new year.
