With GP practices closed on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th, public are urged to be prepared for the long Hogmanay weekend
NHS 24 staff have been praised for their hard-work and dedication after the national service saw exceptional numbers of people using both its telephone and digital services over the Christmas period.
Like all other parts of the health and care service NHS 24 staff are affected by the impact of COVID-19 infection.
Over the four day festive weekend, 44 000 calls were made to the 111 service with 25% of all calls related to COVID.
NHS 24’s online information service, NHS inform, was also busy with 2 million page views across the four days. COVID content accounted for 1.2 million of those views and around 45,000 people completed the COVID self-help guide.
The COVID information-only helpline also saw heavy demand with over 3,000 calls on Monday and Tuesday – up 60% on last year.
Commenting on the efforts of NHS 24 staff working across Scotland, Medical Director Dr Laura Ryan said the weekend was challenging and that COVID related staff absences had inevitably affected the time it took for calls to be answered:
“We knew our 111 service was going to be busy, even before the Omicron variant, but now we have the added challenge of staff affected by COVID, which means we’ve had less available people to answer calls.
“Higher demand for the service, with fewer staff, meant some people had to wait longer than we would have liked for us to answer their call.
“It also meant those who could work, had to work even harder to help as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. I’m exceptionally proud of everyone for their efforts over the Festive weekend.
“We’re now planning for the Hogmanay weekend, which we know will also be busy, so we are urging people to be prepared. GP practices are not open until Wednesday 5th January so people should pick up any regular medications they rely on.
“Home remedies such as simple pain relief, antihistamines or rehydration salts are a good idea and if you think you might need help or advice for simple health matters, please use NHS inform as your first port of call, including all matters related to COVID-19.
“You may get the answer you need there without having to wait in a queue. It’s also important for people to remember that their local pharmacy is a great source of help for a wide range of conditions and many community pharmacies are open over the weekend. They can also help if you run out of your usual medicines
“If you do need to call us please do be patient – our staff are working as hard as they can and they need your continued support to deliver the best service they can every time, all the time.”
Following the global phenomenon of their 2021 film, Fare Well, and the cancellation of the live events, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will release a new filmtonight on Hogmanay at 5pm, providing a free and hopefully inspirational offerfor the new year celebrations.
Available to stream for free, the film will pay tribute to the hope, love and optimism that people feel at Hogmanay and the turn of the year with a positive look forward to Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s future.
This new artistic collaboration isdelivered by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay producer, Underbelly, on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. Entitled ‘Journeys Home’, the project has been made possible with support from HM Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
The film is based on a short story written by Kathleen Jamie, the current Scots Makar, and specially commissioned by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, and it draws inspiration from the resilience and sense of communitythat Edinburgh residents and Scotland as a nation have shown throughout the pandemic.
The film also features a specially composed soundtrack by Rura, one of Scotland’s most highly acclaimed folk bands featuring Jack Smedley, Steven Blake, Adam Brown and David Foley. With their distinct blend of fiddle, Highland pipes, flute, bodhrán and guitar, Rura capture the true essence of Hogmanay whilst also starring in the film themselves.
The film follows Kathleen Jamie’s four characters; Cait, Donald, Nana Jean and Calum, who narrate their personal Hogmanay stories, contemplating Hogmanay’s past and loved ones lost, as well as their hope and optimism for future Hogmanays to come.
The film, co-conceived by Underbelly and Arms & Legs, produced by Underbellyand directed by Ross Addy will premiere this evening, 31 December, from 5pm on the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website here.
The new film has been created following the success of the 2020 production of Fare Well, which became a global phenomenon, seen by over 1 billion worldwide.
Underbelly Co-Directors, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “Journeys Home feels like the perfect theme for this year’s film, as people yearn to meet family and friends at Hogmanay at the end of yet another scunnered year.
“Collaborating with the creative brilliance of Kathleen Jamie, Rura, and Arms and Legs has been really special – together they have made a film which sings to the world the creativity of Scottish artists and the hope and optimism that Scotland has for the new year.”
Scots Makar and ‘Journeys Home’ Writer Kathleen Jamie said: “As a writer, I’m not a great believer in ‘inspiration’. You just have to look and listen. We all know New Year is a complex time, more than just a big party – though there is joy and excitement too!
“But even in my own circle we have people who’ll be spending Hogmanay working in hospitals, or grieving loved ones lost in 2021, or who have had to cancel family visits yet again. We all know people who can’t bear to be alone, and others who take solace in the natural world, or in art and music.
“In ‘Journeys Home‘ I hope you will find someone or something you recognise, as we take leave of 2021, and look forward to better days ahead.”
Rura, ‘Journeys Home’ soundtrack composer said: “We were thrilled to be involved in the making of ‘Journeys Home’ and to join forces with such a fantastic team of collaborators!
“Obviously Hogmanay is the biggest night of the year in Scotland, so to play a small part in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, especially in the context of the past 2 years, is a true honour.
“We always strive to write music that resonates with people, and this film provided the perfect excuse to sit down and build an arrangement that conveys hope, love and optimism. The stunning camera work and spoken word really did bring tears to our eyes when we first watched it.”
‘Journeys Home’ Director, Ross Addy said: “We wanted to produce a film that faithfully represents the characters in Kathleen’s texts. Each is on their own unique journey, on their way to reconnecting with the people that matter most to them.
“Shooting on location in and around Edinburgh — as well as on Schiehallion — we always endeavoured to articulate the characters’ inner voices, while tracking their journeys through the cityscape and across one of Scotland’s iconic mountain landscapes.
“Hogmanay and New Year mean different things to different people. But the over-arching theme of the film is hope — the hope to reconnect and once again enjoy the relationships that make us human.”
Following recent COVID19 updates from the Scottish Government around Hogmanay celebrations, there will no longer be a midnight firework display at Edinburgh Castle on 31st December.
New year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep. January can feel gloomy enough without adding the pressure of ‘don’t do this’ and ‘you must do that’ to the mix.
Instead, Meadowlark Yoga is here to show you there is another way to harness the power of the fresh start without it feeling like a burden.
Meadowlark Yoga founder Karen Kirkness says: “Reframing our resolutions as an intention can be a great way to lighten the expectation and instead create opportunity.”
For many, it is a question of motivation – mainly, we aren’t really sure how to get any – but perhaps it is just a case of re-evaluating what it is we want to achieve and why.
“We often refer to the act of rolling out our mats and doing yoga as “practice”. The term reminds us that we are always in the process of learning, and that we will never reach an end goal or final posture. We are teaching ourselves that we approach this beautiful practice without expectation or ambition; we are just here to witness the experience – mindfulness, meditation and contentment. Indeed, yoga practice extends off the mat into our daily lives where we learn to apply the teachings to our ethical, moral and social lives.” – Karen Kirkness
Merging the ideas of ‘intention’ with the concept of ‘practice’ is a way to gently move into the New Year, without harsh agendas or prohibitive lists, just a soft opportunity to explore a new learning experience and a healthy habit.
“There’s no bad time to start a yoga practice but if you need that added momentum to get up off the sofa, step away from the Christmas leftovers and onto your yoga mat, there can be no time like January. You don’t need fancy gear or expensive equipment, just a yoga mat and some comfy clothes. Show up, roll out your mat and we’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
Meadowlark Yoga’s 6 Week Vinyasa Beginners Courses have seen hundreds of students move from their first time on the mat, into a regular, steady yoga practice. In these foundational courses students learn about breath, movement & alignment along with a sprinkling of the philosophy that goes behind the practice. After 6 weeks participants will be ready to join any yoga class or continue a home practice of their own.
Kirkness: “We invite you to join us in the New Year, here at Meadowlark Yoga to foster healthy habits, mindful movement and a lifelong practice, just for you.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged up to £105 million of UK emergency aid to help vulnerable countries tackle the Omicron Covid-19 variant, with a particular focus on Africa.
The vital aid will be delivered through trusted partners and will:
Scale-up testing – especially in parts of Africa where testing rates for Covid-19 remain lowest – allowing health systems to track and respond to the spread of the virus more effectively. This is in addition to the UK’s world-leading genomic sequencing support.
Improve access to oxygen supplies for ventilators – a surge in demand for oxygen is a significant risk for some countries.
Provide communities with hygiene advice, products and access to handwashing facilities and support deep cleaning in schools, health centres and other public places. This will build on the successful global hygiene campaign between UK aid and Unilever which has reached over 1.2 billion people since its launch in 2020.
Fund the UK’s ground-breaking science and research into the spread of variants like Omicron to enable innovative evidence-based policy responses in low and middle-income countries.
Ready the UK’s own expert emergency teams for deployment overseas to crisis hotspots, including with new medical equipment.
The UK Government has also confirmed today that over 30 million vaccines have been delivered so far as part of the UK’s pledge to donate 100 million doses to the world, benefitting more than 30 countries.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “The UK is providing vital assistance to help tackle the spread of new variants around the world. This is key to securing our freedom and ending this pandemic once and for all.
“I am proud that we have also delivered over 30 million vaccines to benefit our friends around the world this year. The UK is helping other countries most in need. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
Doses donated by the UK have reached four continents and provided vital protection from Covid-19 in countries including Angola, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda.
Of the more than 30 million doses now donated, 24.6 million have been received by COVAX for delivery to countries and 5.5 million have been shared directly with countries in need including Kenya, Jamaica, and Indonesia.
Millions more vaccines will be sent to other countries in 2022, including 20 million Oxford-AstraZeneca doses and 20 million Janssen doses.
The UK has been at the forefront of the global response to Covid-19. Today’s announcement builds on the £1.3 billion in UK aid committed to the international health response early on in the pandemic, supporting vaccines, health systems and economic recovery in developing countries.
The Government also invested more than £88 million to support the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and the UK became the first country in the world to approve the jab a year ago today.
Thanks to AstraZeneca’s commitment distribute the vaccine on a non-profit basis, 2.5 billion doses have been used in more than 170 countries, two thirds of which are low- and middle-income countries.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The global pandemic has challenged health systems around the world and the best way to overcome this awful disease is to unite and stand side by side with our international partners.
“By supporting countries with the UK’s ground breaking science and research into the spread of variants, improving access to oxygen and scaling up testing we will help those most in need chart their course out of the pandemic.
“I am proud that we have already delivered over 30 million vaccines to our friends abroad. The UK, as a global leader, is helping other countries most in need. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “We welcome the UK’s commitment in new funding to protect the most vulnerable, particularly in Africa; the UK’s continued focus on COVAX and equitable global access to COVID19 vaccines, both through early financing commitments made at UNGA 2020, as well as meeting the Prime Minister’s G7 commitment to dose sharing – the 30m target set by the end of 2021.
“We look forward to operationalising the remainder of the UK’s dose sharing commitment via COVAX in 2022, while we also work with the UK Government on continuing to support Gavi’s ambitious 2021- 2025 routine vaccination programmes, of which the United Kingdom is the largest funder through the PM’s commitment made at the UK-hosted Global Vaccine Summit in June 2020.”
Vet charity warn fearful pets face fireworks misery
As we look forward to New Year’s Eve celebrations, many pet owners may find themselves more stressed than excited by the prospect.
Vet charity PDSA is urging owners to take preventive action – especially those who took on a pet during the pandemic – in a bid to reduce the extreme distress and suffering that fireworks can cause for many of our four-legged friends.
Our pets’ enhanced senses mean they can find the loud noises and bright flashes from fireworks overwhelming, which can lead to severe anxiety and trauma.
PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “The firework season may be an especially difficult time for pups who were raised during lockdown – our 2021 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report* shows that 15 per cent of UK dogs (139,000) obtained during the pandemic are showing signs of fear.
“One well recognised fear in dogs is noise phobias, and our previous research reports that 40% of dogs are afraid of fireworks. Of those dogs owned before the pandemic, our research revealed 3% of dogs (260,000) were reported as showing signs of fear, so it’s unknown what the impact will be come New Year.
“Thankfully, there are simple steps that can be followed to reduce distress in our pets – the sooner you can start preparing the better. While some pets who are very affected by fireworks can take months of training to make them more comfortable with the bangs and flashes, there are still plenty of things you can do now to help. PDSA has produced a free guide to help owners lessen the impact of this stressful period.”
PDSA’s top tips on tackling fireworks phobias include:
1. Start early
The earlier you can start your pre-fireworks prep, the better. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, and pair these with their favourite treat! If they show any signs of stress, stop the noises, and try again at a lower volume when they are not reacting. Continue to do this all year round, so your pet builds up positive associations with these sounds.
2. Secure your garden
Secure your home and garden in advance, as fearful furry friends may panic and scarper. Ensure any ‘escape routes’ – such as holes in fences – are inaccessible. Keep doors, windows and cat flaps closed to keep everyone safe, and pull the curtains to help muffle the sounds as well as block the flashes. Don’t forget to provide a litter tray for your cat if they usually toilet outside.
3. Set up a hideaway
Create a ‘den’ in a quiet room or cupboard, which your pet can use as a safe space to hide in. It’s important that your pet already views this space as a safe place that they can escape to. Make it extra cosy with blankets and their favourite toys and treats, and add pillows or cushions to help absorb the loud noises – you can also do the same to hutches for smaller four-legged friends, who may also appreciate some extra bedding to hide away in.
4. Create calm vibes
Using pheromone products can help anxious pets, as the scents they release provide a calming effect to relax a stressed pooch or puss. You can even prepare a calming playlist, as music with a repetitive beat might help to disguise the loud bangs from fireworks and may keep your furry friend relaxed.
5. Speak to your vet
If you’re concerned your pet has a severe phobia of fireworks, it’s best to speak to an expert. Your vet can advise you on measures to improve the phobia, such as professional behaviour therapy or prescribe medications to help.
For more information on how to prepare your pet for New Year’s Eve and to download PDSA’s free Firework Guide, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworks2021.
Priority given to essential workers and those most at risk
Essential workers, those at highest risk and anyone eligible for new COVID treatments will be prioritised for a PCR test site slot. This measure is being taken to ensure timely access to PCR testing, as rising rates of COVID-19 infections are resulting in increasing demand.
It is vital that essential workers get the test results they need to qualify for a prompt exemption from self-isolation. However testing remains available for anyone who needs it.
Test & Protect will also focus resources on those most at risk of harm. This means most people will be contacted by text message or email – with contact tracers prioritising telephone calls to those linked to higher risk settings such as hospitals and care homes.
People should respond to the text or email message, and complete the online form provided, so close contacts can receive the advice they need as quickly as possible.
Updating Parliament yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ““The current surge in cases means testing capacity – sampling and processing – is under pressure. So we are now prioritising some slots for essential workers – such as NHS and transport staff – as well as for those who are clinically vulnerable or eligible for new Covid treatments. This ensures that essential workers will get the test results they need to qualify for an exemption promptly.
“This is a sensible step to take at this stage. However, notwithstanding this priority for essential workers, let me stress that testing remains available for anyone who needs it.
“If you try to book a test, and can’t find a slot in a location you can get to, do try again later. Additional PCR slots are released throughout the day.
“Test & Protect is also, for now, focusing its telephone tracing on high risk settings, such as care homes. The majority of us, if we test positive, will be contacted by text or e-mail, rather than by phone. If you are contacted by Test & Protect – either as a positive case or a close contact – please respond and complete the online form, and make sure you follow all advice given.”
An investment of £33.1 million was announced last month to safeguard the future of Scotland’s contact tracing workforce of more than 500. The change to PCR prioritisation for test site booking slots will not affect booking a PCR home test.
Information about the new COVID-19 treatments and the eligibility criteria is available at nhsinform.scot
People on the highest risk list, and those who are eligible for new COVID treatments should tick that they are an essential worker to ensure prioritised access to booking a PCR test.
Two free national events announced to support communities combat climate change
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced two new inspiring national events for January as part of Scotland’s Climate Festival.
Free and open to all, these events create space for conversations around climate change and positive actions we can take to tackle it. The popular inaugural event in December kicked off discussions with a crucial conversation on the outcomes and opportunities following COP26 and what is next for Scotland.
Highlights included discussions on diversity in the climate sector, thoughts on climate change in the finance industry and a fair and just transition.
Food: Women on the Frontline is the first event scheduled for 2022.
On 12 January a panel discussion featuring Nikki Yoxall, a farmer and educator, will allow people to hear more about the role of women in creating sustainable food systems, addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis through agriculture and building a sustainable farming movement.
People are encouraged to sign up to attend via eventbrite.
The second exciting event will take place on 24 January and will feature an online screening of Scotland: Our Climate Journey – a recent documentary charting Scotland’s inspiring progress in the fight against climate change – followed by a Q&A with the director Ted Simpson and producer Finbar O’Sullivan as well as people featured in the film.
The documentary is narrated by individuals from across the country, from leaders of industry, to activists and community organisers.
The national event series complements a wide range of local community festival events taking place right across Scotland. The programme aims to kick start climate conversations and inspire community led climate action. To support local event organisers, an online Festival Forum event will take place on January 26. This will feature a conversation with Elaine Grant of Falkirk Delivers showcasing learnings from a recent two-day climate festival in the town.
Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said,“As we enter 2022 there is more urgency than ever for us to broaden and intensify climate action so that everyone, from all areas of life, can play their part combatting the climate emergency.
“Scotland’s Climate Festival aims to bring the issues discussed before, during and after COP26 right to the heart of our communities, providing much needed energy and mobilisation to support local action as Scotland strives towards Net Zero in 2045.
“We’re delighted to add these new events to the programme in January and look forward to announcing further inspirational and informative events on different climate issues, including the wellbeing economy as we progress through 2022”.
The recording of the first national event, held on 7 December 2021, as part of Scotland’s Climate Festival can be found on YouTube. The event, which was attended by over 100 people, included a dynamic panel discussion with four brilliant speakers, including the Minister for Just Transition, Richard Lochhead MSP.
As part of Scotland’s Climate Festival communities across the nation have been urged to register local events, big and small, physical and online, to complement the national programme. All events will feature on an online map so people can easily find out what is going on and how to attend and all activities will help amplify the call for greater action to support Scotland to become a Net Zero Nation.
Scotland’s Climate Festival is supported by the Scottish Government.
Help for low income households this festive period
Projects that support low income households will benefit from a funding boost through the Scottish Government’s Winter Support Fund.
Sixteen charities will receive a share of over £6 million to provide support to low income families with direct assistance for living costs, as well as initiatives such as debt advice and parenting helplines.
The cash is part of a £41 million Winter Support Fund announced by the Social Justice Secretary in October which also includes £10 million to help people struggling to pay fuel bills and £25 million awarded to local authorities to respond to financial insecurity and support wellbeing based on local needs.
The Winter Support Fund aims to help people on low incomes, children and people at risk of homelessness against a backdrop of rising living and fuel costs.
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know many families are struggling financially just now with the rising cost of living and the impact of the pandemic.
“The recent sharp increase in Covid-19 cases, linked to the omicron variant, has only added to the challenge but we’re determined to ease some of the strain by providing direct support to people who need it most.
“Our trusted charity partners and volunteers have played a crucial role throughout the pandemic and we appreciate and value the services they provide.
“We hope these funds will help those most in need over Christmas, which we appreciate can be a difficult time for many.”
The STV Children’s Appeal will receive £1,200,000 to support children in need through its network of grassroots and community organisations.
Chair Paul Reynolds said: “The winter period is often one of the most difficult times of the year for families affected by poverty in Scotland, so this support package comes at the most crucial of times.
“Through collaboration with hundreds of charities and projects, we support the most vulnerable children and young people across the country, and we’ll help to make sure that these funds provide the food, clothing, shelter and heating needed by so many families throughout this challenging season.”
Aberlour Children’s Charity will receive £250,000 for its Urgent Assistance Fund.
Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “This support comes at a time when families and their children are facing the second tough winter in a row. It will make a real difference to so many families, who have found themselves pushed into poverty and who are struggling to keep their head above water.
“Applications for our fund have doubled in recent months and the top reason for families seeking help is to feed their children. It’s vitally important that this funding is distributed to families quickly and reaches those children who need the very basics.”
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison first announced the £41 million Winter Support Fund on 29 October 2021.
A digital funding mapping tool has been developed to display the funding allocated across the three strands of the Winter Support Fund.
29% of Scottish consumers are semi-regular drinkers of low and no alcohol products up from 27% in 2020, the fourth annual online YouGov study commissioned by the Portman Group has found.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the most popular reason for consumers in Scotland who have tried low and no alcohol to drink these products continues to be ‘being able to drive home from social events’ (chosen by 37% of respondents).
Reducing the possibility of health concerns or current medical reasons were also cited by 23% of consumers. The other main reason is to socialise without drinking excessively with 12% of respondents, whilst 9% explicitly stated they currently alternated low and no products with regular strength alcohol to moderate their overall consumption.
Furthermore, the survey shows that over a quarter (27%) of those in Scotland who have tried low and no alcohol say that their subsequent weekly alcohol has decreased since they first tried it.
These results indicate that low and no alcohol could be an effective tool for people looking to moderate drinking, often whilst at home with COVID-19 remaining an ongoing concern.
This is part of a wider UK trend towards low and no, with almost one in three (32%) UK drinkers now ‘semi-regularly’ consuming low and no alcohol products compared to one in four (25%) in 2020.
It should be noted that alcohol drinkers are the main buyers of non-alcoholic products using them as alternatives to alcohol. Well over half (58%) of UK non-drinkers have never even tried a low/no product and just 14% are semi-regular* consumers.
In response to the figures, Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group – the alcohol social responsibility body and marketing regulator – said: “As these positive findings show, Scotland is increasingly choosing low and no alcohol products, a trend being witnessed across the UK.
“There has been a big increase in drinking low and no during the pandemic, indicating that many UK drinkers have looked to moderate their alcohol consumption by swapping with non-alcoholic options.
“These figures show the fruits of industry innovation and investment over the past decade to provide consumers with an array of lower alcohol options.”
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The 2021 survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Portman Group. Fieldwork was undertaken on 9th-10th December 2021 and involved a total sample size of 2,079 adults, of which 176 were from Scotland.
The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
In the 2020 survey, the total sample size was 2100 adults, of which 189 were from Scotland. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14th – 15th December 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Capital Coalition leaders Adam McVey and Cammy Day look back on achievements made over the last year – and wish the city the best for 2022
As we say farewell to 2021, we want to take this opportunity to recognise the many people who have protected, served and inspired us during this year. From the NHS and our care workers to refuse collectors, supermarket staff to community volunteers. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Thanks also to the businesses who have strived to adapt and survive and, of course, all of you who have made so many personal sacrifices to limit the spread of this virus.
As a city, we’ve shown real grit, community spirit and resilience through everything the pandemic has thrown at us – and I have no doubt that we’ll continue this into the new year.
As we look back on the year, there’s a lot more to be proud of. In November we supported Glasgow to host one of the biggest events the country has ever seen – the COP26 climate conference.
Not only did we help our neighbours stage this global event, but we took our own strides to tackle the climate emergency. Last month we approved our 2030 Climate Strategy, which sets out a greener, fairer, climate ready future for the Capital, achieving our ambitious net zero 2030 goals.
We’re already making headway – in November we became the only city in Scotland to be awarded with the highest rating for climate action by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), recognising the steps we’re taking to manage the Capital’s environmental impacts.
There’s still a great deal of work to be done, but we’re ready to take the bull by the horns.
In September we unveiled bold proposals for our next local development plan, City Plan 2030. If approved by the Scottish Government, it will be a game-changer for the way we develop the city and the associated carbon footprint, not to mention boosts to wellbeing, affordable housing and jobs.
The City Mobility Plan, approved in February, sets out a plan for delivering a better connected, net zero transport system. With road traffic a major contributor to harmful greenhouse gases, it’s essential that we rethink the way we move around the city. We’re already making great progress with a range of exciting projects to do this, including Trams to Newhaven, City Centre West to East link, and plans to transform George Street.
The changing climate is not the only challenge we face. Sadly, poverty continues to affect many of our residents, despite our strong economy. We’re committed to helping everyone to share in the city’s success – we really want to end poverty, once and for all. Amongst the actions we’re taking, we’re really focusing on making sure everyone has a comfortable place to live.
Access to a home is a basic right and, thankfully, through our work with third sector partners, we’ve seen the number of people rough sleeping in the city drop. Throughout the pandemic our Homelessness and Advice Service showed exceptional dedication, delivering vital support to the most vulnerable people in the city and finding secure places for households to stay.
Providing quality, affordable homes is essential to tackling the housing crisis, and we’re still on track to build 20,000 affordable homes by 2027. Major projects like the regeneration of Powderhall, New Fountainbridge and the transformation of Granton waterfront – our £1.3bn project to create one of the most sustainable, vibrant new coastal towns in Scotland – will significantly boost our housing stock.
We want to create a truly equal city for future generations, which is why we’re proud to have been awarded Living Wage City status, meaning fair pay, fair hours and respect at work. This year, the Edinburgh Guarantee also marked a milestone, celebrating ten years of helping young people, and now expanding to support all ages and backgrounds access fair work, training and employment opportunities.
It goes without saying that the staff working in our schools have gone above and beyond over the past year, and all our pupils and their families deserve special thanks for their ongoing resilience. I’d also like to send a thank you to all of those other teams supporting schools, children and families. We’ve had a greater focus on outdoor learning and our EPIC days in June saw over 3,000 pupils enjoy an outdoor adventure experience at Bonaly.
Next year we have new or replacement schools due to open at Castlebrae, St Crispins, Victoria Primary, Canaan Lane and major works at Darroch and Boroughmuir – all part of our financial commitment as part of our ambitious new school building programme which will see more than £500m planned investment over the next decade.
While recent years have meant we haven’t been able to enjoy our festivals and attractions in the same way we’re used to, we know they’ll be back. We were all disappointed at the cancellation of Hogmanay festivities, but it was absolutely for the right reasons – the public’s wellbeing is our number one priority.
It was fantastic that we were able to enjoy our summer festivals once again this year, albeit on a reduced basis. Our teams worked tirelessly with partners to make sure the programme could go ahead safely and in line with Scottish Government guidance and I want to pay tribute to the Team Edinburgh approach that’s allowed this to happen.
We’re confident our vibrant network of independent businesses and hospitality venues, too, will be back to full capacity before long. They’ve experienced some of their toughest periods during 2020 and 2021 and we’ve been doing everything we can to support them – and will continue to do so over the difficult months ahead.
We know that this isn’t the Christmas and New Year many of us would have wished for. But what we’ve shown over the last year is that we’re an incredibly resilient, adaptable city, with so much to be hopeful about. Let’s stick with it, Edinburgh.
Wishing you all the very best for 2022.
Local Government Elections take place on 5th May 2022
