SQA exams stooshie: Tories call for ‘triple lock’

 The Scottish Conservatives have called on the SNP government to support a “triple lock” of measures to protect young people at the centre of an exams ‘debacle’. 

Pupils opened their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results this week – but an estimated 125,000 grades were lowered following moderation by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). 

As a result, thousands of students received lower grades than had been estimated by their teachers. 

And critics say the methods used by under-fire education chiefs have disproportionately impacted on young people from Scotland’s poorest areas.  

On the day pupil protests were held in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs backed a three-point plan to restore public confidence in the system. 

The plan sets out: 

– a guaranteed turnaround of 14 days for appeals 

– appeals to be based on the individual ruling out awards based on a school’s historic performance, demographic, location or SIMD ranking  

– the option for every pupil to take an examination in the autumn if they are still unhappy with grades awarded. 

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Thousands of pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians have been badly let down by SNP Ministers during this debacle.

“It is clear to everyone that the policy to disproportionately downgrade the results of students from schools in less affluent areas is simply not fair.

“The current situation can not be allowed to stand and steps must be taken to allow pupils to get the results that they deserve.

“These steps, set out by the Scottish Conservatives, would allow students to have every chance to get their proper grades and move forward with their futures.”

Scottish Labour says John Swinney has failed Scotland’s school pupils and they are calling for his resignation.

On Friday, Scottish Labour laid down a motion of no confidence in John Swinney, the Education Secretary and Deputy First Minister.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “This is not a decision we took lightly. Motions of no confidence have been sparingly laid in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

“But in the days since it emerged that thousands of school students had been marked down because of their schools’ past performance, Swinney has failed to acknowledge the scale of the crisis, and he has failed to announce a credible plan for re-dressing it.”

When the results were announced this week, Fiona Robertson, SQA’s Chief Executive and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, said: “Everyone receiving their results today can have confidence that their achievements and hard work have been rewarded.

“In a short space of time and amidst uniquely challenging circumstances for everyone, the Scottish education system has come together to ensure that candidates in 2020 can be certificated. This is a strong set of results and they should feel very proud of their achievements. They can now progress with confidence, to continued education, training or employment.

We have:

  • Delivered fairness to learners, through a consistent, evidence-based approach to awarding, supported by an Equalities Impact Assessment and a Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment.
  • Ensured safe and secure certification of our qualifications, taking difficult decisions when needed, following public health advice; and
  • Maintained the integrity and credibility of our qualifications system, ensuring that standards are maintained over time, in the interests of learners, through judicious moderation of grades.

Full information on our approach to certification is being published today.

I would like to thank the thousands of teachers and lecturers, SQA co-ordinators, school and college staff, local authorities, professional associations and national organisations, who have worked together to provide us with their candidates’ estimated grades, without which we would not be able to issue certificates today.

I would also like to acknowledge my sincere appreciation to all SQA staff and appointees who have worked very hard to deliver.”

SCQF levelNational Qualification2020 Entries2020 Attainment2020Attainment rate2019 Entries2019 Attainment2019 Attainment rate
SCQF 2National 2†2,0151,51875.3%2,0701,59677.1%
SCQF 3National 3†21,80219,94791.5%19,28516,95887.9%
 Skills for Work†3030100%1300.0%
SCQF 4National 4†103,62594,22890.9%104,86692,84588.5%
 Skills for Work†4,0843,21978.8%3,6982,86977.6%
SCQF 5National 5*300,344243,57281.1%288,552225,59478.2%
 Skills for Work†10,3458,86085.6%8,0236,63382.7%
SCQF 6Higher*185,844146,64378.9%185,914138,97274.8%
 Skills for Work†22317076.2%20416078.4%
SCQF 7Advanced Higher*23,57020,01084.9%23,46018,62779.4%
Total 651,882  636,085  
 Scottish Baccalaureate*15211676.3%15710969.4%

* For National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, which are graded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on Grade A-C attainment. The Scottish Baccalaureate attainment is based on the total number of passes (“Distinction” or “Pass” outcomes).

†For National 2 to National 4, and Skills for Work courses, which are ungraded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on entries which have resulted in a pass.

English

There were 46,626 entries at National 5 in 2020, (45,593 in 2019) with an A-C attainment rate of 87.6% (86.3% in 2019). At Higher level there were 36,205 entries (35,461 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 76.6% (73.2% in 2019).

Mathematics

There were 41,141 entries at National 5 (41,586 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 66.7%, (65.5% in 2019). At Higher level there were 19,160 entries (18,626 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 72.3% (72.4% in 2019).

Applications of Mathematics

There were 10,430 entries at National 5, (4,458 in 2019) with an A-C attainment rate of 67.3% (58.5% in 2019).

Comparison of 2020 estimates versus prior attainment levels

The charts below provide A to C attainment rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher from 2016-2019, attainment rate estimates for 2020 and attainment results for 2020.

The A to C attainment rates in 2020 are:

  • At National 5, 243,572 or 81.1% (225,594 or 78.2% in 2019)
  • At Higher is 146,643 or 78.9% (138,972 or 74.8% in 2019), and
  • Advanced Higher is 20,010 or 84.9% (18,627 or 79.4% in 2019).

National 5

National 5 attainment % comparison20162017201820192020 Estimates2020 Results020406080100Attainment %JS chart by amCharts

Higher

Higher attainment % comparison20162017201820192020 Estimates2020 Results020406080100Attainment %JS chart by amCharts

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher attainment % comparison20162017201820192020 Estimates2020 Results020406080100Attainment %JS chart by amCharts

National Progression Awards (NPAs), National Certificates (NCs) and SQA Awards

National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs)

Attainment figures for National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs) are also included. In total, 16,230 NPAs and 4,284 NCs have been achieved (13,136 NPAs and 4,873 NCs in 2019). NPAs are designed to assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas, such as Construction and Childcare.

National Certificates are designed to prepare people for employment, career development or progression to more advanced study in areas such as Sound Production and Fabrication and Welding Engineering.

SQA Awards

Attainment figures for SQA Awards are included in the statistics. In total, 31,428 have been achieved in 2020 (26,735 in 2019).

SQA Awards are designed to develop and provide evidence of specific skills that will help learners in the world of work and everyday life. Awards include Modern Languages for Life and Work, Employability, Scottish Studies and Enterprise.

 Attainment
20202019201820172016
SCQF level 1     
Awards399439386290283
SCQF level 2     
Awards9121,0046641,167750
National Progression Awards91691218877
SCQF level 3     
Awards4,2534,4283,9374,3033,863
National Certificates570118
National Progression Awards207100142177135
SCQF level 4     
Awards11,73610,2929,85110,83411,391
National Certificates166223213345371
National Progression Awards4,3214,3714,7594,8034,958
SCQF level 5     
Awards8,2325,1843,7553,6622,907
National Certificates1,4651,8092,4502,6914,103
National Progression Awards5,9155,2524,6044,3954,958
SCQF level 6     
Awards5,8965,3884,2583,5232,710
National Certificates2,6482,8343,5383,5854,920
National Progression Awards5,6963,3442,8481,6191,611
TOTAL51,94244,74441,52641,48343,055

Skills for Work

Skills for Work courses – available across SCQF levels 3-6, are also included in the attainment statistics. In total, 12,279 Skills for Work courses have been achieved, (9,662 in 2019).

Skills for Work courses focus on the world of work and the generic employability skills needed for success in the workplace. The courses offer opportunities for learners to acquire these critical generic employability skills through a variety of practical experiences that are linked to a particular vocational area such as construction, hairdressing, and hospitality.

Young people taking one of these Skills for Work courses will normally spend some of their time at a local college, other training provider or employer.

The SQA’s full awarding methodology, Equality Impact Assessment and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment reports have also been published in full as planned.

Moderation Summary Reports

With exams cancelled because of coronavirus, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) downgraded many of the assessments made by teachers, bringing accusations of disproportionately affecting the results of pupils from schools in areas of deprivation which traditionally present fewer successful pupils for exams.

Education Secretary John Swinney,who now faces a vote of no confidence at Holyrood, has said he understands the concerns of pupils and he will address these concerns when he makes a statement to parliament on Tuesday.

SFRS to launch national recruitment drive for 999 control room staff

A FIRE service Watch Commander revealed how his training helped save the life of someone trapped inside a burning car, as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launches a new recruitment drive.

Operations Control staff member Marc Benedictus received the urgent 999 call following a road traffic collision near Perth and immediately mobilised firefighters and the correct resources to the scene.

He drew upon his skills and experience to ensure that the person was rescued and no one else was hurt.

Marc spoke about his vital role as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launches the national campaign to recruit Operations Control staff based across the service’s three control rooms in Johnstone, Dundee and Edinburgh.

The recruitment drive opens tomorrow (Monday, August 10).

Marc, a Watch Commander based at Dundee Operations Control, said: “Some calls absolutely stick with you – and this one was particularly challenging.

“Someone was trapped in the burning car after a bad collision and we had received a number of 999 calls, and all of them were from people who were naturally panicking or asking for advice.”

He added: “We have to balance giving advice to the caller while getting as much information as possible to enable us to quickly mobilise the correct resources for the emergency from the right location.

“It can be very intense but those crews arrived very quickly and were able to rescue that person from the burning car and no other person was hurt. It was very rewarding to be able to draw upon my training and experience to help others.

“That’s why I don’t think there’s any other job like it – this is different to a call centre job, and no one should come in thinking that. This is a career full of opportunities, teamwork, challenges, and even new qualifications.

“It is mentally challenging role, with a lot of training – but the reward is most certainly worth it.”

From Monday, SFRS will be accepting applications for permanent roles at all three operations control rooms.

Successful applicants will join fellow Operations Control staff during a 14 week training period – learning how to co-ordinate emergency fire and rescue response to everything from house fires and road traffic collisions, to major incidents and severe weather related flooding.

Trainees will also learn how to give potentially life-saving advice, providing fire survival guidance to people who are trapped by smoke or fire.

And Marc says it is these calls that can be the most challenging of all. He said: “These calls can be difficult – you are on the line to someone who is in a life-threatening situation and you are their lifeline.

“It’s important to stay calm for them, give strong and direct instructions and survival advice, while working with your team to mobilise resources and direct local firefighters to the exact location of the person who is trapped.

“The relief you feel when you hear the sirens in the background or the firefighters entering the room is incredible.”

Following the 14-week initial training course, Operations Control staff continue to train daily to hone their skills and experience and ensure they are ready to respond to as many eventualities as possible to protect communities.

Area Commander Libby Logan is the head of Operations Control across Scotland. She said: “We need motivated individuals who are serious about serving and protecting Scotland’s communities.

“If you think you are suited to the role, then our fantastic training team will support you every step of the way.

“Our Operations Control rooms are tight-knit teams, who work with local firefighters to respond to emergency calls across Scotland.

“A willingness to learn, a strong team ethic, the ability to stay calm under pressure while handling numerous tasks and a real ability to motivate others and form relationships are all essential attributes – we want the best of the best to take up these roles on Scotland’s unseen frontline.”

Register for job alerts now, and apply for the role once it is live on Monday, August 10 on MyJobScotland: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs

Applications will close after 800 applications have been received, or on Tuesday, September 1.

Drug Deaths Taskforce marks first year

Almost £4 million has been allocated by the Drug Deaths Taskforce to projects to support its work reducing harm and deaths. 

The taskforce has announced the Scottish Government funding for research and front-line services to help tackle the drug deaths public health emergency over the next year: 

  • £1 million for 10 research projects examining different approaches to tackling the public health emergency
  • £3 million for Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to deliver on the six evidence-based strategies set out by the Taskforce to reduce drug deaths and drug harms

The taskforce, which has now been operating for a year, also launched a new website to inform stakeholders, service providers, people who use drugs and their families on their work. 

In addition, a new strategy to tackle stigma will encourage a more informed and compassionate approach towards people who use drugs and their families. Over its first year it has gathered evidence which shows stigma is one of the main factors preventing people from seeking treatment. 

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I want to thank Professor Catriona Matheson and all the members of Scotland’s Drug Deaths Taskforce for their hard work in its first year.

“This is not a problem with a quick solution and I know they have spent many hours gathering evidence about the true extent of this emergency and developing and implementing strategies to tackle it. This funding will enable it to act using what it has learned from individuals’ lived experiences.

“I’ve travelled all over the country meeting as many people who use drugs and service providers as possible and I have been told repeatedly that stigma is a real barrier to people accessing treatment. 

“Stigma can come from many sources, but most damaging is self-stigma where people believe they are not worthy of support. It is costing lives every day in Scotland and I believe this new strategy will help us tackle what is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges we face.”

Professor Catriona Matheson, Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce, said: “Since the taskforce first met in September 2019, we have been urgently reviewing evidence of what can best address Scotland’s unique challenge, and putting that evidence in action. 

“The Annual Report details our progress in identifying critical lines of enquiry and actions to take us forward. The taskforce recognises that we all need to get away from a search for a mythical, single, magic bullet and towards a programme of implemented strategies that not only works but engenders a new level of trust, sharing and collaboration in Scotland’s key agencies. We believe in positive, sustainable change.”

The full report and Stigma Strategy are available on the new Drug Deaths Taskforce website.

Edinburgh writers are Nesta storytelling prize finalists

Nesta, the innovation foundation, is supporting creators to revolutionise the age-old art of storytelling to fit a modern world, from InstaNovels to watching Romeo and Juliet’s relationship blossom over WhatsApp – and two of the shortlisted writers are from Edinburgh.  

  • Nesta has shortlisted and supported 9 writers with £1.5k of development funding, mentor sessions with experienced digital writers and a creative technologist, and 3 months of R&D time
  • In the autumn, one of these 9 writers will be awarded £15,000 based on innovation in form, interface and interactivity, as well as in overall quality of content
  • The works can be tested and experienced on the BBC Taster website from 7 August until 14 September, with Nesta asking young people to give feedback to help select the final winner

The Alternarratives Prize encouraged storytellers to imagine how short stories told in creative ways could help re-engage young people with the act of reading, focusing on those aged 13-16.

In one of their recent reports the National Literacy Trust found that reading enjoyment levels in children and young people had continued to decline and are at their lowest since 2013, only 53% said they enjoyed reading in 2019 vs 58.63% in 2016.

Daily reading levels are also at their lowest, with just 25.8% of children in 2019 saying they read daily in their free time. Nesta is seeking ways to encourage young people to read more via accessible and familiar mediums, technology and language. 

The finalists include:

  • Viccy Adams, Edinburgh – Explore an abandoned theme park in Berlin while you listen to this audio short story of teenage self-discovery. Spree is designed to be experienced on a computer: get your laptop out, turn up the volume and enjoy getting lost.
  • Gavin Inglis, Edinburgh – The Reader Remix invites active participation in an audiobook by adding layers of music beneath the narration, which the reader can manipulate. The R&D period of this project will produce new spoken and musical content, and experiment with existing tools for their delivery.
  • John Dinneen, London – Introducing the Insta Short, for a new generation of storytellers. This first-of-a-kind, contemporary Instagram short story tells the fictional account of Nel, an aspiring artist who finds support for her artwork online. Nel’s account is inseparable from social media and so naturally told through it. At the end of it all, Nel’s story will leave you ever more conflicted about the possibilities and the dangers of life lived online.
  • Emma Hill, Manchester – “I have ten minutes to tell you everything.” After Words is a story to a young person, from the adult who cares for them, designed to last a lifetime of them being apart from each other. Read the story once straight through, and then read it again slowly, many times, exploring all the links on the page. Each read through tells a different piece of the story, exploring connection, distance and the stories we leave behind. 
  • Rachael Hodge and Felicity Brown, Oxford – WillPlay: Romeo & Juliet will take the form of a WhatsApp-style group chat, allowing young people to engage with Shakespeare’s story and interact with his characters via a familiar, accessible medium. The reader/player will be cast as a character in three key scenes, invited to take part in the conversation, in order to move through the narrative, sending it in new and exciting directions.
  • Thomas McMullan, London – The Unsettled Ground. A file lands on your desktop: the last documents of the journalist Angus Bead. A small town has been wiped off the map, and you must unravel what happened by searching through Bead’s articles, diaries, notes, strange stories and troubling testimony. Draw your own connections. Read like a detective.
  • Jasmine Richards, Oxford – Earworm is an immersive short story experience on your phone that tells the tale of Ayesha and a creature called Earworm. The Earworm reveals people’s true intentions through sound and music. Using small sections of text, chat stories, and immersive soundscapes with embedded audio cues the reader will learn the truth of Earworm and the secrets of those around Ayesha. The reader will also get to produce their own piece of music.
  • Ben Samuels at Limbik Theatre, London – The Garden combines the written word with ambisonic, spatial audio, bringing a new layer of immersion to the act of reading. The dark, magic realism of The Garden of Earthly Delights is designed to be accompanied by an ambisonic audio soundtrack, played through headphones linked to a phone or tablet. The soundscape supports the narrative, locating, placing, and immersing them within the world of the story.
  • Shane Strachan, Aberdeen – Do we control technology or does it control us? Jenna took part in IMBED-X’s tech experiment in January 2020 and has since vanished. Adam needs Instagram, Google and you to help find her in this thrilling online mystery. Told across multiple Instagram stories and accounts, this narrative encourages readers to use online tools such as Google Translate and Google Books to help find Jenna by harnessing the power of language, literature and digital connection. Along the way, the story also encourages young readers to reflect on how embedded technology is in their lives and to question whether or not they have an over-reliance on it. 

Fran Sanderson, Nesta’s Director of Arts and Culture Programmes and Investments said: “With Alternarratives, our aim is to encourage writers to experiment in their practice. In this pilot year, we had the more specific target of changing the way young people think about and engage with reading.

“The way we consume narrative content has changed rapidly, and this has accelerated in the pandemic. The shift towards an experience economy, perhaps in addition to a more general sense of a lack of control, has led audiences to expect more agency and interaction, and we believe this can be an opportunity for literary storytelling. 

“We wanted to explore how we can support writers to be more innovative and think outside the linear format. We have been amazed by the creative ideas these writers had, and humbled by their tenacity and ingenuity in the R&D phase – it’s been a real privilege to see these projects turn into a reality, and we’re incredibly excited to share them with the public, especially the young people we’re hoping to reach.”

Appeal for information following Haymarket bike thefts

Police are appealing for information following the theft of four high valued pedal cycles. The bikes were stolen from a vehicle which was in a car park in the Haymarket area sometime between Tuesday 4 August 2020 and Thursday 6 August 2020.

They are described as:

1. Black and red Trek Rail 9.8 (2020) E-Bike, medium size carbon frame with ‘Trek’ in black writing. The motor within the bike is Bosch.

2. Lime coloured Whyte S150 bike, large sized carbon frame, with an oval golden chain ring. The bike has Magura MT8 branded brakes with 220mm discs, orange pedals and grips.

3. Blue and white Trek Fuel women’s specific design, small alloy frame, Sram Juicy RS branded brakes with red pedals and 26 inch wheels.

4. Brown Cheetah custom build, extra small alloy frame and 26 inch wheels. It has Whyte DT Rear Suspension which is unique with an adjustable seat post (which is adjustable from the handle bars). It has blue grips and blue pedals.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0942 of 6 August 2020. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

And, completely unrelated …

Get on your bike! Cycle sales skyrocket at Cash Converters

More active lockdown lifestyles have seen cycle sales skyrocket – almost doubling – at UK Cash Converters stores after they re-opened their doors to customers in June.

With lockdown restrictions slowly easing throughout the UK, Brits are now enjoying the great outdoors more than ever, and it looks like more and more families are gearing up to get on two wheels during the school holidays this summer. 

New stats from the UK’s leading retailer of second-hand goods, Cash Converters, show bike sales have soared by 74 per cent since re-opening, as thousands turn to its booming high street bargain stores for their new bicycles. 

The figures, which cover the initial three-week sales period after non-essential stores were reopened across the UK last month, show the huge spike in cycle sales after lockdown compared to the same period previously.

And it’s not just bikes. More savvy shoppers aiming to bag a bargain are turning to Cash Converters stores and its hugely popular online webshop, with sales of leisure equipment, phones, laptops and the latest tech all rising significantly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.  

Peter Hall, CEO at Cash Converters UK said: “The past few months have been challenging for everyone across the country, with restrictions and limitations greatly impacting the ways we’re able to work, exercise and socialise.

“Now that we can get out and about more freely again, many people have turned to new hobbies and outdoor activities, and we’ve seen huge increases in the sale of so many second-hand goods in our stores – particularly bikes. We’ve also seen increases in other hobby items, such as musical instruments and fishing equipment. 

“As a second-hand retailer our prices are always extremely competitive and more people are starting to look for used rather than new because the quality is still there, but it comes with a lower price tag. When it comes to gaming, jewellery, baking equipment, DIY tools and everything else in between, people are turning to Cash Converters more than ever. 

“And it’s not just about buying from us, if people are keen to unlock the value of their unused goods, jewellery, tech and other household items – or they need to make space in their home – they’re able to sell those to us for cash there and then or use our buy back service.”

Cash Converters is a franchised retailer which buys and sells pre-owned goods in 196 stores throughout the country.  For more information, visit https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/.

Almost £3 million more for social care projects

31 projects secure an additional year’s funding

Funding for 31 third sector projects in social care has been extended to March 2022 with the announcement of an additional £2.9 million of Scottish Government backing.

Edinburgh projects include MECOPP, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living and Thistle Foundation Health and Wellbeing.

Scottish Government’s ‘Support in the Right Direction’ programme was initially funded until March 2021, with funding partner Inspiring Scotland. The programme helps organisations who provide information, advice and advocacy to people accessing and managing their social care across Scotland.

The 12-month extension will enable project staff to continue their vital work helping people and carers navigate their way through the social care system, make the most of the ‘self-directed support’ options available to them, and access the support and care they need in their community.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Jeane Freeman said: “I am very pleased to be able to extend funding for Inspiring Scotland to manage these projects for an additional 12 months.

“The programme has consistently demonstrated the benefits of ensuring supported people have practical information and advocacy to live their lives.

“Independent advice and advocacy, plus support to make connections in their community, relieves stress and anxiety and helps people and carers maximise their choices and control over their arrangements, which is key to Scotland’s social care system.

“I am grateful to Inspiring Scotland and the individual projects for continuing this vital work and providing additional support to our social care sector.”

Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant added: “We’re very pleased that all 31 Support in the Right Direction projects will receive funding for a further 12 months.

“This announcement recognises the importance of independent support for people, as part of local health and social care delivery, and provides some stability for these essential charities.”

The Support in the Right Direction programme is managed on behalf of Scottish Government by Inspiring Scotland. 

Click here for Details of the funded projects 

Behave!

Antisocial Behaviour & Disturbances in Edinburgh

With temperatures on the rise again today Police in Edinburgh have made a public appeal for people to behave responsibly:

Last weekend saw an increase in antisocial behaviour and disorder, particularly at Portobello Beach and the Meadows. Dedicated officers will be on patrol this afternoon and over the weekend, focussing on engagement and early intervention, particularly in these areas.

Officers would like to remind the public that we still need to control the spread of Coronavirus and follow the guidelines from the Scottish Government.

Superintendent David Robertson from St Leonard’s Police Station said: “Last weekend saw small groups of individuals, intent on trouble, engage in antisocial behaviour, risking public health and disrupting the enjoyment of the Meadows and Portobello beach for those wishing to do so responsibility. Let me be clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Officers will be on patrol in these areas this afternoon and over the weekend and will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation. Our ultimate aim over the weekend is to prevent further disorder.

“Officers have been specifically briefed in respect of early intervention, engagement and will make use of the Edinburgh street drinking byelaw, where it is necessary and proportionate to do so in order to prevent antisocial behaviour. As was the case last weekend, those identified as being involved in antisocial behaviour and disorder will be arrested and charged accordingly.”

“The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“Aberdeen going into lockdown is a stark reminder that the virus is still very present and posing a threat to our communities. It also underpins the importance of continuing to follow the Scottish Government guidance.”

A new home for Lord Eric?

Rescue dog who is afraid of the dark on the lookout for a new home

Lord Eric Longlegs is a current resident of Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in West Calder and he doesn’t mind potential owners knowing he is afraid of the dark!

Currently on the centre’s Home From Home fostering programme, Lord Eric has been enjoying his time with his temporary foster family, however they noticed that he gets anxious going out to the garden when it is dark, unless someone goes with him.

Lord Eric Longlegs got his name after arriving at the rehoming centre more than four months ago. At eight-years-old, he is more than your typical long-legged Greyhound as he is a very sensitive big soul; he loves people, he loves journeys in the car, he loves sleeping on the sofa and he absolutely adores his food.

Stephen Thomson, Home From Home Coordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “Lord Eric has been with us now since before lockdown began and he hasn’t received much interest from potential owners. As he is such a loving and sensitive boy, we wanted to keep him in a family environment as much as possible, so he could enjoy all the human companionship he is used to.

“One of the reasons having foster carers is so beneficial is because they learn so much about each dogs character and what they are like in a home environment. Dogs staying at the rehoming centre are never usually without a canine carer beside them when out for walks, so it is beneficial for potential owners to know that a dog like Eric isn’t the biggest fan of the dark, so they can fully consider his rehoming needs.

“We would love to find Eric his forever home and he is currently available to meet by appointment, so get in touch with the team at the rehoming centre to find out more.”

The team at Dogs Trust West Calder is also on the lookout for more people to come forward and apply to be foster carers, especially those who don’t have any other pets in the family home.

Lord Eric’s foster carer, Rod, said: “Eric is such a great companion and he has been a real saviour for me during the recent lockdown as he has been staying with me since March.

“It has been a difficult time over the last four months and I’d honestly be lost without Eric, so making sure he doesn’t have to go outside in the dark is the least I can do for him.”

As well as needing a new family who can help him with additional training, to build his confidence, Lord Eric can live with children over the age of 10 and could potentially live with another female Sighthound. He would benefit from a family who has previous experience with his breed and can provide him with a secure garden to explore.

Dogs Trust rehoming centres are currently not open for public browsing but you can still make an appointment to adopt or bring a dog to us.

The charity has set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff and our visitors safe.

For more information please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/west-calder or call 01506536840

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative to launch share offer

The installation of nearly 1MW of solar panels on at least six buildings in Edinburgh is planned by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) as they return for Phase 2 in their quest to make Edinburgh a cleaner and greener city.

A group of people on a court Description automatically generated

To do this ECSC proposes to raise up to £660,000 by the issue of £1 shares.  The minimum investment will be £100 and priority will be given to local residents who reside in the EH postcode districts.        

In 2015 ECSC successfully launched their first share offer which resulted in over £1.4 million being raised that funded the installation of nearly 1.4MW of solar power on 24 buildings owned by City of Edinburgh Council.  

Today ECSC continues to generate solar power from these buildings and members receive share interest on their investment as projected with all surplus profits allocated to the Community Benefit Fund which came into operation in 2018.

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Speaking of the imminent launch of the share offer, Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC said “ECSC is an ethical, community-based, social enterprise.  We came together with a plan to help reduce carbon emissions, address Fuel Poverty and make renewable energy more commonplace in our city.  

“We especially welcome smaller amounts, as we would like as many people to join ECSC as possible, which is why the minimum investment is as low as we can make it. 

“Parents and grandparents can also apply for shares in ECSC for their children and grandchildren or can apply for shares on their behalf and leave them in their will”. Shares in ECSC are understood to be exempt from inheritance tax under present rules.

The share offer will be  launched in Summer  2020 and you can register your interest at www.edinburgh.coop/register. 

ECSC also has the option to install on 4 other Sites should grid connections and roof surveys permit later in the year.

Financial support for capital businesses using outdoor space

The charges in place for tables and chairs permits for Edinburgh businesses serving food and drink to customers outside is to be waived.

This follows approval by Thursday’s Policy and Sustanability Committee.  

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “As lockdown restrictions have eased allowing the reopening of outdoor areas for bars and restaurants, we’ve been speaking to individual businesses and local representative groups who’ve asked us for additional help in relation to the charges in place for tables and chairs permits to allow them to make sure that safe physical distances can be maintained when customers are visiting their premises.  

“We’ve recognised that city centre businesses need support due to the absence of both office workers and visitors and this will take time to recover. There is an urgent need to support businesses in the immediate term and I’m delighted that Committee has agreed to support them by waiving these charges entirely during this very difficult trading time.

“This will not only help businesses expand their footprint to help improve trading viability but also help maintain the pedestrian space and access, particularly for families and people with mobility issues or sight impairment.”

Cammy Day Depute Leader said: “This is yet another move we can make which will make the coming weeks and months a little less challenging for businesses.

“For the local economy to recover, we also need to see greater footfall to small businesses and a new campaign will launch next week to draw residents and visitors back to their favourite places for shopping and visiting.

“This is alongside all of the steps we’ve already taken to support our high streets, like directing £112.5m to businesses in support grants and widening pavements and cycleways to make it easier and more enjoyable to visit town centres. It will also be supported by the local Champions Network which we’re setting up to provide us with a direct link to businesses, so that we can monitor the challenges they face and the help they need.”

Businesses will still be required to apply for tables and chairs permits, and the standard conditions will need to be met, however, there will be no charge for the time period 1 July to 31 October.

Any business which has already paid for a permit will receive a refund for any payment made for this time period.

Tables and chairs permits allow anyone who sells food or drink to put tables and chairs on a public pavement between 9am and 9pm, seven days per week