NHS Lothian gave a final fond farewell to the iconic ‘Sick Kids’ site as the building was formally handed over to its new owners Downing yesterday.
The site was home to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children until March 2021, when the services moved to their purpose built, state of the art new facilities at Edinburgh’s Little France.
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children was designed by eminent Edinburgh architect George Washington Browne and opened in 1895. From then the hospital expanded and led the way in many aspects of paediatric medicine.
During the war years, women were welcomed onto the medical team and the staff coped with reduced supplies and evacuation.
Between 1895 and 2010 the hospital went through a number of extensions and redevelopments to provide a comprehensive range of dedicated children’s services including accident and emergency, acute medical and surgical care, specialist surgical and medical care, haematology and oncology, day care and critical care.
Despite the building’s incredible history and the amazing work that it supported, the space available was limited and the decision was made to move services to a new home located next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France.
The first moves, which included the majority of children’s outpatient services took place in July 2020, with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and all remaining services including inpatients moving in January and March 2021 respectively.
Allister Short, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s Services, NHS Lothian said: “The Royal Hospital for Sick Children played an incredible role in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people across Lothian for over 125 years, and the building will always hold many memories for patients, families and staff.
“Our services are now settled into their incredible new home at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, but we will always look back on the colourful and remarkable history of our former building with fondness.”
The building, which has undergone a period of decommissioning to remove final clinical equipment will now pass to Downing who plan to deliver a major mixed-use development comprised of 323 student bedrooms, 95 private residential properties, community space and affordable housing.
Ian Harrison, Projects Director at Downing said: “We are looking forward to beginning works to the former Royal Hospital for Sick Children and associated buildings, ensuring the preservation of the site’s incredible architectural features whilst providing an inspiring space for residents and the surrounding community.
“The sensitive redevelopment of the hospital facility will not only represent an exciting new chapter in the building’s history, but Downing’s commitment to providing first-class residential and student accommodation will help to continue the legacy of what has been an important part of the city for generations to come.”
Muirhouse Community Hub and Granton gasholder put forward for Levelling Up funding
As Edinburgh’s economy faces the biggest challenge for more than a generation, the City of Edinburgh Council looks to forge a strong and sustainable recovery for Scotland’s Capital.
The Council has brought together key partners, stakeholders and business leaders to review the Edinburgh Economic Strategy to develop a refreshed approach that focuses on the city’s strengths, continued investment and collaboration, while responding to new pressures arising from both the pandemic and Brexit, and the long-term challenges identified in the 2018 Edinburgh Economy Strategy.
Agreed at yesterday’s Policy & Sustainability committee the report outlines key priorities, while also highlighting the importance of the city centre to Edinburgh’s long-term economic success – as a magnet for visitors, cultural activity, investment and innovation.
As part of the initial work that’s been done so far with key partners a series of actions have been proposed that the Council and other city stakeholder need to undertake to support the delivery of a strong economic recovery for Edinburgh.
These actions fall under five priorities which are:
helping businesses to manage, adapt and innovate
promote access to fair work and opportunities for progression
lead a just transition to a net carbon zero economy
create vibrant places for businesses and people; and
maintain Edinburgh’s place as a global economy.
Focusing on specific actions needed to revive the economy of the city’s historic centre, The City Centre Recovery Plan has been developed as an accompaniment to the refresh of the city-wide Edinburgh Economy Strategy.
This plan proposes two core priorities for the Council and its partners over the next few years:
‘support the city centre to adapt and thrive’ by taking action to provide high impact support to businesses of all sectors, as well as tailored, targeted support to businesses in areas or in sectors under specific pressure.
‘build momentum for long term recovery’ by delivering strong programmes of promotion and marketing the city centre, as well as taking the steps needed to help people safely return to work in the area. Meanwhile look to enhance and repurpose the city centre to make sure it meets the post-pandemic needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
This will be underpinned by some of the largest and most significant retail, commercial, and tourism developments seen in any UK city centre.
It is hoped that these major investments will provide a catalyst for recovery of Edinburgh’s city centre, creating new job opportunities and building momentum needed to drive up footfall and turnover to the benefit of all businesses in the area.
These include:
the £1billion St James Quarter development opening this month;
Diageo’s investment in whisky tourism culminating in Johnnie Walker Princes Street opening later this summer;
a £40 million repair of North Bridge;
the National Galleries of Scotland £22 million refurbishment project;
new uses on the way for key buildings such as the former BHS, Debenham’s shops, and the iconic Jenner’s department store
and in the west end of the city, the Edinburgh’s Haymarket project delivering a £350m development transforming the long-neglected brownfield site.
The new frameworks proposed for both the Economic Strategy and the City Centre Recovery Plan will now go through a consultation period with our citizen’s and partners from this month. Following this the final documents will be published in November this year.
Both reports will also look to deliver on the Council’s broader approach to recovery from the pandemic and meet its core priorities to end poverty, become a net zero city, and ensure wellbeing and equalities are enhanced for all.
Welcoming the update on the new frameworks, Council Leader, Adam McVey, said:“Recent indicators like city centre footfall and investments bringing opportunities for people in the Capital show Edinburgh in a strong position for a successful recovery.
“Oxford Economics suggested that Edinburgh is the most resilient economy in Scotland, driven by our digital connectivity and the diversity of our economy. But the challenges for businesses of Covid-19 and Brexit can’t be underestimated.
“By channelling our strengths, we can overcome the challenges and continue to make our City a greener and fairer place to live, work and do business. Key growth sectors like data-driven innovation and strong sectors like technology, finance and business tourism are all collectively working together as a city to build a bright future for Edinburgh with opportunities for all our residents.
“I’d like to thank our partners and stakeholders for their support and insights in getting our next Economic Strategy to this stage. Through this next phase of wider engagement with the City we will have a robust plan of actions to support businesses, protect and create jobs and continue to make progress.
Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said:“A strong recovery for Edinburgh’s economy as a whole requires a strong and vibrant city centre and by developing The City Centre Recovery Plan, in tandem with the refreshed Economic Strategy, we’re making sure that this vital area of our city continues to thrive.
“In parallel with the development of the priorities we’ve set out, we have also committed to delivering many innovative and regenerative schemes across the city that are at the heart of our communities.
“We agreed on six key projects to be put forward for UK Government Levelling Up Funding including the Granton Waterfront, the North Edinburgh Art’s MacMillan Hub in Pennywell, Wester Hailes and other key priority programme for the city. I’m hopeful that we’ll be successful in our bids for this funding and look forward to seeing these projects benefiting our citizens in future years.”
Funding regeneration
Alongside this, as part of the city’s wider ambitions for the economy, the need to help fund and deliver key regeneration and infrastructure projects was also on the agenda at Thursday’s Policy & Sustainability Committee.
The Levelling Up Fund was announced by UK Government at the 2020 Spending Review as a £4.8bn package of funding to provide capital investment in local infrastructure projects over four years, from 2021-22 to 2024-25.
All Scottish Local Authorities will receive a flat amount of £125,000 in capacity funding to support bid development. This funding is expected to be made available in late June 2021.
The six projects are:
North Edinburgh Arts – a proposed new creative and community hub at MacMillan Square in Pennywell;
Granton Gas Holder – restoring the gas holder structure and remediating the wider site, forming a key catalyst to delivering phase one of the wider waterfront regeneration programme;
Wester Hailes Regeneration – a comprehensive, phased regeneration plan for the next 10 to 15 years and will incorporate the aspirations as set out by the community in the Local Place Plan;
Inch Park Regeneration – a proposed project for the development of a sports and community hub in Inch Park;
Craigmillar Town Centre Regenerations – a regeneration plan for the area to complete years of housing led investment to deliver wide ranging community led improvements;
City-wide active travel – building on the vision and objectives set out in the City Mobility Plan, the active travel investment programme will deliver on of the UK’s most ambitious safe, attractive and coherent walking, cycling and wheeling networks.
Building international partnerships
Taking an international perspective and continuing to build relationships across the globe to attract investment and strategic links will be an important part in growing Edinburgh’s economy.
How Edinburgh maximises its global connections and partnerships was set out in an updated Edinburgh International Framework, developed in collaboration with members of the Edinburgh International Group.
Refreshed in response to changing context and challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, as well as new developments in city wide priorities, the approach ensures international activity promotes the Capital’s equality and diversity objectives.
As part of the new framework, Councillors also agreed that the Council will support the University of Edinburgh in joining the World Innovative Cities Co-operation Organisation to develop civic links and support innovative collaborations with partner cities.
G7 leaders are expected to commit to using all their resources to prevent a global pandemic from ever happening again when they meet in Cornwall today.
Leaders will sign-up to Carbis Bay Declaration on health, vowing to take steps to ensure the global devastation caused by coronavirus is never repeated
UK will establish a new centre to develop vaccines to prevent zoonotic diseases spreading from animals to humans
G7 countries and guests will be joined by Sir Patrick Vallance and Melinda French Gates who will present their ‘100 day mission’ to speed up the time it takes to develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostics
G7 leaders will commit to using all their resources to prevent a global pandemic from ever happening again when they meet in Cornwall today (Saturday).
The world’s leading democracies are expected to agree the ‘Carbis Bay Declaration’, an historic statement setting out a series of concrete commitments to prevent any repeat of the human and economic devastation wreaked by coronavirus.
Leaders will be joined in their discussions on global health at the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall today by their counterparts from South Korea, South Africa, Australia and India, and the Secretary General of the UN alongside other leaders of international organisations – recognising the need to tackle the roots of the coronavirus pandemic on a truly global level.
They will receive a presentation by Sir Patrick Vallance and Melinda French Gates on the work of the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership, a group of international experts drawn from across industry, government and scientific institutions established by the UK earlier this year to advise the G7 on how to prevent, detect and respond to future pandemics.
Today the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership will publish an independent report, the ‘100 Days Mission to Respond to Future Pandemic Threats’, which contains actionable recommendations on how governments and others can quickly respond to any future outbreaks. The first 100 days after the identification of an epidemic threat are crucial to changing its course and, ideally, preventing it from becoming a pandemic.
The Carbis Bay declaration will incorporate the recommendations of this report and set out the other steps G7 countries will take to prevent a future pandemic. These include slashing the time taken to develop and licence vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for any future disease to under 100 days, a commitment to reinforce global surveillance networks and genomic sequencing capacity and support for reforming and strengthening the World Health Organization.
75% of new human diseases originate in animals and these diseases are emerging at an increasing rate. Controlling zoonotic diseases is a key element of the PM’s 5 Point Plan for preventing future pandemics set out at the UN last year – the first plan articulated by a G7 leader on pandemic preparedness. To stop new animal-borne diseases before they put people at risk, the UK will establish a UK Animal Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre at The Pirbright Institute in Surrey.
The Centre will draw on Pirbright’s world leading expertise to accelerate the delivery of vaccines for livestock diseases. These diseases pose a risk to people if they mutate to become transmissible to humans and can devastate agriculture in the UK and internationally. The centre will rapidly assess promising new technologies in the field, and develop and test novel vaccines for emerging diseases.
The UK has led the fight against Covid-19 through our support for the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and has a long history of leadership in vaccine research. Smallpox and rinderpest – the first two diseases in history to be totally wiped out – were eradicated using vaccines developed by British scientists.
The UK has contributed £10 million of funding for centre, which will establish the UK as world leader in the rapidly growing field of novel livestock vaccine development capability. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will provide £14.5m to establish the centre, building on its current investments in vaccines for livestock and zoonotic diseases at The Pirbright Institute.
This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last month that the UK had launched plans for a global ‘pandemic radar’ to identify emerging COVID-19 variants and track new diseases around the world. Today he will ask for G7 support for the Global Pandemic Radar, which will protect domestic vaccine programmes against new vaccine-resistant variants by identifying them early and before they are able to spread.
The G7 is uniquely well-placed to lead global efforts in pandemic prevention – the group is home to two-thirds of the world’s pharmaceutical market and the four coronavirus vaccines licenced for use in the UK were all developed in G7 nations (the UK, US and Germany).
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “In the last year the world has developed several effective coronavirus vaccines, licenced and manufactured them at pace and is now getting them into the arms of the people who need them.
“But to truly defeat coronavirus and recover we need to prevent a pandemic like this from ever happening again. That means learning lessons from the last 18 months and doing it differently next time around.
“I am proud that for the first time today the world’s leading democracies have come together to make sure that never again will we be caught unawares.”
The Carbis Bay declaration is expected to be agreed by leaders today and published tomorrow alongside the G7 Summit Communique.
It builds on the steps taken by others to strengthen pandemic preparedness this year, including the recent recommendations of the Independent Panel for Preparedness and Response.
The UK is also supporting work in the World Health Organization on a Pandemic Treaty to increase global efforts to prevent future pandemics.
Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization said: “We welcome the Carbis Bay Health Declaration, particularly as the world begins to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. Together we need to build on the significant scientific and collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic and find common solutions to address many of the gaps identified.
“To this end WHO welcomes and will take forward the UK’s proposal for a Global Pandemic Radar. As we discussed, the world needs a stronger global surveillance system to detect new epidemic and pandemic risks.”
Professor Bryan Charleston, Director and CEO of Pirbright said: “There is a global unmet need to accelerate the development of vaccines from the laboratory to provide effective products for livestock keepers to control disease in their animals. Preventing disease by vaccination will help secure food supplies and so improve human health and welfare.
“The importance of this centre has been recognised by UKRI-Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who have worked together to develop a plan to establish this new facility that will also play a key role in controlling zoonotic diseases.”
Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, a co-funder of the UK Animal Vaccine and Innovation Centre project said: “In the last year, more than ever, we have recognised the global importance of vaccine research and how the UK plays a leading role.
“Now, we can take the opportunity of joining UK expertise with an international effort in the field of veterinary vaccines. The new facility – which BBSRC will co-fund – at the world-renowned Pirbright Institute, will be a shield and a sword against animal diseases that can devastate agriculture and infect human populations.”
Rodger Voorhies, President, Global Growth & Opportunity at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said: “We see this partnership as an exciting opportunity to build on British scientific excellence to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers in poor and marginalised communities around the globe, while protecting people everywhere from the increasing risk posed by zoonotic diseases.”
From Dumfries to Edinburgh and from Fife to the Isle of Harris, 33 Scots have been recognized for their services to public life in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.
Recipients include Glasgow-born singer Lulu for services to music, entertainment and charity, and Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Council (above).
Neil Berkett, Chair of the NSPCC, said: “Congratulations to Andrew for his OBE, his honour is so well deserved for a life time of public service. As an NSPCC Trustee he carries the voice of the child and young person in everything he does. His work as a trustee and as a member of our service delivery committee help us protect vulnerable children.”
Public health expert Prof. Linda Bauld, receives an OBE.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours are awarded annually to recognise the outstanding achievements of people right across the UK.
Commenting on this year’s awards, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours are a fitting tribute to those in Scotland and right across the UK who have done so much to get the country through the pandemic.
“That includes Ian McCubbin for his work on the vaccines taskforce, Professor Michael Barrett of the Glasgow Lighthouse covid testing lab, and former chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen.
“The honours list shows the wealth of talent in Scotland’s public life. From ophthalmologist Carrie MacEwen, to financial expert Anne Richards, and Edinburgh Council Chief Executive Andrew Kerr, a host of Scots are recognised for their contribution to Scottish society.
“Lulu’s award for services to entertainment is very welcome. Nothing short of a national treasure, Lulu has a special place in the hearts of many Scots.
“Her Majesty has also recognised the depth of dedication and commitment in local communities across the country, with awards for the unsung heroes up and down Scotland.
“My sincere congratulations go to all the Scots who have been honoured by Her Majesty.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also paid tribute to the Scottish recipients in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list.She said: “The Queen’s Birthday Honours recognise the outstanding contributions of the people of Scotland to communities throughout the country, and around the world.
“Their exceptional service and dedication in a range of fields including the arts, education, business, charity, community support, and science has provided countless benefits across society.
“I’m also pleased to see that many individuals who have helped our work to tackle the coronavirus pandemic have been recognised. I know we are all hugely grateful to each and every one of them, and it is right that their stellar efforts have been acknowledged in this way
“Our emergency services have always gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep people and communities across Scotland safe, and never more so than during these unprecedented times. I also want to extend my congratulations to those personnel who have been awarded The Queen’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals.”
‘Caring Nation’ at the centre of Queen’s Birthday Honours List
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 demonstrates the extraordinary efforts made by individuals in all four nations of the United Kingdom during the pandemic.
The List includes those who have worked throughout the crisis, putting others before themselves – from caring neighbours, frontline and community heroes, to those supporting the UK recovery.
The Birthday Honours List 2021 is the most ethnically diverse list to date, with 15% of recipients coming from an ethnic minority background.
In a year that has truly tested the resolve and determination of the country, almost 23% of recipients are recommended for COVID-19 service. These include recipients who have given charitable and voluntary support to communities, service in health and social care, and those who have provided critical infrastructure support.
Recognising the world-beating and extraordinary success of the UK’s vaccination programme, a damehood goes to Kate Bingham, lately Chair, Vaccine Taskforce, for services to the procurement, manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
A damehood also goes to Professor Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professor of Vaccinology at the Jenner Institute for her pivotal role in developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
A knighthood is given to Professor Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection, University of Oxford for services to Public Health particularly during COVID-19. CBEs are awarded to Ian McCubbin, Manufacturing Expert on the Vaccine Taskforce Steering Committee, Vaccine Taskforce and Mark Proctor, Global Supply Strategy Director at AstraZeneca. Divya Chadha Manek receives an OBE for her work in the research and development of vaccines and the resulting clinical trials.
This Honours List is an exemplary showcase of what a caring nation we are. British Empire Medals go to brother and sister John Brownhill and Amanda Guest, co-founders of Food4Heroes which delivered food from local chefs to those NHS frontline staff.
A BEM also goes to Rhys Mallows, 25 years old from South Glamorgan who repurposed his whiskey distillery to produce hand sanitiser and Mahtab Morovat for her work in supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic.
The majority of awards are for the contributions people have made in their communities. Of those receiving an award, 62% are recognised for their community work.
Leading a number of high impact contributions by younger people, the youngest recipient is 21 year old Amika George, founder of the #FreePeriods Campaign who receives an MBE for services to education. In campaigning against period poverty, she is joined on the List by friends Clegg Bamber and Anna Miles, also receiving MBEs for their work on the Red Box Project which has delivered free period products in schools across the country.
Singer Lulu receives a CBE for services to music, entertainment and charity, as does sport commentator Sue Barker for services to sport, broadcasting and charity, and former manager of Crystal Palace Football Club, Roy Hodgson for services to football.
Damehoods are awarded to Meg Hillier MP and Andrea Leadsom MP for their parliamentary and political service. Tony Lloyd MP receives a knighthood for parliamentary and public service.
In sport, Director of Rugby at Leeds Rhinos Kevin Sinfield receives an OBE for services to Rugby League Football and charitable fundraising for motor neuron disease. MBEs are also awarded to England footballers Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling for services to charity and racial equality in sport respectively.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: The Queen’s Birthday Honours allow us to pay tribute to all those who have gone above and beyond in their service to this country.
“Throughout the pandemic we have seen countless examples of every day heroes. From those using their expertise to help develop life-saving vaccines, which are now being rolled out successfully to all parts of the UK, to the people who have given time and energy to care for their communities.
“We should take heart from the stories of those receiving honours today and be inspired by their courage and kindness. May they be a reminder of all that we can achieve when we come together as a society.”
The honours system ‘strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society’. Of the 1,129 people who receive an award:
986 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:
323 at BEM
457 at MBE
206 at OBE
695 (62%) of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;
567 women are recognised in the List, representing 50% of the total (39% of recipients at CBE level and above are women);
15% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:
6.8% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;
4.2% of recipients are from a Black ethnic group;
3.3% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;
0.7% of recipients come from another ethnic background;
9% of the successful candidates are disabled or have a long-term health condition;
17.3% of recipients considered themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background; and
5% of recipients are LGBT.
A further breakdown of the diversity statistics will be available at the new dedicated honours website honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk which has been launched to improve accessibility, transparency and inclusivity of the honours system.
The full Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 can be found here.
Over one billion children in the world’s poorest countries will see a transformation in their educational opportunities thanks to £430 million of new UK aid announced by the Prime Minister today.
PM used first session of the G7 Summit to rally world leaders to build back better
£430 million of new UK aid announced to get world’s most vulnerable children, particularly girls, into school
Next month Global Education Summit will take place in London to raise further funding
Over one billion children in the world’s poorest countries will see a transformation in their educational opportunities thanks to £430 million of new UK aid announced by the Prime Minister today (Friday 11th June).
In this afternoon’s first session of the UK’s G7 Summit, leaders discussed how to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic in a way that creates opportunities for everyone. Ensuring all girls get a quality education is central to that goal.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused an unprecedented global education crisis, with 1.6 billion children around the world out of school at its height. Girls have been hardest hit as the pandemic compounded the obstacles to education girls already face, including poverty, gender-based violence and child marriage.
The support announced by the UK today will go to the Global Partnership for Education, the largest fund dedicated to education in developing countries.
Since it was established in 2002 GPE has contributed to the largest expansion of primary and lower secondary schooling in history, getting 160 million more children into school. In countries where GPE works the number of girls enrolling in school has increased by 65 per cent.
Next month the UK and Kenya will co-host the Global Education Summit in London which aims to help raise $5 billion to support the work of the GPE over the next five years. The funding boost pledged by the UK and other G7 countries will go a considerable way towards achieving this goal.
Getting girls into school is one of the easiest ways to lift countries out of poverty and help them rebound from the coronavirus crisis – a child whose mother can read is twice as likely to go to school themselves and 50% more likely to be immunised. With just one additional school year, a woman’s earnings can increase by a fifth.
Supporting girls’ education is therefore a cornerstone of the UK’s G7 Presidency. Today G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to targets set at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in May to get 40 million more girls into school and 20 million more girls reading by the age of 10 in the next five years. The work of the GPE will be instrumental in helping achieve those targets.
Today the Prime Minister called on fellow leaders to make their own major commitments to achieve these targets, as well as the ambition to ensure every girl in the world receives 12 years of quality education.
Italy and the European Commission have already made pledges of €25 million and €700 million respectively to GPE and further announcements on funding are expected from G7 partners in the coming days.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The best way we can lift countries out of poverty and lead a global recovery is by investing in education and particularly girls’ education.
“It is a source of international shame that every day around the world children bursting with potential are denied the chance to become titans of industry, scientific pioneers or leaders in any field, purely because they are female, their parents’ income or the place they were born.
“I am calling on other world leaders, including those here at the G7, to also donate and put us firmly on a path to get more girls into the classroom, address the terrible setback to global education caused by coronavirus and help the world build back better.”
The £430m of new aid funding announced today will go towards GPE’s work in 90 lower-income countries that are home to 1.1 billion children over the next five years. In time GPE aim to train 2.2 million more teachers, build 78,000 new classrooms and buy 512 million textbooks.
This funding pledge for the Global Partnership for Education is separate to the £400m of UK aid which will be spent this year on bilateral efforts to increase girls’ access to education.
World Gin Day takes place this Saturday (12th June) and Morrisons has everything gin lovers need to celebrate.
There are deals in store and online on a range of classic and flavoured gins – most of these last until Sunday, so customers will need to grab them before they’re gone. These include the likes of Beefeater Blood Orange Gin (£14 down from £18) and Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin (£23 down from £28).
Morrisons The Best London Dry Gin (£15.50) has recently been Good Housekeeping Taste Test Approved, so is therefore the perfect choice for those after a great quality classic.
Engineers from SP Energy Networks will be working through the night this weekend to install new electricity poles across the M8 to ensure a safe and resilient electricity supply for customers in the Newbridge area.
The vital poles going across the M8 near Newbridge will replace the ones currently in position that are beginning to degrade in places. The works will take place overnight this Saturday (12 June) from 10pm until 7am on Sunday (13 June) just near Birdsmill.
While the works are undertaken, the stretch of the M8 between Junction 2 and 3 will be closed in both eastbound and westbound directions. A signposted diversion will be in place via the A89 and A899.
Ross Galbraith, District Manager for Central and Fife at SP Energy Networks, said: “Overhead power lines and poles are vital to our network and by replacing them we can ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of electricity to thousands of customers across Newbridge.
“We’ll be working through the night this weekend to keep disruption to a minimum but we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience our repair works cause and thank motorway users for their patience as we carry out the necessary replacement work.
“We will be working as safely and quickly as possible to carry out the repairs and traffic management measures will be in place to ensure journeys are impacted as little as possible.”
To keep up to date with the latest information, please follow @SPEnergyNetwork on Twitter.
International students are to be included in the national coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has confirmed this will take place in line with guidelines from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the coming academic year (2021-22).
The move will both protect incoming students during their studies and prevent possible further transmission.
Mr Yousaf said: “There is a huge amount of work going on to ensure that everyone is able to get vaccinated. This is crucial to the success of the programme and our efforts to bring the virus under control.
“Based on the latest data, we estimate there could be around 65,000 international students studying in Scotland in the next academic year. I am pleased to confirm they will be included in our national vaccination programme.
“Of course many will be from countries where there is a mature vaccination system and they will already be fully or partially vaccinated. However, some may not yet have been vaccinated or may still require a second dose and we are currently working with the Universities and Colleges Scotland as well as local health boards to firm up plans for these students.
“We continue to urge everyone to take up their appointment for a vaccine when it is offered and remember the second dose offers greater and longer protection against the virus.”
Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “International students are an integral part of Scotland’s university community. As a part of that community, it’s absolutely vital that they have the same entitlement to a COVID-19 vaccination as other students and we welcome the clarity for international students that the Scottish Government has provided.
“Vaccination is the best route back to normality. For international students arriving in Scotland over the coming months, it is crucial that they know that they will receive all the help they require to stay safe during these uncertain times. Being eligible for a vaccine is an important part of that sense of security and wellbeing.”
Colleges Scotland Chief Executive Shona Struthers said: “We’re pleased to see the expansion of the vaccination programme to international students.
“Colleges welcome international students from around the world every year – we want them to feel safe and protected while they live and study in Scotland, and the community around them to be confident that students have had the opportunity to be vaccinated while they are in Scotland.”
A NEW campaign, Our Isles and Oceans, has launched in Scotland today, which will create funded programmes for young people affected by the pandemic and lockdown.
The Our Isles and Oceans’ mission statement is ‘Youth Opportunity and Professional Development for Sustainable Livelihoods’ and it intends, through the vehicle of sport and business, to highlight the importance of a sustainable future for the next generation, through activities and partnerships with sustainable organisations and enterprises.
The cornerstone of the project will be a partnership with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Through this partnership, Our Isles and Oceans and the Clipper Race will be providing funded sailing programmes for young people to learn to sail on the West Coast of Scotland.
Our Isles and Oceans is calling for 18-to-35 year-olds to apply to its initiative, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on the age group’s education and employment opportunities over the last 15 months.
The charity, Young Minds, ran a survey earlier this year and found that 67 per cent of young people believe that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health. Our Isles and Oceans aims to provide positive experiences for these young people.
This new project will create social benefits and business growth in the UK, develop enriching participatory events, and spread positivity and inclusion throughout the British Isles.
Through the programmes, businesses will work with young people to provide opportunities for professional development and will focus on building confidence and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This will be a training atmosphere where individuals will gain life experiences and will be fun, exciting and unique.
The Clipper Race is one of the only events of its kind which offers everyday people the opportunity to train to become ocean racing sailors. The confidence built and the skills learnt through the sport of sailing can be transferred from on deck to the workplace which is why the first Our Isles and Oceans programme to launch will take place on a Clipper Race yacht.
This summer, along the west coast of Scotland, up to 50 successful candidates will take part in a funded sailing course on board an Our Isles and Oceans-branded (68ft) Clipper Race training yacht.
Under the guidance of a Clipper Race training skipper, each group of recruits will be challenged to learn new practical skills, develop their self-belief and work as a team.
In addition, ten of these recruits will then be offered the opportunity to apply for an additional four weeks of intensive ocean racing training, to be held at the Clipper Race Training HQ in Gosport, Hampshire.
If successful, they would receive a funded place on board the (70ft) Our Isles and Oceans team entry which will be competing in the Clipper 2023-24 Race. Each recruit would complete one leg of the Clipper Race circumnavigation.
Taking part in this endurance challenge would see them face oceans such as the North Pacific, North or South Atlantic and Southern Ocean, carrying the message of Our Isles and Oceans from a national to a global stage. The Our Isles and Oceans team will compete alongside other organisations and cities and will visit notable ports across the world.
With young people being particularly impacted this past year, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world and co-founder of the Clipper Race, hopes this new programme will make a positive change in the successful candidates’ lives.
He said: “Sailing is so much more than just a sport or pastime as it gives you experience that is as useful in the workplace as it is on board a yacht. The sport develops self-confidence and self-esteem which is so important to restore following the pandemic.
“Everything you do on board a sailing boat is practical and I feel practical skills have somewhat been lost over the years. Knot tying is one of the obvious skills that will be learnt but the crew will also start to understand the weather, the enormity of the sea and how to cope with them both.
“Problem-solving is key to sail training, as is leadership and teamwork. You’ll often find young people are judged too early. Putting them on a yacht, with a team, is a great equaliser. You’ll see things are picked up quickly and as each challenge is overcome, confidence grows, with a new belief in themselves that they can achieve anything.”
Recruitment for the Our Isles and Oceans campaign opens today.
Applicants aged 18-35 can apply through www.ourislesandoceans.co.uk. The focus of recruitment will not be based on past job or work experience but will instead be based on an applicant’s ambition to take part in this special programme. The campaign is looking to assist people who may think opportunities such as these are out of their reach.
Our Isles and Oceans founder, David Stewart Howitt, explains: “In these challenging times, Our Isles and Oceans seeks to bring together the powerful forces of business and sport to offer an inspiring opportunity for the youth of today.
“Our Isles and Oceans will offer applicants the chance to learn from experienced professionals and to push themselves outside their comfort zone to equip them for the challenges of today’s marketplace.
“Outwardly focused and with a relentlessly positive approach, we at Our Isles and Oceans believe that there is opportunity for all given the right chance. We also want to bring awareness to the plight of the oceans and to promote the importance of sustainable livelihoods.”
The Our Isles and Oceans campaign begins with the first series of sailing programmes in July 2021.
Edinburgh’s favourite adult-only alternative night out, Fore Play Crazy Golf has today unveiled an exciting new street food and cocktail menu, including a Euros-inspired Scottish serve, to kick off summer.
Fore Play Crazy Golf believes that life’s happiest moments are found in the exceptional experiences we share with others. While they won’t be showing the football, you can still join the fun and show your support for our national team by sipping on their ‘Yes sir, I can bogie’ bevvie at the end of a round of crazy golf in their clubhouse bar, or sun-soaked cocktail garden.
The patriotic blue and white showstopping serve features blood orange gin, Blue Curacao liqueur, and is topped with white cotton candy clouds. The refreshing drink features on their new cocktail menu which is now available to enjoy.
Other quirky concoctions to try include a sweet Water(melon) Hazard – made with Midori liqueur and their blend of sweet and sour syrup, Snake in the Rough with Disaronno Originale liqueur, WKD Original Vodka and orange juice, and a delicious 5 Irn-egroni with Pickering’s Original 1947 gin, Campari and the OG Irn Bru.
Meanwhile, in their kitchen, street food kings The Pitt have created a new global-inspired summer menu to tantalize your taste buds complete with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
There’s a sweet and sticky Duck Bahn Mi with locally-sourced baked milk bun, duck liver pate, crispy aromatic duck, Asian slaw, pickled vegetables, sriracha mayo, lime coriander and crushed salted peanuts.
Go meat-free with their BBQ pulled jackfruit taco with marinated and stewed young jackfruit, mango salsa, coriander and pickled cabbage, or switch it up with locally-sourced white coley, avocado guacamole, iceberg lettuce, parsley cream, lemon and sriracha mayo.
Veggie fans will love their Korean BBQ mushroom Asian noodle salad, and of course, there are house favourites on there like their Buffalo cauliflower wings with shaved spring onions, lime and chilli flakes if you like things hot.
The Edinburgh venue, which recently opened their stunning cocktail garden seating up to 70 people, is the perfect destination for having fun this summer. They’ve also got great local independents available from their bars, including craft beers and ales from Edinburgh Beer Factory.
From sipping on their playful cocktails, enjoying street food to tackling their signature crazy golf courses, you’re guaranteed to leave happy after your time on and off the green.
Craig Neilson, Chief Greenkeeper at Fore Play Crazy Golfsaid: “It’s been a tough few months and we could not have come back swinging without our incredible customers and the support of the Edinburgh community. We think it’s high time to celebrate the beginning of a much anticipated, very Scottish summer.
“We’ve gone all out with our new summer drinks, there’s something for everyone on there and it wouldn’t be complete without our homage to Scotland!”
The new cocktail menu goes live today – Friday 11th June.
