Figures show that 21 per cent of those killed on Scotland’s roads over a five-year period were not wearing a seatbelt1 and research demonstrates that wearing a seatbelt reduces both fatal and non-fatal injuries in front and back-seat passengers.
Despite this, 11 per cent of drivers admitted to not always wearing a seatbelt in the front or back of the car, while around one in five drivers (18 per cent) said they don’t think it’s important to wear a seatbelt in the back.2
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Fastening your seatbelt is one of the simplest actions you can take to protect yourself and others. In a collision, failing to wear a seatbelt can have devastating consequences – not only for the driver and passengers but for your loved ones.
“This campaign serves as an essential reminder to anyone travelling in a car: a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death and it’s not just you who gets hurt. Make it a habit on every journey.”
The campaign stresses the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times – regardless of time of day, length of journey, and whether you are driving on busy or quiet roads. It also reminds people that it is a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt while traveling in a taxi or private hire vehicle.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Wearing a seatbelt isn’t optional, it’s the law. Our officers will engage with and educate drivers and passengers on the importance of seatbelts, but we will also continue to take appropriate enforcement action, with those caught not wearing a seatbelt facing a fine up to £500.
“Drivers should also remember they are legally responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are using their seatbelts, with fines issued for every child not properly restrained.
“The evidence is clear – seatbelts reduce injuries and save lives. Don’t take an unnecessary risk – wear a seatbelt every time you travel.”
The campaign will run across streaming services, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels.
Hundreds of creative businesses and projects across the UK are to receive government funding to help them grow as part of a major boost to the economy – marking the first step of the Government’s Sector Plan for the creative industries.
Culture Secretary hosts major economic growth summit in Gateshead for creative industries and announces key priority areas
Marks first step towards delivering Sector Plan, as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy
£60 million package of support to drive growth, including £40 million investment for start-up video game studios, British music and film exports and creative businesses outside of London
British Business Bank will increase its support for the sector to help the UK’s Creative Industries realise their full growth potential, while government also launches Soft Power Council to drive investment
Hundreds of creative businesses and projects across the UK are to receive government funding to help them grow as part of a major boost to the economy – marking the first step of the Government’s Sector Plan for the creative industries.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is bringing together more than 250 creative businesses and cultural leaders at the The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, in Gateshead today. As part of its modern Industrial Strategy, she will set out how the Government will work together with the sector to increase growth and investment, starting with a £60 million package of government support.
This includes investments for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues and creative businesses to boost British music and film exports, which will facilitate investment and innovation in communities, in turn supporting businesses and employment.
Growth is the number one mission of the Government’s Plan for Change, so we can put more money in people’s pockets. Today’s summit is the first step towards delivering the Creative Industry Sector Plan, as part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will set out the enormous growth potential of the sector and where the biggest opportunities are at home and in new markets abroad.
It will identify what key barriers are currently holding back the sector’s growth potential, and government and industry’s shared commitment to overcoming them, laying the groundwork for the publication of the full Creative Industries Sector Plan in the spring.
At the summit, the Culture Secretary will also announce that the priority regions for Creative Industries are the North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Greater London, West of England, South Wales, Glasgow, Edinburgh-Dundee corridor, and Belfast.
Alongside this, the Government will provide additional funding, to be agreed as part of the Spending Review, to six Mayoral Combined Authorities (North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, West of England) . This will maximise the strengths of these areas to deliver growth and builds upon progress to provide an attractive business environment and encourage strong, continued investment in the creative industries for years to come.
As the Government ramps up support for the sector, the Culture Secretary will also announce that we will bring forward changes so that shorter apprenticeships are available from August 2025, recognising the particular needs of the creative industries, as one of our first steps towards a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy. The government is working with industry, including through a Creative Industries Taskforce chaired by Baroness Shriti Vadera and Sir Peter Bazalgette, on the sector plan and there will be more detail and policy announcements made in the months ahead.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “From film and fashion to music and advertising, our creative industries are truly world-class and play a critical role in helping us deliver on this Government’s mission to drive economic growth in all parts of the UK.
“Our £60 million funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country.
“But this is by no means the limit of our ambitions, which is why the creative industries are at the heart of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and will continue to play a key part in this Government’s Plan for Change.”
The Government will create the most attractive business environment to encourage strong, continued investment in the creative industries for years to come. The Government will design the sector plan with business, who have set out the barriers to growth, including skills and access to finance.
The Government will design the sector plan with business, who have set out the barriers to growth, including skills and access to finance. As a result the Government is also making a significant signal of intent ahead of the Spending Review by announcing positive changes to the way the British Business Bank, UK Research and Innovation and skills policy will prioritise the Creative Industries.
The British Business Bank, which supports £17.4 billion of finance to over 64,000 smaller businesses, has committed to increase its support for creative businesses to access the finance they need to grow.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Our number one mission is to grow the economy and our creative industries are a British success story with a big part to play.
Building on our plans to boost our AI sector, this is another step as we go further and faster to deliver growth so we can put more money in people’s pockets.”
Today’s summit comes as the Culture Secretary and Foreign Secretary David Lammy also confirmed the membership of a new Soft Power Council. The council will act as an advisory board to the UK Government and will bring together soft power and foreign policy experts to champion the UK abroad, and drive investment and growth at home.
Members include former rower and chair of UK Sport Katherine Grainger, former athlete and television presenter Baroness Grey-Thompson and V&A director Tristram Hunt.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Soft power is fundamental to the UK’s impact and reputation around the world. I am often struck by the enormous love and respect which our music, sport and educational institutions generate on every continent.
“But we have not taken a sufficiently strategic approach to these huge assets as a country. Harnessing soft power effectively can help to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.
“That is why I have created the Soft Power Council to channel British expertise as we look to re-imagine Britain’s role on the world stage, reinvigorate alliances and forge new partnerships.”
To attendees and those who wished to be kept in touch about conference developments:
Hi,
Thank you for attending the workshop on Saturday or for expressing an interest in campaign developments. We will produce a written report on the conclusions arising out of the discussion at the plenary session of the workshop.
Attached is the agenda for the workshop on Saturday,
One of the key issues to be discussed at the workshop is the City Council’s response to the proposed cut in funding to third sector organisations.
The cut will take effect on 30/6/25. However, we understand that Council action to mitigate the effects of the cuts will be discussed during the Council’s budget setting meeting on 20/2/25.
There may need to be a lobby of the Council meeting.
Regards,
Des Loughney Secretary Edinburgh TUC
EDINBURGH SOCIAL CARE CAMPAIGN – THE WAY FORWARD
Unitecd Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
Workshop Saturday 18th January 2025
AGENDA
Chair: Ian Mullen (UNISON City of Edinburgh Council Branch)
9.30 am – 10.00 am: Tea/ coffee and biscuits.
10.00 am – 11 am. Introduction to workshop
Des Loughney – Secretary, UNITE Edinburgh Not For Profit Branch (1)
Councillor Tim Pogson – Vice Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (2)
Denise Ritchie: Fair Work Project Officer, Scottish Trades Union Congress (3)
Linda Sommerville: Deputy General Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress. (3)
11am to 12.30pm Working Groups ( two)
12.30 pm to 1.00 pm – Plenary Session and summing up.
Speakers:
Des Loughney will comment on the impact of the proposed EIJB cuts on services and third sector worker terms and conditions. The impact includes compulsory redundancies and downgrading of contracts of employment from guaranteed working weeks to zero hour contracts,
Councillor Tim Pogson will update us on the response of the Council to the proposed EIJB cuts. The City Council is seeking to mitigate the impact of the cuts on the third sector.
Denise Ritchie and Linda Sommervile will brief the workshop on proposed campaigning activity at a local level and a Scottish level.
Police are appealing for information to help trace a missing family in the Edinburgh area.
Bahara Denisa Baci, a 13-year-old girl, Shakira Baci a 7-year-old girl and Umut-yronn Saban, an 11-month-old boy were last seen around 12.30pm yesterday – Thursday, 16 January – in the Captain’s Road area.
All three are understood to be in the company of their mother, Narcisca Baci, aged 28 and their father Serbanica-Ibram Saban aged 32, who are also missing.
Superintendent Murray Tait said: “Our concern for the family is growing and we would urge anyone who has information on their whereabouts to contact police urgently.
“We believe the children and their parents are together but we want to ensure they are safe and well.
“If anyone sees any of the family or knows their whereabouts, please contact Police Scotland urgently on 101, quoting incident number 1380 of 16 January, 2024.”
HealthCare in Mind, a new dedicated service offering private autism, ADHD and mental health assessment treatments and therapies, has launched in Edinburgh to improve access to high quality mental health diagnoses and address the growing wait times for critical mental health support.
With average NHS wait times for autism and ADHD assessments reaching one to two years across the country, HealthCare In Mind provides a much-needed alternative for families and individuals seeking answers and support. The service is now live in Edinburgh and will allow patients to access care instantly through both remote and in-person appointments to suit their needs.
HealthCare in Mind offers a range of mental health services, including fully comprehensive diagnostic assessments for both children and adults, and therapy treatments to manage mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and mood disorders.
HealthCare In Mind is led by Dr Simon Le Clerc MStJ, and Dr Kate Higham, alongside an expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists to provide instant access to the highest quality care to those in need.
Dr Simon Le Clerc commented: “Cases of adults and children seeking answers about their mental health, and the way they experience the world have risen dramatically in Edinburgh, and NHS waiting lists are struggling to keep up.
“It is not uncommon for wait times of up to a year for a first appointment for ADHD, autism and mental health assessments, and after assessment there are further waiting lists for accessing therapy treatments to help people manage their conditions.
“By offering private, tailored neurodiversity assessments, we can offer an option to families and individuals in need of a quicker solution. Our ambition for the future is to work with the NHS to support with clearing the waiting lists, but our service is also available for those in need today.”
With Dry January in full swing, many are swapping alcohol for healthier alternatives like protein shakes to support their wellbeing goals. But could your daily shake be secretly sabotaging your oral health?
Nina Gonzero, an oral specialist at Avangart Dental Clinic, warns that some popular protein drinks may harm your teeth and breath more than you realise.
The Hidden Oral Health Risks of Protein Shakes
While protein shakes are praised for their convenience and nutritional benefits, they often contain sugars, acidic ingredients, and artificial sweeteners that can negatively impact oral hygiene. The sugars feed bacteria in the mouth, leading to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and even persistent bad breath.
“People often sip protein shakes throughout the day, unknowingly exposing their teeth to a prolonged acidic environment,” says Nina Gonzero. “This not only weakens enamel but also contributes to dry mouth, which makes bad breath worse.”
Why Your Breath Might Suffer
Protein itself can be a culprit when it comes to bad breath. As the body breaks down protein, it produces sulphur compounds that can linger in the mouth, creating unpleasant odours. Coupled with a lack of hydration and sugary additives, protein shakes can quickly become a double threat to oral health.
Top Tips for Protecting Your Smile While Staying Healthy
Rinse with Water: Drink water immediately after your shake to wash away residues.
Avoid Sugary Shakes: Opt for low-sugar or unsweetened protein powders to reduce bacteria-feeding sugars.
Brush and Floss: Maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine, especially after consuming shakes.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum: This helps stimulate saliva production and neutralise acids in the mouth.
Use a Straw: Minimise contact with teeth by drinking through a straw.
Balancing Wellbeing and Oral Health
As people strive to prioritise health and fitness this January, it’s crucial to maintain a balance that also protects your teeth. “Protein shakes can absolutely fit into a healthy lifestyle,” Gonzero adds. “The key is to be mindful of their effects on oral health and take simple steps to mitigate any risks.”
Chief Constable Jo Farrell and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Stuart Stevens met at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, this week.
The meeting was the first since Chief Officer Stevens took command of the SFRS in November 2024 and covered collaborative opportunities, as well as ongoing and recent partnership working, including Operation Moonbeam.
Chief Officer Stevens said: “I was delighted to meet with Chief Constable Farrell. Protecting communities across Scotland remains at the heart of everything we do, and we strongly value our close working relationship with Police Scotland.
“I look forward to working together with police colleagues to explore and enhance further collaboration in the future, while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our staff and the public we serve.”
Chief Constable Farrell said: “I’m grateful to Stuart for his ongoing commitment to meeting collective challenges and working together to deliver for communities as part of what is a key partnership for policing.”
Bill passed to strengthen public confidence in the service
A Bill to further improve police complaints and police conduct procedures has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill will ensure allegations of misconduct among police officers and staff are dealt with more transparently and effectively.
When implemented, the legislation will mean that officers accused of gross misconduct who retire or resign from the service can still face misconduct proceedings. Those found guilty will be placed on barred lists and prohibited from being re-employed in policing.
A crucial element of the Bill relates to the ongoing vetting of police officers and staff. The new law will see mean that vetting procedures are placed on a statutory footing, that vetting is maintained throughout a career, and that the Chief Constable is given powers to remove officers and staff who cannot maintain their vetting clearance. All police officers and staff will have to go through a structured regime of on-going vetting that will continue throughout their professional life.
The new arrangements will be underpinned by a statutory Code of Ethics which sets out expectations of behaviour. To oversee these standards, the role of the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) will be significantly enhanced.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Scotland is well served by the exceptional dedication and commitment of our police officers. It is an incredibly difficult frontline job and police officers and staff conduct themselves with integrity, and I am grateful to them for all they do to keep communities safe.
“It is vital, however, that where any officer falls below the standards expected, there are robust and transparent mechanisms in place to hold them to account. This Bill will mean that officers accused of gross misconduct can still face proceedings even if they leave the service.
“The public and police officers also need a vetting system they can have full confidence in, and this Bill gives the Chief Constable more powers to remove officers and staff who cannot maintain their vetting clearance.
“The measures in the Bill build on significant improvements to good practice within Police Scotland’s vetting unit which have been recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), and will further strengthen public confidence and trust in policing.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has welcomed a deal which will almost restore the workforce lost at the site of the old Michelin tyre factory in Dundee.
Advanced textiles manufacturer Wilkie has become the major shareholder in the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, planning to invest up to £50 million and triple its workforce to 600. This will be in addition to just under 200 staff already on site at MSIP.
When the Michelin tyre factory closed down in 2020 with 850 jobs lost, the Scottish Government began working to retain the site as an economic hub which would bring jobs back to the region.
Ministers played a leading role in putting together a partnership with Michelin, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise which invested almost £50 million to create the Parc.
Since it opened, MSIP has become a centre for innovation and skills with 16 tenant companies and 190 workers. It includes an Innovation Hub and Labs and a Skills Academy led by Dundee and Angus College. The Parc has also supported 53 new businesses through its Innovator Accelerator programme, creating more than 80 jobs elsewhere.
On a visit to the Parc with Wilkie CEO Hamish Rowan and General Manager John Reid, the Deputy First Minister said: “When Michelin closed the doors on its tyre factory, the Scottish Government promised to reinvest in the site’s economic future. We hoped that we’d be in the position we find ourselves in today, bringing in a major employer like Wilkie with a strong Scottish heritage.
“Dundee has long been known as the home of industry, and I consider myself fortunate in having seen Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc’s transition from a spark of an idea to the business community we see today, connecting industry trailblazers with academia to bring about greener economic growth across the country.
“Wilkie will guide MSIP into its future as a major centre for manufacturing, while continuing to work with companies focused on sustainable innovation and decarbonisation.”
Scottish Enterprise is staying on as a minority shareholder to work with Wilkie, which will be relocating from its current base in Kirriemuir where it employs around 200 workers.
Wilkie has made clear its focus on expansion and that current employees are a critical part of its success. Transport will be provided for the workforce to commute to Dundee. The Scottish Government will work to support the workforce and the wider community as this transition takes place.
Braw Beard, Scotland’s pioneering beard care company, is thrilled to announce the return of its celebrated Beard and Moustache International Championship. The 7th annual event will take place on Saturday, 15th February 2025, at the iconic Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.
Next month, we will see the Beard Festival upgrade to a 2 day event called the Braw Beard Weekender for the first time.
Night 1 on Friday, 14th February, will feature a live in-person chat show hosted by comedian Billy Kirkwood and Braw Beard founder John Jackson with four special guests:
• International and Isle of Man TT motorcycle racer Jamie Coward • Professional wrestler and actor Jack Jester • Musician, Cammy Barnes • Artist and author, Tragic O’Hara
Night 2 on Saturday, 15th February, will showcase the beard and moustache competition with 13 categories, the Best Fake Beard and the Over 12” Beard and Freestyle categories continue to be crowd favourites, showcasing incredible creativity and grooming skills.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 championship is set to feature a diverse international line-up, with competitors hailing from the USA, Germany, Belgium, and Norway. This global participation underscores the event’s stature as a not-to-miss gathering in the international beard and moustache community.
Braw Beard continues its tradition of supporting meaningful causes, partnering with Chris’s House Suicide Awareness charity for the 3rd time, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility.
Chris’s House said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the Charity to benefit from your annual raffle. We are a small charity that relies solely on donations, this means that every penny raised is vital to ensure that our services continue to run supporting the local community.”
The championship will culminate with a live music performance by the popular Scottish rock band, In Charge. In addition, attendees can look forward to exclusive products: a limited edition Braw Beard oil, with only 100 individually numbered bottles available, and a unique Brawtherhood lager, a collaboration between Braw Beard and Drygate Brewery.
John Jackson, the founder of Braw Beard and the brainchild behind the championships, maintains his pivotal role in orchestrating the event.
This year, the festivities will be hosted by renowned Scottish comedian Billy Kirkwood, guaranteeing an atmosphere filled with humour and camaraderie.
Tickets for the championship are selling fast and are expected to be a sell-out, mirroring the success of previous years. Interested attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets promptly at www.thebrawbmc.com
The Braw Beard and Moustache Championship is renowned for its relaxed, fun, and feel-good atmosphere, making it a unique and anticipated event in Scotland’s cultural calendar.
