This month marks a true milestone for the UK benefits system: the end of the thirteen-year rollout of Universal Credit that has brought together all means-tested working-age benefits.
This moment is an opportunity to consider how the system can be improved
Almost 88% of Scottish parents say they turn to the internet to decode how their child sees the world, with the most obscure and quirky searches revealed. These queries include ‘why do kids say 6 7?’, ‘why do kids eat sponges?’, ‘why do kids like sitting in a box?’ and ‘do kids naturally hate vegetables?’.
A massive 79% of parents in Scotland struggle to understand their child’s weird and wonderful world, according to the research. However, the eye care experts at Specsavers, who commissioned the study, warn that a crucial topic is being missed – with 6% of parents seeking advice on their child’s vision.
When it comes to their child’s physical health, 90% of Scots have searched for answers online, with most common themes including high temperatures (47%), developmental milestones (41%), rashes or skin conditions (35%), or eating habits and nutrition (24%). Yet only 6% have ever sought advice about ways to improve kids’ eyesight.
Of those who haven’t, many say it’s because they didn’t spot vision problems in their child (32%) or believe their child is too young for it to be a concern (9%). Dr Nigel Best, Optometrist from Specsavers, highlights that children often don’t report vision issues because they assume what they see is normal – and regular eye tests are recommended from the age of three.
Child psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, adds: ‘It’s not surprising parents are turning to search engines to help navigate the many questions that come with raising children – from behaviour and development to the often weird and wonderful things kids say or do.
“Children are curious and imaginative, and this plays a vital role in how they learn, explore and build confidence. Because so much of that discovery is visual, clear vision is crucial to their development.
“In all areas of life, and the classroom especially, clear vision is fundamental. Being able to see and focus underpins learning; when vision is affected, it can influence a child’s attention, engagement and behaviour. That’s why parents should prioritise eye health as an important part of their child’s overall wellbeing.’
The survey uncovers what Scottish parents search for most, with more 32% saying they search about their child’s habits or routines, 33% question whether certain behaviours of their child are common. Interestingly, while 88% admit their online searches regularly start with “Is it normal for my child to…”.
When it comes to their child’s eye health, 23% of Scottish parents are not aware of any common eyesight issues which can affect children, such as short-sightedness or lazy eyes (amblyopia). Worryingly, 9% of those polled, have never taken their child for an eye test, while 2% haven’t done so within the last two years.
The main reason for this was simply because their child hasn’t complained about their vision (26%), with 16% saying they would make an appointment if there appeared to be an issue.
Dr Nigel Best, Optometrist from Specsavers, says: ‘This research proves how easy it is to overlook a child’s eye health unless obvious symptoms appear. But that’s why being proactive is so important.
“Regular eye tests can identify issues early – often before a child realises anything is wrong. What many parents may not realise is that many sight conditions, such as myopia in kids, can be managed or corrected if they’re detected before the age of eight, while vision is still developing.’
The research aims to encourage parents to prioritise their children’s eye health and reveals how children’s sight problems are going unnoticed. In fact, around 1 in 5 children under 10 experience sight conditions according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists* – which is up to 1.6 million children in the UK.
Book your child’s NHS-funded eye test at Specsavers.co.uk for children under 16.
TOP 20 QUIRKY SEARCH TERMS ASKED BY SCOTTISH PARENTS
Foundations have been laid on the next phase of the Powderhall regeneration, marking significant progress in delivering new homes and an educational facility as part of the long-term transformation of the former waste transfer station, bowling greens and adjacent stables sites.
Above-ground construction is now underway on the former bowling greens site, where contractors CCG (Scotland) are installing substructures, foundations and drainage.
This phase will deliver 27 council homes for older people alongside a 128-place early years centre and improvements to St Mark’s Path which is part of QuietRoute 20. The homes will deliver much needed affordable housing in the city centre including 19 wheelchair adapted homes which there is an acute shortage of across the city.
The new nursery, which will be managed by Broughton Primary School, is part of the city’s expansion of early learning and childcare provision and will increase the accessibility, affordability, flexibility and quality of funded early learning and childcare places to meet the needs of the local community.
The regeneration of Powderhall also includes the restoration of the historic Powderhall Stables into flexible workspace and artist studios, which is due to open soon, and upgrades to the Broughton Road and McDonald Road junction.
The final phase of the project will redevelop the former waste transfer station site where over 200 new affordable and private homes, as well as a new civic square on Broughton Road, will be built.
The complete redevelopment of Powderhall will create a new residential neighbourhood alongside community facilities, green space and improved walking and cycling routes completing the transformation of Powderhall into a vibrant new neighbourhood.
The development received a £1.4m funding boost from the Scottish Government through the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This is a very exciting moment for the Powderhall regeneration. Seeing foundations now laid for the next phase marks real progress in delivering more homes our city urgently needs.
“I am looking forward to seeing the new affordable homes and early years centre take shape. Once all phases of Powderhall are complete there will be more than 200 homes alongside new community facilities and green space. This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new neighbourhood for people to live and thrive in.
“Two years on from declaring a housing emergency, we know we must keep pushing forward with solutions to deliver more housing at pace. Plans to regenerate city centre brownfield sites such as the former waste transfer station will form part of this.”
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Powderhall will soon become a valued asset for Canonmills. Not only will it help to address the growing demand for amenity housing and nursery spaces, but its delivery will also help to create a lasting positive legacy for the wider community, far beyond bricks and mortar.
“Six new jobs, one trade apprenticeship and 13 work placements are set to be created, alongside £7,500 of investment and a commitment to undertake 50 volunteering days in support of Broughton Primary School.
“We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing how construction will take shape in the months ahead.”
MUIRHOUSE MILLENNIUM CENTRE 12- 2pm
Limited spaces available so please only book a space if your child is definitely able to make it as we don’t like to let kids down.
For Primary 1-7s
Spring is gathering pace and so is theSpaceUK’s 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, with a fresh wave of shows now on sale at at www.theSpaceUK.
Highlights Include:
Drama & Theatre
The theatre programme offers a powerful mix of historical insight, new writing and imaginative storytelling. Operation Market Garden (Inspired Theatre) draws on real wartime diaries to present a raw account of survival and captivity, while Against the Grain (Darren Katz) explores moral conflict during the Siege of Leningrad.
Contemporary voices come to the fore in Jessies (A bunch of Jessies ltd), charting queer life across fifteen pivotal years, and Woman Seeking Cuddles (The Robot Company), a darkly comic exploration of identity, grief and connection.
Inventive storytelling shapes productions such as O Brave New World, That Has Such People In’t! (Mulberry School for Girls), where a young girl navigates isolation through imagination, and Film Noir Frog (On The Fly Theatre), a surreal detective tale steeped in parody and intrigue.
Playful theatricality takes centre stage in The Great Shakespeare Showdown (Flying Solo! Presents), while boobytrapped offers a bold, body-swapping romantic comedy that confronts identity, prejudice and understanding with humour and heart.
And finally, join Liz, on her last morning at number 10 in The Last of Liz Truss? (Oxia Theatre) which comes to Edinburgh following a West End Transfer at The Other Palace.
Now in its third year, the LMA x theSpaceUK Graduate Scheme expands to five productions including The Woman in the Box, The Girls Who Made Us, Scallyw*nkers, Knot at the Moment and Bite, forming the first dedicated LMA/theSpaceUK season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and showcasing an exceptional new generation of theatre makers.
Music & Musicals
Musical storytelling takes many forms across this year’s programme. Heracles: Of Men and Beasts (The Barden Party) offers a striking folk musical reimagining of Greek mythology through live-looped soundscapes, while BeetleMania (LUU Musical Theatre) captures the spirit of 1960s pop culture through a comedic audition story.
In Pieces (Laura Sofia Productions) presents a contemporary song-cycle exploring love and self-discovery, while Trains in the Night (Maiden Mother Moan) delivers a tender, sapphic coming-of-age story filled with longing and connection.
Elsewhere, Earth to Squiggy (Radland Media) blends intergalactic adventure with rock and roll nostalgia, and Solo From the Pit (Teater KEF) sees a virtuoso trombonist reinterpreting opera through a unique mix of music and personal storytelling/
Music lovers can also experience the non-verbal vocal spectacle Boom Boom Battle of the Big Bad Bosses (Yat Po Singers Limited), the unpredictable showmanship of Frankie Mack: Wired Differently, and the deeply rooted storytelling of An Tinne (Anne Martin), which connects Scottish history with global migration through song.
Comedy
Absurdity and originality lead the charge in this year’s comedy line-up. Achtung! The Only Sauerkraut in Town (Jürgen Strack Productions) blends Bauhaus sensibilities with beer hall chaos in a sharply offbeat hour of storytelling and stand-up.
Elsewhere, This Little Thing of Ours (This Little Thing of Ours) delivers a mafia musical comedy packed with rivalries, family loyalties and unexpected falsettos.
Personal storytelling meets sharp observation in Theologist (Panad Productions), as Oli Riordan unpacks Catholicism with wit and irreverence, while Scallywankers (Surely Not Productions) offers a riotous, adult-only panto adventure full of audience interaction, reworked songs and unapologetically crude humour.
Children & Family
Family audiences are well catered for with a range of interactive and imaginative productions. Improv Banana – Kids Comedy (Taking Cover Ltd) invites young audiences to take part in a lively, supportive introduction to improvisation led by Roy “The Boy” Allaway.
CinderGorilla: The Musical (The Ministry of Mini Musicals) transforms a picture book into a one-performer, one-audience musical experience using live instruments and puppetry, while Beauty and the Beast (Flying High Expressive Arts CIC) brings fresh energy to the classic tale with original songs and a vibrant young cast.
Adventure awaits in The Hobbit (ETC), a dynamic retelling of Tolkien’s beloved story, combining stage combat, puppetry and original music to bring Middle-earth to life.
Cabaret & Variety
Cabaret this year is bold, playful and unapologetic. Mickey’s Uncut Hits: A Raunchy Cabaret (KAJOLE) reimagines familiar childhood songs into a cheeky, adult-only parody packed with audience interaction and irreverent humour.
For something more gently curious, Rainbows! (Tim Clarkson) blends live science demonstrations with storytelling in an autism-friendly exploration of colour and chemistry. Magic fans can choose between the clever deception of A Case for Magic (Robert Malissa Magician) or the deliberately outrageous 18+ Magic – The Magic Show Your Mum Shouldn’t See (Sean Alexander Productions), which returns following a sold-out debut.
Tickets for hundreds of shows across theSpaceUK’s 2026 programme are now available at www.theSpaceUK.com.
With new work arriving alongside returning favourites, this year’s Fringe promises a season full of discovery, creativity in an unforgettable Fringe.
Farmer Autocare has been acquired by Belfast-based Kerr’s Tyres Group, bringing together two family-run organisations with strong community roots and a shared long-standing commitment to looking after their customers and people.
Founded by Sir Tom Farmer in 2003, Farmer Autocare is recognised as one of Scotland’s most successful car maintenance and servicing businesses. The Company has grown rapidly over recent years and now operates 21 sites across Scotland, employing almost 200 people, many of whom have been with the Company since its beginning.
Strong staff retention, coupled with Farmer’s major focus on training and development, has created one of the most talented teams in the sector.
Farmer Autocare will continue to operate in Scotland under its existing management team, led by Managing Director, Colin McNeill, providing stability and continuity for both colleagues and customers.
Kerr’s Tyres Group was founded in 2002 by Norman Kerr in Antrim and has grown to be a trusted business with over 27 retail sites, a large commercial tyre business and a successful tyre distribution group. The retail business has a strong customer service focus providing tyres, services, maintenance and repair across Ireland.
Over the next five years Kerr’s Tyres Group plans to expand to 250 sites throughout the UK. Backed by its investors, Chiltern Capital, this expansion will be achieved by acquiring industry leading businesses, like Farmer Autocare, to create a national chain of centres.
A spokesperson for The Farmer Family said: “The Farmer Autocare business has been built and grown on the key principles that Sir Tom Farmer brought to the car maintenance and servicing sector over his sixty years in the business.
“Look after your customers by offering good value with excellent customer service and look after your people by giving them quality jobs and great opportunities.
“When Kerr’s Tyres Group approached us we quickly recognised a shared belief in how our businesses should operate and a natural fit between the two organisations.
“We also saw an opportunity to accelerate the expansion plans that were already in place for Farmer Autocare.
“There are tremendous prospects ahead for Farmer Autocare under the guidance of an experienced owner such as Norman Kerr with ambitious plans.
“This will be good for Scottish motorists and good for all colleagues at Farmer Autocare.”
Commenting on the acquisition, Norman Kerr, Founder and CEO of Kerr’s Tyres Group, said: “Farmer Autocare is an exceptional business, built on genuine care for customers and colleagues, values that very much mirror our own.
“We aim to continue delivering what makes Farmer Autocare so successful and share those best practices across Kerr’s Tyres Group, whilst providing operational scale to both businesses.
“Our growth and investment plans will create new opportunities for colleagues, while ensuring the Farmer Autocare standards and ways of working, are embedded as we expand.
“Together, we will help the business move forward without changing what makes it special.
“Having worked for Sir Tom Farmer much earlier in my career, it is an absolute privilege to build on what he created and help the team thrive for decades to come.
“Community matters to both of us and we understand the responsibility that comes with serving customers who rely on us every day.”
Looking ahead to the future, Colin McNeill, Managing Director of Farmer Autocare, said: “This is an incredibly exciting day for us all in Farmer Autocare.
“The Kerr’s Tyres Group investment creates tremendous opportunities for our people.
“Their ambitious growth plans for our already successful business, will mean we expand our centres even faster and offer our great value for money service to even more Scottish customers.”
TUC GUIDE
A further wave of employment rights introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 came into force yesterday (6 April).
Trade union campaigning has delivered a transformative package of new rights. The April changes will improve statutory sick pay for millions of workers, enable more working parents to take leave and give more workers a voice at work, by making it easier for unions to get recognised by employers for the purposes of representation and negotiation.
But changes delivered by the ERA will go much further than just these protections, with wide ranging new rights coming into force in a staggered timetable.
Further rights are scheduled to come into force on October 6 2026, with many more to follow in 2027.
Keep an eye on our Employment Rights Act homepage for further details.
Statutory sick pay
No more earnings threshold and no more waiting days. All eligible employees can receive Statutory Sick Pay regardless of how much they earn. From their first full day of sickness absence.
Day one rights to Paternity Leave or Unpaid Parental Leave
Currently there are lengthy qualifying periods before working parents become entitled to paternity and parental leave. Both types of leave will become “day one” rights. Employees will also be able take Paternity Leave and Pay after Shared Parental Leave and Pay (currently they can’t).
Stronger protections against unfair redundancy
If an employer fails to comply with collective redundancy consultation obligations, employees may be entitled to a higher “protective award” (fine paid by the employer). The maximum protective award that an employment tribunal can make where an employer has not properly consulted during large scale redundancies – is increasing from 90 days’ pay to 180 days’ pay.
Whistleblowing protections – sexual harassment
Workers will have stronger legal protection if they ‘blow the whistle’ on sexual harassment at work. If a worker makes a whistleblowing disclosure about sexual harassment they may be protected from detriment (adverse treatment) and dismissal by their employer, as long as certain conditions are met.
New Fair Work Agency enforcement body
A new government agency called the Fair Work Agency will:
Trade unions will have representation on the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board, ensuring workers’ voices are heard in how the agency operates.
Easier union recognition
The process for statutory recognition of a trade union has been simplified:
What this means for you
The ERA will continue to transform the lives of all workers in years ahead.
Improvements to statutory sick pay will mean that up to 9.6 million workers will have improved rights if they are unwell. Trade unions will be given groundbreaking new rights enabling them to access workplaces and speak to workers who have never seen or heard from trade unions before.
And enforcement of core workplace rights will improve as the new Fair Work Agency is given new powers, a wider remit, and increased resources.
The changes are too significant and too wide reaching to reference in one blog. But the TUC will be developing its guidance to reflect the new changes as they happen.
More information
ACCESS to professional ear care health in Edinburgh has received a significant boost following the success of five colleagues completing rigorous clinical training.
The team at Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll stores are celebrating as five colleagues, Gillian Hudson, Isla Dowell, Jamie Raes, Samuel Jeffries and Larissa Barclay have gained their Audiology Clinical Assistant (ACS) qualification.
This milestone transforms the customer’s experience, allowing the newly qualified assistants to perform clinical tasks such as otoscopy and professional triage on the spot.
The achievement highlights Specsavers’ commitment to ‘growing its own’ talent, taking staff members from diverse professional backgrounds and providing a career ladder in healthcare.
Jonathan Bell, audiology director at Specsavers Cameron Toll, says: ‘Having multiple ACS-qualified staff members is a total gamechanger for our stores. We now have specialist cover seven days a week at Cameron Toll and six days at our Morningside store.
“It empowers my team, reduces appointment bottlenecks, and ensures our senior audiologists can dedicate their time to customers with the most complex hearing needs. It proves that we don’t just provide hearing devices; we provide expert clinical care.’
For the local community, the qualification means immediate peace of mind. Patients who may have previously faced long waits for GP appointments can now walk into the stores for an instant hearing check. The ACS team can identify wax blockages or hearing concerns immediately, ensuring customers are placed on the correct clinical pathway from their very first interaction.
The newly qualified team adds: ‘Achieving this qualification is a proud moment for us. It represents more than a certificate; it’s a shows that Specsavers is invested in our long-term progression.
“Previously, we had to rely on busy audiologists to check for abnormalities, which often meant the customer had to wait. Now, we can look in their ears on the spot and provide personal and immediate care. It’s an exciting first step toward more advanced clinical roles.’
The transition from support roles to clinical professionals was supported by mentorship from the stores’ senior audiologists. Despite the challenge of balancing formal study with daily roles, the team notes that the discipline has prepared them for the high level of responsibility required in modern healthcare.
To book a hearing assessment, you can visit Jonathan and his team at:
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/camerontoll or call 0131 672 9218, or at https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/morningside or call 0131 672 9218.
Young people in eight locations across England are to benefit from the first ‘Young Futures Hubs’ opened by the Government. The hubs, targeted in areas with high levels of anti-social behaviour and knife crime, will:
Under the government’s National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, the first eight of 50 Young Futures Hubs have opened or will shortly open in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets.
Hubs will build on existing services, and create safe, welcoming spaces bringing a range of local support services under one roof. Young people aged 10-18 (and up to 25 for those with SEND) will have access to trusted adults who will provide wellbeing support, careers guidance, and positive activities like sport, arts and volunteering.
The government is committed to ensuring that success for young people is not determined by their background, and the hubs will also offer support for vulnerable children. These activities help divert young people away from knife crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as combat social isolation and mental health, and increase access to job opportunities for young people.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The closure of over a thousand youth centres since 2010 didn’t just take away facilities, it took away community, connection and opportunity for a generation. We are determined to rebuild that.
“These hubs are about more than bricks and mortar, they’re a statement that this government believes in young people and is investing in their futures. What makes them different is that we’re joining things up – wellbeing support, crime prevention, work coaches, youth services, all in one place.
“We’re making sure teenagers have somewhere to go, someone to talk to, and a real chance to thrive.”
This comes as the UK Government launches its plan to halve knife crime within a decade. Titled “Protecting Lives, Building Hope”, it will save lives, transform the futures of young people and protect communities across the country.
The Government will support young people so they get the best start in life, stop those at risk from turning to knife crime and police our streets to catch and punish perpetrators.
In some areas, the Hubs will work with new multi-agency Young Futures Panels, to ensure children at risk of knife crime are provided with the support they need. The panels bring together the police, children’s services, schools, and community organisations to identify vulnerable children early, spot risks that may otherwise go unnoticed, and ensure they are quickly referred into the right support before issues escalate.
Sarah Jones, Policing Minister, said: “Knife crime devastates lives. Behind every statistic is a child who didn’t make it home, a family whose world has been shattered, and a community left with fear.
“This Government will halve knife crime within a decade, saving lives and protecting communities. We will roll out Young Futures Hubs in crime hotspots across the country to divert young people from violence, cut crime and protect communities.”
The Prime Minister has spoken of how young people have become “collateral damage” over the past decade, prompting the launch of the National Youth Strategy – the first in 15 years. The ambitious 10-year plan to rebuild youth services is backed by over £500 million of investment, and was designed in collaboration with more than 14,000 young people across England.
£70 million will be invested to establish 50 Young Futures Hubs and transform local youth services, rebuilding Local Authority capability after a decade of declining investment, with spending falling by 73% since 2010. As a result, many young people have been left without access to safe, supportive environments or a community to belong to, while reliance on online interaction has grown in the absence of face-to-face opportunities.
Minister for Youth and Civil Society Stephanie Peacock said: “When this Government developed the National Youth Strategy, we listened to over 14,000 young people from across the country.
“What came through clearly was that they wanted somewhere to go, something to do, and someone who cares. Young Futures Hubs are part our response to this and we are delighted to see the first eight up and running.
“Hubs are places where young people can belong, with trusted adults and positive activities all under one roof. Keeping young people safe and away from crime starts with making sure they have the right support around them, and that’s exactly what these hubs deliver.”
The Young Futures Hubs programme has been designed to respond directly to these challenges by creating welcoming, youth-led spaces where young people can enjoy real-life connections, with somewhere to go, something to do, and someone who cares for them.
From the Barca Leeds in Bramley to the Full Circle Docklands in Bristol, each hub has been co-designed with young people themselves, ensuring the atmosphere and activities reflect their true needs and passions.
The eight Young Futures Hubs have opened or will shortly open in the following locations:
More information on specific provision at each site is available on request.
The Eric Liddell Community, the Edinburgh-based dementia care charity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Veronesi as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a careful and considered recruitment process.
Megan formally takes up the role on 1 April 2026, succeeding John MacMillan, who has served as CEO since 2016.
Megan brings more than 15 years of experience across the third sector, having held senior roles at organisations including Royal Trinity Hospice, Firstport, and Edinburgh World Heritage. Most recently working as a freelance interim CEO and consultant, Megan has provided strategic leadership, guidance, and practical support to a broad range of charities and social enterprises.
She brings a strong track record in organisational leadership, with particular expertise in strengthening operations, diversifying and growing income, and increasing the impact of important charitable work.
Megan Veronesi, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “It is an honour to join The Eric Liddell Community as Chief Executive Officer. The charity plays a vital role in supporting people living with dementia and unpaid carers, while also serving as a vibrant and treasured community hub in the heart of Edinburgh.
“I look forward to working closely with the team, volunteers and partners to build on these strong foundations and ensure long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex environment. Together, we can help to reduce loneliness and isolation for more people and families at some of the most challenging times in their lives.”
Irene Adams OBE, Chair of The Eric Liddell Community, added: “We are delighted to welcome Megan Veronesi as our new Chief Executive Officer.
“Megan’s breadth of experience and leadership within the sector make her exceptionally well placed to lead the charity through its next phase of development. We look forward to working with her to continue delivering meaningful impact for those we support.”
Megan joins the organisation at a pivotal time, following the publication of its 2026 manifesto, which outlines key priorities including improving support for people living with dementia, unpaid carers, and volunteers, as well as addressing ongoing challenges around third sector funding and the implementation of dementia policy. She will lead the organisation through its next phase of development, with a focus on expanding its reach and deepening its impact across the community.
To find out more about The Eric Liddell Community, please visit:
