POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two men broke into a property in the Silverknowes area and demanded car keys from the occupant.
The incident happened around 4.10am on Wednesday, 15 October, 2025, at a house on Silverknowes Midway.
The men were wearing all black clothing, face coverings and gloves. Nothing was stolen from the property.
Enquiries so far suggest they may have had a white BMW 1 series car with black wheels.
Detective Sergeant Will Dickson said: “Fortunately, the occupant was not injured but she was left very shaken by what happened.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and we are asking anyone who saw anything, or who has private CCTV that could help, to get in touch.
“If you were driving in the area around the time of the incident, please check any dash-cam footage to see if you have captured something that could assist.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0351 of Wednesday, 15 October, 2025, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
TUESDAY 28th OCTOBER 4 – 7pm DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
A public consultation on the future development of Edinburgh’s tram network is running until 17 November 2025.
The proposed new tram route would run from Granton to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and potentially beyond into the city region and the project is keen to hear views from local people.
Members of the project team will be at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday 28 October 2025 from 4pm – 7pm to answer your questions.
UK government takes urgent action to tackle antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS
Steps taken to end scourge of antisemitism in the health service
Lord John Mann to lead rapid review into how healthcare regulators tackle antisemitism and racism
Mandatory antiracism training to be rolled out to all NHS staff
The Prime Minister has ordered an urgent review of antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS, as part of wider efforts to tackle discrimination in the health service.
Following recent incidents of antisemitism from doctors which drew stark attention to problems of culture and the regulation in the health system, Lord John Mann will lead the review, looking at how to protect patients and staff from racism and hold perpetrators to account.
At the same time, the government announced the immediate rollout of strengthened mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training across the health service, and NHSE will review its uniform guidance so patients and staff always feel respected in NHS settings.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The discrimination staff and patients have faced because of their race or religion goes against everything our country stands for.
“The NHS was built on the principle that everyone should be treated equally and with respect, and I am determined to restore this to the heart of the health service.
“That’s why I have asked Lord Mann to root out this problem and ensure perpetrators are always held to account.”
Today’s announcement builds on wider efforts across government to stamp out behaviour that seeks to divide and spread hate across the whole of society, following the horrific terrorist attack on Heaton Park Synagogue earlier this month.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: ”The NHS should be there for all of us when we need it – regardless of income, race, or religion. Discrimination undermines everything our health service stands for, and undermines its ability to provide quality care.
“I have been appalled by recent incidents of antisemitism by NHS doctors, and I will not tolerate it. There can be no place in our NHS for doctors or staff continuing to practise after even persistently using antisemitic or hateful language.
“Patients put their lives in the hands of healthcare professionals. They treat us at our most vulnerable. They therefore have a special responsibility to provide total comfort and confidence.
“I am grateful to Lord Mann for taking on this work. I expect his recommendations, and the action we are taking today, to help us enforce a zero tolerance policy to racism in healthcare.”
Lord John Mann said: “The NHS and the health sector pride themselves on being welcoming, inclusive and professional in dealings with every one of us, as we are all patients at different times and in different ways throughout our entire life.
“Everyone in the country should be confident in these underlying principles at all times.
“This review will look at the issues that can undermine the confidence of individuals when seeking or receiving healthcare.
“Ensuring that the systems and culture of regulation across the health service match, at all times, the universal principles and ethics that underpin our NHS will be the sole focus of this work.”
Recently, shocking examples have raised concerns about the operation and efficiency of independent healthcare professional regulators, some of which have been slow to crack down and investigate incidents of hate.
Lord Mann’s review will examine how the regulatory system for healthcare professionals tackles antisemitism and other forms of racism at every stage, from employment through to professional oversight.
It will also look at regulatory processes, transparency in investigations, reporting mechanisms, and how zero-tolerance policies can be more effectively implemented across the health service.
At the same time, all 1.5 million NHS staff will be required to complete updated mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training, with existing equality, diversity and human rights programmes being expanded to include:
Enhanced content on discrimination and antisemitism
New assessment questions to test understanding
Training developed with equality and antisemitism subject matter experts
Content aligned to core skills training framework
Staff will be asked to refresh their training immediately when the updated content becomes available shortly, rather than waiting for the standard three-year cycle.
The government is also asking NHS England will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and set clear expectations that every Trust, Integrated Care Board, and arms-length body does the same. The government is also reviewing the recommendations of the independent working group on Islamophobia.
NHS England is reviewing the uniform and workwear guidance last updated in 2020, in light of recent successful approaches rolled out at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
NHS England will engage stakeholders on its proposals and issue new guidance shortly. The guidance will protect freedom of religious expression while ensuring patients feel respected at all times. The guidance will not impact staff’s freedom to protest and speak out on political issues, but it will ensure that the political views of staff do not impact on patient care.
Andrew Gilbert, Vice President for Security, Resilience and Cohesion, Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “We welcome the new measures announced today to tackle antisemitism within the NHS, particularly the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a much needed review on regulators led by Lord Mann and an expansion of effective antisemitism training.
“For much of the last two years, Jewish staff and patients have felt let down by the NHS while antisemitism has been allowed to flourish and thrive with hospitals, medical schools and other health spaces becoming unwelcoming for Jews.
“The government’s plans are a step towards addressing these urgent issues that will make the NHS a safer place for Jews to work and receive care, however, these changes should be seen as a spring board for further changes and not a ‘fix-all’ with issues remaining on the classification of Jews as an ethnicity, the lack of repercussions of medical staff accused of antisemitism and health inequalities in the Jewish community.”
Claudia Mendoza, CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), said: “Antisemitism in the NHS has been out of control. We have seen doctors describe hospitals as cesspits of “Jewish supremacy” and praise Hamas as “legends”, with the regulators and tribunals not taking substantive action.
“It is vital that Jewish patients are able to trust that their healthcare providers will treat them without prejudice. This continued lack of action has severely undermined trust.
“The government’s announcements today including the introduction of mandatory antisemitism training and the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism encouraged across the health service, are a welcome first step but must be the first of many.
“Most importantly, we must see swift action as a result of Lord Mann’s urgent review into how healthcare regulators tackle antisemitism.”
Lord Mann will report to the Health Secretary, with practical recommendations to strengthen protections against antisemitism and other forms of racism in healthcare.
Patient safety is a priority for this government and the bedrock of an NHS that is fit for the future – that includes ensuring that the NHS is completely free from racism.
The Jewish Medical Association (JMA) said: “For the past two years the Jewish Medical Association has become increasingly concerned about blatant expressions of antisemitism – simply anti-Jewish racism – that have become widely tolerated across healthcare. British Jewish healthcare students, professionals and patients find this profoundly distressing and intimidating.
“The JMA welcomes Lord Mann’s review of the role of regulators in eliminating this toxic culture for Jews.
“We have long called for IHRA definition adoption, for effective mandatory training for staff in the NHS, regulators and other key players to combat antisemitism, and for implementation of uniform policy, all to help make healthcare a prejudice-free, politics-free environment.”
Daniel Carmel-Brown, CEO of Jewish Care, said: “Jewish Care welcomes the government’s commitment to tackling antisemitism and racism across the NHS and wider society. These measures send a powerful message that hatred and discrimination have no place in healthcare or anywhere else.
“Adopting the IHRA definition, enhancing training, and strengthening oversight are important steps towards ensuring that Jewish patients, staff, and communities feel safe, respected, and valued.
“We look forward to working with government and partners to help build a health service and a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
Professor Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: “Tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism involves clear communication of a zero-tolerance stance, implementing systemic changes, and creating a supportive environment for all employees.
“That’s why we fully support roll out of the comprehensive measures announced today by the government. Our diverse workforce is the backbone of the NHS. It must be cared for, celebrated and respected for the outstanding care that it provides.
“At the same time, our patients, colleagues and communities need to be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. No one should be subjected to discrimination or abuse of any kind, within or outside of the workplace.”
Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said: “Being anti-racist is not about making grand statements, it is about taking consistent action to end discrimination and inequity.
“What the Prime Minister has set out today is an important commitment to action in the NHS, using the levers of training and regulation to build a health and care workforce that is committed to ending racism.
“This can help our sector not just challenge overt racist acts, like violence and intimidation, but also address the underlying systemic issues which means our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities continue to experience some of the worst access, experiences and outcomes from healthcare.”
We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you today. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding.
What’s on the menu today:
Root vegetable soup
Chicken pasta bake
Veggie pasta bake
Garden salad
Carrot cake
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out! Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!
Scotland’s contribution to tackling global health challenges continues to lead to sustainable, meaningful and lasting impact, First Minister John Swinney said.
In Lusaka, the First Minister visited the Blantyre-Blantyre research lab which has been supported by Scottish Government funding to improve health outcomes in Zambia and Malawi. He announced £125,000 for charity Kids Operating Room to support adapting NASA technology to generate oxygen in low-resource settings.
Ahead of arriving in Malawi today, the First Minister also announced a further £4 million funding over three years to help tackle non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and sickle cell.
Delivered in partnership with other international donors and the Government of Malawi, this new approach to funding represents a major shift away from fragmented aid – aligning directly with Malawi’s national health priorities, to drive more effective, harmonised, and sustainable health improvements.
The First Minister said: “Over the 20-year period of our development programme, Scotland has a strong history of supporting health systems in our partner countries, with innovative projects between universities, NHS staff and institutions, as well as support throughout the COVID crisis.
“These partnerships have transformed healthcare in many ways – such as launching Malawi’s first dental school and supporting a programme which has trained psychiatrists, established the first dedicated A&E centre, and supported on cancer.
“This latest investment of £4 million for the Malawi Health Service Joint Fund is a new, innovative approach that delivers on our commitment to partner-led development, helping establish life-saving and sustainable healthcare in Malawi.
“The work of Kids Operating Room, supported by Scottish Government funding, has helped open more than 100 state-of-the-art children’s operating rooms in 36 countries, including Zambia and Malawi.
“The charity’s ground-breaking project is another example of how Scotland is demonstrating leadership in tackling global health challenges – helping ensure that children no longer die unnecessary deaths because of a lack of oxygen.”
Kids Operating Room Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maija Cheung said: “This ground-breaking technology has real incredible potential.
At Kids Operating Room, we’re contributing because we believe this innovation could one day transform how oxygen is delivered safely to children undergoing surgery around the world. Oxygen is a vital medicine, yet in many low-resource settings it is unreliable or unavailable – and that makes surgery far more dangerous for children. That’s why this project is so important.”
Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage
Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage.
£6 million put back into the pockets of working people as Government delivers the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation, as part of its Plan for Change.
Enforcement of workers’ rights is set to be beefed up through new Fair Work Agency which will shield workers from employers who flout the law.
Almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage have been named today (Friday 17 October) as the Government takes direct action to Make Work Pay.
Around 42,000 workers have been repaid by their employers, including well-known high street brands, with employers receiving fines totalling £10.2 million for breaking the rules.
This strong enforcement doesn’t just protect workers; it protects those businesses who do right by their staff from being undercut. By taking swift action against these employers, the Government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate those who short-change their workers, regardless of their size or sector.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:“Every worker deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and this government will not tolerate rogue employers who short-change their staff.
“I know that no employer wants to end up on one of these lists. But our Plan to Make Work Pay cracks down on those not playing by the rules.
“This ensures a level playing field where all businesses pay what they owe whilst workers receive the boost to their living standards they deserve.”
This action comes as the Government introduces the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights and enforcement for a generation through its Plan to Make Work Pay, which is set to directly benefit around 15 million, or half of all UK, workers.
As well as ensuring hard work is properly rewarded with fair treatment and decent pay, from April 2026 the Employment Rights Bill will also establish a new Fair Work Agency with more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to pay holiday and sick pay.
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said:“This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.
“We are proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket.
“I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.
“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”
Today’s announcement follows significant increases to National Minimum Wage rates earlier this year. From April, millions got a pay rise with those on the National Living Wage who work full-time seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year.
Baroness Philippa Stroud, Low Pay Commission Chair, said:“We are pleased the Government is keeping up momentum with the publication of today’s naming round.
“It is vital that businesses understand the mistakes which can lead to underpayment, and that workers know where to go to enforce their rights.
“Continuing to raise the profile of the NMW enforcement system will give the Fair Work Agency a solid foundation when it comes into operation next year.”
Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said:“Not only is it important for employers to pay the correct minimum wage rates, it is also the law.
“Failing to do so can result in grievances and potentially legal action, including costly employment tribunals, as well as being named and shamed.
“Acas has advice on how employers can ensure they calculate the correct rate to pay their workers and what employees should do if they think they are not being paid the correct amount.”
If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do.
Whooping cough is serious. The first symptoms include a runny nose, red and watery eyes, a sore throat and a slightly raised temperature. For more information on the signs and symptoms of whooping cough, visit http://nhsinform.scot/whoopingcoughsymptoms
Code Concepts, the Edinburgh-based hospitality operator known for its boutique hotels and urban hostels, announces the future opening of The Bindery, a new design-led boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
Construction is set to begin on 20 October 2026, with an expected opening in Q1 2027.
The Bindery will occupy the historic Stewart House Book Bindery, offering 84 private rooms including a mix of double, twin, and family rooms, across approximately 24,000 sq ft. Located on Thistle Street Lane, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s golden rectangle and surrounded by some of the city’s finest boutique restaurants, The Bindery will offer premium accommodation alongside a dynamic ground-floor experience.
Guests and locals alike will be able to enjoy a bar, daily food menu, co-working spaces, and flexible event areas, creating a vibrant community hub at the centre of the city. These offerings will be open to both guests and locals, creating a vibrant community hub.
The hotel’s interior has been crafted by award-winning design studio a-nrd, blending contemporary design with a nod to the building’s bookbinding heritage.
The interiors will feature a refined loft aesthetic with exposed features, a mix of vintage and modern furniture, bespoke detailing, and subtle references to the building’s historic past.
The soothing, nature-inspired colour palette draws from the landscapes surrounding Edinburgh, creating a homely yet sophisticated atmosphere for guests.
Sustainability is central to The Bindery’s design, with smart, demand-driven systems set to optimise energy use throughout the building. An all-electric heating and cooling system, intelligent ventilation with heat recovery, and a central management system will minimise waste and maximise efficiency.
Native planting in the rear garden will support biodiversity, while local supplier partnerships and a walkable city-centre location will further reduce the hotel’s environmental impact.
The Bindery marks Code Concepts’ desire to grow into the boutique hotel segment, expanding beyond its capsule hostels into a more premium market.
“With The Bindery, we are responding to the growing demand for unique, design-led hospitality in Edinburgh,” said Andrew Landsburgh, CEO of Code Concepts.
“We are creating more than just rooms, with a focus on an exciting F&B offer, flexible spaces, events, and partnerships with local businesses will differentiate us in a highly competitive market.”
Edinburgh continues to see strong growth in tourism and hospitality, attracting both domestic and international travellers. With increasing competition in the city, hotels must offer distinctive experiences to stand out.
The Bindery’s combination of unique design, community-focused events, and collaboration with local suppliers positions it as a compelling choice for modern, digitally savvy travellers seeking authentic, curated stays.
Imagine being 8 years old, walking to school in soaking wet socks and shoes that don’t keep out the cold.
Because people like you believe every child deserves to feel warm, cared for, and ready to learn.
Want to be part of it? Head to our online wishlist to donate directly:
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