Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund allocation “wholly unacceptable”

SCOTTISH FISHERMEN BEING RIPPED OFF?

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon is calling on the UK Government to reconsider its approach to funding allocations in the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund as it is “not a fair settlement for Scotland.”

Ms Gougeon’s letter reads:

To: Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP

From: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon 

Dear Angela,  

Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund  

Thank you for your letter of Monday 20 October setting out your intention to allocate the Scottish Government just £28 million of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund announced by your government earlier this year.  

The deal that you have presented on the share of this funding to Scotland is wholly unacceptable. As you will be aware, the Scottish fishing sector accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and over 60% of UK seafood exports.

Moreover, more than 75% of all UK quota species is landed by Scottish vessels. Over the past several months, at both Ministerial and official level, we have set out a clear, rational, and evidence-based case for Scotland’s share of this funding to be representative of the relative size and importance of the Scottish sector, and reflect at least the 46% share Scotland previously received from the EU funding allocated to the UK.

Instead the announced allocation of just 7.78% is a grossly oversimplified approach which does not represent a fair settlement for Scotland, a position supported by key Scottish stakeholders.

It is unjustified and nothing short of insulting to the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities. It also disproportionately benefits your own fishing sector in England – for whom you have retained over £300 million, despite landing significantly smaller catches than Scotland.  

With the funding being spread over 12 years – and no guarantee that the commitment will even be maintained following this parliamentary term – the deal you have set out means Scotland will have a meagre £2.3 million per annum of additional funding to invest in our marine industries and coastal communities. This is nowhere near enough to support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities as your letter sets out.  

This announcement is yet another negative consequence of Brexit which the people of Scotland did not vote for, but for which our businesses and communities are paying the price.

However, more than that, it demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of, and lack of care for, the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities by the UK Government.

The fact that this announcement was made within hours of you writing to me and my counterparts in the devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, with no opportunity for discussion, also demonstrates a disappointing departure from your government’s commitment to resetting and renewing the devolution relationship and effective intergovernmental working.

This comes on the back of a similar lack of engagement on the EU deal in relation to fisheries, which will hit the Scottish sector hard. At the same time we are still assessing the likely implications of the scientific advice on mackerel and cod – which are expected to have serious negative impacts for the fishing industry in Scotland.  

I strongly urge you to reconsider this approach, and enter into discussions at the earliest possible opportunity with myself, and our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland, to agree an alternative approach which treats each of our respective industries and communities with the respect they deserve.  

I have copied this letter to Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Minister Andrew Muir for awareness of the Scottish Government’s position.  

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Mairi Gougeon

The Scottish fishing industry has condemned the UK Government’s “grossly unfair” allocation of funding from its £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.

Read our full statement below:

Eduardo Paolozzi’s Master of the Universe finds its new home outside Scotland’s National gallery

Having lived at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two since the early 2000’s, a triumphant effort has seen the sculpture travel through the city to its new location at the National.

Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We wanted to bring the art outdoors and into the gardens at the National to spotlight that we are a gallery from the moment people arrive in the gardens.

“We wanted it to welcome people in and to show a snapshot of the incredible Scottish art on offer inside. Paolozzi seemed like a perfect choice for this spot, he was very much an artist who looked to the past as well as to the future, which is very much what we are about at the National Galleries of Scotland.

“He was also from Edinburgh, which seemed very fitting as he will now be looking out over the city and facing towards his hometown of Leith.’

Taking two days and extensive pre-planning to move the impressive one tonne sculpture, it called on expertise inside and outside the gallery to make it possible. Requiring the skills of curators, conservators, collections management, specialist movers with specialist kit including a crane and gimble to get the statue in position.

Master of the Universe is based on a famous drawing by William Blake, which shows the scientist Isaac Newton. Paolozzi used the same pose as in the Blake drawing but has mechanised the figure. 

The artist also fashioned it to put himself in the picture, creating himself as the sculpture. Interested in the relationship between nature, science and the man made, Paolozzi brought all of this together to create Master of the Universe.

Visit National Galleries Scotland: National to see Master of the Universe and lots of other free art, including the greatest collection of Scottish art in the world.

Cutting-edge Digital and Graphic Design degree launches at Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has launched an innovative BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design course, which is set to welcome its first cohort of undergraduate students in September 2026.

Created in consultation with leading design companies, the course will ensure that QMU graduates have the contemporary skills, experience and attributes that employers value most. 

This exciting new course has been designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the creative industries and other industry organisations, blending artistic expression with advanced digital technologies.

Students will gain hands-on experience in visual communication, branding, web design, motion graphics, and strategic storytelling, preparing them for exciting dynamic careers in design studios, advertising agencies, media companies and freelance practice. 

Dr Dave Wood, Programme Leader for the new BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design, brings decades of experience in design education and industry to the role. He explained: “There has never been a more exciting time to work in digital and graphic design, particularly when the development of AI is allowing designers to take their creative work to a whole new level.

“It’s a growing and exhilarating area to work in, and with all sectors requiring graphic and design specialists, graduates can follow their passion by developing their careers in their chosen field – whether that be in business, healthcare, public sector, education, the creative industries or the charitable sector – in the UK or internationally. 

“Our industry colleagues across Scotland and the UK have been incredibly supportive about the development of this course. We’ve worked hard to build a curriculum that responds to the evolving needs of the creative sector, with input from leading design companies across Scotland and the UK.

“We are excited about empowering students to become confident, thoughtful designers who can shape the visual culture of tomorrow.” 

The course will be a creative, fun and exhilarating experience for students who will have the chance to develop their skills in visual storytelling, visual strategy and innovation, which will allow them to create their own unique design voice.  

The programme will be delivered by the Division of Media, Communication and Performing Arts and draws on QMU’s strong reputation in media and creative industries. Students will benefit from real-world projects, industry-standard software, and opportunities to collaborate with professionals through industry workshops, guest lectures, and work-based learning. 

There will be lots of practical experience so that graduates will be able to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work. This includes the opportunity to work on live briefs and the chance to build a professional portfolio during the four years of study at QMU.

And with a strong emphasis on industry engagement and career readiness, the course includes networking opportunities and insights from experienced designers and creative agencies, ensuring that graduates understand and are equipped for roles such as UX/UI designer, motion graphics artist, digital brand strategist, and more. 

Dr Wood added: “Designers don’t just make things look good – they shape how we communicate, interact, and understand the world.

“This course encourages students to think critically and creatively, using design as a tool for meaningful change and to bring stories to life!” 

Prospective students are invited to attend QMU’s upcoming Undergraduate Open Day on 25 October 2025, where they can meet staff, explore facilities, and learn more about the course. It’s also a great opportunity for students to learn about the different industries and roles that might be available to them following graduation. 

Applications for the BA (Hons) Digital and Graphic Design are now open via UCAS for 2026 entry. For more information, visit QMU’s course page.  

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Circular Economy Strategy consultation

Draft plan to increase reuse and recycling whilst growing the economy

Proposals aimed at creating new jobs and driving economic growth by keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible have been published for consultation.

The draft Circular Economy Strategy sets out plans to increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates, for example by:

  • increasing the reuse of construction materials
  • supporting sustainable alternatives to fast-fashion
  • increasing EV battery re-purposing, recycling and material reprocessing
  • exploring ways to cut food waste

The draft Strategy will develop sector specific road-maps for four of the five sectors with the greatest potential for increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates in Scotland – the built environment, net zero energy infrastructure, textiles and food. Actions for the fifth sector, transport, will be included in the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.

“It also brings huge benefits to households and communities – from lowering the costs of items and creating new jobs to cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife.  

“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.

“This consultation outlines priority sectors key to cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”

Take part in the consultation: A Draft Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland – gov.scot

Letters: Community call for help for deaf children

Did you know there are around 50,000 deaf children in the UK, with three born every day? Nine out of ten deaf children are born to hearing parents, with little or no knowledge of deafness. 

Our own research has shown that the early years are absolutely vital in setting up deaf children with the essential communication and social skills they’ll need in later life, but all too often this happens too late. That’s why it’s critical that they get the right support as early as possible, so they can get the best possible start in life.

The National Deaf Children’s Society knows a lot about the challenges facing deaf children nationally, but it’s the parents of deaf children, and the local organisations who support them, who have the local knowledge. They are best placed by far to know what support deaf children need within their own communities – and how to get it to them quickly.

So we’re offering grants for local groups to provide support for deaf children in their local communities. We’re urging community groups across the region to join us in helping deaf children get the vital support they need, when they need it.

Because every moment really does count.

For more information about the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Community Grants Programme, visit: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/community-grants 

Angela Calder,

Community Grants Lead, National Deaf Children’s Society

www.ndcs.org.uk 

Half of adults now have at least one long-term condition, the Scottish Health Survey shows

The Scottish Health Survey 2024 results, published yesterday, provide information on the health, and factors relating to health, of adults and children in Scotland.

Half of all adults now have at least one long-term condition, continuing the upward trend.  Almost two in five adults (39%) reporting having a long-term condition that limits their activities.

Eight percent of adults report having doctor-diagnosed diabetes, the highest level recorded.

There has been a decrease in the proportion of adults eating five or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day, with only 11% meeting this guideline compared to 20% in 2021 when the questions were last included.

Food insecurity reduced with 8% of adults reporting being worried about running out of food due to a lack of money or other resources in the last 12 months, a decrease from 14% in 2023 which was the highest level recorded.

New questions on menopause and perimenopause showed that 76% of those who had experienced symptoms had utilised one or more ways of managing them. The largest proportions had utilised physical activity (40%), Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) (38%) and/or vitamins, minerals or supplements (35%).

New questions indicated that prevalence of possible eating disorders among adults, based on self-reported eating behaviours and feelings towards food, was 13%. This was highest among those aged 16-24 (26%).

Other key findings show that in 2024:

  • The proportion of adults who reported having felt lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ decreased from 10% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, similar to the proportion recorded in 2021 (8%).
  • Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma amongst adults reached 18%, the highest proportion recorded.
  • Prevalence of any CVD (excluding diabetes or high blood pressure) remained in line with recent years at 16% of adults. 
  • In 2023/2024 combined, 15% of adults reported being unpaid carers.
  • The proportion of adults with a GHQ-12 score of 4 or more, indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder, was 22%, similar to levels in 2021 and 2023 (22% and 21%) and lower than the peak in 2022 (27%). 
  • In 2023/2024 combined, the prevalence of adults with two or more symptoms of depression was 10%, a decrease from 13% in 2021/2022 combined.
  • Seven per cent of adults reported currently having long COVID, consistent with 2023 (8%) and remaining higher than in 2021 (5%).
  • Around six in ten adults met the guidelines for moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (62%), a similar proportion as recorded in 2023 (63%).
  • The prevalence of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption remained at 20% of adults, the same proportion as in 2023 and a decrease from 34% in 2003.
  • Almost a third of adults (31%) were living with obesity, a similar proportion to 2023 (32%), with a significantly higher proportion of females (35%) living with obesity compared with males (27%).
  • Fourteen per cent of adults were current smokers the same level as in 2023, maintaining the overall downward trend in prevalence recorded since 2003 (28%).
  • Current use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices (10%) remained in the range seen since 2022 (10%-12%).
  • Thirteen per cent of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal for saturated fat of no more than 10% of energy excluding ethanol.
  • Less than a quarter (22%) of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal of free sugars accounting for no more than 5% of energy excluding ethanol.

ASH Scotland calls for smoking cessation service funding transparency as survey shows stagnation of adult smoking rates

ASH Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government and NHS regional health boards to demonstrate increased transparency regarding funding being invested in smoking cessation services, which can help people to give up tobacco and reduce their risks of non-communicable diseases such as cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

ASH Scotland’s call comes as the Scottish Health Survey 2024 findings published today (Tuesday 21 October 2025) by the Scottish Governent show that fourteen per cent of adults were current smokers, which is the same level as in 2023.

The charity is raising concern that the Scottish Government has not provided details of its annual funding to health boards specifically for smoking cessation services in 2025/26. The last publicly available figure regarding government annual funding to NHS health boards to deliver specifically smoking cessation services was £7,852,085 invested in 2021/22, a significant reduction from the £9,110,000 allocated in 2016/17.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “With tobacco continuing to be the biggest preventable killer in Scotland causing nearly 9,000 premature deaths each year, it is concerning that there is stagnation in the nation’s overall smoking rate, although we welcome the decrease from 26% down to 23% in our most deprived communities.

“The vast majority of people in Scotland who successfully give up smoking don’t use anything to aid their quit attempts, but it is vital that those who need behavioural support can benefit from NHS Scotland’s free person-centred specialist Quit Your Way services delivered by qualified health professionals which improves the chances of success by three to four times to reach a tobacco-free life and reduce the risk of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“As the Scottish Government’s funding for smoking cessation services showed a downward trend between 2016/17 and 2021/22, and no details have been provided for 2025/26, ASH Scotland is calling for increased transparency by the government and regional health boards regarding funding for Quit Your Way services, which are needed to drive progress towards Scotland becoming a tobacco-free nation in 2034.”

The Scottish Health Survey 2024 main report, including a summary of key results, is available on the Scottish Health Survey website. 

Landmarks to Light Up Red for Scottish Poppy Appeal

Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland is calling on businesses, tourist destinations and landmarks across the country to ‘Light Up Red’ to raise awareness of the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

From castles to council buildings, and schools to statues, the charity is urging some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings to show their support in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday on 9 November.

Last year, almost 200 destinations took part from Stornoway to Selkirk, including The Kelpies, Smeaton’s Bridge in Perth, Stornoway Town Hall and the University of Glasgow. The charity hopes to surpass this total in 2025.

Any building with external lighting can take part simply by adding red gel filters to its lights, joining this striking visual display of remembrance. Previous participants include castles, abbeys, war memorials, bridges, lighthouses, cranes and fountains.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising campaign, raising more than £2 million for the charity’s welfare work with veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Earlier this month, Scots chart-topper Cammy Barnes helped send 2.1 million poppies, handmade by veterans at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, on their journey around the country ahead of the Scottish Poppy Appeal launch next week.

Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager (Scotland), said: “Light Up Red is always a fitting and poignant tribute to our Armed Forces community, and we know it means a lot to them to see this visible support for their contribution, past and present.

“We have had cathedrals, museums, bridges, racecourses, schools, churches, ships and even a telephone box join in. It is always wonderful to see so many Scottish landmarks lighting up red for the Poppy Appeal, and we have been delighted by how this idea has captured people’s imaginations.

“We are very grateful for the support of so many businesses and organisations.”

For more information about how to ‘Light Up Red’ for Poppyscotland and the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/light-up-red or contact Clare Shaw at c.shaw@poppyscotland.org.uk.

Groundworks begin on new single-storey homes in Midlothian

Scottish housebuilder, Lochay Homes, has commenced groundworks on its latest residential development near Penicuik, Midlothian. The project, set within 6.39 acres of the former Wellington School site, has planning consent for 46 two to four-bedroom bungalows and is expected to see its first completions in Summer 2026.

Offering low-density housing and surrounded by mature woodland, the single-story homes are being planned with modern energy-saving features and will be designed to significantly reduce household running costs.

With bungalows representing just one per cent of current UK housing stock – down sharply from 11 per cent of new home registrations in 1990, and 38 per cent of over 55’s preferring a bungalow for their next move, – the development is expected to attract strong interest, particularly amongst downsizers. The new homes are also positioned as a practical choice for families, close to good schools and offering a fast commute into Edinburgh.

Now in its 15th year, Lochay Homes has built more than 500 homes across Scotland.

Jamie Thomson, Commercial Director at Lochay Homes, commented: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on this exciting development in such a desirable location.

“It is our hope that these stylish new homes will not only deliver genuinely lower energy bills but also provide the flexibility and accessibility buyers are looking for – whether downsizers or growing families. We have only just started on groundworks and have already had enquiries, so we do expect this to be popular development.”

Sustainable by design and in the way they reduce energy consumption, Lochay Homes is planning to incorporate heat pumps, extensive solar panelling, home batteries systems, high levels of insulation and EV charging. The developer will local materials wherever possible, with timber-frame construction and natural stone detailing to reflect the local vernacular. 

Surrounded by mature woodland, the development will also include extensive new planting, with more than 1,000 additional trees to be introduced, alongside orchard areas with apple and plum trees, native hedgerows, shrubs and woodland mix.  

Work on the access to the site has now begun, with full construction due to start in the New Year following detailed planning approval for updated house types.

Finalised designs and details on pricing are expected to be confirmed in early 2026. For further details, or to register interest, visit www.lochayhomes.co.uk