SCOTTISH WELFARE FUND
We’re supporting people in crisis and helping people to live independently through our Scottish Welfare Fund.
The Scottish Welfare Fund is made up of two different grants.
One of these is a Crisis Grant which can help pay for essentials like food and heating in a disaster or emergency.
For more information: mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund
With one month to go, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding millions of Self Assessment taxpayers to prepare for the 2025 to 2026 tax year second payments on account 31 July deadline.
Customers can set up monthly or weekly payment plans and any payments already made via these plans will count towards their next Self Assessment tax bill.
Payments can be done via the HMRC app, with nearly two million Self Assessment taxpayers doing so since its introduction in January 2022. It makes it easy for people to pay towards their tax bill, set payment reminders and track and view their payment history.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “We know managing a Self Assessment tax bill isn’t always straightforward and we are here to help. From paying instantly via the HMRC app to spreading the cost through a payment plan, there’s support available for every customer.
“Search ‘Pay your Self Assessment tax bill’ on GOV.UK to choose the payment option that works for you.”
Payments on account are payments towards a customer’s next Self Assessment tax bill. They help spread the cost of the tax owed by making payments in two instalments. Each payment is half of the tax the customer owed last year. These payments are due by midnight on 31 January and 31 July.
Taxpayers can make payments on account via GOV.UK or the HMRC app. A full list of payment options is available on GOV.UK.
Customers must make these two payments, unless either:
Payments on account instalments can be paid before a customer has filed their Self Assessment tax return. The deadline for submitting tax returns and paying any remaining tax owed for the 2025 to 2026 tax year is 31 January 2027. Filing early means that customers know how much tax they owe sooner. A wide range of online help and support is available on GOV.UK to help people fill in and file their tax return.
HMRC is also making it easier for customers who are liable to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) to complete their return accurately. From mid-July 2026, around 300,000 Self Assessment customers will have their or their partner’s Child Benefit payment information pre-populated on their online Self Assessment tax return, making it faster and easier to get it right.
The Stand Comedy Club pays tribute to a local comedy legend:
It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Sneddon known to so many as Vladimir McTavish & Bob Doolally.
Paul has been a vital part of The Stand since we began and much treasured and loved part of the comedy scene for many years.
He was as known for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent. He made every green room brighter, every line-up funnier and the world a nicer place to live in.
We are broken at the loss of our dear friend and will in time be marking his life appropriately.
For the time being, all our thoughts are with his family: Christine and his girls Julia and Rosie, as well as his many many friends and fans during this time.
Paul’s death was announced on Wednesday (1st July).
Menu for Friday the 3rd of July 
We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and a delicious pudding.
What’s on the menu today:
Root veg soup
Tuscan bean chicken stew
Veggie haggis pasta
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!
Tinderbox Orchestra return this summer with a run of standout festival appearances and special collaborations, bringing their expansive, genre‑defying sound to audiences across Scotland.
Known for reimagining what an orchestra can be, the ensemble continues to fuse rappers and singers with strings, brass, woodwind and rhythm section in bold, large‑scale live performances.
The summer opens at Kelburn Garden Party on 6 July, where Tinderbox Orchestra will join the festival’s eclectic line‑up, taking their high‑energy, collaborative set to one of Scotland’s most distinctive outdoor events. More information can be found at https://www.kelburngardenparty.com/.
On 1 August, the band returns to Fringe by the Sea for a special performance in the Big Top Tent, joined by SAY Award‑winning artist Kathryn Joseph.
Together they’ll perform their collaborative EP the blood, the weight, the weary live, bringing new scale and texture to the critically acclaimed record. Tickets and further details are available at https://www.fringebythesea.com/tinderbox-orchestra-with-special-guest-kathryn-joseph/
The summer series closes in Edinburgh on 22 August with a major outdoor performance at the Ross Bandstand as part of Neighbourgood’s six‑week residency, Neighbourgood Gardens.
Running from 3 to 4pm, this event will see Tinderbox Orchestra joined by long‑time collaborator, musician and composer Kate Young. Full details can be found at https://www.citizenticket.com/events/neighbourgood-market/the-tinderbox-orchestra-at-neighbourgood-gardens/.
Across these performances, Tinderbox Orchestra continues its commitment to collaboration, community and musical ambition, creating spaces where different genres, voices and audiences come together.
Claire Docherty, Tinderbox Orchestra Manager, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Tinderbox Orchestra to audiences across Scotland this summer.
“From playing at some of our favourite festivals to special collaborations with Kathryn Joseph, RJ Hunter and Kate Young, these performances celebrate everything that makes Tinderbox Orchestra unique – a set of multi-genre original music, artistic collaboration and bringing people together”
Kathryn Joseph said: “I cannot wait to get to play with the beautiful tinderbox orchestra again. They are all the best humans of all.
“Thank you so much for let me Fringe by the Sea!”
Tickets for all summer dates are on sale now via:
https://tinderboxcollective.org/orchestra-old/tinderbox-orchestra-upcoming-gigs/
THIS STORY APPEARED ON THIS DAY IN 2017 – Ed.
Police have been conducting Stronger North activity in the North Edinburgh area over the past week. Officers have made 42 arrests and executed seven misuse of drugs warrants since last Monday. Over the last week £9000 worth of drugs have been recovered in the area, along with seven stolen motorcycles and one stolen car. Seventeen vehicles have also […]
Stronger North: crackdown on crime in North Edinburgh
A new City Centre Policing Unit, supported by funding from the Visitor Levy, has officially launched in Edinburgh.
In January 2025, the City of Edinburgh Council formally agreed to introduce a 5% charge on overnight accommodation within the Capital for those visiting on or after 24 July 2026.
It is anticipated that £50m revenue will be raised each year to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the most beautiful and enjoyable destinations in the world.
Following the announcement of the visitor levy’s introduction, Edinburgh Division has been liaising with the Council, and an agreement was reached to fund the City Centre Policing Unit (CCPU).
The new team, which begins duties on Thursday, 2 July, will provide additional police officers dedicated to proactively patrolling the Capital’s city centre thanks to investment from the Council’s Visitor Levy over the next three years, which has been match-funded by Police Scotland.
The CCPU comprises of an Inspector, three sergeants and 45 constables.
Having an expanded city centre resource will also allow Edinburgh Division to provide an early and effective response to spontaneous challenges, as well as reducing demand on frontline officers from other areas of the city – allowing them to increase their focus on serving other neighbourhoods across the city.
The CCPU will play a pivotal role in supporting planned city-centre events and will work alongside specialist units such as The Retail Crime Taskforce and Scottish Violence Reduction Unit to ensure specific crime-types affecting the city-centre community are affectively addressed.
Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: The Visitor Levy is already helping to deliver real, tangible benefits for our Capital city ahead of its full introduction on 24 July.
“By working closely with our partners at Police Scotland to support this new policing unit, we’re ensuring that the people who live, work and visit Edinburgh feel safer and better supported – not only in our bustling central streets, but in neighbourhoods across the city by reducing demand on existing officer resources.
“The results of this partnership demonstrate exactly what the levy is designed to do: reinvest in the services and infrastructure that keep our city welcoming, vibrant, and successful.
“We will now see the levy’s first investments making a visible difference on the ground, and there’s much, much more to come in the years to come.
“From investing more in our public spaces, parks, and greenspaces to restoring cultural heritage like the Royal High School and Leith Theatre, our visitor levy projects stand to benefit everyone.”
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s city-centre is a unique and vibrant destination for residents, businesses and visitors, and it is absolutely vital that we have appropriate resources in place to ensure it remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.
“Our partners at the City of Edinburgh Council recognised the importance of having a dedicated policing team to serve the specific needs of the city-centre and the Visitor Levy revenue was identified as an ideal opportunity to achieve this.
“Almost 50 officers will now support policing operations and activity within the city-centre, and I am delighted that our council partners have shared our vision of how the CCPU can provide immense benefits to the city.
“With the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe only a few short weeks away, and the festive celebrations emerging on the horizon, the CCPU will have to hit the ground running. However, I am confident that the team will quickly demonstrate their value to not only the city-centre, but to the Division as a whole.”
Looking for something to do during school break? Come along to LifeCare where we will be hosting a variety of fun filled, exciting and inspirational activities for children this summer 
11am-12pm every Tuesday of July:
7th Storytelling with Fergus
Fergus McNicol brings you highly participative sessions of dance and storytelling with a focus on family fun, dance, song, rhymes, raps and tales! Perfect for lower primary and nursery ages. Contact sarahduckmanton@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk to reserve your space.
14th Playbotics (STEM)
We are here to educate and excite children about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) by providing fun and inspirational classes using K’NEX® and Lego®. Contact sarahduckmanton@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk to reserve your space.
21st Creative art drop in
28th Creative art drop in
These are suitable for children aged 3-10 and guardians must remain in the building during sessions
A charitable initiative launched by the family-run Vittoria Hospitality Group has donated over £8,000 in its first six months, supporting a range of Edinburgh-based charities and community organisations.
Established in November 2025 as part of the Vittoria Group’s 55th anniversary celebrations, the Giving Back programme supports grassroots organisations making a difference across the capital, helping people living with disabilities, those facing homelessness, and local young people.
Unlike traditional grant programmes, Giving Back focuses on funding specific items requested by organisations, ensuring donations have a direct and lasting impact.
In its first eight months, the initiative has provided vital, targeted support across the city, including specialist technology and sensory equipment provided to young people with complex or additional support needs at Teens+, Prospect Bank School, and Braidburn Special School.
The fund has also delivered essential supplies for women experiencing homelessness via Sparkle Sisters, supported youth development and literacy resources for the Pilmeny Development Trust and Craigmillar Literacy Trust, as well as sponsoring new sports kits for Redpath Albion FC and vital funding for Muirfield Riding Therapy.
In addition to the £8,000 donated by Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of its suppliers, JB Foods Scotland, contributed a further £1,000 in December.
Leandro Crolla, Director of Vittoria Hospitality Group, said: “When we launched Giving Back, we wanted to create something that would make a real difference to local organisations doing incredible work in our communities.
“Seeing the reaction from the charities, schools and groups we’ve supported has shown us how even relatively small donations can have a significant impact when they reach the right people.
“Edinburgh has supported our family and our business for more than 55 years. This programme is our way of saying thank you and helping strengthen the communities that have been part of our story for generations.”
Talking about the donation of a new football kit for the entire team, Bryan Maughan, coach at Redpath Albion FC, said: “The boys and parents loved them. We wore the matchday kits for the first time at Currie, and they certainly brought us luck as we secured a great 6–2 win in monsoon-like conditions.
“The boys haven’t forgotten the offer of a breakfast roll either, and we’re all looking forward to the visit.”
The initiative is led by the Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of Edinburgh’s longest-established family-run hospitality businesses, now in its fourth generation of family ownership.
Recipients of the donation are chosen through a monthly staff vote, giving employees across the group’s venues the opportunity to nominate and support causes close to their hearts. Schools, charities, youth groups and community organisations across Edinburgh are encouraged to apply for future rounds of support.
For more information or to nominate a local cause, contact:
The Old Chain Pier, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic pubs, is celebrating a historic milestone following the implementation of the new Scottish Pubs Code.
The landmark legislation, which gives pub owners the right to request a rent-only agreement without being tied to a pub-owning business for stock supply, has empowered the venue to break free from restrictive purchasing obligations.
This newfound independence means the historic pub can stock a wider, more exciting range of beers and permanently slash the price of its house lager to just £5 a pint, as well as reduce the price of all its beers.
To mark the occasion, The Old Chain Pier is hosting a massive, week-long celebration from Monday, 29th June to Sunday, 5th July. Throughout the entire week, all pints poured at the pub will be reduced to just £5.
As part of the celebration The Old Chain Pier will also hand over its beer garden to three of Edinburgh’s finest local breweries, with free pints up for grabs.
The victory arrives at a critical time for the local hospitality sector. Edinburgh’s pubs and restaurants are currently navigating unprecedented financial pressures including high VAT, soaring business rates, road closures, rising Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), and the highest local authority charges in Europe for outdoor tables and chairs.
Against this challenging backdrop, the Scottish Pubs Code provides a much-needed lifeline, finally allowing venues like The Old Chain Pier to operate fairly and pass those savings directly to customers and sell pints at true market prices.
January Watson, Area Manager for Malt Group, said: “The Scottish Pubs Code has been a massive relief for us. Operating in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is incredibly tough right now with mounting taxes, rates, and the highest table and chair charges in Europe.
“Being able to step away from tied stock means we finally have the freedom to curate our own beer selection, support brilliant local breweries, and pass those savings directly on to our loyal customers with £5 pints.”
The week-long party promises fun for the whole family, two-legged and four-legged alike. Guests who book a table to dine from Monday, 29th June through Thursday, 2nd July will receive 20% off their food bill.
All week long, the pub’s famous beer garden will be transformed into a playground featuring giant Jenga, hopscotch, quoits, and cornhole. Additional festivities running throughout the week include live music performances, free face painting for all ages, and a pet fancy dress competition.
As the week progresses, Stewart Brewing Beer (Friday 3rd July), Newbarns Brewery (Saturday 4th July) and Campervan Brewery (Sunday 5th July) will take over the beer garden with free pints for the first 20 customers, complete with a garden BBQ serving up hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and more from 6:00 pm each evening.
More events and surprises for the week are still to be confirmed. Customers are encouraged to keep an eye on the pub’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.
For reservations and more information, please visit: https://www.oldchainpier.com/
