In a report intended to influence the Scottish Government’s health and sport budget, the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee are critical about lack of progress by Integration Authorities (IAs). Between them IAs are responsible for spending over £8bn yet the Committee reports they are unable to identify what that money has achieved. Continue reading £8bn spent on integration – but what’s been delivered? asks Holyrood Committee
A test version of a new government service has launched to remind drivers by text message and email when their MOT is due.
The GOV.UK service, developed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), makes it easy to get a reminder every year when your vehicle’s MOT is due.
When you sign up, you’ll get a reminder:
You’ll also get alerts that your vehicle no longer has an MOT.
You just need the vehicle’s number plate (registration number) and a mobile phone number or email address.
You’ll get a reminder every year until you unsubscribe.
The service is in ‘beta’ stage, which means it’s still being continually tested and improved by DVSA.
Research by DVSA has revealed that around 28% of cars will be overdue at any one time. Most of these are down to drivers forgetting to get it done, rather than deliberately avoiding having the test done.
If you drive a vehicle without a valid MOT, you’re breaking the law. The only exceptions are to drive it:
You’re also risking your own life and the lives of your passengers and other road users.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
The 2016 reported road casualties report for Great Britain showed that roadworthiness of vehicles was a factor in 1,687 accidents.
Transport Minister, Baroness Sugg, said: We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at ways to make them even safer.
“Booking your next MOT is easy to overlook but it plays an important role in making sure the vehicles on our roads are safe and meeting high environmental standards. Getting a text or email will serve as a useful prompt to make sure people get their vehicle checked out time.”
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you keep your vehicle safe to drive. The annual MOT checks that important parts of your vehicle meet the legal standards at the time of the test.
“Motorists should also remember that to be a safe and responsible driver, and reduce the risk of your vehicle’s condition causing an accident that kills or seriously injures someone, you need to check your vehicle all year round.”
Make sure that:
The MOT reminder service uses GOV.UK Notify, which is a platform to make it easier to keep people updated, and help government service teams send text messages, emails or letters to users.
The government is creating a set of shared components, service designs, platforms, data and hosting, that every government service can use.
This frees up teams to spend their time designing user-centric services rather than starting from scratch, so services become easier to create and cheaper to run.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross was joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, fellow politicians and members of the Armed Forces community, for a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance to mark Remembrance Sunday yesterday. Continue reading Capital marks Remembrance Sunday
PILTON EQUALITIES PROJECT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday 20 November 11am -12 noon
PEP Centre, West Pilton Park
Professor Timothy O’Shea has been presented with the prestigious Edinburgh Award 2017.
After 15 years at the helm of Capital’s biggest educational institution, the University of Edinburgh Principal was presented with the city’s biggest annual accolade at a ceremony within the City Chambers on Friday. Continue reading Sir Timothy O’Shea receives Edinburgh Award
Thousands of homeowners are choosing to bypass estate agents – and their commission fees – by choosing to sell their properties online instead for a fixed fee. However, research by AXA Insurance has shown that inexperienced sellers may be putting off buyers by being overly zealous. Continue reading Selling your own home? Avoid the pitfalls that put off 8 in 10 buyers
Alcohol Awareness Week 13th-19th November
It has been well documented by health and social care professionals, as well as debated in Parliament, that Scotland as a nation has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Availability and affordability being the two main contributory factors, whereby alcoholic drinks at times can be cheaper than some soft drinks in your local supermarkets. Continue reading Cyrenians Recovery Hub records over 6300 visits this Alcohol Awareness Week
Actors Sam Ducane and Jake Morgan from the Somme-inspired West End production The Wipers Times joined current serving soldiers to get down and dirty in a recreated First World War trench to help launch Poppyscotland’s most ambitious fundraising challenge ever outside of the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal. They were joined by soldiers from 2nd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who were the first to commit to this centenary challenge.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising for Poppyscotland, said: “While the Scottish Poppy Appeal remains the lifeblood of the charity, we have today launched The 1918 Poppy Pledge; a year-long fundraising quest that we hope will inspire groups, schools, businesses, clubs and organisations around the country to take on the challenge of raising £1,918 – or more – in the next year.
“As we enter this important centenary year, The Poppy Pledge will be a lasting tribute to those who fell in the First World War. Importantly, it will also allow us to make a step change in the scale of support Poppyscotland is able to provide those in the Armed Forces community who rely on our support today.”
The actors were joined by serving soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal and Mechanical Engineers (REME), based at Leuchars Station, who were the first to sign The 1918 Poppy Pledge. Earlier this year, the soldiers went the extra mile for the Scottish Poppy Appeal when they cycled the distance from John o’Groats to Land’s End on exercise bikes.
Corporal Craig Wood, from the REME, said: “The coming year will mark an important milestone in our nation’s history as we reflect on the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War, and the sacrifices made by so many. The work of Poppyscotland is as vital today as it was back then and that’s why we were the first to sign The 1918 Poppy Pledge. We hope that other military units, and the public as a whole, will join us in supporting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The trenches, at Digging In which is located in Glasgow’s Pollok Park, are a re-creation of a section of Allied and opposing German trenches. They give visitors an understanding of how soldiers learned to survive not just the violence of war, but also the mundane challenges of daily life, thrown up by a world cut into the world.
The Wipers Times tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line. The stage adaptation was developed following an award-winning BBC film by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.
Private Eye Editor and star of legendary BBC panel show Have I Got News For You Ian Hislop, whose paternal grandfather, Murdoch David Hislop, served with the 9th Highland Light Infantry at the Third Battle of Ypres, said: “Following amazing audience and critical reaction in the West End, The Wipers Times is on manoeuvres again around Britain. We look forward to sharing the remarkable trench humour of The Wipers Times with new theatre-goers around the country, including at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow this weekend.”
James Haworth, Theatre Director at Theatre Royal, said: “It’s an honour to have The Wipers Times with us at Theatre Royal Glasgow for its only Scottish run this week. It really is a fitting way to mark Armistice Day commemorations and we’re proud to be supporting Poppyscotland with a charity collection at each performance.
“The Wipers Times cast were thrilled to take part in today’s event. The 1918 Poppy Pledge is a fantastic way to honour those who fought in both World Wars and help provide continued support for the Armed Forces community.”
Plans to increase the number of people benefitting from the real Living Wage have been outlined by Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Keith Brown. Over the next three years the Scottish Government will work with the Poverty Alliance to build a ‘Living Wage Nation’, boosting the wages of those on low pay and supporting inclusive growth.
Measures being announced include:
Mr Brown said: “We are serious about supporting fair work and putting equality at the heart of our labour market. That is why Scotland punches well above its weight in terms of the proportion of people paid at least the Living Wage.
“However we cannot become complacent. We now need to build on this success to ensure even more organisations and individuals benefit in the future.
“Our commitment to create a Living Wage Nation is challenging, but achievable, and it will help those in low-paid sectors who need it most.
“By using the Living Wage to make pay fairer and jobs more sustainable, we will support our commitments to build a more resilient economy, a more equal labour market, and foster inclusive growth.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, added: “It is now just over three years since the Poverty Alliance launched the drive to increase the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland. Working in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation and thanks to support from the Scottish Government we have seen real change.
“We have seen employers from all sectors, in companies large and small, adopt the Living Wage and do their bit to help make the economy fairer. However, despite the progress that has been made, we know there is still much to be done.
“Scotland faces real challenges in some important sectors . If we are to deliver a fair economy for all then we must begin to address these head on. We are grateful for the Scottish Government support that will allow us to take the positive message for the Living Wage to employers in all parts of Scotland and into key sectors.”
Last week Stoats was confirmed as Scotland’s 1,000th Living Wage-accredited employer. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the company’s Edinburgh HQ where she met staff and congratulated the company on gaining accreditation.
WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, has released new production photography by Matt Crockett of Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda and Aaron Sidwell as Fiyero, who lead the cast of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour when it returns to Edinburgh Playhouse for its only Scottish dates from 8 May to 9 June 2018.
Continue reading Wicked: Flying back to the Playhouse next May
