MSP accused of trying to ‘sneak through’ controversial new law to ban purchase of sex in Scotland

UPDATE: DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER

·        Alba MSP has formally proposed new law to bring in Nordic Model, but has failed to seek public and stakeholder views, in line with Scottish Parliament guidance

·        Leading sex worker safety service National Ugly Mugs labels Regan’s consultation a “sham”, as it fails to mention international evidence showing Nordic Model makes sex workers less safe

·        Proposed new law comes after YouGov polling showing Scots oppose Nordic Model, instead favouring more support for sex workers, alongside leading NGOs such as Amnesty International

Ash Regan has been accused of trying to “sneak through” a controversial new law to ban the purchase of sex in Scotland, having formally submitted a proposed new Bill to Parliament, while failing to notify sex worker support groups or seek views from those opposed to the measures.

The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, a Member’s Bill formally proposed to the Scottish Parliament by Regan on June 18, would enact the so-called “Nordic Model” in Scotland – making it a criminal offence to purchase sex – a move that is opposed by the Scottish public as well as a host of leading international NGOs.

The consultation document has been labelled a “sham” by National Ugly Mugs, the UK’s national sex worker safety service, as it fails to include any of the wealth of international evidence showing that banning the purchase of sex only serves to increase violence against sex workers, by making their lives more difficult and dangerous.

An official government review of similar legislation in Northern Ireland – the only nation in the UK to enact the Nordic Model – found that there was “no evidence that the offence of purchasing sexual services has produced a downward pressure on the demand for, or supply of, sexual services”.

It also found that “the legislation has contributed to a climate whereby sex workers feel further marginalised and stigmatised”. Regan’s consultation fails to mention this.

The Scottish Parliament’s official Guidance on Public Bills says that the consultation process on a proposed Member’s Bill should allow the policy “to be tested against, and informed by, stakeholder and public opinion”.

The guidance says that seeking such views “usually proves valuable in refining and developing the policy and in equipping the member for the challenges involved in explaining and defending that policy during the passage of the Bill.”

However, despite previously pledging to share the proposal with the public for feedback, the Alba MSP has not made any move to publicise the consultation – either via her Twitter account, her Nordic Model campaign website, or via the press – before it closes on September 12.

A YouGov poll of 1,088 Scottish adults, carried out for National Ugly Mugs in May this year, showed that Scots firmly oppose the Nordic Model, with 47% saying it should be legal for a person to pay someone to have sex with them, versus 32% who think it should not be legal.

The poll showed that 69% of Scots say the Scottish Government should focus on protecting the health and safety of sex workers, and providing support to people who want to leave the industry, compared to just 14% who support the government passing new laws to prevent people exchanging sexual services for money.

Dr Raven Bowen, chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, said: “Ash Regan is clearly trying to sneak through this controversial proposed Member’s Bill, by slipping out a consultation just before recess, timed to run over the summer break, and then failing to notify affected stakeholders like NUM, presumably in the hope that they wouldn’t notice.

“Her sham consultation fails to acknowledge the wealth of international evidence showing that the Nordic Model only serves to increase violence against sex workers, by eliminating their revenue streams, making them desperate and destitute. The official government review of the Nordic Model in Northern Ireland – the only UK nation to enact this approach – showed it has failed there too.

“The evidence shows that Scots side with charities, researchers and international organisations such as Amnesty International, UN Aids and the World Health Organisation in opposing the Nordic Model.

“The Scottish Parliament must now do what Regan has failed to do, and consider the actual evidence showing that the Nordic Model would be a disaster for Scottish sex workers, before rejecting this proposed new law.”

UPDATE +++ UPDATE +++ UPDATE +++

The deadline for responding to @AshReganALBA‘s consultation on a proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill has been extended to 30 September.

Learn more and share your views:

https://ow.ly/qiOO50T9Vj8

Five years supporting families in Scotland

£90.6 million paid in benefits supporting school and food costs

Two benefits providing extra money to families with the cost of healthy food and starting school, are turning five years old.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment supports families with a one-off payment of £314.45 to help cover the cost of starting primary school, and has provided £33.5 million to over 100,000 parents and carers.

Best Start Foods worth up to £42.40 every four weeks to help families purchase healthy foods and has given £57.1 million to over 86,000 parents and carers.

Since launching in 2019, a number of improvements have been introduced to ensure more people have access to the support they need.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is now paid automatically to eligible people getting Scottish Child Payment without the need to apply. According to latest statistics, 42,535 automatic awards were made for School Age Payment between Dec 2022 and June 2024, meaning less paperwork for tens of thousands of families.

The removal of income limits for Best Start Foods has increased access to vital financial support to help more families afford healthy foods for their children.

On the anniversary of these payments Social Security Scotland are urging families to check if they are eligible and spend money available on their Best Start Food card.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the most important priority for our government, and we are committed to making sure every child in Scotland has the best start in life.

“We have built a different social security system, one grounded in dignity, fairness, and respect. Part of this is making it as straightforward as possible for people to access the financial support that people are entitled to.

“The introduction of automatic payments and removal of income limits for Best Start Foods means we’re getting more money to families when they need it most.

“As families continue dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, I am urging everyone to check if they are eligible and make sure they are getting the money they need to help cover the costs of starting school and buying healthy food.”

Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland Satwat Rehman said: “ We are delighted to recognise the 5-year anniversary of the excellent Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant programmes.

“These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting families across Scotland, helping to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food and essential early years support.

“We look forward to the Scottish Government continuing this vital work and making a positive difference in the lives of many more families.”

A parent in receipt of Best Start Early Payment Grant said: “The grant made all the difference when she was starting nursery as I was really worried about how I was going to afford things for her.

“She loved her new clothes and bag. It was so good being able to get things for her and not be worried about how I was going to pay for them. “

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to 30 June 2024 Social Security Scotland – Over £25 million paid to Scottish carers in June

Hundreds of rogue employers targeted in illegal working crackdown

Hundreds of rogue employers across the UK have been targeted by the Home Office during a nationwide weeklong intensive operation into illegal working

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced last month that the government would crack down on unscrupulous employers who are hiring migrants illegally and exploiting vulnerable people, alongside extensive work to disrupt the criminal networks who bring the workers to the UK.  

During an intensive week of action from Sunday 18 to Saturday 24 August, Immigration Enforcement teams carried out targeted visits to rogue businesses suspected of employing illegal workers, with a particular focus on car washes.  

Over the course of the operation, more than 275 premises were targeted, with 135 receiving notices for employing illegal workers. In addition, 85 illegal workers have been detained.  

In many cases, illegal workers live in squalid conditions on-site, earn far below the UK national minimum wage, work longer hours than legally allowed and may have entered the UK illegally, overstayed their visas or arrived under visitor conditions. 

The fact they are paid so little also allows their employers to undercut honest competitors who follow the law, and these businesses often do not pay their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy. 

This operation is part of a larger, ongoing effort to tackle illegal employment and exploitation of vulnerable people in the UK. More operations of this kind will be conducted in the near future. 

Unscrupulous employers are potentially liable to substantial financial penalties. The maximum civil penalty for employing illegal workers is £45,000 per worker for a first offence and £60,000 per worker for repeat violations. 

Immigration Enforcement teams also play a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation. 

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:  “It is completely wrong that dodgy employers can work hand-in-glove with the smuggling gangs who risk people’s lives to bring them here illegally and push them into off-the-books employment. 

“These workers are sold complete lies by the gangs before being made to live and work in appalling conditions for a pittance. We are determined to put a stop to this, which is exactly why we have launched crackdowns such as this. 

“While this operation marks an important step forward, our commitment to tackling this issue is ongoing. We will ensure those who break the rules face the full force of the law.”

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement, Eddy Montgomery said: “This week’s operation shows how dedicated the Home Office is to protecting vulnerable people and holding employers accountable.  

“We’re dedicated to stopping exploitation by criminal gangs, ensuring vulnerable people receive the correct support and make sure that those who break the law face serious consequences. 

“I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country for their hard work and teamwork in preparing for and conducting this national operation.”

Mental Health Reference Group meets at Edinburgh Futures Institute

Representatives from Public Health Scotland, RAMH, Penumbra, The Neuk, Cruse Scotland, Samaritans, See Me Scotland, Cosla, Voluntary Health Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University and VOX gathered to discuss the ongoing work being driven by the Mental Health Taskforce in response to the HMICS report on Mental Health.

Representatives agreed to participation in forming a new reference group, solely focused on providing Police Scotland with the voices of professional, expert and lived experience to support the development of new, and improved, person centred approaches across Scotland.

Representatives received a presentation from Police Inspector Suzanne Kelsey on the success of the Mental Health Pathway, a Scottish Government funded collaboration with NHS 24 and Scottish Ambulance Service, followed by the presentation and discussion around a collaborative approach to the development of a suicide bereavement support letter providing emotional and practical support for families bereaved by suicide.

The formation of a reference group will lend support and expertise to the current collaborative workstreams, governance structure and newly created Mental Health Taskforce established to address the 2023 HMICS Mental Health Report recommendations for Police Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Matt Paden who leads Police Scotland’s Mental Health Taskforce said: “The taskforce will establish and integrate referral pathways such as the NHS Mental Health Pathway and Distress Brief Intervention, as well as operational guidance on how to access community triage, so individuals in our communities get the most appropriate response from those best capable to provide the help they require and merit.

“The taskforce will also realign Police Scotland training to better equip our officers with the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to provide balance around the care, support and compassion in daily policing our communities.

“The success of these initiatives heavily depends on the support and engagement of our partners. There are excellent local examples, such as, but not limited, to Hope Point in Dundee, The Neuk in Perth and the community triage model in Lanarkshire which provide a fantastic support to our local communities in those areas.

“We want to enable similar efforts to be implemented nationally and our goal is to collaborate with partners to ensure that individuals have access to the most suitable assistance with our officers and staff equipped with the knowledge and tools to make that a reality.” 

Thursday marked the first gathering of the Mental Health Reference Group who will support Police Scotland in providing a forum for multi sectoral collaboration.

Wendy Given from the Neuk was among those participating in the meeting. he said: “As a third sector organisation working closely with Police Scotland to provide mental health crisis support, it was great to hear about the work being done on pathways and to have the opportunity to represent the views of those using our services at The Neuk.

“Today was a great opportunity to explore potential gaps and work together on creating a more streamlined and effective response for individuals reaching out in mental health crises.

“We are pleased to be included in the formation of a Mental Health Reference Group to ensure that a cross-section of views informs the work they do. I would like to praise Police Scotland for their dedication to bringing about change that truly puts the person at the centre.”

Neil Mathers, Executive Director for Samaritans Scotland said: “This was a great opportunity to work with partners across the third sector to consider how we can better support people in our communities experiencing mental health crisis.

“It was hugely valuable to learn more about Police Scotland’s new Mental Health Taskforce and the progress being made with NHS24 to ensure timely and effective support to those in distress.

“At Samaritans Scotland we work to ensure fewer lives are lost to suicide. We believe it’s vital to work positively and collaboratively with Police Scotland and other partners to achieve this vision.”

Starmer on European mission to drive economic growth

The Prime Minister will drive forward UK economic growth in Berlin and Paris this week, as he puts delivering for the British people at the top of his international agenda. 

Keir Starmer will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to launch negotiations on a new bilateral treaty, which is expected to boost business and trade, deepen defence and security cooperation, and increase joint action on illegal migration. 

The Prime Minister is expected to tell Chancellor Scholz that he is focused on ensuring the UK moves beyond Brexit to rebuild relationships with key partners and improve the lives of hardworking people in both countries. He is also expected to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 

He will say that driving growth will be key to doing that. Germany is Europe’s largest economy and the UK’s second largest trading partner, accounting for 8.5% of all UK trade.  

As part of the trip to Berlin, the Prime Minister is also expected to meet Dr. Christian Bruch, chief executive of Siemens Energy. Through its technology, Siemens supports one-sixth of global energy generation.

The company also employs nearly 100,000 people, including more than 6,000 in the UK. The stop is part of a string of visits planned by the Prime Minister to drive up investment in the UK and create more highly skilled jobs in every corner of the country.  

German companies already support more than 330, 000 jobs in the UK, in places such as Derby, Manchester, Goole and Oxford while UK exports to Germany supported a further 500,000 jobs.  

He will also meet Armin Theodor Papperger, the chief executive of Germany’s largest defence and security company, Rheinmetall. Rheinmetall is also vital to the modernisation of the British Army, supporting thousands of jobs at sites in the south west and Shropshire, and has recently made significant investments in its Telford Hub to deliver Boxer armoured fighting vehicles. 

The two-day European visit comes after the Prime Minister hosted Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, at Downing Street on Tuesday, to progress inward investment from the Gulf. 

The Prime Minister is expected to travel on to Paris for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony on Wednesday night, before meeting French business leaders, including major investors into the UK economy, for breakfast on Thursday morning including from Thales, Eutelsat, Mistral AI and Sanofi.

France is the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 6% of all UK trade. The Prime Minister will then go on to meet Paralympians as they prepare for competition, before meeting President Macron at the Elysée Palace.   

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say: “We have a once in a generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe and strive for genuine, ambitious partnerships that deliver for the British people. 

“We must turn a corner on Brexit and fix the broken relationships left behind by the previous government. That work started at the European Political Community meeting last month, and I am determined to continue it, which is why I am visiting Germany and France this week. 

“Strengthening our relationship with these countries is crucial, not only in tackling the global problem of illegal migration, but also in boosting economic growth across the continent and crucially in the UK – one of the key missions of my government.” 

The new UK-Germany treaty will be a key pillar of the UK’s wider reset with Europe and build on the defence agreement, which is currently being negotiated between the two countries, and expected to be finalised in the autumn.

The Prime Minister’s negotiating team will spend the next six months agreeing the new treaty, with both sides wanting to agree the new partnership in early 2025.  

The ambitious agreement is expected to cover vital areas for increased collaboration, such as market access, critical science, innovation and tech, clean energy, trade across the North Sea, supply chain resilience, energy security and green transition education, biodiversity, and the environment.

A treaty of such magnitude has never been agreed between the UK and Germany. Alongside the longstanding Lancaster House Treaties that underpin the UK’s relationship with France, this new agreement will bring all E3 members in line as our governments work in lockstep on key geo-political issues, such as the conflict in the Middle East and war in Ukraine.

Germany is a central part of the Government’s push to recalibrate relations with Europe, given the close cultural ties and defence collaboration. 

The leaders are also expected to discuss joint action to tackle illegal migration, including further intelligence sharing to intercept and shut down organised immigration crime rings. 

The Prime Minister will also reiterate his personal condolences to the German people following the attack in Solingen on Friday, where three people died. 

The European visit is the fifth time the Prime Minister has met Chancellor Scholz and the fourth time meeting President Macron, following the NATO Summit in Washington, the European Political Community hosted at Blenheim Palace, the UEFA Euro 2024 final, and the Olympic opening ceremony hosted last month. 

The European business drive comes ahead of the Prime Minister hosting a major International Investment Summit in October to advance opportunities for investment and growth across the country and deliver for the British people.

Eight years for capital sex offender

A man has been jailed for eight years for serious sexual offences in Edinburgh. Connor Hagley, 26, pleaded guilty to the abuse, including rape, of a woman between 2019 and 2021 at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 22 July, 2024.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling yesterday, Tuesday, 27 August. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Hagley is a danger to women and his conviction proves that. He’ll now face the consequences of his despicable actions, which have had a devastating impact on the woman involved.

“I’d like to commend her for her strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings. I hope this sentencing will bring some form of justice as she continues to move forward with her life.

“Anyone who has been a victim of such crimes is urged to come forward and report it to us. We’re committed to fully investigating, regardless of when it happened, and bringing those responsible in front of the courts.

“I want to reassure you, we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

Have your say on Edinburgh’s new school proposals

Views are being sought on proposals to build two new non-denominational primary schools and nurseries in and Granton Waterfront and Gilmerton.

The Council is looking for people’s views on proposals to build two new non-denominational primary schools and nurseries in the city. The plans include both creating new catchment areas and changes to the catchments of nearby existing schools. 

One proposed new school would sit within the Granton Waterfront development area in north Edinburgh. This would affect the existing catchment areas of Craigroyston, Granton and Pirniehall primary schools, and Broughton and Craigroyston Community high schools.

The other would be located within the Gilmerton Station Road housing development in south east Edinburgh. This would affect the existing catchment areas of Gilmerton Primary School, Gracemount High School, and Liberton High School.

Proposals for both schools include ideas to bring daily services together for everyone in the local area to use. This approach is designed to help create more social, inclusive and accessible communities that are connected by safe travel routes.

Education, Children and Families Convener Cllr Joan Griffiths said: “These proposals represent exciting new possibilities for flexible, inclusive and diverse schools in the heart of our communities across the city.

“We’re committed to ensuring our children get the best possible start in life in Edinburgh. We also want this improved way of using our school buildings to help everyone across the city to live well locally in healthier, greener and thriving neighbourhoods.

“We hope that as many people as possible take the opportunity to share their views on the proposals via our website or by coming along to one of our meetings or drop-in events.”

More information on the school proposals for Granton and Gilmerton can be found on the Council’s Consultation Hub, where visitors can share their views.

A mixture of public meetings and drop-in sessions to discuss the proposals will also take place in September:

Granton:

Public meeting:

  • Craigroyston Community High School on Tuesday, 10 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Drop-in public information events:

  • Broughton High School on Wednesday 4 September 2024 5.00pm – 7.30pm
  • Granton Primary School on Monday 9 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00pm
  • Craigroyston Primary School on Tuesday 10 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00pm
  • Pirniehall Primary School on Thursday 19 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00 pm

Gilmerton:

Public meetings:

  • Gilmerton Primary School on Thursday 12 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm
  • Gracemount High School on Wednesday 18 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Views and comments can also be submitted direct to the Council by end of Thursday 3 October 2024.

Million-pound legacy for Scotland’s national Music School

St Mary’s Music School, Scotland’s national music school, is celebrating the most significant legacy to be received in its 50-year-long history, thanks to the generosity of School supporter and music enthusiast, the late David Hutcheson.

A great music lover, David was a major supporter of the Edinburgh School in his later years and a regular attender at its concerts and performances. He believed passionately in supporting young people and music.

His legacy to the School, which will total more than one million pounds, comes at an exciting time in the history of St Mary’s Music School, as it looks to develop and modernise its facilities and provide the best possible experience for generations of talented young musicians to come.

St Mary’s Music School Headteacher, Dr Kenneth Taylor, remembers David fondly: “David was a great music aficionado and a generous supporter of the School. His support of our young musicians during his lifetime was wonderful but his legacy is nothing short of remarkable.

” We are deeply grateful to David for supporting the School with such a significant gift. His generosity will live on with the School and help our aspiring young musicians to go on to careers as professional instrumentalists, composers, singers, conductors and music teachers around the world.”

A music aficionado

Born in the Borders and raised in a musical family, it was David’s mother – an excellent violinist – who inspired in him a lifelong love of music and encouraged him to become an accomplished pianist himself.

A keen collector throughout his life, David amassed a significant collection of antique furniture, British & European paintings and silver. 

Highlights of his collection will be auctioned by Lyon & Turnbull in their forthcoming Five Centuries sale on 4 – 5 September and across a range of specialist auctions this autumn.

All will benefit St Mary’s Music School, as was his wish.

City of Edinburgh Council slammed for allocating just £50K to upgrade ‘Deathtrap’ Junction

​Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are calling on the City of Edinburgh Council to clarify how the funds allocated for improving the junction of Telford Road, Hillhouse Road, and Strachan Road will enhance pedestrian safety.​

Labelled ‘Deathtrap Junction,’ this is one of the busiest junctions in the capital, yet its pedestrian crossing facilities are woefully inadequate. The complex layout, coupled with fast-moving traffic, makes it dangerous and inaccessible for all pedestrians and nearly impossible to navigate for most blind and partially sighted individuals.​

The pedestrian crossings lack audible signals and revolving cones, with many in need of basic repairs. The limited protective barriers at the junction increase the vulnerability of all pedestrians, while Strachan Road is particularly hazardous, as it has no pedestrian crossing facilities at all despite the constant flow of fast-moving traffic.

The charities, along with local Inverleith Ward Councillors, are concerned that the limited budget allocated for improvements will do nothing to enhance pedestrian safety.​

Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, expressed her concerns: “While we appreciate the Council’s acknowledgment that the junction needs upgrading, I am left very disappointed by the limited funding being allocated.

“I struggle to see how this will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, especially those with vision impairments. We’re talking about people’s lives here. This is a densely populated area where residents need to cross these roads to reach the only local doctor’s and then again to get to the chemist for prescriptions.

“With schools and a mosque nearby, it’s clear that upgrading this junction is essential, even if it’s costly and causes traffic congestion.

“People’s safety should never be compromised, and I worry that the Council is prioritising traffic flow over pedestrian safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that it’s just not safe for them to cross on their own, which is unacceptable.”​

Local Inverleith Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem) expressed appreciation to Sight Scotland for bringing attention to the well-documented issues at the Farmers junction: “The Council must do better and prioritise projects like this, as providing safe, accessible crossings for the most vulnerable benefits everyone in our society.

“The funding allocated for this upgrade is far too low, and more must be done. While the Council claims to prioritise pedestrians over traffic, their actions don’t reflect this commitment.

“Ensuring that everyone can safely navigate this junction shouldn’t be up for debate—it’s a necessity. It’s great the Sight Scotland campaign has made the Council start listening, but it’s not enough, and once again, the most vulnerable are being overlooked.”​

Fellow local councillor Cllr Max Mitchell (Conservative) adds: “I have been proud to support Sight Scotland’s campaign, and while the inclusion of this junction among the prioritised projects is a step in the right direction, it’s also a clear acknowledgment of the significant safety issues here.

“Although I welcome the funding allocated to address some aspects of Strachan Road, I am deeply concerned that the £40-50k budget will barely make a difference given the numerous dangers across the entire junction.

“People with vision impairments cannot cross this junction safely, and by failing to address these issues adequately, we are once again excluding them from our community. Safety must be our top priority, and it cannot be compromised.”​

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We recognise that a full upgrade of the junction will require more funding in the long term, but immediate interim measures—such as installing tactile paving, cones, audible signals, and light boxes, particularly at Strachan Road—are essential and must be implemented as soon as possible.

“There are blind and partially sighted people in the local area who we support who are currently not able to get about independently because of this junction. It is simply too dangerous to cross. Without basic upgrades, we’re risking people being left housebound.”​

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are urging people to join their campaign to push the City of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road, and Telford Road.

You can support this campaign by writing to your local Councillor and calling for urgent action to fix this dangerous junction.

Follow this link to take action: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction.

Business Gateway announces plans for second ‘Connections & Conversations’ event for start-ups

Business Gateway West Lothian has announced plans for its second ‘connections and conversations’ free ‘start up’ event on Thursday, 5th September at Whitburn Partnership Centre, from 5-7pm, to highlight the support available to help people in the local community get their business idea off the ground.

The ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event, which follows on from the success of the first one in February this year, will include presentations from a team of Business Gateway West Lothian advisers, covering everything from planning and financial advice to marketing and HR support.

Various local businesses who have received valuable support in their start up journey will also be attending to share their personal stories in a panel discussion followed by a Q&A, including Paul Stark who founded Livingston-based Sustainable Sport in March.

The company provides expert consultancy support to help organisations within the sports industry achieve their long-term goals whilst minimising their environmental impact.

The support he received included guidance on the different types of legal structures for his businesses, allowing him to select the most appropriate option and also advice on how to source start up funding to assist with initial capital expenditure costs, allowing him to get off to a great start, efficiently and professionally. 

Paul said: “Business Gateway was instrumental in helping me set up my business. From supplying information and templates, to providing access to funding, they were with me every step of the way. 

“I’m delighted to say that due to the solid foundations that were put in place with the support of the Business Gateway team, Sustainable Sport is now going from strength to strength.”

Claire McGurk, founder of Canine Bodywork Clinic, which provides canine hydrotherapy and clinical massage services will also be talking about the support she has received for her Livingston-based business, which launched in January this year.

This includes help completing a business plan, with detailed financial projections, assistance with funding applications, advice when deciding on the structure of the company, and guidance and signposting on planning consents. 

The support enabled Claire to secure the appropriate funding to support the start up of the business, establish a clear and realistic set of financial projections, and create a strategy to help the business achieve its first three year’s objectives.

Claire said: “Without the expert help and advice from Business Gateway, the business plan for the clinic would not be as robust as it is. The financial projections for my first three years were a huge help for me to set my longer-term goals.  

Help and support through achieving funding for the business was also a huge boost on getting the business off the ground. The support has been incredible, and I am genuinely so grateful.” 

Former teacher, Susan Grieve and pupil support worker Ben Fazakerley, who founded Positive Outcomes LP this month, will also be sharing the story of their start up journey, which began in March this year.

The company, which specialises in offering afterschool care, holiday day care, respite, tutoring, and support for home-schooling to families with children with ASN, is based in Mid Calder Institute Hall Monday to Thursday and on Friday’s at The Polbeth Hub.

Susan said: “We have had an excellent experience with Business Gateway West Lothian. 

“Our advisor Jordan McDonald gave us the confidence and encouragement to push forward with our business. We were given expert advice and support throughout our whole journey. 

“Jordan helped us to start creating our business plan and was fundamental in getting us some funding which helped us greatly with start up costs. 

“We have received a first-class service and are still receiving support from Jordan, even after our business has successfully started up.”

There will also be opportunities for all attendees to network at the event.

Linzi Winton, Team Leader at Business Gateway West Lothian, said: “We are really looking forward to another ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event on the 5th September, aimed at anyone who is thinking about starting a business or at the early stages and could benefit from a helping hand.

“It will be a great opportunity for attendees to hear from our guest speakers who will be sharing their start up journeys and the support they’ve received from our advisers, who will also be at the event to highlight the fantastic free resources available at Business Gateway West Lothian to help get your new venture off to a great start.”