Home Secretary launches new Border Security Command

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has set out the first steps to establishing a new UK Border Security Command (BSC).

This BSC will strengthen Britain’s border security and smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings.

Rapid recruitment for an exceptional leader used to working in complex and challenging environments, for example, at senior levels of policing, intelligence or the military, will kick off today (Monday 8 July), with the new recruit expected to take up their post in the coming weeks.

Reporting directly to the Home Secretary, the Border Security Commander will provide strategic direction to work across agencies, drawing together the work of the National Crime Agency (NCA), intelligence agencies, police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force, to better protect our borders and go after the smuggling gangs facilitating small boat crossings.

Following the Home Secretary’s instruction, a core team in the Home Office is establishing the remit, governance and strategic direction of the new command. Early legislation is being prepared to introduce new counter terror style powers and stronger measures to tackle organised immigration crime.

She has also commissioned a bespoke investigation from the department and the NCA into the latest routes, methods and tactics used by people smuggling gangs across Europe to inform a major law enforcement drive over the coming months.

The BSC will draw on substantial additional resources, with work to bring in more investigators, experts and analysts to tackle organised immigration crime starting on Monday. A significant number of these will be based across Europe, working with Europol and European police forces to disrupt the activity of the criminal smuggling gangs and ensure those profiting from people smuggling are brought to justice.

In a call to the Director General of the NCA, Graeme Biggar, the Home Secretary stressed the need to break the business model of the criminal smuggling gangs, going after their ability to communicate, move people across Europe and their profit.

The Home Secretary will have further calls this week with European interior ministers and with the Director General of Europol to discuss strengthening security cooperation.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Criminal smuggling gangs are making millions out of small boat crossings, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. We can’t carry on like this. We need to tackle the root of the problem, going after these dangerous criminals and bringing them to justice.

“The Border Security Command will be a major step change in UK enforcement efforts to tackle organised immigration crime, drawing on substantial resource to work across Europe and beyond to disrupt trafficking networks and to coordinate with prosecutors in Europe to deliver justice.

“Work is underway to bring in a Border Security Commander to lead this work – and we will begin recruitment on additional capacity in the National Crime Agency immediately.”

UNLOCK DEMOCRACY: Cleaning Up Politics

Restoring trust in politics doesn’t depend on funding or passing laws.

This joint letter signed by, amongst others, Civil Exchange, Transparency International UK, Compassion In Politics, Compass, Make Votes Matter, and the Electoral Reform Society sets out four things Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer can announce to demonstrate that he will clean up politics:

Chancellor: ‘I will take the difficult decisions to deliver growth’

Rachel Reeves: ‘No time to waste’

  • Chancellor Rachel Reeves will vow to “fix the foundations of Britain’s economy” to make every part of Britain better off.
  • In her first major speech, the Chancellor will declare economic growth is “a national mission” and promise to take the tough decisions to deliver on the Government’s mandate.
  • She is expected to announce swift changes to unblock infrastructure and private investment.

The Government will take the difficult decisions to deliver growth, Rachel Reeves will say in her first speech as Chancellor today.

Business leaders from some of Britain’s most pioneering industries – including its financial services and green industries – are expected to be in attendance in central London to hear Ms Reeves vow to “fix the foundations of our economy so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off.”

Rachel Reeves will say there is “no time to waste” on delivering change, pledging to reverse “the legacy of fourteen years of chaos and economic irresponsibility”.

The Chancellor is expected to say: ““Last week, the British people voted for change. And over the past 72 hours I have begun the work necessary to deliver on that mandate.

“Our manifesto was clear: ‘Sustained economic growth is the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people.’

“Where governments have been unwilling to take the difficult decisions to deliver growth – or have waited too long to act – I will deliver.

“It is now a national mission. There is no time to waste.

“This morning I want to outline the first steps this new government has taken to fix the foundations of our economy, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off.

“We face the legacy of fourteen years of chaos and economic irresponsibility. 

“New Treasury analysis I requested over the weekend exposed the opportunities lost from this failure.

“Had the UK economy grown at the average rate of OECD economies since 2010, it would have been over £140 billion larger.

“This could have brought in an additional £58 billion in tax revenues last year alone to sustain our public services.

“It falls to this new Government to fix the foundations.”

First Minister welcomes Prime Minister to Bute House

Talks focus on collaborative working and areas of shared interest

First Minister John Swinney welcomed Sir Keir Starmer to Bute House yesterday for one of his first engagements after being appointed as the new UK Prime Minister.  

Following an introductory telephone call on Friday, the two leaders met in Edinburgh to emphasise their joint commitment to working collaboratively on areas of shared interest.

They discussed a range of issues and areas where both the governments can work together, including advancing the Scottish Government’s core priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero, and ensuring the delivery of effective public services. 

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and the new Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray joined the First Minister and Prime Minister for talks.

First Minister John Swinney said: “I was pleased to welcome Sir Keir to Bute House so soon after his appointment as UK Prime Minister.

“We continued our conversation about areas of shared interest. I believe there is an opportunity for collaborative working that can make a difference to people’s lives and I hope to work with Sir Keir’s new Government to deliver progress for the benefit of people in Scotland.

“Following our talks, I am confident we have established the foundation for a productive relationship between our two governments based on renewed respect for the devolution settlement.

“On a personal note, having been First Minister for two months and a minister for many years, I am very aware of the demands of office. I again offered Sir Keir and his family my congratulations on his appointment and my best wishes for what will be a demanding start to his term in office.” 

The UK’s position on the Middle East will be one of the ongoing issues Keir Starmer will have to address and a vocal protest by pro-Palestinian campaigners gathered outside Bute House calling for an end to arms supplies to Israel and an end to the slaughter of innocent children and families in Gaza.

Best of the Best: Top award for Edinburgh tourist attraction

Top Edinburgh attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close has been revealed as the UK’s favourite tourist attraction and 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in this year’s Tripadvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best for 2024, highlighting the top attractions to visit in the UK and internationally.

The highest level of Tripadvisor’s awards, the Best of the Best winners are among the top 1% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor, with the popular Edinburgh attraction beating competition from some of the nation’s most iconic locations, such as Tower Bridge, The British Museum and Tower of London, to the top spot in the rankings, as well as Edinburgh attractions including Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle.

Inviting guests to venture beneath the capital’s iconic Royal Mile and discover the hidden close, which was once bustling with life, the popular tour takes visitors on a journey to uncover the city’s long-forgotten 17th-century streets and soak up the rich history of Auld Reekie.

With a variety of specially curated limited-edition tours running throughout the year, the attraction, operated by Continuum Attractions, remains a fan-favourite for locals and tourists alike, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors each year.

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Juliana Delaney, CEO of Continuum Attractions, said: “Our attraction is truly unique.

“Being able to bring the centuries-old stories of Edinburgh’s dark past to life in such an engaging and fun way is testament to our brilliant team of storytellers who capture the imagination of our guests.

“When we took on the Close some 20 years ago the predictions were for 60,000 visitors per year. Through the careful development of the site and expert storytelling we have built a reputation that has reached far and wide.

“Being named as the UK’s number one tourist destination is a real privilege but the most important thing is knowing that our guests enjoy their time with us and will want to return. Our partnership with City of Edinburgh Council has delivered them a world-class heritage attraction.”

The Real Mary King’s Close has been part of Edinburgh’s rich cultural scene for 21 years after Continuum Attractions teamed with the city council to reveal the Close’s rich history.

The Real Mary King’s Close has received more than 21,000 reviews on Tripadvisor which has helped it to land in top spot.

One recent reviewer said: “This tour is highly recommended by me! If you love history this will be an awesome way to immerse yourself in what life was like in the 1600s in Old Town.”

A second said: “A very interesting and unique visit to the Edinburgh of past times. You get to visit the old homes of people who lived there and learn their stories. Our guide Emilia was very nice and made the whole tour feel like time travel. Would totally recommend!”

Find out more about The Real Mary King’s Close and book tickets here.

CAMRA: Pints of View Summer issue

The latest issue of our CAMRA branch magazine Pints of View (number 82, summer 2024) is now being distributed around pubs in South East Scotland.

It contains news of pubs and breweries in SE Scotland along with general articles that may be of interest 

The magazine is available on line via the Issue reader.

OR

Can be downloaded NOW as a PDF (10MB) from https://edinburgh.camra.org.uk/dl.php?id=222840

POV82Download

Artificial Sweetener vs Sugar: are they healthy for your heart?

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Artificial Sweetener vs Sugar: are they healthy for your heart?

Many people think that artificial sweeteners are a healthy and safe alternative to sugar, but is this the case? Research shows that both artificial sweeteners and sugar can be a problem for your health. 

Most adults in the UK eat too much sugar, which is often responsible for increasing blood pressure, causing excess weight gain and tooth decay. Artificial sweeteners are used as alternatives to sugar in many foods, most commonly in foods labelled as diet-friendly, low-calorie or sugar-free.

However, recent studies suggest these can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which worsen blood sugar control and are risk factors for heart disease. Although more research needs to be done into the effects of artificial sweeteners, it is possible that, like sugar, it can also increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.  

Here we share some tips on how to reduce your intake of both sugars and artificial sweeteners: 

Train your tastebuds 

When you regularly consume sweet foods and drinks, your brain begins to recognise highly sweetened products as a positive reward. The phrase ‘sweet tooth’ means that you crave sweet foods and drinks, which satisfies your need or want when you consume them. Those people who have a sweet tooth are often those who have been exposed to sweet foods in their early life. 

Removing sweet foods and drinks from your daily diet may result in you feeling withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time. However, this will allow you to retrain your tastebuds and reduce your cravings for highly sweetened products. Replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier versions, such as fruit and nuts with a small amount of dark chocolate, will lead you to gain similar satisfaction from these healthy foods that support heart health. 

Dietary changes 

Cooking foods from scratch will allow you to be aware of the amount of sugars and sweeteners within your meals. Often pre-made, processed foods such as ready meals and pasta sauces contain sugar. By making these meals from scratch and adapting your recipes to contain little to no added sugar, you’ll be helping to keep your blood pressure healthy. 

Experiment with using spices and seasonings such as cinnamon and vanilla to sweeten foods and drinks without negatively affecting your health. 

Fruits are a good natural way to satisfy your sweet cravings whilst counting towards your five-a-day. However, some fruits are high in natural sugars and consuming them in excess can have a negative impact on your health. If you consume high amounts of fruit, try and replace some with snack-friendly vegetables such as carrot and cucumber sticks.  

Swap your usual fizzy drinks for water. This includes your ‘diet’ versions too, as these contain artificial sweeteners which could also negatively affect your heart. 

Check food labels 

Many foods often have hidden sugars in them, and checking your food labels whilst you are shopping is the easiest way to know how much you’re consuming. If you find that your usual choices have high amounts of sugar in them or have red traffic light food labels on the front, then it is best to avoid these. Have a look for other alternatives that have lower quantities of sugar in them and choose these. 

Yoghurts, condiments and jars of sauce are often high in sugar. Try to use the no-added sugar versions where possible and be mindful of food manufacturers swapping out the sugar for artificial sweeteners in products. Common artificial sweeteners include Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin, Erythritol and Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).  

Both sugar and artificial sweetener intake should be limited as much as possible and you should be mindful of your intake. Consuming these on occasion is alright and won’t have a detrimental effect on your health. It’s important to make sure that you do not exceed the sugar guidelines of 30g of free sugars per day or the equivalent of seven sugar cubes to keep your heart health in check.  

Count Binface: Bindependence Day!

National Tour from 12th September

The universe’s favourite novelty politician, Count Binface, is back on our planet, and just in the nick of time as he’s set to embark on a national tour this autumn to save us all from imminent disaster with his MEGA plans. (Make Earth Great Again!) 

2024 is the biggest year ever for democracy, with elections all over the globe, and Binface has more than played his part. He recently ran in the London Mayoral Election and took on (former) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the General Election. 

Hot off the back of the UK’s General Election, Binface will be invading a theatre near you with his brand new live comedy show, featuring his unique take on Britain, his special brand of sci-fi satire, and of course his unbeatable manifesto.

Cheaper croissants? Check. The nationalisation of Adele? Check. The return of Ceefax? Check. Water bosses to take a dip in UK rivers to see how they like it? CHECK! 

Count Binface is the intergalactic space warrior and novelty politician who has delighted millions with his unlikely tilts at power in the United Kingdom.

First, he took on Theresa May in the 2017 General Election, cunningly disguised as ‘Lord Buckethead’, and went viral around the world (in a non-Covid way), appearing on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and at The Glastonbury Festival.

Then he challenged Boris Johnson in 2019, when he scored 69 votes (he’d love to say he’s the first life form to experience a surprising 69 with the Prime Minister in a sports hall during the small hours, but with Boris you just never know).

In 2021 he first ran to be Mayor of London in a bid to gain control of the Earth Capital itself. He received a glorious 92,896 votes from the great British public that sent him soaring into ninth place.

This year he won 24,260 votes and he got endorsed by a national newspaper and beat the fascists of Britain First.

Tour Listings:

for tickets and more information visit https://www.countbinface.com/tour

12 Sept             Cardiff              Glee Club          

13 Sept             Bath                 Komedia           

17 Sept             Hull                  Social   

18 Sept             Leeds               Wardrobe         

19 Sept             Glasgow           Òran Mór         

24 Sept             Sheffield           Leadmill           

26 Sept             Liverpool          Hot Water Comedy Club

29 Sept             Manchester      Cultplex            

2 Oct                Birmingham      Glee Club

3 Oct                Leicester           Y Theatre 

6 Oct                Cambridge        Junction           

9 Oct                Edinburgh         Monkey Barrel

11 Oct              London             Pleasance         

16 Oct              Brighton           Komedia           

19 Oct              Croydon           Fairfield Halls

27 Oct              Bristol              Wardrobe Theatre

Police: Have you seen Douglas?

*** UPDATE 3pm – DOUGLAS TRACED SAFE AND WELL ***

POLICE are appealing for help to trace Douglas Latona who has been reported missing from the Edinburgh area.

The 22-year-old was last seen in Willowbrae Road around 2am this morning – Sunday, 7 July, 2024.

Douglas is described as white, 5ft9, medium to stocky build, with short dark hair and heavy stubble. He was last seen wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey Superdry sweatshirt and a black leather jacket.

Inspector Kenny Robertson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about Douglas’s welfare and are asking members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us.

“We would also urge Douglas to please get in touch with someone to let them know he is safe and well.

“Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101, quoting incident number 1101 of Sunday, 7 July, 2024.”