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‘Constructive’ talks as FM meets PM

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held ‘constructive talks’ with the Prime Minister Theresa May at Bute House on Friday. The First Minister welcomed the Prime Minister to Edinburgh on what was her first official visit since coming into office.

Following the meeting, the First Minister said: “It was a constructive and very good discussion.

“The Prime Minister and I have big political disagreements but we are both women who approach business in a similar way, so I think we can have a good working relationship not withstanding those political differences.

“I was very pleased that Theresa May said that she was absolutely willing to consider any options that the Scottish Government now brings forward to secure Scotland’s relationship with the European Union. The process that is now taken forward by the UK Government will be open and flexible and the Scottish Government will be fully involved in that.

“These negotiations have yet to take shape and the UK Government don’t yet know exactly how they will proceed from here, but there is an agreement that Scottish Government officials will be very closely involved in discussions to give shape to this process and will be involved in that process. Crucially, and this is the most important point from my point of view, is that that process will be open to considering options that the Scottish Government brings forward.”

The First Minister reiterated to the Prime Minister that she will make sure Scotland’s interests are protected and she will continue to examine every option possible, including a second independence referendum. She added:

“I’ve said previously that if we want to protect our relationship with the European Union then Scotland may have to consider becoming an independent member. If it proves not to be possible to fully protect Scotland’s interests through the UK process then the Prime Minister knows that a second independence referendum is of course on the table.

“However, I’ve also been consistently clear that I want to examine all options for protecting Scotland’s position, protecting our interests, protecting our relationship with the EU. That’s why I’ve assembled a team of experts that will advise me on the options that might exist, and it was very important today to get a commitment from the Prime Minister to listen to options that the Scottish Government will bring forward.”

The Prime Ministers’s visit, coming less than 48 hours after being invited by Her Majesty The Queen to form a government, emphasised Mrs May’s ‘strong personal support’ for the Union in talks with the First Minister at Bute House.

The Prime Minister also affirmed the government’s commitment to fully engaging with the Scottish Government in the forthcoming negotiations about the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister said: “I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom – the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This visit to Scotland is my first as Prime Minister and I’m coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.

“And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side. Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family – not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.

“That’s because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens. Whether it’s reforming the economy or strengthening our society, we are going to build a better Britain and a nation that works for everyone – not just the privileged few.”

Police Open Day next Saturday

Saturday 23 July 11am – 2pm

Fettes Police Station

Open Day 2016

Free Summer Programme for adults at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Royston/Wardieburn Adult summer programme kicked off on Tuesday with a visit to the Scottish Parliament. After viewing the World Press Photo exhibition by the world’s leading photo journalists*, participants had a meeting with Ben MacPherson, the new MSP for the Forth Ward. Continue reading Free Summer Programme for adults at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Brexit voters felt ‘ignored and left behind’

The independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is calling for a renewed drive to solve poverty, as new research reveals the extent people feel disconnected from the UK’s economic growth and how their concerns are ignored by the political establishment.

Following last month’s Brexit vote, which revealed deep divisions in British society, a poll of over 2,000 people conducted by Populus for JRF has revealed that those who voted for Brexit feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by politicians.

In one of the first polls after Brexit, it presents a clear instruction for the next government to ensure things do not return to ‘business as usual’ for people and places who feel left behind. The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has said her premiership will focus on uniting the country and carrying out a programme of social and economic reform.

The findings show:

Brexit voters are twice as likely to feel their local area doesn’t get its fair share of Britain’s economic success (23% vs 11%), and that their local area has been neglected by politicians (27% vs. 13%).
Brexit voters are also nearly twice as likely to believe that national government does not listen to their concerns (40% vs. 23%).
Brexit voters are more likely to believe wealth in the UK is not fairly distributed, and that they do not personally benefit from economic growth in the UK. In all cases, Brexit voters on low incomes were more likely to share these sentiments than those on higher incomes.
Brexit voters feel more optimistic about their family’s future, although poorer Brexit voters less so. Asked whether they ‘feel optimistic about my family’s future’, 48% of DE Brexit voters agreed compared to 62% among AB Brexit voters.
Brexit voters feel more optimistic about the country’s future, although poorer Brexit voters less so. 61% of DE Brexit voters agreed with this sentiment compared to 70% among AB Brexit voters.

This comes as separate polling for JRF shows poverty is a rising concern among the public as social mobility is perceived to be moving backwards. The poll, conducted a week before the Brexit vote and released yesterday, revealed:

90% of those polled say poverty reduction is task for central government
Two thirds of people think poverty has increased over the last decade
52% believe it is harder for those living in poverty to escape than it was 10 years ago – compared to just 15% who say it’s easier.

JRF is calling for urgent action to tackle poverty and prevent further economic and social division. In September JRF will be launching a comprehensive strategy to solve poverty, outlining how national and local government, businesses and citizens can each play their part.

Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of JRF, said: “The reasons for people’s vote in the referendum are complex, but this clearly shows that millions of people up and down the country feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by those elected to serve them.

“We believe Britain will be stronger if we solve poverty, giving everyone regardless of their background the chance to live a decent and secure life. Yet instead we’re seeing a real sense that it’s harder to get on than it used to be and poverty is on the rise.

“The result of the EU referendum shows we cannot afford to return to business as usual for the poorest people and places across the UK. It is vital that politicians seize this opportunity to show that they are listening, and work not only across party lines but in collaboration with business, individuals and local communities to solve poverty once and for all.”

Motorbiking: the safe way

Biker Down: Firefighters are working with bikers to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on Scotland’s roads.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews regularly respond to serious collisions knowing those on two wheels are by far the most likely to be involved in a tragedy.

As many riders travel in pairs or groups a fellow biker is often the first person on scene following an incident involving a motorcycle.

In a pilot project firefighters in Argyll and Bute, Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire are running Biker Down courses, giving riders potentially life-saving skills to help them make the scene of a collision safe and protect a casualty.

The initiative first came to Scotland in 2015 when Firefighter John Branney of North Lanarkshire’s Cumbernauld Community Fire Station sought permission to replicate the Kent Fire and Rescue Service project.

His team of volunteers – all firefighters and members of the SFRS Bikers Section – has delivered numerous courses over the past year. Their efforts have been bolstered with crews at Oban and South Queensferry also now delivering the courses.

Dozens of motorcyclists from across Scotland have taken part, with the firefighters sharing their experience of attending serious road traffic collisions to make them aware of the dangers that face casualties and those coming to their aid.

Area Manager Iain McCusker, the local senior officer for North Lanarkshire, said: “Motorcyclists are around 38 times more likely to be killed than people in cars, because a collision that would barely damage a vehicle could easily claim a biker’s life.

“Our crews are all too familiar with the devastating aftermath of incidents on the roads. Firefighters are often needed to help people who are trapped and injured following a crash, but sadly there are times when their specialist rescue skills just aren’t enough.”

He continued: “Biker Down isn’t about lecturing riders on the consequences of things going wrong – it’s about equipping them to make a difference if they encounter an emergency.

“If someone there when a crash happens has the skills to manage the scene and provide first aid it could save a life.”

Participants learn ways of making a scene safe, first aid appropriate to common types of injury and how to safely remove a helmet.

The course also helps bikers make it less likely they will become a casualty, by covering ways those on two wheels can get noticed by other road users.

Station Manager Gordon McGuire, of the SFRS service delivery team in North Lanarkshire, wants other motorcyclists to come forward to learn potentially life-saving skills.

He said: “Every day around 30 bikers come to harm on Britain’s roads.

“Biker Down gives an insight to what it’s like at the scene of an incident and what steps can be taken to help prevent them becoming tragedies.

“Learning some basic first person on scene techniques could make all the difference and keep a casualty alive until specialist medical helps gets to them.

“The course is designed by bikers for bikers and we want people to get in touch if they are interested in taking part.”

Courses are currently scheduled to run in Motherwell on Saturday 13 August and in Oban on Sunday 14 and Sunday 28 August.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for the next course in South Queensferry.

Anyone interested in taking part in a course can contact the teams operating in the west and east of Scotland by email to w.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (West) or e.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (East).

Firefighter Branney said: “Our advice for motorcyclists is always to anticipate the actions of others, make sure they could slow down and safely stop if the unexpected happens, and to position their bike in the safest place to maximise their visibility.

“They should always take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over their shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so they know where others are and what they’re doing.

“Because bikers are particularly vulnerable we also need drivers of other vehicles to ‘Think Bike’ and carefully look for motorcyclists, especially at junctions, when changing lanes or turning in the road.”

More information on the courses is available by visiting the ‘Biker Down Scotland’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Biker-Down-Scotland-100598230291251/.

More Hidden Gems Walks

PCHP_WALKING_PROG_A5_JULY16

Following the success of last year’s Hidden Gems walks PCHP are running another series of six walks discovering parts of North Edinburgh you never knew existed! Even people who have lived in North Edinburgh all their lives are guaranteed to find out new things about their local area.

“I can’t believe I learned so much about the area I lived in considering I have been here all my life” said Kathy, who joined in with last year’s walks.

All walks are led by PCHP’s award-winning walk leaders and will be at an easy pace. All walks start at 7pm except the first one (21 July) which starts at 6.30pm

The first walk takes you to Lauriston Castle. Meet up at Silverknowes Golf Course at 6.30pm on Thursday (21 July). The walk will take about an hour to an hour and a half.

21^st July Meander Round Lauriston Castle Gardens 1 mile

NB this walk starts at 6.30pm not 7pm

Meet Roundabout Silverknowes Golf Course Silverknowes Rd, EH4 5ET

28^th July All that Sparkles Art Walk 2 and ¾ miles

Meet North Edinburgh Arts Centre 15a Pennywell Rd, EH4 4TZ

4^th August Discovering Granton’s Industrial Past 1 mile

Meet north side Granton Square by Lochinvar Drive EH5 1HE

11^th August Long Gone Schooldays 1.4 m

Meet north side Granton Square by Lochinvar Drive EH5 1HE

18^th August North Edinburgh’s Lost Medieval Walled Garden 2m

Meet Prentice Centre 1 Granton Mains Ave, EH4 4GA

25^th August Foraging for Free 3 miles

Meet North Edinburgh Arts Centre 15a Pennywell Rd, EH4 4TZ

PCHP_WALKING_PROG_A5_JULY16

For more details please contact 0131 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk

Clare Symonds (Development worker – Physical Activity)

Move It, Pilton Community Health Project

73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh EH5 2PW

0131 551 1671

http://www.pchp.org.uk/

Cracking down on motorbike crime

Young people riding motorbikes dangerously on our streets, green space, cycleways and even pavements has been causing anger and alarm in North Edinburgh for a long time now, so local residents will be delighted to hear that city police have launched a new operation dedicated to tackling motorbike theft and associated antisocial behaviour in the Capital. Continue reading Cracking down on motorbike crime

Awesome Authors coming to Edinburgh

CBBC’s Awesome Authors is coming to the capital this weekend, giving Edinburgh’s children the chance to take part in this fun and exciting national event. Continue reading Awesome Authors coming to Edinburgh

‘We will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us’

Theresa May delivered her first statement as Prime Minister in Downing Street last night:

I have just been to Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty The Queen has asked me to form a new government, and I accepted.

In David Cameron, I follow in the footsteps of a great, modern Prime Minister. Under David’s leadership, the government stabilised the economy, reduced the budget deficit, and helped more people into work than ever before.

But David’s true legacy is not about the economy but about social justice. From the introduction of same-sex marriage, to taking people on low wages out of income tax altogether; David Cameron has led a one-nation government, and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead.

Because not everybody knows this, but the full title of my party is the Conservative and Unionist Party, and that word ‘unionist’ is very important to me.

It means we believe in the Union: the precious, precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But it means something else that is just as important; it means we believe in a union not just between the nations of the United Kingdom but between all of our citizens, every one of us, whoever we are and wherever we’re from.

That means fighting against the burning injustice that, if you’re born poor, you will die on average 9 years earlier than others.

If you’re black, you’re treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you’re white.

If you’re a white, working-class boy, you’re less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university.

If you’re at a state school, you’re less likely to reach the top professions than if you’re educated privately.

If you’re a woman, you will earn less than a man. If you suffer from mental health problems, there’s not enough help to hand.

If you’re young, you’ll find it harder than ever before to own your own home.

But the mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone means more than fighting these injustices. If you’re from an ordinary working class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise. You have a job but you don’t always have job security. You have your own home, but you worry about paying a mortgage. You can just about manage but you worry about the cost of living and getting your kids into a good school.

If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly.

I know you’re working around the clock, I know you’re doing your best, and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle. The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours.

We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives. When we take the big calls, we’ll think not of the powerful, but you. When we pass new laws, we’ll listen not to the mighty but to you. When it comes to taxes, we’ll prioritise not the wealthy, but you. When it comes to opportunity, we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few. We will do everything we can to help anybody, whatever your background, to go as far as your talents will take you.

We are living through an important moment in our country’s history. Following the referendum, we face a time of great national change.

And I know because we’re Great Britain, that we will rise to the challenge. As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us.

That will be the mission of the government I lead, and together we will build a better Britain.