A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault in Edinburgh’s West End.
The incident took place on Queensferry Street around 11.40pm on Tuesday, 12 August, 2025.
A 39-year-old man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
The 36-year-old man is due to appear in court at a later date.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A funding boost of £110,000 has been awarded to Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) to support its continued work as a Climate Action Hub – helping communities across the capital tackle climate change and build local resilience.
Mark Dowey, Network Lead, ECCAN, said “Community climate action depends on accessible funding. In Edinburgh, ECCAN member groups undertake substantive and transformative work in their communities – improving their lives and places through a front-foot, can-do attitude in the face of the climate emergency. As Edinburgh’s Climate Hub, we are delighted to support them to deliver this meaningful change with our Greenlight seedgrant funding.
“Thank you to Foundation Scotland who have now almost doubled the amount available via Greenlight in 2025-26. This increase in funding will make a real difference across the city – delivering worthwhile climate action projects by the community, for the community.
“Please join ECCAN and apply to Greenlight to fund your community climate project”
The award is part of a wider £500,000 investment by Foundation Scotland to five Community Climate Action Hubs across central Scotland, including those in Glasgow, Forth Valley, Dundee and East Dunbartonshire.
Scotland’s 24 Climate Action Hubs, supported by the Scottish Government, aim to empower local communities to lead climate action at a local level – providing tailored support, funding opportunities and access to expertise.
Through growing climate literacy, social confidence and practical life skills such as cooking, repairing, growing and sharing, they help build more capable and sustainable communities.
The Scottish Government has already allocated £5.5 million across 2024-2025 to support this network of regional community climate action hubs. Foundation Scotland’s funding will help hubs like ECCAN further enable a shift from short-term project cycles to building longer-term resilience in central Scotland.
It will support hubs to distribute more grants to grassroots groups, so that communities gain the tools, knowledge, and financial support needed to drive meaningful climate action from the ground up.
Awards made:
Foundation Scotland is also providing £95,000 to support the development of a multi-hub climate adaptation initiative to work in more traditionally disadvantaged communities.
FEL Scotland will act as a lead partner, coordinating spend and learning and sharing this across the national network. This includes working with other Climate Hubs to support the development of a climate adaptation initiative to work in more traditionally disadvantaged communities. £95,000 has been allocated for this work.
Rachel Searle, Head of Communities and Impact at Foundation Scotland said: “We know that in face of the continuing climate emergency we all need to take action to increase resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change. That’s why Growing Climate Action and Sustainable Natural Environments is one of Foundation Scotland’s impact themes.
“Providing this funding to five of central Scotland’s climate hubs will enhance their ability to respond to increasing demand and interest from communities to take action to tackle climate change locally. We’re looking forward to hearing how this funding helps with that.”
Clara Walker, Executive Director at FEL Scotland said: “We are grateful to Foundation Scotland for this investment, which complements existing Scottish Government funding and supports a crucial step forward for a number of Climate Action Hubs in central Scotland.
“Importantly, this funding enables us to explore and share learning across the wider network of 24 hubs, helping us understand how community funding can be scaled to create the most positive impact – particularly for the communities that need it most.”
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Established by the Scottish Government, Scotland’s Climate Hubs play an influential role in their local communities, and provide valuable support and inspiration for people looking to take climate action.
“This funding from Foundation Scotland will support grassroot activity through five of our hubs – making a huge difference to people who want to make a positive change in their communities.
“It is a fantastic endorsement of the work carried out by Climate Hubs across the country and their ability to support and drive local change.”
More than £50k in funding has been awarded to food growing projects across Edinburgh.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s £52,500 Grow Your Own Fund has been shared between 13 community and voluntary groups whose work includes creating food growing spaces and providing food growing education.
Applications for funding were individually assessed by a panel, with grants of up to £5000 awarded to a range of schemes. Amongst the initiatives are Tuk Tuk and Grow, which brings mobile growing and cooking sessions to families across Edinburgh using a tuk tuk bike, and Nuclear Growth, which plans to set up a food growing project on the site of a former nuclear bunker on Corstorphine Hill.
Funding is intended to be spent in areas such as: purchasing seeds, plants, and tools; equipment for community garden cooking areas; education and training activities; personal protective equipment; and staff time directly related to establishing the growing area.
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The standard of applications to the fund was extremely high, and the panel were really impressed – the successful projects demonstrate real creativity and ambition.
“Urban food growing is important for the health of both people and nature. These initiatives will really benefit local communities and the wider city by bringing people together, reducing food waste and supporting biodiversity.”
Full list of successful projects:
Patricia Lee from Gate 55 said: “We were really keen to support a new community food growing group here and this grant makes a huge difference to us.
” The funds will enable us to provide the group with resources for propagation space and for fruit bushes and compost, as well as supporting them with a project worker who will help with capacity-building and growing the membership of the group.”
Ryan Lytwyn, Mental Health Worker with the Pilton Equalities Project, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the Grow Your Own grant scheme.
“It will make a huge difference to our community garden at the Pilton Equalities Project, allowing us to expand our growing space, install greenhouses, and involve more local people in growing fresh, sustainable food.
“This support means we can promote food security, improve wellbeing, and help our community take positive action for our climate.”
Jonathan Baxter from A+E at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral said: “We were delighted to hear about the Grow Your Own Fund and even more delighted when we heard that our application had been successful.
“Community food growing is a key part of that commitment and securing funding for a community gardener/development worker allows us to realise our aim of establishing a Community Garden in the West End of Edinburgh.
Alongside local residents and current users of Walpole Hall, the Community Garden aims to support the wider climate justice movement in Edinburgh. It does this by providing a welcoming space where horticulture and ecological design skills can be learnt in a hands-on way.
Some rivers in the east of Scotland are once again approaching critical low flow levels, and a number of areas are around two weeks away from potential Significant Scarcity.
SEPA’s weekly Water Scarcity Report shows that:
There are currently no restrictions on abstraction licence holders.
This is the third time that parts of eastern Scotland have been approaching Significant Scarcity in 2025. The first was in May during a dry spell of hot, dry weather and it happened again in July after several weeks of high temperatures and little rain. On both occasions rainfall arrived just before regulatory action was required. However, river flows in these areas have never fully recovered to normal, leaving them vulnerable to the current conditions.
Following a very dry autumn and winter, rivers entered spring with below-average levels. A dry spring and summer have compounded the situation. While the west is mostly back to normal conditions following rain at the start of June, rivers in the east remain particularly vulnerable due to the rain shadow effect and the way these rivers are fed by snowmelt and groundwater. Some eastern catchments experience rainfall levels similar to East Anglia, leaving them more susceptible to prolonged low flows.
Recent rain has not been enough to offset months of low rainfall and high evaporation. In some areas, river levels remain well below what is typical for the time of year and the ground is dry, meaning much of the water from showers and downpours runs off quickly rather than soaking in.
SEPA uses a combination of river flows, soil moisture, and groundwater data to determine water scarcity levels of Early Warning, Alert and Moderate Scarcity.
To identify the most severe situations, SEPA uses DRAT (Drought Risk Assessment Tool) stations, which monitor river flows closely. If a DRAT station shows that river flow is at Q95 - a recognised low-flow threshold in hydrology – for 30 consecutive days the catchment is classified as experiencing Significant Scarcity. This science-led approach is used to track environmental conditions and help prevent lasting harm to rivers, lochs and the ecosystems that depend on them.
If conditions do not improve and these areas move to Significant Scarcity, SEPA will need to take regulatory action. Measures may include limiting or temporarily suspending abstractions where necessary. These decisions will be based on sound science and environmental monitoring, including recognised hydrological low-flow thresholds based on river flow records that span decades. Restrictions will only be in place for the shortest time possible.
SEPA continues to engage with abstraction licence holders to ensure that those in affected areas are informed and prepared. Everyone from farmers and producers to industry and manufacturers are urged to use water efficiently and manage this shared resource responsibly. Advice is available on SEPA’s website, as well as from SEPA staff contacting abstractors with licences in areas at risk.
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s Senior Manager in Water Industry and Rural Economy, said: “Rivers in eastern Scotland remain under sustained pressure. Approaching Significant Scarcity for the third time this year in some areas highlights the vulnerability of eastern Scotland’s water environment.
“We understand that after such a long period the message may feel repetitive, and it’s easy to assume that rainfall will arrive in time to ease the pressure as it has before. But there’s no guarantee that will happen this time. That’s why it’s vital that businesses continue to stay engaged, understand conditions in their area and take action where needed.
“Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve been working closely with abstractors in the areas most at risk – including calling licence holders directly. We’ll also continue to work with organisations like NFUS, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to ensure advice is shared and impacts are understood. Clear, early communication continues to be provided, so no one is caught off guard.
“We know how important water is to the Scottish economy, particularly sectors like farming, food and drink, and energy. We also know that without a healthy water environment those sectors cannot thrive.
“As an effective regulator, our role is to balance the needs of businesses with the health of the environment they rely on. It is crucial that these environments do not become so stressed that they struggle to recover, which would reduce the water resources available to those businesses in the long term.”
SEPA continues to urge all abstractors from farmers and producers to industry and manufacturers to use water efficiently and manage this shared resource responsibly. SEPA staff are contacting abstractors with licences in areas at risk and advice is available on SEPA’s website sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.
Patients who use social media to help plan cosmetic procedures will now be able to access more reliable trustworthy information thanks to a landmark new initiative between the government and TikTok.
More people are using social media apps like TikTok to research potentially risky operations – like hair transplants and dental work – abroad as they are often cheaper or more readily available than in the UK but are often presented with slick marketing campaigns that do not highlight the dangers of the surgery.
To help keep these patients informed, TikTok and the government have partnered with medical influencers, like Midwife Marley and Doc Tally to create content to show the risks, help carry out thorough research and provides advice on how to make trips as safe as possible.
The Foreign Office will also provide more detailed travel advice for those seeking to travel abroad for ‘tweakments.’
Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards.
“Often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers – some of whom have never been to the practice in question.
“By partnering with TikTok, we’re helping people make safer, more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be.
“Through our Plan for Change, we’re determined to protect patients, ease pressure on the NHS and make sure taxpayers are not left paying the price when things go wrong.”
The campaign warns that when it comes to cosmetic surgery abroad, the lowest price can come at the highest cost.
It urges people to think beyond the slick brochures and marketing, and to consider clinical standards, complication risks, and language barriers.
It will urge potential patients to speak to a UK doctor, take out travel insurance, and steer clear of package holidays that bundle in procedures. The medics will provide a check list to go through before considering booking a procedure abroad: research thoroughly, check the clinic’s regulation and the surgeon’s credentials, know the full cost, understand the aftercare, and ask the vital question – if it goes wrong, who will fix it?
The online campaign is part of wider government efforts to curb medical tourism. Work is underway to stop events in the UK that promote procedures abroad and the government is working with other countries to improve patient care from initial consultations to post-surgery recovery.
The government is looking at additional ways of protecting patients who go abroad for these types of procedures, while ensuring the NHS is not left to pick up the tab of botched or harmful work.
The move follows the announcement last week to crack down on dodgy cosmetic practitioners in England. The new regulations will mean the highest risk procedures, such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), can only be carried out by qualified, specialised healthcare professionals, registered with the Care Quality Commission. The measures also include developing a licensing scheme for lower risk procedures like Botox and fillers, alongside introducing minimum age restrictions.
Minister Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories: “Our aim is to explain the risks and help British people understand the actions they can take to keep themselves safe when abroad.
“If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved.
“We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care.
“Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow.”
Ali Law, Director of Public Policy, Northern Europe said: “At TikTok we are committed to providing our community with information from trusted sources when searching for topics related to physical and mental health.
“We’re pleased to work with the government on this new initiative to improve the safety of people going abroad for treatment and we will continue to promote credible content through our Clinician Creator Council made of NHS practitioners.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office has also updated its online travel advice advising people on how to stay safe when traveling abroad for medical or cosmetic reasons.
This work will help improve patient safety and reduce costs for the NHS by reducing the number of people needing medical support when things go wrong, providing greater value for the taxpayer and reducing pressure on staff.
The King and Queen will lead the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today (Friday 15 August).
The National Service of Remembrance will honour and remember those who continued to fight and those who lost their lives during the final three months of the Second World War in the Far East.
This includes hundreds of thousands of soldiers who served alongside British Armed Forces from countries including pre-partition India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nepal and various African nations. Victory over Japan (VJ Day) was declared on 15 August 1945, following Imperial Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces.
The service, run in partnership with the Royal British Legion, will be attended by Burma Star recipients, a veteran of the British Indian Army and those involved in the Battles of Kohima and Imphal, as well as Prisoners of War held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries, who contributed to the war effort.
It will also be attended by the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, Parliamentarians, the Japanese Ambassador and other High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth.
A special tribute will be hosted by 400 members of the Armed Forces, including a guard of honour from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, with music provided by military bands. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will lead a flypast featuring the historic Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft.
The event will be broadcast live on BBC One, and members of the public are encouraged to participate in the national two-minute silence at midday.
From 9pm on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VJ 80, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Tower42, The Shard, Blackpool Tower, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Durham Cathedral, Cardiff Castle, the Cenotaph, the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore and the White Cliffs of Dover.
At a special reception hosted in Downing Street for veterans, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Eighty years since our victory in the Second World War, we pay our respects to the many who fought, were captured, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Far East.
“Our country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future, so we could have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today.
“We must honour that sacrifice with every new generation.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Eighty years ago today the Second World War finally came to a close after years of sacrifice from the greatest generation this country has ever seen.
“We must never forget this vital part of our national story. By coming together to hear the stories of our brave VJ Day veterans first-hand, we can ensure that the legacy of our British Armed Forces and those from across the Commonwealth is passed on to future generations.”
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “As the nation unites today to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we honour those who served and remember those who gave their lives.
“Thirty thousand British personnel, alongside many more from Commonwealth and Allied forces, lost their lives in the Far East campaign. Their bravery and resilience forged a brighter future and after years of conflict, a lasting peace.
“Today, their courage, dedication, and sacrifice continues to inspire every member of our Armed Forces.”
Commemorations have been taking place throughout this week, including a reception for veterans hosted by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer in Downing Street on Thursday and a sunset wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Gates in London last night to pay tribute to Commonwealth personnel.
At dawn, military bagpipers will perform the lament ‘Battle’s O’er’ at The Cenotaph, in the Far East section of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and at Edinburgh Castle. A piper will also perform at a Japanese peace garden to reflect the reconciliation which has taken place between the UK and Japan in the decades since the Second World War.
The Imperial War Museums new contemporary film ‘August 1945: It Was Over Then’ will be shown in screenings around the country, alongside a free augmented reality trail August 1945: A World Changed taking place at IWM North to tell the story of VJ Day.
Throughout the week, an immersive ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ display at Outernet’s Now Trending space in London has brought to life the stories of six individuals who served in the Far East, narrated by their families. The installation is free and open until Saturday 16 August. The film will also be shown on London’s Piccadilly Lights at 12:30pm today.
A reception will be held in the autumn at Windsor Castle to honour VJ veterans and the Commonwealth’s contributions.
The VJ Day 80 events are part of the Government’s commemorations throughout 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This year’s commemorations have paid tribute to the millions across the UK and Commonwealth who served, telling the stories of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and those who stepped into the essential roles on the Home Front.
VJ Day 80 marks the culmination of this year’s commemorations, following four days of events in May to mark VE Day.
EIGHT YEARS OFUNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
Over 350,000 Baby Boxes packed with essential items for newborns have been delivered across Scotland, saving expectant parents around £400 and giving children the best start in life.
The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme, the only one of its kind in the UK, is offered to all parents of newborn babies. Backed by almost £8 million funding in 2025-26, the Baby Box helps to ensure that every family has access to items needed in the first six months of a child’s life, as well as a safe space to sleep.
Marking the eight-year anniversary of the programme, First Minister John Swinney will meet expectant mother Mairi Morrison and her partner George Waddington at Western Isles Hospital in Lewis to deliver their Baby Box.
The First Minister said: “Scotland’s Baby Box strongly signals our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life. The programme is supporting families right across the length and bread of Scotland, including here in the Western Isles where 1,281 boxes have been delivered to date.
“It is clear that this universal offer, a UK first, has been hugely successful with 89% of all parents with newborn babies registering for a box – benefiting around 41,000 families annually.
“My number one priority as First Minister is to end child poverty in Scotland – and I am very proud of the impact that the baby box is making to support families across the country.”
The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme opened for registration on 15 June 2017 with Boxes being delivered in August 2017.
The Baby Box includes items which support breastfeeding, such as breast pads and a leaflet with top tips on breastfeeding and how to access support. Among other items the Baby Box contains 2 baby books, a carrier sling, underarm thermometer, bath & room thermometer, play mat, around 15 items of clothes for age 0 – 6 months, a changing mat, a redeemable voucher for a reusable nappy and liners and many other useful items for mother and baby.
The 2025-26 Programme for Government includes a commitment to enhance the contents of the Baby Box by March 2026, building on feedback from parents and frontline practitioners working with families, which will strengthen support for early child development and to mitigate the impact of poverty on babies.
New statistics show average wealth remained stable, while wealth inequality remained high.
According to the latest data which covers the period during the pandemic, a typical household in Scotland had £239,500 in total wealth, similar to previous years.
A typical household in the wealthiest 10% of households had £1.3 million in total wealth, whereas a typical household in the least wealthy 10% of households had £7,600.
The least wealthy households rarely own property or have any private pension savings. Their wealth is mainly made up of the value of their possessions such as cars, furniture and clothing.
Wealth inequality is more severe than income inequality: the 2% of households with the highest incomes had 10% of all income, while the wealthiest 2% of households had 15% of all wealth.
Households that tend to be wealthier than others are higher income households, pensioner couples, and home owners. In contrast, households with below average wealth tend to be low income households, lone-parent and single working-age adult households, and those in rented housing.
A fifth of households had insufficient savings to keep them above the poverty line for a month should they lose their income. Three per cent of households were in unmanageable debt. Just over a third of households did not own any property, and a third of adults had no private pension savings.
The released figures were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
The full statistical publication: Wealth in Scotland 2006-2022
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
Dear Editor,
NSPCC Scotland is launching a new Community Fundraising Group in Musselburgh, Portobello and East Edinburgh. We are seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to play a crucial role in raising vital funds for our services such as Childline and Speak Out, Stay Safe.
We will only need volunteers for one to two hours a month, and we offer a flexible arrangement designed to fit around work, family and social life. Key activities include engaging with neighbours, local organisations and businesses to spread awareness, organise small-scale events or campaigns, and inspire donations that ensure our services remain free for those who need them most.
Participants will receive comprehensive support, including practical fundraising advice, promotional materials and ongoing guidance from our dedicated Community Fundraising Team. Beyond the personal reward of helping to keep children safe, volunteers gain valuable experience in communication, organisation and leadership, all while connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
If you would like to play your part in protecting young people and have a couple of spare hours each month, we’d love to hear from you. If interested, contact me via email at arlene.main@nspcc.org.uk or call 07891 598 086. Together, we can fight for every childhood and create safer communities for all.
Yours sincerely,
Arlene Main
Local Campaign Manager, NSPCC Scotland
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, has paid tribute to former Presiding Officer and MSP, Rt Hon Sir George Reid, following his death in the early hours of Tuesday 12 August.
The Rt Hon Sir George Reid served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007.
During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979.
A Book of Condolence has been opened and flags at the Scottish Parliament lowered as a mark of respect.
On his passing, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said: “On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid.
“He’ll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament.
“A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action.
“The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed.
“Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.”
