Housing: Opposition to development halves if new homes locally affordable, new poll reveals

  • Level of opposition falls from 41% to 20% if new homes affordable for local people 
  • Support for new homes on brownfield land 20 points higher than for those elsewhere 
  • This polling supports CPRE’s campaign for the redefinition of ‘affordable’ housing in line with local incomes and its calls for a brownfield-first national housebuilding policy. 

New polling by YouGov, commissioned by CPRE, the countryside charity, has revealed that half of people who object to new housing in their local area would support them if the homes were affordable to people on average local incomes.

Whereas 41% said they did not want to see the construction of more homes close to where they live, that proportion fell to 20% if those homes were locally affordable.  

So-called ‘affordable’ housing, which can currently cost anything up to 80% of market rates, is usually anything but. CPRE is calling on the government to redefine the term in housing policy and link it directly to local incomes.

The results of the poll, carried out by YouGov, show that this change would encourage many people to support developments to which they would previously have objected.  

The poll also showed an increase in support for new homes from 50% to 71% if they were built on brownfield land. There are enough ‘shovel-ready’ brownfield sites in England for 1.2 million new homes.

Building them could provide people with genuinely affordable housing – close to where they already live, work and go to school – and protect the countryside at the same time.

This is a major endorsement of the brownfield-first house building policy, which is critical to reducing the need to build on Green Belt land that could otherwise support nature restoration and other environmental benefits such as flood defences. 

Developments in the Green Belt have been shown to underdeliver on affordability, while research published by CPRE in 2023 showed social homes accounted for less than 5% of those built on Green Belt land.

“The Green Belt is the countryside next door for 30 million people in the UK. It should be improved and protected to help us tackle the major environmental challenges we face, not covered with large, car-dependent ‘executive’ homes that local people neither want nor can afford. 

CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: ‘The results of this poll tell us that people want new homes to be affordable for local people and built on brownfield sites. Both are possible with enough political will and we want to see all parties make strong pledges to deliver that. 

‘We need to move away from the idea that people in the countryside are against development. They want the same things as everyone else: housing on a scale and at a cost that’s appropriate for their local community that respects environmental limits.

“Land is this country in a finite resource and our countryside is working harder than ever to meet the multiple environmental and social challenges we face.

“For new housing we should prioritise inner-city brownfield development, urban densification and regeneration of towns, delivering the homes we need today while safeguarding the countryside for future generations to enjoy.’  

State-of-the-Green-Belt-2023-onlineDownload

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Fabulous fun in the sun!

I was delighted to join my friends from Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen Writers group at North Edinburgh Community Festival at West Pilton Park on Saturday, and the sun split the skies once again – that’s the third year on the trot!

Congratulations to the organisers and the entertainers who made it such a special day, and also a big thanks to the young festivalgoers who took part in our Citizen Big Board Game!

Looking forward to next year already!

There are lots more pictures on the North Edinburgh News Facebook page

Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990 at Modern Two

Be inspired by stories of collaboration, creativity and rebellion in Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990 at Modern Two in Edinburgh. 

The first of its kind, Women in Revolt! is a major survey of feminist art, celebrating the women whose radical ideas and rebellious methods changed the face of British culture.

Come and discover the powerful and often provocative work of over 100 women artists and collectives, forged against the backdrop of seismic social and economic change over two decades.

Tickets are on sale now from the National Galleries of Scotland website.  

Curated by Linsey Young, Curator of British Contemporary Art at Tate Britain, in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland and The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Women in Revolt! will take over the entire Modern Two gallery in Edinburgh from 25 May 2024 until 26 January 2025.

Following its debut at Tate Britain in November 2023, the exhibition will bring to Edinburgh a select range of works from the London show, drawing from public and private collections across the country in what will be the only chance to see this landmark exhibition in Scotland. 

Women in Revolt! spans two decades of art and activism, charting a range of themes and social issues that influenced and impacted on women artists.

Topics such as the Women’s Liberation Movement, maternal and domestic experiences, Punk and independent music, Greenham Common and the peace movement, the visibility of Black and South Asian women artists, and Section 28 and the AIDS epidemic will be explored in six thematic galleries platforming the creative contributions, ideas and activism of a diverse set of communities living and working in the UK throughout this period.

The exhibition will highlight the ways in which women challenged societal norms through their creativity, both collectively and in isolation, using their lived experiences to create art and fight injustice. 

Women in Revolt! is a timely and urgent exhibition celebrating the women who paved the way for future generations through their creativity and activism. The power of their work continues to resonate with audiences today.

About the exhibition: 

Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK from 1970-1990 

National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two 

Belford Road, Edinburgh 

25 May 2024–26 January 2025  

Tickets £4–£14 | Friends go free  

Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970–1990 | National Galleries of Scotland 

350 extra medical school places allocated in NHS training boost

The UK Government has funded 350 additional medical school places in England for the academic year 2025/26 in latest step to deliver NHS Long Term Workforce Plan

  • The Government has funded 350 additional medical school places in England for the academic year 2025/26 
  • This is the next stage in delivering the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan commitment to double medical school places by 2031
  • The places have been allocated to medical schools across the country but targeted to address disparities in the distribution of places and support under-doctored areas

The Westminster government has allocated an additional 350 medical school places, to deliver the future workforce the NHS requires.  

Last year, the NHS set out its Long Term Workforce Plan, backed by more than £2.4 billion in government funding. It outlines how the NHS will recruit and retain hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years – delivering the biggest training expansion in the health service’s history.  

One of the key commitments is doubling the number of medical school places in England to 15,000 by 2031, and levelling up the geographic training of places to help tackle unequal access to services.  

In the next step to deliver this commitment, the Office for Students (OfS) has now allocated 350 places in the academic year 2025/26 to medical schools across the country.  

Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said:  “Thanks to the Government’s plan for a faster, simpler and fairer healthcare system, the NHS now has record funding, and a record number of doctors.

“I want to make sure that we will have the medical professionals we will need in the years ahead.

“That’s why we are delivering the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, and doubling the number of medical school places, so we can train the next generation of world-class doctors to offer patients the highest-quality care.”

 Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Our frontline health workers do tremendous work in serving the nation every single day and ensuring all of us receive the care we need.

“I know what a popular career medicine is among young people, and it’s so important they have the chance to pursue their ambitions.

“With this expansion of places – alongside our new doctor degree apprenticeship – the opportunities for a career in medicine are greater than ever.”

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England said: “This is a hugely important moment for the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and marks one of the first steps towards our ambition to train more doctors in England than ever before – the record expansion will help us boost care for patients right across the country.  

“The ambitious blueprint for our workforce, is a once in a generation opportunity to put NHS staffing on a sustainable footing, particularly as we continue to adapt to new and rising demand for health services.”

Dr Katie Petty-Saphon, CEO, Medical Schools Council said: “The Medical Schools Council welcomes the announcement of 350 additional student places from 2025. 

“Medical schools are committed to widening participation to the profession and particularly important is the need for local recruitment in under-doctored areas.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the NHS has the staff it needs to deliver high quality patient care.”

Places have been provided across the country, but the OfS has used analysis of geographical distribution provided by NHS England to target under-doctored areas in its allocation of the places.  

This includes substantial increases to medical schools at universities in Sunderland, Leeds, East Anglia, Anglia Ruskin, Plymouth and Surrey. The University of Surrey is also receiving government-funded places for the first time.  

This is the second year of expansions to deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Delivery started a year early, allocating 205 additional medical school places for the 2024/25 academic year, including providing Government-funded places to three schools for the first time. 

This builds on the 25% expansion of medical school places in England that the Government completed in 2020, taking the total number of places to 7,500 per year and delivering five new medical schools. 

A combination of the additional medical places this year and next, along with medical apprenticeship places, puts us on track to exceed current plans. 

Through the allocation of places for 2026/27 and beyond, the Government and NHS England will work closely with partners including medical schools, NHS trusts and the General Medical Council to deliver ambitious reforms to medical education set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

Responding to the announcement the Government is to fund 350 further medical school places for 2025/26, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Adrian Boyle said: “This latest news detailing the uplift of med school places is welcome. Medicine remains one of the best, rewarding – and, I hope, – still attractive careers.

“But medical school places can only ever be part of the picture. They must also be accompanied by the educators needed to teach and mentor these students, and enough dedicated specialty training places for them to move on to when they have qualified.

“However, it is pointless investing in the next generation if the Government does not also look after the current workforce – morale is at rock bottom, stress levels are sky high, and attrition is a serious problem.

“Medicine is a vocation which starts the day you step through the doors of Med School and lasts a lifetime. Proper government support is nothing less than these dedicated professionals need and deserve.”

BVA President: Reform of Veterinary Surgeons Act necessary to support profession in challenging times

Speaking at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) annual Scottish Dinner in the Scottish Parliament last week (8 May), BVA President Dr. Anna Judson highlighted how vets in Scotland have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges to the profession. She also called for important legislative reforms for animal welfare and for futureproofing the veterinary professions.

Addressing guests including Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity,  BVA Honorary Member Edward Mountain MSP, other Members of the Scottish Parliament, as well as senior representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession,

Dr Judson highlighted issues including the significant threats from avian influenza and the expected spike in Bluetongue virus cases; the impact of the XL Bully ban on vets in practice; and the intense pressure on vet teams following the negative media coverage of the proposed Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the UK’s vet services market for pets.

Speaking about the CMA review, Dr Judson reiterated BVA’s support for “healthy competition and informed consumer choice”, highlighting the organisation’s new guidance to help vet practices provide greater client choice by improving transparency around fees and practice ownership. 

She also cautioned about the impact of “inaccurate and unfair media reporting” on vet teams, saying: “We’re keen to see healthy competition and informed consumer choice within the veterinary services market and this external scrutiny is a welcome opportunity to reflect and ensure we’re continuing to deliver the best possible service for both patients and clients.

“However, we are also acutely aware of the impact the CMA review is having on the profession. Inaccurate and unfair media reporting, characterising vets as scammers who are preying on pet owners’ desire to do the very best for their animals, is leading to many vet teams reporting increased levels of abusive behaviour from clients, both in person and online.

“Of course, this portrayal of vets simply isn’t true and as a practising vet of more than 30 years, who knows first-hand the quality of care which vet teams deliver day in, day out, it’s painful to see our profession misrepresented in this way.

“I’m pleased to be able to stand here and tell you that BVA is tackling this issue head on, both with the media and by ensuring the veterinary profession’s perspective is fully heard and understood by the CMA.”

Dr Judson emphasised the importance of reflecting on what the profession can do “to rebuild the trust between us and our clients” and the steps BVA is taking to support all vets. 

She said: “We have developed guidance for our members and the wider veterinary profession on how practices can be more transparent in relation to vet fees and practice ownership, improving how we explain prescribing and dispensing options for veterinary medicines, and ensuring we explain different treatment options which take into account the full range of clients’ circumstances, known to vets as providing ‘contextualised care’. It’s a positive step that will help move the profession forward.”

Despite the challenges posed by the CMA investigation, the BVA President acknowledged that it also presented an opportunity for positive change and expressed the hope that it would act as a catalyst for a much-needed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Dr Judson called on gathered delegates to help BVA put pressure all political parties to keep this issue on the agenda and ensure this UK-wide legislative change happens, saying: “We cannot build a modern and effective veterinary profession on the foundations of legislation which was created in a very different era.

“The current Veterinary Surgeons Act fails to embrace the potential of the wider veterinary team. We do not work in isolation as vets, we are closely supported by others – such as registered veterinary nurses, vet techs, musculoskeletal professionals and equine dental technicians, yet these important roles are not recognised.

“The legislation fails to offer any legal protection for the title of veterinary nurse. Highly skilled and qualified, registered veterinary nurses work closely with veterinary surgeons, yet no formal training or qualifications are actually required for someone to call themselves a ‘veterinary nurse’.

“This must be rectified. As must the Act’s failure to regulate veterinary practices, meaning that individual vets and veterinary nurses are held accountable for business decisions which can directly impact on animal health and welfare. This is simply not appropriate.”

Dr Judson went on to highlight BVA’s calls for another key legislative change for animal welfare and public health. Speaking about the recent bans against XL Bully-type dogs, she welcomed the opportunity to work closely with Scottish Government as the details of the ban were developed.

However, she cautioned that breed-specific legislation has “consistently failed to protect people since its introduction,” saying: “Alongside our work to support the veterinary profession through these bans, we are continuing to press the UK Governments, in Scotland working alongside MSPs, for a complete overhaul of the dangerous dogs legislation.

“Breed specific legislation as enshrined in the Dangerous Dogs Act is ineffective and hard to enforce. It must be replaced with breed neutral legislation which deals with aggression in all dogs, and has responsible dog ownership and training at its core. Only then can we properly protect the public.”

The BVA President ended her speech by thanking BVA Scottish Branch colleagues for all their hard work and support, and welcoming Vivienne Mackinnon, who was formally elected as the new Branch Junior Vice President at the AGM on Tuesday afternoon.

Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, responded to the speech as BVA’s Guest of Honour.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank relaunches Clothing Crisis Packs

We are excited to re-launch our school uniform referral service – Clothing Crisis Packs – for children and young people who are in exceptional need.

Many families can now access free school uniform locally through our pilot projects in schools and networks of community wardrobes. For others, it is usually best to support the family to maximise their income through a “cash first” approach so that they can buy school uniform themselves. A small minority cannot access any of these options, and this is when our Clothing Crisis Packs are available.

If you are a professional working with families in exceptional need, please visit our website to find out more about changes to our referral system.

Clothing Crisis Packs

Edinburgh College EIS public meeting

ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE – THURSDAY 16 MAY 6.30pm

Edinburgh College EIS-FELA branch are hosting a public meeting this week to discuss the impact that cuts to Further Education are having and will continue to have in Edinburgh.

We are yet again facing more job losses and the cuts to educational provision at our campuses will have a devastating effect for our local communities.

The meeting will take place on Thursday 16th May at Royston Wardieburn Community centre from 6.30pm.

We have invited local community leaders to attend and we are hoping that this meeting will be the first of three meetings in communities in which our campuses are situated.

‘Grassroots music venues are in crisis’

A new levy on arena and stadium tickets and a cut in VAT are urgently needed to support grassroots music venues across the country as they struggle to cope with a crisis of closures and soaring costs, says a Westminster committee.

The recommendations are in a report from the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which highlights how small local venues integral to the pipeline of professional creative and technical music talent are stopping performances or closing entirely at a rate of two per week.

The Committee also heard about how artists are facing a “cost of touring crisis”, while promoters are struggling to get shows off their spreadsheets and into venues.

On top of immediate financial help through a levy-funded support fund and a targeted temporary VAT cut to help stem the tide of closures, the report says a comprehensive fan-led review of live and electronic music should be set up this summer to examine the long-term challenges to the wider live music ecosystem.

The Committee inquiry, launched at the Music Venue Trust’s Venues Day in October 2023, heard from across the sector1 of the scale of the crisis facing venues and the impact this is having on artists and all those that rely on them for business.

The MVT described 2023 as the most challenging year for the sector since the trust was founded in 2014, while Creative UK said the grassroots music sector took a ‘battering’.

In total the number of GMVs declined from 960 to 835 last year, a net decrease of 13%, representing a loss of as many as 30,000 shows and 4,000 jobs.

The report says that given the urgency of the crisis, a voluntary levy on arena and stadium concert tickets would be the most feasible way to have an immediate impact, creating a support fund for venues, artists and promoters administered by a trust led by a sector umbrella body.

The Committee also calls for the industry to ensure the levy cost is not passed on to music fans. If there is no agreement by September or if it fails to collect enough income to support the sector, the Government should step in an introduce a statutory levy, the report adds.

On VAT relief, the Committee calls for a temporary cut based on venue capacity, with the Government undertaking analysis to assess the impact to inform future decisions.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: “We are grateful to the many dedicated local venues who gave up their time to take part in our inquiry. They delivered the message loud and clear that grassroots music venues are in crisis.

“The ongoing wave of closures is not just a disaster for music, performers and supporters in local communities up and down the country, but also puts at risk the entire live music ecosystem. If the grassroots, where musicians, technicians, tour managers and promoters hone their craft, are allowed to wither and die, the UK’s position as a music powerhouse faces a bleak future.

“To stem the overwhelming ongoing tide of closures, we urgently need a levy on arena and stadium concert tickets to fund financial support for the sector, alongside a VAT cut to help get more shows into venues.

“While the current focus is on the many grassroots music venues falling silent, those working in the live music sector across the board are also under extraordinary strain. It is time that the Government brought together everyone with a stake in the industry’s success, including music fans, to address the long-term challenges and ensure live music can thrive into the future.”

Among the report’s other recommendations are for the Government and Arts Council to make it easier for the live music sector to apply for public funding and for stakeholders across the industry to continue to support the Featured Artists’ Coalition’s campaign to end punitive fees on artists’ merchandise.

Further information:

Hit podcast to stream live from Vue venues in Edinburgh next week  

A hit podcast, a legendary musical and a modern ballet will all be screening from Vue this May.  

Starting with Help I Sexted My Boss (14 May), William Hanson and Jordan North will be broadcasting live from the London Palladium in this brand-new show. 

Entertaining listeners around the world, Help I Sexted My Boss has amassed more than 50 million listens since launching over six years ago. From very different backgrounds, watch on as the comedy duo help listeners navigate the challenges of modern life. 

Also coming next week (16 and 19 May) is the legendary musical theatre classic 42nd Street, which tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.  

Filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal in the heart of London’s West End, it stars national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and features iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway.  

Arriving on the big screen at Vue on 22 May is The Winter’s Tale from the Royal Ballet. It tells the story of King Leontes, who is crippled with an all-consuming jealousy when his friend King Polixenes of Bohemia stays with him and his wife Hermione. 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this season, The Winter’s Tale is an award-winning modern ballet classic, packed with emotional turmoil heightened by Joby Talbot’s compelling score and Bob Crowley’s atmospheric designs. 

Robert Smith, General Manager for Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “Here at Vue, we pride ourselves on showcasing so much more than the biggest blockbusters – giving fans from all walks of life the chance to catch some of the best life performances from the comfort of their local Vue venue.” 

For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.  

Nurse to cycle from London to Amsterdam with patient families

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY – 12 MAY 2024

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is celebrating International Nurses Day, highlighting inspirational team members who have made a significant impact on the service.

Janice Heggie, Lead Nurse for the Neonatal Service at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, is one nurse who definitely falls into this category.

This month, Janice won Leader of the Year at the service’s Women and Children Awards and, next year, will mark 35 years of service with NHSGGC.

Before she hits that milestone – and her 60th birthday – Janice is taking on her biggest challenge yet.

In June, she will cycle almost 400 miles from London to Amsterdam across four days to raise funds for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

“I wanted to set myself a challenge for my 60th birthday and when the charity announced a call for people to make this cycle, I signed up right away.

“For years, I’ve watched the charity giving to the hospital, and I have seen the impact that their work has on people’s lives. This is my chance to do something for them.

“I started training in October last year and I average about 100 miles per week. Cycling has become a huge part of my life now. I even cycle indoors. I have more than one bike – let’s just say that,” Janice said.

Janice will cycle with another colleague and 16 patient family members who also want to give back to the hospital and charity. The team will meet with five other children’s hospitals from across the UK too.

Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing explained that she isn’t surprised that Janice has taken on such a challenge. “All of our nurses are inspirational in one way or another, but we find great strength in leaders like Janice.

“We’re so proud of the work that she gives and the care that she delivers to patients. For the past 35 years, she has dedicated her time to caring for children, often in very complicated cases.

“Janice sets a goal and works hard towards it so it isn’t a surprise that she has signed up for this journey and I can guarantee that she will be an amazing motivator to those cycling with her. A huge thanks to Janice and to all our nurses that are inspiring others,” she said.

International Nurses Day is today – Sunday, 12th of May 2024.

You can donate to Janice’s cycle here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/janice-heggie-1714069981263

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is delighted to support staff marking International Nurses Day 2024

May 12 is Florence Nightingale’s birthday and begins a week-long celebration of the profession of nursing.

Each year the International Council of Nurses (ICN) have a theme, with this’s theme being “Our Nurses, Our Future, The Economic Power of care.”

Nurses are often the first members of staff that patients meet and are the constant in their care. Nurses give care with empathy and compassion throughout a patient’s life which can be challenging and rewarding daily.

Professor Angela Wallace, NHSGGC Executive Director of Nursing, said: “When I speak to our nursing colleagues across the organisation, I see a dedication and passion to ensure the patient receives the best care possible and how the patient is always central to how our nurses deliver care.

“These conversations are so important to me, as I get the chance to speak and listen to fellow nursing colleagues.

“Nurses play a vital role in the care of our patients and loved ones which can be sometimes in difficult circumstances. I want to take this opportunity on International Nurses Day to thank you today and every day for the invaluable care you give with dedication and professionalism.

“I hope you enjoy celebrating International Nurses Day.”