British training of Ukrainian troops extended through 2026

Extension supports UK’s objective of supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attack, while developing its Armed Forces to deter Putin in future

UK MARKS UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ukrainian soldiers will receive a further boost from the British military’s expert training, as the Government announces the extension of the UK’s world-leading training programme on Ukrainian Independence Day.

The UK is stepping up and evolving its training support to ensure Ukraine’s Armed Forces are in the strongest possible position as they resist ongoing Russian attacks, and to deter any further Russian aggression under a future peace deal by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces. Supporting Ukraine’s defence supports the UK’s own national security and helps counter the economic disruption caused by Putin’s illegal invasion.

Training support and military equipment from the UK has helped give Ukraine a crucial boost on the frontline, with Russia continuing to lose far more vehicles and equipment to damage or destruction than Ukraine.

The extension of Operation INTERFLEX to at least the end of 2026 was announced by the Defence Secretary amid Ukrainian celebrations today, marking 34 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union.

More than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained on British soil so far, with the UK leading 13 other nations providing support to the INTERFLEX programme as one of the biggest schemes of its kind in the world.

The UK is also adapting INTERFLEX training to best suit Ukraine’s evolving military requirements, with a gradual shift from prioritising shorter courses centred on basic combat skills training, to a greater focus on leadership and instructor training.

Two additional courses are now being delivered alongside the basic infantry course. One teaches soldiers how to be in command at a platoon and section leader level and the other is an instructor training course.

Working closely with Ukraine means the UK Armed Forces can learn valuable insights and techniques from the battlefield, helping to improve skills and tactics. Support for Ukraine has also seen closer industrial collaboration, benefiting British businesses and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

The news comes as events take place across the UK today to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and highlight the historic relationship that Britain and Ukraine have built. Nearly 2,000 Ukrainian recruits, British military personnel, and other attendees are set to celebrate at one of the INTERFLEX training sites in England. 

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “The UK is united for Ukraine. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.

“In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine’s Armed Forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.

“On this special day for the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people, we are ramping up and evolving our world-leading training support that has given more than 50,000 Ukrainians vital combat skills.

“This matters to Ukraine and it matters to Britain. A secure Ukraine is a secure Europe. From learning lessons from the battlefield to strengthen our own Armed Forces, to deepening our military industrial collaboration supporting jobs across the nation, Britain and Ukraine are growing closer than ever before.”

INTERFLEX training began as a 5-week course to provide basic combat training to recruits, but following continued feedback and dialogue with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has since become a 7-week course and offers alternative courses specifically designed to boost leadership and command skills for personnel, with new courses introduced, tailored according to seniority of trainees.

Training a new generation of Ukrainian instructors is one of the most effective methods to strengthen Ukraine’s security both now and in the long-term, increasing skills and capacity to expand its own training programmes. It will help Ukraine continue to regenerate its military capabilities, which would act as the strongest deterrent against further attacks from Putin under any peace deal.

New survey results of Ukrainian recruits who have completed training under Operation INTERFLEX from January to August 2025 revealed that 83% of those on leadership courses said they felt more able to make their troops under their command survivable at the end of their leadership training. The data also revealed that 93% of leadership trainees felt more confident they can make troops under their command more lethal at the end of their training.

Recent open-source reporting indicates that support from the UK and other nations has helped Ukraine achieve remarkable results on the battlefield, with more than 4,000 Russian battle tanks having been reported destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, compared with around 1,250 in Ukraine’s case. Reporting suggests that Russia has lost more than double the number of armoured vehicles compared to Ukraine.

Artem, a Ukrainian soldier currently training on Operation INTERFLEX’s Platoon and Company Sergeants Course said: “I am very grateful to the UK for supporting the people of Ukraine in their struggle for independence and identity as a nation.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to take such courses, for the high level of professionalism of the instructors, their dedication to their work, and for their ability to organise both group training and find an individual approach for each of us.

“Instructors ensure that classes are conducted in conditions as close to real-life as possible, whether it be in trenches, in a forested area, or in an urban area.

I learned how important it is to be prepared for coordinated actions in conditions of increased danger, how to properly coordinate personnel during defence, and planning offensive actions. I learnt how to survive in conditions of minimal support and improve first aid skills.”

Work on a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia has deepened in recent weeks under US leadership, with the Prime Minister flying out to Washington last week to meet with President Trump and President Zelenskyy alongside other European leaders. The Chief of the Defence Staff also held meetings on the Coalition of the Willing with other NATO chiefs.

The Coalition of the Willing – led by the UK and France – has developed plans for a multinational military force that could be deployed to Ukraine to provide support in the event of a peace deal. Several planning meetings in recent months have involved more than 200 military planners and input from around 30 countries.

The UK remains fully committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort, which is why £4.5bn is being spent on military support to Ukraine this year, the largest amount provided to date.

In March, the Prime Minister announced a historic £1.6 billion deal to provide more than five thousand air defence missiles for Ukraine – creating 200 new jobs and supporting a further 700.

The UK will also invest a record £350m this year to increase the supply of drones to Ukraine from a target of 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 in 2025.

@ScotGovFM First Minister @JohnSwinney and Social Justice Secretary @S_A_Somerville attended a ceremony at Edinburgh’s City Chambers to mark Ukrainian Independence Day.

@ScotGov will continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while assisting Ukrainian communities in Scotland.

PICTURES: Basya Volodarskaya

Houston, We Have a Menu: Six by Nico blasts off with SPACE theme

Prepare for lift-off as Six by Nico, the pioneering restaurant brand known for its ever-evolving tasting menus, unveils its most creative concept yet: SPACE. 

Launching on August 25th across Edinburgh and all Six by Nico locations, this cosmic culinary experience invites diners to journey through the galaxies with a six-course menu inspired by the mystery, wonder, and adventure of outer space.

From cosmic textures to planetary plating, each dish on this interstellar culinary voyage is a step on a journey through time, space, and taste.

Following a series of beloved themed menus such as “The Chippie,” “Once Upon a Time,” and “New York,” SPACE marks a bold new frontier for Chef Nico Simeone and his creative team. 

The new menu draws inspiration from astronomy, interstellar travel, and the futuristic possibilities of food beyond Earth, resulting in an imaginative, multi-sensory dining experience unlike anything else.

Chef Nico Simeone said: “SPACE is about pushing the boundaries of flavour and presentation. We asked ourselves: what might food look and taste like on a space station, or on a distant planet?

“The result is a menu that’s both playful and thought-provoking – a journey for the palate and the imagination.”

Prepare to be spoon-fed stardust with a six-course tasting menu featuring galactic flavour combinations, innovative textures, and visually stunning presentations that are sure to delight both returning guests and first-time diners. 

Each SPACE dish represents a different aspect of space exploration – from liftoff to the lunar surface, and beyond with highlights that includes: 

  • Zero Gravity Oyster – Smoked Salmon, Granny Smith Apple, Kohlrabi, Oyster Emulsion
  • Black Hole – Fregola Sarda, Cuttlefish, Burnt Lemon, Bisque, Pork Fat Crumb
  • Solar Flare – Flat Iron, Ox Parcel, Saffron & Orange, Black Garlic, Squash
  • Goodbye Earth – Baked Vanilla Custard, Orange Marmalade, Grand Marnier

The SPACE menu will be available for a limited 12 weeks only, priced at £45 per person, with an optional wine pairing experience available for an additional £30. The menu is available from August 25th until 16th November 2025. 

Join Six by Nico as they boldly go where no menu has gone before. To book visit:

Edinburgh – Booking
Edinburgh West – Booking

YouGov: Plimsolls, pumps or something else: what do YOU call school canvas trainers?

  • A majority (53%) of Britons call the black school canvas trainers ‘plimsolls’
  • However, nearly a quarter of Britons (23%) call them ‘pumps’
  • ‘Pumps’ is the norm in North West England (69%) and the West Midlands (64%), as well as parts of Yorkshire and north Wales
  • Around South Wales and parts of the West Country, ‘daps’ or ‘dappers’ are the preferred term
  • Nearly four in ten people in Lanarkshire (38%) and 32% of people in Central Scotland say ‘gutties’

Most of us will remember those black rubber-soled canvas trainers that you wore in primary school PE classes, and nowhere else. But what might be news to some is that what you called the shoe is not what everybody else did.  

While ‘plimsolls’ might be the most common term, with 53% of Britons saying it is how they would typically refer to the shoe, YouGov data from nearly 38,000 Britons shows that this term is far from universal, with many regions having their own word for the staple of infant school PE classes. 

A map of united kingdom with different colors AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Plimsolls, the name typically used by 53% of Britons 

‘Plimsolls’ might be the most popular name for the trainers by a clear margin, but this is really only the case in half the country. The term is the overwhelming norm in the East of England (83% using it), South East England (79%), East Midlands (72%) and London (67%).  

The term also tends to be used in the southern half of South West England, as well as in North East England, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. At the county-level, usage peaks in Norfolk, where 91% typically opt for the term. 

A map of united kingdom with red shades AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Pumps, the name typically used by 23% of Britons 

For nearly a quarter of Britons (23%), those black school canvas trainers are known as ‘pumps’, with this the norm in North West England (69%) and the West Midlands (64%), as well as parts of Yorkshire and north Wales. 

The counties that gravitate most towards the term are Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and Staffordshire, where more than seven in ten (72-75%) refer to the trainers as ‘pumps’.  

While the name has some currency in most of the rest of England, it is virtually unused in the south eastern most counties of Britain, as well as in mid Scotland. 

A map of england with purple and white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Daps, the name typically used by 5% of Britons 

Around the Severn Estuary, ‘daps’ or ‘dappers’ are the preferred term for the school hall trainer. While there are several urban legends about the original of the unusual name, it most likely comes from the sound the rubber soles make on a hardwood floor. 

Daps is used by around half of people in the Welsh counties of Gwent, Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan (47-53%), as well as around four in ten of those across the border in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset (37-42%).  

A map of england with blue and white colors AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Sandshoes or sannies, the names typically used by 5% of Britons 

The shoes themselves were originally known as ‘sandshoes’, a name that has hung on in parts of Scotland, sometimes under the nickname ‘sannies’. The term is particularly concentrated around the river Clyde, with 52% of people in Renfrewshire and 47% of Glaswegians calling them ‘sandshoes’ or ‘sannies’. 

The name also sees some use in the north east of England, particularly in the East Riding of Yorkshire: 48% of people in the Hull-centred county refer to the school trainers as ‘sandshoes’, compared to no more than 6% in any of the surrounding counties. 

A map of united kingdom with text and black text AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Gym shoes, the name typically used by 6% of Britons 

For some, the simpler descriptor of ‘gym shoes’ is enough, with usage most typically found in Scotland. Around 20-24% of Scots in most regions of the country use the term, with this rising to 29% on Tayside and 39% in the north eastern Grampian area.  

‘Gym shoes’ also has some popularity as a name in mid Wales, with 20% of people in the county of Powys using it to refer to the primary school favourite.  

A map of united kingdom with text and a chart AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Other names for school canvas trainers 

‘Sandshoes’ and ‘gym shoes’ are far from the only regional specific name the Scots have for rubber-soled school trainers.  

For nearly four in ten people in Lanarkshire (38%), as well as 32% of people in Central Scotland, ‘gutties’ is the go-to name for the trainer, a word that derives from a type of rubber once used to make them. 

The Lothians are home to one of the most specific regional terms, with 18% of people there referring to the canvas-topped trainers as ‘rubbers’, though ‘plimsolls’ is the most common name for them in the area.  

A chart with numbers and text AI-generated content may be incorrect.

What do people call school canvas trainers in your county? 

A screenshot of a chart AI-generated content may be incorrect.

We always called gym shoes ‘rubbers’ when I was wee! – Ed. 

Tomorrow: Activities for women at Pilton Community Health Project

MONDAY at PCHP: BREATHING ROOM and CHAT CAFE

Join Jules for #BreathingRoom on Monday morning at 9.30am. A gentle class that helps you welcome the week with deep rest and seasonal mindfulness.

Afterwards, you’re free to join #ChatCafe a social group that seeks to connect women #Connect#Women with each other and their #Community.

We cook, laugh and learn together, why not join us – we’ll be waiting!

#FiveWaysToWellbeing

#CommunityWellbeing

#LivinginHarmony

#WomenSupportingWomen

#AllWomenWelcome

Local children with disabilities excluded from play due to inaccessible playgrounds

  • Across the UK, half of parents of children with physical disabilities surveyed say their child is excluded from play due to inaccessible playgrounds
  • As well as reducing friendships and confidence, parents are turning to screentime to fill the gap
  • To support parents and children, Scottish housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes is committing to ensure every play area they create is inclusive and accessible

New research reveals children with disabilities are excluded from playgrounds in Scotland. Across the UK, half (50%) of parents of children with physical disabilities surveyed say their child is excluded from play due to playgrounds being inaccessible to them.

In Scotland, parents of children who visit playgrounds are travelling an average of 3.77 miles from their homes to reach a suitable play area. As a result, 32% say they are relying more on screens because there are not enough suitable outdoor play areas nearby.

The research of over 2,000 parents from across the UK, showed that exclusion from play is an issue for disabled and non-disabled children alike. Almost two thirds (65%) of UK parents surveyed say their children are playing out less than they did at the same age, with similar findings reported in Scotland (64%). 

Almost a quarter of parents in Scotland have struggled to find a playground that accommodates their child’s needs (23%), while others reported that their local playground is currently closed or out of order (36%).

Parents say the lack of play is negatively affecting their child’s ability to make friendships, build confidence and develop a sense of adventure, and shockingly over a third (37%) of children in Scotland now prefer to spend time playing indoors or on screens, creating barriers for children accessing outdoor play.

To get the nation playing out again, Barratt Redrow, of which Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland is a part, is making a landmark commitment to prioritise inclusive play spaces across its developments.

This new commitment will see the housebuilder incorporate inclusive and accessible play areas across their new developments in Scotland, working with children and young people to design play spaces that meet the needs of the local community where possible. As the UK’s largest housebuilder this could deliver up to 100 new accessible and inclusive play spaces for parents and children to enjoy each year.

David Thomas, CEO of Barratt Redrow, said: “This isn’t just about playgrounds, it’s about building places where families can truly thrive, and that starts by ensuring every child can safely and confidently enjoy the freedom, fun and benefits that outdoor play delivers.

“We want local authorities and other homebuilders to work together to make inclusive and accessible play the standard, not the exception. When we build with all children in mind, we can create places that work better for everyone.”

Alison Condie, Regional Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland, said: “Play isn’t a luxury, it’s something that inspires connection, confidence and childhood itself.

“This commitment will make a huge difference to parents and children in Scotland. We want parents and homebuyers to know that when they buy one of our homes, they can be confident that we’re prioritising the right things from day one.”

The New Commitments to Play

As the UK’s biggest housebuilder, Barratt Redrow is ensuring play for everybody is the standard, not the exception. In practice, its new Inclusive Play Guidance will mean communities in Scotland can expect:

1.     Every play space being designed by Barratt Redrow will include inclusive equipment, accessible surfaces and be located in safe and easy to access locations for the whole community to enjoy.

2.     Designs will allow for active, challenging, imaginative, sensory and quiet play for children and young people, while encouraging social interaction between neighbours and friends.

3.     Play spaces will be integrated into high quality landscapes at the heart of our developments, bringing people closer to nature.    

4.     Wherever possible, Barratt Redrow will work with children and young people to ensure they are continually responding to the needs of the local community.

*Our teams work on planning applications for a period of six months before submission, therefore the new commitment will apply to all new planning applications from January 2026 onwards.

As well as children’s charity Whizz Kidz, the Barratt Redrow Commitments and New Design Guidelines were created with support from industry bodies, including Play Wales, Play England, play expert Tim Gill and children’s psychologist Prof. Helen Dodd. 

For more information, visit www.barrattredrow.co.uk/playmaking

The Royal Regiment of Scotland set to mark 20th anniversary with new commemorative statue

A new sculpture to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) has been granted approval by City of Edinburgh Council.

The bronze reclining lion guarding the SCOTS cap badge will be erected in West Princes Street Gardens and unveiled in 2026, marking exactly 20 years since formation.

SCOTS soldiers, veterans and military families have supported local Edinburgh artist, Kenny Hunter, in the design of the statue. It will be cast in six separate sections, representing the unity of Scotland’s six historic infantry regiments that amalgamated to form SCOTS in 2006.

To reflect SCOTS’ deep ties with the city, the lion will take pride of place in the Edinburgh gardens amongst and is intended as a timeless place of quiet reflection for all, with Regimental Headquarters in Edinburgh Castle serving as a fitting backdrop.

Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “This statue will stand as a proud symbol of Scotland’s senior line infantry regiment. It reflects our heritage, honours all who have served, and looks ahead to the next generation. It will provide a fitting place for reflection and recognition, not only for the serving and veteran community, but for all who visit our city and its gardens.

“Edinburgh is our home, and we are deeply grateful to City of Edinburgh and those who supported this project, as we mark 20 years of service at home and overseas.”

Formed in 2006, The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army. Today, it consists of three regular battalions, two reserve battalions, and an incremental company dedicated to ceremonial duties.

With 2,300 serving soldiers and more than 9,000 veterans and families, The Royal Regiment of Scotland has been one of the most deployed in the past two decades, acting in almost every theatre of operations the British Army has been involved in.

The unveiling of the statue will form part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s year-long programme of events marking its 20th anniversary.

MSF: Israeli authorities ‘starving Palestinians of water in Gaza’

  • Israel is deliberately depriving people of water in Gaza, Palestine.
  • Organisations like MSF would be able to increase the amount of safe water in the Strip, however, Israel is blocking imports of critical water treatment items.
  • The Israeli military must stop its destruction of water infrastructure and allow the immediate repair of water systems that have been damaged.

Israel is deliberately depriving people of water in Gaza, Palestine, as part of its genocidal campaign – denying Palestinians of life’s necessities, including food, water and healthcare, says Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). 

After 22 months of Israel destroying and restricting access to critical water infrastructure, the amount of water available in Gaza is wholly insufficient.

Organisations like MSF would be able to increase the amount of safe water in the Strip, however, Israel is blocking imports of critical water treatment items.

Since June 2024, for every 10 import requests of items for water desalination, MSF has had only one approved.

Israel must begin allowing the importation of critical equipment for water supply and distribution, at scale. The Israeli military must stop its destruction of water infrastructure and allow the immediate repair of water systems that have been damaged to ensure people have life-sustaining access to water. Water and other necessities of life must not be used as weapons of war.

Not only is there insufficient water overall for people in Gaza, but the reliance on water trucking means they do not have predictable methods to obtain what is available.

Eighty-six per cent of Gaza is under forced displacement order by the Israeli military, making it unsafe for water trucks to attempt to reach people in those areas. The lack of adequate storage methods in households compounds the problems people face.

The reduction of clean water in Gaza has resulted in an increase of disease, with MSF medical teams conducting over 1,000 consultations for acute watery diarrhoea a week for the past month. Without sufficient water for hygiene, people have been suffering from skin conditions, such as scabies.

Clean water is also essential for hospitals; to reduce the spread of infection and to keep patients hydrated so their bodies can heal from their injuries and illnesses.

An MSF water distribution point operates next to our Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Mawasi. Clean water is essential not just for drinking, but for preventing infection in medical facilities. However, Israel’s restrictions mean only 11% of MSF’s requests for critical desalination equipment are approved, severely limiting the scale of this lifesaving work.

“There’s too little water for too many people,” says Mohammed Nsier, a water and sanitation officer for MSF in Gaza. “The amount we can provide is very small compared to the need, and conditions are extremely difficult.”

Israel is creating difficult conditions for the delivery of safe water to people. It has always controlled much of the flow of water into Gaza. There is no naturally available drinking water in Gaza because of salination and contamination of sewage and chemicals, making people reliant on pipelines coming from Israel and desalination plants in Gaza. This infrastructure has been subjected to continuous Israeli attacks.

Israel has repeatedly damaged two out of the three water pipelines into Gaza since October 2023. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the water that goes through these pipes is lost because of leaks in the broader pipeline network, from the damage caused by bombardment. As a result, water must be distributed by water trucking, coming from desalination plants. Of the 196 desalination plants that are publicly- and NGO-run, over 60 per cent are non-functional because of their location or damage.

There’s too little water for too many people. The amount we can provide is very small compared to the need, and conditions are extremely difficult.

Mohammed Nsier, a water and sanitation officer for MSF in Gaza

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Humanitarian organisations are willing to repair the damaged pipes and plants of the water infrastructure that existed before October 2023, but Israel has repeatedly hindered these efforts by denying access to these sites.

For locations that are reachable, repair efforts use “Frankenstein” techniques, salvaging parts from one generator or broken sites to fix another, and desperate attempts to source parts locally. Such actions are necessary as the supplies required to repair this infrastructure are impeded from entering Gaza by Israel.

When items do come in, they arrive months late because of deliberate blockages.

Seven MSF water treatment units produce enough water for 65,000 people to receive 7.5 litres per day,1 a fraction of what is needed. For months, MSF has been trying to get nine new treatment units into Gaza – which would significantly increase MSF’s water production capacity – but these efforts have remained unsuccessful as Israel has not issued approvals or allowed the units to enter.

When water trucks can reach desalination plants, the next step of distributing it to people also means contending with major obstacles. Reaching people safely is near impossible, as the expansion of military activities and bombardments in so-called safe zones mean distribution points have to be continually re-located.

In 2025, MSF has had to stop providing water at at least 137 water distribution points. To reach distributions, people must walk long distances carrying their heavy jerry cans.

You see how people are struggling, everyone is desperate for water… I don’t know what to tell you—it’s torture.

– A woman waiting for a water distribution in Gaza city

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“You see how people are struggling, everyone is desperate for water,” says a woman waiting for an MSF distribution in Gaza city. “Honestly, [it’s] very, very hard to get water, even walking a little bit is very difficult. I don’t know what to tell you—it’s torture.”

The dangers of collecting water are compounded by its limitation, with the scarcity creating tension at distributions. People have told MSF staff that they fear collecting water. Our teams see children who get lost after a distribution site has been forced to move by a displacement order or an airstrike, or because extensive damage has made their surroundings unrecognisable.

“As with food, supplies, and healthcare, the Israeli military is restricting access to water to minimal levels,” says Ozan Agbas, MSF emergency manager. “By refraining from cutting off water entirely, they allow plausible deniability while choking Palestinians of their means of survival.”

7.5 litres is the minimum amount of water a person needs per day during a humanitarian emergency, according to the WHO