Nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff across Scotland have voted to accept an 8% pay increase, over two years, that will ensure they continue to be the best paid in the UK.
The deal, which benefits almost 170,000 NHS Agenda for Change staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – guarantees the pay increase will be one percentage point above inflation over same period.
It will see pay rises of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27 and involves an investment of more than £700 million over a two-year period.
The pay rise will be backdated to 1 April 2025.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I welcome the fact that union members have accepted this pay offer. Delivering a renewed and stronger NHS is a key commitment for us and at the heart of that are our hard-working healthcare staff.
“We want to ensure they feel value and rewarded and I’m very pleased that they have agreed to accept a strong two-year pay deal. Staff will see the benefit of this pay uplift in their pay packets from next month.
“The deal, which is both fair and affordable, is guaranteed to remain above CPI inflation and will ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best reward package in the UK.”
Edinburgh University’s Formula team will race at Silverstone this year as part of the Formula Student global engineering competition thanks in part to a valuable Gold-level sponsorship by Greenwheel Electric.
Greenwheel Electric is the innovative and ambitious new provider of much-needed electric vehicle charging facilities. Their unique proposition combines 100% green energy at industry-leading prices direct from the point of generation, ultra high-speed charging facilities, and integrated sites providing a high quality traveller experience built on local produce and refreshments. It is a division of Muirhall Energy, Scotland’s largest independent renewables business.
The renewable energy charging facility firm, which launched in 2024, is providing the Formula team with a gold level of sponsorship. The funding will enable the team to test their theories for improving the car and to buy additional required parts.
Jason McCall, Managing Director at Greenwheel Electric, said: “We share the passion of Edinburgh University’s Formula Student team as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in motorsport.
“EUFS has consistently demonstrated excellence in engineering and automation, setting a high standard for the future of driverless technology.
“Our sponsorship is not just about providing funding; it’s about fostering the next generation STEM professionals who share our passion to lead the way in sustainable and renewable energy solutions. We look forward to seeing the team race at Silverstone and are proud to be part of their journey.”
EUFS has set the benchmark for driverless teams in the UK, winning the inaugural FS-AI class in 2018 and maintaining an unprecedented seven-year winning streak ever since. In 2024, the team achieved another milestone, becoming the first in the British competition to pass both technical and safety scrutiny with its cutting-edge ADS (automated driving system) car.
Leia Wilson, Sponsorship Lead at EUFS, said: “Edinburgh University Formula Student (EUFS) is a multidisciplinary team of students from various cultural and academic backgrounds.
“EUFS comes together each year to construct an F1-style race car and we participate in Formula Student UK at Silverstone with teams from all around the globe.
“We offer students the ability to put their knowledge to practice, to be part of a model company and for some – to achieve a dream.”
Scottish Opera has won the prestigious Classical:NEXT Innovation Award for its ground-breaking project Breath Cycle.
Started in 2012, it helps those with lung conditions, such as Long Covid, using breathing techniques in singing and songwriting workshops. It beat competition from across the world to pick up the award at a ceremony in Berlin on Wednesday (14 May).
The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award is decided by nominations from renowned international journalists and leaders in the arts and is selected by the Classical:NEXT community. It recognises organisations and projects that ‘push the boundaries of classical music through innovative approaches, audience engagement, and artistic excellence’.
Breath Cycle was praised for its pioneering work supporting people with respiratory conditions, which included its innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing the project back to life through the lens of Long COVID.
Since then, the project has relaunched to include new video and audio resources, one-to-one song writing sessions exploring the participants’ experiences of living with Long COVID – resulting in The Covid Composers Songbook – and a series of intimate performances showcasing these heartfelt and emotive songs in 2023 and 2025, including A Story of Healing:Breath Cycle on Stage.
Jane Davidson MBE, Director of Outreach & Education at Scottish Opera, and composer Gareth Williams, travelled to Germany for the award ceremony.
Jane Davidsonsaid: ‘Voice is such an integral part of what makes us human. Your voice is yours and yours alone, and to lose control over it can be devastating. We’ve learnt so much about how loss of voice through lung conditions of all types, attacks the very core of one’s identity, often leading to profound loneliness and isolation.
“So, from the beginning, the challenge for us was twofold: to help alleviate the physical symptoms of their illness, and to help participants regain their self-worth through the song-writing programme. Hearing these authentic voices ‘singing’ out is an artistic and a human experience that speaks to us all.’
Breath Cycle began in 2012 as a partnership between Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service in Glasgow. The programme has since worked with nearly 2,500 people, with participants reporting improvements in mental and physical health and wellbeing.
The 2025 Breath Cycle sessions have shown remarkable results, with participants reporting significant improvements in their wellbeing, physical and mental health, as well as reductions in stress levels and increases in energy and motivation.
Classical:NEXT 2025, the world’s largest networking event for classical music professionals, featured over 220 contributors and delegates from 54 countries.
Scottish Opera shared the Innovation Award spotlight with two other recipients: OPERA APERTA (Ukraine) and Clásica No Convencional (Chile).
Scottish Opera’s Outreach & Education department is the oldest outreach and education unit of any opera company in Europe, forming in 1971 under the leadership of Scottish Opera’s founder Sir Alexander Gibson.
Breath Cycle will continue throughout Scottish Opera’s 2025-2026 Season with support from The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, WM Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust, and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.
Scotland’s interests ‘cannot be an afterthought in negotiations’
First Minister John Swinney has urged the UK Government to reflect Scotland’s interests by dropping its EU red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.
Ahead of tomorrow’s summit between the UK and EU, the First Minister has reiterated his calls for the closest possible co-operation with Europe and said the best future for Scotland is as an independent nation within the European Union.
The Scottish Government has previously called for the UK Government to negotiate with the EU on a number of key areas including removing barriers to food and drink exports, closer energy and climate co-operation, a youth mobility agreement, and rejoining the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.
The First Minister said: “Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union. More than ever, the current uncertain economic and geopolitical environment reinforces the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that comes with EU membership.
“Right now, the Prime Minister must negotiate the closest possible working relationship with the EU, in the interests of people and businesses across Scotland. To do that he must drop his ideological red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.
“This would remove significant trade barriers and red tape for Scottish businesses and give a much-needed boost to the Scottish economy which is still being badly impacted by Brexit.
“If the UK Government wants to get serious about economic growth, it should recognise that the EU is one of our most important economic and security partners. At the very least we need to see a reduction in red tape for our food and drink exports, closer co-operation on energy and climate issues and greater freedom of movement for our young people. These areas and others can bring benefits both for us and our European partners.
“The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK and the EU towards stability and progress but the UK Government must reflect the interests of Scotland in the upcoming talks. Given the appalling economic, social and cultural damage of Brexit, Scotland cannot be treated as an afterthought by the UK Government in these discussions.”
The Scottish Government has published papers on some of our key priorities for closer cooperation:
This week, the Prime Minister will strike ‘yet another deal that will deliver in the national interest of this country. It will be good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills, and good for our borders’, says the UK government.
In the last two weeks alone, the government has delivered trade deals with India and the United States. Jobs saved, faster growth, wages rising.
These deals are a huge vote of confidence in the United Kingdom. They show that, even though times have been tough, the decisions the government have taken to stabilise the economy and lead the way internationally have made this a country people want to do business with again.
Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets as part of our Plan for Change – and sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto.
Because the British public deserve better than the deal reached under the previous government, which isn’t working for anyone.
It will be better for UK producers – who face red tape and checks just to export to our nearest and biggest trading partner. Or sometimes can’t export at all.
It will be better for British supermarkets, who have to pass these costs onto consumers and reduce the availability of products on shelves.
And it will be better for British families who face higher bills, queues on holiday and whose safety and security is harmed by a lack of cooperation between neighbouring countries facing the same global challenges.
First India, then the US, now the European Union. This is what outward-looking, independent sovereign nations do – we look at the problems facing our country and we work hard, alongside our allies, to find solutions that deliver for our people (says the UK Government).
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “In this time of great uncertainty and volatility, the UK will not respond by turning inwards, but by proudly taking our place on the world stage – strengthening our alliances and closing deals in the interests of British people.
“First India, then the United States – in the last two weeks alone that’s jobs saved, faster growth and wages rising. More money in the pockets of British working people, achieved through striking deals not striking poses.
“Tomorrow, we take another step forwards, with yet more benefits for the United Kingdom as the result of a strengthened partnership with the European Union. It will be good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders.
“That’s what the British people voted for last year, and it’s what my government will deliver.”
It was another golden night for Bauer Media Audio at the 2025 ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards), hosted by Magic Radio’s Gok Wan, where our teams picked up an incredible twelve awards including the prestigious Special Recognition Award, presented by Ken Bruce, to Greatest Hits Radio Network Content Director Andy Ashton.
Forth 1 won two Gold awards with Boogie in the Morning winning Best Music Breakfast Show – for the second year running – and the station being named as the John Myers Local Radio Station of the Year.
Rayo took Silver in a new category for 2025, UK Audio Brand of the Year as KISS picked up two Silver awards for The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ in the Best News or Current Affairs category and Best Commercial Partnership Award for Empowering Young Lives with KFC.
Greatest Hits Radio 60s was also a Silver winner for Best Sonic Branding.
The Bowie@Breakfast team saw Bronze for Best Music Radio Breakfast Show and the Hits Radio team were also Bronze Social Impact Award winners for Clare’s Law: A Decade Saving Lives.
Greatest Hits Radio was another Bronze winner for UK Radio Station or Radio Network of the Year, as were the Clyde 1 team in the Best Event Coverage Award for Superscoreboard at Euro 2024
The full list of Bauer Media Audio UK winners:
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Andy Ashton
GOLD
JOHN MYERS LOCAL RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: Forth 1
BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Boogie in the Morning – Forth 1
SILVER
UK AUDIO BRAND OF THE YEAR: Rayo
BEST MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AWARD (SHOW OR PRESENTER): Ruthie Henshall Sees Dead People – Magic Radio
BEST NEWS OR CURRENT AFFAIRS AWARD: The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ – KISS
BEST SONIC BRANDING AWARD: Greatest Hits Radio 60s
BEST COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Empowering Young Lives – KISS and KFC
BRONZE
UK RADIO STATION OR RADIO NETWORK OF THE YEAR: Greatest Hits Radio
BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Bowie@Breakfast – Clyde 1
THE SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: Clare’s Law: A Decade of Saving Lives – Hits Radio
BEST EVENT COVERAGE AWARD: Superscoreboard at EURO 2024 – Clyde 1
Forth 1 has been celebrating its 50th birthday this year.
They have also recently hit a 24 year audience high (RAJAR) and the Forth 1 news team also recently picked up at Gold at the IRN Awards winning the ‘News Team of the Year’ (Under 1.5million TSA).
New Lanark is thrilled to announce the return of its most popular family event – the Duck Festival!
Taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, this two-day celebration promises laughter, adventure, splashing fun for the whole family.
A Weekend of Wholesome Quack-tivities Includes:
What’s Happening?
Duck Race at 12pm & 2pm each day – Cheer on your duck as it floats down the lade. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners.
Treasure Hunt: Track down hidden ducks for a sweet ice lolly reward.
Craft Corner: Get creative and make your own duck mask to wear in the Duck Parade.
Meet Bubbles the Duck: Snap a pic with the festival’s star. Our friendly festival mascot is ready for photos at the historic New Lanark Waterwheel.
Duck Parade at 3pm – March behind Bubbles(mascot) from one end of the lade to the other in a splashy spectacle.
Best Duck Mask Awards at 3:15pm – Flaunt your handmade masterpiece for a chance to win
Optional Extras (available on-site for an extra charge): Face painting, carousel rides, and soft play for even more fun.
Tickets are just £7.00 per child, with free entry for accompanying adults. Ticket times correspond with the Duck Race sessions (12pm or 2pm), but families are welcome from 10am to enjoy all the day’s activities.
Following the model of our popular Easter Sunday Duck Race event, this festival promises to be another unforgettable experience filled with community spirit and family fun.
Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure yours soon and waddle your way to a weekend of quack-tastic excitement at New Lanark.
Thousands more children will benefit from free breakfasts supported by the Scottish Government.
The Bright Start Breakfasts fund is now open to applications and will provide £3 million so more primary school children can have a nutritious start to the day and parents can benefit from free childcare.
Nearly half of Scotland’s schools already provide breakfast at the start of the school day. The Bright Start Breakfasts funding will support expansion of existing clubs and establishment of new ones, creating more free places for primary school children.
In addition to more breakfast clubs, the Scottish Government is expanding the Extra Time programme, which provides funding for 31 local football clubs and trusts to provide free access to before school, after school and holiday clubs for targeted primary school children from families on low incomes.
Work is also under way in 23 communities to design and deliver further childcare services for priority families.
Visiting a breakfast club at Riverside Primary School in Glasgow Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children, particularly those most at risk of living in poverty, and breakfast clubs have a crucial role in our mission to eradicate child poverty.
“They help set children up for the day, supporting them to achieve their learning potential, and provide families with childcare, helping more parents to get to work in the morning.
“Applications are open and I encourage anyone who could deliver a breakfast club to contact Inspiring Scotland.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland, said: “Inspiring Scotland is pleased to be working with Scottish Government to manage the Bright Start Breakfasts fund.
“We are committed to working together to tackle child poverty and improve family wellbeing. We are delighted to see applications starting to come in since launching the fund on Wednesday”
Inspiring Scotland invites applications from groups and organisations who deliver or want to deliver breakfast clubs, including:
Primary schools
local authorities
third-sector organisations
registered childcare providers
activity providers
parent or volunteer groups
childminding services
Work to design and deliver childcare services for priority families is taking place in 23 Early Adopter Communities across six local authority areas (Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Fife and Shetland).
We’re absolutely delighted that The Power of Food Festival’s annual event will return this June, 10 years after its first edition and 6 years after it last took place!
The Power of Food Festival is for everyone. Whether you’re visiting the city or live here; whether you’re young … or young at heart; rooted in this place or hailing from elsewhere; whether you love growing your own food, or are simply curious to discover what’s on your doorstep.
You’re all very welcome. This is our chance to celebrate these beautiful and productive spaces, and (re)discover the magic of nature and people working together in our city.
Between 14 June and 21 June, as the summer solstice brings the longest days in the year, the 2025 Power of Food Festival will offer a great mix of nine gardens to explore (list below);some well-established ones that are returning to the Festival, others that have developed more recently and are new to the city’s annual celebration.
The Festival will showcase beautiful and joyful community food growing spaces right across the city: from Leith to Wester Hailes, and from Gracemount to Granton. There’ll be a range of fun and inspiring activities for everyone.
Stay tuned for the full #poffest25 programme in a few weeks’ time!
