Police are appealing for information to help trace 15-year-old Ahmad Bader from Edinburgh.
Ahmad was last seen at a premises on Gorgie Road around 8.20pm on Wednesday, 11 March.
He is described as being around 6ft tall, of medium build with short black hair and brown eyes.
When last seen, he was wearing a black jacket and trousers and carrying a backpack.
Ahmad is thought to be in the South West area of Edinburgh, but it is believed he may have previously travelled to Dundee and Dunfermline.
Inspector Quentin Russell said: “We are extremely concerned for Ahmad’s welfare and are looking to trace him to make sure he is safe.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who has seen him or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0726 of 11 March, 2026.
A thorough independent review of how UK Government departments and civil servants interact with devolution should be carried out in order to improve the way Westminster works with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to a new report from a Scottish Parliament Committee.
The report from the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee says interactions between the UK Government and those in devolved nations should be less ad-hoc with a formal, structured and transparent schedule published in advance.
The publication reports “significant concern” around the understanding of the powers and role of the devolved governments and parliaments within Whitehall, and as a result, it says there appears to be a lack of thought in some cases about how devolution affects the development of policy by the UK Government and passage of legislation at the UK Parliament.
The new report was supported by four members – Committee Convener Clare Adamson MSP, Keith Brown MSP, George Adam MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP. Neil Bibby MSP, Stephen Kerr MSP and Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP dissented from the report.
The publication follows the Committee’s inquiry on the transparency of intergovernmental activity – the interaction and cooperation between central and devolved governments – and its implications for parliamentary scrutiny and Ministerial accountability.
As part of its work, Committee members held a number of informal meetings in London with UK Government Ministers, Cabinet Office officials and parliamentary committees in the House of Lords and House of Commons. Its recommendations were also informed by previous work and reports including on the UK Internal Market Act.
The report describes it as “striking” that a majority of Common Frameworks have yet to be agreed by the Scottish Government, more than eight years after an initial agreement on their principles. Common Frameworks are the agreed approaches between the UK Government and the devolved administrations to manage regulatory consistency in specific areas including food safety, environmental standards and agriculture, following the UK’s exit from the EU.
The report notes the example of the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA), where although the Scottish Parliament voted twice by division to repeal UKIMA, the possibility of repeal was not considered as part of the UK Government’s review of the Act.
It concludes that it is “unclear” how further progress can be made in agreeing Common Frameworks in policy areas impacted by UKIMA, which undermines certainty and trust among businesses and hinders ministerial accountability and parliamentary scrutiny.
Committee Convener, Clare Adamson, said: “There continues to be a number of ongoing challenges which are undermining effective intergovernmental relations.
“The Committee’s view is that the resetting of intergovernmental of relations should include improving the effectiveness of engagement between governments and parliaments in the devolved nations.”
Shake up of rules on who can join a credit union will support more families, workers, students and retirees to access fairer financial products.
Bigger, stronger credit unions as the Government raises the cap that can limit growth and makes it easier for credit unions to expand and merge.
Move will see more households access cheaper alternatives to high-cost credit, helping people access fair loans and build savings through community lenders.
MORE people will benefit from affordable loans and savings as the Westminster Government changes the rules so more people can join credit unions, helping households with the cost of living.
Delivering on its manifesto pledge to grow the mutuals sector, the Government is today (18 March) setting out reforms to the rules on who can join credit unions in Great Britain.
By making it easier for credit unions to serve more people in their communities, the changes will support families, workers, students and retirees to access fairer financial products and build financial resilience.
Credit unions offer affordable, community based financial services and play an important role in promoting financial inclusion. Enabling credit unions to expand and broaden their membership will help ensure that more people can access fair, lower-cost alternatives to high-cost credit. This will strengthen the provision of responsible financial services and support households with the cost of living.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said: “These reforms will help more people get access to affordable credit and a safe place to save, so families have a real alternative to high-cost credit.
“We’re delivering on our manifesto pledge to grow the mutual sector by backing credit unions to expand and serve more communities. It’s another step in making financial services more accessible and supporting people to build financial resilience.”
The reforms will include:
Bigger credit unions, serving more people: Government will raise the cap on locality-based credit unions from three million to 10 million potential members, making it easier for them to grow and merge.
Students included: Students will be able to join locality-based credit unions, alongside people who live or work in the area.
Modern rules for modern families and working lives: Credit unions will be able to serve more relatives and household members, and members will be able to stay with (or join) their credit union after retirement as full members.
These reforms follow the Call for Evidence on credit unions’ common bond rules launched after the Chancellor’s first Mansion House speech.
This also builds on the Government’s wider work to improve financial inclusion and resilience across the UK. As part of the Financial Inclusion Strategy, the Government is also working closely with the financial services sector and consumer groups to bring forward interventions to make it easier for people to access a bank account, support people to build savings and improve financial education.
Lakshman Chandrasekera, Chief Executive Officer, London Mutual Credit Union said: “I warmly welcome today’s announcement. Raising the common bond cap to 10 million gives credit unions the freedom to grow and keep wealth within the communities we serve.
“In London, we see first-hand the demand for fair, affordable finance. This reform means many more people across the UK will be able to access it — building savings, reducing reliance on high-cost credit, and developing real financial resilience. This is a transformative moment for the sector.”
Frances McCann, CEO, Scotwest Credit Union said: “Today’s announcement is excellent news for credit unions and for the communities we serve.
“Raising the locality cap to ten million potential members and modernising the rules around family and retirement membership are exactly the kind of practical, meaningful reforms the sector has been asking for.”
“At Scotwest we see every day the difference a credit union can make to households that need an affordable alternative to high-cost credit. These changes will allow more credit unions to reach more of those people.”
Matt Bland, Chief Executive of ABCUL said: “This announcement marks an important milestone in the Government’s recognition of the vital role credit unions play in strengthening financial resilience and improving financial inclusion across Great Britain.
“Reforms to the common bond will enable credit unions to expand their reach, serve more communities and work together more effectively to deliver sustainable growth.
“As the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy moves into delivery, it is encouraging to see credit unions recognised as a central part of improving access to fair and affordable financial services.”
Clear progress is being made across all 20 actions set out in out in a national plan aimed at improving relationships and behaviour in schools, according to a newly-published report.
The second annual progress report on the joint action plan details the work undertaken in the last 12 months to address areas including guidance on consequences and on risk assessments for schools.
Updated Scottish Government guidance has also been published on attendance, along with new guidance on substance use, now covering vapes, and on a whole school approach to tackling racism. These were among the recommendations of the 2024-27 blueprint to improve relationships and behaviour in schools.
Work is also ongoing on to provide future guidance in other areas, including the recording and monitoring of violent incidents.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Scotland’s schools should be safe and consistent learning environments for everyone and clearly the vast majority of children and young people behave well.
“However, we know there has been an impact on behaviour as a result of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. So I am heartened to see the clear progress being made to implement the measures set out in the action plan to address this.
“The challenges of the post-COVID-19 generation of young people is reflected in the updated guidance on attendance to deal with the use of part-time timetables, long-term, persistent absence, as well as young people who are in school but absent from classes.
“Vaping has also been identified as an emerging trend among some young people at school, so the new guidance on substance use will allow local authorities and Head Teachers to develop or update local policies to deal with this. Taken together this newly-published package of guidance addresses all the all emerging patterns of behaviour identified in our Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research.
“The action we are taking will help ensure that teachers and schools can deal with issues in ways that are appropriate and also respond to the needs of each individual child.”
The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill, which regulates higher-risk cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers, has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill requires procedures to be performed by, or alongside, certain healthcare professionals in a registered setting, bringing consistent regulation to the industry. The Bill also ensures non-surgical cosmetic procedures cannot be performed on under 18s.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland will be able to inspect premises where there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence is being committed.
The Scottish Government will support businesses to adapt to the new requirements. Businesses will have at least until September 2027 to make necessary changes.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are increasingly popular, and when not carried out safely they can cause serious and lasting harm.
“This legislation is designed to ensure that higher-risk procedures take place in appropriate settings with a healthcare professional present, and that under-18s are properly protected. These are meaningful, proportionate changes that put public safety first.
“I also recognise the importance of ensuring businesses are supported to adapt to new requirements and we have listened closely to the sector. The offences in the Bill cannot come into force before September 2027 giving an extended period of time for businesses to respond to these changes. The Bill is designed to be responsive to changes in the industry, and the procedures will be kept under review to ensure the list remains effective and proportionate.
“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who campaigned so passionately on this issue – their determination has helped shape stronger legislation.
“I am also grateful to colleagues across the Parliament who worked together constructively to pass this Bill.”
Creative movement and dance sessions are back this spring! This is your invitation to shake off the winter and step into joy, expression, and connection.
Led by Curious Seed, and featuring live music from Tinderbox Collective , the first session is this Friday, 20 March from 10am to 1pm. Come and join us!
Open to adults (16+) living in North Edinburgh
No previous dance experience needed
A welcoming space to move with ease, build confidence, and to support your wellbeing
FREE & DROP IN
For more information, call us on 0131 315 2151 or pop by and speak to a member of our team.
Save the dates:
Fridays, 11am – 1pm
20 March | 17 April | 1 May | 12 June | 10 July | 24 July | 7 August | 11 & 25 September 2026
Delivered with support from the Edinburgh Communities Health and Wellbeing Fund
Retail trade union Usdaw has today (18 March) launched shocking statistics from its annual survey of Scottish retail staff, showing that abuse and threats remain at high levels.
With shoplifting having more than doubled since the pandemic, the survey found that abuse, threats and assaults remain higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019.
Usdaw’s surveyof 1,062 Scottish retail staff found that in 2025:
· 76% were verbally abused.
· 50% were threatened.
· 11% were assaulted.
Voices from the frontline:
These are some of the comments retail workers from Scotland shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
· “Asked a barred customer to leave: when turned round, got punched in face. Been screamed at multiple times for following policy and doing my job correctly.”
· “Customer spat on me and verbally assaulted me when I refused a refund on an unwanted toilet seat, which had been opened and used.”
· “Homophobic abuse, pushing and physical abuse. I get shouted at frequently and treated like a lesser being. I was punched in the face by a customer.”
· “I have been threatened with stabbing, being assaulted and had many incidents of verbal abuse as the result of thieves and people who have been asked for ID.”
· “Abuse usually happens at self-scan tills. Not enough staff, faults with machines, incorrect reductions, labels not printed correctly. Customers blame the staff.”
· “Sexually touched when working on the shop floor. Customers lashing out when asked for ID. Physical and verbal abuse in and outside of work.”
Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says:“It is difficult to read these testimonies from Scottish retail workers, but regrettably they are all too common, with nearly four in five retail workers suffering violence, threats or abuse.
“No-one should feel afraid to go to work. Retail workers provide an essential service and should be respected and have the protection of the law.
“Violence and abuse are not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect retail workers. We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning – not the end.
“We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackling a growing wave of retail crime, and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland and employers to make that happen.”
Tinderbox Orchestra are set to release their new spoken word EP Outwith Words on Wednesday 25th March 2026. The live EP, which was launched during a co-production with Edinburgh Hogmanay’s First Footin’ Festival, features distinctive collaborations from some of Scotland’s most exciting spoken word artists.
Outwith Words consists of four tracks created with collaborators including poet Hannah McCooke, writer, theatre-maker and performance poet RJ Hunter, and spoken word poet, actor and rapper Ace V!s!on. The connecting theme throughout the collection is of community, connection, and activism.
The EPis the culmination of the Orchestra’s work over the last few years, touring libraries across the UK and Ireland and championing the ‘We Make Music’ Instrument Libraries initiative – an initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries across Scotland.
A partnership between Tinderbox Collective, Music Partnership Education Group, and Edinburgh Libraries, the project now operates in ten local authorities and 30 community libraries across the country – resulting in thousands of people having borrowed instruments.
The project collects donated instruments, restores them, and makes them available to anyone – free of charge – so you can borrow them just like a book.
Bringing together rappers and singers with soaring strings, heavy brass, woodwind and thundering bass and drums, Tinderbox transforms preconceptions of what an orchestra can be.
Over the last few years they have performed at major festivals, events and venues including; Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall (Celtic Connections), Latitude Festival (BBC Introducing Stage), Fuse Festival (London), Hidden Door Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe by the Sea.
They have also produced multiple sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have toured across the UK and Ireland.
Claire Docherty, Orchestra Manager, said: “Outwith Words” is the culmination of Tinderbox Orchestra’s work over the last few years, touring libraries across the UK and Ireland and championing the ‘We Make Music’ Instrument Libraries initiative, which now operates in nearly 30 libraries across Scotland.
“This EP features distinctive collaborations with Hannah McCooke, RJ Hunter and Ace V!s!on, with Hannah’s piece telling the story of the Instrument Libraries project.
“Made up of live recordings from our Edinburgh Fringe shows at Edinburgh Central Library — where the project began through a joint effort between Tinderbox Collective and Edinburgh Library Service — this EP celebrates how far the initiative has grown since starting in Edinburgh.”
RJ Hunter, collaborator, said: “It’s a true honour to work with Tinderbox Orchestra every single time and to have this piece immortalised is beyond exciting.
“War Cry is an original track made in collaboration with the orchestra during the Outwith Words project, a piece about using your voice for your community and for others that need it most, written from a trans perspective.”
Ace V!s!on, collaborator, said: “Only Lovers, Guilt Survives is what I call a piece of uplifting melancholy. The title of the piece came from two poems written prior, contextually in a moment of grief at the loss of a loved one.
“To me, the ‘Only Lovers’ section stands out for its actually quite simple but necessary repeated statement, an almost gruelling reminder of the importance of love not just in a romantic sense but as a fundamental human component for relationality, for care and understanding and perseverance in the face of adversity.
“This sets up the transition into ‘Guilt Survives’ a piece that reflects on the loss of said love and the vulnerability required to hold such tenderness especially when it hurts, touching on themes of mental health & loneliness.”
Outwith Words will be released on streaming platforms on Wednesday 25th March.
Open to adults (16+) living in North Edinburgh
No previous dance experience needed
A welcoming space to move with ease, build confidence, and to support your wellbeing
FREE & DROP IN
For more information, call us on 0131 315 2151 or pop by and speak to a member of our team.
