Spring into gardening: Dobbies free April workshops in Edinburgh

Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations

Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Grow How and Little Seedlings Club workshops return for spring, as the garden centre unveils its largest ever spring gardening range. This April, the Edinburgh store are offering garden fans of all ages the opportunity to get involved in interactive, educational, and hands-on sessions, completely free of charge.

Dobbies’ Grow How sessions take place on Wednesday 2 April and Saturday 5 April at 10.30am and 3.30pm, with a focus on wildflowers and how to create a thriving natural space, inside or outdoors.

Attendees at the Edinburgh store will gain valuable insight into growing wildflowers, soil testing, and the role of trees, ponds, and wildflower meadows in supporting biodiversity. The session will also cover how planting can help welcome wildlife into gardens and green spaces. As part of the workshop, customers will get the chance to plant their own wildflower seedling to take home to add to their own window box.

These Grow How demonstrations are designed to be fun, flexible, and interactive, lasting around 30 minutes and featuring a live demonstration from the Dobbies Green Team from the Edinburgh store. Participants can also take part in an ‘ask the expert’ session, where they can seek advice and tips tailored to their gardening needs.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is another free-to-attend workshop that’s designed for children aged 4-10 years old and will take place on Sunday 6 April.

This month’s session, Earth Day and Wonderful Wildflowers, will inspire young gardeners to think about ways to be kinder to the planet while also learning about the vital role of wildflowers in keeping the earth healthy.

The workshop will introduce children to the significance of Earth Day (Tuesday 22 April) and simple ways to help protect the planet. They will discover fun facts about wildflowers and why they are important for biodiversity. A hands-on crafting activity will give them the chance to create wildflower seed balls to plant at home.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Easter Holiday Club will also return in April at the Edinburgh store with a special Spring Has Sprung session, running throughout the Easter holidays.

This fun-filled workshop will celebrate all things spring, with children exploring the signs of seasonal change both above and below the ground. They will learn about the animals and insects returning to gardens, springtime celebrations around the world, and even get to make their own kite.

Ayesha Nickson, Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager said: “Our workshops at the Edinburgh store are the ideal way to celebrate the start of spring while encouraging people of all ages to connect with nature, learn new skills, and have fun.

“Whether you’re looking to bring more wildflowers into your garden or get children involved in hands-on gardening activities, our free sessions are the perfect way to grow your knowledge and enjoy the season. With our largest ever spring gardening range now in store, we have everything customers need to make the most of garden living and spend time outdoors.”

To find out more about the free workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and to secure a spot, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Child Poverty: A step in the right direction

FRASER OF ALLANDER INSTITUTE ANALYSIS

This week, the Scottish Government released headline child poverty statistics for 2023-24. The big headline is: we’ve missed the interim child poverty targets. But what does that mean? And what comes next (write Fraser of Allander Institute’s HANNAH RANDOLPH, EMMA CONGREVE and CHIRSTY McFADYEN)?

What do the new statistics say?

First, our usual note on the data: poverty rates are usually presented as a three-year average. The pandemic interrupted data collection, so any period including 2020-21 is actually a two-year average omitting that year – although the latest data point is back to a true three-year average. The interim and final child poverty targets set out in legislation are single-year rates, though, so we needed to hit 18% relative poverty in 2023-24 to meet the interim targets.

Without further ado, the new child poverty statistics are compared to the corresponding interim targets in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Child poverty rates and interim targets

Three-year rateSingle-year rateInterim target
by 2023/24
2020-232021-242022/232023/24
Relative poverty2423262218
Absolute poverty2120231714
Low income and material deprivation——1298
Persistent poverty——17238

Source: Scottish Government
Notes: The questions on material deprivation changed in 2023/24, so single-year rates are not directly comparable and a three-year rate for 2021-24 has not been calculated. Rates of persistent poverty are calculated for 2018-22 and 2019-23; someone is counted as in persistent poverty in 2019-23 if they were in poverty for three or more of the four years in that period.

In sum, three of the four main measures of child poverty have fallen since last year – but not by enough to meet any of the interim targets.

How close were we to meeting the targets?

The measure of combined low income and material deprivation came closest to meeting the interim target, 9% vs. an 8% target. The relative and absolute poverty measures came in 4 and 3 percentage points above the targets, respectively (see Chart 1). It’s fair to note that the confidence intervals around these measures are relatively wide due to data limitations.

Chart 1: Relative and absolute poverty after housing costs, 2015/16 – 2023/24

Two trend lines showing relatively stable relative and absolute child poverty rates in Scotland form 2015/16 to 2023/24.

Source: Scottish Government
Notes: Three-year rates for periods including 2020/21 are two-year averages omitting 2020/21. The single-year rate for 2020/21 is not shown.

It’s promising that these three measures also fell from last year. The fourth measure, persistent poverty, is based on a different survey and can be relatively volatile.

Nevertheless, it’s concerning that persistent poverty, representing the proportion of children who live in relative poverty for three or more of the last four years, has risen from 17% to 23%. The rate is much higher than the interim target of 8%. However, there may be data issues driving at least part of the change – there’s potentially a lot to unpack there.

Have policies like the Scottish Child Payment made a difference?

The new data for 2023/24 represent the first year when all children under 16 in households receiving qualifying benefits got £25 per week for the full year.

As a reminder:

  • The Scottish Child Payment (SCP) was introduced for children under 6 in eligible households at £10 per week in February 2021;
  • The amount increased to £20 per week, per child in November 2021;
  • A system of bridging payments was introduced in 2022 for children under 16; and
  • Eligibility was extended to children under 16 and the payment was increased to £25 per week, per child in November 2022.

There has been some discussion of whether or not the Family Resources Survey (the survey Scotland’s child poverty statistics are based on) was accurately capturing receipt of SCP. There have been updates to the data methodology, and we’re confident that SCP is accurately represented in this year’s data. Read more on this issue here.

The new statistics today show a fall in relative and absolute poverty since last year. But it’s difficult to say what would have happened to child poverty rates in the absence of SCP; the most straightforward way to tell is to compare trends in child poverty across Scotland and the rest of the UK, where SCP is not available (see Chart 2).

Chart 2: Relative child poverty trends, Scotland vs. UK

Two trend lines showing relative child poverty in Scotland and the UK, where Scotland's rate is below that of the UK.

Source: Scottish Government and DWP
Notes: All rates are single-year statistics. The single-year rates for 2020/21 are not shown.

With this year’s data, we see an indication that the trend in child poverty rates since SCP was introduced may have started to diverge – but only time will tell.

The Scottish Government has also released new modelling this morning updating the estimated impact of different policies on child poverty in future years. Previous modelling from last year estimated the impact of measures like the Scottish Child Payment through this year; today’s modelling extends this period to 2029/30.

The new modelling estimates that the SCP will reduce relative child poverty by 4 percentage points in 2025/26 compared to what it would have been without it. This is slightly larger than, but similar to, JRF’s estimate of 3 percentage points.

The modelling also includes estimates of the impact of different welfare reforms at the UK level. The UK Government is due to come out with their plan to tackle child poverty in the coming months, and it will be worth watching to see what they build into their plans and how they will affect Scotland.

We expect to put a blog post out next week talking through recent modelling of potential policies, both with devolved and reserved powers. Stay tuned – and in the meantime, check out our report on a few policy packages that could meet the 2030/31 targets.

What happens next?

It’s not set out in the legislation what happens if the interim targets are not met.

Regardless, we now expect attentions to turn to the 2030/31 targets. The targets are:

  • Less than 10% of children in relative poverty;
  • Less than 5% of children in absolute poverty;
  • Less than 5% of children in combined low income and material deprivation; and
  • Less than 5% of children in persistent poverty.

No big policy changes have gone into effect in the last couple of years – so we don’t expect to see a big step change in next year’s statistics (for 2024/25) either.

In December, the Scottish Government announced that they would mitigate the UK-level two-child limit on Universal Credit from 2026/27 (or sooner if possible).

Recent estimates show that mitigation could reduce child poverty by between one and two percentage points.

That leaves a long way to go to the 2030 targets. The Scottish Government has a number of levers available to them, but may be constrained by a tough fiscal environment. They will also have to respond to choices made by the UK Government, such as the recent cuts to disability benefits.

We’ll be looking out for the final child poverty delivery plan, which will be published next spring and will hopefully lay out the Government’s plans to reach the targets. There will also be a lot to dig into as next year’s Holyrood elections approach and different parties set out their plans to meet the targets in their manifestos.

To read more about potential policy packages to meet the 2030 targets, check out our latest modelling report here.

Care Home directors compete in charity cook-off

Staff and residents at Strachan House and sister home, Queens Manor in Edinburgh are celebrating because their wonderful Regional Directors, Wendy McGowan and Dannie Tsoneva, from Barchester’s North East and Scotland Division, are stepping completely out of their comfort zones to compete in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2025.

Swapping their business suits for chefs’ whites, Dannie and Wendy are going head-to-head with two Regional Directors from each of Barchester’s four other divisions to cook up a storm and raise a vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

The Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life. 

Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  In 2024 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £335,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 239 small groups and charities, plus 104 individuals in one year alone.

Wendy and Dannie are keeping their cards very close to their chests regarding what they will be cooking but they have been practising hard! 

Wendy comments: “Dannie and I are passionate about the Foundation and we’re both relishing the chance to be able to raise funds and give back. 

“I’d class myself as a solid home cook so I think we’ll go for a classic menu and all will be well!”

General Manager of Strachan House care home, Fran Fisher said: “We are all so proud of Wendy and Dannie for taking part in this challenge, they really are amazing – is there nothing they can’t do! They will raise so much money for the Foundation, we think they are absolute super stars!   

To support Wendy & Dannie visit:  Dannie & Wendy’s JustGiving page

DWP: Spring Statement Welfare Reforms

Chancellor Rachel Reeves: “We believe if you can work, you should work. But if you can’t work, you should be properly supported”

Significant welfare reforms were announced to build the economy and get Britain working in the Spring Statement

£1 billion will be invested to provide personalised employment, health and skills support from 2026-2027 to help people start or stay in work

This will build on existing support from WorkWell, Connect to Work and the Get Britain Working trailblazers

Universal Credit Standard Allowance will be increased for new and existing claims above inflation from 2026-2027 This means the standard allowance weekly rate for a single person aged 25 and over, will increase from £92 in 2025-2026 to £106 in 2029-2030.

To ensure PIP is focused on those with higher needs, a new eligibility requirement will be introduced Please be assured there will be no immediate changes to your health and disability related benefit payment.

https://gov.uk/government/collections/spring-statement-2025…

Forever Edinburgh offers mums the chance to win Mother’s Day treats

Forever Edinburgh is giving Edinburgh mums (and their children) the tools to create the perfect Mother’s Day through fantastic rewards and a competition with unforgettable Mother’s Day presents.

Thanks to Resident Rewards Edinburgh, one lucky mum will win an Escape At One package for two people at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa’s One Spa. This package includes access to the thermal suite, including the hydropool, crystal steam room, rock sauna and more.

Another nine mums will win indulgent treats from Summerhall Distillery, and a voucher for pastries from bakery chain Twelve Triangles, which will be perfect for breakfast in bed. The winner of the spa trip will also receive the same hamper.

This competition aims to showcase the very best of what Edinburgh has to offer and celebrate the city’s local businesses and community spirit, making Mother’s Day even more special for mums in the city.

Matt Gammell, founder of Summerhall Distillery, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of this wonderful Mother’s Day celebration.

“Our products are crafted with care, and we’re delighted to contribute to making this special day even more memorable for the lucky winners. We like to think that gin is the perfect way to raise a glass to mums!”

Fiona Young, director of One Spa, said: “A spa day at the Sheraton Grand is all about indulgence, relaxation, and feeling truly appreciated.

“We’re giving one mum the opportunity to step away from the everyday and enjoy some well-deserved me-time in our award-winning spa.”

Residents can also use Resident Rewards to plan a special day out with their mums or mother figures and save, including discounts on dining at Surgeons Quarter, Brewhemia, The Alchemist, The Brasserie at The Scholar and the latest Resident Rate – 15% off dining at 3 Blind Mice just down from the Royal Mile.

Residents can also get discounts on a number of the city’s best distillery / gin craft experiences for their mums, including a tour and tasting at competition partners Summerhall Distillery or other fantastic attractions like Johnnie Walker Princes Street, newly opened Edinburgh Gin and Port of Leith Distillery.

Want a different take on Mother’s Day? Why not explore the city’s spooky side with 10% off Enthral Experiences’ Witches Old Town Walking Tour or a city ghost or night tour by Mercat Tours. Or get out and active with Ricky’s Bicycle Tours or Stride Out Running Tours.

All these rewards and more are available through Resident Rewards Edinburgh, the perfect way to plan an unforgettable Mother’s Day in Edinburgh.

The competition is open now, with one spa day up for grabs and nine more of the ultimate Mother’s Day hampers.

Entries will close at midnight on Monday 31 March 2025. To enter, visit:

 edinburgh.org/residentreward/mothers-day-competition

Crackdown on illegal working and rogue employers in ‘gig economy’

In the latest move to restore order to the asylum and immigration system, the UK government will introduce tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working

Companies hiring people in the gig economy will now be legally required to carry out checks confirming that anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK, bringing them in line with other employers.

These checks, which take just minutes to complete, confirm someone’s immigration status and allow them to legally work in the UK.

This means that for the very first time, employment checks will be extended to cover businesses hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services.

Currently, thousands of companies using these flexible arrangements are not legally required to check the status of these workers. This changes now.

Where businesses fail to carry out these checks, they will face hefty penalties already in place for those hiring illegal workers in traditional roles, including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, business closures, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to 5 years.

Expanding illegal working checks will help level the playing field for the majority of honest companies who do the right thing. For example, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats already voluntarily carry out checks to ensure their delivery riders are eligible to work.

Clamping down on illegal working forms a critical part of the government’s plan to strengthen the entire immigration system, restoring tough enforcement of the rules and undermine people smugglers using the false promise of jobs for migrants.

The announcement comes a day before the UK holds the first ever Organised Immigration Crime Summit, bringing together over 40 countries to agree unprecedented new international action to take down every aspect of criminal smuggling gangs’ tactics.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Under our Plan for Change, we are restoring order to the asylum and immigration system by introducing tougher laws and bolstering enforcement action to tackle illegal working and stopping rogue employers in their tracks.

“Turning a blind eye to illegal working plays into the hands of callous people smugglers trying to sell spaces on flimsy, overcrowded boats with the promise of work and a life in the UK.

“These exploitative practices are often an attempt to undercut competitors who are doing the right thing. But we are clear that the rules need to be respected and enforced.

“These new laws build on significant efforts to stop organised immigration crime and protect the integrity of our borders, including increasing raids and arrests  for illegal working and getting returns of people who have no right to be here to their highest rate in half a decade.”

Claire Pointon, Managing Director, Just Eat UK and Ireland said: “Just Eat is committed to supporting high streets and communities by ensuring a fair and well-regulated rapid delivery sector.

“Preventing unauthorised work is key to this, which is why we’re strengthening our measures by introducing biometric checks to swiftly remove those without the correct authorisation to work in the UK. We welcome this decision from the Home Office to expand these requirements to other sectors.”

A Deliveroo spokesperson said: “Deliveroo has led the industry in taking action to secure our platform against illegal working, developing our approach in close collaboration with the Home Office.

“We were the first to roll out direct right to work checks, a registration process, daily identity verification and now additional device checks for riders, including substitutes. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously and will continue to strengthen our controls to prevent misuse of our platform.

“We welcome the government taking action to ensure all businesses and sectors adopt the same standards.”

An Uber Eats spokesperson said: “Uber Eats is fully committed to fighting illegal work and the criminal networks who are often behind it, including by introducing state of the art identity and document video verification technology and mandatory substitute registration.

“We welcome efforts to enable and enforce further controls, and create a level playing field across the sector.”

The checks take minutes to complete, and the Home Office provide this free of charge, with businesses able to utilise digital ID verification technology to support the process. There is also support in place for employers with enquiries about the process.

The new laws further build on measures announced in November to equip Immigration Enforcement teams with new technology. From May, body worn cameras will be rolled out to officers on the front line tackling illegal working and organised immigration crime.

Backed by £5 milllion, this will help officers collect evidence to support prosecutions and make sure exploitative businesses undermining our immigration system are held to account.

The new measures go alongside a ramp-up of operational action by Immigration Enforcement teams, who since July have carried out 6,784 illegal working visits to premises and made 4,779 arrests – an increase of 40% and 42% compared to the same period 12 months ago. In that time, 1,508 civil penalty notices have been issued.

This also follows wider measures within the legislation announced earlier this month to impose tougher restrictions on foreign criminals whose removal we are pursuing but we are presently unable to deport. This includes the use of electronic tags, night time curfews and exclusion zones. Breaching these conditions would be grounds for arrest and the individual could face imprisonment.

The measures will help ensure the Home Office maintains close contact with individuals and makes it very clear that they should not become established in the UK, as the intention remains to remove them when possible.  

Tomorrow (31 March 2025), the Home Secretary will convene key government and law enforcement leads at the UK’s 2 day landmark international Organised Immigration Crime Summit.

This will include Immigration Enforcement, the Department for Business and Trade, the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority and the National Crime Agency, holding a roundtable to discuss the importance of shutting down illegal working and government’s ongoing surge in operational activity.

The summit will bring together leaders from across the globe, with the aim of securing international commitments to intensify efforts against organised immigration crime gangs.

Swinney to focus on bringing jobs and investment to Scotland during NY Tartan Week

Business “at the heart” of Scotland’s relationship with USA

Business links, trade, and investment is “at the heart” of Scotland’s long-standing relationship with the USA, First Minister John Swinney said ahead of his first stateside visit.

The First Minister said he will use his platform at Tartan Day to build on the existing links and strengthen relations between Scottish and US businesses, and focus his efforts on bringing jobs and investment to Scotland.

In addition to leading Scotland’s presence at the annual Tartan Day Parade, the First Minister will promote Scotland as a world-class place to do business, champion Scotland’s culture sector at an event at Carnegie Hall featuring some of Scotland’s best artists, and lead a discussion and Q&A on Scotland’s progressive and international outlook at the Council on Foreign Relations.

He will also meet with a number of key current and potential investors to promote the economic opportunities on offer in Scotland.

The First Minister said: “Scottish culture is celebrated the world over – it brings people together, and it shares Scotland with the world. Tartan Week in New York is a wonderful example of that.

“But these events are more than just a chance to celebrate our culture. They are an opportunity for us to foster new business relationships and strengthen the trade and investment ties between our two countries.

“The US is a priority trade partner for Scotland, and consistently the top country for Scottish exports. In 2023, we exported nearly £4 billion of goods to America, and we imported roughly the same amount. 

“America is also the top investor in Scotland, with over 700 companies employing over 115,000 people in key sectors. That is a tremendous and welcome contribution to our economy and our communities. 

“I want to attend Tartan Week to maintain, and further grow, these important links – links which have for centuries been at the heart of our relationship with the USA.”

President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee Kyle Dawson said: “We’re delighted that the First Minister will be joining our NYC Tartan Week festivities.

“It’s a privilege to provide a platform that facilitates and strengthens international relationships and in the spirit of celebrating Scottish culture and heritage in the United States we look forward to welcoming the First Minister to our events.”

UK sends life-saving aid to Myanmar following devastating earthquake

UK Government announces a package of up to £10 million support to help the people of Myanmar following recent earthquake

  • £10m of UK support pledged to help deliver humanitarian response to the natural disaster
  • UK Government working with local partners to get help to those most in need
  • British nationals receiving ongoing consular support

The UK Government has announced a package of up to £10 million support to help the people of Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s central region on Friday.  

This UK funding will increase support in the hardest hit areas of the earthquake and geared towards food and water supplies, medicine, and shelter.  

Baroness Chapman, Minister of State for Development, said: “The UK is sending immediate and life-saving support to the people of Myanmar following the devastating earthquake.  

“UK-funded local partners are already mobilising a humanitarian response on the ground, and this £10m package will bolster their efforts. 

“I offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Myanmar after this tragic event.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is offering support to British nationals in both Myanmar and Thailand following the earthquake.

 British nationals in Myanmar who require consular assistance can call British Embassy Yangon on +95 (01) 370 863/4/5/7.

British Nationals who require consular assistance in Thailand can call British Embassy Bangkok on +66 (0) 2 305 8333.  

Anyone in the UK and concerned about a British national in Myanmar or Thailand you can contact the FCDO on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Edinburgh restaurant Eve says ‘buongiorno’ to new authentically Italian dining concept

Edinburgh restaurant Eve, based in the heart of the Cowgate, is launching an authentically Italian dining experience in the city, with a new concept created by its head chef who was born and raised in Rome.

The venue, located within in the heart of the city’s Old Town, is embarking on the exciting new chapter with the brand new menu filled with a handpicked list of mouthwatering classic dishes “just like Nonna used to make”.

All featuring prestigious, authentical Italian ingredients, they include the signature “Eve carbonara”, this indulgent dish is made for sharing and will leave diners wanting more.

The new concept is the brainchild of the restaurant’s Head Chef Giulio Morroni, who was taught to cook by his family, including his grandmother, in the Italian capital.

He deepened and refined his skills by attending a cookery-focused school in the city from the age of 13 to 18, boosted by his travels around Italian eateries. After completing his catering diploma, he secured a prestigious job as chef in the Vatican City cooking for the Pope.

Chef Giulio came to Scotland in 2009, with his now wife, and in 2022 he joined Virgin Hotels, at its Edinburgh location that had embarked on a soft launch earlier that year.

The culinary expert, who has led kitchens at various high-end names in Scottish hospitality, has now put together the new menu for Eve that will officially debut on Friday 28 March. It marks a more focused concept for the restaurant that previously offered a global range of dishes.

Diners will be transported on a journey spanning the regions of Italy. Ingredients include Gorgonzola cheese from the north of the Mediterranean country, and Njuda from Calabria in the South.

Pasta at Eve will be made fresh on the premises, including homemade ravioli with ricotta, lemon zest, chives, and butter sauce.

Head Chef Giulio Morroni said: “When I was about six, Nonna used to make ravioli, and it was the meal on Sunday that brought the family together.”

The Eve carbonara, made with mafaldine (curly ribbon) pasta, guanciale (pork cheek), pecorino, and egg yolk, and designed to share, also has strong sentimental attachment for the chef.

He said: “Eve will be cooking with the traditional three ingredients – just like my Nonna used to make – and the only way to do it, in my opinion. It’s the signature dish, we have on Sunday, all together.

“In Rome, pasta carbonara is like a religion. It’s just what we do.”

Other proudly Roman dishes on the menu include roast pork belly, slow cooked with rosemary, fennel seeds, and garlic. “It reminds me of my childhood, and Mamma and Nonna cooking in the kitchen,” says Giulio.

Among dessert options is tiramisu served in a moka pot, another example of the chef’s signature twists on classic dishes.

Learning the art of a perfect tiramisu is in fact one of the restaurant’s fun group classes on offer, also including pasta-making and cheese-tasting.

Regarding the launch of the new restaurant concept at Eve, Morroni said: “I am extremely excited to be launching this menu that connects my native Italy with my adopted home of Scotland.

“Becoming a chef just happened – it’s not just a job for me, it’s a passion – I am so happy and proud to be able to share this with you.

“I’m so happy, I can bring my food to Cowgate. I really love this menu, it tastes like home. I’m so proud.

Eve’s main entrance is on the Cowgate in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

For more information on how to book and to view the full menu please see website: https://eveedinburgh.com/.

Fatal Accident Inquiry support for families

Immediate access to non-means tested legal aid

Family members involved in deaths in custody Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAI) are to have immediate, free access to legal aid support and advice.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed that she is using existing Ministerial powers to remove means-testing for legal aid in such cases, so that from 7 April families will not have to provide information on their income.

Ms Constance announced the move as she updated the Scottish Parliament on a range of actions to address systemic failures identified by Sheriff Collins in his FAI determination relating to the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay (also known as William Brown) at HM Prison & Young Offenders Institution Polmont.

This followed the Justice Secretary’s previous statement to Parliament on the issue in January this year.

All of the Sheriff’s 25 recommendations have been accepted and work on these will be delivered at pace and progress will be closely monitored.

Ms Constance outlined the measures being implemented, which include:

•           The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has initiated a dedicated operational taskforce, chaired by the SPS Chief Executive, and involving NHS partners, to ensure all of the recommendations are actioned.

•           His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland will provide the Justice Secretary with an initial report by the summer on how the implementation of Sheriff Collins’ FAI recommendations will be independently reviewed.

•           The Scottish Prison Service is overhauling its Suicide Prevention Strategy ‘Talk to Me’ across the prison estate. The strategy will be published at the end of this year, with a full training package to be rolled out in 2026.

•           In consultation with the Lord Advocate, an independent review of the FAI system has been commissioned to focus on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and trauma-informed nature of investigations into deaths in prison custody. The appointment of a Chair is expected to be announced shortly.

Ms Constance said: “I was grateful to have had the opportunity to again meet with the families of William Lindsay and Katie Allan today and extend my deepest condolences to them, as I do to all those affected by a death in custody.

“It is through ongoing and decisive action that we will create the lasting change they rightly demand and deserve. We have made substantial progress since my January statement to Parliament.

“We will continue to drive forward change and strengthen accountability. This is about changing the system and the culture that underpins it.”