UNISON Scotland has called for a above-inflation pay increase for local government workers as it submitted its 2024/25 joint pay claim.
The unions – UNISON and Unite – submitted the claim earlier this year, although COSLA leaders are unlikely to respond before their budget allocations are finalised. UNISON has made it clear we want a deal agreed as close to the April 1, 2024 implementation date as possible.
Local government workers are continuing to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis and UNISON has warned there is a real risk that workers will find better-paid, less-stressful work elsewhere if their pay continues to lose its value.
UNISON says that an above-inflation pay increase is the only way to maintain the staff levels necessary to deliver services to the public, looking after the most vulnerable, giving children the education they need and keeping neighbourhoods safe.
The key elements of UNISON’s claim are:
A one-year settlement that runs for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
For those on the lowest pay – an above-inflation increase in line with the aspiration, agreed with UNISON in November 2023, to achieve implementation of a minimum rate of pay for all local government workers of £15 per hour by 1 April 26.
An increase of 7% to all spinal column points (or an increase of £1.60 to the hourly rate whichever is greater) and related allowances.
Urgent progress to be made on how we achieve a no detriment reduction in the working week to enable members to achieve a better work-life balance.
A review of the scope and level of the Distant Islands Allowance.
No less than parity with other local government bargaining groups.
Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said: “An above-inflation wage rise is the only way to maintain the staff levels necessary to deliver services to the public. Unless councils and schools can pay competitive rates, employees will find better-paid, less-stressful work elsewhere and new recruits will be thin on the ground.
“Our members tell us how every day how they are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and how they are struggling to make ends meet. Local government workers must be properly rewarded for the vital services they provide.
UNISON have signed a joint letter with Cosla and other unions to the Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison MSP, saying it is clear to both employers and unions “that funding levels for councils have not kept pace with increased demand for services.”
They say “Local Government is facing a cut in real terms to both core revenue and capital budgets. As a proportion of funding allocated to the Scottish Budget, the percentage for local government has declined.”
And that “this is impacted by both the growing need of services due to demographic pressures and the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
It is in everyone’s interest to achieve a sustainable settlement on pay at the earliest opportunity.
The letter states: “Scottish Local Government settlements must be sustainable alongside the significant budget challenges facing councils and it is vital that the approach to our workforce is fair, acknowledging the essential front-line services that are delivered every day.”
Up to £2.23 million funding is being made available to third sector organisations providing counselling, peer support and practical support to adult survivors of childhood abuse.
Support groups can now apply for the latest round of grants from the Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support (SOCAS) Fund which will be made available from October 2024 to March 2026 and will enable groups to enhance or expand their current services.
Since it was set up in 2020, the SOCAS fund has seen more than 16,000 survivors supported by 29 organisations.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “We want all survivors to be provided with services which allow them to lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
“This latest round of funding, up to £2.23 million per annum, builds on almost £10 million invested since establishing the Fund in 2020, and is designed to reduce the impact of the inequalities and disadvantages survivors often experience as a result of abuse.
“Our recently published Mental Health Strategy Delivery Plan outlines the importance of survivors having access to services which promote sustained recovery through person-centred, trauma-informed support and treatment – this funding will enable more people to get the help which is right for them.”
Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Kaylie Allen said: “The Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support fund provides vital help for survivors to enjoy a safe and healthy life with improved wellbeing and sense of safety.
“Helping people affected by trauma is at the heart of the Inspiring Scotland strategy so we welcome the continuation of the Scottish Government’s funding and look forward to supporting applicants through the application process.”
Boost for millions of motorists as 5p cut to fuel duty for petrol and diesel comes into effect.
Car drivers to save around £50 this year and £250 since the 5p cut was introduced – a £13 billion tax cut for motorists
Follows further tax cuts for working people announced at Spring Budget, rewarding work, boosting growth and helping families with the cost of living.
Millions of drivers across the UK will continue to be supported at the pumps from today (Saturday 23 March) as the extension to the temporary 5p fuel duty cut for petrol and diesel comes into effect – putting yet more money in people’s pockets.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the 12-month extension at the Spring Budget, as well as cancelling the planned inflation increase for 2024/25, saving car drivers around £50 this year and £250 since the 5p cut was introduced – a £13 billion tax cut for motorists overall over three years.
The temporary cut was first introduced in March 2022 to combat high fuel prices after global supply chain issues following the pandemic, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today’s extension takes effect as the government continues to support motorists with rising costs.
Taken with recent cuts to National Insurance Contributions – to the tune of around £1800 per household – this is putting even more money in people’s pockets. This is only possible because the government stuck to its plan to boost the economy. The economy has now turned a corner and 2024 is set to be the year that Britain bounces back.
In the past year, inflation has more than halved; the economy has recovered more quickly from the pandemic than first thought; and debt is on track to fall. The government is sticking to the plan to deliver the long-term change our country needs to deliver a brighter future for Britain.
Chancellor for the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:“Cutting people’s tax bill, while protecting our public services, is a priority.
“We’re already saving drivers £50 a year and the average earner £900 a year – and if we stick to our plan, we will go even further, rewarding work and growing our economy.”
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:“We will always stand by UK drivers and today’s fuel duty cut is just one of the ways we are keeping costs down for families.
“Our plans for a new Pumpwatch will make sure motorists are getting a fair price at the pump.”
To mark the extension coming into effect, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Nigel Huddleston visited an Asda petrol station in Worcestershire where he met staff and saw the supermarket chain’s more fuel-efficient fleet of vans.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Nigel Huddleston said:“The last few years have been tough but we’re making real progress – which is why we are able to continue to support motorists for another 12 months.
“By cutting taxes for working families and sticking to the plan, we can keep building a stronger economy and a brighter future where hard work is rewarded”.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:“The Government’s decision to extend the 5p duty cut is certainly a help to cash-strapped drivers, particularly as this week wholesale fuel prices have risen on the back of a higher oil price.
“With the creation of Pumpwatch and a price monitoring body on the horizon, there should soon be more pressure than ever on retailers to price fuel fairly, which will ensure it is only drivers who benefit from the duty cut.”
The government’s support on fuel duty is already available for longer than in many countries including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. A large proportion of countries which lowered fuel duty rates after the energy crisis have now ended their support.
The existing duty rates on road fuel gases, which are lower than the equivalent rates on diesel, will also continue to 2032, giving the haulage industry greater certainty over future tax rates and supports the decarbonisation of the UK transport sector.
Today’s extension to the 5p cut follows more tax cuts for working people announced at the Spring Budget, putting over £900 a year back into the average worker’s pocket thanks to changes at Autumn Statement and a second Employee National Insurance tax cut from 10% to 8% in April. The Chancellor has also committed to abolishing National Insurance altogether – end the unfairness of a double tax on work.
Meanwhile pubs, breweries and distilleries will benefit from a further freeze to alcohol duty until February 2025 – which will also save consumers money on their favourite tipple. The six-month alcohol duty freeze announced at Autumn Statement will be extended until 1 February 2025, benefitting 38,000 pubs across the UK, while reducing inflation this year.
Today’s news follows the government’s ongoing work to make sure drivers are getting a fair price at the pump by improving competition in the road fuel market.
Proposals for a new Pumpwatch scheme announced earlier this year will see the UK’s 41.2 million drivers get the latest petrol station prices at the click of a button, transforming how the UK shops for its fuel.
Under the plans, all fuel stations would be legally required to share live information on their pump prices within 30 minutes of any change in price subject to the outcome of the government’s consultation.
This freely available data will enable tech companies to develop new ways for drivers to search for the cheapest fuel while on-the-go and access to this price comparison technology could see drivers save 3p per litre on fuel, while also helping to drive down prices by reigniting competition.
POLICE have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their ongoing investigation into an incident in Davidson’s Mains.
The incident happened around 4.20pm on Tuesday, 17 October, 2023, in Davidson’s Mains Park, East Barnton Gardens, and involved a 9-year-old boy.
Police would like to speak to the man in the images who they believe might be able to assist with their enquiry.
He is described as white, aged 18 to 25-years, medium build with short blonde/light brown hair.
He was wearing a black hooded top, black sports shorts with white stripes down the side, black and white trainers and was carrying a can of red bull in his hand.
Detective Inspector Arthur McEwan said: “I am asking anyone who can identify the man in the image or who has information regarding this investigation to contact us.”
Anyone who can help should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2643, of Tuesday, 17 October, 2023. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
Community assets including pubs, music venues and sports clubs saved from closure thanks to a major £33.5million package announced by the Government
More than 80 community assets including pubs, iconic music venues and sports clubs have been saved from closure thanks to a major £33.5million package announced by the Government today – and among the recipients is Edinburgh’s Filmhouse Cinema.
This investment from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Community Ownership Fund – the highest amount ever announced from the pot – will ensure these beloved establishments are protected, ensuring they will be around for generations to come.
This funding will maintain more community spaces for people to enjoy, helping to bolster local economies as well as contributing to the government’s wider mission to grow the economy.
Nineteen sports facilities are being given a lifeline in this round, with £6.7million keeping football clubs and swimming pools afloat so that local people can continue to keep fit and healthy.
That includes £300,000 to reopen the Mirion Street Centre in Crewe, which burned down in a devastating fire in 2014. The funding will allow a local boxing club to redevelop the building so they can move into it, offering fantastic new opportunities to local people and allowing the group to move out of the run-down warehouse they currently use.
Two cinemas will also now be kept open, including the Edinburgh Filmhouse which opened in 1979 but became run down over time and had to close in 2022. It will now receive £1.5million so that it can open its doors again, and the newly refurbished venue will screen the best new films from across the globe.
Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker gives her reaction to the UK Government committing £1.5m to Filmhouse Edinburgh Ltd as part of their Community Ownership Levelling Up Fund.
Following the collapse of Edinburgh Filmhouse’s parent charity, the Centre for Moving Image (CMI), in October 2022, the Council has been working closely with key stakeholders to secure a future for cultural cinema in the Capital.
“Alongside the wider stakeholder group, we look forward to our continued dialogue and working alongside the Filmhouse. We’re committed to having a home for cultural cinema in the heart of the city and for the wider sector going forward. Edinburgh is rightly one of the world’s the great cultural cities and cultural cinema is an integral part of this landscape.”
Nine pubs have also been given almost £3million to keep them open so that they can keep pulling pints, including the Shrewsbury Arms in Kingstone, which has been in need of vital investment to keep it running. Now, with £178,000 from the Fund, the roof can be replaced and the pub can once again become the centre of community life.
A further £1.9million will be spent on keeping four music venues open so that local people have access to live music on their doorstep. That includes £250,000 for Le Pub in Newport, which has sat proudly at the centre of the city’s music scene for 28 years. The venue hosts over 300 events a year but has been at risk of being sold, and this funding will ensure that it is protected for future generations to enjoy.
This is the third round of the Community Ownership Fund, bringing the total spending from the pot to more than £103 million with 333 projects rescued so far as part of the government’s ongoing mission to level up towns, villages and cities across the UK.
Jacob Young, Minister for Levelling Up, said: “We know how much these vital community assets mean to people across the country. They are an important lifeline for people young and old, and they’re the beating heart of our towns, cities and villages.
“That’s why we’re stepping in to protect them with a major rescue package, so we stop these great establishments closing or being lost forever and ensure that they continue to sit at the heart of our beloved communities.”
In total this latest announcement of funding also includes:
33 community centres receiving £12.7million, so that they can continue to serve their communities;
Three theatres receiving £1.5million so they can keep putting on exciting local events;
Five community shops receiving £1.38 million to protect our high streets;
Nineteen sports facilities being given £6.7million so people have a place to play sport and exercise;
Nine pubs being given almost £3million so they can keep their doors open.
Other projects previously saved include rugby union club Blackheath FC in London – the oldest independent rugby club – which was given £725,000 in the second round of the Fund. This will allow them to buy their ground and facilities for the first time in their 165-year history.
James Fleming, chairman of Blackheath Football Club, said: “The purchase will secure the ownership of the ground in perpetuity for the community of Blackheath Football and for future generations.
“It is a momentous moment in the history of the Club and for the local community.”
Back on the Map in Sunderland were also given £168,000 in the second round to give residents the chance to create work on their local high street.
Jo Cooper, CEO of Back on the Map, said: “We believe this project and the wider high street revolution work will put Villette Road back on the map. Without COF funding these units would never have been brought back into use.
“The funds have been vital and the project will be transformational for our community, creating jobs and stimulating footfall on a neglected high street.”
Scottish projects in this round will be supported with £3.8million of funding, with a further £2.8million for Northern Ireland and £3.1million for Wales.
So far, the Community Ownership Fund has awarded a total £17million for 47 projects in Scotland; £8.1million for 31 projects in Northern Ireland and over £7million for 24 projects in Wales.
Since Round 1 of the Fund, Ministers have funded all bids which have passed the criteria for successful applications. This approach allows the Department to fund the maximum number of projects. In future windows ministers may choose to prioritise funding to underrepresented areas to help even out any regional imbalances.
The Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young visited two Community Ownership Fund projects in Cumbria to mark the launch.
The Minister visited Cooke’s Studios in Barrow-on-Furness which has been awarded £910,000 from the Fund today (23 March).
The Minister heard how this investment will be used to carry out essential renovations so that it can become Barrow’s flagship community-led arts centre, which will deliver a range of community services like art exhibitions and a community cinema.
Signal Film and Media Co-Director Kerry Kolbe said: “We’re thrilled to have secured such a substantial investment to our project in Barrow, to fund this exciting and long-hoped-for transformation of our community building.
“Having a whole new ground floor entrance, reception and cafe alongside new and improved exhibition, training and workshop spaces will make Cooke’s Studios accessible to so many more people as well as making an even bigger difference to the thousands of residents who already use Cooke’s Studios each year.
“The new facilities will make our business model sustainable long-term and support the growth of an even stronger creative and heritage offer that we hope Barrow can be proud of.
“We’re very grateful to the Department of Levelling Up for their funding and can’t wait to get started!”
The Minister also visited the Roxy Cinema in Ulverston on Thursday, where he saw how £300,000 funding announced in an earlier round of the Fund is being used to renovate and restore the historic building.
The funding is preserving it for future generations and making it more accessible to the local community. He also met with the Roxy Collective, the local group responsible for the building.
The next round of the Community Ownership Fund, Round 4, is the final round. There will be two bidding windows in Round 4 to allocate remaining funding. The next bidding window, Round 4 Window 1, will open on 25 March 2024 and close on 10 April 2024.
A host of brand-new animated adventures and all-time family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the school holidays.
For the first time in almost a decade, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master Po bounces back onto this big screen with a hilarious new chapter, in Kung Fu Panda 4 on 28 March.
Facing his most fearsome foe yet in the many forms of the powerful sorceress The Chameleon, Po (voiced by the iconic Jack Black) must use his courageous Dragon Warrior martial arts skills to defend the Valley of Peace. However, he’s not alone, as he must team up with the crafty fox thief Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina) in this butt-kicking mission to ensure the world remains peaceful and at balance.
This Easter break will also see some familiar heroes take up the call when Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings paranormal pranks and ghostly grins to Vue from 22 March. Returning to New York City, the Spengler Family from Ghostbusters: Afterlife must unite with the original Ghostbusters to take on an evil force that threatens the world with a second Ice Age.
With a cast that includes newer names such as Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard and original ‘busters Bill Murray and Dan Akyroyd, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire looks to provide eerie thrills for the entire family this half term.
Sweeter than a spoonful of sugar, both Mary Poppins and its recent sequel Mary Poppins Returns are heading back to the big screen at Vue this Easter, marking 60 years since the release of the iconic first film.
Making its debut on the big screen after exclusively releasing on streaming platforms, Disney’s recent adventure Luca will be playing at Vue from the 5 April. Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this animated adventure tells a coming-of-age story about one young boy’s unforgettable summer filled with gelato, scooters and his new best friend – who turns out to be a sea monster from a secret world below the ocean.
Vue will also be bringing back some of the biggest family films from the past year, perfect for Easter viewing including the chocolatey charm of Wonka from 29 March and Disney’s Wish from 5 April as part of the Vue Mini Mornings series, shown every day across Half Term at 10am.
Robert Lea, Head of Screen Content at Vue Entertainment, said ‘We’ve got a great selection of new films and big screen entertainment on show this Easter providing the perfect way to enjoy quality time with the family over the school break.
‘With film screenings from just £4.99 online at selected venues the big screen experience at Vue is the perfect treat during the Easter holidays.
‘Even better, our Vue Mini Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films at just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, switch off and immerse themselves in great stories.”
A team of pioneering young entrepreneurs from George Watson’s will be heading to Hampden Park to take part in the Young Enterprise Scotland National Finals.
Teams from Stewart’s Melville, Mary Erskine, Preston Lodge, St Georges, George Watson’s, Boroughmuir and George Heriot’s took part in the Lothian Regional Final for the Company Programme at Edinburgh Napier University, which saw George Watson’s take the crown with their business ‘Snappets.’
Snappets sells croc charms in a range of shapes and sizes, with the goal of producing a product that is suitable for everyone and promotes creativity.
The winners were presented their award by Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern.
The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme is an immersive programme which provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people from S5 and S6 to the realities of the world of work.
Participants are required to start their own company, running through the key milestones of developing an idea, conducting market research, creating the product or service, promoting that product and ultimately trading it.
Over 2,000 young people take part in the Company Programme every year in Scotland.
Young Enterprise Scotland, Chief Executive, Emma Soanes said: “The George Watson’s team is an inspiration and I wish them every success in the Scottish finals later this year.
Setting up and running their own successful company is a wonderful experience and will have given them new skills to take forward into their learning and future careers. So, whatever happens at Hampden Park, they are already winners.”
The Lothian Company Finals were sponsored by Edinburgh Napier.
The winning team will now go on to represent the Lothian region at The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme Finals, which are part of the three-day Festival of Youth Enterprise, running from 28th to 29th May at Hampden park.
Record number of Real Living Wage employers in Scotland
The number of Scottish employers registered as paying the real Living Wage has hit a new high of 3,500.
The milestone was reached ahead of the tenth anniversary of Living Wage Scotland, a programme launched by Poverty Alliance with Scottish Government funding to encourage more firms to pay the real Living Wage. The rate is reviewed annually and currently stands at £12 an hour.
Proportionately, Scotland has around five times more accredited real Living Wage employers than the rest of the UK. Latest statistics also show nearly 90% of workers aged over 18 in Scotland are paid the real Living Wage or above – the highest percentage in the UK.
On a visit to one of the most recently accredited firms, Atlas Winch & Hoist Services in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, Wellbeing Economy Secretary Màiri McAllan thanked the growing number of employers committed to keeping pace with the real Living Wage.
Ms McAllan said: “Fair Work is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s ambition to move towards a wellbeing economy that benefits employees and the planet alongside traditional economic indicators.
“More than 64,000 workers have had a pay rise as a result of accreditation, making a real and ongoing impact for people in Scotland.
“All public sector grants in Scotland now include a requirement for recipients to pay the real Living Wage and provide appropriate channels for workers to raise concerns. We firmly oppose the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts and other types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security.
“While employment powers are reserved to the UK Government, we will continue to use our Fair Work policy to drive up labour market standards for workers across Scotland. Fair Work is good for workers, good for employers and good for the economy.
“Every firm which has declared its intention to be a real Living Wage employer provides peace of mind for its staff, particularly during the cost of living crisis. I thank all the 3,500 Scottish businesses that have now taken that step.”
Atlas Winch & Hoist Services director Conor Lavery said: “We have long paid at least the real Living Wage as it helps to attract and retain a motivated team. As a rural company it is very important to retain the right people and the real Living Wage helps support this.
“We recently decided to seek real Living Wage accreditation to signal our ongoing commitment to our staff, some of whom have been with us for more than 20 years. We want to do as much as we can to support our workforce and try to be as flexible as we can, understanding life’s challenges outside of work.”
Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The Poverty Alliance believes in a wellbeing economy beyond the injustice of in-work poverty.
“Thanks to the leadership of more than 3,500 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland we are now able to celebrate a decade of incredible impact. The real Living Wage provides a stronger foundation for workers to build better lives for themselves and their households, and a better Scotland for all of us.
“We commend every employer that has chosen to join the Living Wage movement: they are paving the way to a new kind of economy, where more workers earn what they need to thrive, and we encourage employers not yet accredited to get in touch.”
Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena at Ratho has benefitted from a major funding investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena has received £100,000 towards bouldering redevelopment which will improve opportunities to progress at all levels of the sport.
The redevelopment will ensure that Ratho becomes the only climbing centre in the UK with Olympic standard facilities for all three climbing disciplines (lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering).
This investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
Welcoming the investment,Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said:“We’re delighted and very grateful to receive the sportscotland funding that means we can replace our outdated bouldering facilities at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA).
“With indoor bouldering now the most widely practised form of climbing it will ensure that the EICA can continue as a world class venue for all three climbing disciplines – lead, speed, and bouldering – while continuing to provide climbers of all ages and abilities with access to opportunities to participate in and progress through the sport.
“It will also mean that Scotland is able to host bouldering competitions and national training camps and allow the EICA to keep our national and international profile as a world-class climbing facility.”
The EICA:Ratho is among 18 projects across Scotland to share a total of £1,506,263 from sportscotland to develop existing facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:“The aim of the Sports Facilities Fund is to support sustainable and inclusive projects with their ambitions of using sport and physical activity to enhance the lives of their local communities. This investment would not be possible without National Lottery players who continue to raise vital funding for sport across Scotland.
“The physical and mental health benefits of sport are well documented, but equally important is the ability to create a space where everyone is welcome to participate at their own level.
“Projects like this one at the EICA not only create opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity but can also provide a place for communities to come together.”
The Sports Facilities Fund prioritises projects that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation, and for under-represented groups.
In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell presented her first Annual Police Plan as Scotland’s Chief Constable during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority yesterday, Thursday 21 March.
Chief Constable Farrell also provided a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public.
The Chief also highlighted a programme of equestrian training for young people in the east end of Glasgow which was designed and arranged by a Sergeant based in the city and reflected on the annual Bravery Excellence Awards held last month.
More information about the meeting, including the Annual Police Plan and the Chief Constable’s report, is available here.
Chief Constable Farrell’s speaking note is repeated below –
I want to start by reaffirming our apology to the family of Emma Caldwell following the conviction of Iain Packer at the end of February.
Emma Caldwell, her family, and many other victims, were let down by Strathclyde Police in 2005. I am sorry.
I am grateful that I was able to meet Emma’s family and for the opportunity to offer that apology directly and to listen to their perspective and experience and I pay tribute to their dignity and strength in the years since her death.
It is important that Emma’s family and the public get answers to the many questions they have.
On Thursday, March 7, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs set out that there will be an independent judge-led statutory Public Inquiry to understand what went wrong, to ensure lessons are learned for the future and to provide answers to the victims and survivors involved.
The Lord Advocate has indicated she is taking advice on instructing a police service from outside Scotland to look further at allegations against officers.
Policing in Scotland has reflected and learned from the initial investigation and subsequent re-investigation.
Significant changes have been made in recent years to improve organisational culture and our response, particularly in respect of investigative structures, victim care and processes to these types of crimes.
The delivery of our Violence against Women and Girls Strategy demonstrates our absolute commitment to tackling the violence and abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls.
We now await confirmation of the details of the Public Inquiry. I reiterate my support for the Inquiry and undertake unconditionally that Police Scotland will engage fully with that process. We will fully assist any further steps instructed by the Lord Advocate.
Organisational learning never ends and I am committed to relentlessly improving how Police Scotland respond to and serve the public, and to ensuring officers and staff uphold our values and help to deliver justice for victims.
We will enter the new financial and reporting year with a refreshed leadership team, having appointed new Deputies and with plans for recruitment for Assistant Chief Constables. I will ensure the Force Executive shares and delivers on a change agenda for policing that puts our communities at the heart of everything we do.
My first Annual Police Plan as Police Scotland’s Chief Constable continues to place trust, confidence and performance at the top of our agenda and reflects the priorities and commitments I have directed for the service in the year ahead.
Since taking command, I’ve been clear my operational focus is in three areas – first, addressing threat, harm, and risk; second, prevention, problem solving and proactivity; and third, looking after the wellbeing of officers and staff so they can deliver for the public.
This report shines a light on some examples of how Police Scotland is delivering for the public across the first two areas – securing important court outcomes following our response to murders and attempted murders in the west of Scotland; the latest sentence as part of a major public protection investigation into the sexual abuse of young and vulnerable people in Edinburgh; an initiative to tackle housebreaking and motor theft in Forth Valley; and drug seizures.
Just yesterday, three men were jailed for a total of 59 years in relation to the murders and attempted murders in the west of Scotland.
Also this week, Benjamin Young was given a lifelong restriction order and sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison. Young had previously been convicted of 32 charges including serious sexual offending against children in the Argyll area following work by our National Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
In my written report I’ve also outlined the safeguarding of 22 vulnerable people and 16 arrests during a County Lines week of action which also resulted in the recovery of illegal drugs, cash, and offensive weapons, including a firearm.
These hugely positive results are an example of our determination to tackle organised crime and the criminals who profit from drugs, and target the vulnerable, This action is in support of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.
I’ve also highlighted a preventative programme of equestrian training to support better life chances for young people in the east end of Glasgow which was designed and arranged by a Sergeant based in the city, Lauren Semple.
Building positive relationships with communities and identifying diversion opportunities is an essential part of how we prevent crime.
Through the programme, young people spent time with officers and were provided with a platform to succeed, be empowered, trusted and to develop their social and professional capabilities as they approach adulthood.
The young people involved undertook a Scottish Qualifications Authority qualification in horse care as part of the programme, forging potential future career pathways and opportunities.
In the first year, 22 young people enrolled, and four participants progressed on to higher SQA levels, with a 100% success rate for all participants on the original programme.
Officers also reported broader benefits across community complaints, attendance, and incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence, reducing demand on policing and partner resources.
I want to recognise and thank Sergeant Semple for her work with organisations including the Scottish Racing Academy (SRA), Tannoch Stables, Horse Scotland, the Scottish Police Recreation Association, Hooves and Paws Equestrian Centre, and campus officers across five schools in Glasgow to identify and support the candidates through this programme.
The best of Scottish policing, as well as heroic acts by members of the public, was also celebrated at our Bravery and Excellence Awards, held at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Friday, 23 February.
It is inspiring to hear from officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and, at the same time, energising to reflect on the support communities provide to policing.
The awards, and the daily police work I see and hear about, underlines that our officers and staff are our greatest asset.
My third area of focus is my duty to nurture and support officers and staff, provide clear leadership and give them the training, skills and best modern technology to do their job.
I will continue to update the Authority on progress around Body Worn Video, which is an absolute priority for me, and which is outlined as a key milestone in my Annual Police Plan.
My report today also outlines significant progress on a programme to increase the number of Specially Trained Officers who are trained and equipped to carry Taser from 500 to 2,000, an important tactical option which can de-escalate situations and protect public and officer safety.
Of course, to focus on these three areas we need a sustainable, fit for purpose service and the ability to better understand and explain how we can deliver for the public. This month we present two plans – my Annual Police Plan and the budget for policing – which will be important to ensure we progress a necessary second phase of police reform in 2024-25.
I share the Authority’s commitment to producing and delivering balanced budgets for policing. There are very positive indications that the 2023-24 budget will be delivered without the requirement of further contingency funding from the Scottish Government which policing had previously requested. Our confidence around this has allowed us to notify Scottish Government that we will not require the contingency.
This has been achieved by significant focus right across the Service and driven by the Force Executive. It has been extremely challenging and has had operational implications, some of which we have seen pulling through in our performance reporting.
I want to thank everyone who has driven this effort to reduce what was a forecast pressure of around £19m. This has been delivered through really challenging action including a pause on staff recruitment other than for business critical roles; a delay in officer recruitment which has had implications for our resourcing; and by having a very tight grip on overtime spend.
Policing in Scotland’s record of fiscal discipline and rigour has been an important component of stability and credibility in recent years and it is vital that we maintain the progress that has been made.
We propose a balanced budget for policing for 2024-25 and progress on a second phase of police reform is crucial to live within funding while maintaining service and tackling threat, harm and risk.
Our funding allocation for 2024-25 allows us to restart police officer recruitment and next week I will welcome around 200 new recruits into Police Scotland.
We are also carrying out targeted recruitment in rural areas and although our staff recruitment pause remains in place, we are recruiting in priority areas such as C3.
What is equally important, though, is the number of experienced officers performing frontline, operational policing for our communities and how we give those officers the best services and support to do their jobs.
The second phase of police reform will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.
Where we can release officers, whether through our own redesign or through working differently with partners, I am committed to returning those officers to frontline, operational policing.
My Annual Police Plan outlines a new approach to performance reporting which will help us to better understand and explain our level of service, using hard data across key measures to also inform how we deploy resources and enable effective scrutiny and benchmarking to drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
I’ve been clear since taking command Police Scotland will be willing to challenge ourselves so that we continually improve; and so that we are high performing.
Our performance focus must revolve around effective prevention, problem-solving and proactivity which is synonymous with demand reduction.
Our new Performance and Accountability Framework outlines measures across five key themes – Trust and Confidence; Threat, Harm and Risk; Prevention, Problem Solving and Proactivity; Our People; and Enabling Services.
I want police leaders to use the framework to take a values based approach to identify trends; investigate what sits behind them and intervene so that we are high performing and deliver for the public.
Equally, where success has been achieved and evidenced, it is essential we share these examples of good practice and policing delivering for the public with our colleagues and external audiences.
The framework will illustrate performance more clearly and by using hard data. But it is not about chasing targets and we will not drive key measures through practices which are not aligned with our values and which do not genuinely deliver for the public. Policing should not hit targets but miss the point.
Our aim is to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available and that we tackle threat, harm and risk and move from being reactive to high volume but lower risk incidents towards greater prevention and problem solving.
In addition to the planning for a new operating model over next few years, we are beginning to consider longer term plans in terms of where policing will be by, for example, the end of this decade. This work is at a very early stage.
As I’ve been clear, ensuring Scotland continues to be a safe place to live and work is my commitment and priority as Chief Constable.
