Continuing the cultural dialogue fostered by the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture, the British Council, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute, launches the UK/UA Creative Partnerships Programme for 2024.
The initiative aims to deepen connections between arts organisations in Ukraine and the UK.
Three exciting projects are set to unfold in Scotland as part of this program that will see Ukrainian creatives working in collaboration with artists and established arts organisations here through music, literature, performance, film, animation, and visual art.
In 2023, a successful pilot project saw five Ukrainian artists participating in residencies in Scotland. This bespoke program allowed the artists a reprieve from turmoil and an opportunity to reflect on their artistic practices and the future for the Ukrainian art sector.
We visited the residencies across Scotland, through the Future Reimagined programme. The stories feature the artists at Cove Park, Hospitalfield, Moniack Mhor, and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.
Norah Campbell, Head of Arts at British Council Scotland, emphasises the potential of the new UK/Ukraine Scottish projects, saying: “It’s hugely important at this time to allow creatives the space to come together, connect, and spark ideas for the future.
“Over the last two years, we’ve worked with our counterparts and colleagues here in Scotland and Ukraine to build a long-term, supportive connections and it’s fantastic to see projects blossom across the UK with the new creative partnerships programme”.
Lucy Byatt, Director at Hospitalfield who will host a further residency and events project around the theme of Grain this year added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming artists Diana Khalilova and Oleksandr Neselenko at Hospitalfield later this year and continuing our collaboration with curator Kateryna Rusetska from Kultura Medialna.
“Our shared theme of agriculture is important for communities in Ukraine, here in Scotland, and the whole globe. It’s wonderful to see artists connect with colleagues and the local community here in Arbroath.
“I’ve no doubt that this key part of our international programme will sustain networks and relationships in Scotland and the UK for the longer term.”
Projects in Scotland include:
Dnipro-Glasgow Residency: A collaboration between Glasgow Based Art Festival Cryptic and the Dnipro International Festival of Audiovisual Art and New Media Construction, will see a unique three-week residency for a Ukrainian sound artist at Cove Park International Residency Centre in March-April, culminating in a performance at the Sonica Festival in September.
Hospitalfield Collaboration: Agriculture, the countryside, and surrounding political issues will be key themes for a public project and residency programme at Hospitalfield this summer, with Ukrainian artists Diana Khalilova and Oleksandr Neselenko in collaboration with Dnipro-based organisation Kultura Medialna and FEAST Journal. Diana Khalilova will develop a new iteration of her performance project “Public Kitchen” in conversation with the people and context of Arbroath and Angus, while Olesandr Neselenko will continue his research and artistic practice on the impact of the war on the agricultural sector.
New Voices from Ukraine and Scotland: A hybrid program of online events and a two-week residency at Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre, fostering cooperation between emerging authors from Ukraine and Scotland, facilitated by PEN Ukraine, StAnza Poetry Festival, and Moniack Mhor.
The Scottish projects were named alongside 11 other partnerships between arts organisations in Ukraine and the UK.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s next raceday will raise funds for a charity set up in memory of young farmer George Crawford.
The Farmers Raceday on Sunday (18 Feb) is run in partnership with The George Crawford Trust which helps young people from all walks of life and all abilities to reach their full potential.
George, the late son of Melrose farmers Cameron and Mary Crawford, had a glass-half-full attitude to life and was described as a “natural leader” when he passed away aged only 20 following a road accident in 2018.
The East Lothian course has also partnered with The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Club (SAYFC) and is set to welcome young farmers from across the country for the seven-card £54,000 fixture.
Feature race of the day is the £10,000 Join Tote.co.uk the cream of the crop handicap hurdle (2.45pm) which is followed by the Watch Racing TV Now handicap chase (3.20pm) also worth £10,000. Gates open at noon and the first race is at 1.45pm.
SAYFC members can take advantage of a Young Farmers admission package costing only £15 if booked in advance and £2 from each ticket will be donated to The George Crawford Trust.
Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing, Aisling Johston, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming all our racegoers, including Young Farmers and all farmers alike.
“In addition to the exciting action on track, we will have music throughout the day as well as an after-racing party, so this is the perfect opportunity to mingle and have fun with fellow SAYFC members.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation of members, reps and officials attending the annual Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February. The union is part of a composite on child poverty.
Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw Regional Secretary for Scotland says:“One in four children in Scotland are living in poverty, which is inextricably linked to in-work poverty. It is appalling that Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner has deemed the SNP Government to have ‘absolutely failed’ to deliver for young people.
“While we welcome the Scottish Child Payment, the rising cost of living means the payment is falling in value and more direct support is needed to meet child poverty targets. The lack of appropriate childcare, and the childcare costs families continue to face, lock children in poverty despite improvements in funded childcare in recent years.
“Research shows that families with children make up around half of the families experiencing in-work poverty across Scotland. So, tackling the issue of in-work poverty is critical to ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life and the opportunity to thrive.”
The composite motion to conference calls on Scottish Labour to:
· Prioritise the eradication of child poverty.
· Urgently work with trade unions and the Child Poverty Commission to bring forward a comprehensive plan to eradicate child poverty.
· Increase cash payments to families through mechanisms such as raising the minimum wage.
· Provide safe and affordable housing.
· Address the lack of appropriate, affordable and accessible childcare that families face to help break the cycle of child poverty.
· Introduce meaningful support to address the most urgent priorities facing working people as a result of the cost of living crisis.
Special offers revealed for 40 City Centre restaurants and bars taking part in the festival
Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly-anticipated restaurant festival taking over Edinburgh’s city centre next month, has now released a full list of venues taking part in the campaign, with incredible deals from the most exciting restaurants from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter throughout the entirety of March.
Amazing set menus, special offers and events are now available to browse from each of the 40 venues involved on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website with guests able to book now for dates from the 1st to 31st of March.
The past year has seen an influx of new bars and restaurants to the capital, bringing a variety of new dining experiences to explore during Eat Out Edinburgh’s run, including:
– Willow Tea Rooms: The new traditional afternoon tea spot is opening later this month in the former Starbucks unit with stunning castle views on Princes Street and will be offering a traditional afternoon tea throughout March for £17.95 per person, excluding March 10th.
– RIO Brazilian Steakhouse: The newly opened Rodizio style steakhouse within the Assembly Rooms will be offering their unique menu including unlimited salad bar access and meats served tableside at £34.95 for dinner and £19.95 for lunch.
– The Alchemist George Street: The creative cocktail bar and restaurant’s newest venue on George Street has curated a special menu offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £35.
– Fat Hippo: The new restaurant known for its extensive menu of juicy, decadent burgers has created a menu with a starter, main, and a sidefor £15 from Monday to Thursday throughout the month.
Offers vary from venue to venue, with each location bringing its own unique value with something to appeal to everyone, from celebrating Mother’s Day with a brunch at Duck & Waffle with £29 for 3 Courses or a lesson in mixology with a cocktail masterclass for £25 at the Hard Rock Café.
Eat Out Edinburgh brings friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.
Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign taking place throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) returns this year for double the time after a successful two-week run in 2023.
Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “The venues taking part in this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh have gone above and beyond to create really exciting offers for guests that will let Edinburgh locals, visitors and workers in the city centre experience some of the city’s best cuisine at an accessible price.
“The scope of this year’s campaign brings more venues than ever over a longer period of time for a massive celebration of Edinburgh’s unmatched food scene right in time for the Spring season to bring a renewed energy to the city.”
Businesses Participating in Eat Out Edinburgh 2024
Angel’s Share
Auld Hundred
BABA
Badger & Co
Bonnie & Wild
Boozy Cow
Bread Street Kitchen
Cadiz
Café Andaluz
Contini George Street
Copper Blossom
Dean Banks at The Pompadour
Duck & Waffle
Element
Fat Hippo
Fazenda
Gaucho
Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Gusto
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
Haute Dolci
Hawksmoor
Huxley
Indian Lounge
Ka Pao
Lady Libertine
Le Monde
Maki & Ramen St James Quarter
Malmaison
Queens Arms
Rabble
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
Tattu
TGI Fridays Edinburgh Castle Street
The Alchemist – George Street & St James Quarter
The Register Club
The Scottish Café And Restaurant
The Voodoo Rooms
Tigerlily
Twenty Princes Street
Willow Tea Rooms
For more information on each venue, and to keep book, visit:
Edinburgh Science Festival 2024 has everyone covered this year with a Shaping the Future programme, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and science to help us create a more sustainable future.
The Festival celebrates 35th anniversary this year.
Family favourite City Art Centre returns with five floors of hands-on science for children: the perfect family day out this Easter break. On sale from Monday 26 February.
Big Ideas, a series of talks aimed at adults, brings some of the world’s most renowned scientists and thinkers to the Scottish capital, including Prof Chris Lintott, presenter of the Sky at Night, Prof Richard Wiseman, psychologist, magician, entertainer, Dr Erica McAlister – fly expert from the Natural History Museum, Rachel Miller, a National Geographic explorer, Laura Foster – BBC Health and Science presenter, Prof Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Dept of Transport
Guaranteed sell-out every year, Science Nights Out are back with more creative ways to get everyone hands-on with science in a relaxed environment.
The Festival, renowned for its unique presentations of arts colliding with STEM, creating STEAM, delves deep into the alternative future with Future Proof, a visual arts exhibition.
The Festival takes over Edinburgh with events, talk, workshops and exhibitions taking place at the National Museum of Scotland, Dynamic Earth, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Zoo, Summerhall, Bayes Centre and many others, with new additions of Panmure House, Mary’s King Close and The Biscuit Factory.
This year’s Festival shows for children 5+ include Bakineering, exploring the science of baking by Andrew Smyth – of The Great British Bake Off fame!
Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, taking place over the Easter holidays, between 30 March and 14 April.
With the 2024 theme of Shaping the Future, the Festival continues its years-long commitment to Programming for the Planet. It urges everyone to build a more sustainable future as it showcases the cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and science research to help make that ambition a reality.
Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Dr Simon Gage said: “We have an amazing festival lined up for our 35th anniversary.The programme touches the cutting edge of invention from the worlds of AI, robotics, space exploration to the unusual such as giant rooms made of mushrooms!
“And in amongst it, we look at some more familiar things in an unusual way such as disposing of the dead, poisons, the psychology of magic and virus bingo. Whether you want to blast it, build it, bury it or bake it, we have something for you and for little ones too if you have some!”
Edinburgh Science is the world’s expert in producing live science events and the 2024 Festival is the prime example of the power of bringing people together to explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering and maths – and arts! – this year celebrating 35 years.
The Festival is pleased to continue the fantastic collaboration with the venue partners around the city, including City Art Centre, sponsored by Cirrus Logic, which every year becomes the Festival’s premier family destination as well as National Museum of Scotland and Dynamic Earth, each presenting a number of science events for children and adults. This year’s programme is spread across 30 venues and 40% of the offer is free to access.
As in previous years, the Festival presents a series of BSL-interpreted, audio described and relaxed sessions. At the City Art Centre, it also offers sensory backpacks available free of charge from the ticketing desk on the ground floor, and, for the first time, a Quiet Space on the fourth floor where visitors can take a break from the excitement.
Although particularly designed for those with sensory needs, these resources are available to everyone.
Visit the Festival website for more information on accessibility.
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
City Art Centre (30 March – 14 April) – five floors of hands-on science extravaganza for children between 3 and 12 years old. From making your own scab or slime to becoming an animal conservationist, investigating a crime scene or programming your own robot, City Art Centre is the most fun a family can have this Easter break! Allow 4-5 hours for the visit. On sale from Monday 26 February.
Growing Home: A New World of Materials (30 March – 14 April) – highlighting the consequences of overconsumption, this interactive exhibition shines a light on biomaterials and how they can be used in future building, packaging, fashion and more.
Standing three meters high, Growing Room is an impressive architectural structure, devised and created by the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment at Newcastle University, made from biomaterials.
Grown from wool and mycelium (the root network of fungus) to give it strength and stability, the piece shows how research into the future of biomaterials could transform the built environment. It is accompanied by Symbio, a display of biomaterial themed garments by inspiring Edinburgh-based artist Emily Raemaekers.
Developed with support from Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund. Supported by the Edinburgh Napier University, School of Computing, Engineering & The Built Environment.
Edinburgh Medal (2 April) – a prestigious award founded by the City of Edinburgh Council in 1989, this year’s Medal’s recipient is Italy’s Mario Negri Institute, a pioneer non-profit research institute dedicated to open clinical and biomedical research and renowned for its ‘patient-first’ rather than ‘patent-first’ approach.
Director Giuseppe Remuzzi accepts the Medal on behalf of the Institute and is set to share his insights into the benefits of the approach of this exceptional research team that does science for social good during the Medal Address on 2 April.
Creative Informatics, an ambitious research and development programme based in Edinburgh which aims to bring the city’s world-class creative industries and tech sector together, presents a fantastic series of events at this year’s Festival.
It includes Unleashing the Power of Data (30 March – 7 April) exhibition highlighting the latest achievements of the creative industries using data and digital technologies; Creative AI for Creative Work (10 April) featuring creatives talking about the use of AI to enhance their creative projects; and Let’s Play (12 April), an evening to explore how creative technologies and on-screen innovation are changing how we play and experience the world around us.
Our Fragile Space: Protecting the Near-Space Environment (8 March – 18 April) – opening a few weeks before the Festival, the free to access photography exhibition on Mound Precint in the city centre of Edinburgh presents the stunning photographs of Max Alexander’s, transporting its audiences to orbital space to explore the increasing issue of space debris and satellite crowding.
FAMILY PROGRAMME
For those who performed a surgery, dug up a dinosaur or built their own wind turbine at the City Art Centre and got hands-on with mycelium in Growing Home at the National Museum of Scotland, the Festival has plenty more in store.
Also at the Museum, The Rocket Show (7 April) is an explosive family-friendly adventure, delving into rocket science as we explore forces, test materials, and prepare for launch – so strap-in, countdown, and blast-off for a show that’s out of this world!
Join former Great British Bake Off finalist and creator and judge of Netflix’s Baking Impossible, Andrew Smyth for Bakineering (31 March), an edible exploration of the engineering involved in baking.
In Minecraft Disease Detectives (9 April) enter the Minecraft world to become a field scientist and visit different places to collect data on how a virus is spreading. Supported by LEGO® Build the Change, the activity under the same name (8 – 14 April) is all about learning about biodiversity and how to protect it – using LEGO!
Is the blue whale really the biggest animal ever to have existed? What killed the Megalodon shark? In Mysteries of Animals 3D (5 April), presenter and author Jules Howard outlines the weirdest and most elusive animal questions out there for future generations to discover.
Sci-curious aged between 12 and 18 can access £5 tickets for all talks at the Museum and The Bayes Centre using code TEENTALK.
Over at the world-famous Edinburgh Zoo, Career Fayre (3-4 April) puts staff centre-stage – keepers, vets, researchers and many more – to share fascinating insights into their everyday work while at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh the family-favourite Easter Trail (30 March – 14 April) returns, and Build a Better City (11 April) imagines a city that is good for us as well as for the planet by bringing nature into it, consequently reducing pollution, flooding, regulating heat waves and helping keep our minds and bodies healthy.
A science centre and a planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites everyone to Icy Investigations (5 April), a digital workshop looking at our melting ice caps and to become Planet Protectors (4-8 April), learning about ways to protect Earth, including building a mini bug hotel.
Ever wondered what lies beneath North Sea wind farm? Thanks to North Sea 3D (12 April) and Scottish Association for Marine Science, you can now see it in virtual reality!
The University of Edinburgh presents the ground-breaking robotic technologies such as Exoskeletons for enhanced mobility, the humanoids Talos and EVA, and robotic arms for handling objects in Bayes Centre Tour: Meet the Robots (12 April). Explore the Science in Your Pocket: Coins (2-6 and 9-13 April) with Museum of the Mound and step back in time to learn about Edinburgh’s rich medical history at Mary King’s Close’s Medical History Tours (30 March, 6 & 14 April).
Supported and presented by the Heriot Watt University and the National Robotarium, Robotics Unveiled at the National Robotarium (12 April) is a fascinating tour of the UK’s newest and fanciest cutting-edge centre for all things robotics – including a robot petting zoo!
Out and about, Explore Beach Pebbles (11-14 April) of Edinburgh beaches or go down the Royal Mile on a walk to Discover Edinburgh’s Mathematical History. Further out, the Scottish Seabird Centre encourages everyone to become a budding marine scientist and work on their Seaside Science Skills (10-13 April), including identifying rockpool creatures.
For more family events at the Festival, click here.
**Pics free to use**
Edinburgh Science Festival has everyone covered!
Maria Tolzmann and Andrew Jenkins of Edinburgh Science Festival getting ready for the Festival to take over the Scottish capital this Easter break!
Edinburgh Science Festival, the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, takes place over the Easter holidays (30 March – 14 April) and today announces its 35th anniversary programme.
With the 2024 theme of Shaping the Future, the Festival continues its years-long commitment to Programming for the Planet. It urges everyone to build a more sustainable future as it showcases the cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and science research to help make that ambition a reality.
ADULT PROGRAMME
Technology
Can you trust a robot? Coming face-to-face with cutting-edge technology, Two Truths and a Lie (8 April) is an interactive, Traitors-style experience exploring deception, truth and robotics at the Panmure House, home of Scottish philosopher, Adam Smith, presented and supported by the Heriot Watt University and the National Robotarium.
Carefully balancing conservation and creation, Constructing Tomorrow (10 April) uses Edinburgh and its UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore the work of the innovators at the forefront of future, sustainable construction.
Supported by Edinburgh Construction. In the Future of Transport (11 April), Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport Prof Sarah Sharples looks at the challenges and opportunities of transport decarbonisation.
One of the Festival’s Science Nights Out events, Innovation Late with Lady MacRobert (8 April) highlights the work of the potential winners of the prestigious MacRobert Award celebrating the UK’s most exciting engineering innovators – and includes demonstrations! Supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
From advances in disease diagnosis and treatment to the hidden carbon cost of AI, discover how this revolutionary technology affects global politics and society in TheFuture of AI (3 April) with Director of the AI & Geopolitics Project at the University of Cambridge and former Global Head of Policy for Google DeepMind Verity Harding and AI Editor at the Financial Times Madhumita Murgia.
The Promises and Pitfalls of AI (8 April) with Chemical Engineer Prof. Raffaella Ocone, Quantum Scientist Prof. Daniele Faccio, and Medicinal Chemist Prof. Stefano Moro explores how AI is shaping their scientific fields and why it is so much more than just ChatGPT.
Supported by Consulate General of Italy Edinburgh and Istituto Italiano di Cultura. AI for Earth (11 April) with Dr Will Cavendish, Global Digital Leader at ARUP and ex-Strategy Lead at Deep Mind, explores what role AI might play in helping us respond to the climate and nature crises. Supported by ARUP.
Join National Geographic Explorer and Founder of Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean Rachael Miller for a discussion around the Science and Solution for a Clean Ocean (1 April) as she guides as through the problem with plastic and the latest solutions to fight it. Supported by the U.S. Embassy.
Also looking at the new technology helping us tackle the climate crisis is Carbon Capture and Storage for a Net-Zero Future (8 April) – how much carbon dioxide can be captured and stored? What are the risks of storing carbon dioxide underground? As carbon emissions continue to rise, what are the risks of not doing so?
Audience’s favourite naturalist and author Jules Howard teams up with fly expert Dr Erica McAlister to fill us in on the latest discovering in insect sex life science in their trademark light-hearted style in Indecent Insects (5 April).
What happens to our bodies after we die? From the rising demand for greener funerals, to water cremation, human composting and “body farms”, choices are no longer limited to burial or cremation.
Join our panel of experts for Disposing of the Body (2 April) which lifts the shroud on the fascinating and taboo topic of alternative post-mortem care. In Free Agents (9 April), leading neuroscientist Kevin Mitchell makes the evolutionary case for free will.
Our Lives with IBD (10 April) presents a short film about inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), the people affected by them, and the new research that aims to improve these conditions.
Following the film, comedian Susan Morrison guides an entertaining discussion about IBD with the filmmaker Hugo Hemmati and the film’s stars, including gastroenterologist Dr Gwo-tzer Ho and IBD patient Molly Halligan.
Virus Bingo (11 April) is an interactive activity looking at what it takes for a virus to cross the divide between animals and humans.
Custodians of the Cosmos (3 April)features Prof Andy Lawrence from The Royal Observatory Edinburgh and eminent photographer Max Alexander exploring why studying the skies is of vital cultural and economic importance.
In Our Accidental Universe (12 April) BBC presenter of Sky at Night and Gresham Professor of Astronomy Chris Lintott takes us on an astonishing tour of bizarre accidents, big characters, and human error to tell the story of some of the most important astronomical events of the past hundred years.
Award-winning broadcaster and author Marcus Chown breaks down the big physics questions that explain the universe in The One Thing You Need to Know (12 April).
FOr Pink Floyd’s fans out there, Planetarium Late: Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (4-6 April & 11-13 April) is a mesmeric and immersive 360° show with breath-taking views of the Solar System, set to the official 1973 album in spectacular surround sound.
When STEM meets arts, amazing things happen – such as Future Proof (30 March – 26 May) at Summerhall, a series of exhibitions and events from visual artists that explore alternative futures through examination of the past and present and pose existential questions from the blurred boundary of art and science. It includes Morality Calcusus, a bio-art installation by artist Yuning Chen that recounts the endeavour of creating bread fermented with yeast-human cell hybrids in a synthetic biology lab in collaboration with biologist Dr. Elise Cachat.
There is also a theatrical tasting experience (13-14 April) accompanying the installation during which audience sample fictional hybrid organisms analogous to the ones involved in the bread making experiments.
In Post-Industrial Ecologies, Dawn Felicia Knox explores the way plants and fungi work together to undo the toxic residue of industrialisation on an example of one plot of land over 320 million years. The site, a coalmine during the industrial revolution, is a contaminated brownfield yet through the entanglement of plants and fungi it has become a vibrant ecosystem.
The University of Edinburgh’s annual Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science is awarded to Dr James Cook in recognition of his work increasing the public understanding of music in pre-Reformation Scotland.
Dr Cook gives his winning Lecture (14 April) on Linlithgow Palace, once the great pleasure palace of the kings and queens of Scotland. Aiming to recapture its lost glory, Dr Cook present an event bringing together scientific acoustic research, historical archival work, archaeology, and performance to reconstruct the music within Virtual Reality.
The annual Festival Opening Party remains the capital’s hot ticket – adult-only take-over of the flagship family venue, City Art Centre! Join us for a fantastic hands-on science experience on 28 March, getting down digging up a dinosaur or dancing with a robot.
The Festival’s main interactive exhibition, Growing Home, has its own late night event, Growing Home After Hours (4 April) which throws open the doors to the iconic National Museum of Scotland after hours; supported by the Festivals Expo Fund. A Night in the Undergrowth (10 April) cap-tivates everyone’s curiosity in a fun-gi evening event at the Biscuit Factory; supported by the Festivals Expo Fund.
Is Back to the Future better than Tenet? Is ET more accurate than Alien? Is The Matrix good enough to let us forgive its sequels? In Sci-Fi Snobbery (3 April) Simon Watt and Jamie Gallagher debate the merits of their favourites to work out which sci-fi movie has the most merit on both a scientific and cinematic basis.
Join mathematicians Katie Steckles and Ben Sparks for Pints and Puzzles (8 April), a mind-boggling evening of puzzles and mathematical thinking. Pit your wits against a series of beautiful, bamboozling maths brain teasers in this sociable night of fun!
And don’t forget to join Creative Informatics for a night of gaming in Let’s Play (12 April) and celebrate the latest in cutting-edge engineering (with demonstrations!) at Innovation Late with Lady MacRobert (8 April); supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
For more Science Nights Out highlights click here.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “We’re proud to support the 2024 Edinburgh Science Festival – another shining example of Scotland’s place as the perfect stage to host major events and the home of world leading festivals.
“The Scottish Government is supporting the Festival with funding of £120,000 from our Expo Fund, as well as £60,000 for the PLaCE programme to support the ongoing engagement programme with schools and community groups.
“This year’s theme, Shaping the Future is relevant and interesting; using technology and AI to help build sustainable solutions for Scotland. We’re certain all the Festival’s attendees will learn and have fun in the process.”
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “It’s fantastic to see the city gearing up for the 35th anniversary edition of the Edinburgh Science Festival. The world we live in has arguably never been more innovative or advanced, this year’s theme of ‘Shaping the Future’ pays tribute to this and questions where we go from here.
“With events across the Capital exploring themes such as space, health and medicine, and artificial intelligence to name but a few, there is truly something for everyone.
“The Science Festival is one that’s particularly close to my heart, with many fond memories of taking my son and grandchildren along over the years. I’m really looking forward to the 2024 edition and I’d encourage all our residents and visitors to get involved.”
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday.
He reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Israel’s right to defend its people against Hamas’ terror and ensure its long-term security.
The Prime Minister said the UK was deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in Gaza and the potentially devastating humanitarian impact of a military incursion into Rafah.
He reiterated that the immediate priority must be negotiating a humanitarian pause to allow the safe release of hostages and to facilitate considerably more aid going to Gaza, leading to a longer-term sustainable ceasefire. For there to be lasting peace, Israel’s security must be assured.
The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged Israel to fully open the Kerem Shalom crossing and allow the maritime delivery of international aid through Ashdod port, which the UK stood ready to support on.
He noted the importance of continuing to abide by International Humanitarian Law and protecting civilian infrastructure like hospitals and shelters. The Prime Minister said more must be done to ease restrictions on humanitarian supplies and ensure the UN and aid agencies can reach civilians in need throughout Gaza.
The Prime Minister updated on his recent meeting with the families of British hostages held by Hamas and they discussed urgent ongoing efforts to bring hostages safely home, as well as steps to ensure any remaining British nationals who wish to leave Gaza are able to do l’so.
Turning to wider issues, the Prime Minister said it was vital to avoid inflaming tensions and undermining security in the West Bank. In the longer term, the UK continued to believe a viable two state solution was the best means to achieve lasting peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
They agreed that Hamas can have no role in the future governance of Gaza.
The leaders also discussed regional issues, and the Prime Minister set out how the UK is supporting efforts to de-escalate the situation on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and avoid further conflict or threats to Israeli citizens.
WILL the conversation have any influence at all on Israel’s campaign in Gaza? Don’t hold your breath …
Around 700,000 families, who receive tax credits and no other qualifying benefits, will receive their £299 Cost of Living Payment from today, 16 February 2024, to help with everyday costs.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 16 and 22 February 2024.
More than7 million eligible UK households have already received the £299 payment directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which is paying its customers between 6 and 22 February 2024.
This is the third of three payments totalling up to £900 for those eligible and on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, in 2023/24 and comes as part of the UK Government’s £104 billion cost of living support package.
These payments are tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC Director General for Customer Services, said:“The £299 Cost of Living Payment will deliver further financial support to eligible tax credits customers across the UK. To make things as simple as possible, the payment is made automatically with no action required from HMRC’s customers.”
The payment from HMRC to tax credits customers will appear on bank statements as ‘HMRC COLS’, referencing Cost of Living Support. Those receiving the payment from DWP will see the payment reference as their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.
If customers have not received the Cost of Living Payment from HMRC between the published payment dates, but believe they are eligible, they should wait until after 23 February to contact us. This is to allow time for their bank, building society or credit union to process the payment.
Receiving a previous Cost of Living Payment does not guarantee customers will get this payment. Customers must meet the individual eligibility criteria for each payment, as published on GOV.UK.
Payment from HMRC will be made automatically into the bank account where eligible customers receive their tax credits. They do not need to do anything to receive a payment. They do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment.
Customers should beware of scams targeting Cost of Living Payments. If someone contacts them about this payment saying they are from HMRC or DWP, it might be a scam. People can check advice on spotting scams by visiting GOV.UK and searching ‘HMRC phishing and scams’. They can also check on GOV.UK that any contact is genuinely from HMRC.
Additional information
The Cost of Living Payments – worth £900 in total in 2023/24 – come on top of a significant package of support which has been delivered since autumn 2021. Including:
Cutting taxes for over 29 million working people this year through a 2% cut to Class 1 National Insurance Contributions, worth £450 per year on average.
Cutting taxes for self-employed people by cutting Class 4 contributions, benefitting 2 million people, and abolishing Class 2 contributions, a tax cut worth an average of £350 per year.
Paying three million households the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter and 8.9 million pensioner households up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments in December last year.
Providing the £650 Cost of Living Payments in 2022/23 and an additional cash boost on top of this payment including £300 to pensioner households; £150 to disabled individuals in 2022 and last year.
Paying around half of the typical household energy bill between October 2022 and July 2023 through our Energy Price Guarantee and £400 support scheme.
Extending the 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase – saving the average driver £100 this year.
Increasing the Universal Credit work allowance and cutting the taper rate, which was worth an extra £1,000 a year to families on Universal Credit.
Vulnerable people will continue to be supported with the cost of living from April this year by:
Uprating benefits in line with inflation by 6.7%.
Maintaining the triple lock and increasing the state pension by 8.5% - after the largest ever cash increase last year for around 12 million pensioners.
Investing £1.2 billion to restore Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rates, meaning 1.6 million private renters will see nearly £800 in additional help.
Increasing the National Living Wage by its largest ever cash amount in April – worth over £1,800 to the gross annual earnings of a full-time worker – and lowering the age threshold for eligibility by 2 years.
We encourage people in need of additional support over the winter to check their eligibility through the UK Government’s Help for Households website for the various cost of living schemes that are place.
The Sean Connery Foundation has come on board the 2024 Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) to establish The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, a £50,000 award to a single filmmaker as part of a new features competition prize at the centre of the relaunched festival.
The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence creates an exciting platform to showcase today’s most talented filmmakers by linking their success to the legacy of Scotland’s most famous global star.
From August 15-21, 10 world-premiere feature films will compete for the cash prize, to be determined by audience vote. Criteria for submitting films to the Festival can be found at www.edfilmfest.org and submissions are now open.
Paul Ridd, EIFF Festival Director said: ‘Sean Connery was a vital patron of EIFF, consistently showing up to support new talent and gracing countless red carpets. He loved Edinburgh and he loved the festival.
“We are thrilled to establish the prize to honour this iconic Scottish star and we are immensely moved by the generosity of The Sean Connery Foundation, an organisation which shares our respect for cinema history and excitement for its future.’
Stephane Connery, Sean Connery Foundation Chair has said: ‘From the moment we launched the Sean Connery Foundation, we have been focused on expanding opportunities for talented young people from Scotland to access rewarding careers in the film industry, particularly those who face disadvantage.
Investing in a revitalised Edinburgh International Film Festival is another piece of that puzzle, providing a local showcase for global talent, where young Scots can find inspiration, mentors, and role-models to fuel their own film-education journey.
“My only wish is that Sean could join us to award the prize himself; he would have loved it.’
Jason Connery, Sean Connery Foundation Ambassador has said: ‘Dad made it a priority to attend the Edinburgh Film Festival. He knew first-hand what it meant to work hard and struggle for opportunity. He also knew how hard it is to make an extraordinary film.
“With this prize, we link his legacy as a talent who rose from humble means to achieve global success with the next generation of artists forging that same path, and we do it by supporting the film festival he so loved, in the hometown he cherished.’
EIFF will also inaugurate a short film competition with a cash prize of £15,000. Prize title is to be revealed soon and submissions are now open.
Spanning 7 days, the relaunched EIFF will honour 70+ years of festival history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a re-energised format that is rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.
The EIFF’s August fixture now runs in parallel to a host of creative festivals taking place in Edinburgh, including the Edinburgh International Festival and renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which sells millions of tickets to cultural connoisseurs from around the world.
The EIFF will encourage general audiences, film buffs and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh, which is universally recognised as a place of beauty, history, discovery and adventure.
Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and newly appointed Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.
Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair, Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun. EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland.
More information will be released on the shape of the Festival, venues and more key strategic partners in the coming months.
THREE Glasgow-based charities have received donations totalling £1,500 from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, CHAS and Scot Baby Box Appeal have received £500 each following nominations for support from the team at Amazon in Dunfermline.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity supports those who care for and nurture young lives at their most vulnerable. The charity also invests in equipment, research and the continued improvement of facilities and services for children and families in hospital.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) offers a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Through their hospices, home care services and hospital presence, CHAS provides palliative care, family respite and support. The charity’s hub in Glasgow offers a range of fundraising events such as the Glasgow Lunch and Glasgow Kiltwalk.
Scot Baby Box Appeal, based in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, sends support in the form of pre-loved baby boxes, humanitarian aid and other essential items to those in need in Ukraine.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “I am glad to make donations to these great charities across Glasgow.
“We are passionate supporters of their work in the community and are so pleased to be able to help in any small way.”
Lara MacDonald, Senior Corporate Partnerships Executive from CHAS, said: “We are very grateful to the Amazon team in Dunfermline for their support.
“Their donation is so appreciated here at CHAS. Thank you so much Jamie and the team for your continued support.”
Megan Wright, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “All three of these charities provide invaluable services across Scotland and I’m so grateful that we can support them through donations like this.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.
Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in poverty.
The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by Amazon and others, directly to those in need.
The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.
Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.
Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £2.7 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.
With the Self Assessment tax deadline behind us, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people to be wary of bogus tax refund offers.
Fraudsters could set their sights on Self Assessment customers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month’s deadline.
Taxpayers who completed their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year by the 31 January deadline might be taken in by an email, phone call or text message offering a tax rebate. These phishing scams are designed to use personal details for selling on to criminals, or to access people’s bank accounts.
HMRC responded to 207,800 referrals from the public of suspicious contact in the past year to January – up 14% from the 181,873 reported for the previous 12 months. More than 79,000 of those referrals offered bogus tax rebates.
Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said:“With the deadline for tax returns behind us, criminals will now try to trick people with fake offers of tax rebates.
“Scammers will attempt to dupe people by email, phone or texts that mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.
“Don’t rush into anything, take your time and check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.”
HMRC will not email, text or phone a customer to tell them that they are due a refund or ask them to request a refund. Customers receive repayments into their chosen bank account, and can see any transactions in their online HMRC account and in the HMRC app.
Customers can help fight phishing scams by reporting any suspicious communications to HMRC:
· forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599
In the last year to January HMRC also reported 26,443 malicious web pages to internet service providers to be taken down.
This is a 29% increase from the 20,385 referred by HMRC for removal the previous year. These sites aim to deceive taxpayers and steal their personal information or money.
They copy the design and branding of genuine websites so criminals can trick people into giving away their personal details. This information is then used to access people’s bank accounts or sold on the web.
HMRC is reminding customers to be vigilant to any potential scam activity, protect their personal information and report any suspicious activity.
Remember to: fighting scams:
Protect
Criminals are cunning – protect your information.
Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information.
Use strong and different passwords on all your accounts so criminals are less able to target you.
Recognise
If a phone call, text or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links.
Check on GOV.UK that the contact is genuinely from HMRC.
Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.
Report
If you’re unsure about a text claiming to be from HMRC forward it to 60599, or an email to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report a tax scam phone call on GOV.UK.
Contact your bank immediately if you’ve had money stolen, and report it to Action Fraud. In Scotland, contact the police on 101.
By reporting phishing emails, you help stop criminal activity and prevent other people falling victim.
On Monday, the Home Office launched its national campaign ‘Stop! Think Fraud’. Backed by organisations across law enforcement, tech, banking, telecoms and the third sector, a new website was created with advice on how to stay safe online. It can be found at www.gov.uk/stopthinkfraud
The Self Assessment payment deadline was 31 January, and anyone with outstanding tax to pay should do so as soon as possible. There are many ways to pay, including online, using the HMRC app, by bank transfer, or setting up a Time to Pay payment plan.
A full list of payment options can be found on GOV.UK. There is also a video on YouTube that explains a customer’s Self Assessment tax bill and the different ways to pay.
Taxpayers who file or pay late but have a reasonable excuse can appeal penalties on GOV.UK. HMRC has published interactive guidance to explain the process and signpost them to the correct course of action.
