Disabled people and carers in the asylum system are being denied safety, dignity and compassion because they can’t get the health care they need.
The Poverty Alliance have published new #RightsInAction research, uncovering examples of people being placed in unsafe housing, facing delays and confusion in getting health and social care, and getting little or no formal support – despite many having serious health and care needs.
One woman was sent to Scotland after being forced to leave her family and seek protection alone in the UK. In her home country she had been treated for ovarian cancer, but when she arrived in Scotland, she faced real difficulties getting in touch with her GP.
After being recognised as a refugee by the Home Office many years later, she had to move to different accommodation and to a different GP. It was only then that she was referred to hospital for investigation of pain she was feeling. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour and Multiple Sclerosis.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Everyone in Scotland deserves dignity, safety and compassion. People on low incomes often feel cut off from the health and social care support they need – and this research shows the problem can be even greater for people in the asylum system.
“It is wrong that disabled people and carers can be left without the most basic support they need to live their lives.”
ANOTHER DODGY ‘HONOURABLE MEMBER’ SHAMES WESTMINSTER
The House of Lords Conduct Committee has published a report on the conduct of Lord Chadlington (John Selwyn Gummer), recommending he be suspended from the House for 12 months.
The recommendation is the result of an investigation by the independent House of Lords Commissioner for Standards, which followed a complaint made on behalf of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice.
The Commissioner, Martin Jelley QPM DL, investigated Lord Chadlington’s role in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic and, specifically, his role in assisting a subsidiary of a company he chaired to secure PPE contracts.
The Commissioner found that Lord Chadlington, a former Chairman of the Conservative Party during the Thatcher era, breached the House’s prohibition on members providing “parliamentary services” in return for payment or reward.
He also found that Lord Chadlington had failed to cooperate with two previous investigations into his conduct and had failed to act on his personal honour.
Chadlington appealed against the Commissioner for Standards’ findings and his recommended sanction that he be suspended from the House for 12 months. The Conduct Committee rejected that appeal and upheld the Commissioner’s findings and recommended sanction.
The Conduct Committee’s report will now need to be agreed by the House before the sanction takes effect. The House is expected to consider the report in the week of 16th March.
Chadlington, who is 84, has said he will ‘retire’ from the House of Lords and quit the Tory Party. That’s likely to be of little consolation to Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice:
Grief: A Poem
by Susie Crozier-Flintham
Grief fills the room Which room or space Is not a matter Of speculation Or some theory Now debunked By its own author, I might add, But one of Who We Are As People My grief fills my life Not room or space But every quarter Of my being, not Some speculation Or some theory, Conspiracy theory That serves to Diminish Deceive or Decry My Dad died. A declarative Not speculation He was among over 252, 032 others To pretend
Those things Untrue Is to pretend Some lives Are worth Losing Moreover, Do we dismiss Collective grief As something Uncomfortable Because, we don’t decide We can’t pick and choose Those dead Are commemorated These dead are not Weren’t they all human? People with lives? Weren’t they all children Once? Grief fills this room Because it’s not just About remembrance It’s about Potential lost Opportunities missed Connections denied Grief fills this room Because it has to Without it We are nothing Mere chattels
On this Earth Which birthed us Which birthed us But masters, And indeed mistresses Of our own destiny Are we So hear me You are my family I lost mine Not through carelessness But through design And in my Dad’s name You are Therefore Mine.
Following the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium yesterday (Sunday, 8 March 2026), Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said: “The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society.
“A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.
“Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm. Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.
“The investigation will also include the actions of some supporters who entered the Broomloan Road stand without tickets before the match started, forcing delays in the security operation and the turnstiles to be closed for a period of time.
“I would also urge anyone with information about who was involved in disorder before, during or after the match to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101.”
The Scottish FA added:
“The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium.
“An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”
One of Scotland’s most treasured cultural icons, Eddi Reader, is taking her unmatched musical magic to stages across the country for a ‘perfect’ spring tour this April.
Eddi will be hitting the road once again to play venues across her much-loved home nation, visiting Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 19 April 2026.
For well over four decades, Eddi Reader has had the ability to silence a room with a single note, harnessing insightful storytelling and raw emotion.
Edinburgh audiences can expect to hear show-stopping material from her vast back catalogue, from soul-stirring pop to traditional Scottish ballads, and experience Eddi’s unique charm and on-stage chatter.
Glasgow-born Eddi first captivated the world as the frontwoman of Fairground Attraction in the late 80s, storming the charts with the debut album First of a Million Kisses, and the iconic single Perfect, which topped charts in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The track, which earned Eddi a Brit Award, remains a timeless pop anthem.
The years that followed brought 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, including a stunning interpretation of the songs of Robert Burns. Her four-decade long career has seen her hone an effortless musicianship that moves effortlessly between pop, folk, jazz and traditional works and influences.
Her contribution to Scottish culture has been recognised through the award of an MBE and five honorary degrees. In 2022 Eddi celebrated 40 years in music and this latest run of Scottish appearances will follow on from a huge Irish tour.
Eddi Reader said:“Each time I return to perform on stages at home, it feels like an important moment of connection – that sparkle from being in front of Scottish audiences never dulls!
“Queen’s Hall has a little piece of my heart and I can’t wait to be back in Edinburgh sharing songs and stories with you all this April.”
Eddi will be joined on the road by Hawick-based artist and folk musician Miwa Nagato-Apthorp.
Eddi Reader plays Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 19 April 2026 as part of her spring Scottish tour. For tickets visit https://eddireader.co.uk/gigs.
Centenary tours to go on sale at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The private apartments used by Queen Elizabeth II when in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, will open to visitors for the first time in 2026 to mark the centenary of her birth.
Available only this year, the tours will run for 100 days and will see small groups taken behind the scenes by expert guides to discover the history of the rooms and learn how they were used by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during her 70-year reign.
Royal Collection Trust email subscribers will be given priority access to book tickets at an exclusive offer price from Monday, 9 March, with remaining tickets going on general sale on Thursday, 12 March.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse was the setting for many significant occasions during the late Queen’s reign. While visiting Edinburgh to meet and celebrate Scots from all walks of life, she and Prince Philip would occupy a suite of private rooms on the Palace’s east side, with stunning views of the gardens and Holyrood Park.
These modestly decorated rooms offer a rare glimpse into the personal, ‘lived-in’ spaces used during private moments between official duties.
The rooms date from the 17th century and have been used by successive monarchs and members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria’s reign. They are furnished with historic objects from the Royal Collection, as well as pieces from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s personal collections, many of which reflect their longstanding affection for Scotland.
Tours will take visitors through rooms and spaces including the Royal Breakfast Room, where the Queen and Prince Philip would dine privately while in residence. The room is hung with magnificent Flemish tapestries, woven around 1650, featuring a beautiful design of a pergola framing an ornate vase filled with flowers. The tapestries were hung in the room in the 1920s at the request of Queen Elizabeth’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary.
In the Dressing Room, giving a sense of how the Queen would prepare for official engagements, visitors will see three ensembles from her wardrobe, each worn during a significant occasion in Edinburgh.
For the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 1999, the Queen wore a purple coat made of a silk-wool blend with a green silk-crepe and lace dress, and a shawl of purple and green Isle of Skye tartan, woven on the Island of Lewis.
The ensemble was inspired by the Scottish landscape and reflects the designer Sandra Murray’s interest in her Scottish heritage.
The matching hat, by the milliner Philip Somerville, is trimmed with a bow of the silk-wool fabric of the coat and curled dark-green feathers.
For the Commonwealth Heads of Government reception held at the Palace in 1997, Queen Elizabeth wore a silk evening dress designed by John Anderson.
The entire gown is covered with white, pink, gold and cream beads and sequins, embroidered on to the surface of the garment with gold thread.
In late June or early July each year, the Queen would stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during what was known as ‘Holyrood Week’, undertaking a series of engagements celebrating Scottish culture, history and achievement.
These included an annual Garden Party at the Palace for around 8,000 guests. For the Garden Party in 2017, Queen Elizabeth II wore a coat of white tweed fabric, highlighted with accents of pink, yellow and green within the weave, with a pink wool crepe day dress, both by designer Karl Ludwig van Rehse.
The ensemble is completed by a hat by Angela Kelly, which includes the tweed fabric accentuated by an upturned straw brim and is highlighted with floral embellishments.
The tours will conclude in the Sitting Room where the late Queen would work, reviewing the papers and documents presented in the Government red dispatch boxes, as well as using the room for private audiences or resting between engagements, often while watching horseracing on television.
Prince Philip was an enthusiastic collector of contemporary Scottish art and served as Patron of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art. Throughout the rooms, visitors will see highlights from his private collection, including works by 20th‑century Scottish artists, acquired over four decades at the RSA’s annual exhibitions and reflecting his deep appreciation of Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife.
The rooms are also furnished with a remarkable collection of furniture from the Royal Collection, made by the Edinburgh firm of Young, Trotter and Hamilton. The pieces were supplied to the Palace in 1796 in preparation for the arrival of Charles-Philippe, Comte d’Artois – Marie Antoinette’s brother-in-law and the future Charles X of France – who took refuge at the Palace during the French Revolution.
Emma Stead, Curator, Palace of Holyroodhouse said: ‘Queen Elizabeth II’s well-known love for Scotland will be given fresh context through this unique and special access to the private apartments, where visitors will enjoy a new perspective into both the formal and more informal use of Edinburgh’s royal palace.’
After their tour of Queen Elizabeth II’s private apartments, visitors can explore the rich history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, including the magnificent State Apartments and the historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, all included in the ticket price.
As Poppyscotland marks the 100th anniversary of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory on International Women’s Day, the Armed Forces charity is championing its female staff, volunteers and ambassadors.
Lanarkshire teen Chloe McIntosh is among those being publicly thanked by the charity for helping to raise awareness of the vital work they do in supporting current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Chloe, from Strathaven, became involved with Poppyscotland when her dad Andy was supported after suffering catastrophic and life-changing injuries in the Omagh bombing tragedy. Soldier Andy was one of hundreds who were injured when a car bomb exploded in August 1998, killing 29 people.
The events of that day led to years of serious physical and mental health challenges for Andy but, thanks to unwavering support from Poppyscotland, he was able to turn his life around and credits the charity for helping him to do so.
This help made a huge impact on Chloe and ever since, the 17-year-old has used her voice to spread the word about the charity and its vital work, funded by the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal. She also highlights the work done at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory at Poppyscotland, who only employ veterans with supported needs.
In her role as charity ambassador, the inspiring teen has addressed audiences of politicians, dignitaries and members of the public at various charity events, including at the Scottish Parliament.
Chloe, who is currently a pupil at Calderside Academy in Blantyre, and hopes to study veterinary nursing, said: “Poppyscotland means the world to me. I think it’s important to educate as many people as possible about how the charity provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community by providing tailored funding and advice in services such as employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite.
“It is a privilege to work with the charity, and I urge anyone who may be struggling to reach out and get the help they require.”
Major Charles Pelling (Retd), Manager at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, said: “We are delighted to celebrate 100 years of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, which was opened on International Women’s Day in 1926, and also to take this opportunity to celebrate our female staff, volunteers and ambassadors like Chloe.
“She has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the important work of Poppyscotland and Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, and give back to those who helped her father Andy. It is only right that she is celebrated today and indeed all year, as we look to commemorate 100 years of the factory and the people who have helped to shape it along the way.”
To find out more about the work of Poppyscotland, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
Dementia affects each person differently, and even day-to-day experiences can change. The Scottish Government has launched the Rethink Dementia campaign to encourage Scots to support people living with the condition to stay socially active, to help them stay well for longer.
Capital Theatres (the charity who runs Festival Theatre, King’s Theatre and Studio Theatre in Edinburgh) is one of the many organisations across the country showing what’s possible when it comes to supporting people living with dementia. The theatre group have redesigned their buildings and continue to train their staff to ensure that people living with dementia feel welcome and supported.
Capital Theatres’ dementia-friendly approach encourages people living with dementia to stay socially connected and continue doing things that matter to them.
Head of Creative Engagement at Capital Theatres, Claire Swanson explains: “When someone receives a diagnosis of dementia, it means they have a diagnosis of dementia.
“It doesn’t change who they are, what they’ve achieved, or the things that matter in their life. They’re still the person that they have always been.”
Helping someone living with dementia stay connected can help them stay well for longer and at Capital Theatres, this idea is as at the core of the organisation’s mission:
“It’s very important to us that the people in the community of Edinburgh and beyond feel that every one of our venues is a welcoming place for them,” says Chief Executive Fiona Gibson.
That welcome starts with the physical space. Following a dementia-friendly audit in 2015, the team at Capital Theatres made small but impactful changes to their buildings, such as putting nosing on the edge of the stairs, so that there’s a very visual barrier, and changing the toilet seats to be a solid, contrasting colour.
These details reduce cognitive load and anxiety, making navigation easier.
However, a building is only as welcoming as its people. To counter the anxiety people may feel when arriving, every single staff member, from the people working in the café to the box office staff, is dementia trained.
Claire Swanson adds, “We also encourage all our new staff to come along to our dementia-friendly events and spend time speaking with someone living with dementia. Just sitting together and having a chat can relieve a lot of anxiety for those who may not know how to interact with someone living with dementia.”
The more comfortable individuals become around those living with dementia, the more confident they will become in supporting people with dementia to live well.
On the foundation of a welcoming space and a confident workforce, Capital Theatres runs a dedicated dementia-friendly programme, consisting of a range of vibrant, in-person community events, led by a passionate creative engagement team, including Alex Howard, Gus Harrower, and Lucie Jeffrey.
The programme’s ethos is one of total accessibility.
Alex Howard, Creative Engagement Coordinator and DementiArts magazine editor, explains: “Here at Capital Theatres, everything in our dementia-friendly programme is completely free, so there are no barriers to entry.
“We have five regularly running events: Tea & Jam, Brew & Blether, Comfy Ceilidh, Relaxing Rhymes and Together in Song. We invite people to come down, tea and coffee is on us, and you can get talking to people and join in. It’s important to us that cost isn’t a barrier.”
Each session is designed to create joy and connection. For Lucie Jeffrey, Creative Engagement Coordinator and Dance Lead, the work is a privilege “It’s an honour to be able to support these individuals,” she says.
Her advice is simple: “My top tips for working with those living with dementia is to treat them as individuals, give them their time and their space and just be kind.”
It’s important to give people living with dementia extra time, avoid interrupting them, and respond with understanding if confusion arises. Small acts of patience make a big difference.
Creative Engagement Coordinator and Music Lead, Gus Harrowerconnects this daily practice back to the national campaign. He says, “It’s important to treat people with dementia the same as anyone would want to be treated.
“Treat them with kindness, treat them with respect, get on their level and give them the time that they need to respond – patience is key. Events like ours and campaigns like Rethink Dementia are really battling that stigma, which is amazing to see.”
Capital Theatres also produces DementiArts magazine, which features articles and personal stories contributed by members of the dementia community, alongside a comprehensive listing of dementia-friendly events taking place across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
For Claire Swanson, it all comes back to the campaign’s central challenge to every Scot. “We need to change the way we think about people living with dementia and put the person, not the diagnosis, back at the front of the conversation.We’re proud to be championing that approach here at Capital Theatres.”
It’s time to rethink dementia. For more information and practical tips, visit nhsinform.scot/rethinkdementia.
Eat Out Edinburgh, the popular city-centre restaurant festival run by Essential Edinburgh, is now live for 2026, with diners invited to explore exclusive offers across almost 60 restaurants, cafes and bars throughout March – alongside the chance to win a range of standout dining prizes.
Running across the city centre for the entire month, the festival brings together special menus, discounts and curated dining experiences designed to showcase Edinburgh’s vibrant hospitality scene while encouraging people to explore new venues. Diners can now browse and book the live offers at www.eatoutedinburgh.com.
New for this year, guests who dine at three participating venues during the festival can enter into a prize draw featuring experiences from some of Edinburgh’s best-loved hospitality destinations.
Potential rewards include a top prize of an overnight stay for two at the Rutland Hotel alongside a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine at Badger & Co, with additional prizes like a meal for four with a bottle of prosecco at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, a delicious South Indian meal at Tamil Teru, a three-course dinner for two with wine at Gaucho, or a boozy brunch at Copper Blossom.
Following the success of last year, the intimate supper clubs also return for 2026. On 12 March, Contini George Street will host an intimate five-course dinner celebrating seasonal Italian produce limited to just 16 guests, with the option to add a signed Contini cookbook. Tickets are available now from £40pp.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse will also introduce an exclusive supper club experience on 26 March, priced at £65 per person. Limited to just 40 guests, Rio’s signature churrasco-style service of expertly prepared meats will be paired with eight carefully selected wines. Adding an interactive twist, guests will vote for their favourite wine, with the winning selection earning a place on Rio’s summer wine menu. The experience also includes a welcome cocktail on arrival and a palate-cleansing cocktail to finish.
Guests are encouraged to book their spot for both events soon through the Eat Out Edinburgh website, as spots are limited to these exclusive evenings.
This year’s festival features a mix of exciting new participants and returning favourites, offering something for every taste, budget and occasion. First-time venues taking part include:
Brasserie Prince: Available Monday to Thursday, diners can enjoy three elegant courses for just £35 at Brasserie Prince, set within the iconic Balmoral Hotel. Enjoy seasonal dishes crafted with flair, flavour and a touch of Scottish charm.
ASSAGINNI: Diners can savour the vibrant flavours of Italy at ASSAGINNI with an exclusive 20% off your food bill from Sunday to Thursday. Known for its sociable small plates and contemporary take on Italian dining, the offer invites guests to explore an array of beautifully crafted dishes perfect for sharing, from fresh pasta to indulgent antipasti.
Franco Manca: Pizza lovers can tuck into two courses for just £19.50 at Franco Manca and savour any main menu pizza and dip alongside a dessert, bite or bread for just a fraction of the cost.
The Caley Bar: Discover an unrivalled evening of spirits and sounds at Edinburgh’s brand-new cocktail and listening bar. Enjoy 50% off the Caley Bar snack menu with the purchase of every cocktail or glass of champagne.
Paesano: Recently opened in Edinburgh, the popular Neapolitan pizzeria is getting involved in Eat Out Edinburgh for the first time ever. Guests can enjoy any pizza that is normally priced over £10, for just a tenner during the month of March.
The Garden at Kimpton Charlotte Square: If you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, The Garden at Kimpton Charlotte Square offers diners a sharing board and two spritzes for £27.50, available every day throughout March.
Wahaca Edinburgh: Available everyday throughout the month of March, diners can enjoy the ‘Taste of Wahaca’ menu plus a freshly shaken cocktail for just £25pp! The menu features favourites including Guacamole & Tortilla Chips, Sweet Potato & Feta Taquito and Pork Pibil Tacos.
Returning favourites including Harvey Nichols, Dishoom, The Voodoo Rooms, SUSHISAMBA, Hawksmoor, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, Duck & Waffle, and BABA have also unveiled exclusive menus, ensuring there’s something for every taste, budget and occasion throughout the month.
Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications at Essential Edinburgh, said: “As a testament to the impact Eat Out Edinburgh continues to have for participating venues, almost 60 exclusive offers are now available to book throughout March, alongside exciting new prizes and the return of our popular supper clubs.
Together, they give people even more reason to explore the city centre, try somewhere new and celebrate Edinburgh’s incredible hospitality scene.”
A full list of participating venues and offers is available at
This International Women’s Day, Heriot-Watt University is celebrating the success of Bella Perez, a 2024 graduate of its MSc Brewing and Distilling programme. In less than two years, Bella has risen to become Head Brewer at 71 Brewing, joining a growing number of women working in the industry in Scotland.
Although modern beer production has long been dominated by men, historically brewing was a woman’s responsibility. Beer was brewed in the home as a safe substitute for water.
Bella’s appointment as Head Brewer is not only a personal milestone but is also part of brewing tradition:
“People are often surprised to meet a woman head brewer,” she said. “But women belong here. We always have. International Women’s Day is a reminder of how important visibility is—and why creating space for other women matters.”
Bella grew up in California. Childhood car journeys past the local Budweiser plant and the region’s thriving craft beer culture sparked her interest in brewing. In 2016, an international study trip confirmed her passion for fermentation science. This became her focus when she returned to UC Davis in California.
After nearly a decade working across the US—at MillerCoors in Colorado, craft breweries in California, and as a shift lead brewer in Oregon—she looked to further her progression in an industry where women remain underrepresented in senior production roles.
“I’d been working three jobs at one point and felt stuck,” she explained. “I loved brewing, but to move into upper management you need more than experience—you need technical proof of concept.”
That next step arrived through a scholarship from the Michael James Jackson Foundation, which supports brewers from underrepresented backgrounds.
With a Cuban parent, Bella was eligible. The organisation funded her Master’s degree at Heriot-Watt University, home to one of the world’s most respected brewing and distilling programmes. Bella describes her time at Heriot-Watt as transformative.
“It made all the difference. The Master’s gave me the scientific foundation, the research skills and the professional credibility I needed. Combined with my experience, it opened doors that simply weren’t available to me before.”
Within months of graduating, she was appointed Head Brewer at 71 Brewing, a Dundee-based independent brewery known for innovation and global reach. Her role involves overseeing production, recipe development, quality, and sensory training for an international team – including seven Heriot‑Watt alumni.
Professor Dawn Maskell is head of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University. She said: “Each year, more women choose to study brewing and distilling at Heriot‑Watt, and their presence in our classrooms and laboratories is changing the face of the sector.
“Seeing graduates like Bella move into senior production roles is a powerful reminder of why representation matters and why supporting women into technical leadership positions is so important for the industry’s future.”
Today, Bella is part of a growing cohort of women shaping Scotland’s brewing. She is the driving force behind this Sunday’s inaugural Cailleach Festival, Scotland’s first beer festival dedicated to showcasing women working in production roles from across the country.
By bringing together female leaders from breweries large and small, the festival aims to increase visibility, foster mentorship and challenge lingering assumptions about who makes beer.
“For young women entering the industry, seeing someone who looks like you in a senior role can be transformative,” Bella said. “Representation shapes possibility.”
Despite progress, Bella acknowledges the challenges women still face. Brewing remains physically demanding, technically complex and often male-dominated. “You need to be thick-skinned and creative.
“It’s hands-on, heavy lifting, long days. But if you like getting your hands dirty, starting with a list of raw ingredients and turning them into something you’ve made yourself, brewing is definitely for you. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Bella is clear about the message she wants to share on International Women’s Day: “Don’t let the demographics of an industry tell you whether you belong. If you’re passionate, capable and determined, there is a place for you.
“Brewing needs more women. Science needs more women. Leadership needs more women. Progress is never accidental. It comes from women supporting women—and from institutions like Heriot-Watt believing in our potential.”
The EIS has issued formal 10-day notice of its intention to call its members to take industrial action over workload.
The industrial action will include national days of strike action, additional days of strike action in key target areas, and an ongoing national programme of Action Short of Strike (ASOS).
The issuing of 10-day notice is a legal requirement, and must be issued before any industrial action can commence. The issuing of notice does not compel the EIS to undertake strike action, but enables it to call its members out should a resolution to the dispute not be achieved within the next 10 days.
Whilst the EIS recognises the progress in negotiations made in the last 24 hours, following this week’s EIS statutory ballot result, a firm agreement from the Scottish Government and COSLA to work together to deliver past promises on teacher workload and jobs, has not been forthcoming.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “In issuing these formal notices of the intent to commence industrial action, the EIS is complying with the legal requirement to give notice of such action.
“This allows us to keep our options open, within the confines of current trade union law, and retain the option to call on our members to take industrial action, should it be required to ensure a resolution to this long-running dispute.
“Some progress has been made in the past 24 hours but so far, we have nothing in writing to reflect the commitment of the Scottish Government and COSLA to deliver on past promises.”
Ms Bradley continued, “The EIS remains fully committed to seeking a negotiated solution to this dispute, and will remain available in the coming days and before the closing of this 10-day window for meaningful discussion with the Scottish Government and local authority employers, through COSLA.
“We would urge those other parties to use this window wisely, and to move swiftly to ensure that an agreement can be reached to end this dispute, in the best interests of learners and teachers across Scotland.”
Ms Bradley added, “What we need to see from the Scottish Government and COSLA is surety over what they are offering to teachers. “After five years of waiting, and more than a year in dispute, Scotland’s teachers and the EIS will expect to see a firm and binding commitment, in writing and signed by all parties, before we are willing to remove the prospect of industrial action being undertaken in Scotland’s schools.”
Further information on the specific planned dates for industrial action will be issued next week.
Responding to the EIS announcement that the teachers’ union has received a mandate for industrial action over teacher workload, Cllr Ricky Bell, COSLA Resources Spokesperson said:“COSLA notes the outcome of the EIS ballot for industrial action about reducing the weekly time teachers spend delivering lessons. With Scottish Government, COSLA continue to engage with the unions on the subject.
“Industrial action is in nobody’s interests, and we urge unions to work with COSLA and Scottish Government to find a solution all parties can agree rather that threaten to disrupt education at this crucial time of year.
“We recognise that supporting teachers is essential. However, this needs to be facilitated in a way that ensures a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.
“COSLA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Scottish Government and teaching unions through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) on the implementation of the Ministerial commitment to reduce class contact time.
“Concerns about the financial and practical implications of this policy remain. RCCT cannot be delivered without full funding and a clear understanding of its impact on children and young people.”
