Local Friends group West Pilton Parklife have been working with Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust on the upgrading of West Pilton Park and they are excited about the latest news.
They said on Facebook: ‘Hello everyone, the works in the park begin next week!
‘Our engagement program will continue. Look out for ways to get involved in some of the park improvements over the summer.
However concerns have been expressed that the park will now be closed during the school summer holidays, which begin next weekend.
The year-long closure also causes a major crisis for North Edinburgh Community Festival.
Original plans would have seen all works completed by May next year, meaning the festival could go ahead as normal. Delays have seen timescales slip back, however, and this could mean the popular community event seeking a new home.
The hugely-popular annual community event takes place on West Pilton Park every year, attracting thousands of visitors, and organisers need urgent answers as they begin planning 2027’s event: – will West Pilton Park be the venue or will the Festival be uprooted and relocated?
Local collective organisation R2 has raised these concern and others, including poor consultation with the local coummunity, with the Park’s Project Development team and it’s understood local councillors will meet with contractors and local stakeholders in an attempt to resolve concerns.
Driving progress on child poverty as legislation to be reviewed
The type of targets used to measure the impact on child poverty will be reviewed to ensure continued progress in improving families’ lives.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government will begin the review this summer in consultation with children and families, charities and public bodies.
The announcement came during an update to the Scottish Parliament on progress towards eradicating child poverty. It is estimated that Scottish Government policies in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, published in March, will keep around 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.
Ms Somerville said: “Our defining mission is to eradicate child poverty and we are unwavering in that commitment. The review will help to make sure the targets set in our legislation are accounting for all efforts across government in ending child poverty.
“We have made a great deal of progress since the Act was passed in 2017, within the devolved powers we have, including introducing the game-changing Scottish Child Payment, and are making huge strides in cutting everyday costs for families. We must now bring together wider interventions such as our childcare package and free bus travel.
“Against a cost-of-living crisis, continued Westminster austerity, and a volatile international situation, the Scottish Government invested over £3.1 billion in support targeted at low-income households last year, with spend benefiting children rising to almost £1.5 billion, enabling ongoing investment in key policies.”
Child poverty campaigners have responded to Thursday’s (18th June) Scottish Government Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – Annual Progress Report and her announcement of a review of child poverty targets.
John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said: “Very real progress has been made on child poverty in Scotland recently, but the Cabinet Secretary’s focus today on reviewing targets rather than strengthening her child poverty plan is hugely concerning. Struggling families need a stronger plan, not a review of targets.
“It is vital that Ministers come forward with a revised child poverty plan. The current plan rightly focusses on boosting income from employment and social security and cutting the costs families face, but the scale and detail of action falls far short of what’s needed. A revised plan must demonstrably set out how further year-on-year progress will be made. For the one in five of Scotland’s children still locked in poverty there is no time to lose.”
Mr. Dickie continued: “Plans to increase the Scottish child payment for babies under one are a positive step but they won’t kick in for over a year and will still leave the vast majority of children without any additional financial support.
The promise of more breakfast clubs, after school and holiday activities and further childcare expansion will all be welcomed by families, but don’t yet add up to the scale of intervention needed to make serious further progress.”
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland sent a proposed Programme for Government to every member of the Scottish Parliament ahead of todays Ministerial Statement. The group’s proposal include:
Extending the planned increase to Scottish child payment for babies (to £40 a week) to all eligible children, as a step toward doubling its value to at least £55 per week by 2030.
Commencing outstanding provisions of the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2025 to enable gaps in Scottish child payment entitlement to be addressed, and to ensure the payment provides greater security for families whose earnings from work fluctuate by, for example, introducing a 12-week ‘run on’.
Ensuring high-quality school aged childcare is available to all parents during term time and school holidays.
Subsidising providers to deliver short periods of free childcare to help families when support for childcare costs from universal credit is not available
Using public procurement and public body wage setting powers to drive improvements in the quality of work.
Investing in the provision of affordable social housing, to ensure all children live in safe, secure and affordable homes; and
Funding every school to fully remove cost pressures from families, and overcome poverty-related barriers to learning through expansion of free school meals, extension of school clothing grants, provision of devices and connectivity, and funding access to ‘rite of passage’ residentials and school trips.
Mr Dickie continued: “There is no question that budget pressures and long-term fiscal sustainability pose a real challenge for the Scottish government.
“That is why it is more important than ever to reduce the long-term costs that poverty imposes on our public services and economy.
“Each and every public sector reform and tax and spending decision must be designed to contribute to child poverty reduction.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 36-year old man has been arrested following a series of incidents at a number of locations across the West of Edinburgh, and Leith, during the evening of Friday, 19 June, 2026.
“Four people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
“Enquiries are ongoing, however, we believe there to be no further risk to the public at this time.
“Members of the public are thanked for their assistance.”
£15 million to help low-income households pay for childcare
Third sector organisations across Scotland are being invited to apply for a grant as part of a new £15 million Childcare Support Fund to help low-income families manage the cost of childcare.
The fund will provide short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, supporting families living in, or at risk of, poverty. This will ease the financial pressures of childcare costs which can act as a barrier to employment, training or learning.
The new fund is one of a range of measures set out in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Bringing Hope, Building Futures, which will help drive further progress in eradicating child poverty.
This one-year fund is designed to top up existing support – rather than replace current entitlements such as free childcare hours and Universal Credit childcare payments.
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Siobhian Brown said: “Every family deserves the security of knowing their child is well cared for, but for too many low-income families the cost of childcare creates real pressure at already difficult times.
“The Childcare Support Fund will help families who are struggling with childcare costs at difficult times – such as a change in job or family circumstances, to support access to training, or during a major life event like bereavement or illness.
“Organisations which are successful in applying for grants will support families to find the right childcare and help cover the cost. The fund is open to help families with children aged from nine months to the end of primary school.
“I would urge relevant third sector organisations to apply, and I look forward to seeing this funding reach the families who need it most over the coming months.
“By the end of this Parliament we will be delivering a brand new offer of childcare for families 52 weeks a year. This will reduce the cost burden and ensure our childcare system is flexible to suit family life.”
Edinburgh airport has been evacuated as a precaution following a report of a potentially suspicious package, reported around 6.50pm on Friday, 19 June, 2026.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) are in attendance and a cordon is in place around the airport with road closures in place.
Enquiries are ongoing and members of the public are advised to check ahead and contact their airline for updates.
Detectives are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of jewellery in Edinburgh.
Around 2.10pm on Sunday, 14 June, a 93-year-old woman was approached by a man on Stevenson Road and asked for directions. Another member of the public assisted with directions before leaving the area.
The man then robbed the woman of jewellery and left the area in a vehicle.
The woman was assisted by some members of the public.
The suspect is described as white – eastern European, with a tanned complexion, aged between 18 and 30-years-old, short dark hair, wearing a black short sleeved polo shirt, beige trousers and white trainers.
DC Lindsay Johnston said: “Extensive enquiries remain ongoing to trace the man responsible. Officers are gathering and examining CCTV from the area.
“I would also ask anyone with personal footage or dash-cam from the area around the time of the incident to come forward with anything which may be relevant.
“We would also like to speak with the member of the public who assisted with directions as he may be able to provide further information.”
Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101 quoting incident number 1767 of Sunday, 14 June, 2026.
More families than ever are using Tax-Free Childcare to save on their childcare bills as the government funded almost £600 million in Tax-Free Childcare top up payments in 2025-26.
Latest figures show a record 868,095 families are benefitting from the scheme and saved thousands on their childcare last year , as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encourages families to sign up to save ahead of the summer holidays.
Tax-Free Childcare is a government funded top-up scheme to be used to pay for approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 years old if the child has a disability. Working parents can save up to £2,000 annually per year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled.
HMRC’S Chief Customer Officer Myrtle Lloyd said: “I’m so pleased these figures show more families than ever are using Tax-Free Childcare to save on their bills. £2,000 is not a small amount and it can make a real difference – especially with the childcare void of the summer holidays approaching. If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t miss out, go to GOV.UK to do it today.”
Once a Tax-Free Childcare account is open, for every £8 deposited by parents, the government tops it up by £2. Parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months to help pay their childcare costs.
The funds can be used to pay for any approved childcare – before or after-school clubs, a childminder or an activity club during the holidays. It can also be used to pay for any specialist equipment a childcare provider may need for a disabled child.
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if:
they have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday
the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
Football fans in Edinburgh need little encouragement to cheer on whoever are playing England. And one business owner on Easter Road has an extra incentive to roar on our Auld Enemy’s opponents at the World Cup this summer.
Ernestina Doku hails from Ghana, who face England on June 23 in Boston. Ernestina runs Dazzelustrous, an independent shop selling handmade jewellery, clothing and accessories from Ghana.
The mother-of-three moved to England from Accra as a child and spent many years down south before crossing the border. But despite the time spent there, she is in no doubt about who she will be supporting at the World Cup.
“It’s Ghana all the way for me,” she said. “We are a small nation but very proud and we have some excellent players.”
Ernestina, 46, started the business in 2015 and works closely with her sister in Ghana to select the items for sale.
“I previously worked for a well-known accessories company so that experience was a big help for me in my new venture,” she added. “I contacted my sister about my idea and together we decided to create hand-crafted jewellery and accessories which were taking Africa by storm.
“My sister started taking regular craftsmanship classes and the rest is history.
“All our products are crafted in Ghana with a selection of our jewellery created by me here in Scotland.”
Ernestina has been delighted with the support received from the Edinburgh public for her business – and she is sure this will extend to her country’s football team.
“I wasn’t aware how strong the rivalry was between England and Scotland before I got here,” she said. “But knowing what I do now I am sure that the whole city will be supporting Ghana on June 23!”
We are aware of recent concerns involving groups of young people in the Pennywell and West Granton area. Our investigations have now identified 14 young people linked to 52 offences.
They and their parents/carers have been spoken to and referrals are being made to Child Protection and Youth Justice partners.
Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped us.
We remain committed to tackling behaviour that affects your quality of life and to working with partners to support young people towards safer, more positive choices.
