People from across Scotland are being invited to the Scottish Parliament’s first Summit to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Holyrood.
Taking place on Saturday 25 November and in partnership with the Cross-Party Group on Disability it will be held just ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Saturday 3 December). It is hoped it will bring hundreds of people together both in Edinburgh and online.
The event will recognise and value the role disabled people play in our society whilst also focusing on some of the barriers that continue to exist.
It will feature a number of speakers including Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, a renowned athlete and a multi-gold medal winner in Paralympic sport and Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, a disabled activist and prominent campaigner for equality and human rights.
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Alison Johnstone MSP who will chair the Summit said: “The Scottish Parliament is here for everyone across Scotland, but we know that for some people there are barriers that can make it harder to access and get involved in the work we do.
“This Summit is an opportunity for us to come together, share experiences and learn from each other. It also provides a platform to discuss what can be done to help more people overcome barriers that still exist.”
Jeremy Balfour MSP, Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Disability said: “‘I am very excited about this event. It is the first the Scottish Parliament has held this type of event for the disabled community.
“I hope it will be a positive opportunity for individuals to learn and celebrate together”.
Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Disability said: “Too often disabled people are shut out of decisions that affect them. There should be nothing about us, without us and so I’m excited we’re opening the Parliament to bring disabled people from across Scotland, right into the room where it happens.
“The Scottish Parliament is everyone’s Parliament and I can’t wait to look across the chamber for the first time and see all the glorious diversity and talent of the disabled people of Scotland looking back at us. It really will be a moment for celebration and I’m proud that we’re able to do it”.
To register your interest in attending in person or online, please go to:
Police Scotland in partnership with Stop It Now! Scotland has launched a new campaign targeting sexual perpetrators who groom and abuse children online.
The #GetHelpOrGetCaught campaign targets men who are either already offending or at risk of offending and directs them to support to help them stop.
Reports of online child abuse continue to increase, with nearly 2,000 crimes recorded by Police Scotland between 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023.
During this same period, Police Scotland carried out 700 investigations resulting in 500 arrests, and 800 children were protected.
And so far this year, (1 April and 31 August), specialist officers have investigated 290 online child sexual abuse cases resulting in 149 arrests and 269 children protected.
Featuring a film produced by the charity Stop It Now! Scotland, the campaign highlights the consequences of offending for perpetrators and urges them to stop and seek help by contacting Stop It Now! Scotland.
Launching the campaign, Detective Chief Superintendent Martin MacLean from Police Scotland, said: “Tackling online child abuse remains a key priority for Police Scotland, and this includes working with partners to prevent abuse and divert potential perpetrators from committing offences.
“Online child sexual abuse is not virtual; its repercussions are real, for the victims of these horrific crimes, but also for perpetrators. Grooming, indecent communication and causing children to participate in sexual activity, are all serious criminal offences.
“We continue to build our cyber capability and expertise to identify child victims. Offenders need to understand they will be identified, arrested and will face the consequences of their actions: not just a conviction but the potential loss of family, reputation and livelihood.
“Abusers are responsible for their actions, it is up to them to take action and stop, to get help or get caught.”
Police Scotland consulted with Stop It Now! Scotland on the campaign.
Stuart Allardyce, Director of Stop It Now, Scotland, said: “There is help to stop. It is easier for people to successfully change their behaviour through support than trying to change on their own.
People who are worried about their sexual behaviour online can call us on our helpline. They can remain completely anonymous. We provide non-judgemental, confidential support to help someone stop their behaviour and keep children safe online.
“From the many people we work with and our research, we know that their frequent use, over long periods of time, of online legal pornography escalated to barely legal or extreme types of pornography and the viewing of illegal sexual images of children.
“Some of the people we work with discuss becoming more desensitised to adult pornography as time went on. Often, they feel trapped in a cycle of behaviour and require help with their mental health as well as their compulsive behaviours to take positive actions to break this cycle.
“If this is happening for you, don’t leave it until it’s too late to call. Many individuals who are arrested for this type of offence tell us they wish they had known there was support to help.
“We also work with families and friends impacted by the arrest of a loved one for viewing illegal images or engaging in illegal conversations online.
“From our experience, we know the devastation that can ensue once someone is arrested and the number of lives that can be changed forever.”
Garden Centre hosts free Grow How session on endangered species
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing its support for national conservation charity, The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, ahead of Red Squirrel Awareness Week (2-8 October).
Dobbies are partnering to raise awareness of this endangered species at the free-to-attend Grow How session in Edinburgh, sharing advice on how everyone can create an inviting habitat for the red squirrel on Saturday 7 October at 10:30am.
Spotting a red squirrel is a rarity. According to the UK Squirrel Accord the population has fallen from a high of around 3.5m in the UK, to the current estimate of 287,000. Around 75% of the population are found in Scotland.
In a bid to protect the biodiversity of Britain’s native woodlands, Dobbies and the Trust are highlighting the trees and plants that gardeners can grow in their outside space, to encourage and support red squirrels.
Grow How attendees in Edinburgh will learn all about these small agile animals, known for their fiery red coat, distinctive ear tufts and a bushy brown tail, and gain an understanding of the vital role they play in the ecosystem by spreading and regenerating tree species in native forestry and dispersing several species of fungi.
Autumn is a great season to spot red squirrels, and sightings often happen in mixed or broadleaf woodlands as these make for brilliant habitats. Dobbies’ horticultural experts will outline the best trees and plants to have in the garden and what can be done to encourage this creature to visit.
Walnut, hazelnut and holly trees are excellent food sources for red squirrels, and sunflower seeds, bramble and raspberry plants provide the creatures with an abundance of nutrients. These products can be purchased from Edinburgh.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, is eager to help the nation create a safe environment for the species to thrive. He said: “It’s important that our gardens provide a welcome home to a vast variety of wildlife, and there’s been a real emphasis on creating wildlife friendly areas, corridors, water and feeding zones to help protect a range of species.
“Red squirrels enjoy a natural food source which make for a great addition to your borders, beds and planters. We hope this informal yet informative educational session provides our customers at Edinburgh with the knowledge they need to help us come together and make a real difference, starting with our gardens.”
In his capacity as an ambassador for the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Alan Titchmarsh, Britain’s best loved gardener, is working to encourage gardeners to plant trees and shrubs which will help feed our native red squirrels.
“There are trees and shrubs suitable for gardens of all sizes and by planting them now they will grow and mature and be ready for when the reds squirrels come home,” says Alan.
“A plentiful supply of appropriate food and fresh water is essential for the reds to breed. The most popular growing sources are walnuts, hazelnuts, conifer seeds, holly berries, crab apples, wild and bird cherries, Bullace, Dogrose and Guelder rose hips.”
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust Campaign Director, Vanessa Fawcett, is working with Dobbies to help make Alan’s recommendations available from their garden centres nationwide.
She said: “It’s great to be partnering with Dobbies as we raise awareness of the declining population size of the red squirrel. There’s plenty we can do to nurture this animal and give it the best chance at survival, and I look forward to seeing the nation get involved this October.”
Get the whole family involved in Red Squirrel Awareness Week and head along to Dobbies’ free-to-attend Grow How session in Edinburgh. For more information about how to take part, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres
To find out more about the conservation work Red Squirrel Survival Trust is doing to protect this endangered species, visit www.rsst.org.uk
The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to announce that the stunning new Scottish galleries at the National will open to the public this Saturday (30 September 2023).
A free experience for everyone to enjoy, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, the new Scottish galleries at the National showcase the very best historic Scottish art. With 150 years of Scotland’s art to discover in the contemporary and fresh new spaces, visitors are sure to recognise some much-loved favourites as they travel through the galleries.
Transforming the visitor experience and more than doubling the physical display space, 12 breathtaking galleries allow visitors to dive into dramatic landscapes, encounter iconic images and be wowed by art from 1800 to 1945. Spectacular views over the city entice visitors to come in and discover the work of pioneering Scottish artists such as William McTaggart, Anne Redpath, Phoebe Anna Traquair, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Boys.
The new Scottish galleries at the National will bring the nation’s artistic heritage to life – from much-loved Scottish Colourists as well as major works from the first half of the twentieth century to stellar works from the early 1800s onwards.
New ways of looking at Scotland’s natural and built environments will be on offer, with early photographs of Scotland’s capital city shown in the same spaces as grand paintings of majestic Highland landscapes, including works such as Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen.
Reimagined displays of drawings and sketches will celebrate artists such as Glasgow Style pioneer Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh and Alloa-born David Allan, whose depictions of ‘Edinburgh Characters’ will allow visitors to get up close to street life in the Scottish capital in the late eighteenth century.
The new galleries are easier to access than ever before, to ensure that the greatest number of people can discover the fascinating Scottish art on display. They have an accessible path in east Princes Street Gardens, new lifts, a partial changing place facility, accessible entrance, accessible toilets and a pram store.
These fresh new spaces will showcase the nation’s magnificent collection of historic Scottish art in new and engaging ways. With a series of new trails, audio guides and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
With even more to explore across the National, there will also be five new international hangs at the Mound level to enjoy, offering in total over 460 artworks to discover. These galleries feature international superstars such as Poussin, Gauguin, Monet, Chardin and Canaletto.
The new Scottish galleries at the National also includes three new areas specifically designed to display drawings and other fragile artworks, which will change regularly throughout the year.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said:“With this project we set out to transform the experience of visiting the National and to show the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art with real pride and ambition.
“With the new Scottish galleries at the National, we have achieved these aims and more. The gallery is more accessible than ever before and there is a stunning new display of 150 years of Scottish art in all its richness and depth.
“From this Saturday, everyone is welcome to discover a brilliant new experience, free, in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The National Galleries of Scotland has the world’s finest collection of Scottish Art and I’m delighted that the new galleries will now have space to showcase this to a national and international audience. “
We have supported this redevelopment project from the start with a significant contribution of £15.25 million and it’s wonderful to see the new galleries open, allowing everyone to enjoy them.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “National Galleries of Scotland have created a truly world-class facility showcasing Scotland’s distinctive and internationally important artistic heritage.
“This iconic building at the heart of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site is safeguarded for the future, creating a focus for our cultural and economic renewal.
“We are proud and excited to welcome the world to Edinburgh to enjoy the new galleries. We believe heritage helps us to understand who we are and where we are from; and so, we join with the National Galleries of Scotland in declaring this is a place for the people of Scotland. Our support for this project is thanks to National Lottery players and we encourage them to visit as soon and often as they can.”
The total project cost is £38.62 million. This has been funded by major contributions from the Scottish Government (£15.25m) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£6.89 million).
An extremely successful fundraising campaign raised over £16m thanks to an extraordinarily generous response in donations from trusts, foundations, Patrons, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Friends organisation, American Patrons and a wide range of private individuals.
A local charity has been awarded nearly £5,000 to combat transport poverty across the city. The Edinburgh Tool Library will benefit to the tune of £4,985 from the Scottish Building Society Foundation.
The project – Cycle Kitchen – will see the development of a series of cycle maintenance courses aimed at tackling transport poverty, promoting bicycle tool proficiency, and fostering self-reliance in the community.
The grant provided by the Scottish Building Society Foundation will be used to cover the training costs for three volunteers to obtain professional cycle mechanic certifications, as well as funding the purchase of workstation tools, training kits. Additionally, the funding will contribute to employing a project coordinator who will oversee volunteers, assist in course development and training, and organise community events to promote the course.
Scottish Building Society Foundation was established by Scottish Building Society in partnership with Foundation Scotland, which is designed to give back to Scottish communities.
Launched in May 2023 to align with the organisation’s 175th anniversary, an incredible £175,000 will be granted to local charities, causes and organisations across Scotland.
The first phase of funding attracted 44 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland, with nine successful applicants chosen to receive individual grants of up to £5,000 to help their cause.
Paul Denton, CEO at Scottish Building Society, said: “As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations, we wanted to mark the occasion with an incentive that upholds our core value of giving back to the communities.
“Edinburgh Tool Library’s Cycle Kitchen is a fantastic cause and it’s great to see it being supported by the Scottish Building Society Foundation with funding.
“In the first round, we’re encouraged at the volume of interest from a variety of inspiring community groups and charities across Scotland and look forward to seeing how they use the funding to make positive impact. With the second round, we hope to see this go even further.
“The Scottish Building Society Foundation whilst in its infancy, we hope will make a big difference to many people across the country and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Foundation Scotland to grow the incentive in the years ahead.
“By investing in good causes, we are building stronger communities.”
Thomas Bartels, Project Coordinator at Edinburgh Tool Library, said:“Bringing Cycle Kitchen to life allows us to empower individuals seeking equality in transportation options. We’re here to facilitate those who may be curious about cycling as a means of transportation but are uncertain about bike maintenance.
“Most importantly, for those looking for more affordable and sustainable alternatives to public transport or car ownership, Cycle Kitchen offers a chance to experience a free and health-conscious mode of travel from point A to B.”
STREET PARTY PROGRAMME EXPANDED FOR 40,000 REVELLERS
ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 30th ANNIVERSARY STREET PARTY CELEBRATIONS
Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay today announced that cultural icons PULP will headline the 30th Anniversary Concert in the Gardens on Sunday 31 December, welcoming party-people from around the globe to dance their way into 2024 at the world-famous New Year festival.
Following a surprise 2023 reunion and run of sell-out summer shows, Pulp’s headline appearance at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay marks the Sheffield band’s first live show in the capital for over 20 years, where they will perform the last show of 2023 and first of 2024, bringing in the bells beneath the majestic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Fronted by Jarvis Cocker, Pulp has provided the soundtrack to a generation, and Concert in the Gardens promises a hit filled set of career spanning pop anthems including Common People, Disco 2000, and Do You Remember the First Time?
Performing beneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle amidst one of the world’s greatest New Year firework displays, Pulp will once again help make Edinburgh the best New Year party on the planet.
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker said: “When your grandkids ask: “Do you remember the first time Pulp played Edinburgh’s Hogmanay?” What will your answer be? Come along and start 2024 in the very best way possible. Oh, yes!”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party (31 December) also welcomes 40,000 revellers into Edinburgh city centre and Princes Street, to party their way into 2024 with friends old and new from around the world, counting down to the spectacular Midnight Moment.
Street Party revellers won’t miss out on Pulp’s headline set, with the full performance and DJ soundtracks being broadcast to screens throughout Princes Street in the Pop Zone with spectacular effects, to create one massive city centre party.
The Tartan Zone on Waverley Bridge, presents a night of foot stompin’ music from across Scotland, headlined by the award-winning Elephant Sessions, joined by the incredible Kinnaris Quintet, and opening with an exhilarating hour of energetic ceilidh dancing from the islands with the Hannah Fisher Band.
The Disco Zone hosted by Silent Adventures will see 4,000 participants enjoy a giant outdoor Silent Disco with tunes from across 30 years of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, battling alongside the biggest floor fillers from a host of DJ’s throughout the night. And to celebrate 30 years of the Street Party, the best in live Street Theatre, drummers, pipers, vintage funfair rides, food and drink, will once again create a carnival atmosphere throughout the city centre leading up to the bells.
Directors of Unique Assembly, who create and produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, said:“Reaching the milestone 30th anniversary for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a phenomenal achievement, which which since 1993 has welcomed millions of party people to celebrate at the Home of Hogmanay.
“We wanted to make sure that this year was extra special for our audiences and are thrilled to welcome Pulp to the party.
“This will be the hottest ticket in town, and we recommend people grab their tickets fast to make sure they don’t miss out”.
An expanded four-day programme of world-class events will run from Friday 29 December 2023 – Monday 1 January 2024, kicking-off celebrations on 29 December.
The full Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme and ticket details will be released in the coming weeks, but other confirmed events taking place over the four-day Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2023/24 festival include the return of the Torchlight Procession (29 Dec) with presenting partner EventScotland and in support of homeless charity Social Bite, the Night Afore Disco Party (30 Dec) beneath Edinburgh Castle, and a packed programme of free New Year’s Day events for young and old, with the return of the First Footin’ culture trail, welcoming artists from across Scotland to perform in landmark buildings, pubs, cafes and venues throughout the city centre, and Sprogmanay family events in the Old Town.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2023/24 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners EventScotland, Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Essential Edinburgh, all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30th Anniversary celebrations for Scotland.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The excellent news that pop-pioneers Pulp are set to headline the 30th Anniversary Concert in the Gardens, as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, is testament to the international reputation that our city and festivals command.
“After the difficult years of the pandemic, I’m overjoyed that our festivals are back to their brilliant best and providing such high calibre cultural offerings for our residents and visitors.
“I would like to thank Unique Assembly and all our other fantastic partners who have worked so hard on delivering our winter festivals. This year’s New Year’s Eve festivities are set to be some of the finest that Edinburgh has ever seen,
“I’m sure we’ll all fondly remember the first time that Pulp will see Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh into 2024.”
VisitScotland Director of Events, Paul Bush OBE said: “Edinburgh’s world-famous Hogmanay celebrations are the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
“Whether it’s taking part in the Torchlight Procession, dancing away to pop heroes Pulp or First Footin through the city centre, this year’s expanded four-day programme offer the chance for friends and family to connect, enjoy and share in a number of memorable experiences.
“EventScotland is proud to be continuing its support of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay as it celebrates it 30th anniversary. Having events of this scale in our calendar reinforces our position as a world-leading events destination and reinforces Scotland’s place as the perfect stage for events.”
Concert in the Gardens with Pulp and special guests to be announced, takes place on Sunday 31 December 2023 in West Princes Street Gardens, from 9pm to 12.50am. Tickets go on general release Friday 29 September at 10.00am from www.edinburghshogmanay.com priced from £75.00 inc. booking fees and 50p charity donation.
A limited Concert in the Gardens pre-sale is available to those registered with www.edinburghshogmanay.com and will begin Thursday 28 September at 10am.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party tickets are on-sale now priced £28.50 inc. fees and charity donation, and discounted EH Postcode Resident Street Party Tickets £23.50 inc. fees and charity donation.
Tickets for the Street Party Silent Disco with Silent Adventure are priced £7.50 inc. fees and require a full Street Party ticket to purchase. Spaces for the Silent Disco Zone are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.
50p from every Concert in the Gardens and Street Party ticket purchased will be donated to homeless charity Social Bite, and additional online donations can be made when purchasing tickets.
Tickets for both the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party and Torchlight Procession events are available from 10am, Friday 25 August from:
The vet charity for pets in need is calling on dogs and their owners across Edinburgh to get their walking gear on this month and take part in its virtual walkathon.
Taking place throughout the whole of October, PDSA is asking dog owners to walk their pooches 48 miles to raise vital funds for the charity’s 48 Pet Hospitals across the country – including its Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital.
All dogs who join #TeamPDSA and take part in the challenge will receive a limited-edition dog bandana and those who raise over £100 will receive a well-earned medal for completing the Walkathon.
“Whether it’s 1.5 miles a day or a longer walk once a week, this is a great chance to set yourself and your furry family member a challenge,” explains PDSA Fundraising Manager Anna Hawkins.
“We all know the importance of walking our dogs, and autumn is a beautiful time to appreciate the great outdoors with your four-legged friends!
“Not only that, but every step you take, and every mile you tick off, you’ll be helping PDSA treat hundreds of thousands of pets in need whose owners who have nowhere else to turn.”
The team at Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital saw more than 8,600 pets in 2022, carrying out over 900 surgical operations, 2,300+ x-rays and 1,000+ ultrasounds.
This is the charity’s second annual October Walkathon. Last year, participants raised more than £20,000 for PDSA.
“If you are looking for more of a challenge for your fit, healthy and energetic pooch, you can always test yourself and walk 100 miles for PDSA,” adds Anna.
“And you don’t need to be a dog owner to get involved. Whether you are an animal-lover, pet owner or want to do something in memory of your pet, all ages and abilities are encouraged to get involved!”
Work to embed film and screen education within the Scottish schools’ curriculum took a step forward today with the launch of new funding from Screen Scotland.
Available to early years, primary and secondary schools, the new Schools Screen Education Fund has been created to support programmes of work with the potential to develop increased understanding of the potential of screen education and support the provision of screen education and the new curriculum in a school setting.
Schools can apply for grants up to £5000 to test an element of the draft Film and Screen curriculum with classes from Early Years to S3, or to design and deliver screen education projects for schools.
Also going live today, is Screen Scotland’s refreshed Screen Education Fund which offers grants of between £500 – £20,000 to projects that support the provision of screen education in a variety of formal, informal and non-formal settings – schools, colleges, universities, cinemas, film festivals, libraries, media access centres and Local Authorities – aimed at developing increased understanding of the potential of screen education.
Fi Milligan-Rennie, Head of Education – Screen at Screen Scotland said: “Developing Film and Screen as an expressive art focuses on enabling pupils to make a film, rather than solely study the history or theory of film.
“This is core to Screen Scotland’s work to widen participation in film and screen production, cultivate a skilled screen workforce and develop the screen professionals needed to carry forward Scotland’s film culture.
“At the same time, the values and benefits of film and screen education reach far beyond careers. Engagement in film and screen activity strengthens fusion skills, supports attainment in other subjects and improves health and wellbeing. Film and Screen is the dominant language of our culture and Screen Scotland is committed to ensuring the democracy of opportunity to learn that language.”
The launch took place in tandem with Screen Scotland’s Screen Educators in Residence Programme. Over the past months, Screen Educators have been deep at work in primary and secondary schools in Argyll and Bute, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness and Shetland, testing the draft curriculum; trialling new learning and hands-on opportunities to develop students understanding, appreciation and practical knowledge of film and screen production.
Brits have on average £24,500 in savings account, after putting away £260 every month
UK savers say that their average interest rate is 3.3%, 1.95% below the Bank of England’s rate
Despite this, only 23% of savers have switched accounts in the last year to capitalise on better interest rates
7 out of 10 brits (71%) feel that banks profits are too high
Smart money app Plum is calling out banks for profiteering from high interest rates and not passing interest back onto savers.
Despite recent hikes in the Bank of England’s base interest rate, which currently stands at 5.25%, many UK banks have been slow to adjust their savings account rates accordingly. This has left consumers feeling short changed and struggling to make the most of their money.
New research from Plum shows that the average UK saver is putting away £260 in savings each month, with a total of £24,500 in their savings accounts. In addition, the research found that the average Brit is getting 3.3% interest on their savings account, 1.95% under the base rate. This means that on average, customers are losing out on £478 in interest per year1, equating to a hefty £17 billion across UK savers2.
Despite savers being able to gain higher interest rates by switching, the majority of savers (77%) hadn’t done this. They cited similar rates between banks (28%) and liking their current banks (30%) as the biggest barriers, even though 71% of people felt that banks profits were too high.
The biggest motivator for saving was for an emergency fund (49%), with holidays coming in second (44%). Saving up to buy a house or for home improvements was the biggest motivator for people under 45 (47%) and for the 55-64 age bracket, saving for retirement was their biggest priority (51%).
In July this year, the FCA set out a 14-point action plan to ensure banks and building societies are passing on interest rate rises to savers appropriately, with those that fail to justify their pricing decisions by the end of 2023 set to face robust action from the FCA.
Victor Trokoudes, Founder and CEO of Plum, said: “While banks have been quick to increase interest rates on loans and mortgages, they have been sluggish in boosting interest rates on savings accounts.
“We are in the midst of a cost-of-living-crisis and consumers are continuing to face financial pressures. So it’s really disappointing to see that many banks are not passing more of this money back onto customers, effectively devaluing their hard earned savings.
“While the FCA has pledged to take action against this behaviour by the end of 2023, it’s by no means a silver bullet. Borrowers are paying more while savers see minimal benefits, highlighting that the business models of the major banks are inherently misaligned with the interests of their customers.
“The Bank of England has raised rates 14 times since December 2021, and they are expected to remain high. That’s why it’s so important that the public know that they don’t need to stand for this and allow banks to take their deposits for granted. We’ll be offering a new service that better reflects these base rate changes so their money can work harder.”
Plum, which has already helped people to set aside £2bn, is launching a new product that allows people to earn higher returns that are more closely aligned to the Bank of England base rate
Craigies Farm is super excited to announce that we have not one, but TWO fang-tastic new Halloween events to enjoy this spooky season at Craigies!
In addition to our popular pumpkin patch, we will have a daytime event for younger children, the Spooky Tunnels, plus a scarier nighttime event for older children and adults, the terrifying Tunnels of Terror!
During the day, the ‘Spooky Tunnels’ will offer little frights tailored for younger visitors and those with additional needs. Meet a cast of colourful characters, play scarily good games and hear tales from our spooky storytellers.
As night falls, the fear factor rises, turning the Spooky Tunnels into the ‘Tunnels of Terror’ – perfect for older kids and adults. Expect creepy costumed characters roaming the fields, and a series of immersive themed tunnels – PLUS, we are also adding a brand new after-dark illuminated experience, offering boo-tiful photo opportunities!
