Following extensive police enquiries, a 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with two robberies and an attempted robbery in the Colinton area of Edinburgh.
The incidents took place at premises on Bridge Road, Colinton Road and Ashley Terrace, between Saturday, 7 October, and Sunday, 8 October, 2023.
The man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Tuesday, 7 November, 2023).
Detective Constable Peter Lyons said: “We’d like to thank the public for their assistance with our enquiries following our earlier appeal.”
Actions to help improve the lives of British Sign Language (BSL) users have been published as part of ongoing work to make Scotland the best place to live, work and visit for people that use the language.
The BSL National Plan 2023-29 has made 45 commitments aimed at tackling barriers faced by BSL users by embedding the language across health, education, transport, culture and employment.
Commitments made include:
building the right partnerships and connections to ensure deaf and deafblind children and their families can access BSL support at an early stage
improving accessibility to arts and culture events,in addition to promoting BSL culture
working with Transport Scotland and transport operators on solutions to make public transport easier to use for BSL users
improving accessibility of the Scottish Government website for BSL users
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “BSL is a vibrant language which is of significant importance to the lives of many people.
“This plan lays out our ambition to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to visit and live in. These 45 commitments will improve access to vital services and provide more opportunities for BSL users to contribute further to Scotland’s economy, culture and communities.
“The BSL community should be at heart of our decision making process in this area, which is why we will also establish a BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group, to ensure that the views of the community are properly represented.”
Philip Gerrard, CEO at Deaf Action, said: “I welcome the publication of the new National BSL Plan for Scotland.
“It was a pleasure to be part of the consultation process that led to the new plan, which demonstrates the continued commitment of the Scottish Government to improving the experiences of BSL users who live, work, visit and learn in Scotland.
“I now urge all agencies with responsibilities under this plan to meaningfully engage with it – there is much to do.”
Minimum Service Levels legislation will be passed for rail, ambulance, and border security staff to mitigate disruption if strikes called.
Delivers on manifesto commitment to introduce minimum service levels for rail strikes.
Comes ahead of further consultations to introduce minimum service levels for education, other NHS staff, and fire services.
Minimum service level regulations for rail workers, ambulance staff and border security staff will be laid in parliament to mitigate disruption and ensure vital public services continue if strikes are called, the UK government announced yesterday (Monday 6 November).
The legislation brings us in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the US where public services reliably continue during strikes. The International Labour Organisation also recognises Minimum Service Levels as a sensible solution to protect the public from serious consequences of strikes.
The minimum service levels are designed to be effective and proportionate by balancing the ability to take strike action with ensuring we can keep our borders secure, supporting people to make important journeys including accessing work, education, and healthcare, and allowing people to get the emergency care they need.
Earlier this year, the government consulted widely on proposals to introduce minimum service levels legislation across a range of sectors, under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act which received Royal Assent in July. The responses to these consultations have been published today with the legislation set to be laid in parliament tomorrow.
For border security, the regulations will apply to employees of Border Force and selected HM Passport Office staff where passport services are required for the purposes of national security. The laws will set out that border security services should be provided at a level that means that they are no less effective than if a strike were not taking place. It will also ensure all ports and airports remain open on a strike.
For train operators, it will mean the equivalent of 40% of their normal timetable can operate as normal and, in the case of strikes that affect rail infrastructure services, certain priority routes can remain open.
Minimum service level regulations for ambulance workers will ensure that vital ambulance services in England will continue throughout any strike action, ensuring that cases that are life-threatening, or where there is no reasonable clinical alternative to an ambulance response, are responded to.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We are doing everything in our power to stop unions de-railing Christmas for millions of people. This legislation will ensure more people will be able to travel to see their friends and family and get the emergency care they need.
“We cannot go on relying on short term fixes – including calling on our Armed Forces or civil servants – to mitigate the disruption caused by strike action.
“That’s why we’re taking the right long-term decision to bring in minimum service levels, in line with other countries, to keep people safe and continue delivering the vital public services that hard-working people rely on.”
Where minimum service level regulations are in place and strike action is called, employers can issue work notices to identify people who are reasonably required to work to ensure minimum service levels are met.
The law requires unions to take reasonable steps and ensure their members who are identified with a work notice comply and if a union fails to do this, they will lose their legal protection from damages claims.
Last year, Westminster raised the maximum damages that courts can award against a union for unlawful strike action. For the biggest unions, the maximum award has risen from £250,000 to £1 million.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “For too long, hard working people have been unfairly targeted by rail union leaders – prevented from making important journeys, including getting to work, school or vital hospital appointments.
“Minimum Service Levels will help address this by allowing the rail industry to plan ahead to reduce disruption for passengers while ensuring workers can still exercise their ability to strike.
“An improved service on strike days will allow passengers to continue with their day-to-day lives and support businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.”
Earlier this year, the UK government accepted the independent pay review bodies recommendations in full, providing a fair pay deal for all public sector workers.
An agreement between the government and Agenda for Change unions earlier this year saw over one million NHS staff receive a 5% pay rise along with one-off awards worth over £3,000 for the typical nurse or ambulance worker.
For rail workers, there remains a fair and reasonable offer on the table which several unions have already accepted, one which would deliver competitive pay rises of 5% + 4% pay increase over two years.
Home Office staff in delegated grades including Border Force staff have been provided with a pay award averaging 4.5% with an additional 0.5% targeted at the lower grades.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “We must never allow strike action to compromise our border security or cause significant disruption to passengers and goods at our borders.
“The Armed Forces have commendably stepped up to fill vital roles during recent industrial action, but it would be irresponsible to rely on such short-term solutions to protect our national security.
“The minimum service levels announced today will ensure a fair balance between delivering the best possible service to the travelling public, maintaining a secure border and the ability of workers to strike.”
The government continues to recognise the crucial role of NHS staff and remains committed to working constructively to end any disruption for patients, and there are currently no live strike mandates relating to ambulance trusts. However, strikes have already had a significant impact on patients, NHS staff and efforts to cut waiting lists – including over one million postponed appointments and procedures.
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently seeking evidence on expanding the scope of minimum service levels to cover other urgent and emergency hospital-based services which could include nurses and doctors. The consultation is set to close on the 14th of November.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Patients must be protected and strikes in ambulance services could put the lives and health of the public at risk, given their essential role in responding to life threatening emergencies.
“While voluntary agreements between employers and trade unions can still be agreed ahead of industrial action, these regulations provide a safety net for trusts and an assurance to the public that vital emergency services will be there when they need them.
“We will continue to take steps to protect patient safety and ensure health services have the staff they need to operate safely and effectively, no matter the circumstances.”
The Education Secretary has committed to introduce minimum service levels on a voluntary basis should an agreement be reached with the education unions. If a voluntary arrangement cannot be agreed, a consultation will be launched on introducing minimum service levels in schools and colleges.
Separately, the Department has also committed to launching a consultation on introducing minimum service levels in universities.
The Department for Business and Trade recently consulted on a new draft statutory Code of Practice on the ‘reasonable steps’ a trade union should take to meet the requirements set out in the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.
They will also launch a consultation on removing regulation 7 across all sectors which prevents employment businesses supplying agency workers to cover the duties normally performed by a worker who is taking part in an official strike or other industrial action. These will be published in due course.
TUC slams government for “unworkable” and “irrational” anti-strike laws
Ministers to lay regulations today for minimum service levels in rail, the ambulance service and border security
Conservatives also looking to overturn ban on use of agency workers during strikes – despite “humiliating” defeat at the High Court in June
TUC accuses government of punishing workers “for daring to stand up for decent pay and better services.”
Union body says new laws are almost certainly in breach of international law
The TUC has slammed the government for trying to railroad through “unworkable” and “irrational” anti-strike laws.
Government ministers yesterday laid regulations for so-called ‘minimum service levels’ in rail, the ambulance service and border security. Ministers have said they will be rushed into force by the end of the year.
This comes despite warnings from unions and employer groups that the plans are unworkable.
The laws will mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.
TUC research found a massive 1 in 5 workers in Britain – or 5.5 million workers – are at risk of losing their right to strike as a result of the Strikes (Minimum service levels) Act.
Agency worker rules
In addition, ministers will try again to overturn the ban on the use of agency workers during strikes.
In June the government was defeated in the High Court after it rushed through new laws that allowed agencies to supply employers with workers to fill in for those on strike.
The presiding judge scolded ministers for acting in a way that was “unfair, unlawful and irrational” and reinstated the ban on agency staff being used to break strikes.
But despite this rebuke – and strong opposition from unions and employers – ministers are resurrecting the plans with a new consultation.
Commenting on the extension of minimum service levels to rail, the ambulance services and border security, Paul Nowak said: “These anti-strike laws won’t work. The crisis in our public services is of the government’s own making.
“Rather than engaging constructively with unions, they are attacking the right to strike. And they are punishing paramedics and rail staff for daring to stand up for decent pay and better services.
“These new laws are unworkable, undemocratic and almost certainly in breach of international law.
“The UK already has some of the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe.
“It is already harder for working people here to take strike action than in any other Western European country. Now the Tories want to make it even harder for people to win fair pay and conditions.
“Unions will keep fighting this spiteful legislation. We won’t stop until it is repealed.”
In September the TUC reported the government to the International Labour Organization (ILO) – the UN workers’ rights watchdog – over the Strikes Act.
Commenting on the announcement on agency workers, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Allowing unscrupulous employers to bring in agency staff to deliver important services risks endangering public safety and escalating disputes.
“Agency recruitment bodies have repeatedly made clear they don’t want their staff to be used as political pawns during strikes. But ministers are not listening.
“Despite suffering a humiliating defeat at the High Court, they are bringing back the same irrational plans.
“This is the act of desperate government looking to distract from its appalling record.”
Any over-65 can now call line for advice on their diet
Malnutrition Awareness Week: Risks for older people highlighted
A charity leading the charge to tackle malnutrition among older people hopes a new advice line will help more Edinburgh residents to eat and live better.
Food Train previously operated a Malnutrition Advice line supporting those aged 65 and over who were concerned they were at risk of becoming malnourished.
It has now rebranded to the Eat Well Age Well Line – 0131 447 8151 – and is available for ANY older person to phone for advice on their diet and how it can be improved.
The broadened support has been announced as part of Malnutrition Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday (November 12th).
Food Train supports people across Edinburgh through its city-based Connects service, which offers one-to-one meal-making and shopping services to older people – ensuring they can enjoy food and company from the volunteer who delivers it to them.
Jen Grant, a dietitian with Food Train who takes calls on the Eat Well Age Well Line, said: “Prevention is the key to tackling malnutrition among older people, so we are delighted to be able to broaden the support available via this line so that people can seek advice on all kinds of issues before they deepen.
“Eating well is key to ageing well and can help maintain independence for longer and prevent a variety of illnesses.
“The advice line aims to provide first-line dietary advice to older people or those that work with/care for them. It is staffed by a registered dietitian who can advise on a number of issues, including struggling to eat or drink enough.”
Jo Dallas who volunteers for The Food Train.
Jo calls a core group of seven people who live on their own or who feel isolated.
The talking is something Food Train offer as well as help with shopping.
Often Jo and the people she calls will talk about food and what they are cooking.
Jo regularly talks to a retired home economics teacher and they share tips for making scones.
Others include poor appetite or reduced food intake, healthy eating for ageing well and managing specific conditions such as diabetes or IBS.
Research shared by Food Train last month suggested that significantly more older Scots are in danger of becoming malnourished than official estimates suggest – almost a fifth compared to one in 10. There are fears that problems could deepen due to the cost of living crisis.
Food Train has made repeated calls for malnutrition screening to become mandatory for all statutory agencies that have a role in supporting older people. These are being highlighted again as part of Malnutrition Awareness Week.
By identifying those at risk sooner, the charity says support can be given to stop people becoming unwell, easing pressures on NHS and social care services.
Food Train works with about 3,500 people aged 65 and over across Scotland, tackling malnutrition and loneliness through shopping and meal-sharing services, along with other projects.
Tickets are now on sale for Edinburgh Leisure’s annual Festive Gymnastics Display.
Now in its 17th year, over 600 gymnasts and cheerleaders from six Edinburgh Leisure venues plus guest clubs will be coming together to delight audiences with their annual display at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Sunday, 3 December 2023.
Gymnastics Development Officer Dorothy McQueen said: “Gymnastics is a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Our classes have many benefits and help children to gain strength, stamina, balance, coordination, and flexibility as well as self-confidence and the opportunity to build relationships and make friends.
“This non-competitive gymnastics’ event gives the participants within Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching programme the opportunity to showcase what they have been working so hard on throughout the year.
“In addition, it allows them to see performances from guest Clubs of all levels and different disciplines, inspiring them to reach for the stars … or maybe even that Gold, Silver or Bronze medal in the future!”
As well as featuring over 30 performances from Edinburgh Leisure gymnastics, there will also be special guest appearances from Clubs across the region, including Acrobay, Cheer Evolution, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Jack Kane and Kestrel.
Tickets cost £5 each and all spectators, 5 years and over, require a ticket for entry. Participating gymnasts do not require a ticket. Under 5s tickets are free but will not have an allocated seat.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Gymnastics programme offers classes for the Under 5s including Baby Nippers from Walking to 18 months, Gym Nippers and Gym & Jump from 18 months- 5 years and then General Gymnastics, Display Gymnastics and Trampolining for Primary 1 upwards. Gymnastics is just one of the 12 sports coached across 17 venues in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching programme helps children to develop new skills, improve their agility and grow confidence.
For more information on gymnastics classes and other coaching opportunities at Edinburgh Leisure, get inspired by visiting:
Couples who are married or in a civil partnership are being urged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to spend just 30 seconds to see if they can claim Marriage Allowance and boost their finances by up to £252 a year.
By using HMRC’s online Marriage Allowance calculator during Talk Money Week, couples can find out instantly if they are eligible. Couples who may be unaware that they could claim include those where one partner is working and the other has income less than their personal allowance of £12,570, including those who:
have retired
have given up work to care for children or elderly relatives
are unable to work because of long term health conditions
have a part time job
have a low paid job
It is quick and easy to claim Marriage Allowance for free via GOV.UK. Applying directly on GOV.UK means couples will receive 100% of the tax relief due.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “The Marriage Allowance calculator helps couples to find out in seconds how much they stand to benefit. Check today and claim right away. It’s a quick and easy process that’s worth up to £252 a year.
“Search ‘Marriage Allowance’ on GOV.UK for more information.”
With around 68 per cent of people in their sixties married or in Civil Partnerships, many people in this age group may not realise they can claim Marriage Allowance if they have retired and their partner is still working.
UK Men’s Sheds, a charity which brings together retired men to meet at community workshops, is flagging this with their members.
Charlie Bethel, Chief Officer, UK Men’s Sheds, said:“If you have retired and your partner is still working, you may not realise that you could apply for Marriage Allowance.
“As a charity that brings retired men together, we are urging our members throughout the UK to invest the 30 seconds of time it takes to find out if they can claim.”
Marriage Allowance saves couples money by allowing the lower or non-earner to reduce the amount of tax their partner pays. Most people have a Personal Allowance, normally £12,570 – the amount of income they do not have to pay tax on. Marriage Allowance lets the lower earner transfer £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to their husband, wife or civil partner.
This can reduce their tax by up to £252 annually. If eligible, couples can also backdate their claim for the previous four tax years and receive a lump-sum payment worth more than £1,000.
To benefit from the tax relief in Scotland, one partner must have income less than £12,570 and the higher earning partner’s income must be between £12,571 and £43,662.
https://youtu.be/FEXgvuPdIEg
HMRC has produced a YouTube video to explain who is eligible and how to apply.
Police Scotland is appealing for information following unprecedented levels of violence directed at officers and other emergency service workers from Bonfire Night disorder.
On Sunday, 5 November, 2023, there were several serious disturbances that required a response from specially trained public order officers.
In Edinburgh officers received reports of a large group of youths and adults gathering in the Hay Avenue area in Niddrie around 4.40pm. Around 50 youths were throwing fireworks at vehicles and buildings.
When officers arrived they came under attack from youths throwing fireworks, petrol bombs and other projectiles. Four officers sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
There is a continued police presence in the Niddrie area and enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.
For disorder in Edinburgh there is a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) that allows members of the public to send information directly to the police that can be accessed here.
Around 9.05pm officers were called to a report of around 20 youths fighting and throwing fireworks at one another within in the Quarrywood Avenue area of Barmulloch in Glasgow.
Four people, including a police officer, were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible. There is a continued police presence in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.
We have also set up a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for Glasgow that allows members of the public to send information directly to the police that can be accessed here.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Last night we experienced significant disorder, in particular in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh, and in the Quarrywood Avenue area of Glasgow.
“Our priority during the disorder was to protect our communities and our emergency workers, and now we are looking to carry on our police work and use the evidence we gathered to carry out the necessary arrests.
“The level of disorder we faced was unacceptable and looking at the evidence we have already gathered, we don’t believe this incident was spontaneous. Although many of those involved were youths, there were undoubtedly adults involved in orchestrating that behaviour.
“We took a robust stance and I am proud of the courage, discipline and professionalism that officers showed in the face of the violence last night.
“A number of our officers sustained minor physical injuries, however we are also aware of the mental impact that dealing with such significant levels of violence/disorder can have and will continue to support all officers affected. Nobody deserves to be injured in this way for doing their job. An emergency worker is also someone’s son, daughter, husband or wife.
“If anyone has any information that can help us in our investigation then please contact 101, or send it in via the respective portal link.”
In addition, anyone with any information that can assist officers is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Famous artists such as Sarah Graham and Ralph Steadman are joined by comedian Joe Lycett in making one-of-a-kind masterpieces for an anonymous charity fundraiser.
Heart Research UK’s anonymous heART project sees hundreds of anonymous artworks go under eBay’s virtual hammer and has so far raised over £250,000 for pioneering research.
This year’s project is the sixth annual one and takes place between the 3rd – 12th November.
How is it anonymous? Though the list of artists will be available to all bidders, the artist of each individual piece will be kept anonymous until the auction is over.
Sarah Graham, famous for her paintings of Chupa Chups and known from the show ‘Britain’s Best Young Artist’, works with many different charities and has supported the anonymous heART project for several years.
She said:“I wanted to create my first proper oil painting for the project this year, as I’ve supported it for the last few years now and always done little sketch pieces.
“I hope that by investing more creatively it attracts even more bidders! Heart Research UK helps save lives, anything I can do to support them I will.”
Joining her is world-famous cartoonist Ralph Steadman, most known for his work with Hunter S. Thompson creating the cover art for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Ralph said: “It is always a pleasure to contribute to this fundraising event. I am so pleased that people appreciate and bid on the mess that I make and want to take home my blots and splats.
“Please keep supporting this fantastic cause that can really make a difference to so many people, now and in the future.”
An art piece by comedian and eye-catching painter Joe Lycett is also available to bid on.
He said:“It’s always an honour to be part of the anonymous heART project, an ingenious way of supporting essential heart research whilst making and celebrating weird art. They’re doing the work of angels.”
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “The anonymous heART project remains one of our most important fundraisers each year. As always, we’re incredibly grateful to the artists for donating their time and effort, and to everyone else who’s bidding on these amazing pieces.
“As a charity, we rely heavily on donations from the public. Every five minutes, someone dies from heart diseases in the UK, so your help is needed more than ever. We won’t stop until there are no more deaths from heart diseases.”
Formula Student leader Lewis Kaye is already putting his software engineering degree to use
A new Edinburgh Napier University graduate, who led his student colleagues to Silverstone success with a driverless car, has landed his dream job working on jet aircraft radar.
Just a year later, they finished fourth in an event dubbed the world’s biggest student engineering competition at the home of the British Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old from Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire collected his degree at the Usher Hall last week, having started work at Leonardo’s Edinburgh base working on the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Lewis said: “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school. I went to an Edinburgh Napier open day and eventually picked software engineering. I’ve certainly never regretted it since!
“The Formula Student team didn’t exist at all until a couple of years ago. I just happened to bump into Lucas, who was behind it, at a university social event.
“Because of my degree, it was the perfect opportunity to start a driverless team. Thankfully, a lot of people were interested in joining.
“Formula Student was probably vital to landing the job. It really came to light when I did my interview. I did a presentation of my work with the team, and I think that hit well.”
Lewis’s driverless team of around 15 ENU students were the only group from around 20 teams in this year’s IMechE Formula Student competition to complete the 10 lap Endurance Event without hitting a cone. They finished one point away from 3rd place overall.
Lewis added: “To get that result in our first ever year competing is unheard of in the FS-AI competition, and I think really demonstrates our achievement and what we can do when we put our minds to it.
“What makes me proudest is seeing the idea grow into a talented and welcoming team that will be here to stand for years to come, and that future students can get involved with such a fantastic project alongside their main degree. I have made some unforgettable friendships along the way.
“It’s one of those things, you keep your head down and keep working, and later you take a step back and say ‘yeah, this is pretty cool!”
As for the future, Lewis concluded: “I’d love to get involved in space one day. I just want to keep improving.”
