The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), is issuing wildfire warnings for areas of Scotland going into the May Bank Holiday weekend.
South West Scotland: from Wednesday, 29 April, there is a very high risk of wildfire.
Whole of Scotland:starting Thursday, 30 April, there is an extreme risk of wildfire. This warning will remain in place until Friday, 1 May.
Southern Scotland and Central Highlands: starting Saturday, 2 May, there will be a very high risk of wildfire.
SFRS’ Head of Prevention and SWF Chair, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, said: “Going into the May bank holiday weekend, we will be seeing an extreme risk of wildfire across the whole of Scotland. We know people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly.
“People should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread causing a large amount of damage.
“Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.
“Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
With the extension to the Muirburn season also drawing to a close on Thursday 30 April, we advise landowners to exercise caution in line with the Muirburn Code.
Funding to restore one of the city’s most cherished landmarks – the historic Tollcross Clock – was approved yesterday, with works set to begin next month
Finance and Resources Committee Members approved £72,572 to carry out full restoration of the James Ritchie and Sons clock, which has stood at the heart of the Tollcross community since 1901 and has been in storage since 2022.
The clock was removed from the Tollcross crossroads four years ago following a routine inspection that identified significant structural deterioration at its base. While the planned junction works is now delayed, restoration work will still get underway, meaning the clock could return to the area from April 2027.
Officers will use the restoration period to engage local stakeholders and councillors on the most suitable location for the clock’s return. While the original position within the carriageway is no longer considered appropriate due to risk of further damage and ongoing maintenance costs, work is ongoing to find a setting that honours the clock’s place in the community. Any relocation may require listed building consent.
Funding for the restoration is expected to come from the council’s Common Good Fund. The clock’s permanent reinstatement, site selection and funding will be referred to the Culture and Communities Committee next month.
Cllr Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “This clock has been part of Edinburgh’s story for more than 120 years, and the community has been clear that it belongs back where people can see and enjoy it. Today we’re making that happen. By approving the funding, we’re committed to get this iconic piece of civic heritage properly restored and back where it belongs.
“We’ll work closely with residents to find the right location, and I’m delighted that we’re finally able to give this project the momentum it deserves.”
The Tollcross Clock has been a fixture of the city since its installation at what was then a thriving tram interchange.
Originally a pendulum clock, it was converted to a spring-driven mechanism in 1926 and later to electrical operation in 1969.
It was temporarily removed in 1974 for junction works but was reinstated following strong public demand.
Training tackles harmful assumptions about disability and ensures staff make practical, meaningful adjustments for the people they serve
Thousands of DWP healthcare professionals completed Oliver McGowan training to better support autistic people and those with learning disabilities as they navigate the benefits system.
Marking Autism Awareness Month, the milestone forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to putting disabled people at its heart.
Over 4,000 DWP healthcare professionals have completed part of training designed to transform how the government supports autistic people and those with learning disabilities, as Autism Awareness Month draws to a close.
The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man with autism and a learning disability who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes. It was established following a campaign by his family to ensure that staff working with autistic people and those with learning disabilities have the knowledge and skills to support them safely.
The accomplishment is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to putting disabled people at the heart of everything it does.
The training tackles “diagnostic overshadowing” – where symptoms are wrongly attributed to a person’s disability rather than investigated properly – ensuring people receive the right support at the right time.
It also gives staff practical tools to make meaningful reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities and autism as they navigate the benefits system. These include:
More time in assessments, reducing anxiety and allowing people to communicate clearly and confidently.
Simpler, clearer communications from Jobcentres, making information accessible to people who may find complex language difficult to process.
Sensory-aware Jobcentre environments, ensuring spaces feel safe and manageable for people who may find busy or loud environments overwhelming.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said: Oliver McGowan’s story is a powerful reminder of why services must understand the people they serve.
“This training is part of how we achieve that, equipping our staff to treat every autistic person and everyone with a learning disability as an individual, and to provide support that genuinely works for them.
“We’re determined to break down barriers for disabled people, and to put autistic people and those with learning disabilities at the very heart of our decisions and direction.
“I pay tribute to the hard and brave work of the McGowan family in Oliver’s memory.”
This milestone is part of the Government’s wider commitment to ensuring disabled people’s voices and lived experience shape policy.
The Independent Disability Advisory Panel – ten experts with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions – have been appointed to advise on the design and delivery of health and disability policy.
Clinical Author at DWP: “Hearing directly from people with lived experience made this training memorable and practical. It reinforced that autism and learning disability affect people in very different ways, and that taking time to listen- to the individual, and to those who know them best – makes a real difference.
“These principles are now reflected in the guidance I develop for health professionals carrying out assessments on behalf of across DWP.
“I believe this training helps support safer, more person-centred assessments and helps us get it right for autistic people and people with a learning disability.”
The training is one part of wider support the Department is investing into better support people with autism.
Earlier this year, DWP funded Acas to deliver free neurodivergence masterclasses for small and medium-sized employers – with more than 1,800 employer representatives attended, building the knowledge and confidence to recruit and support neurodivergent staff effectively.
Alongside this, the Government also legislated to give benefit claimants the legal right to try work without the immediate risk of losing their benefits – a significant and practical change for neurodivergent people navigating the employment system.
Separately, an expert academic panel has examined the specific barriers neurodivergent people face in the workplace, with its recommendations under active consideration.
Autism Awareness Month serves as an important moment to reflect on progress, and to reaffirm this Government’s determination to ensure autistic people and those with learning disabilities are supported, heard, and treated with the respect they deserve.
Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability Mencap, said: “Increasing benefit assessors’ understanding of learning disability is an important step towards a more accessible and inclusive benefits system. The training they’ve received has the potential to make a real difference in helping them to communicate more clearly, recognise individual needs and make reasonable adjustments.
“People with a learning disability need to be properly understood and receive the level of support that’s right for them to navigate the benefits assessment process.
“This training is already making a difference in health and social care teams, and we hope it will now make another public service more accessible to people with a learning disability so that they can live their lives to the full.”
The Oliver McGowan Training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death in 2016 was found to be potentially avoidable. His mother Paula McGowan OBE campaigned for it to become law under the Health and Care Act 2022.
A 48-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences in Edinburgh.
Police officers executed warrants at Salamander Street, Breadalbane Street and Western Harbour Way yesterday. Cannabis with an estimated street value of around £895,000 was discovered along with cash.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Wednesday, 29 April, 2026.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This significant recovery demonstrates the ongoing efforts to combat serious and organised in Edinburgh.
“We remain committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.
“Information from the public is vital in helping us target those involved in the supply of drugs. Anyone with concerns about drugs in their area is encouraged to contact police on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Teenager turning 16? Don’t miss out on Child Benefit
Parents of teenagers starting qualifying further education or training courses must extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August
About 1.5 million parents of 16-19-year-olds are to receive reminder letters in coming weeks
The quickest and easiest way to extend is via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK
Parents of 16-19-year-olds are reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s plans. Around 1.5 million reminder letters will be sent from late April, with most landing on doorsteps in early May.
Parents don’t need to wait for their letter. HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) digital service for extending claims opened on 1 April, so those who already know their teenager’s plans can act today.
Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:“Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for our letter.
“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK for the full list of eligible courses.
If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Use the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate.
Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
