£6 million loan fund reopens for applications tomorrow
Self-builders who are unable to access standard bank lending can now apply for a loan of up to £175,000 to help with the development costs of their home.
The Self-Build Loan Fund reopens for applications tomorrow (Monday 21 November) and aims to support the delivery of good quality and energy efficient housing, giving people more choice about the homes they want to live in.
Following the success of a pilot scheme in the Highlands the fund was launched nationally in 2018, with 41 loans worth a total of £6.2 million approved to date.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: ““This fund aims to unlock the dream of building your own home, in many cases allowing people to stay in their local communities.
“We know it can be more difficult to access finance for self-build projects than for buying an existing property, and this fund is a crucial lifeline for those unable to access standard bank lending. When loans are repaid, the money can be re-used, during the life of the fund, supporting more self-builders and providing more homes for future generations.
“Self-provided housing can play an important role contributing to the long-term sustainability of our rural and island communities, and this £6 million Scottish Government fund will continue to help support this. It has had great success in the Highlands and Islands and has also provided dream homes for people living across the whole of Scotland.
“Wherever you live, if you’re interested in building your own home I’d encourage you to contact the Communities Housing Trust to find out more.”
Kirsten, a school teacher from Shetland who benefitted from the fund, said: “We acquired our plot of land over 20 years ago. At that point there was an old croft house on the land which we initially planned to renovate.
“However, several things arose to hinder our plans. The most significant was my partner becoming long-term disabled after an accident. This meant a lot of disruption to our build plans.
“If the fund hadn’t been available we would have had to stop our build altogether and sell the plot of land. That would have meant it being harder for us to get onto the property ladder.
“It can be difficult or more costly to find a property that has larger living accommodation needed for wheelchair use. It may also have taken us away from our home area where family are nearby. I don’t know what we would have done without this fund.”
Ronnie MacRae, CEO of the Communities Housing Trust, said: “In the years we’ve administered the fund, we’ve seen demand rise as conditions become even more challenging for people to build their own home. In many cases, families just need a bit of extra support and are fully able to build and then repay the loan.
“Self-build remains an important option for many, particularly in areas where no other options exist, so we are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government for continuing to provide the fund.”
The fund is reopening after closing on 31 August 2022 to new applications.
The Self-Build Loan Fund is administered on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Communities Housing Trust.
Supermarket own-label champagnes have beaten offerings from the most-celebrated champagne houses in Which?’s festive taste tests this year, while the consumer champion also rated sparkling wines – with one impressive performer costing just £8.99.
Waitrose Blanc de Blancs Brut (£25.99) clinched one of this year’s Which? Best Buy titles, scoring 82 per cent and impressing the expert panellists with its balanced finish and savoury aftertaste. The experts described it as a pleasing and rewarding champagne with delicate, toasty notes and ripe fruit aromas.
Coming joint top with an 82 per cent score, and also earning a Best Buy, is Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne, a slightly cheaper option retailing at £23. Experts were initially surprised by the unusual golden colour, but they were impressed by the expressive aromas and flavours of brioche, roasted apples and a nutty finish.
These bottles were rated higher than the most expensive champagne the panel tasted. Popular brand Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, costing £39.00 per bottle, did not particularly impress the experts – receiving one of the lower ratings at 68 per cent.
For those looking for a cheaper fizz this festive season, Which? also found a cheaper alternative to champagne that impressed the judges and earned a Best Buy. Aldi Specially Selected Crémant du Jura 2019, £8.99, scored an impressive 74 per cent and demonstrated that paying less does not have to mean compromising on quality.
Despite not coming top of the festive pops – other supermarket offerings delivered some delicious options. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Champagne Brut NV, £18.50, was flagged as a delicious – and cheaper – choice, with judges noting its smooth, complex, and well-integrated flavours.
M&S Louis Vertay Champagne Brut, £18, was also hailed by the panel for its gentle, crisp palate, nutty finish and elegant, pleasant aftertaste. The experts enjoyed the good complexity and intensity of this toasty, fruity champagne.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Home Products and Services Editor, said: “No matter what your budget is, you can be sure that your celebrations will fizz with top-quality champagne and sparkling wine for friends and family to enjoy this festive season.
“Once again our taste tests have proven that supermarket champagnes can more than hold their own against the famous champagne houses, delivering excellent quality and great value for money.”
The UN climate summit COP27 came to a close today (20/11/22), with a historic win on Loss and Damage but with staggering hypocrisy from the UK, EU and UK on fossil fuels, according to environmental campaigners.
On the Loss and Damage fund victory, Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: “Securing a Loss and Damage fund is a huge victory for global South countries who stood strong and united in the face of dirty tricks by the rich historical polluters who are resisting taking responsibility for the crisis they caused.
“Whether these global North countries will actually stump up the money needed to resource the fund is another question, given their abject failure to deliver on other longstanding finance commitments.
“Civil society played a vital role in their advocacy and solidarity with global South countries on this all important issue, leaving the US, EU and UK with no cover for their diversionary tactics. People power matters, we can and must keep fighting for the better world we know is possible, because world leaders aren’t going to make it without us.”
India initiated a call for language to be included on the ‘equitable phase down all fossil fuels’, not just coal, and the issue generated significant attention during the last days of the summit – but the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan simply repeats the text from last year’s Glasgow Climate Pact on the ‘phase down of unabated coal’, letting global North countries who tend to be less reliant on coal off the hook, and with the massive loophole that ‘unabated’ brings in allowing coal projects that are ‘carbon capture and storage ready’.
In their speeches to the closing plenary this morning, the UK, US and EU devoted substantial time to ‘calling out’ the lack of progress on fossil fuel phase out in the text, despite their own fossil fuel expansion plans.
Church continued: “The hypocrisy we witnessed at these climate talks from rich historical polluters on the issue of fossil fuel phase out is staggering. There is nothing to stop countries from phasing out fossil fuels, and yet the UK and the US in particular are doing the opposite with their vast expansion plans.
“Alok Sharma must take his table thumping on fossil fuel phase out back home and demand the UK Government overturn their climate trashing plans for North Sea oil and gas expansion and to reject the new coal mine planned in Cumbria.
“The Scottish Government too must turn its climate leadership on the international stage into concrete actions at home to get back on track to meeting its climate targets. It must clarify its position on oil and gas and set an end date for fossil fuels within this decade in order to have any chance of delivering on our fair share of climate action.”
As the climate summit closes, British prisoner of conscience Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release has still not been secured and his situation remains extremely precarious.
Church continued: “There can be no climate justice without human rights, and we stand in solidarity with British citizen Alaa And-El Fattah and all prisoners of conscience.
“The UK Government has failed to use its abundant leverage with the Egyptian Government to secure Alaa’s release. The spotlight must not move on when COP27 is over. We will not forget you.”
Commenting on the conclusion of COP27 in Egypt, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“COP27 has finally seen an acknowledgement by developed countries that the people least responsible for global warming are the ones suffering its worst consequences and that we have an obligation to support those experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis in the here and now.
“The agreement to establish a fund for loss and damage is truly groundbreaking and is a testament to 30 years of hard campaigning by the global south and civil society. I am pleased that Scotland, in being the first developed country ever to make a financial contribution, has been able to play a small part in that journey working with others over the last twelve months to build the momentum that has led to today’s decision.
“There remains a lot of detail to be worked out over the next year ahead of COP28, but from the inclusion of loss and damage on the agenda, to the agreement to establish a fund, this COP has delivered a real breakthrough for vulnerable and developing countries.
“It is deeply disappointing that the recognition of loss and damage has not been matched by greater action to prevent a worsening of the climate crisis. Keeping 1.5 alive and delivering the fastest possible transition away from fossil fuels is key to preventing greater loss and damage in the future.
“Alongside loss and damage we needed to see progress on adaptation and mitigation, on the submission of new national contributions, a pathway to 2030 and a strengthening of the language of the Glasgow Pact.
“It is simply not good enough that countries failed to make progress on that agenda, and that there has been such a strong push back on action we all know is needed if 1.5 is to remain truly within reach. It is vitally important that countries recommit themselves to doing everything they can to ensure we keep 1.5 alive and to building a coalition ahead of COP28 that protects and drives progress against any further push back.
“Despite that disappointment, and the challenges faced by civil society in having their voice heard in Egypt, the breakthrough on loss and damage is what I hope COP27 will be remembered for, and that is a vital step forward for the developing world.”
Narrowing the Gender Pay Gap and supporting economic recovery in Scotland
Sunday 20 November 2022 is Equal Pay Day. From this day, women in the UK effectively stop earning relative to men because of the gender pay gap.
One of the reasons for the Gender Pay Gap is that women find it hard to go back to work and progress into higher-paid senior roles after a career break.
Women take career breaks for a number of reasons such as maternity, childcare, elderly care, disability, illness, relocation or menopause – and find it difficult to re-enter the workplace in line with their skills, aspirations and potential afterwards.
Making Work Work
Working with Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Flexible Working Scotland and other partners, the Challenges Group has helped 150 women to address these challenges.
Making Work Work – for Women Returners is an innovative, award-winning programme which supports women to make empowered transitions back into work that works around their families, commitments and lifestyles.
Over 90% of Making Work Work participants require part time or flexible work and over 70% have an SCQF level 10 or above (honours degree equivalent), while at the same time, 560k women managers are missing in the UK, according to recent CMI research on the Everyone Economy.
Lynn Houmdi, Making Work Work co-Creator and Programme Manager said: “We work with women who have management experience or aspirations because they have the greatest potential to achieve personal, organisational and social change once they return to work.
“Employers are missing out on these women’s skills and experience due to perceptions and reality around the flexibility of roles, availability of childcare and bias towards their age/career gaps.”
Making Work Work – for Women Returners has supported over 150 women during the period January 2021 – November 2022.
In August 2022, we were able to analyse the data of 100 women, and our outcomes were as follows:
• 45% were employed (or had been successful in interviews and would start once their contract was signed), and a further 9% were marked as self-employed (including women starting new businesses). Headline: Over 50% (54%) are either in employment or self-employed.• A further 4% were volunteering and 9% were in further training.
• 13% were actively applying; some of them had interviews scheduled.
• 4% were not actively searching at that point, due to health reasons, childcare or other personal reasons.
This is a success rate of at least 80% Making Work Work participants progressing into or towards work.
Making Work Work alumna, Zeme said: “Making Work Work for Women Returners equipped me with the confidence I was missing since stopping work two years before when I became a parent.
“The course helped me learn about the power of networking and peer support. I even heard about the job I am now in through the network I made! The support I received was invaluable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to anyone who has been out of work and is looking for help getting back out there.”
Alumna Lizzy said: “Making Work Work revolutionised my approach to job hunting by giving me support to develop a clear focused strategy, confidence to know what I wanted from a role and a renewed positivity in my own skills.”
Delivering for women, delivering for the Scottish economy
In recent evidence to the Scottish Parliament Covid-19 Recovery committee, Scottish charity, Close the Gap said: “If women are to be enabled to re-enter the labour market, there is need for action to improve access to high-quality flexible working; provide support with caring responsibilities, including greater access to affordable and flexible childcare; develop gender sensitive upskilling and reskilling initiatives; and provide better support for those experiencing long Covid.”2
Close the Gap also highlight that tackling gender inequality in Scottish workplaces is worth a potential £17bn to the Scottish economy.By supporting women on their return-to-work journey, Making Work Work not only helps raise family incomes at a time of economic crisis; it also provides the market with a pool of talented and highly experienced women with refreshed skills in management and leadership.
This can contribute to economic recovery while increasing diversity in the workforce, and addressing the Gender Pay Gap so that in future an Equal Pay Day becomes a thing of the past.
Any women in Scotland looking to return to work, or employers seeking to diversify their talent pool can get in touch with the Making Work Work team via:
POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 26-year-old man reported missing from Balerno.
Martin Moran was last seen around 6am on Friday, 18 November, near Larch Grove House in Balerno and it is believed he has walked in the direction of Bridge Road, Balerno.
He is described as white, around 6ft, of slim build, with short fair hair. When last seen he was wearing a beige trench coat, black trousers, black shoes and a black hat.
Sergeant Gary Stout said: “Martin’s family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare and I am asking anyone who may have seen him or knows where he is to get in touch.
“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 1479 of Friday, 18 November, 2022.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said it is “deeply humbling” to be in Kyiv and pledged that the UK will continue to stand by Ukrainians in their fight, on his first visit to the country yesterday [Saturday 19th November].
Meeting President Zelenskyy, he confirmed that the UK will provide a major new package of air defence to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian strikes.
The £50 million package of defence aid comprises 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability. It follows more than 1,000 new anti-air missiles announced by the Defence Secretary earlier this month.
In the last week, Ukrainian forces say Russia has rained down more than 148 missile strikes on critical infrastructure, leaving approximately 10 million people without power. The UK is also bolstering our training offer to Ukrainian’s armed forces, sending expert army medics and engineers to the region to offer specialised support.
In Kyiv, the Prime Minister laid flowers at a memorial for the war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the Holodomor famine, before meeting first responders at a fire station.
The team of emergency responders described their harrowing work rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires in the aftermath of Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks.
He also saw captured Iranian-made drones which have been used to target and bomb civilians in recent months.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I am proud of how the UK stood with Ukraine from the very beginning. And I am here today to say the UK and our allies will continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbarous war and deliver a just peace.
“While Ukraine’s armed forces succeed in pushing back Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombarded from the air. We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead.
“It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and to have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much, and paying so high a price, to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy.”
Recognising that Ukrainians face a very difficult winter, with widespread blackouts of destruction of homes, schools and hospitals, the Prime Minister has also confirmed £12 million for the World Food Programme’s response, as well as £4 million for the International Organisation for Migration.
The funding will help provide generators, shelter, water repairs and mobile health clinics. The UK is also sending tens of thousands of extreme cold winter kits for Ukrainian troops.
Working with the Government of Ukraine, the UK has identified an initial eight construction projects to be supported by UK Export Finance, helping to repair Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and lay the foundations for economic recovery. The projects include six bridges and two housing projects, including a development in Bucha for some 2,250 residents.
The following Scotland restaurants have been shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Scotland category at the coveted British Curry Awards (the ‘Curry Oscars’, as termed by former PM, David Cameron):
– Charcoals Indian Restaurant, 26A Renfield Street. Glasgow G2 1LU
– Karma Indian Restaurant. 154 West Main Street, Whitburn EH47 0QR
– Dishoom, 3A St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
– Radhuni, 93 Clerk Street, Loanhead EH20 9RE
– Light of Bengal, 13 Rose Street, Aberdeen AB10 1TX
– Obsession of India, 25 High Street, Glasgow G1 1LX
– Mowgli Street Food Glasgow, 78 St Vincent Street G2 5UB
– Carron to Mumbai, 20 Cameron Street, Stonehaven AB39 2HS
Additionally shortlisted for Best Takeaway Award is:
– Spice Tandoori, 9A Moss Street Elgin Moray IV30 1LU
The 18th, annual ceremony ceremony will take place at Evolution London, Battersea Park on Monday 28th November, once again welcoming the UK’s leading curry restaurateurs alongside prominent personalities from the worlds of showbiz, entertainment, sports and politics.
This year, the ceremony will pay homage to the legacy of British Curry Awards Founder, Enam Ali MBE, who sadly passed away earlier this year; as well as recognise the issues currently facing the UK curry industry in the cost of living and energy crises.
‘Curry Oscars’ to pay tribute to ceremony’s founder and
Pioneer of UK curry industry
UK’s top curry restaurants to be honoured on the night
Ceremony to introduce public, live vote on the night for Diners’ Choice Award
Industry facing continued uncertainty amid energy and cost of living crises And rising inflation
Onion Bhaji Index indicates average cost in the UK will rise from £4 to £12
The UK’s leading and foremost award ceremony to honour the nation’s top curry restaurants, as voted for by the British public, The British Curry Awards 2022 in association with Just Eat, will pay tribute to the late Enam Ali MBE.
The 18th annual ceremony will be held on Monday 28th November at Evolution London in memory of the event’s founder and the UK’s leading spokesperson for the curry industry, who worked tirelessly to promote the curry industry globally for over 45 years.
The finest curry restaurateurs from across the UK will come together in the Capital to honour Enam Ali’s memory and in the hope of being recognised as the best restaurant in their region and honoured with a jewel in the crown of the UK curry restaurant industry award sector.
Recognised globally as the original and most coveted award ceremony in the UK curry industry, also referred to as the ‘Curry Oscars’, as termed by former Prime Minister David Cameron, British Curry Awards will also welcome prominent personalities from the worlds of politics, sport, showbiz and entertainment alongside celebrity chefs and curry restaurant owners and their staff from across the country. The Awards’ main sponsor is Just Eat, the market-leading online food ordering and delivery platform.
British Curry Awards has established itself as a national institution, recognised internationally and a firm fixture on the UK’s social calendar. A nationwide nominations process to honour the nation’s top curry houses is led by the local patrons of curry houses on the streets of Britain, annually invited to nominate their favourite curry restaurants and takeaways. The process of public nominations creates an authentic list of the nation’s favourite Asian eateries, based on the opinions of residents, leading to a rigorous vetting process by an independent panel of judges.
The 2022 event also marks the introduction of the Diners Choice Award – anew category that will reward curry establishments that are able to engage their customers through social media. Any nominated establishment in Britain will have a chance to win this award if they receive the highest number of live, public votes on the night.
However, the UK curry industry, known for its resilience in weathering operational and business challenges such as staff shortages and the pandemic, now faces further uncertainty with the energy and cost of living crises and amid rising inflation. With spiralling costs, It is estimated that the average price of a curry could reach as much as £30 and industry leaders fear it could lead to the closure of thousands of curry restaurants across the UK.
Curry restaurateurs have seen their shopping bills increase by an average of 40 per cent. The price of oil alone has increased by more than 100per cent; while the cost of other curry house essentials such as a 25kg sack of onions has now doubled to more than £14.50. The situation is unsustainable for the industry as curry houses are desperately trying to minimise off-setting these costs against menu pricing, as households are facing tightened budgets themselves.
The Spice Business ‘Onion Bhaji Index’ indicates the average cost of an onion bhaji in the UK will jump from £4 to £12 per portion, while rising inflation means the average price of curry house favourite, the chicken tikka masala, would rise from an average menu price of £7 to £17, which diners are simply unable to afford. Add to that soaring energy bills, it is estimated that around seven in ten restaurants could be forced to shut their doors for good without government intervention.
Jeffrey Ali, Director, British Curry Awardssays, “The British Curry Awards 2022 marks the first year without our Founder, the late Enam Ali MBE. For decades, he tirelessly dedicated his life towards promoting and championing the UK Curry Industry, cementing The British Curry Awards as an ‘institution’.
“As the natural custodian of this revered brand, we proudly strive forward with our responsibility to continue his legacy, ensuring The British Curry Awards remain THE platform to inspire future generations to push the boundaries and innovate Britain’s favourite cuisine.
“Whilst the international community, especially the UK, faces a continued onslaught of economic uncertainty and political instability, we take solace from the general public who continue to support local businesses such as their local Curry Restaurants.
“We’re currently developing the ‘Onion Bhaji Index’, which will help consumers and business owners alike to better understand prices at their local curry establishment. As a consumer forward award platform, our goal is to promote the best in Britain, bringing real value to our nation’s customers.
“We have received tens of thousands of nominations this year and look forward to announcing the results of our months-long judging process and live vote due to be held at the biggest and most anticipated ceremony on the hospitality calendar.”
Letters to Santa from children in hospital are being redirected to the people of Edinburgh this Christmas.
Children at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) have shared their heart-breaking wishes, but sadly Santa alone can’t make these wishes come true.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has stepped in to ask the people of Edinburgh to help bring a little magic to families who won’t be at home for Christmas this year.
Macy, aged 4, is one of the children whose letter to Santa has been sent to homes across the city. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January this year and has since been receiving treatment at the RHCYP.
Mum, Gillian, said: “Due to Macy’s chemotherapy treatment, she has lost her lovely blonde hair which she has found really hard. Her wish this year is for her hair to grow back long enough so she can put it in a ponytail just like mine.
“We are also hoping that she will feel a little bit better as last Christmas she was very poorly. She had frequent colds prior to her diagnosis and just wasn’t in the mood to play with any of her toys.
“Throughout Macy’s treatment, the care and kindness from her nurses, all of the NHS Lothian teams we’ve met and the support from ECHC, as well as lots of other charities, has been phenomenal. It really has made our hospital journey that little bit easier and we are so very grateful to all those who have stood beside us during the most difficult times.”
ECHC supports the work of the RHCYP and NHS Lothian. The charity’s new ‘Redirected Letters to Santa’ appeal is asking supporters to make a gift to support families facing a hospital stay this December.
Pippa Johnston, Director at ECHC, said: “The reality is that some children and young people have to be in hospital over Christmas, so what should be a time of magic and laughter becomes a time of worry – for them and their families.
“While we can’t take away their pain, we can deliver some happiness. Together with our friends in the NHS, we work hard to make sure no child or young person misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“You don’t need a sleigh, or reindeer, or a white beard, but some letters will need more than Santa’s help. We are asking the people of Edinburgh to make a donation to help deliver magic and make Christmas in hospital that little bit easier for children and families.”
To make a donation to ECHC’s ‘Redelivered Letters to Santa’ appeal, visit:
Costa Coffee will declare its love to the nation alongside Keating by giving away millions of free coffees* to new customers
The Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop, Costa Coffee, today launched a campaign with international pop star, Ronan Keating, to win the nation’s hearts.
Keating, who memorably topped the charts with ‘When You Say Nothing at All’, is using his prowess as a national heartthrob to spread love across the UK as Costa Coffee’s new ‘Director of Love’, giving away millions of delicious free Costa coffees.
Appearing in a light-hearted short film, Keating is on a mission to woo coffee lovers, delivering impromptu serenades and touring Costa Coffee stores up and down the country.
Commenting on his new role, Ronan Keating said: “I’m really excited to be joining Costa Coffee for a campaign with love at its heart. It’s fun to play the role of ‘Director of Love’ and I’m excited to give the nation lots of love this festive season, and maybe even help them re-connect over a Costa coffee.”
The campaign, which kicked off on Thursday 17th November, will roll out across the UK with a series of ‘declarations of love’ and far-reaching gestures, not least by giving away millions of coffees. Brits can get theirs by downloading the Costa Coffee app and signing-up to the Costa Club loyalty scheme between now and 24 November 2022, with millions of free coffees and hot drinks up for grabs.
The ‘free drink’ digital voucher will automatically appear in the apps’ ‘Rewards’ section, which can be redeemed in person at a participating Costa Coffee store. Existing customers will also be able to discover gestures, perks, and rewards with exclusive in-app deals as part of Costa Club.
Shakir Moin, Costa Coffee Interim CEO said, “Ronan Keating is responsible for some of the greatest love songs of all time, so who better to help us woo customers and shower them with love this festive season?
“We’ll not only be giving millions of barista-crafted coffees away, but we’ll be taking to the streets and even the skies to show Brits how we feel about them. Stay tuned for some big surprises!”
For further information on Costa Coffee’s new campaign, download the Costa Coffee app today.
