Holyrood Ministers call for UK Spring Budget to heed IMF advice against tax cuts

Chancellor urged to prioritise investment in public services

The Chancellor’s Spring Budget must provide Scotland with the increased funding needed for public services, infrastructure and cost of living support, Ministers have urged.

The UK Government should also heed the recent advice from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) against further tax cuts, Ministers added.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has written to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget on 6 March, urging him to:

  • provide increased funding for public services and capital investment
  • increase cost of living support, including by ending the two-child limit, benefits cap, young parent penalty in Universal Credit, bedroom tax and Local Housing Allowance freeze
  • legislate for an essentials guarantee giving basic necessities and a social tariff for energy bills for those who need them most
  • transfer National Insurance powers so the Scottish Government can design a tax system fully suited to Scotland’s needs
  • urgently review the support needed for businesses that are continuing to struggle with bills which are too high, including through use of VAT powers
  • support measures to reduce carbon emissions, including by making it easier for existing buildings to be retrofitted with energy-saving materials

Separately, Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur wrote to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott arguing that tax cuts funded by cuts to public spending would “further damage the services our most vulnerable rely on”.

The Deputy First Minister said: “When I presented our draft Budget for 2024-25 in December, I set out that the UK Government’s Autumn Statement had been a worst case scenario for Scotland’s finances.

“Our Block Grant has fallen by 1.2% in real terms since 2022-23 and the UK Treasury is slashing our capital funding by almost 10% in real terms between 2023-24 and 2027-28. Similar pressures are faced by the other devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland.

“With the UK Government’s Spring Budget it is vital that they change course. There is a clear need for increased investment by the UK Government in public services and infrastructure, as has been recognised by the IMF. I would urge the Chancellor to use whatever headroom may be available to prioritise investment in public services and infrastructure over tax cuts.

“The Scottish Budget has prioritised funding for social security and public services in line with our three missions. Yet our spending remains constrained by the decisions of the UK Government.

“The UK Spring Budget is a key opportunity to increase funding for our vital public services and the infrastructure that supports our economy and communities, as well as supporting people with the cost of living and investing in our net zero future.

“I urge the UKG to rise to this challenge.”

IMF warns UK government against further tax cuts – BBC News

Discovering Resilience Through The Power of Physical Activity and Sport

ONE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE’S HEARTWARMING STORY

Two years on since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a Ukrainian woman has expressed her ‘enormous thanks’ to Edinburgh Leisure for a leisure pass which has proved a lifeline for her and her family.

Fleeing from the war in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Maryna Ivanova, a Ukrainian refugee who arrived in Edinburgh on 25th April 2022, with her two 7-year-old twins, Sasha and Kit, has had support to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities as part of the Relocated People Access Programme (RPAP). Maryna shared some feedback with Edinburgh Leisure saying: ‘I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us.  I believe that this has been pivotal in preventing me from succumbing to depression.”

Phil Trodden, Active Communities Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Making a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of what Edinburgh Leisure does. 

“In 2018, the Relocated People Access Programme was created by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team to support relocated individuals new to Edinburgh.

“Fast forward to 2022 and the programme had to quickly respond to the Ukrainian Refugee crisis and, since then has been making a substantial impact on the lives of those seeking refuge in Edinburgh.

“Since April 2022, the Relocated People Access Programme has been working together with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team and Welcome Hubs, providing valuable information on how to access Edinburgh Leisure activities. 

“We were so touched that Maryna reached out to Edinburgh Leisure to thank us for the contribution it has had to her and her family’s mental and physical well-being and quality of life. This is just one of the ways that Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team is helping people overcome the barriers to being and staying active and enabling more people to enjoy the life-changing benefits of an active life.”

In recognition of the high numbers of refugees accessing Edinburgh Leisure services and the contribution the programme was making to the refugees’ wellbeing, the City of Edinburgh Council awarded Edinburgh Leisure £100,000 for the programme in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Since April 2023, Edinburgh Leisure has supported 1,192 refugees to be active and there have been 19,502 visits to Edinburgh Leisure activities e.g. gym, swimming, fitness classes, and coached activities, including tennis, gymnastics, climbing, trampolining, and diving.

Referral rates peaked in 2022 and have now reduced to around 50 participants per month, mirroring the changing refugee population in the city. 

Maryna Ivanova wrote to Edinburgh Leisure saying: “Over the past one and a half years, my family and I have been recipients of the privileges granted by Edinburgh Leisure, and I cannot emphasize enough how significant this opportunity has been for us.

“Before the war, both my children, my husband, and I were regular attendees at a sports complex in Kharkiv, engaging in various sports activities almost daily.

“When the war forced us to flee to Scotland, seeking refuge and safety for our children, the initial weeks and even months were filled with a sense of disorientation. Everything was new and unfamiliar, there was a lack of employment opportunities, and the overall situation was both challenging and frightening, especially considering my pregnancy. It was at this critical juncture that we received our Edinburgh Leisure membership card.

“We immediately utilized the facilities, heading to the gym and swimming pools. I believe that this decision played a pivotal role in preventing me from succumbing to depression. The routine of morning exercises brought me back to a more balanced perception of reality and fuelled my determination to overcome adversity.

“Every lap in the pool and every workout in the gym was infused with gratitude towards your organization. It enabled me to push myself to attend English language courses and secure employment in the local school. I continued with sports activities until the very end of my pregnancy, and now, my little one, a new resident of Scotland, accompanies me to the pool.

“We managed to get back on our feet, and secure housing, and currently, my children participate in various sections of your network (gymnastics, trampolining, swimming, and diving), and we are grateful that we can afford to pay for these activities now. However, it all started with the initial impulse from the ‘RPAP’ card.

“I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Ukrainians in Edinburgh for the crucial support that was so desperately needed and that we received from your organisation. Thank you once again for making a significant difference in our lives.”

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The feedback received from Maryna, one of the Ukrainian refugees is a touching testament to the value of the Relocated People Access Programme and the impact it is having on people’s lives. We’re proud to support refugees as they settle into their new lives in our city.

“In the face of unimaginable adversity, Maryna Ivanova’s story exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the transformative power of community support and sport and physical activity. Through her resilience and perseverance, Maryna has overcome the trauma of displacement.

“As she continues her journey of rebuilding her family’s life in Edinburgh, Maryna’s story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for refugees worldwide and we’re glad to have been able to play a part.”

Corstorphine Community Centre now in community ownership

STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee of C. C. C. (Corstorphine Community Centre) is delighted to announce that The Hub (formerly Westfield House) on Kirk Loan is now in community ownership.

Negotiations with the City of Edinburgh Council for the purchase of the building and grounds have been successfully completed, and the building became the property of C. C. C. on 20th February 2024.

It has been a long journey to secure a new home for a community centre in the heart of Corstorphine, following the fire in 2013 which devastated the Public Hall.

We are more than grateful to the individuals and organisations who have got us to this point, offering invaluable expertise and time, and raising and awarding funding over the 10 plus years it has taken.

We now have a building, situated in the heart of Corstorphine which will be devoted to promoting community wellbeing and activities.

We will do this by being the home for organisations needing a local base, by delivering a growing programme of activities in-house, by providing letting space for groups and organisations to deliver their activities within Corstorphine, and by offering space for events.

The next big task, so that this all becomes a reality, is to make the building fit for purpose by ensuring it is fully accessible, inviting to use, and environmentally sound. It will be a major works programme and plans are already in the making.

We want to ensure that the end result is a community centre for the 21st century, with a viable business model, which serves and enhances life for folk in our community.

Growing Scotland’s green economy

Seizing the business opportunities of net zero

Scotland can lead the net zero revolution, using its natural resources, world-class universities and entrepreneurial spirit to build the industries of the future, according to Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan.

Ms McAllan said the announcement of a £24.5 million grant to secure Japanese company Sumitomo Electric Industries’ investment in a new cable factory for the offshore wind sector at Nigg highlighted how net zero went hand-in-hand with economic growth. The plant will create around 330 jobs and bring £350 million inward investment to Scotland.

In her first speech since taking over the new portfolio, the Cabinet Secretary outlined her vision for delivering on the economic opportunities of Scotland’s transition to net zero. And she expressed a commitment to ensuring the key sectors on which Scotland’s economy is currently built continue to grow and thrive.

Addressing business leaders in Edinburgh, Ms McAllan said: “The future of the global economy is green – and I think it’s my job and our job collectively to make sure that Scotland can derive the greatest possible benefit from that future. Our Green Industrial Strategy will be a key tool in helping business and investors realise the enormous opportunities ahead.

“While the economic opportunities of net zero are huge, they are far from the only game in town. Today I am announcing a pilot Techscaler hub in Silicon Valley to help promising start ups from Scotland in areas from health technology to space, build contacts with international investors and customers.

“My commitment is to take an approach across the whole of government to actively listen, engage and communicate –  to help achieve business success and in turn Scotland’s economic success.”

The Wellbeing Economy Secretary’s speech.

Only 10 days left to claim Pension Credit and secure £299 Cost of Living boost

  • DWP urges pensioners to act quickly and check if they are eligible for Pension Credit by 5 March 2024
  • Eligible people who claim by this date could secure additional £299 Cost of Living boost
  • Claiming the benefit could also open doors to additional help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills

Hundreds of thousands of pensioners could pocket an extra £299 if they claim Pension Credit in the next 10 days.

Those who successfully apply for Pension Credit by 5 March could also secure a further £299 boost in the form of a Cost of Living payment thanks to backdating rules.

Pension Credit, which averages over £3,900 a year, is there to lend a hand with day-to-day expenses for those who have reached State Pension age and are on a low income.

Minister for Pensions Paul Maynard said: “We are committed to ensuring every pensioner receives the financial support available to them.

“Anyone who is unsure whether they or a loved one is entitled to Pension Credit should quickly check using our online Pension Credit calculator – it’s never been easier.

“Not only could this secure an extra £3,900 every year and unlock a whole host of other support, if successfully claimed by 5 March a further £299 Cost of Living boost is up for grabs.”

While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit, there are an estimated 880,000 households eligible for the support who are yet to claim it.

For single pensioners, Pension Credit guarantees a minimum weekly income of £201.05; for couples, it’s £306.85. Additional help is also available for those with disabilities or caring responsibilities.

And even small amounts of Pension Credit could open doors to further financial assistance, covering things like housing costs, council tax, and heating bills, as well as potentially the £299 backdated Cost of Living payment.

You can apply for Pension Credit over the phone, online, or by post. And for anyone unsure about eligibility or how much they might get, the online Pension Credit calculator tool can help.

The State Pension is due to rise by 8.5% in April 2024 – meaning the new full State Pension will be worth £221.20 per week. 

Applications for Pension Credit can be made: 

Overwhelming majority of Edinburgh residents ‘exhibit high levels of satisfaction with city life’

Around 3,700 residents were interviewed face-to-face between July and September 2023, with 94% of the respondents saying they’re satisfied with life in Edinburgh.

The survey was commissioned by the Edinburgh Partnership to inform best practice, strategy development and outcome monitoring across the Partnership including informing the Local Outcome Improvement Plan, and will be noted by the Culture and Communities Committee in their meeting next Thursday (February 29).

Results also demonstrated that deprivation is the most significant factor impacting the experience of life, living in Edinburgh, and receiving services.

It shows that those in the 20% most deprived areas have an experience that is substantially worse than people who live in other areas of Edinburgh. Of those who took part in the survey, more than a quarter of residents had not paid a household bill, paid a bill using credit, or used a food bank in the past twelve months.

Most participants reported feeling very safe in general, but much less safe in their neighbourhood after dark. When asked what would make them feel safer, over half suggested additional police presence. The majority of people who took part said their satisfaction was lowest with the management of antisocial behaviour, road safety, and cleanliness of neighbourhoods.

The results of the survey, which were jointly funded by members of The Edinburgh Partnership, were designed to provide a proportionate sample of Edinburgh residents.

Read the full summary of results from the 2023 Edinburgh Partnership Survey on their website.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted that such a large majority of our residents are so satisfied with Edinburgh as a place to live. It’s also heartening to see that people have recognised the hard work our Council teams put in to supporting and delivering our services.

“Research like the Edinburgh Partnership Survey is incredibly insightful for our own future planning and the feedback will help us to keep improving the way we serve Edinburgh’s residents. 

“The rise in inflation and the continuing cost-of-living crisis mean that many residents are facing the most difficult financial circumstances ever, but we are working extremely hard to lessen the impacts.

“The reality is that we are Scotland’s lowest funded council and ending poverty is not something we can do alone. I remain committed to doing my utmost as Council Leader along with colleagues and our city’s partners to improving the situation here in Edinburgh as there’s still a lot more work to do.”

Thorntons’ charity wills campaign raises £43,500 for vulnerable families across Edinburgh and Forth areas

Children and families across Edinburgh and the wider Forth region are benefiting from Thorntons’ latest charity wills campaign, which raised £43,500 for Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids.

Every September Thorntons’ offices in Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg, Fife, Dundee, Perth and Angus waive their fees for those making wills, asking them to instead donate an equivalent sum to the charity.

The campaign has raised over £600,000 for Cash for Kids since it was established more than 27 years ago. 

The firm’s latest fundraising drive helped a diverse range of groups and individuals. Among the recipients was Capital Theatres which received funding to offer

relaxed pantomime performances suitable for those with autism spectrum disorder, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability.

Up to 900 youngsters from 12 special education schools were able to attend the special pantomime sessions which featured an adapted production and auditorium conditions, allowing children and carers to feel relaxed and free to make noise. The funding also enabled the groups to benefit from free transport and snacks for the children. 

Emma Kemp, Regional Charity Manager at Cash for Kids, said: “I can’t begin to thank Thorntons, their employees and clients enough for their ongoing support to our charity.

“Every year this incredible donation makes a huge difference to Cash for Kids, supporting us to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in our local communities. This donation will enable us to continue supporting children and young people who are suffering from life limiting illness, poverty, neglect, and those who require additional support to reach their individual potential.  

“The kindness and generosity Thorntons have given to us over the years has reached the lives of so many deserving children and on behalf of them all I want to say thank you.”

Murray Etherington, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts and Succession planning at Thorntons, said: “Contributing to the communities where we live and work is very important to everyone at Thorntons.

“Cash for Kids provides a helping hand to those who need it most and it’s an honour to support its very important work.”

For more information on Thorntons’ Charity Wills campaign visit:

 https://www.thorntons-law.co.uk/charitywills.  

Playing video games may improve attention and memory

A new study, published in the British Psychological Society’s British Journal of Psychology, found that regular gamers performed better on tasks measuring cognitive functions such as attention and memory.

The study, which took place at the Lero Esports Science Research Lab at University of Limerick, involved 88 young adults, half of whom regularly played more than seven hours of action-based video games each week.

Participants were tested with three tasks measuring different aspects of their cognitive performance – a simple reaction time test, a task which involved switching between responding to combinations of numbers and letters to evaluate executive function (including flexible thinking and self-control) and working memory, and a maze-based activity to assess visuospatial memory (the ability to retain and process an object’s identity and spatial location).

The researchers found that regular gamers were able to complete the number-letter task and the maze task 12.7 per cent and 17.4 per cent quicker respectively than the group of non-gamers.

Dr Adam Toth of University of Limerick and Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, and one of the authors of the research, said: “The regular playing of video games is often criticised and seen as unhealthy, but our research shows that gamers may enjoy some cognitive benefits over the wider population, particularly relating to attentiveness and memory“.

Dr Mark Campbell, added: “In line with previous work out of our lab, this research may have implications in sectors where cognitive performance is paramount, such as surgery, and air traffic control, where video game play could be encouraged to help develop the elite cognitive performance required.”

The research also investigated a further angle – whether gamers are less prone to suffering from cognitive fatigue than the wider population. Cognitive fatigue is defined as the decline in task performance that entails sustained mental activity. It can manifest in making mistakes and a difficulty staying focused.

Some participants were assigned an additional task, designed to require concentration for a long period of time and bring about cognitive fatigue, before being reevaluated on the initial cognitive tests.

The researchers found that gamers and non-gamers saw their performance decline at the same rate, with no significant difference found in the level of cognitive fatigue experienced. Suggesting that the common belief that playing games can lead to poorer concentration skills may be incorrect.

The research was published in the British Journal of Psychology, a flagship journal of the British Psychological Society.

Edinburgh based reserves put through paces ahead of NATO training

Two Aberdeenshire born reserve soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland have just returned home after completing an intensive weekend training exercise in the wild terrain and harsh weather conditions of the Pentlands.

Private David Gray (25), whose civilian job is a butcher, and Private Cameron Gillies (26), who works in Public Affairs in Edinburgh, spent their weekend undertaking the highly challenging patrol exercise designed to test the physical fitness and robustness, mental resilience, navigation, and military knowledge.

The soldiers took part in the exercise alongside other troops and had to navigate between a series of checkpoints and conduct a military task at each stand. One stand included a test of how quickly they could treat a casualty and extract them to a safe area 1km away from the incident point.

Troops will progress onto more arduous training in the months ahead and are currently working towards being selected for the Cambrian Patrol in Wales in October this year – widely considered to be NATO’s toughest patrolling test.

Private David Gillies, a reservist in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “My civilian role is a different type of pressure, dealing with legislation and briefing politicians.

“The army reserve gives me the chance to do something completely different, to challenge myself and be surrounded with like-minded people who are committed to serving their country.

“Training weekends after a full working week is tough, but I love it – and it keeps me fit when I’m away from my desk”.

Edinburgh business club announces new 2024 Charity Partner

Scottish monthly business networking club, which has attracted over 185 guest speakers including rugby legend Scott Hastings and 5th generation owner of Bon Accord Soft Drinks, Karen Knowles and over 4000 attendees, announces its new charity partnership for 2024 as Carers of East Lothian, (CoEL).

Love Your Business was founded by Michelle Brown, of the eponymous PR agency which marks its 10thanniversary this year, to help start-ups and growth businesses to make connections, share contacts, exchange referrals and ideas, and also find new collaborative opportunities.

Speakers over the years who have shared their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys, business insights and learnings also include Marie Owen, founder of LS Productions, Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite and Chris van der Kuyl, the chairman and co-founder of games developer 4J Studios.

The aim of the networking club, which started in Black Ivy in Bruntsfield in January 2018, and ran online during the pandemic, is also to support various charities and social enterprises to help raise awareness and donate a percentage of funds from tickets sales from the events. Organisations also receive PR and marketing support for a year.

These include Make 2nds Count, Support in Mind Scotland, Epilepsy Scotland, Invisible Cities and Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh. This year Love Your Business is partnering with Carers of East Lothian, CoEL, which was founded 26 years ago to provide much-needed support for people who are caring for someone.

The charity was chosen to highlight the role of carers and the support they need, as figures show that three out of five people will become carers at some stage in their lives and 1 in 10 is already fulfilling some sort of caring role, (Carers Trust).

Many aspects of caring can be rewarding, but caring can also have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the person providing the care. The free services CoEL offer include information and advice for carers, as well as peer support groups, grants to support carers to take breaks from caring, counselling, workshops, training and events.

Michelle said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Carers of East Lothian this year, which is a cause very close to our hearts.

“The outstanding work they do to support people who are caring for loved ones including family members, friends and neighbours for over two decades is highly commendable.

“The charity is dedicated to making life a little bit easier for carers, whether it is supporting them to take a break or signposting them to grants and legal advice, which is why we are honoured to be helping them to raise even more awareness of the great work they are doing and raise funds too.”

Jessica Wade, Chief Executive Officer of Carers of East Lothian said: ‘’We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as the Love Your Business Charity Partner for 2024.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise much needed funds for our work with local carers, as well as benefitting from Michelle’s valuable expertise to help us reach every carer who needs our support across East Lothian.”

Tickets for the next networking event on Thursday, 29th February at Black Ivy in Bruntsfield are £20 with 10% of all tickets going to Carers of East Lothian.

Ticket link – https://bit.ly/42jaDmm

https://lybnetworking.com/

Love Your Business (lybnetworking.com)