Elderly residents at Renaissance Care have been enjoying their April Fools’ Day as they pranked the nation with their ‘Scotland’s Strongest Pensioner Championships’.
The care home residents had a blast taking photos during fake training exercises inspired by the World’s Strongest Man competition, as they were pictured working towards personal goals and bests in the famous Vehicle Pull, the Hercules Hold and a variety of deadlifting challenges.
The residents have been taking part in Summer and Winter Olympics initiatives across the group, which improved the health and wellbeing of residents and saw them get competitive across the sports.
For April Fools’ Day, they felt the perfect joke would be to take that one step further to find Scotland’s Strongest Pensioner.
Care home resident Robert (81) took part in the joke and was photographed at Renaissance Care’s Whitecraigs Care Home. ‘Rob Roy’ said: “We had a great laugh lifting the fake weights and pretending to pull the mini-van along.
“We have all been really competitive and have been joking about who has been the best at the Olympic games and who is the strongest so wanted to have a little fun for April Fools’ Day!”
Around 2.5 million UK workers will receive a pay rise, as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increase today
£1,000 a year pay rise for full time workers following the largest ever uplift to the National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng: “While no government can control the global factors pushing up the cost of everyday essentials, we will absolutely act wherever we can to mitigate rising costs.”
Millions of UK workers will receive a pay rise from today (Friday 1 April), as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rise comes into effect.
The uplift in wages, which will benefit around 2.5 million people, includes the largest ever increase to the National Living Wage. It will put £1,000 a year more into full-time workers’ pay packets, helping to ease cost of living pressures.
With today’s rise, the yearly earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will have increased by over £5,000 since the introduction of the National Living Wage by the Government in April 2016.
As a direct result of government action, the current number of employees on the payroll is over 600,000 more than pre-pandemic levels – and unemployment has fallen to 3.9%.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:“We have never been more determined to make work pay, and by providing the biggest cash increase ever to the National Living Wage from today, we are giving a boost to millions of UK workers.
“While no government can control the global factors pushing up the cost of everyday essentials, we will absolutely act wherever we can to mitigate rising costs.
“With more employees on the payroll than ever before, this government will continue to stand up for workers.”
Today’s uplift will particularly benefit workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality and cleaning and maintenance. Apprentices will also get a large 11.9% increase to their minimum hourly pay, with 21-22 year-olds seeing an immediate 9.8% rise. The National Living Wage, the minimum wage for over 23-year-olds, will now move up to £9.50 an hour.
Last year, the age threshold for the rate moved from age 25 to 23, meaning that more young workers are now eligible for a higher wage.
The new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates are both statutory minimums, and businesses are encouraged to pay workers above these whenever they can afford to do so.
Recent studies show significant benefits for employers who pay their staff higher wages, which includes higher job retention and staff productivity.
In full, the increases from 1 April 2022 are:
With the rates going up from today, workers across the UK are being urged to check they are being paid properly. This can be done by visiting the Check Your Pay site, which also offers advice on what to do if you are being underpaid.
The Government also today announced it will be launching a communications campaign in the coming weeks to help increase understanding among minimum and living wage earners around the wages they are legally entitled to, as well as the steps they can take if they are concerned they are being underpaid.
Record increases in global gas prices this year saw the Energy Price Cap, set by the independent regulator Ofgem, rise by 54%. While a worrying time for households, the price cap continues to insulate millions of households from high wholesale gas prices.
Today’s uplift comes alongside further government measures worth over £9.1 billion to support people across the UK with rising energy bills, with the majority of households receiving £350 in total. This will help over 28 million households affected by the large spike in global energy prices, protecting them from half of the average forecast bill rise.
The package includes a £150 rebate in Council Tax bills for all households in Bands A-D in England – 80% of households – with payments being made from today (1 April 2022), and a £200 reduction in energy bills for all households from October 2022 through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
This contributes to wider government support to ease cost of living pressures worth £22billion next financial year as well as government plans to drive £6 billion into making homes more energy efficient over the next ten years, which is vital to keeping household energy costs down.
The government is also announcing further help for low-income households to meet energy costs with the publication of consultation responses on the extension of the Warm Homes Discount and Energy Company Obligation schemes.
The Warm Homes Discount scheme is being extended until 2025/26 and expanded to reduce the energy costs of around £3 million low-income and vulnerable households every year, while the Energy Company Obligation scheme will see £1 billion annual funding until 2026 to help upgrade energy efficiency measures in 450,000 homes, cutting an average of £300 off energy bills.
Going even further to ease the cost of living, last week as part of the Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new Tax Plan, including cuts to fuel duty by 5p per litre, and that energy efficiency measures can be installed in homes VAT free for the first time ever.
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:“This historic increase will mean a pay rise for millions of hard-working Brits – with an average full-time worker pocketing an extra £1,000 a year.
“We’re doing everything we can to ensure people keep more of what they earn in these challenging times, with a new Tax Plan that delivers tax cuts for nearly 30 million people as well as £22billion to help with the cost of living.”
Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) said:“The Business Secretary’s strong support is especially welcome at this difficult time. Workers on the minimum wage; care for our elderly and sick, harvest and deliver our food, and do a multitude of other tasks which help us all.
“Many public sector workers including for example teaching assistants will also shortly be included. They all deserve to be properly remunerated and respected as key members of our society.
“The Low Pay Commission met with around a hundred representative bodies last year before making its recommendations. We are frequently their main sometimes even their only advocates. With government support we will continue to try to ensure that they do not suffer from the neglect which was so often characteristic of the past.”
Community-led groups looking to play major role promoting green travel by rail, as Scotland’s train services move into public ownership
Members of a grassroots ‘community rail’ movement are looking forward to playing a growing role helping Scottish communities to thrive, and working towards a greener transport future, as ScotRail services transfer into the public sector on 1st April.
As Scotland’s railways move into this new era, the country’s network of community rail partnerships and groups are set to play a key role in its future, engaging communities with local railways and stations, promoting social inclusion, and enabling and encouraging more people to get around sustainably by train.
This year, following on from COP26, they are especially working to get across the huge carbon savings of travelling by train instead of driving or flying, and engaging communities and rail partners to make it easier to use the train combined with walking, cycling, buses, and community transport.
To coincide with the changes in the rail industry, Scotland’s community rail partnerships are working with their umbrella body Community Rail Network to showcase the vital, sometimes life-changing work taking place in community rail, from the Borders to the Highlands, and get across the importance of train travel to tackling the climate emergency – including through a new inspiring promotional video.
This follows on from Community Rail Network’s ‘Community Rail in Scotland’ report, published in 2021, which highlight the efforts of 1,200 volunteers who give over 55,000 hours annually, valued at £4.7 million per year, to promote sustainable and healthy travel, wellbeing, economic development, and tourism in their local area.
Making up Scotland’s eight community rail partnerships and 260 station groups, they carry out projects to bring improvements to rail services and stations, such as improved accessibility and community facilities, while helping communities to have a voice in rail and transport development, working with train operators, local authorities, and other partners.
They also build local confidence and awareness around train travel, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of public ownership towards the railways.
Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “As Scotland’s railways enter a new era, and with the need to encourage greener ways to get around more pressing than ever, Scotland’s community rail movement is redoubling its efforts.
“We see the shift of ScotRail trains into public ownership as a great opportunity to further connect local communities with their railways and get more people travelling by train.
“Community rail has an inspiring track record of doing just that: promoting travel confidence and increasing access to opportunity, while bringing people together, giving communities a voice, and putting railways and stations at the heart of community life.
“Over the coming years, we’ll be working closely with Scotland’s community rail partnerships, volunteers, and railway partners with a strong focus on supporting and enabling greener journeys by train. We’re looking forward to community rail playing a vital role in the great shift we need, towards more sustainable, inclusive, community-friendly transport.”
Transport is the largest contributor to climate emissions in Scotland, and in response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland has committed to reducing emissions by 75% by 2030, and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.
Rail accounted for just 1% of UK domestic transport emissions in 2019, despite representing 10% of the total distance travelled, and for a 30-mile journey, travelling by train instead of by car can reduce emissions by up to 86%.
The partnerships are supported by Community Rail Network and the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Paths for All. This support helps to develop projects and deliver work promoting sustainable journeys with rail at their heart, aligning with Scotland’s vision of a sustainable, inclusive, safe, and accessible transport system.
Graham McQueen, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places manager, said: “Changing the way we make everyday journeys is good for our health, it’s good for our communities, and it helps protect our environment.
“We need to drive less and walk, cycle, and use public transport more. We are delighted to support Community Rail Network in Scotland as community support and engagement is key to the integration of train stations into communities, making them more pleasant and accessible, and ultimately encouraging more people to use sustainable transport options for longer journeys.
“The Paths for All Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme supports hundreds of creative projects throughout Scotland, all looking to encourage behaviour change towards a happier, healthier, and greener way of life.
“The way we travel is central to this and that’s why we’re delighted to support this promotional video that shows how rail travel can play a key role in changing the way we travel and how travelling by train can be more inclusive and sustainable.”
Elderly care home residents have been in training for weeks and have been flexing their muscles as they get ready to go head-to-head for the title of Scotland’s Strongest Pensioner.
Building on the success of its recent Summer and Winter Olympics initiatives, which improved the health and wellbeing of residents, the leading care group Renaissance Care has launched the championships to determine the strongest senior citizens across the country.
With training exercises inspired by the World’s Strongest Man competition, residents will be working towards personal goals and bests in the famous Vehicle Pull, the Hercules Hold and a variety of deadlifting challenges.
Renaissance Care pensioners are now in preparation to take each other on in separate men and women’s categories, hoping to be crowned Scotland’s first ‘Strongest Pensioner’.
Care home staff have invested in equipment to help the residents train including weight belts and dumbbells, and have even reserved the home’s mini-vans for practicing the Vehicle Pull – one of the competition’s most challenging events.
Taking part in the competition isApril (99). She said:“Those who say they aren’t in this for the glory are lying. I have set my sights on being Scotland’s Strongest Pensioner in the women’s category and won’t stop until I get there, no matter what.
“My mini-van pull technique has been improving every day and I’ll continue to work on that as well as my stamina in the Hercules Hold – it’s all about the gains. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to pull it along with all of my grandkids inside.”
Care home resident, Joe King (96), said: “This competition is more about mental power and technique than it is brute strength. Muscles I have, but pushing through mentally when the pressure is on mid-competition? That’s when we’re really tested.
“I’m disappointed there’s no Fridge Lift this year as I’ve been working on my tactics for a while, but I’m hoping that will be introduced for next year’s event.”
Care home manager, Vera Funnai, said: “We have a great schedule of activities to improve the health and fitness of our residents throughout the year, and this is the ultimate challenge.
“I have complete faith in our ‘Scotland’s Strongest Pensioner’ participants, and I look forward to crowning the winner later this month.”
Between 2016 and 2020, one tenth of people in Scotland were in persistent poverty after housing costs. Persistent poverty identifies individuals who live in relative poverty (have a household income of less than 60% of the UK median) for at least three years out of the last four.
Persistent poverty rates were similar for children and working-age adults (10%) and pensioners (11%). Over time, persistent poverty rates have been fairly stable for all age groups, except for children in the most recent period.
Persistent child poverty saw a relatively large drop compared to previous estimates, from 15% to 10%. This observed fall should be interpreted with caution as persistent poverty estimates do tend to fluctuate. So not all of this decrease is likely to reflect real change and will be due to a range of factors.
Some low income households will have benefitted from increased financial support during the pandemic. At the same time, reduced earnings and job losses may have resulted in a lower median income, leading to a fall in the poverty line, and a drop in the relative poverty rate.
Not everyone in poverty is in persistent poverty: More than a third of people in poverty move out of poverty each year. At the same time, a similar number of people who were not in poverty before enter poverty each year.
The persistent poverty report usually goes alongside the main poverty statistics publication Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland. This will not be published this year due to the disrupted data collection during COVID-19 restrictions.
An analytical report will be published instead to explain the limitations of the most recent data. Users should note that the latest reliable figures are those previously published.
These figures are produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
Reacting to the publication of new statistics on poverty in Scotland and across the UK, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “In a compassionate society like ours, we believe in looking after one another and protecting each other from harm. But these new figures show that we are failing to put that compassion into practice.
“When the Chancellor raised Universal Credit by £20 a week, he lifted 400,000 children across the UK out of poverty. But when he cut that £20 lifeline, many of those children and their families will have been pulled back into poverty’s grip. It was an unjust and scandalous decision then, and its impact on people’s lives is becoming even clearer now.
“The Scottish Government’s actions to increase the Scottish Child Payment show what can be done when we make our compassion concrete and is a good example to build on. We need to make sure that the money gets to the people who need it, as soon as possible, and that wider action on transport, childcare and housing all ramp up in ambition to help us meet our child poverty targets.”
The full publications are available here:
Persistent Poverty in Scotland presents estimates of the proportion of people in Scotland who live in persistent poverty. The data come from the Understanding Society Survey, and the latest statistics cover the period from 2016 to 2020.
These poverty statistics are used by the Scottish Government and other organisations to monitor progress in tackling poverty and child poverty, and to analyse what drives poverty and what works for tackling poverty and income inequality.
Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland – analytical report provides information on the limitations of the most recent data for 2020/21 from the Department for Work and Pensions Family Resources Survey Households Below Average Income dataset.
This report and dataset are not official statistics. Users should note that the latest reliable figures are those previously published for 2019/20.
The latest estimates are unreliable as they are based on data collected during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions. These affected the data collection and as a result, it was not possible to obtain a representative sample for Scotland. UK income and poverty figures are published on the same day by DWP.
Key poverty measures:
Relative poverty: A household is in relative poverty if its income is below 60 percent of the middle household income in the UK (the poverty threshold). Relative poverty is a measure of whether the income of the poorest households are keeping pace with middle income households across the UK.
Persistent poverty identifies the number of people in relative poverty for three or more out of four years. People who live in poverty for several years are affected by it through their lifetime.
Household income is adjusted for household size.
The poverty publications present poverty figures before and after housing costs. Before housing costs figures are a basic measure of household income from earnings and benefits.
After housing costs figures subtract spending on rents, mortgage interest payments and other unavoidable housing costs from this basic income. In Scotland, poverty statistics focus mainly on poverty after housing costs.
The poverty estimates in this summary refer to relative poverty after housing costs.
143 candidates will contest Edinburgh’s 17 wards in the Local Government Elections on Thursday 5 May.
Nominations for candidates closed om Wednesday 30 March. The nominated candidates for each ward are listed in full below and on the Council website:
Ward 1 – Almond
Workers Party of Britain – BAILLIE, Annemarie
Scottish Green Party – BROUGH, Andrew
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – GEDDES, Stewart
Scottish Labour Party – HESSLER, Fred
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – HILL, James
Scottish Liberal Democrats – LANG, Kevin
Scottish National Party (SNP) – WORK, Norrie
Scottish Liberal Democrats – YOUNG, Louise
Scottish Liberal Democrats – YOUNIE, Lewis James
Ward 2 – Pentland Hills
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – BRUCE , Graeme
Scottish Liberal Democrats – CHAPPELL, Michael William
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – FETTES, Richard
Scottish National Party (SNP) – GARDINER, Neil Thomas
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – GILCHRIST, Emma
Scottish National Party (SNP) – GLASGOW, Fiona
Scottish Labour Party – JENKINSON, Stephen Philip
Scottish Green Party – MULLER, Ross
Scottish Libertarian Party – ROWLANDS, Louis
Ward 3 – Drum Brae/ Gyle
Scottish Liberal Democrats – ALDRIDGE, Robert Christopher
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – BROWN, Mark
Scottish National Party (SNP) – HYSLOP, Euan
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – JOHNSTON, Eileen
Labour and Co-operative Party – OKORO, Nkechi
Scottish Green Party – SCOTT, Anne
Scottish Libertarian Party – SMITH, Gary
Scottish Liberal Democrats – THORNLEY, Edward John
Ward 4 – Forth
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – CAMPBELL, Jim
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – CAMPBELL, Linda Lenora
Labour and Co-operative Party – DAY, Cammy
Scottish Liberal Democrats – DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne
Scottish National Party (SNP) – DOBBIN, Stuart
Scottish National Party (SNP) – GOOCH, Carrie
Women’s Equality Party – HEATHCOTE, Kerry Elizabeth
Scottish Green Party – O’NEILL, Kayleigh
Ward 5 – Inverleith
Scottish Green Party – BANDEL, Jule
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – HERRING, Stuart
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – HOLDEN, Phil
Scottish Libertarian Party – LAIRD, Tam
MCNAMARA, Stephen
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – MITCHELL, Max
Labour and Co-operative Party – MUNRO-BRIAN, Mhairi
Scottish National Party (SNP) – NICOLSON, Vicky
Scottish Liberal Democrats – OSLER, Hal
Scottish Liberal Democrats – WOOD, Malcolm Alexander
Ward 6 – Corstorphine/ Murrayfield
Scottish Liberal Democrats – BEAL, Alan Christopher
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – COLVILLE, Norman David
Scottish Liberal Democrats – DAVIDSON, Euan Robert
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – FINDLAY, Hugh
Scottish Green Party – HUGHES, Connal
Scottish Labour Party – PARKER, Richard
Scottish National Party (SNP) – ROSS, Frank
Ward 7 – Sighthill/ Gorgie
Scottish National Party (SNP) – DIXON, Denis
Scottish National Party (SNP) – FULLERTON, Catherine
Independent – GRACZYK, Ashley
Scottish Green Party – HEAP, Dan
Alba Party for independence – HENRY, David
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – HOOLEY, Mark
Scottish Labour Party – MCKENZIE, Ross
Scottish Liberal Democrats – SCOBIE, Devin
Ward 8 – Colinton/ Fairmilehead
Scottish Labour Party – ARTHUR, Scott
Scottish National Party (SNP) – BIAGI, Marco
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – CUTHBERT, Neil
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – LUCAS, Richard Crewe
Scottish Green Party – MCCABE, Helen
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – RUST, Jason
Scottish Liberal Democrats – SPENCE, Louise Watson
Ward 9 – Fountainbridge/ Craiglockhart
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – COWDY, Christopher
Scottish Liberal Democrats – GRAHAM, Fraser John Ashmore
Scottish National Party (SNP) – KEY, David
Scottish Libertarian Party – MASSON, Gregor
Scottish Green Party – MCHANEY, Megan
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – RAMSAY, Fraser Kenneth
Labour and Co-operative Party – WALKER, Val
Ward 10 – Morningside
Scottish National Party (SNP) – CLYDE, Mairianna
Alba Party for independence – GUNN BARRETT, Leah
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – MUNRO, Marie-Clair
Scottish Green Party – PARKER, Ben
Scottish Liberal Democrats – ROSS, Neil John
Scottish Libertarian Party – SIDOR, Peter
Scottish Labour Party – WATT, Mandy Helen
Ward 11 – City Centre
Independent – BOB, Bonnie Prince
Independent – CARSON, Pete
Scottish Liberal Democrats – FOXALL, Andy
Labour and Co-operative Party – GRAHAM, Margaret Arma
Independent – ILLINGWORTH, Kevin
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MCFARLANE, Finlay
Scottish Green Party – MILLER, Claire
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – MOWAT, Jo
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MWIKI, Marianne
Independent – PAKPAHAN-CAMPBELL, Maria
Independent – PENMAN, Paul R.
Independent – ROWAN, Norrie
Alba Party for independence – SHAW, Kevan
Ward 12 – Leith Walk
Scottish Liberal Democrats – CALDWELL, Jack
Labour and Co-operative Party – DALGLEISH, James
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – DEEPNARAIN, Niel
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – FOMBO, Bonus
Socialist Labour Party – JACOBSEN, David Don
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MCNEESE-MECHAN, Amy
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MUNN, Rob
Freedom Alliance. Real People. Real Alternative – PULLMAN, Jon
Scottish Green Party – RAE, Susan
Women’s Equality Party – RENTON, David
Communist Party of Britain – SHILLCOCK, Richard Charles
Alba Party for independence – SMITH, Joe
Ward 13 – Leith
Scottish Green Party – BOOTH, Chas
Scottish Labour Party – FACCENDA, Katrina
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – ISSERI, Jacqueline Mary
Independent – MACKENZIE, Andy
Alba Party for independence – MCGLYNN, Euan
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MCVEY, Adam
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – PERCHARD, Teresa
Scottish Liberal Democrats – REA, Robin Thomas
Ward 14 – Craigentinny/ Duddingston
Scottish National Party (SNP) – ASTON, Danny
Scottish National Party (SNP) – BROWN, Shelly-Ann
Scottish Liberal Democrats – FORD, Elaine Ruth
Labour and Co-operative Party – GRIFFITHS, Joan
Scottish Green Party – STANIFORTH, Alex
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – WHYTE, Iain
Ward 15 – Southside/ Newington
Scottish Green Party – BURGESS, Steve
Scottish Liberal Democrats – FLANNERY, Pauline
Scottish National Party (SNP) – KUMAR, Simita
Labour and Co-operative Party – POGSON, Tim
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – ROSE, Cameron
Ward 16 – Liberton/ Gilmerton
Labour and Co-operative Party – CAMERON, Lezley Marion
Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life – CHRISTIE, James Demare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – DOGGART, Philip
Scottish Socialist Party – FOX, Colin
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MACINNES, Lesley
Scottish National Party (SNP) – MATTOS COELHO, Martha
Labour and Co-operative Party – MEASOM, Ishrat
Alba Party for independence – MERON, Abu
Scottish Green Party – NICHOL, John
Scottish Liberal Democrats – PLANCHE, Madeleine Rani Frances
Ward 17 – Portobello/ Craigmillar
Scottish National Party (SNP) – CAMPBELL, Kate
Scottish Conservative and Unionist – JONES, Tim
Independent – MCDONALD, Andrew
Labour and Co-operative Party – MEAGHER, Jane Elizabeth
Scottish Green Party – MUMFORD, Alys
Labour and Co-operative Party – PUGH, Heather
Scottish Liberal Democrats – REILLY, Jill
Scottish National Party (SNP) – SHEDDEN, Simon Clark
Alba Party for independence – TODD, Anne
Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “If you haven’t yet registered to vote in these Local Government Elections, it’s not too late. The deadline for registration is midnight on 18 April.
“Remember, due to changes to polling places to ensure we keep as many schools open as possible, you might have a different polling place this time. Check your polling card carefully or use the online tool to find out where to vote on 5 May.”
A prestigious evening Awards Ceremony recognising the best of the independent care home sector will be held tomorrow (Friday 1 April) at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The National Care Home Awards 2021 (rescheduled from November 2021) is an important opportunity to highlight the contribution of care homes and their staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
88% of all care home support in Scotland is delivered by the independent sector, with these services caring for over 33,000 older individuals and employing nearly 46,000 people.
Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care services across Scotland and organisers of the event, are encouraging those working in the sector and the wider public to join the Awards Ceremony to recognise and celebrate the role of care home workers.
Winners will be announced by the Awards Host – Pop Idol winner, Michelle McManus.
Awards will be presented over fourteen categories:
Ancillary & Support Staff Award
Meaningful Activity Award
Nutrition & Eating Well Award
Training, Learning & Staff Development Award
Emerging Talent Award
Outstanding Achievement Award
Management & Leadership Award
Palliative & End of Life Care Practise Award
Nurse of the Year Award
Carer of the Year Award
Specialist Service/Unit of the Year Award
Care Home Service of the Year Award
Positive Impact Award
Strategic Contribution Award
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care and the co-host of the Awards Ceremony said:“Over the past two years, care home staff have demonstrated resilience whilst adapting to the challenges of Covid-19. The dedication and professionalism of care home staff in supporting residents, families and each other has been exceptional.
“We have witnessed new innovative activity and unprecedented collaboration in care homes, with staff often going above and beyond the call of duty.
“The care home workforce has behaved with such dignity, compassion, professionalism and skill over the last few years, as they always do. The awards ceremony is a chance to say thank you and to recognise the particular skills of a few.
“But it is also a night to acknowledge all the individuals, teams and companies delivering care at an incredibly high standard in a challenging period and within an increasingly demanding work environment. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The awards have been hailed a huge success in recognising individuals, teams and companies, with more entries than ever flooding in each year from employers, care home staff, residents and relatives nominating their peers, colleagues and local services.
The Care Home Awards follows a full-day conference for the care home sector with speakers including the National Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch and the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart MSP.
The Scottish Care National Care Home Conference & Exhibition, which is now in its 22nd year has incorporated an awards ceremony for the last 17 years.
The conference will be the first in-person event hosted by Scottish Care since the start of the pandemic.
The title of the conference is ‘Care Chrysalis: An emerging future’, bringing people together from across the sector to share their experiences from the Covid-19 pandemic and plan for the future of care homes in Scotland.
The conference will explore topics as diverse as the role of technology, care home nursing, business and finance, restoring relationships, the importance of family, the role of creative arts in wellbeing and recovery, and workforce.
The conference, exhibition and care awards are the largest of their kind for the care home sector in Scotland.
A major plan containing 80 actions to improve the lives of children, young people and families in and around the edges of care has been published.
The ‘Keeping The Promise Implementation Plan’ aims to significantly reduce the number of children in care, with at least £500 million over this Parliamentary term to help families stay together.
The Scottish Government will also introduce a national allowance for foster and kinship carers and provide a £200 grant each year for 16 to 25-year-olds with care experience.
Other commitments include:
redesigning the Children’s Hearings System
redesigning the governance of the care system
ending the placement of 16 and 17-year-olds in young offender institutions
reducing the use of restraint in residential or secure care
Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey said: “More than 5,500 people – half of them children and young people with experience of care – told the Independent Care Review that change is needed. This plan sets out, for the first time, over 80 actions that the Scottish Government will take to keep The Promise to deliver that change.
“These ambitious actions will help families to thrive so they can safely stay together. They will also support carers and families engaged with the care system, as well as care leavers and care experienced people in education and employment.
“Alongside The Promise Scotland, the care community, local government, and many others, we are building on work that is already under way to bring forward change as quickly as possible.”
In February 2020 the Independent Care Review published The Promise setting out recommendations to improve outcomes for those with care experience.
The first ever North Edinburgh Community Festival will be a free, family friendly community-led day full of fun and entertainment with the opportunity to find out about learning new skills in a relaxed and interactive way.
The day will feature performances from local groups and there will be stalls and activities for all ages. There will also be local organisations, the emergency services, Edinburgh College, community groups and employers giving young people and their families an insight into the work they do and the opportunities they have to offer.
The programme was launched this afternoon at an event in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
Depute leader Cammy Day said: “This is going to be a great day for the North Edinburgh community to come together and learn more about what local groups and organisations can offer people of all ages in the area. They’ll be loads happening to make the festival fun as well as having educational elements with local employment opportunities being showcased.
“If you live in or around the area, I’d encourage you to come along to enjoy the local bands and find out more about local groups and organisations offering a whole range of activities from Arts for Grown-ups to nature play activities and storytelling.
“The day is being organised by the community and a dedicated group of local organisations and groups and I’d like to thank everyone involved.
“It’s also part of our £1.3bn project to regenerate Granton Waterfront and transform currently unused land to become a new sustainable neighbourhood.
“This will be a key part of our network of 20 minute neighbourhoods across the city, with affordable environmentally friendly homes, excellent transport and active travel links and access to lots of open and green space, arts, sports and culture.”
Willie Black North Edinburgh Community Festival Planning Committee Chair said: “I’m proud to be part of the planning committee for the Festival, creating a celebration of North Edinburgh and its place in our Capital city.
“The Festival is open to all ages. It’s going to be massive a boost to the area bringing our community together and is particularly welcome as we all start to recover from the Covid pandemic.”
Michael Jeffrey, Edinburgh College Vice Principal, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the North Edinburgh Community Festival and look forward to working with all the partners to showcase the fantastic talent, opportunities, and facilities on offer in the local community.
“We encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the day with us.”
Jed Milroy Assistant Director Tinderbox Orchestra said: “Tinderbox Orchestra is thrilled to add North Edinburgh Community Festival to kick off our Summer touring schedule.
“There is so much creativity in this brilliant community and it will be a real joy to see everyone coming out to celebrate it all together.
“We’re especially excited about young people from Tinderbox Music Club and Granton Youth performing on stage, many for the first time ever! It’s never been more important to come together as a community and look at all the positive things that are going on. Get it in your diary!”
Highlights of the programme include:
A music line-up featuring local acts and performers including local youth orchestra Tinderbox Orchestra, young musicians from the Granton Youth Mixtape Music Club, a fun and energetic concert for all the family from Fischy Music, a family rave from Big Fish Little Fish, a musical medley from the Forth Children’s Theatre, performances from local schools including Broughton High School, St David’s R. C. Primary and Pirniehall Primary School and performances from local punk rock band Yer Local Bams, DJ Dynamite and Newhaven Community Choir.
Family events and activities will include Bookbug with Muirhouse Library, nature play activities led by The Green Team, storytelling and book making with the Super Power Agency and arts and activities curated by North Edinburgh Arts.
Workshops for all ages including an Arts for Grown Ups drawing class led by artist Alice Betts and drumming and rhythm workshop with Moving Music. As well as a parade led by Low Income Families Together.
Stalls featuring around 30 locally based groups and third sector organisations.
Learning and upskilling opportunities from local employers and employability support organisations, including course taster sessions from Edinburgh College Granton Campus, employability advice and support from Robertson Partnership Homes, CCG Construction and Crudens, as well as advice and support from Capital City Partnerships and Smart Works Edinburgh.
Food demos and “pay what you can” food available from Edinburgh College, local charity Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and social enterprise Scran Academy.
Festival Programme: Tinderbox Orchestra, Fischy Music, Big Fish Little Fish, Yer Local Bams, Granton Youth Mixtape Music Club, DJ Dynamite, Broughton Music School Jazz Quartet, Rai Williams, Newhaven Community Choir, St David’s R C Primary and Pirniehall Primary School Music Club, Forth Children’s Theatre, Ama-zing Harmonies, Pulse of Place Samba Band, Bookbug, arts and crafts, The Green Team, Super Power Agency, Moving Music, Play Rangers, Arts and Dance classes, Art Bugs in Muirhouse, Spartans Community Football Academy, Low Income Families Together Parade.
Community Stalls: West Granton Community Trust, Muirhouse Library, Project Esperanza, Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies, Pennywell Pantry, Community Renewal, Venture Scotland, Vocal, Fresh Start, Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, Granton Goes Greener, NHS Lothian, Pilton Equalities Project, Learning Disability team and NHS Lothian, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Active Travel Team, Police Scotland, U-Evolve, Wasps, Girlguiding Edinburgh, Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, ESES Communities, Muirhouse Housing Association, Grassroots Remedies and much more.
Jobs and Skills: Edinburgh College, Capital City Partnerships, Smart Works Edinburgh, Robertson Partnership Homes, CCG Construction, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Royal Navy.
About North Edinburgh Community Festival Planning Committee: The event is being run in partnership with a consortium of organisations who meet fortnightly, including: The City of Edinburgh Council, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, North Edinburgh Arts, Edinburgh College, Police Scotland, Low Income Families Together (LIFT), Granton Youth, Tinderbox Orchestra and Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
Funders and Sponsors: The City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Edinburgh College Development Trust, Muirhouse Resident Association and Immediate Waste.
Households are being encouraged to take a meter reading today (31st March) before an energy price hike comes into effecton 1st April.
It is advised to supply a meter reading to ensure that you get the current, cheaper rates for all the energy you have used prior to this date. You may be charged for energy used prior to the increase at the new higher unit prices if you do not supply a reading.
Ofgem is increasing its price capfrom the 1st of April. For those on a default tariff who pay by direct debit, the price cap is going up by almost £700.
However, if you take a meter reading on 31st of March and provide this to your energy supplier, you should be charged correctly (at the lower rate) for energy already used.
How Do I Submit a Meter Reading?
There are various ways you can submit a reading:
· Online or via the energy supplier’s app
· Through online chat with the supplier
· Sending a text
· Contacting the supplier via telephone (this is sometimes an automated line).
More information on how to provide a meter reading to your supplier can be found on their website, or on statements or bills you have received from them.
Smart Meters
Smart meters send automatic readings to your energy supplier. Depending on how a smart meter is set up, it may not automatically send a reading on the 31st of March. This is because in many cases the system will be set up to send a reading on a set date once a month.
You may be able to change the settings – some meters can take readings every half hour – or, failing that, log into your account and submit your reading that way.
For example, British Gas have insisted that its smart meters take readings at set times determined by the customer, but there is nothing to stop them logging in and submitting an additional one on the 31st of March.
If, for whatever reason, you have a problem trying to submit your readings, you can take photos on the day that clearly show the reading, and the meter serial numbers.
energyadvice.scot
As the cost of living crisis bites, it’s important to ensure you’re not paying more than you should be for your energy. One of the easiest ways to do this is through taking and submitting meter readings.
While smart meters are taking the chore out of remembering to read your meter, not every household has them installed. It’s therefore important to know how to take your meter readings and to let your supplier know what they are.
Energy bills are confusing if you don’t understand what the numbers mean. Luckily, Energy Saving Trust have this great blog that breaks down your energy bills.
If you don’t give your energy supplier meter readings, they guess how much you’ve used based on the information about what that property has used in the past. This is known as an estimated reading. Your bill may show ‘estimated’ or ‘E’ on the bill you receive. .
Estimated readings can be over or under what you’re actually using and could lead to problems with your energy bills later down the line. If your energy supplier has underestimated how much energy you’re using, you could end up owing money that you haven’t budgeted for. On the other hand, if your energy supplier has overestimated how much energy you’re using, you could end up paying higher bills than you need to.
To avoid this, take accurate meter readings and provide them to your energy supplier, who should then send you an accurate bill. Look at the reading number on your meter and write it down. Many energy companies allow you to submit these readings online or provide an automated phone service to let you do this.
If you’re struggling to keep warm at home and keep up with your energy costs, we’re here to help you. As well as tips on how to save energy and advice on making your home warmer, we can check if you’re eligible for special discounts from energy suppliers and other funding. We can also help you get a benefits and tax credit check so you’re not missing out on additional income.
Give us a call on 0808 808 2282 or use our contact form to get in touch via email.
