Edinburgh residents have the chance to share their views on a potential safer drug consumption room for the city.
From today until 1 July 2026, people can share how they feel about having a facility for people to take drugs under the care of medical professionals in the Old Town area.
The consultation is an opportunity for people who live or work in the Old Town area to share their views on the facility. Groups including those with lived experience of problem drug use and families affected by drug use will also be consulted.
The views from the consultation period will help to inform whether a formal business case to establish a facility will be developed for the Scottish Government for a final decision.
“Scottish tax and benefit policies working to reduce child poverty … but progress falls far short of 2030 targets“
Responding to yesterday’s (2 April 2026) IFS Labour market, living standards and poverty trends in Scotland report the Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, John Dickie said:“As this IFS briefing makes clear child poverty is lower in Scotland than the UK as a whole as a result of very welcome devolved tax and benefit policies, not least the introduction of the Scottish child payment, as well as lower housing costs.
“But the bottom line is one in five of our children still live in poverty, far short of the 2030 target of fewer than one in ten agreed by all the Holyrood parties. As the IFS state clearly the most direct way for the next Scottish government to further reduce child poverty is to increase devolved benefits.
“That’s why we are calling on all the Holyrood parties to commit to immediately increase the Scottish child payment to £40 a week as the first step toward doubling it by the end of the Parliament.”
Mr Dickie continued: “The IFS analysis echoes what parents tell us – that a mix of improvements to benefits, labour market opportunities and public services are all needed to protect them and their children from poverty.
“The next Scottish government will need to go further on all three if it is serious about ending the scandal of child poverty in a rich country.”
Responding to concerns that increasing Scottish child payment might weaken incentives to work the campaigners point to recent evidence published by the London School of Economics that concluded there is no evidence that the Scottish child payment (SCP) has reduced labour supply and that “concerns that the SCP creates work disincentives are overplayed“.
Previous analysis by the Scottish government also found the Scottish Child Payment was ‘not negatively affecting labour market outcomes at scale in the economy‘.
Great Value Homewares, Furniture, DIY and Art Supplies alongside a fully stocked Garden Centre by Homebase – Your One-Stop Shop for Home and Leisure
A year on from its rapid reopening, The Range Superstore has stepped up once again, completing a full enhancement of the store to deliver an even bigger and better shopping experience.
With expanded departments, refreshed layouts and hundreds of new products added, customers can now enjoy even more choice across the great-value home and leisure ranges the retailer is known for.
Following last year’s swift relaunch, The Range superstore has undergone further investment over the past 12 months, strengthening its position as a true one-stop destination for home décor, creativity and outdoor living.
Shoppers will now discover broader ranges, improved in-store navigation and even more inspiration across every department.
From statement home décor and soft furnishings to lighting, mirrors, wall art and on-trend seasonal collections, the store now offers even greater choice for customers looking to refresh their space. Craft enthusiasts can explore an extensive arts and crafts department, one of The Range’s signature strengths, stocked with canvases, paints, hobby supplies and creative kits for all ages. Shoppers will also find expanded ranges across furniture, storage, kitchenware, outdoor living and family leisure, all designed to deliver style and practicality at accessible prices.
Garden lovers will also benefit from a dedicated Garden Centre by Homebase, bringing plants, compost, tools and outdoor project inspiration back to the local community. Whether updating a balcony, transforming a patio or creating a family-friendly outdoor space, customers can now browse everything they need under one roof.
The enhanced store reinforces The Range’s position as a true destination for home décor, creativity and outdoor living, offering shoppers thousands of products across multiple departments, all at great value prices.
A spokesperson for The Range Superstore said: “We’re proud to welcome shoppers back to a fully updated superstore.
“The Range is known for its breadth of choice and unbeatable value, and this refreshed store truly showcases the very best of what we offer, from home décor and arts and crafts to garden living. We’re excited for customers to come in, explore and rediscover their local store.”
The updated Craigleith Range Home & Leisure (Unit 3 Craigleith Retail Park, South Groathill Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 2LN)is open now, with customers encouraged to visit and see what’s new.
THE City Council wants to hear from communities across the city about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones next November. FCZs are for private spaces such as gardens. These zones help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.
Of the nine zones in place in 2025, four continue this year as the application was for two years – Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
Resident groups, community councils and other community groups – apply by 24 April if you wish your neighbourhood to be a firework control zone.
Apply for a firework control zone in your community:
POLICE are appealing for information following an attempted murder in the Calder Gardens area.
The incident happened around 4.10pm yesterday (Thursday, 2 April, 2026), when a 38-year-old man was attacked by four men. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
The suspects are white and aged in their late twenties to early thirties.
The first man is described as of large build, with short dark, balding hair and a beard. He was wearing a black t-shirt, blue tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.
The second is described as of medium build and was wearing a grey hooded jacket with dark shoulder panels, light grey jogging bottoms and chunky, grey trainers with a white sole.
The third is of medium build with short, dark hair, and was wearing a black gilet, a turquoise t-shirt and black trainers.
The fourth man is also of medium build with short, dark hair. He was wearing a black puffer style jacket and grey jogging bottoms with white logos.
Detective Constable Beverley Burnside said: “We are asking anyone who saw what happened, knows the men described, or where they might be to get in touch.
“Please check any private CCTV or dash-cam footage that you have and get in touch if you have captured something that could assist with our enquiries.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2301 of Thursday, 2 April, 2026.
Schools are out and we’ve got lots of fun children’s activities lined up for the next two weeks!
Note that we are closed on Friday and Monday for the public holidays, but are open on Saturday! Join us for a special Bookbug with your favourite cuddly toy. Slightly older kids will enjoy STEM Club and Board Games.
There will be NO SIGN UPS for trips – spaces will be given to our regular attenders, please only attend the trips if you have been spoken to by a member of the team.
Everyone is welcome to our clubs as long as they have a completed consent form
GIRLGUIDING are delighted to have been included in Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights Manifesto 2026. They’ve brought together manifestos from across the sector to highlight how the next Scottish government can ensure children’s rights are upheld.
Our manifesto asks have been featured including:
Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.
Ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for girls.
Take a look at Together’s full manifesto, urging the next Scottish Government to ensure children’s rights are at the heart of the next Government
The Maltings Exhibition Centre in Cramond opens its doors this weekend, offering visitors a window into one of the most remarkable stretches of history in Scotland, stretching from 8,500 BC to the present day.
Located in the historic heart of Cramond, the Maltings Exhibition Centre opens this weekend for its summer season, until the end of September. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of £3.50, and is open to visitors of all ages. Opening times are 2–5pm each Saturday, Sunday, and on public holidays.
Cramond is one of the oldest continuously occupied areas in Scotland, and the centre’s permanent exhibition brings that story to life. Displays trace human activity in the area from the earliest known evidence of settlement in 8,500 BC, through the Roman era, the medieval period, and on into more recent centuries.
Visitors can explore the story of Cramond’s Kirk and village, the lives of those who lived and worked on the local estates, and the area’s industrial heritage, including its association with one of Scotland’s earliest iron works, which once drove activity along the River Almond.
The Maltings is a brilliant destination for families and younger visitors. Children can come face to face with genuine Roman artefacts recovered from nearby archaeological digs, and step back in time to experience what a local Victorian school classroom would have looked like.
This summer’s programme also includes a series of guided walks along the River Almond and to Cramond Island. Volunteers from the Cramond Heritage Trust will be on hand throughout the season to bring the stories of the site to life.
Ian Rodger, Chair of Cramond Heritage Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening the Maltings Exhibition Centre for another summer season.
“Cramond has a history that stretches back thousands of years, quite possibly making it one of the oldest continuously occupied places in Scotland, and this exhibition centre is where that story is told.
“We can’t wait to share it with visitors, whether they’re coming back for the first time in years or discovering Cramond for the very first time.”
The Maltings Exhibition Centre is run entirely by volunteers from the Cramond Heritage Trust and relies on the generosity of visitors and supporters to preserve and share the heritage of this extraordinary place. Donations are warmly welcomed.
EASTER AT PY 
There will be NO SIGN UPS for trips – spaces will be given to our regular attenders, please only attend the trips if you have been spoken to by a member of the team.
Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.
