consultation – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Holyrood: Have your say on Public Service Reform

With the Scottish Government aiming to deliver average savings of £0.5bn a year to public services over the next three years, Holyrood’s Public Service Reform Committee is seeking views on how achievable the proposed public sector reforms are.

The Committee has today launched a consultation asking how barriers to progress with reform can be overcome; how preventative approaches to spending can be promoted; and how the delivery of public services can be simplified.

As part of its pre-budget scrutiny work, the Committee will also consider whether there is sufficient clarity around how front-line roles, which are to be protected, are defined.

Speaking as the call for views launched, Committee Convener Bob Doris MSP, said: “A Spending Review demanding £1.5bn worth of public sector efficiencies, lays bare the need for us to understand the detail of how these savings are to be made and fundamentally, how they will shape public service delivery.

“Funds designated for prevention must also be put to good use and the simplification of services must lead to positive outcomes for both the provision of services and expenditure.

“We’d like to hear from those who lead, deliver, and rely on public services about what steps can be taken to remove barriers to more progress with reform, support preventative approaches, and ensure that efficiencies do not undermine frontline delivery.

“Our scrutiny will help shape the Scottish Budget before it is finalised, so contributions at this stage are especially valuable.”

The Committee is keen to hear from leaders in the public sector; community planning partnerships; trade unions; academics and think tanks; third sector representatives and staff who deliver services within or on behalf of the public sector.

The call for views closes on Friday 14 August 2026 after which the Committee plans to take oral evidence, before reporting to Parliament late October/early November this year.

Read the questions and submit your views on Citizen Space

QUESTIONS

The Scottish Government aims to deliver on average £0.5 billion in savings through efficiencies per year for the next three years (2026-27 to 2028-29):
1. To what extent are these savings achievable, and how will they shape public service delivery?
2. What progress is being made towards achieving these efficiencies?
3. What are the barriers to achieving greater efficiency and how can these be addressed?
How should the Scottish Government best present the extent of any realised efficiencies in the annual budget publication, including providing clarity on whether these are expected to be recurring savings?
The Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan aims to achieve an average reduction of the public sector workforce of 0.5% per year over five years.
1. To what extent is this target achievable and how will it shape public service delivery?
2. What progress is being made towards achieving this target?
What actions can the Scottish Government take to ensure these workforce reductions are delivered in a managed way which best supports effective government and public service delivery?
The PSR strategy states that it will protect frontline services. To what extent is there sufficient clarity about how frontline roles are defined and how efficiencies in back-office functions can be delivered in a way that minimises impact on the delivery of public services?
Beyond the financial benefits that the Public Sector Reform (PSR) Strategy aims to achieve, what are the key outcomes that reform should be aiming for?
The PSR Strategy includes 18 different workstreams which aim to remove barriers to reform. One workstream focuses on “simplification”, recognising that “complexity of processes, structures and reporting requirements is a key barrier to effective and efficient service delivery”. “Prevention” is one of three pillars providing structure to the Strategy.
1. What should the Scottish Government’s priorities be under its simplification workstream and what level of savings can be achieved through this approach?
2. What progress has been made to date with preventative budgeting?
3. How should the forthcoming Budget support greater progress towards preventative budgeting across the devolved public sector? Please set out any barriers and how these can be addressed.
4. What changes to the Scottish Government’s approach to budget-setting are needed to effectively deliver public service reform?
The Scottish Government included an upfront Invest to Save Fund of around £30 million in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Scottish Budgets for reform projects that will deliver ongoing savings and support the delivery of the PSR strategy.
1. To what extent is the Invest to Save Fund delivering projects that achieve ongoing savings?
2. How are successful outcomes from this Fund being shared more widely across the public sector?

Council call for help to develop and protect future communities

A consultation on how the Council should shape our communities, and the wider city, to meet the needs of local people and a growing population, is open from today until 30 September.

‘Call for Ideas’ is an opportunity for those living and working in the city to give their ideas and proposals at this early stage in the process to help set the direction of the next local development plan – City Plan 2040. The consultation is asking residents including young people, community councils and groups, businesses, social enterprises, the public and private sector, developers and landowners to share their vision, proposals and every idea will be considered.

Anyone passionate about how their community will look in the future and how City Plan 2040 can help to protect it should get involved. Ideas need to relate to a specific area but can be any size covering a whole district, neighbourhood, a single plot of land or building.

Planning Convener, Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “Your idea could cover proposals for new buildings and homes, improving how you get around, additional spaces for playing, sports or growing food or ideas to reuse important buildings.

“It would be good to know why you think it’s important for your area and why it would a make a difference. Your local knowledge will help us focus on making change where it is needed.

“I’d encourage you to find out what others think by reaching out to your community to find out what is most important to them. You could ask about the changes you’d like to make, what you’d like to protect, what they think is missing in the community and you can point out planning policies you think could be changed.

You could do this through surveys and questionnaires, drop in events, exhibitions and by attending planned local events.

“My vision is that you can help us create City Plan 2040 to strengthen communities and make sure that they look after the wellbeing of their residents.

“We want to build attractive places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access sustainable transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.”

Further information:

The Evidence Report outlining the critical information which should be considered to create City Plan 2040, compiled following engagement with residents including young people, government agencies, politicians, and other stakeholders over the last couple of years, was agreed by Council on Thursday 24 June.

The document, which also sets out the implications of the evidence examined, will now be considered by the Scottish Government for ‘Gate Check’.

When the Scottish Government decides there is sufficient evidence, the next step is for the Council to prepare a proposed plan and consult on it.

Evidence Report for City Plan 2040 – Approval to Submit for Statutory Gate Check Stage – referral fr Download

Share your views on Firework Control Zones (FCZs) for 2026

Residents are being encouraged to have their say on proposed Firework Control Zones (FCZs) for autumn 2026 as a public consultation gets underway across Edinburgh.

The consultation is seeking views on continuing Firework Control Zones in Corstorphine, Longstone, Sighthill/Broomhouse, Mordeun and The Murrays, as well as introducing new zones in Liberton Grange, Lochend, Stenhouse/Gaskell Street, West Pilton and Wester Hailes.

Firework Control Zones prohibit the use of fireworks within designated areas for a limited period and form part of a wider package of measures designed to improve public safety, reduce anti-social behaviour and support local communities during the fireworks season.

Earlier this year, community groups were invited to apply for Firework Control Zone status in their neighbourhoods. Applications highlighted concerns about the misuse of fireworks, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on animals, older people and other vulnerable residents.

The proposals build on the positive results seen in recent years, with Edinburgh experiencing significantly lower levels of firework-related anti-social behaviour compared with previous years.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Convener of Culture and Communities, said: “We want to hear directly from residents and communities about the areas being considered for Firework Control Zones again this year.

“They are just one of the measures we’re using to improve safety and reduce firework-related anti-social behaviours to make sure our communities can enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and responsible way.

“I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape our approach for the 2026 fireworks season.”

The consultation will run from Wednesday 24 June until Wednesday 5 August on the Council website.

‘Bell to bell’ ban on mobile phones in Edinburgh schools

Edinburgh will become one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phone use in schools at the start of the new school year in August.

Councillors at Education, Children and Families Committee agreed a ‘bell to bell’ ban of mobile phones, with lockable pouches to be introduced in every secondary school in the city. Learners at secondary schools will have to place mobile phones in lockable pouches for the duration of the school day. Primary school aged pupils will have to lock mobile phones away in cabinets.

It was also agreed that secondary school senior leadership teams will have the opportunity to develop their own guidance regarding senior phase (S5-S6) pupils’ access to their mobile phones during break, lunchtime and independent study time.

Mobile phone restrictions are already in place at two Edinburgh secondary schools, Portobello and Queensferry High Schools, where trials of lockable pouches have been underway since last year. Anecdotal feedback from staff and young people at both schools is positive.

A six-week citywide consultation on mobile phone restrictions earlier this year received almost 14,000 responses from parents/carers, pupils and school staff. Results were overwhelming in support of a ban, with 97% of secondary school staff and 94% of parents/carers favouring a ban, and 53% of young people supporting restrictions during teaching time.

Alongside the consultation, separate and targeted engagement has taken place with groups of secondary school pupils, head teachers, unions, members of the Scottish Youth Parliament and Edinburgh Youth Action.

A £400,000 one-off budget for purchase of lockable pouches and storage cabinets was agreed at the Council’s annual budget setting meeting in February this year. A strategy for the current and future procurement of pouches will also be developed.

In bringing in mobile phone restrictions, special consideration will be given for pupils with health needs or caring responsibilities who may need access to their mobile phone during the school day. The council will develop guidance for schools, including how exemptions will work in practice.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor said: “This is a monumental step for Edinburgh’s children and young people and I am proud that we are one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phones in schools.

“I’ve been clear from the start that we wanted to be bold in our ambition to make our schools phone free environments that enable our teachers to teach and pupils to learn without the distraction of devices in the classroom.

“The uniform introduction of lockable pouches in all our secondary schools will level the playing field for all learners in Edinburgh, streamlining a phone free schools policy and guaranteeing that every single young person can get the most out of their time in the classroom.

“We know from the two pilots already underway that keeping phones out of the classroom is positive and alongside our consultation showing broad support from teachers, school staff and parents/carers, I am confident that these restrictions will be warmly welcomed and hugely impactful.”

Have you say on Council’s Housing Allocation Policy

Housing Allocation Policy Consultation now live @Edinburgh_CC

The city council is seeking your views on its current Lettings Policy.

Your opinions will help to shape future allocations policies in the city.

To have your say, visit:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/allocations-policy/

The consultation closes on 8th July.

New study reveals a third of employers are likely to make redundancies by January 2027

A new survey from Acas has found that a third of employers (33%) are likely to make staff redundancies by January 2027.

Acas commissioned YouGov to ask British businesses about their redundancy plans between February 2026 and January 2027.

The poll revealed that 46% of large businesses are likely to make redundancies and one in five (21%) small and medium sized (SME) businesses said that were likely to do so over the same period.

The Government has recently consulted on new law changes outlined in the Employment Rights Act 2025 for employers that want to make collective redundancies across their organisation. Acas has published its response to the consultation.

Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, Kevin Rowan, said: “The results of our poll reveal that a third of businesses are considering redundancies by the start of next year.

“Organisations should look at all possible alternatives to redundancies first, but if employers conclude they have no choice, then they have legal requirements they must follow. This means they must consult with staff early to seek their views, or risk being subject to a costly legal process.

“In 2027, the Government’s Employment Rights Act will introduce new consultation requirements if redundancies are proposed across multiple sites. Acas recommends that the Government ensures employers and trade unions understand the value of collective consultation and have the skills to work well together.”

If an employer finds there are no other choices than to make redundancies, then there are strict rules on consulting staff that they must follow.

An employer must discuss any planned changes and consult with each employee who could be affected. By law, employers who wish to make 20 or more staff redundant in a 90-day period must also consult a recognised trade union or elected employee representatives about the proposed changes.

If an employer does not meet consultation requirements, employees can take their employer to an employment tribunal. If successful, the employer may have to pay up to 180 days’ full pay for each affected employee.

An employee can also make a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal on the grounds that they were not consulted, or the consultation was not meaningful.

At the moment, collective redundancy rules only apply if the redundancies are proposed at one workplace. The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a law change that means the rules will count redundancies across an employer’s entire organisation.

An organisation that plans to make a certain number of redundancies across multiple sites or workplaces will have to follow new law changes due to take effect in 2027. The Government ran a consultation to seek views on the changes and what the redundancy threshold number should be that sparks a collective redundancy process for an employer that has multiple sites.

Acas advice is that employers should consider all possible options before considering redundancies as other solutions to their situation could be found through consultation with their staff, employee representatives and unions.

In response to the Government’s consultation, Acas recommended that:

the Government make sure that employers, trade unions and staff representatives understand the value of collective consultation and have the skills to work well together; and
the Government should also pick a threshold for consultation that is easy to understand and does not require complex systems to calculate, as this would help avoid procedural disputes and reduce administrative burdens.

For Acas’s full response to the Government’s consultation, please see:

https://www.acas.org.uk/public-consultation-responses

Acas’s advice for staff and employers about redundancies is available at:

www.acas.org.uk/redundancy

Help shape the future of the Community Grant Fund

We need your help to shape the future of the Community Grant Fund – you have until 4^th May to have your say.

You may be aware that the Community Empowerment and Engagement Team are in the process of making changes to the Community Grants Fund (CGF).

This began with an evaluation of the current funding model in 2024, then in 2025 we worked with CGF volunteers, applicants and grant experts to develop three options for a refreshed funding model for the CGF.

As we enter the next phase of the process, we’d like your views on which funding model option meets the following aims:

reduces barriers to accessing the fund
creates opportunities for wider community participation in decision-making
improves the efficiency of the fund

Your feedback will directly influence how the fund operates, making it more accessible and impactful for communities across Edinburgh. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete:

👉 Complete our survey by 4 May 2026

Please also share the link to complete the survey with anyone who lives or works in Edinburgh, who might benefit from the community grant fund.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team. Thank you for helping us create a stronger, more inclusive community grants process.

Best wishes,

The Community Empowerment and Engagement Team

PM calls social media companies into Downing Street

The Prime Minister will say “looking the other way is not an option” as he brings senior leaders of major social media companies – Meta, Snap, Google (YouTube), TikTok and X – to Downing Street today to press for progress on one of the most urgent issues affecting children today.

Prime Minister calls senior leaders from some of the biggest social media companies into Downing Street
Follows government taking powers to act quickly once its consultation concludes, including on measures to protect kids from social media harms
PM puts children’s safety first and tells companies this is the time to meet the moment, address parents’ concerns and prepare for next steps

The Prime Minister will say “looking the other way is not an option” as he brings senior leaders of major social media companies – Meta, Snap, Google (YouTube), TikTok and X – to Downing Street today to press for progress on one of the most urgent issues affecting children today.

For parents, the stakes could not be higher – this is about whether children grow up supported and safe online or exposed to harm with no one taking responsibility. When it comes to keeping young people safe online, the Prime Minister has been clear this is not a question of if the government will act, but how.

Throughout the government’s consultation, he has heard first hand from parents on the worries they have about the growing grip of social media on their children’s lives and the need for greater support.

The Prime Minister has said his government will not sit on its hands after the consultation, but instead has acted swiftly to take the legislative powers needed to move quickly once it has concluded to deliver change within months, not years.

Some social media companies have already stepped up by putting in place protections like disabling autoplay for children by default and giving parents greater control over screen time and introducing curfews. But the Prime Minister has argued we must go further to protect children and meet the moment.

During today’s meeting, the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary will set out the government’s principles and values when it comes to protecting children, and press for answers from companies on what they are doing to keep children safe online and responding to families’ concerns.

Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option.

“Parents rightly expect action and fast. That’s why we’ve already taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation ends.

“I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility.

“The consequences of failing to act are stark. We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put children’s safety first – because they won’t forgive us if we don’t.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/2028788258843328611

The meeting comes halfway through the government’s consultation, Growing Up in the Online World, which has so far received more than 45,000 responses to proposals aimed at protecting children’s wellbeing online.

With around six weeks left before the consultation closes on 26 May, the government is urging parents and children to get involved and help shape the next steps.

The consultation is the most ambitious of its kind in the world. It explores key questions including whether to introduce a minimum age for social media, limits on addictive design features, and stronger safeguards around AI chatbots for young people.

Almost 6,000 young people have already taken part, and more than 80 organisations – including schools, charities and community groups – have participated in engagement sessions with ministers and officials in recent months.

Take part in the national consultation: https://gov.uk/growing-up-online

Edinburgh’s Community Plan: EVOC shares report on consultation event

EVOC are pleased to share a summary report from the consultation event on Edinburgh’s Community Plan (LOIP 2018-2028) Refresh:

https://tinyurl.com/yn69ms93

CommunityPlanRefreshConsultion_Mar2026 Download

The refreshed Community Plan is due to be approved and launched in June, with opportunities to shape the next Plan to follow.