Tag: Edinburgh

Building a better Edinburgh, together

Council Leader ADAM McVEY writes in the Evening News as the newspaper launches its Recovery Edinburgh campaign:

The past few months have been incredibly tough. The pandemic brought with it immense and abrupt change and a great deal of uncertainty about what was coming next.

However, our city has been faced with huge challenges before and has emerged the other side – stronger.

Our world-renowned festivals were born out of the ashes of WW2 and it is this deep-rooted spirit of creativity, among other things, that will see us flourish again as Edinburgh starts to recover from COVID-19.

Without losing focus from continuing to battle this virus and supporting the incredible efforts of our colleagues in health and social care, we’re planning and working towards the city that we want Edinburgh to become. This will challenge us all but with much to be done, it’s not something that we can shy away from or shelve for another day.

 While we are very much thinking long-term, there is a need for short term action to provide immediate support to our local businesses and hospitality sector.

That’s why we have joined up with the Edinburgh Tourism and Action Group (ETAG) and other industry partners to launch the Forever Edinburgh campaign, encouraging all of Edinburgh’s residents and visitors to get back into the city, rediscover and fall in love with it all over again. 

Adapting our city for the months ahead and thinking about its longer-term renewal must start now. We should not aim to return Edinburgh to where it was before the pandemic but to collectively strive to make this wonderful city even greater than it was before.  Amongst all the challenges there is an opportunity to be grabbed to build an even better city for the future. 

Back in 2018 we asked Edinburgers what they wanted their city to be like in 2050.

Resoundingly you told us it should be greener, welcoming, a place where people are happy, healthy and safe. You said you want your Edinburgh to thrive as a clean, green, sustainable City. And that it should be fair – a Capital which is inclusive, affordable and connected. You also said that that the Edinburgh of the future needs to be pioneering and value culture, business and data.

While clearly much has happened since then – I believe these values hold true; that they should become the cornerstones that Edinburgh is rebuilt on, our foundations for the next 30 years and beyond. 

This vision could not have been formed without input from Edinburgh’s people and it cannot be delivered without all of us pulling for it. The same can be said for our recovery from COVID. We have to do this as one team: building a better Edinburgh, together. 

Since March, our residents have cared for loved ones across our communities by following the government guidance: observing lockdown measures, implementing physical distancing and looking after our more vulnerable people. 

Recently we asked you to invest in your communities by getting back into the town centres and supporting local businesses, but of course, only in a manner you feel safe and comfortable doing so. 

Thanks to the gradual yet continued relaxation of lockdown measures, people are enjoying some elements of normal life again although they might look quite different now – bars and restaurants are open, and cultural attractions following with many businesses planning for their teams to return to work.

This year, we took Festivals online with several events like the Book Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival very well attended digitally. It might not have been the August that we’re used to but it reminds us of our city’s unique atmosphere which we can look forward to enjoying fully next year. 

I know there was a collective sigh of relief at the news of shielding being paused at the start of August and we were able to see our older or infirm friends and family again – an emotional reunion for sure.  

We’ve worked hard to bring back as many services as we can as quickly and safely as possible. Schools reopened earlier this month and we’re continually working to keep up with the changing circumstances and ensure our children’s education isn’t interrupted like it was earlier this year. 

While work is underway on some parts of our recovery plan, there are many elements to be discussed and choices to be made in the short and long term.  How we do this needs to be a collective conversation and there will be further opportunities for each and every person in Edinburgh to have their say in what happens next. 

Our priority has always been to look after our most vulnerable people – that’s not going to change. We need to build on the great work being done by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to support those who need it and use the crisis to inform how we tackle poverty in our city in the future. 

Meanwhile, following a decade of growth, a new tourism strategy will see a fundamental change in how we approach attracting and managing visitors to our city. There is an all-important balance that has to be struck between attracting tourists and protecting the things that bring them here in the first place. 

We also have a duty of care for the 30,000 people who are employed in our tourism industry. How do we make their jobs more sustainable? How do we make sure they have rewarding careers?  

This stretches across much more than tourism of course and we need take steps now so that our young people leaving school have jobs to go to and careers to develop.

We’re exploring options with leaders from across Edinburgh’s employability and skills sector about what we can do as a City to best support the younger workforce and people who are disproportionately affected by the way Covid has hit our economy As part of this, we’re speaking to employers about expanding our Edinburgh Guarantee to create the training, education and job opportunities we need.

This crisis has shone a light on the health of our people and planet and, as we plan our recovery, we will also need to grapple with climate change, sustainability and accessibility.  We made a commitment as a Council to be net zero carbon by 2030 and we must hold to that commitment. 

During lockdown we implemented several measures to increase active travel, making it easier for people to walk and cycle around.

Things like pedestrianising streets, widening cycle paths and the new Waverley Masterplan to improve rail integration in our city – these are the types of actions with positive carbon impacts that can help Edinburgh to become a more people and environmentally friendly place to live. For now – and for the next 30 years.

There is a lot of work to be done, and we know that. But we also know that it can only be done together, working as one team Edinburgh to bring the city to a new glory, rather than returning it to its former one.

Edinburgh and its residents will bounce back, I have no doubt. We don’t have to sacrifice our long-term goals to do so and we can build a better Edinburgh for us all.  

Council Leader, Adam McVey

An invitation from Transition Edinburgh

You are invited to join an online roundtable for civil society and local government to exploring how to meet the ambitious target to reach Carbon Neutral Edinburgh by 2030: 

The event takes place from 6-8pm on Wednesday 12 August.

We’ve invited people in civil society organisations advocating action to cut climate emissions.

Dr Sam Gardner, Chair of Edinburgh Climate Commission and Councillor Adam McVey, Leader of the Council and Vice Chair of the Commission will share their vision.  

This interactive session will: 

  1. Generate a shared picture of the action taking place in the city 
  2. Explore actions open to civil society, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Climate Commission  
  3. Contribute to our collective ambition for the city and identify ways of working together to accelerate progress. 

Colleagues can book via: https://climate12aug.eventbrite.co.uk and Share www.facebook.com/events/914192189091728

Background Documents to read BEFORE participating: 

This event will contribute to the Place-based Climate Action Network (P-CAN) collaboration with Leeds and Belfast – led by Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and the EIT Climate-KIC Healthy, Clean Cities Deep Demonstration in Edinburgh.  

REGISTER HERE: https://climate12aug.eventbrite.co.uk 

NHS heroes compete in fundraising challenge

Glasgow vs Edinburgh: Cities go head To head in Charity Challenge

Two Scottish charities are going head to head with their latest fundraising challenge, in an attempt to raise vital funds for the children’s hospitals they support.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has teamed up with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity for Lap the Map – a brand new virtual fundraising event which pits supporters from each charity against each other to see who can ‘lap the map’ first.

Lap the Map launched with supporters initially racing in their hundreds to lap the 10,007km-long coastline of Scotland. Due to overwhelming popularity for the event, Team Edinburgh successfully reached the finish line within just a few short days, leading the charities to extend the challenge to take on the world and cover the full distance of the Earth’s equator – a further 40,075km.

An army of over 2,000 participants have already signed up to help each charity lap the world before 31st July.

Both charities are now calling on more people from across Glasgow and the West, and Edinburgh and the East, to sign-up for Lap the Map to raise vital funds, while helping to settle the age-old rivalry over which coast really is the best coast.

Money raised from Lap the Map will directly support NHS staff on the frontline, young patients and their families at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children, and Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

NHS staff from Glasgow’s Paediatric Intensive Care, Physiotherapy and Theatre teams, and Edinburgh’s Emergency Department, Critical Care and Occupational Therapy teams have already signed up to help the children they work to support.

Alyson Walker, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist, Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children said: “Our department and patients benefit so much from the work of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, so ‘Team Scrubs’ are determined to fundraise as much as possible. 

“We’ll be changing our scrubs for running gear at every available opportunity to make sure that Team Glasgow laps the map of the world first. Team Edinburgh better watch out – our fantastic Theatres team take great pride in our work, and this challenge will be no exception!”

Judith Montgomery, Physiotherapist at The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, (above) said: “During this crisis, things have been very different in the hospital. The team at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity have been there every step of the way, so we want to make our steps count for them.

“We’re challenging ourselves to walk as many kilometres as possible to help us Lap the World first and beat Glasgow!”    

The charities teamed up to create Lap the Map as a result of the ongoing postponement and cancellation of mass participation fundraising events across the country due to the Covid-19 crisis. These events would normally raise tens of thousands for each charity, so an alternative virtual event was created to help plug the gaps in fundraising income.

William McGowan, Head of Fundraising, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We rely entirely on fundraising and donations to ensure that we can be there for young patients and their families with our life-changing hospital projects and support services.

“It has been wonderful seeing over 1,000 of our incredible supporters showing such determination with their fundraising, and enthusiasm to beat Team Edinburgh to the finish line – it’s no secret that the friendly competition between Glasgow and Edinburgh has been spurring all our team on!

“And while Team Edinburgh may have one the first leg, Team Glasgow is still determined to come out on top so we’re looking forward to welcoming many more supporters to our heroic team, and continuing to raise vital funds for those children in hospital who need us most.”

Victoria Buchanan, Deputy Director of Fundraising, ECHC, said: “We were blown away by the response we received to the initial Lap the Map challenge, with over 1,000 people and NHS heroes signing up to Team Edinburgh. Our team pulled out all the stops, hitting the 10,007km in just three days and raising an incredible £68,000.

“The target was smashed so quickly though and we know our team still has so much more to give, so we are very excited to have extended the challenge to Lap the World. It’s now game on against Glasgow to make sure Team Edinburgh reaches the 50,082km first to prove we are the best team in the world!

“Though we’re all aware of the friendly competition between East and West, our charities share a common goal – to transform the experiences of children and families in hospital. We hope many more people will sign up to the challenge before 31 July to make their kilometres count for their local children’s hospital this summer.”

To enter Lap the Map with Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity visit www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org.

To enter with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity visit www.echcharity.org

Capital looks to green future

Ensuring Edinburgh’s future infrastructure and capital investments contribute to a green future is just one of the recommendations for a green recovery in a report by the Edinburgh Climate Commission.

  • Edinburgh Climate Commission calls on Scottish Government and City Leaders to commit to a green recovery for the future of the city and its people
  • Inaugural report makes 10 recommendations for ensuring a thriving, fair and sustainable Edinburgh that is resilient to future economic and public health shocks
  • The Edinburgh Climate Commission is the only independent climate commission in Scotland

The Commission’s inaugural report sets out 10 recommendations for Edinburgh’s green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and will be considered by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday 9 July.

Led by Chair Dr. Sam Gardner, the Commission is the only independent climate commission in Scotland and was created in February 2020 to accelerate the action on climate change in Edinburgh. It has 15 expert commissioners from a variety of sectors and backgrounds and has committed to a series of reports that will lead, inform and shape the ambition to be a Carbon Neutral City by 2030.

A working group, led by finance expert Commissioner Kaisie Rayner, has produced its first report ‘Forward Faster Together – Recommendations for A Green Economic Recovery in Edinburgh’ addressing the city’s compound emergencies: the global climate crisis and recovery from the global pandemic.

Dr Gardner is expected to call on the Council to commit to a green economic recovery, investing in net zero transport infrastructure; prioritising capital projects that deliver a greener, healthier city environment and investing in local economies with shorter supply chains that support local jobs and community wellbeing.

The Commission’s 10 recommendations call for:

  1. A joint commitment to Green Economic Recovery from Local and National Government  
  2. Public stimulus and organisational investment decisions should be conditional upon contributing to a greener future
  3. Redesign and invest in carbon neutral transport infrastructure
  4. A city-wide approach to energy efficiency and renewable heat
  5. Localise services, support and infrastructure to build community resilience
  6. Focus on wellbeing in natural and built environment investments
  7. Embrace new business practices to reimagine building assets and opportunities for the city
  8. Grow skills and knowledge to deliver a city green recovery and lead a global transition
  9. Develop low carbon sectors and business models to make the city globally competitive
  10. Become a global leader in sustainable investment

Edinburgh Climate Commission Chair, Dr. Sam Gardner, said: “COVID-19 has shown the power of common purpose; we must now seize the moment created by the devastating pandemic to tackle the climate emergency and secure a fairer more sustainable future for this City and its people.

Edinburgh must plot a path to recovery that delivers new jobs, builds resilience and attracts investment. A green recovery does this and gives meaning to the phrase ‘build back better’; it kick-starts the much-needed acceleration to a net zero city by 2030 while improving our health and resilience to future shocks.”

A green economic recovery is in the best interests of the whole city.”

Commissioner, Kaisie Rayner, said: “Throughout this pandemic we have acted together to protect our families, our communities and have placed the highest value on our collective wellbeing.

“As we emerge from lockdown, millions of pounds are expected to be spent on our city’s recovery and it is imperative that every penny is spent wisely, delivering an economic recovery that benefits us all.

“The climate emergency hasn’t gone away and while our response to COVID 19 has seen a temporary drop in emissions it is clearly not how we need to tackle climate change. We need a planned response that has a sustained impact and puts people’s wellbeing at its heart.

“This report recommends a way forward that will position Edinburgh as a fair and sustainable economic leader in the low carbon global economies of the future and we must make the right choices now so that we create a City worth living in for ourselves and for the generations that will follow us.”

Edinburgh Climate Commission Vice Chair and Council Leader, Cllr. Adam McVey, said: The Edinburgh Climate Commission was formed out of a necessity to tackle climate change in Edinburgh as an urgent priority. 

“I am very appreciative of the immense work and effort that has gone into the creation of this report by the other Commissioners and the support from the Edinburgh Centre of Carbon Innovation and the University of Edinburgh.

“It has become clear that if we are to rebuild Edinburgh as a city of the future, then a green recovery is our only option. I welcome the Commission’s recommendations and I’m committed to making sure that these are central drivers within our post-Covid plans, both short term and long term, to deliver our 2030 carbon target.”

The Edinburgh Climate Commission is part of the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), which works to translate climate policy into action ‘on the ground’.

Supported by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and local partners, the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and the University of Edinburgh, PCAN brings together the research community and decision makers across the private, public and third sectors through city-based climate commissions, in a network that is expanding across the UK.

Greens: Edinburgh must act now to protect cyclists and pedestrians

Scottish Greens Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone has lent her support to a grassroots campaign calling for urgent action to protect cyclists and pedestrians after a spate of accidents, including the deaths of a three-year-old boy and an NHS nurse in recent days.

Hundreds gathered to reclaim a road in Edinburgh today in a vigil for the deaths, which come after years of campaigning to protect cyclists and pedestrians in the capital.

Alison Johnstone said: “I fully support the many Edinburgh residents who have gathered today to demand that enough is enough. Yesterday a man was killed while he was cycling to work, and the day before a three-year-old boy was killed on a pavement. There have also been other cases of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians this week. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.

“It’s not good enough to just offer condolences. In 2012 I called for capital road safety summit and raised these concerns at Scottish Government’s road safety group with many of the people campaigning today, and I can’t believe eight years later we’re still mourning cyclists killed on our streets.

“We need to see urgent action on the ground to make streets safer for people walking and cycling.

“If we cannot afford basic safety for people merely cycling to work or walking on a pavement we fail a basic test of leadership. Edinburgh needs to drastically cut traffic, like most normal historic European cities have done.”

‘One Team Edinburgh’?

‘Fair, Pioneering, Welcoming and Thriving’ endorsed as Edinburgh’s city values for the next 30 years

Edinburgh’s 2050 City Vision principles of Fair, Pioneering, Welcoming and Thriving have been endorsed by the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee, confirming them as integral to both Edinburgh’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s future.

Produced by a steering group led by Lord Provost, Frank Ross, Councillors had previously agreed that the four values were to be central to the Council’s Adaptation and Renewal Programme. The steering group is currently developing a Vision charter for businesses and organisations to sign, committing to keeping the values central to their future plans. Once finalised, the charter will be signed by the Lord Provost on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.

In addition to the formation of an annual youth council to provide oversight on progress and delivery of the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision, the steering group will be asked to consider measures for the city’s success in meeting the Vision’s aspirations.

Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “Our recovery plans have already embedded the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision principles to ensure we rebuild better with an eye to our future. We’ve seen partners across the City adopt these principles and will continue to reflect them in our strategy and business planning.  

“It’s important to note that we are not charting a fixed journey for everyone to follow – the City Vision gives us all principles to help shape and inform our actions now and push towards a vision of what Edinburgh could and should look like in 30 years’ time.   

“Building a city that is led by these values is only possible when we work together. I have every confidence that we can all come together as one Team Edinburgh to adopt and reflect these principles in the plans and strategies of businesses and organisations throughout Edinburgh and in our own lives as citizens.” 

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “My thanks go to our Lord Provost and all members of the steering group for the great time and effort they have put in to determining the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision. It establishes an image of Edinburgh that, should we all do our best, we can achieve in 30 years. 

“There is still important work to be done and the development of a Vision charter is a crucial step towards our future, one that we are all jointly responsible for and that all organisations, partners, communities and residents need to play their part in. We look forward to the Council signing it in due course and to seeing other businesses and organisations from across Edinburgh embrace it too.”

 The 2050 Edinburgh City Vision principles were shaped by over 22,000 public consultation responses from residents across the city – the largest such exercise ever undertaken by the Council. It identified four key values that people wanted Edinburgh to stand for: welcoming, thriving, fair and pioneering. These values reflect a positive ambition for the city and will underpin a long-term vision for how the Capital will mould its future.

This was North Edinburgh yesterday. Will it look any better in thirty years time?

Edinburgh’s housing crisis drives up rental costs to record high

  • Edinburgh has jumped eight places in the accommodation cost global rankings, and has reached its highest position in Europe in four years (43rd)
  • Monthly rental cost for expats in the Scottish capital has shot up by £568 over the last five years
  • Aberdeen has dropped 23 places in the global ranking and is £528 per month less than it was at its peak in 2017
  • London retains the top spot for most expensive city in Europe for rental accommodation, costing on average £3,673 per month more than Edinburgh

Edinburgh has risen eight places in the global rankings for expatriate rental accommodation, as the average cost of a three-bedroom, mid-range home in the Scottish capital has increased by £106 per month, up to £1,635 (USD 2,144), the highest in over five years, according to the latest Accommodation Ranking report published by global mobility expert, ECA International (ECA).

“In addition to a growing population due to the high standard of liveability attracting expats, the prevalent Airbnb market has also impacted the cost of rental accommodation in Edinburgh as availability of longer-term rental accommodation fails to meet current demand,” said Alec Smith, Accommodation Services Manager at ECA International.

Globally, Edinburgh ranks 156th most expensive location for expat rental accommodation in the world and the 43rd in Europe, with Sweden’s Gothenburg (42) and Switzerland’s Bern (44) either side of the Scottish capital.

Meanwhile, the slowing oil and gas industry sees rental costs dip further in Aberdeen, resulting in the Scottish city’s lowest ranking since 2012. The average cost of the same type of property in Aberdeen now costs £1,160 (USD 1,521), £475 cheaper per month than in Edinburgh, and down from £1,235 in 2019. It is now £528 per month less than it was at its peak in 2017 (£1,688).

UK Accommodation Rankings 2020 (Europe ranking)

Top 10 most expensive cities to rent in Europe

London remains the most expensive rental city in Europe

UK Accommodation Rankings 2020 (Europe ranking)

Location

2020 EU Ranking

2020 Cost (GBP)

London

1

£5,308

Manchester

29

£1,874

Birmingham

32

£1,831

Edinburgh

43

£1,635

Belfast

57

£1,310

Cardiff

60

£1,245

Aberdeen

66

£1,160

Glasgow

68

£1,114

Top 10 most expensive cities to rent in Europe

Location

2020 Ranking

2019 Ranking

London

1

1

Zurich

2

3

Moscow

3

2

Geneva

4

4

Dublin

5

5

Paris

6

6

Kiev

7

11

Copenhagen

8

9

Luxembourg City

9

7

Amsterdam

10

8

 

 

 Top 10 most expensive cities to rent in the world

Location

2020 Ranking

2019 Ranking

Hong Kong

1

1

New York NY

2

2

Tokyo

3

3

London

4

4

San Francisco CA

5

6

Port Moresby

6

5

Shanghai

7

8

Miami FL

8

11

Buenos Aires

9

10

Yokohama

10

14

London continues to hold the top spot for the most expensive rental accommodation in Europe for expatriates, with an increase of £121 per month. The average cost of a three-bedroom, mid-range home for expatriates is now £5,308 per month (USD 6,959).

“London remains attractive to workers in the UK and from abroad, despite anticipated economic disruption from Brexit. In addition to this, the phasing out of tax relief on mortgage interest payments for buy to let landlords has acted as a brake on supply. Removing this tax relief has had the intended effect, a reduction in the number of new buy-to-let landlords, but a knock on effect has been a reduction in the availability of rented accommodation” said Smith.

Manchester and Birmingham have seen a small increment of £30 and £25 per month respectively, which will be welcome news for renters in Birmingham after a staggering £110 per month increase last year.

The average cost of a three-bedroom home in Manchester, which ranks 29th in Europe, is £1,874 (USD 2,457) and in Birmingham, ranked 32nd, is £1,831 (USD 2,401).

Rental highs across Europe

Dublin remains in the top five most expensive locations in Europe for rental accommodation, with the average rent now €3,613 per month (USD 4,086), making it costlier than other European capital cities such as Paris at €3,461 (USD 3,914), Berlin at €2,354 (USD 2,662) and Madrid at €2,393 (USD 2,706).

Meanwhile Cyprus saw the biggest rise in expatriate rental costs in Europe, with Limassol’s rent up USD 53 or €128 per month (USD 1,197 / €1,058) and Nicosia up USD 40 or €120 a month (USD 1,220 / €1,079).

Smith said “Growing interest in the schools sector is a big factor in the spike in Cypriot rental prices; the number of international students has almost tripled in the last five years and the number of higher education providers have more than doubled, this has led to an increase in demand and a housing shortage.”

“The Airbnb market also had an impact in reducing supply by converting long-term rentals into short-term, and the rejuvenation of the construction industry following the Cypriot financial crisis has also brought more expat workers to the area” added Smith.

Many German cities also saw big jumps in the average rent, with Munich, Berlin and Stuttgart all seeing increases of over 6% from last year.

“There has been a property boom for the last 10 years in Germany, as its high quality of life, policy benefits for expats, and sustained growth in employment rates and GDP makes it an attractive area to live and set up business.

“Home ownership is also very low, with the percentage of renters in Berlin being as high as 85%; construction capacity has been lagging behind this high demand and there is a critical housing shortage. The German government are putting in rent controls to try and limit landlords taking advantage of this situation, such as rent freezes and limits on rental increases after modernisation, but in general these have not yet come into effect,” said Smith.

Kiev saw big rises in rent and jumped 16 places back into the global top 50. “The rise of Kiev in the rankings is largely due to a return in confidence from many MNCs, with businesses and expats returning to the city after years of turmoil,” noted Smith.

Rent hike in the US

The US has become considerably more expensive for expats with nearly all US cities in the rankings having risen, some considerably. The US now has three cities in the global top ten, these being New York, San Francisco and Miami, as the strength of the US economy endures, with the dollar gaining against most major world currencies.

The average expatriate rental cost of a three-bedroom home in San Francisco is USD($) 6,590 per month, up by USD 218, while the same type of property in Miami now costs USD 5,254 per month, up by USD 136.

Smith said “Generally speaking, the US cities in our rankings have risen due to the strong performance of the dollar, but there are also local reasons for the rises to expatriate rental costs too.

“For example, in Boston, biotech and pharmaceutical industry sectors have drawn expatriates to the city in large numbers, bolstering demand for properties in prime neighbourhoods, whereas New York saw lower than expected rental increases after Amazon withdrew their plans to establish a second headquarters in Queens.”

Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in the world for expat rent

Hong Kong has been named the most expensive location in the world for expat accommodation, for the third year in a row, with the average monthly rent standing at a whopping USD 11,318, an increase of over 3%.

Smith said “Despite another increase in rental costs for expatriates living in Hong Kong, the rise was lower than the 4.9% rise seen the year before. Hong Kong has the most expensive rents due to a number of factors, such as the high population density of the territory and limited opportunities to build new homes, which combine to drive rental costs upwards.

“However, in light of the prolonged anti-government protests and coronavirus outbreak currently underway, we expect to see rents fall throughout 2020 as the number of overseas workers in Hong Kong drops significantly and the usually high demand for housing is tempered.”

Stockbridge is Scotland’s ‘least deprived’ area

The latest update of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 has been published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

Stockbridge is oficially Scotland’s least deprived area and it’s joined in the top ten by Blackhall, marchmont and Morningside.

SIMD is a tool for identifying the places in Scotland where people are experiencing disadvantage across different aspects of their lives. SIMD gives a ranking for each small area, or data zone, which shows how deprived that area is compared to other areas. Changes in the rank for one area may be due to other areas becoming more or less deprived.

The latest figures show:

  • the least deprived area is in Stockbridge in Edinburgh. This represents a change since SIMD 2016, when the least deprived area was in Giffnock
  • the most deprived area is in Greenock town centre. This represents a change since SIMD 2016 and 2012, when the most deprived area was identified as Ferguslie Park, Paisley
  • the area with the largest local share of deprived areas was Inverclyde, with 45% of data zones among the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland
  • Glasgow City has similar deprivation levels at 44%
  • other local authorities with relatively high levels of deprivation include North Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire at 40% and Dundee City at 38%
  • Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Shetland and Orkney have no areas among the 20% most deprived in Scotland, however, this does not mean there are no people experiencing deprivation living there
  • over half of people on low income do not live in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland
  • levels of deprivation have fallen in Glasgow City, Renfrewshire and City of Edinburgh compared to SIMD 2016. Glasgow City showed the biggest fall, from 48% of data zones in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland, to 44%
  • levels of deprivation have increased in Aberdeen City, North Lanarkshire, Moray, East Lothian, Highland and North Ayrshire. None of these increases are greater than 2 percentage points

Scotland’s Chief Statistician, Roger Halliday, said: “I welcome these statistics and the work done to make this complex information more easily accessible.

“I know how widely the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation is used as a vital resource for local planning, by third sector organisations bringing together resources needed to do their great work, and by many others.

“However, we must also focus on the strengths and assets of communities if we are to work together to make Scotland a fair and inclusive place to live.”

scottish-index-multiple-deprivation-2020

Pollution causes 157 deaths in Edinburgh in just one year

  • Proportion of air pollution-related deaths highest in Edinburgh, and lowest in Aberdeen
  • Estimated 628 air pollution-related deaths in Scotland’s cities in just one year
  • Councils need more money and power to reduce killer air pollution

More than one in 29 deaths in Scotland’s largest cities and towns are related to long term exposure to air pollution, according to new estimates in Centre for Cities’ annual study of the UK’s major urban areas – Cities Outlook 2020.

The proportion of deaths related to the deadly toxin PM2.5 are highest in Edinburgh, with the latest data linking it to 157 deaths in just one year, or 3.7% of all adult deaths in the city.

But Glasgow has seen the most deaths overall in Scotland – 354 in just one year.

In total, an estimated 628 people were killed by PM2.5-related deaths in Scottish cities in just one year.

Aberdeen has the smallest proportion of deaths related to PM2.5 Scotland. There, PM2.5 caused 63 deaths – or 3.0% of all adult deaths in the city.

The proportion of deaths in Scottish cities linked to PM2.5 toxins is lower than the rest of the UK due to their distance from London – by far the biggest emitter of PM2.5 in the UK – and from continental Europe, as some emissions are blown over the English Channel.

But action can still be taken in Scotland to reduce air pollution-related deaths. Transport is a significant, but not sole contributor to air pollution; burning fuels is also a major cause. For example, half of deadly PM2.5 toxins generated in cities and large towns come from sources such as wood burning stoves and coal fires.

PM2.5-related deaths in Scotland
Rank City Total number of PM2.5-related deaths PM2.5-related deaths as a percentage of total deaths
1 Edinburgh 157 3.7%
2 Glasgow 354 3.4%
3 Dundee 55 3.1%
4 Aberdeen 63 3.0%
Deaths in people aged 25 and over, 2017

 Half of local authority leaders polled by Centre for Cities highlighted the environment as a major concern, but progress has been slow and they must do more to prevent more avoidable deaths from air pollution. Cities in Scotland should:

  • Introduce Ultra Low Emission Zones to charge car and van drivers in city centres.
  • Ban the use of wood burning stoves and coal fires in areas where air pollution exceeds guidelines (in coordination with the Scottish Government).

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government should do more to help local politicians in Scotland act by providing financial incentives for cities to improve air quality through the establishment of an Environmental Impact Bond.

Finally, the UK Government should make securing plans with the EU to tackle cross border air pollution a key component of the future relationship. It should also adopt the World Health Organization’s stricter guidelines on PM2.5 – as the Scottish Government has already done – and make a legally binding commitment to meet this by 2030 at the latest.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: “More than half of people in the UK live in cities and large towns. And while they offer people good employment and lifestyle opportunities, Cities Outlook 2020 shows that they also having a damaging effect on their health, with air pollution killing thousands of people living in cities every year.

“Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action. People in Scotland should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood burning stoves.

“To help the Government needs to provide the Scotland councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Scotland.”