Unions consider revised pay and contract reform offer
Resident Doctors have called off proposed strike action across Scotland after the British Medical Association (BMA) Scottish Resident Doctors Committee agreed to ballot members on an offer of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27.
The committee is recommending that their members accept the two-year pay deal offered by the Scottish Government – that matches one already accepted by nurses and other healthcare staff – alongside a separate package of contractual reform.
The combined offer will see an 8.16% cumulative pay uplift over two years and an additional investment in contractual reform over the same period.
The total investment in the offer for both pay and contract reform over the two-year period will be £133 million. The BMA will now consult their members on the deal with planned industrial action on 13 January no longer going ahead.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It is great news that we have reached an agreement that has allowed next week’s industrial action to be halted.
“This avoids the cancelled operations and disruption to patient care that no one, including resident doctors, wanted to see. Days of intensive and constructive talks have got us here and I thank the BMA, and my team, for getting us to this point.
“The combined offer will see the same pay deal which nurses and NHS support staff agreed. It also includes additional investment in contractual reform over the same period, providing a total investment of £133 million over this time.
“It further underlines our commitment to the 2023 pay and contract reform agreement. I hope Resident Doctors will now vote to accept.”
We’re proud to announce the official opening of Manor House Therapies, a new social enterprise providing high-quality, holistic wellbeing treatments while directly supporting hospice services across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Housed in a beautiful B-listed villa in Trinity with stunning views across the Firth of Forth, Manor House Therapies offers clients a unique and serene setting for a range of accessible services that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Treatments include massage therapies, reflexology, and facials, and a dedicated counselling service. Every therapy purchased contributes to sustaining essential hospice care for patients, families and the wider community.
The new venture also plans to collaborate with organisations such as Edinburgh College and Complementary Therapy School (CTS) to provide training and work experience opportunities for young people and those retraining in the therapies industry, helping them develop skills and progress in their careers.
As an independent business, Manor House Therapies offers the public a professional, welcoming environment where wellbeing and social purpose go hand in hand.
Jackie Stone, CEO of St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Manor House Therapies demonstrates the innovative approaches we are taking to support our community.
“At a time when funding across the hospice sector is increasingly challenging, we see initiatives like this as an important way to help sustain the delivery of compassionate, specialist care for people across Edinburgh and the Lothians into the future.”
NHS Lothian was pleased to welcome the First Minister to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh recently to visit the Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian.
The service supports patients in hospital experiencing homelessness to complete treatment and secure suitable housing. The visit came as the Scottish Government announced an additional £40,000 for the In Reach service across NHS Lothian’s three hospitals.
The First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Cyrenians In Reach Hospital service is absolutely vital for Edinburgh, supporting the most vulnerable patients at risk of homelessness and ensuring they have a home to go to once their treatment is completed.
“Meeting staff and former patients today has given me a key insight into how the service works and the vital role it plays. The further £40,000 from the Scottish Government will ensure it can be expanded to accommodate even more patients, most of whom are also experiencing poor mental health.
“Improving public services is a key priority for the Scottish Government and services such as this play an essential role in supporting our hospitals, local authorities and third partners to reduce rates of homelessness.”
Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said: “Working with the Cyrenians Hospital In-Reach service helps us ensure patients experiencing homelessness can leave hospital safely, recover well and reduce preventable readmissions.
“We look forward to supporting this important partnership to expand.”
Chief Executive of Cyrenians Ewan Aitken said: “Homelessness majorly affects people’s health. Studies show that those who have experienced homelessness are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital, and for three times as long.
“Cyrenians Hospital InReach team have been tackling this huge public health issue for nearly five years now – reducing readmissions by three thirds.
“Thanks to this additional funding, we’ll be able to help even more people get the direct support they need, when they need it, find suitable accommodation, and stop the revolving door of hospital and homelessness.”
As Scotland faces a sharp drop in temperatures, national children’s charity, Children First, is encouraging families in Edinburgh who are struggling with the cost of living and keeping warm this January to reach out for help.
The charity warns that they are hearing every day from parents and carers that are struggling to make ends meet and provide basic essentials for their children.
Children First’s support line offers practical, emotional and financial help to families across Scotland 365 days a year.
The team saw the number of callers rise by close to 50 percent towards the end of 2025.They can help with benefit checks, budgeting advice, and accessing emergency support to ensure families stay warm and well this winter.
Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “We want every parent and carer in Scotland to know they are not alone if they are worried about paying bills or keeping their children warm.
“Our friendly support line team is here to listen and provide expert advice to ensure families get the support they need. We understand how hard it can be trying to make ends meet and the pressure families are under.”
In 2024, Children First’s support line helped families secure close to £2.5 million in financial gains and deal with half a million pounds in debts to make them more manageable.
Kinship carer Tony* who is bringing up his two-year old granddaughter Cara* and had been struggling to make ends meet, got help with his finances from Children First’s support line.
He said: “It was only when Children First support line got involved that things started to get better. I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it’s such a relief.”
Alcohol producers and retailers are calling on the next Scottish Government to target their efforts to tackle alcohol harm while recognising the positive role the industry can have in helping consumers make informed choices about their drinking.
The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is an alliance of retailers and producers committed to tackling alcohol harm by devising and delivering targeted interventions and supporting community-based activities.
The SAIP has launched its manifesto ahead of the Scottish election and has two main asks: to move towards greater use of targeted interventions, and to acknowledge the positive role that the alcohol industry plays in promoting responsible moderate consumption and tackling harmful drinking.
Examples of targeted interventions include Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) to target underage drinking and assertive outreach treatment to reach and support harmful drinkers.
CAPs work by supporting local partnerships of councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers and other community groups in reducing alcohol harm among children and young people, improving their health and wellbeing and enhancing their communities.
Assertive outreach treatment (AOT) is a service which makes proactive and persistent (‘assertive’) attempts to engage and provide tailored support to harmful drinkers.
SAIP Chairman Paul Waterson said: “We are looking for a greater emphasis and focus on delivering targeted interventions.”
Another change called for by the SAIP is recognition that the industry has a valid and long-standing role to play in tackling alcohol harm.
“The SAIP is a unique partnership that has demonstrated its commitment,” said Waterson. “We have devised and rolled out a national campaign with Police Scotland to tackle the proxy purchase of alcohol by adults for minors and supported the expansion of CAP schemes around Scotland.
“We have also worked with Best Bar None and Drinkaware – all proven ways of making real change in people’s attitude to the safe consumption of alcohol.”
As colder weather conditions remain, Water Safety Scotland (WSS) is issuing a warning about the dangers that frozen-over bodies of water present.
WSS aims to prevent fatalities and accidents and to alert the public that most ice-related incidents are preventable with the correct knowledge and behaviour.
Carlene McAvoy, from Water Safety Scotland, said: “We encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors and the benefits it brings, but it’s important to do so safely and with awareness. One key risk we want to highlight is the danger posed by frozen bodies of water.
“While ice can appear solid and inviting, there’s no way to know if it can support your weight or how deep the water is beneath. For this reason, we’re urging people to stay well clear of frozen water, keep children away, and ensure dogs are kept on leads.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, Scottish Fire and Rescue’s Head of Prevention said: “We don’t want your winter walk to end in tragedy so please avoid going near frozen water when you are out with loved ones and pets.
“Falling through ice could be fatal. While ice can look and feel solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person or dog to fall through, potentially becoming trapped under the ice.
“Pets should be kept on leads and owners should avoid throwing objects onto the ice for them to retrieve.
“If anyone does get into difficulty on the ice, do not attempt to rescue them. Dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service, then wait for help to arrive.”
This is the key advice from Water Safety Scotland:
Most importantly, stay off the ice. Never be tempted to venture onto ice – you have no way of knowing how thick it is and how cold and deep the water beneath is. The water beneath could also be fast-flowing. Don’t ever risk it.
Keep a safe distance from the edge. Fallen leaves or snow could obscure the water’s true boundary.
Stick to well-lit areas – the reduction in daylight in the winter adds to risks around water
Check for safety signage. This can help inform you of hazards in that area you may not be aware of.
Always supervise children. Just a moment’s distraction could have serious consequences for a curious child.
Keep dogs on leads. Otherwise, they could end up on the ice and in danger. Also don’t throw sticks and balls for dogs near ice. If your dog falls through the ice, don’t go in for your dog – encourage the dog to swim over to you or use a branch or pole to pull them out without venturing onto the ice.
If you fall through the ice:
Float on your back with your arms and legs extended until you can control your breathing
Stay calm and call for help if possible
Look for something to hold onto to help yourself out the water
If you encounter someone who has fallen through ice:
Call 999 and request the assistance of the emergency services
Remain calm and give clear, accurate information about the situation and location
Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself
To support communities to share and display this advice in their local areas, WSS have developed ice safety resources such as posters, a leaflet and social media assets which are available from the WSS website to download and use.
These are free of charge and available to everyone. The resources can be accessed here.
Children will be protected from exposure to junk food ads under new regulations, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity
UK Government delivers on pledge to restrict junk food advertising and help parents raise healthiest generation of children ever
New regulations will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children’s diets each year as part of drive to reduce childhood obesity
Children will be protected from excessive exposure to unhealthy food adverts on television and online.
Kids will be protected from exposure to junk food advertising on TV and online as new regulations come into force to help tackle childhood obesity.From today, adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm, and online at all times.
This decisive and world-leading action by this government is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.
Evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses. The ban targets the media children and young people use most at the times they use it.
At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are living with overweight or obesity and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave.
Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children (typically ages 5-9) in the UK.
Minister for Health, Ashley Dalton said: “We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life.
“By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.
“We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.”
The UK government has worked closely with health campaigners and industry leaders to find the right balance which combines our commitment to raising healthy kids and economic growth. It’s in everyone’s interest that parents and children can make healthy choices and we thank food and drink companies for getting behind these restrictions voluntary since October ahead of them taking legal effect today.
Previous interventions, such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy resulted in businesses reformulating to make products healthier, and the measures coming into effect today have already had a similar impact, driving the development and promotion of healthier options.
This change is part of a range of measures the government is taking to lift children out of poverty and help give them the best start in life.
To tackle obesity and improve diets, Westminster has introduced the Healthy Food Standard to make the average shopping basket of goods healthier, and we’re giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops setting up outside schools.
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said: “It’s been one battle after another, but we are finally going to see children being protected from the worst offending junk food adverts.
“This is a welcome and long-awaited step towards better protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising that can harm their health and wellbeing. These new restrictions will help reduce children’s exposure to the most problematic adverts and mark real progress towards a healthier food environment.
“For the government to achieve its ambition of raising the healthiest generation ever, this is an important policy as part of a broader approach to preventing obesity-related ill health. Continuing to strengthen the rules over time will help ensure these protections remain effective.”
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: “With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people – leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.
“The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising – along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy – can help protect the health of our children, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people.”
The Soft Drink Industry Levy will be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks – and the government is helping to further improve kids’ diets by banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.
In December, the Prime Minister announced parents could save up to £500 a year on baby formula thanks to new government measures aimed at reducing household costs and easing the cost of living for hard-working families.
This government has also introduced supervised toothbrushing for three to five-year-olds to protect those in the most deprived communities from tooth decay.
The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, meanwhile, will break the cycle of addiction and stop the next generation getting hooked on nicotine. It will also halt the advertising and sponsorship of vapes, limiting their packaging, flavours and displays which lure young people in.
These measures combined with the junk food ban mark the 10 Year Health Plan’s shift towards prevention and significant progress towards the government’s our pledge of raising the healthiest generation of children ever.
Farid (17), Bite Back Activist, said: “Today is a milestone moment – one that young people across the UK have been campaigning for over many years. We welcome the government taking action to put children’s health front and centre, to protect young people from the predatory and manipulative marketing of unhealthy food by junk food giants.
“These new rules are an important first step that begins to rip down the wallpaper of junk food advertising that surrounds young people on TV and online every day. We’re proud to see this change finally happen. But this cannot be the end. Young people are energised to keep pushing, working hard to make 2026 the year we fully transform the environments children grow up in.”
Malcolm Clark, Senior Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The world around us heavily influences what we eat and drink, which is why Cancer Research UK has long campaigned for restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children.
“Measures announced today – if properly enforced – are a crucial step towards creating an environment that protects children and empowers healthy lifestyle changes.
“Obesity and overweight causes at least 13 different types of cancer, and children living with obesity are much more likely to live with obesity as adults too. The UK Government must build on this landmark legislation with further bold action to make a healthy diet more accessible and reduce people’s risk of cancer in the future.”
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “This is a positive step towards creating healthier environments for children and tackling childhood obesity.
“Childhood obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges we face, driving health inequalities and placing a significant cost burden on the NHS and wider society. These measures are an important part of a whole systems approach, alongside local action to improve access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.
“We are pleased to see that these measures complement other public health initiatives, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which together signal a strong commitment to prevention and improving health outcomes.”
Alice Wiseman MBE, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: “The vast majority of deaths in this country are caused by preventable illnesses and disease, including many cancers, respiratory, heart and liver disease. These illnesses are often linked to the consumption of harmful products like unhealthy food and drink, but this is not the result of personal choice.
“The reality is that what we eat and drink is heavily influenced by cheap prices and clever marketing campaigns backed by multi-million pound budgets. We simply don’t have the freedom to choose.
“There is no quick fix, but we know from our experience of tackling tobacco harm, that one of the key ways to reduce illness and death caused by harmful products is to introduce tighter restrictions on advertising those products.
“There is of course further to go, but today’s legislation is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting people from industry influence and reducing the number of people living with – and dying from – preventable illness and disease.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray @neilcgray has welcomed the start of the new chickenpox routine childhood vaccination programme and encouraged parents or carers to take up this offer when called to appointments to give their children the very best protection.
Following a detailed review by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the UK’s independent expert group on vaccines, Public Health Scotland (PHS) has been working with the Scottish Government and colleagues across NHS Boards to make some changes to Scotland’s childhood vaccination programme.
The changes, which began in July 2025, are based on the latest scientific evidence and are designed to ensure that children continue to have the best possible protection from vaccine-preventable diseases.
From January 2026, children will be offered a varicella (chickenpox) vaccine as part of the routine childhood schedule for the first time in Scotland.
JCVI’s recommendation is to offer a two-dose programme offering vaccination at 12 and 18 months of age, using the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine.
Varicella vaccines have been seen to dramatically decrease the number of cases of chickenpox seen in childhood when used in other countries.
Dr Daniel Chandler, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS said: “Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease. While most cases of chickenpox in children are relatively mild, many children are unwell for several days and have to miss school or nursery as a result.
“In some cases, chickenpox can be more severe and can lead to hospitalisations from serious secondary infections or other complications.
“The offer of the varicella vaccine is a welcome new addition to the routine childhood schedule and, as well as reducing the number of cases, will prevent more severe cases of chickenpox.”
Vaccination programmes are regularly reviewed to make sure that all children are offered the best protection against preventable diseases.
As new vaccines become available, or research shows that giving existing vaccines at different times improves protection, the programme will be changed.
Parents and carers will receive appointment invitations from local NHS immunisation teams and are encouraged to look out for them and bring their children for vaccination as scheduled.
