Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, visited the localBritish Gas Energy Trust Post OfficePop-Upin Waverley Mall yesterday.
It was launched to provide free money and energy advice in person to those struggling with energy debt over winter.
The Edinburgh pop-up comes as data from the British Gas Energy Trust shows 40% of people in Edinburgh say that certain cut-backs they’ve made due to cost of living have negatively impacted their mental health.
Other findings include:
34% of people in Edinburgh have limited their usage of household appliances and 39% are reluctant to use heat or electricity within the home making the cold months daunting.
The rising cost of energy has caused 40% of people in Edinburgh a fair amount of additional stress with 28% of people thinking they’ll struggle to pay their energy bills in the coming year
34% of parents have cut down on their own food consumption to be able to feed their children.
Rolling out across the country, the British Gas Energy Trust is bringing its pop-ups to Edinburgh for the public to visit on 29th & 30th January and at a second Edinburgh location on the 5th & 6th February (14a Westside Plaza, EH14 TSV) – helping people seek money and energy support and advice through the support of locally funded projects.
This includes checking eligibility for energy grants of up to £1,500 for all customers, regardless of energy supplier.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian, Miles Briggs, has “warmly welcomed” the latest cost-of-living payments being paid by the UK Government to thousands of his constituents in Lothian.
The UK Government has confirmed that the latest £300 payments will be paid automatically into the bank accounts of those eligible in Lothian between 31 October and 19 November.
It comes as part of a package worth £900 in total to support those on means-tested benefits in Lothian with the effects of the global cost-of-living crisis.
Eligible pensioner households will also receive a further £300 later in the year, on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Those eligible in Lothian do not need to apply for the payment, as it will be paid directly into their bank account.
Statistics from the UK Government show that in Lothian, 90,800 households will receive the cost-of-living payment.
Mr. Briggs says the UK Government are continuing to “step up” to support the most vulnerable in his constituency during these tough economic times.
Scottish Conservative MP/MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is warmly welcomed that the UK Government are providing a further £300 in cost-of-living payments to the most vulnerable in Lothian and across the country.
“As the economic situation continues to constrain people in Lothian, this help from the UK Government comes at a perfect time, and the package – worth £900 in total – is going to help those who need it most.
“As we approach winter, this help will prove even more invaluable.
“With payments being made automatically, people who are eligible in Lothian don’t need to do anything to receive these payments into their bank accounts.
“Of course, if there are any issues, then myself and my team will always be on hand to ensure those who need these payments get them from the UK Government.”
First Minister announces support for disabled children’s charity
A charity that provides support to disabled children and young people, and their families, is set to receive up to £2 million of future funding.
First Minister Humza Yousaf made the commitment during a visit to The Yard’s head office in Edinburgh where he met children and their families who benefit from the charity and saw the adventure play facilities offered by the centre.
Subject to the outcome of the Scottish Budget process, the Scottish Government will look to provide extra funding to The Yard over the next three financial years.
The First Minister said: “I am absolutely committed to improving outcomes for disabled children and their families across Scotland. Visiting The Yard has given me a chance to see their outstanding work first-hand, and hear more about the support being provided by the charity.
“I was extremely impressed with the flexible and creative ways in which The Yard are offering services and support to disabled young people and their families, many of whom I know are facing additional and significant challenges.
“I sincerely hope that this vital funding will enable The Yard to grow their services and offer support to more families of young disabled children across Scotland – and I look forward to continuing to engage with The Yard in all of their family support centres in Edinburgh, Fife and Dundee.”
Chief Executive of The Yard Celine Sinclair said: “We are absolutely thrilled that First Minister has committed to working with us to grow our services in Scotland.
“This announcement is transformational for disabled children and their families, and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure that our children get the support they need to get the best start in life and thrive.”
Inverleith councillor Vicky Nicholson has welcomed the announcement. She said: “I am hugely proud @theyardscotland is in Inverleith Ward.
“In my professional career, I knew The Yard well and visited recently with @DeidreBrock(above).
“Just thrilled this exceptional organisation’s future is secure thanks to @scotgov and at a time when families need support more than ever.”
Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has welcomed the announcement: “I am delighted that the Yard is set to receive £2 million of funding over the next three years, which will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled children, young people and their families across the East of Scotland.
“This funding will allow the specialist team at the Yard to reach even more children and young people, changing their lives for the better.
“The Campaign for Fairer Funding has been a successful in raising awareness of the exceptional work the Yard does and securing funding to expand their services.
“I am pleased that the cross party campaign has succeeded in getting the Scottish Government to deliver this funding for disabled Children and Young People in the East of Scotland.”
Reduction in people receiving alcohol treatment in Lothian
A 1,000 fewer people receiving treatment compared to eight years ago
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Lothian Miles Briggs says the fall in the number of people starting alcohol treatment in NHS Lothian over the last decade is “deeply troubling.”
Figures obtained by Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs, from SNP Drugs and Alcohol Minister Elena Whitham, show that across Scotland the number receiving treatment has fallen by a staggering 40 per cent.
In 2013/14, 32,556 accessed alcohol treatment programmes, but by 2021/22 that figure had dropped to 19,617.
In Lothian there has been a 30% percentage drop in those accessing programme.
In 2013/14 in Lothian 3303 accessed programmes, but in 2021/22 that figure stood at only 2303 – a drop of 1000 people.
These figures follow news that the highest number of Scots since 2008 have lost their lives to alcohol in the last year at 1,276.
In the light of these figures, Mr. Briggs has now demanded that SNP ministers back the Right to Recovery Bill in Parliament.
That would enshrine in law a right to access treatment for anyone in Scotland who needs it most.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Miles Briggs said: “The drop in the number of people accessing alcohol treatment programme in Lothian is something I find deeply troubling.
“It is a shameful reflection of how the SNP have mishandled Scotland’s problems with alcohol that there has been a 30% decrease in the numbers accessing treatment programmes since 2013/14.
“This fall is replicated right across the country, and it is astounding that SNP ministers would allow treatment places to be so dramatically reduced at a time when alcohol deaths across the country are at their highest level since 2008.
“This latest example of incompetence will come as no surprise to anyone witness to the SNP’s failure to tackle Scotland’s drug death emergency, and once again it is the most deprived people in Lothian that these cuts are harming the most.
“These concerning findings only reaffirm the need for SNP ministers to finally back the Right to Recovery Bill.
“This legislation would enshrine in law the right for those suffering from addiction in Lothian to receive potentially life-saving treatment and has been backed by frontline experts and charities.
“I will continue to put pressure on the SNP-Green government to give this bill their backing, so it becomes law as quickly as possible.”
Ayrshire and Arran: 2013/14 (4777 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (1546 patients received treatment)- decrease of 13%
Borders: 2013/14 (431 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (310 patients received treatment) Down 28%
Dumfries and Galloway 2013/14 (922 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (918 patients received treatment) Down 0.4%
Fife 2013/14 (1635 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (1092 patients received treatment) Down 38%
Forth Valley 2013/14 (1491 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (773 patients received treatment) Down 48%
Grampian 2013/14 (1761 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (1214 patients received treatment) Down 31%
Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2013/14 (11895 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (4901 patients received treatment) Down 59%
Highland 2013/14 (1531 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (735 patients received treatment) Down 52%
Lanarkshire 2013/14 (5727 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (4789 patients received treatment) Down 16%
Lothian 2013/14 (3303 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (2303 patients received treatment) Down 30%
Orkney 2013/14 (54 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (23 patients received treatment) Down 57%
Shetland 2013/14 (73 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (54 patients received treatment) Down 26%
Tayside 2013/14 (1651 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (912 patients received treatment) Down 44%
Western Isles 2013/14 (305 patients received treatment) 2021/22 (47 patients received treatment) Down 84%
Last week at the Scottish Parliament, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs called on SNP and Green Ministers to progress the A720 Sherrifhall roundabout.
At the start of February this year a Public Local Inquiry was carried out, to address objections which were received in relation to the project.
In his question, Mr Briggs asked if the Scottish Government has received any recommendations from the independent reporter.
In response, Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Scottish Government has not yet received any recommendations from the independent reporter regarding the A720 Sherrifhall roundabout following that public inquiry, held between the 31st January and the 8th February 2023.”
Mr Briggs has previously called on SNP and Green Ministers to make progress on upgrades to the junction, with £120 million being earmarked for the project as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
The announcement on Thursday by Audit Scotland that the Scottish Government will not meet their infrastructure goals has raised concerns over the delivery of the project.
Lothian MSP Miles’ Briggs said: “I am disappointed to hear that and I think that people across Edinburgh and the Lothians and the South of Scotland as well, will really be wanting to see when those will be given to Ministers and how fast we can see this progress, because we need the A720 Sherrifhall roundabout to be upgraded.
“It is now over five years since the Sherrifhall Roundabout was included in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. We need to see this upgrade urgently progressed.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher MSP yesterday (Wednesday) launched her Proposed Desecration of War Memorials Prevention Scotland Members Bill for consultation at Holyrood.
The legislation would ensure that attacks on war memorials – which have been on the rise over the last decade – are actively discouraged by amending vandalism law to recognise the desecration of these monuments as a specific offence, which would bring Scotland into line with England and Wales.
The consultation will run from now until December 19.
In the early hours of Monday 14th November the war memorial in front of Edinburgh City Council was vandalised in what was a mindless act of vandalism.
Miles Briggs asked an FMQ at the Scottish Parliament that Thursday describing the incident as an “absolutely appalling insult to our fallen war heroes”.
Groups including the Friends of Dennistoun War Memorial have campaigned tirelessly for this legislation, which has also secured the support of veterans’ organisations, past and present British Armed Forces personnel – including Simon Weston – veterans campaigners, community action groups, and leading veteran charities.
Miles Briggs is now encouraging people to make their views known through the consultation so that Scotland’s War Memorials will receive the protection that they deserve.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“I fully support my colleague Meghan Gallacher’s proposed bill to protect our war memorials in Scotland.
“Vandalising war memorials is an abhorrent act and those who damage these memorials should be punished appropriately.
“I encourage everyone in the Lothians to engage with this consultation to prevent our war memorials from being vandalised .”
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Lothian Miles Briggsis calling for a defibrillator to be installed at every train station in Lothian.
Mr. Briggs’ call comes following a response received by Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene from former SNP transport minister Kevin Stewart.
The Transport Minister’s response highlighted the 56 Scottish train stations that are currently equipped with a defibrillator, including some of the country’s busiest such as Central and Queen Street in Glasgow and Edinburgh Waverley.
Kevin Stewart also confirmed to Jamie Greene that plans to install further defibrillator devices across the ScotRail network are being developed.
However, with Scotland having 359 railway stations in total, Miles Briggs says it is crucial that more passengers and staff are able to access defibrillators as soon as possible.
He says having quick and easy access to the device on site at busy stations such as Livingston North could help to save lives in an emergency.
At present, the train stations in Lothian without access to a defibrillator are: Drem, Dunbar, Haddington, Longniddry, Musselburgh, North Berwiick, Prestonpans, Wallyford, Eskbank, Gorebridge, Shawfair, Wallyford, Addiewell, Armadale, Blackridge, Breich, Fauldhouse, Kirknewton, Livingston North, Uphall and West Calder.
Mr. Briggs added that he hopes that people across Scotland will get behind the campaign and ensure that stations across the country are fitted with defibrillators.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Miles Briggs said: “Having easy access to a defibrillator device can often be the difference between life and death.
“While it is welcome that over 50 stations in Scotland now have them on site, this is only the beginning. It is imperative that we do what we can to ensure that stations across the country have access to a defibrillator.
“You never know when a defibrillator might be required, and the eventual goal should be to ensure that every station in Scotland can get one.
“An emergency situation might arise at any moment, so having a defibrillator on hand to use before emergency services arrive, would be of great help.
“In my region of Lothian, we have busy stations such as Livingston North and North Berwick that are without defibrillators. I believe it is common sense for devices to be installed in these areas.
“As it stands, it is not good enough that only 6 railways stations across Lothian have access to a defibrillator.
“I will continue to encourage SNP ministers to guarantee ScotRail will have the resources they need to rollout further defibrillator devices, including hopefully at each Lothian station in the near future.”
TRAMS FIASCO REPORT HAS NOW BEEN NINE WEEKS AT PRINTERS
Lothians MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is a perplexing that the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is still with the printers nine weeks after it was finalised.
“The inquiry was funded by taxpayers money and the public, who have already waited over nine years, have waited more than long enough to hear the findings.
“I am seeking answers to why the inquiry is on hold at the printers and if a review will be undertaken into the time and costs associated with the delivery of this inquiry.”
Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP Miles Briggs is supporting calls for ‘Hugo’s Law’ to pass in the Scottish Parliament, making it law that drivers must contact a vet, the police and the RSPCA in the event that they hit a cat.
The calls come after Hugo, a much-loved cat that stalked the streets of Edinburgh’s West End, sadly died last month after being struck by a car. Those who loved Hugo are now leading the calls for a change in the law.
At present, motorists are obliged to inform the authorities if they hit dogs, horses, sheep, pigs, foxes, badgers, mules, cows and goats with their vehicle, under a section of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales. A vet must also be contacted to look over the animals and treat them for injuries, however this section does not apply to cats.
Mr. Briggs has already written to the Scottish Government requesting a meeting so that discussions around the law change can begin.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggssaid: “I wholeheartedly support the campaign for ‘Hugo’s Law’ to change the law on stopping for animals to include cats.
“A cat’s life is worth no less than a dog’s and a change in the law would increase the chances of survival for cats who are struck by vehicles.
“It is imperative we include cats so that more people are not left bereft like Hugo’s family.
“A change in the law would bring comfort to Hugo’s family and other cat owners who will be safe in the knowledge that tragic incidents such as Hugo’s passing can be avoided, and that is why I am seeking a meeting with government officials to push this through”.
LOTHIAN MSPs have spoken out following a critical report on safety issues at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France. Inspectors reported safety concerns following visits to the hospital’s A & E Department in February and subsequent follow-ups.
Conservative Lothian list MSP Miles Briggs said: “These are very serious concerns in regards to overcrowding at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the fire safety risk it creates.
“The A&E department at the hospital has been running over capacity for a number of years now, with SNP Ministers showing an ability to make any progress.
“Patient and staff safety must be the number one priority at the RIE and urgent improvements must be made.
“I have written to NHS Lothian to ask for further details and a timetable for when these improvements are being made .”
Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury added: “It is incredibly disappointing and worrying that inspectors raised numerous serious concerns about safety in the A&E department at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh (RIE).
“Constituents in Edinburgh need to be sure that they can safely attend hospital for care and treatment. Instead, patient safety, care and dignity were called into question.
“This is terrifying for those patients in the region who need to be able to rely on and trust the A&E department should they ever need it.
“I’m very concerned that our hardworking NHS staff may also be put in danger by this crisis in the NHS, with concerns raised over staff wellbeing at RIE. Our hospital staff work incredibly hard to provide the best service possible.
“Patients at RIE and their relatives spoke highly of the compassionate care they received from staff. “This makes it all the more disappointing that staff and patients alike are being affected by 16 years of SNP incompetence.
“Staff and patients are crying out for help. Will the new Health Secretary answer their call and reverse years of damage done by Humza Yousaf when he held the post?”
NHS Lothian says the concerns expressed in the report are already being addressed. Alison Macdonald, nurse director at NHS Lothian, told the BBC the HIS visit came at a time of “unprecedented pressure” on the hospital.
She said: “We accept and acknowledge the findings of the HIS report and we sincerely apologise to patients for longer than usual waiting times in the emergency department and a poorer experience of care.
“We had already begun our own improvement work when the inspectors carried out their first visit.
“When they returned for their follow-up, it was clear to see that improvements had already been made, but more was required. We are now focused on our improvement and safety action plans.”
HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT SCOTLAND’S REPORT
HEALTH watchdog Healthcare Improvement Scotland carried out an unannounced inspection to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian on Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2023 using our safe delivery of care inspection methodology.
During our inspection, we:
inspected the ward and hospital environment
observed staff practice and interactions with patients, such as during patient mealtimes
spoke with patients, visitors and ward staff (where appropriate), and
accessed patients’ health records, monitoring reports, policies and procedures.
As part of our inspection, we also asked NHS Lothian to provide evidence of its policies and procedures relevant to this inspection. The purpose of this is to limit the time the inspection team is onsite, reduce the burden on ward staff and to inform the virtual discussion session.
On Tuesday 14 March 2023, we carried out an unannounced follow-up visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to establish if concerns we raised during our initial visit had been addressed.
On Thursday 16 March 2023, we held a virtual discussion session with key members of NHS Lothian staff to discuss the evidence provided and the findings of the inspection.
As a result of serious concerns about patient safety within the emergency department identified during this inspection we wrote to NHS Lothian to formal escalate our concerns in accordance with level 1 of our escalation process in the Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Scottish Government: operating framework.
A copy of the letter has been published with this report.
Summary of our findings
At the time of inspection, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, like much of NHS Scotland, was experiencing a significant range of pressures including increased hospital admissions, increased pressures in the emergency department and admission units and reduced staff availability. During our onsite inspections the hospital was operating at over 100% capacity.
In ward areas, senior managers were visible, wards were generally calm and well organised and we observed good leadership and care being delivered. Patients and relatives spoken with described a good experience of care and helpful staff.
During the safety huddles we attended, we observed a strong focus on patient care needs across the hospital. However, serious patient safety concerns within the emergency department were identified during this inspection.
Inspectors raised a number of serious patient safety concerns regarding the emergency department during both our onsite inspection and return visit regarding the delivery of fundamental care for patients, patient safety, care and dignity, the current operating environment, leadership and coordination of care in the emergency department, as well as concerns about staff wellbeing.
Other areas for improvement identified during the inspection include the management of intravenous fluids, medicine administration processes, locked doors policies and procedures, and feedback to staff following incident reporting.
NHS Lothian senior managers responded quickly to concerns raised during the initial inspection. However, during our return visit on 14 March 2023, we remained concerned that the immediate actions put in place by NHS Lothian did not lead to significant improvements in the delivery of safe and effective care within the emergency department.
This resulted in us writing a formal letter of non-compliance to NHS Lothian in accordance with level 1 of our escalation process, setting out the serious patient safety concerns that required immediate action.
NHS Lothian promptly responded to this escalation, providing a detailed plan of improvement action to address each of the concerns. We will seek assurance on progress with planned improvement actions in accordance with our published inspection methodology.
This inspection resulted in five areas of good practice, three recommendations and 13 requirements.
