We strongly oppose the decision to restrict #WinterFuelPayment eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credit as it means 89% of Scottish pensioners will go without this vital support to stay warm this winter.
Support our ongoing campaign at http://age.scot/saveWFP.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has today declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’, with results of this summer’s Big Butterfly Count showing a marked and hugely concerning decline in numbers.
Overall, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per 15-minute Count, a reduction of almost 50% on last year’s average of 12, and the lowest in the 14-year history of the Big Butterfly Count.
It was the worst summer in the Count’s history for Common Blue, Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Scotch Argus. And the majority of species (81%) showed declines in the number seen this year compared with 2023.
In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK from 12 July – 4 August, down almost 600,000, equivalent to more than a third of 2023’s total, and 9,000 Counts were logged as seeing zero butterflies, the highest in the citizen science programme’s history.
These figures have alarmed scientists and resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency’.
Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “The previous lowest average number of butterflies per Count was nine in 2022, this latest figure is 22% lower than that, which is very disturbing.
“Not just that, but a third of the species recorded in the Big Butterfly Count have had their worst year on record, and no species had their best. The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies.
“Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.”
Butterfly Conservation is writing an open letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for the Government to act now for nature by declaring a ‘Nature Emergency’ and banning butterfly-killing neonicotinoid pesticides once and for all, with no exceptions, before it’s too late.
Dr Fox explains: “When used on farmland, these chemicals make their way into the wild plants growing at field edges, resulting in adult butterflies and moths drinking contaminated nectar and caterpillars feeding on contaminated plants.
Many European countries have already banned these chemicals, it’s time for the UK to follow suit and put the natural world first. If we don’t act now to address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime.”
More than 85,000 citizen scientists took part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count this year, submitting 143,241 Counts. This is equivalent to 35,810 hours, or four years worth of time spent counting, in gardens, parks, school grounds and the countryside.
Dr Richard Fox concluded: “If every single person who helped with the Count this summer signs our letter to the Government, we could prevent the very real and pressing threat of species becoming extinct in our lifetime.”
To sign Butterfly Conservation’s letter to the Government asking them to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ and ban butterfly-killing neonicotinoid pesticides visit: https://butterfly-conservation.org/emergency
Signing closes on Sunday 13 October 2024.
To find out more about Butterfly Conservation visit: https://butterfly-conservation.org/
BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT RESULTS 2024
Species results in the UK – Big Butterfly Count 2024
Next year’s Big Butterfly Count will take place from Friday 18 July – Sunday 10 August 2025.
UK Totals
| BBC 2024: UK | Abundance | Average per count | % change from 2023 | 14-year trend(bold = statistically significant) | |
| 1 | Gatekeeper | 190,413 | 1.5 | -18 | -32% |
| 2 | Meadow Brown | 177,844 | 1.4 | 6 | -15% |
| 3 | Large White | 138,424 | 1.1 | -38 | 2% |
| 4 | Small White | 112,814 | 0.9 | -46 | -19% |
| 5 | Peacock | 50,847 | 0.4 | -67 | -30% |
| 6 | Red Admiral | 47,109 | 0.4 | -82 | 28% |
| 7 | Ringlet | 44,278 | 0.3 | 85 | -47% |
| 8 | Speckled Wood | 30,112 | 0.2 | -2 | -38% |
| 9 | Comma | 24,498 | 0.2 | -52 | -20% |
| 10 | Green-veined White | 18,951 | 0.1 | -24 | -65% |
| 11 | Six-spot Burnet | 18,102 | 0.1 | 88 | – |
| 12 | Marbled White | 17,922 | 0.1 | 101 | -18% |
| 13 | Small Copper | 13,962 | 0.1 | -30 | 48% |
| 14 | Small Tortoiseshell | 12,432 | 0.1 | -74 | -59% |
| 15 | Common Blue | 9,755 | 0.1 | -69 | -52% |
| 16 | Brimstone | 8,622 | 0.1 | -53 | -18% |
| 17 | Holly Blue | 7,090 | 0.1 | -80 | 36% |
| 18 | Painted Lady | 4,170 | 0.03 | -66 | 9% |
| 19 | Silver Y | 4,101 | 0.03 | -30 | – |
| 20 | Jersey Tiger | 3,496 | 0.03 | -29 | – |
| 21 | Scotch Argus | 499 | 0.004 | -61 | – |
| Totals | 935,441 | 7 | -40 | – | |
Note:
Ringlet, Marbled White and Six-spot Burnet appeared to have fared well in the Big Butterfly Count this year compared to 2023, however, this was due to their peak flight periods coinciding with the count. Over the course of the whole summer, these species also seem to have fared worse than usual.
To account for annual variation in flight periods, which are heavily influenced by the weather, Butterfly Conservation has produced a fourteen-year trend (2011–2024) for Big Butterfly Count species which can be seen in the results table.
This shows that although these species fared well this year, the long-term picture for the two butterfly species is very different. Over the last 14 years Ringlet has declined by 47% and Marbled White by 18%.
Overall, the 14-year trends show that 11 species (65%) are declining, and three species (18%) are increasing, these are Red Admiral, Holly Blue and Small Copper.
A Freedom of Information request made by financial journalist, broadcaster, and speaker PAUL LEWIS has revealed the likely impact of cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Mr Lewis says the DWP response (below) that shows the Labour government knew:
* 1.6m disabled pensioners would lose winter fuel payment
* 780,000 of the poorest pensioners who were entitled still would not get it – so ‘protecting the poorest’ was a lie.
* 2.7m over-80s would lose £300.
1500 folk signed already! “We are the people of Scotland. We live and work here. We value the arts and the artists who make it.”
Please sign and share if you live in Scotland and value the arts:
Independent producer Mairi Robinson’s letter reads:
Open Letter to Scottish Government, on the closing of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals
Listen to this letter here: https://on.soundcloud.com/3zuSaySKzEnftzJL8
We, the undersigned, are artists, arts workers, and/or audience members from across Scotland. We are the people of Scotland. We live and work here. We value the arts and the artists who make it.
We are writing to you about the closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals, due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm the release of £6.6 million of funding from the Grant-in-Aid budget. This decision shocks and deeply concerns us, and places the future of the arts in Scotland at risk.
The Open Fund for Individuals is the cornerstone of the arts in Scotland. It is the only fund of its kind to support artists to lead projects, develop their practice, support their professional development and collaborate with other artists and/or communities.
One grant awarded to an individual provides meaningful employment, creative development, allows space for artistic risk and experimentation. Many of these grants support multiple artists and arts workers through paid job opportunities. Grants for individuals can also support organisations through the filling of theatres, galleries and music festivals.
One grant can kickstart or extend a career, allow an artist to present their work to the public, develop a new stream of income, develop their entrepreneurial and business skills. Take artworks to market and present for Scottish audiences, leading to international tours and commercial successes. They provide a training ground for the arts leaders of tomorrow, allowing artists to skill up through experience of running their own projects and developing new networks.
One grant can place artists in schools, in care homes, working 1-to-1 with folk who do not like a crowd, or with whole communities at a time, and bring a multitude of positive personal, social and wellbeing benefits. It can reduce isolation and bring people together. It can inspire and delight. It can help people find their voice, and see their experiences and stories represented.
The Open Fund for Individuals has an enormous impact. It is a lifeline for artists and arts workers. Beyond the individual grants and their benefits, its existence also means an enormous amount to people across Scotland, because it supports people who are not independently wealthy to be artists. It tells us that we have a right to creativity and the arts, a right to joy and wellbeing, and a right to emotion and expression.
Without the fund, the future is bleak, and bleakest for those who are isolated and marginalised by income, geography, race, class, age, faith, caring responsibilities, gender, sex, sexuality, or disability. Those who do not have savings to fall back on, family support to sustain them, or who have to work harder to bring their work to audiences are at risk of being unable to sustain a career in the arts. The loss of these talents and perspectives in the arts leaves us all poorer.
The arts in Scotland contribute £5bn annually to the economy but they are now at breaking point. We cannot continue without direct support for our artists, arts workers & self employed people. The damage to the arts caused by the closure of the fund is immediate and long lasting. Cut it now, and it could take a generation to build back.
We urge you to fund the reopening of the Open Fund for Individuals as a matter of urgency. We ask that you provide clear guidance on the in-year and future annual budgets so that the arts in Scotland can begin to plan, develop ideas, build upon past successes and deliver a vibrant future for us all.
[Please sign with your first name, last name and postcode at the bottom of the document]
[If you’re having trouble accessing this document, please email mharirobinson@gmail.com with your name and post code and I will add you in]
YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE PETITION HERE:
The Scottish theatre community is in need of support more than ever in light of the cuts to arts funding. Gareth Nicholls, Artistic Director of the Traverse, said last night:
“We at the Traverse wanted to use our platform to the world on the final day of the festival to make you aware of this, and of the significant impact funding cuts are having on our nation’s artists and theatres.
“New work in Scotland doesn’t come from nothing. And one of the key ways this has been achieved is through an open fund where an individual artist can ask for money when their idea is but a seed.
“The open fund is the incubator for Scottish work, but Creative Scotland has been forced to close the fund at 2pm on Friday. It will be closed indefinitely, due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm funding for its delivery.
“Many on our stages, and whose work you’ve enjoyed at the festivals, have been dependent upon it, alongside wider arts subsidy. It is a fund that helps build careers and craft to get an idea off the ground, and which helps places like the Traverse keep our theatres alive with bold new ideas.
“If you enjoy seeing Scottish work right here in Scotland, then please continue to support the artists who make the powerful work that appears our stages.”
Further information can be found at www.campaignforthearts.org
Plans to means-test Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales will see the Scottish Government’s funding cut by up to £160 million.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed the Scottish Government therefore has ‘no alternative’ but to replicate the decision in Scotland and restrict payments to pensioners who receive eligible benefits.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Despite all efforts to review our financial position we have been left with no choice but to follow the UK Government and restrict payments to older people who receive relevant eligible benefits.
“This is a necessary decision when faced with such a deep cut to our funding and in the most challenging financial circumstances since devolution. The reduction we are facing amounts to as much as 90% of the cost of Scotland’s replacement benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
“Given the UK Government’s decision to restrict payments to those in receipt of means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, and the implications for the Scottish Government detailed above, I have urged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to undertake a benefits take-up campaign for Pension Credit and to move forward with plans for a social energy tariff.
“Both of these measures will provide some further protection to energy customers in greatest need.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes commented:
Scottish Parliament: Written answer
The charity has responded to news that, following the UK Government’s plans to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, the Scottish Government will have no alternative but to replicate the decision in Scotland.
Age Scotland’s Policy Director, Adam Stachura, said: “It’s infuriating that huge numbers of older people will miss out on the vital Winter Fuel Payment when it is devolved to Scotland.
“We recognise the financial challenge the Scottish Government would face to make up the shortfall to keep the payment universal, but we desperately hoped there could be a more effective delivery of this payment and that it could have looked more generous than the UK Government’s new, and meagre, approach.
“At minimum, a quarter of a million pensioners in Scotland on the lowest incomes or living in fuel poverty will no longer receive this vital financial support over the winter months, while hundreds of thousands more on modest incomes are going to struggle with their energy bills even more than normal as a result.
“This brutal decision by the UK Government was made too fast, cuts too deep and its impact will be severe. It’s important that they rethink this move, as it has a huge impact on the devolution of social security and the needs of Scottish pensioners who live in some of the coldest homes in the UK.”
Visit www.age.scot/SaveWFP to sign Age Scotland’s petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Winter Fuel Payment will be the difference between eating and heating for many struggling pensioners this winter.
The Government must save this vital payment.
Over 138,000 of you have signed our petition so far. Will you join us?
Sign the petition: http://bit.ly/3A4hoyo
Foysol Choudhury MSP has joined Winchburgh residents outside the Scottish Parliament to deliver a petition addressed to Minister Jim Fairlie, calling on the Scottish Government to name a date for a new train station for Winchburgh.
Winchburgh is an expanding West Lothian community, with Winchburgh Developments Ltd delivering thousands of new homes and some new schools. However, a train station has not been delivered, as a new railway station was not a condition of planning permission.
As a result, homeowners in Winchburgh have been left without commuter links to Glasgow and Edinburgh, leading to a campaign to get the station built.
Foysol Choudhury, Labour MSP for Lothian, has been pursuing the issue on behalf of constituents for almost 2 years and has addressed the issue in the Scottish Parliament with Ministers, as well as making enquiries with other stakeholders such as the Council, local councillors and the Developers.
Yesterday the Labour Lothians list MSP joined the residents of Winchburgh outside the Scottish Parliament to call for action from the Scottish Government and deliver the petition addressed to Minister Jim Fairlie.
Following the rally outside Holyrood, Mr Choudhury said: “Winchburgh community have campaigned for many years for a much-needed train station and I have been raising this for almost 2 years at the Scottish Parliament.
“I was pleased to join the community today in delivering a petition for the Minister-it is time for the Scottish Government to take action, enough is enough.
“The Scottish Government needs to stop passing the buck and take responsibility for ensuring this much-needed and long-awaited station can finally be delivered.
“We must all work together to secure a station for the people of Winchburgh, who were sold homes on a belief it would be a commuter town.
“Instead, the Scottish Government do not seem to be taking these collaborative efforts to solve this important issue of clean and sustainable transport links for Winchburgh seriously.
“I am glad that other stakeholders, including MSPs, local councillors, the local community and the developers Winchburgh Developments Ltd, are instead taking this seriously where the Scottish Government are not.
“I am hopeful this petition and the clear strength of feeling from the community will lead to action from the Scottish Government – let’s get Winchburgh train station sorted!”
Mr Choudhury says he remains committed to continuing to pursue a new Winchburgh train station on behalf of all his constituents and will work with all relevant stakeholders possible to secure the station for his constituents.
Foysol Choudhury MSP’s video on the matter here:
The RAC has today welcomed a commitment from the Government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare, after research showed an overwhelming majority of drivers affected – as many as eight-in-10 – believe the problem is getting worse.
Responding to a petition set up by a member of the public following campaigning on the issue by the RAC, the College of Optometrists, Baroness Hayter and others, the Government said: “Recognising the need for further evidence [regarding headlight glare], we intend to commission independent research shortly.”
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “The fact the Government has listened to drivers’ concerns and heeded our calls to examine the complex issue of headlight glare in more detail marks a real turning point.
“The topic has undoubtedly struck a chord with motorists up and down the country, with many people contacting us directly to call for something to be done.
“Brighter headlights, while giving drivers a better view of the road ahead, are clearly causing other road users significant problems. As many as nine-in-10 drivers tell us they believe at least some car headlights are too bright, while 14% of drivers aged 65+ say they have stopped driving altogether as a result of being dazzled.
“An independent study provides a golden opportunity for the Government and industry to get to the bottom of the problem, identify the factors involved and map out a way forward. We’re aware of regulatory changes being made at an international level that will hopefully make a difference in many years to come, but are concerned that these alone may not be enough to address headlight dazzle.
“There are also known shortcomings concerning the official road casualty data not accurately capturing the true number of incidents associated with headlight glare, so it’s absolutely right that the topic is investigated properly to understand what can be done to keep everyone safe.
“We look forward to working with the Department of Transport to help ensure the study is as robust as possible and drivers’ voices are heard.”
Baroness Hayter said: “This is a victory for all those drivers affected by glare who’ve complained to their MP, signed the parliamentary petition, or indeed sought help from an optometrist – only to discover the problem was with headlights, and not their eyes.
“ This is an issue the RAC has long campaigned on and I am delighted the Government has recognised there is a real problem. We look forward to discussing its research in due course.”
Campaigners from the Unbound the Greyhound coalition delivered their open letter, calling for a phase out to dog racing in Scotland, to the Scottish Government yesterday.
22,655 people signed the coalition’s open letter, including celebrities such as TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, actor Peter Egan, and historian and broadcaster, David Olusoga.
MSPs joined the charities, and greyhounds rescued from the racing industry, outside Parliament in support.
The letter hand-in comes just weeks after Scottish Greens MSP, Mark Ruskell, launched the consultation for his proposed Bill to ban greyhound racing, the Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill.
The coalition is very supportive of this Bill.
Spokesperson for the coalition, Eve Massie Bishop, said: “There has been a real shift in attitudes towards dog racing in recent years.
“Not only have 22,655 people added their name to our letter to the Scottish Government to phase out greyhound racing in Scotland, but polling carried out by Panelbase has also found that six in ten Scots think the Scottish Parliament should vote to phase out greyhound racing.
“A 2019 petition to ban greyhound racing, from coalition member Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation, is also the most signed petition in Scottish parliamentary history.
“Our campaign has attracted the support of animal lovers from across the world, including the US, Australia, Japan, France, and Spain.
All eyes are now on the Scottish Parliament, which can show leadership and compassion and take steps to phase out this dying industry.”
2,718 greyhounds died and there were 2,284 total injuries recorded at the hands of the industry between 2018-2022.
Rescue greyhound, Sasha, who was at the open letter hand-in, was injured 8 years ago and was almost killed as a result.
Sasha broke her leg during a race at the former Armadale Stadium, in West Lothian, and was left in her kennel without treatment for days.
When her owner finally did take her to the vet, he wanted her to be put down, despite her injury being treatable.
Thankfully, the vet convinced Sasha’s owner to surrender her instead.
The coalition is very supportive of Mark Ruskell MSP’s Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, stating: “The Scottish Government’s proposals to license greyhound racing simply won’t protect these dogs.
“The Scottish public know this. In response to the Government’s recent consultation on its licensing proposals, most respondents responded instead calling for a phase out of greyhound racing.
“Mr Ruskell has recognised that greyhound racing carries inherent welfare risks and that only a ban on this outdated ‘sport’ will protect these loving, affectionate dogs. We are grateful for Mr Ruskell’s commitment to ending this dying industry which survives only on the exploitation of gentle dogs. He has our absolute support.”
Mark Ruskell MSP commented: “Greyhound racing is a cruel gambling-led sport. There is nothing safe about forcing dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph. It is wrong, and it must be stopped.
“The industry has shown that it cannot be trusted to regulate itself, with hundreds of greyhounds dying or being injured every year.
“Animal welfare organisations are clear – the inherent risks of greyhound racing mean that the welfare of these beautiful dogs can only be truly protected by banning racing for good. And that is exactly what my proposed Bill intends to do.
“Thanks to the Unbound the Greyhound coalition, we know that the public also wants to see our four-legged friends protected too. An incredible 22,655 people have signed the coalition’s open letter calling for an end to greyhound racing in Scotland.
“Change is coming. So I hope that as many people as possible take part in my consultation and that we can use it to develop the most appropriate and robust legislation possible and deliver an end to this abusive and badly-dated practice.”
LOCAL BLACKHALL JUNCTION POSES ‘MAJOR RISK’
Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, have slammed a busy Edinburgh junction describing it as hazardous and inaccessible for blind and partially sighted people.
The junction between Telford Road, Hillhouse Road and Strachan Road is one of the busiest in the capital, but the pedestrian crossing facilities are not fit for purpose.
Representatives from both sight loss charities recently met with the city of Edinburgh Council to discuss this junction and were astonished to find out that it had been REMOVED (demoted) from the Council’s list of upgrades.
Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, explains: “This junction poses a major risk to anybody with visual impairment, and we are extremely worried that it will take a serious accident before any action is taken.
“Due to the complicated layout of the crossings, the poor pedestrian crossing facilities and the heavy fast-moving traffic, it is dangerous and inaccessible to most blind and partially sighted people.
“The pedestrian crossings do not have audible signals or revolving cones, and some are in need of basic repair. Also, there are few protective barriers at this junction which makes me as a sighted person feel very vulnerable, so I can’t imagine how someone with vision impairment would feel. Strachan Road simply has no pedestrian crossing facility at all.
“As part of my job, I help blind and partially sighted people with their mobility, both indoor and out. We help them plan routes when going out, looking at hazards, and trying to ensure they know how to navigate the safest way to go if they have a medial appointment, for example, or just want to go to the shops.
“The biggest priority with a mobility assessment is safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that the safest way to cross these roads is with sighted assistance, and this is absolutely essential for people who cannot see the red and green man.
“What makes matters worse is that Blackhall Medical Centre is located on the Hillhouse Road side of the junction.”
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We are calling on the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade this junction now before a serious accident occurs.
“How this junction has been taken off the upgrades list is beyond me; it is highly dangerous if not impossible for blind and partially sighted people to cross these roads independently.
“Poor crossing facilities like these could mean a person is more likely to stay at home, reducing their opportunity to move around in their home area. When a person’s mobility is impacted in this way, there is a knock-on effect both physically and mentally.”
Local Inverleith Councillor Hal Osler comments: “When designing public spaces we need to think about the safety and accessibility for those most at risk; if we do this, it benefits us all.
“Unfortunately in Edinburgh we have too many junctions and crossings where the safety and accessibility of pedestrians was not considered as a design priority. It’s utterly shameful that this junction was removed from the list of upgrades and as a councillor I am appalled at the lack of thought for our most vulnerable pedestrians.
“If we truly believe in the importance of safe active travel, and that pedestrians are top of the transport hierarchy, this needs to change.”
Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, are asking people to join their campaign to get the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road and Telford Road in Edinburgh.
Please follow this link to write to your local Councillor calling for the junction to be upgraded urgently: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction
