Tag: research

Bosses urged to do more to support neurodiverse staff

Report shows staff turnover reduced by proactive support

New research published today by workplace expert Acas, highlights the importance of training and proactive action to support neurodiverse staff.

Neurodiversity describes the natural differences in how people’s brains process information, and how they feel and behave. Well-known types of neurodivergence include neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

The report emphasises the importance of training and supporting managers, so they know how to treat and support their neurodivergent staff.

The research shows that creating inclusive environments and personalised adjustments can be achieved proactively, without the need for a formal diagnosis or staff disclosure.

Acas Interim Chief Executive Dan Ellis said: “It is estimated that between 15-20% of UK adults are neurodivergent. This is a potentially enormous number of workers who may not be getting the support they need.

“Our research outlines the urgent need to put support for neurodivergent people at the heart of workplace policies and training, and the huge benefits for businesses when that happens.

“Taking steps to support neurodivergent staff is often quick, easy and inexpensive, but the advantages can be widespread. We encourage employers to make sure they do everything they can to support their staff.”

The independent research was conducted by Birkbeck, University of London, for Acas. The researchers combined insights from experts working in neuroinclusion, in depth case studies and a summary of published evidence.

The research found that neuroinclusion is possible in all workplaces, whether large or small.

The research documents good practice including how to manage performance in neurodiverse teams and the benefit of small changes, such as accessible written materials.

The research found that one small business which is incorporating neuroinclusion proactively, reduced its staff turnover to 8%, against a national average of 34%.

The report found that:

·       Proactively supporting neurodivergent staff and creating inclusive work environments where neurodivergent talents are supported can benefit everyone at work.

·       Mandatory and regularly updated neurodiversity training is key to promoting inclusive workplaces.

·       Line managers are pivotal in supporting neurodivergent employees so it’s vital they have the necessary training to facilitate inclusion.

·       Being proactive in making reasonable adjustments shouldn’t require a diagnosis or formal disclosure from staff.

·       Specialised adjustments may require balancing of individual and organisational needs. Smaller businesses with limited resources may find external support from organisations like Acas useful.

Professor Almuth McDowall at Birkbeck, University of London leads a research centre dedicated to supporting neurodivergent talent. She said: “It was a privilege to learn from our participants and share good practice. It is very important that neuroinclusion is part of wider conversations about workplace equity and inclusion.

“Conversations about adjustments should focus on performance optimisation to harness neurodivergent talent. Simple and centralised processes are important to reduce the burden on managers.

“Our case studies show that good practice can reduce turnover to as low as 8%. Organisations should set themselves clear targets for neuroinclusion and monitor and publish data.”

The report also shows that some workplaces are taking an innovative approach to neuroinclusion.

Jodie Hill is Managing Partner at Thrive Law, a business that prioritises inclusion and support for its neurodivergent staff. She said:  “The benefits of introducing reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent staff at Thrive has been overwhelming, particularly for me as a neurodivergent leader.

“Having the adjustments in place not only helps me, but it helps my team, and my clients, understand my needs.

“By creating a neurodiverse workplace, we create a competitive advantage and a workplace that has cognitive differences. We support people’s strengths and create an environment where those individuals can thrive.”

A full copy of the report can be viewed online https://www.acas.org.uk/research-and-commentary/neurodiversity-at-work-research-practice-and-policy

Shelter Scotland research: Children’s experiences in temporary accommodation

New research commissioned by Shelter Scotland reveals that over ten thousand children living in temporary accommodation are at risk of severe impacts on their health, education, and social lives.

Professor Nadzeya Svirydzenka of De Montfort University and Professor Monica Lakhanpaul of University College London interviewed twenty-three children and parents from four Scottish local authorities.

The report titled “IN THEIR OWN WORDS: CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCES IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION” shows that children living in temporary accommodation face safety issues such as overcrowding, dampness, mould, antisocial behaviour, pest-infestations and more.

Temporary accommodation has also been found to impact the mental health of children and parents, leading to anxiety, depression, increased aggression, and disturbed sleep. Children in these situations were also found to be socially isolated and their school attendance disrupted.

This research is published following a significant increase in the number of children in temporary accommodation in Scotland. Scottish Government figures show there are 10,360 children in temporary accommodation, a 149% increase in the last ten years.

On average, single people spend 240 days in temporary accommodation, a single parent with children 355 days, and a couple with children 565 days. The number of children in bed and breakfasts has risen by 223% (290 children) between September 2023 and 2024 (Scottish Government, 2025)

In Edinburgh, the number of children in temporary accommodation has grown by 74% since 2020 to a backdrop of rapidly increasing homelessness in the capital.

Shelter Scotland’s report calls for an increased supply of family homes, more work towards homelessness prevention, addressing the poor quality of temporary accommodation, and taking a ‘children’s rights-based approach’ to the allocation of temporary accommodation.

Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian Miles Briggs attended the launch event for this research in Edinburgh and said: ““It is completely unacceptable that so many children are left languishing in temporary accommodation for so long across Scotland. They should be living in safe, clean, and permanent houses of their own.

“The situation in Edinburgh is particularly concerning. Housing here has been in a state of emergency for years now. We cannot allow this to continue.

“This report is a shocking indictment of the SNP’s record on housing and makes important recommendations on housing, health, and education which will require cross-sector and cross-government reform and actions.”

@Miles4Lothian (Miles Briggs) will ask @scotgov for its response to the @shelterscotland‘s report ‘In Their Own Words: Children’s Experiences in Temporary Accommodation’ at Holyrood this afternoon.

Watch from 2.05pm: https://ow.ly/QhAB50Va2RK

Shelter_Scotland_-_In_Their_Own_Words_28.02.25Download

Original report:

Shelter Scotland – In Their Own Words, Children’s Experiences in Temporary Accommodation

Scottish Apprenticeship Week – New data from BAE Systems

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS GROWING APPEAL OF APPRENTICESHIPS AMONG NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS IN SCOTLAND

As one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems has investigated the latest attitudes towards career paths amongst young people to coincide with Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 – 7 March).

The findings are part of a newly launched Apprenticeship Barometer, which surveyed 2,000 young people (16-24 year olds) to identify views on education, training and pathways to career success.

Main attractions

The survey revealed a growing interest in apprenticeships, with more than 74% of Scottish respondents willing to relocate to a different part of the UK to seize an apprenticeship opportunity and 6 in 10 preferring it as an alternative to university.

The findings highlight a significant shift toward flexibility and apprenticeships being increasingly recognised as a pathway to secure and rewarding careers, with respondents citing job security (31%), high starting salaries (25%) and hands-on training (21%) as the most appealing features.

An overwhelming 85% of respondents agreed that apprenticeships enhance social mobility, offer significant potential to support disadvantaged groups and provide alternatives to traditional higher education routes.

Barriers to access

Despite their appeal, responses suggest barriers such as limited opportunities (30%) and lack of information (41%) continue to hinder access to apprenticeships, highlighting the need for greater awareness and more accessible pathways.

Over half (53%) of the young people surveyed in Scotland said they felt uninformed about apprenticeship opportunities in their field of interest and 85% believed employers should expand apprenticeship programmes alongside graduate schemes to meet rising demand.

STEM leads the way

Industries linked to careers in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) ranked highly in apprenticeship preferences, with over 1 in 4 (28%) of the young people surveyed expressing interest. They also ranked in the top three careers that respondents associated with the greatest job security.

Money matters

More than half (55%) of respondents identified earning while learning as the main reason for choosing an apprenticeship over university, while 25% cited avoiding student debt as a key motivator, reflecting a perceived growing financial awareness.

Richard Hamer, HR Director of Education and Skills at BAE Systems, said: “The Apprenticeship Barometer gives a real insight into the aspirations and values of the next generation of the UK workforce.

“It’s clear there’s a huge appetite for high quality vocational training that provides a clear career pathway, whilst offering financial security.

“I’d encourage anyone interested in apprenticeships to have a look at the thousands of highly valuable opportunities available across the country.”

BAE Systems is recruiting for more than 2,400 new apprentice, undergraduate and graduate roles in 2025,which will result in around 6,500 in training, making up approximately 15% of its UK workforce.

Charity spotlights long shadow of pregnancy loss

Pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s brought its Projecting Life campaign to London yesterday, highlighting the impact of pregnancy loss and the need for more research to save babies’ lives. 

The campaign features children and their shadows in different scenarios, always with at least one more shadow than there are living children.

Millions in the UK are touched every year by pregnancy complications and baby loss.

But in a recent YouGov survey for Tommy’s, 53% of respondents said either they ‘would not know what to say’ or ‘would worry about saying the wrong thing’ to a friend, family member or colleague who had experienced a loss.2   

Only 12% were ‘very confident’ they would know what to say to someone whose pregnancy ended in loss, or who had a premature baby in need of hospital care.

Tommy’s – the UK’s leading charitable funder of pregnancy research – has developed a guide to help people begin conversations with others who have been affected.  

Dr Jyotsna Vohra, Director of Research, Programmes and Impact at Tommy’s, said: “The trauma of pregnancy loss or giving birth prematurely is too often compounded by a sense of isolation and even shame. 

“We must end the silence around these experiences, and move further and faster towards our goal of making pregnancy and birth safe for everyone. 

“Projecting Life shows very powerfully that children who are lost are never forgotten. It encourages us all to recognise that and to talk about it without fear.  Through those conversations and by raising awareness, together we can drive the change needed to save more babies’ lives.” 

Scots charities forced to draw from reserves despite funding stabilisation 

New research from SCVO outlines the state of the sector’s finances

Charities across Scotland have continued to draw on their reserves “unsustainably” despite funding from government staying relatively stable, new research shows.  

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has published its latest research, State of the Sector 2024, which shows the challenges which organisations across Scotland continue to face.  

The paper, which contains key figures and trends from the Scottish voluntary sector, shows funding from government has stayed relatively stable, while income from the public has to a large extent recovered after being hit hard by Covid. 

Unfortunately, for many voluntary organisations inflation and expenditure rises have matched and outpaced these hard-won gains. 

While most organisations were able to stay in the black, the margins are wafer-thin and there has been a steady rise in the numbers of organisations ending the year with a deficit. In 2023, 45% of charities spent more than they managed to generate. 

These narrow margins and rising deficits have seen charities continue to draw on their reserves unsustainably while they try to identify new sources of funding or have to consider reducing services – link to Reserves doc and Tracker. 

SCVO also published a review of Scottish voluntary organisations’ financial reserves, which found the value of the funds looked after by the sector fell by £1billion between 2021 and 2023. 

The average value of funds held by large charities fell by £5million, from £17m in 2021 to £12m in 2023. 

Half of medium and large charities now have less than six months expenditure in reserves and nearly 1 in 3 large charities has less than three months of expenditure in reserves. 

Ilse Mackinnon, SCVO Research Officer, said: “It’s been sobering looking at charities’ accounts this year and seeing just how tight finances are for many. People have been telling us via the Tracker and anecdotally that things are tough, but it’s another thing seeing the figures in black and white.   

“It’s great that many income streams have recovered but we also saw essentials like energy bills, rents and staff costs shoot up, sometimes to double what they were the previous year.  

“We can see the impact of that on reserves, with many charities struggling to meet costs and keep enough cash back for emergencies.” 

Impact of Brexit on Scottish Trade

New figures show possible cost of increased trade barriers

Analysis published yesterday by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor has estimated Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion.

This estimated economic cost is from the reduction in trade alone – not counting changes to productivity, investment or migration.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead said the report demonstrated the urgent need to reverse the damage of Brexit to boost living standards and revenue for the NHS.

According to the Trade Modelling Report, Scottish exports could be lower by 7.2% or £3 billion compared to continued EU membership.

The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is estimated to be one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers, with an estimated 9.1% reduction in output, followed by the computer and electronics sector with an estimated 7.7% fall. The 4.9% output drop estimated for the agrifood sector represents a loss of £827 million.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Brexit, these new figures highlight the urgent need to change course to boost the economy and increase public revenue for the NHS.

“This is the latest in a long line of studies highlighting how badly Brexit continues to impact Scotland and should cause the UK Government to consider its approach to economic growth.

“The Scottish Government has been clear that Scotland’s place is in the EU and the huge European single market. But we are also a voice for greater co-operation with the EU right now and we urge the new UK Government to forge a much closer relationship with our fellow Europeans.”  

Scottish Government’s Brexit Trade Modelling Report

£3M FUNDING BOOST FOR EDINBURGH’S SMART DATA FOUNDRY

Smart Data Foundry (SDF) has been awarded £3 million funding to operate a new Financial Data Service, enabling more researchers to study the financial health of millions of households across the UK, by providing secure access to financial behaviours, economic resilience, and regional economic activity.

The funding is made by Smart Data Research UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The new service, which will operate from SDF’s base at Edinburgh Futures Institute, will be part of a network of five other data services across the country.

Together, they will put the UK at the forefront of smart data research and innovation. Providing safe and efficient ways for researchers to access and use the smart data generated through everyday interactions with the digital world, including via mobile apps, navigation systems, social media and shopping.

Led by SDF’s Dougie Robb and Professor Chris Dibben from the University of Edinburgh, the new Financial Data Service will provide unprecedented insights into the economic health of the UK through secure access to de-identified banking and finance data from millions of households and businesses.

Since its establishment in 2022, SDF has earned national recognition for its work using anonymised financial data for public good, including research in partnership with NatWest Group into how Covid-19 affected how people earned, spent and saved during and post pandemic and its work with Sage and CEBR on their quarterly SME tracker.

Dougie Robb, SDF’s Interim CEO, said: “We look forward to joining five of the most forward-thinking data service organisations in the UK in this groundbreaking network. It will foster data sharing partnerships between academia, public institutions and private enterprise leading to public good outcomes which will improve the lives of people across the UK.

“In partnership with the University of Edinburgh (UoE) we’ve made great progress in holding and making available for public benefit research financial data resources. We have forged fruitful data partnerships with NatWest Group, Virgin Money, SAGE, and Equifax,  and built a team of transdisciplinary experts with expertise across finance, banking, digital technology, product, data science, and information governance.”

Professor Chris Dibben added: “Understanding the financial situation of households across the UK is a vitally important for social and economic research. However this key aspect of economic life is often poorly measured in our research datasets or even absent.

“This investment by Smart Data Research UK in a Financial Data Service will allow us to change this situation, enabling more public benefit social and economic policy research. I am really excited to be working with Smart Data Foundry and SDR UK to deliver this significant new resource over the next three years.”

By partnering with financial institutions and leading research institutes, the new Financial Data Service will deliver insights into productivity, prosperity and health and wellbeing, providing access to detailed evidence about financial behaviours, economic resilience, and regional economic activity.

This data will enable researchers to tackle urgent policy challenges including the cost-of-living crisis, financial inclusion, the changing nature of employment, and productivity in different economic sectors and geographic places.

The service will enable a transformation in the UK’s understanding of how economic shocks and policy interventions affect different communities, helping policymakers design more targeted and effective responses to economic challenges.

Magdalena Getler, Head of Academic Engagement at Smart Data Foundry, said: “With the new Data (Use and Access) Bill currently going through Parliament, we are at the beginning of a new age for data.

“If successful, the new legislation will empower safe data use, access, and sharing for the good of society like tackling challenges such as the impacts of poverty and economic inactivity.”

Also awarded funding in this latest tranche was Smart Energy Data Service, part of the Energy Systems Catapult. All six will work collaboratively as part of the Smart Data Research UK programme.

These two new data services join four others previously announced:

·       Imagery Data Service (Imago)

·       Smart Data Donation Service

·       Geographic Data Service

·       Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service

A strategic hub based within the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) will provide leadership and coordination. It will also offer common services and ethical guidance.

Joe Cuddeford, Director of Smart Data Research UK, said: “Our six interconnected services will enable researchers to access unprecedented insights across finance, energy, health, geography, and beyond – empowering innovative solutions to complex societal challenges facing the UK today.”

Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council, added: “This investment in a new network of smart data services helps put the UK at the forefront of data-driven innovation.

“Data infrastructure is as critical to our shared prosperity as transport, water or power networks. When we invest in data infrastructure we are investing in economic growth, improved public services, and a more sustainable future.”

Prostate cancer detection: ‘Extremely encouraging’ clinical trial results

New ultrasound imaging technique reliably spots prostate cancer, initial patient trial reveals

A groundbreaking new imaging approach developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University has shown ‘extremely encouraging’ results in early-stage clinical trials on prostate cancer at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The ongoing clinical trial demonstrated an initial 94% sensitivity rate in tumour detection. The new test is delivered in less than 20 minutes and relies on existing clinical ultrasound equipment. 

The cost of an ultrasound scanner is a fraction of an MRI scanner (around 10%), so the new approach provides clinicians with a valuable new tool to help better guide prostate biopsies and focal therapy, a technique that destroys cancer cells.  

All men are at risk of prostate cancer with 1 in 8 diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. 52,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – 144 every day.

Currently, a relatively unreliable blood test, called a Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test, means many men are unnecessarily sent for an expensive MRI scan in an attempt to spot cancerous tissue. Current long waiting lists for tests mean treatment can be delayed.

Despite using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI – a specialist type of scan) for prostate cancer diagnosis, up to 28% of clinically significant tumours are missed and 1 in every 2 individuals with positive MRI findings receive a negative biopsy result. 

Less Grey Imaging Ltd is a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with the mission to bring greater clarity to prostate imaging. The technology offers clinicians up to a 20-fold increase in resolution compared to mpMRI, which provides a grey and difficult-to-read image. 

The new imaging test begins by injecting a commonly used contrast agent into a vein that contains millions of tiny and harmless microbubbles that travel through the patient’s bloodstream to the prostate.

The team uses a technique known as super resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUI) to track these microbubbles as they flow inside the prostate. Due to the altered blood flow in cancerous tissue, the image highlights previously unseen tumours, enabling earlier diagnosis.

Dr. George Papageorgiou, CEO of Less Grey Imaging, explains how the new technique aligns well with histopathology, the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues which involves examining tissues or cells under a microscope. He said: “Our initial clinical findings in prostate imaging align well with histopathology, highlighting its potential to reliably detect clinically significant prostate cancer.

“Currently, prostate cancer diagnosis varies widely across the country, with many patients being diagnosed too late for curative treatment. By integrating ultrasound more prominently into the diagnostic pathway, we can ensure equal opportunities for early diagnosis across all regions of the UK.

“Less Grey Imaging’s mission is to revolutionise prostate imaging by delivering clarity and precision. Urologists will have an imaging tool that enables accurate diagnoses and quicker decision-making. Our software deploys existing ultrasound equipment to enhance image quality down to microscopic detail. By minimising reliance on radiologist assessment, we intend to streamline workflows, reduce NHS costs, and improve patient efficiency.”

The potential of the technology has been recognised by Innovate UK, which awarded the company a £370,000 grant through its ICURe Exploit Funding programme. This is being used to support the company’s product development and attract further investment.

The UK has a higher cancer mortality rate compared to several other developed countries, and more recently, the Darzi report, a bleak review of the NHS published in September 2024, revealed that waiting times targets for the first treatment for cancer have not been met since December 2015. 

Professor Vassilis Sboros from Heriot-Watt University and co-founder of Less Grey Imaging, explained how the technique can help support an NHS that is fit for the future. He said: “Our super-resolution ultrasound imaging technology provides a leap in imaging resolution.

“By utilising existing ultrasound scanners found in hospitals and clinics worldwide, we’re able to produce high-resolution images of the prostate that clinicians have never seen before. This is exactly what the new Government needs to tackle the challenges facing the NHS.

“Back in 2019, we proved the concept worked in our lab but now we have shown it works during our initial patient trials. It’s just like looking inside the body with a microscope, allowing clinicians to see 20 times more detail than before. Even concealed tumours are possible to identify.

“With one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK, we hope earlier detection will radically improve treatment outcomes, saving lives while reducing the number of people sent for unnecessary and often risky tests.”

Professor Alan McNeill is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and founder trustee of charity Prostate Scotland. He said: “The initial trial results are extremely encouraging, providing really useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This is the most common cancer in men but, if it is caught early while the cancer remains within the prostate, it can be cured in the majority of cases.

“The technology has the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, help clinicians like me to carry out more targeted biopsies and even focus treatments with greater precision.

“I can anticipate it benefiting treatments like focal therapy by allowing us to pinpoint and treat cancerous tissue with greater accuracy. Nearly every week, my colleagues and I meet men in their 50s or early 60s suffering from advanced prostate cancer that leaves them with fewer treatment options. We continue to raise awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis for all men.”

Gary Tait was treated for prostate cancer five years ago after his wife, a practice nurse, encouraged him to see his GP. He is now Chair of Edinburgh & Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group. He said: “Being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer is an incredibly anxious time so it is very positive to see these trial results which indicate that the new ultrasound technique could lead to more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“From the perspective of men who are unaware of a developing tumour in their prostate, this improved method of diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment which improves the likelihood of a good outcome.

“We fully support the development of this new technology which raises the possibility of enabling more men to be both diagnosed and treated earlier than they can be at present.”

Professor Gill Murray, deputy principal of business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “This breakthrough exemplifies Heriot-Watt’s commitment to transforming innovative research into real-world healthcare solutions with global applications.

“Less Grey Imaging represents exactly the kind of high-impact spinout company we aim to nurture – one that combines cutting-edge science with clear commercial potential and significant societal benefit.

“These early clinical trials are particularly encouraging as they demonstrate how our research excellence can help address critical healthcare challenges while creating economic opportunities.

“By developing technology that makes cancer diagnosis more accessible and accurate, we’re supporting the NHS and positioning Scotland as a leader in medical innovation.

“Addressing global challenges through the real world application of our research is why we established our Global Research Institutes. Each institute has its own distinctive DNA, and our global research institute in health and care technologies excels in the creation and growth of new innovative businesses.

“Less Grey is a fantastic example of one of these businesses and perfectly aligns with our enterprise strategy of fostering research-led companies that can scale globally while delivering tangible benefits to patients and healthcare systems worldwide.”

Fighting cancer is one of the five key themes for Health and Care Technologies. Anyone interested in collaborating with the new Health and Care Technologies global research institute at Heriot-Watt University can contact GRID@hw.ac.uk. 

Edinburgh University groundbreaking research initiative to reduce stillbirths

Teddy’s Wish, in partnership with Sands, is funding a pioneering research project led by Dr Sarah Murray at the University of Edinburgh.

This vital initiative aims to investigate how environmental factors, such as sunlight exposure, temperature variations, and air pollution, impact the risk of stillbirth.

Around 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK and 2,680 of these deaths were stillbirths in 2022. More children die around the time of birth than at any other time of childhood, yet only 2.4% of UK health research funds go to reproductive health and childbirth.1

Philanthropic funding is vital in enabling Sands to fulfil its mission to end baby deaths and help families rebuild their lives. For over a decade, Teddy’s Wish has been committed to supporting Sands in memory of Jen and Chris Reid’s beloved baby, Eddie.

Through their generosity, Sands has been able to advance research aimed at understanding why some babies die unexpectedly. The Environmental Influences on Stillbirth project will explore how the environment a woman is exposed to during pregnancy affects both maternal and fetal health. 

Jen Reid,Co-Founder and CEO of Teddy’s Wish said: “Teddy’s Wish is committed to funding research that brings us closer to understanding and preventing baby loss. We are delighted to be jointly funding this important research project with Sands to explore the impact of environmental influences on stillbirth with the hope that more babies will be delivered safely.”

The link between environmental factors and stillbirth has not yet been studied in-depth in UK populations. This research will link environmental data with comprehensive Scottish maternity records, providing a robust dataset to study potential environmental risk factors.

Dr Murray, Consultant in Maternal and Fetal Medicine and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This work is a step forward in understanding the complex and unknown factors that may contribute to stillbirth.

“Our findings could inform future public health guidelines and targeted interventions, especially in areas with high levels of air pollution.”

The research has the potential to reduce stillbirth rates across the UK by providing clinicians with clearer understanding of how the environment impacts on pregnancy and the baby’s wellbeing. The research insights could help people in government and the NHS improve maternity care for pregnant women and babies.

Janet Scott, Sands’ Head of Saving Babies’ Lives team, said: “Through this research, Sands and Teddy’s Wish aim to support advances in the health of babies and mothers, reducing the devastating impact of stillbirth on families across the country.

“Thank you to Teddy’s Wish for your unwavering support in helping save more babies’ lives and transform the life of future generations of families.” 

Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, for as long as they need this. Find out more about all the ways the charity offers bereavement support.  

Seventy per cent of councils in Scotland warn they may be unable to pass balanced budgets

New research from Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland reveals that 70% of all councils believe they will be unable to pass a balanced budget within the next five years without immediate changes.

The second annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland, found councils are taking every measure available to balance their budgets including raising council tax, reducing expenditure and increasing fees and charges, sharing services and engaging in commercial activity. However, many councils believe this will still not be enough to prevent the risk of an unbalanced budget.

Nearly every respondent said they believe cuts to services will have a negative impact on quality of life in their council, and over 90% that cuts will increase the risks to vulnerable people. 

The report found satisfaction with the Scottish Government is alarmingly poor across the sector. Not a single respondent said they were happy with the Scottish Government’s performance on delivering a sustainable funding system or considering local government in wider policy decisions.

Respondents representing 84% of Scottish councils, made up of council leaders, CEOs and CFOs said times are increasingly hard for local authorities, with ongoing pressure from the cost of living crisis and inflation adding new burdens on top of long-term challenges: demographic change, financing of Scottish Government priorities, and pressures with recruitment and retention of staff.

With councils’ confidence in the sustainability of council finances critically low, the sector is in favour of widespread reform, including multi-year financial settlements, ending ring-fencing, and reform of council tax.

Councils are optimistic about the role that local government, sufficiently funded and empowered, could have to advance the prevention agenda, tackle local and national shared priorities, deliver services and empower communities.

The report recommends an agreed national convention between Scottish Government and local government to cover procedures and actions that would then be needed to set a balanced budget; enshrining in legislation the principles of the Verity House Agreement, and committing to an annual review by Scottish Parliament covering the key principles.

Some of the medium to long-term recommendations include reconsidering a whole-system approach to funding wider public finances including a review of council tax, the funding formula and increasing the range of revenue-raising options available for councils.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland, said: “This year’s results make for grim reading about the state of local government finances in Scotland. The message from our second annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland  builds on last year: we are nearing the point of no return. The report paints a picture of a system under continual and significant strain, with the scale of financial pressures increasing from 2023.

“Local government finances in Scotland are hanging by a thread. However, the thread has not yet broken. Today’s report delivers a stark warning that councils are in a precarious financial position and there is not much time until the sector starts to see potentially catastrophic consequences.

“Change is urgently needed. Councils will soon be unable to balance their budgets, meet their statutory duties, or provide for their communities. We need to change course now before it is too late.

“The challenge now is how do we move from the situation we are in now, to one where councils are able to deliver the transformative impact they are confident that they could deliver.

“Reform is necessary, empowerment will be essential, and trust between Scottish Government and local government – in a critically poor state – must be restored.”

The LGIU asked Scotland’s Council Leaders, Chief Executives and Chief Finance Officers about their experiences trying to run councils in the last financial year, and their views on how councils’ financial sustainability could be assured.

The report highlights concerns COSLA has continually emphasised, most recently through our Invest Locally In Scotland’s Future budget campaign.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, commented: “The publication of today’s report by the LGIU highlights the sheer scale of the financial challenges facing our councils. 

“The fact that 70% of councils in Scotland may be unable to balance budgets in the near future should serve as a warning to all. Additionally, it emphasises the need for the Scottish Government to provide Local Government with an increased funding settlement which is both fair and flexible in 2025/26.

“COSLA also welcomes the LGIU’s call for a whole system approach to Local Government finance. 

“This echoes our asks in our ‘Invest Locally in Scotland’s Future’ budget lobbying campaign. Without a clear focus on prevention and upstream investment, along with local flexibility, our councils will be unable to tackle higher demand, in key areas such as homelessness prevention and social care.

“COSLA is calling for the Scottish Government to provide at least £14.5bn in revenue funding and £872m in capital funding in the 2025/26 Budget. 

Meeting this demand would not make up for the cuts councils have faced and felt by our communities in recent years, however it would be a positive step forward in providing fair and flexible funding to meet the challenges outlined in the LGIU report.”

Read about Invest Locally In Scotland’s Future, COSLA’s budget campaign.

Read the full report from LGIU.