Tag: response

Ambitious for Scotland?

Programme for Government 2026-2031

Patients will receive better care, with shorter waits, as a result of the most significant structural reform of our NHS in the devolution era, First Minister John Swinney announced yesterday, as he unveiled a major modernisation programme of Scotland’s public services.

Setting out his Programme for Government, the First Minister pledged that all the actions of his government would be focused on delivering lasting improvements to people’s lives as he presented a package of measures to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government would also continue to drive improvements in the priority areas of eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, investing in public services and tackling the climate emergency as he outlined work to reduce NHS waiting times and action to tackle violence against women and girls.  

Key announcements include:

  • Replacing the current 14 territorial health boards with two strategic health boards which – alongside other measures – will free up more time and capacity for treatment
  • Delivering a national breakfast club for all primary schools from August 2027 and, by 2031, providing childcare support 52 weeks a year for children from nine months old to the end of primary school
  • Tackling poverty by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for eligible babies under 1 during 2027-28
  • Investing £205 million in winter heating payments for pensioners, families with disabled children and struggling households
  • Recognising that hostility to women and girls is a serious societal problem by defining misogyny as a distinct form of prejudice and abuse
  • Expanding the £2 bus fare cap beyond the Highlands and Islands to the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area from Monday 7 September followed by a national roll-out by the end of this Parliament  
  • Improving public services by removing unnecessary duplication and overlap, getting resources more directly to the frontline services
  • Over the next three months, with partners, reach a clear shared direction on substantial reform to local governance, including social care
  • Bringing the national environment public bodies into a single overarching body to make environmental interventions more impactful
  • Supporting better jobs and higher incomes by making Scotland a better place to invest and do business

First Minister John Swinney said: “This ambitious Programme for Government has radical and widespread public service reform at its heart to deliver real, lasting improvements to people’s lives.

“By rewiring a system of services designed for the last century, we will simplify and reshape organisations on which everyone relies and ensure every pound of investment achieves maximum impact.

“As we do so, we will build on the most generous cost of living package anywhere in the UK while continuing to tackle inequality, poverty and division.

“This is a Programme for Government to deliver a fairer, healthier and more prosperous nation.”

The First Minister also stated that Scotland would only reach its full potential by becoming an independent nation.

“We will give the leadership for Scotland to decide her own future and advance our belief that Scotland will be better off with Independence.”

Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 – gov.scot

The First Minister also confirmed Scottish Government plans to introduce nine Bills over the course of 2026-27:

  • Budget Bill
  • Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill
  • Council Tax (Scotland) Bill
  • Damages (Scotland) Bill
  • Food Prices (Scotland) Bill
  • Football Banning Orders (Scotland) Bill
  • Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill
  • Misogyny (Criminal Law) (Scotland Bill
  • Public Service Renewal (Scotland) Bill

REACTION:

Peter Kelly of Scotland’s Poverty Alliance commented: “It was good to hear a promise to eradicate child poverty – and we welcome the further development of the Whole Family Wellbeing approach.

“However, we know that secure, adequate incomes are the bedrock of efforts to eradicate poverty. That means progressively increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £55 a week by the end of this Parliament.

Without that scale of change, it’s hard to see how the First Minister will keep that promise to Scotland’s children.”

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, has responded to Scottish Government’s Programme for Government announcement: “Today’s Programme for Government is a significant statement of the Scottish Government’s priorities, and we will take time to consider its detail carefully.

“There are important implications for local government and council services, particularly the proposed NHS reforms and what they will mean for the future delivery of social care.

“Over the coming days, COSLA will engage closely with our member councils and with Scottish Ministers to ensure these proposals are focused on what is best for communities across Scotland and respect the democratic legitimacy of local government.

“Public services work best when decisions are taken as close to communities as possible. We look forward to meaningful engagement with the Scottish Government and believe that the dialogue on the future of local governance must be carried forward with councils and COSLA as the collective voice of local government.”

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), said: “While we welcome the focus on reforming the public sector to make it work better for citizens, LGIU is concerned that two concurrent, three-month consultations on the restructuring of local government and the reform of social care mean the views and expertise of the local government sector will not be adequately represented.

“Local government reorganisation is a serious undertaking. And it will be impossible to achieve without an agenda to save local government finances, which is conspicuously absent from this Programme.

“The Scottish Government should enter this endeavour with the expectation that it will be hard, and that making a success of it will be impossible without buy-in from across the sector and clear aims about what the desired outcomes are.

“The same is true with social care. The last major social care reform attempt was the introduction of the National Care Service, the structural part of which failed in part because of limited engagement with local government.

“We appreciate the Government’s newfound urgency to tackle both the social care crisis and empower the regional and local tiers of government, but it is hard to see how a three-month sprint to round off decades-old debates will ensure that all relevant voices are heard.”

In response to the Programme for Government, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “We are delighted that our calls for whole family support, investment in a national Bairns Hoose programme, a public health approach to online harm and a greater emphasis on prevention have been included in today’s Programme for Government.

“Prevention is rightly at the heart of the Scottish Government’s ambitions, but it’s been the goal for more than 15 years. The gap between policy intent and the reality of children’s lives has never been wider. The First Minister will understand why people are impatient for change.

“It is disappointing that the specific, funded commitments needed to put Scotland back on track to meet its child poverty targets have not been included. We do not need further reviews or consultations – the next budget must deliver the action and investment children and families need.

“Children First share the Scottish Government’s aim for every child to live free from poverty, safe from harm and for children’s rights to be protected at every stage.

“We look forward to working alongside the Scottish Government and hope that local government, partners and communities will make the same commitment, because it will take everybody to close the gap between what Scotland says and what Scotland does.”

Billy Alexander, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “We welcome today’s commitment from First Minister, to ensure every stroke patient in Scotland who needs a thrombectomy gets one – regardless of the time or day. Whilst long overdue, this way could herald a genuine turning point for stroke care in Scotland. 

“Thrombectomy is a lifechanging treatment that can mean the difference between someone returning to an independent life or living with significant long-term disability. Yet, all too often, the time or place someone has their stroke can determine whether they receive it. 

“The test now will be implementation. We need a clear, sustainable, robustly funded, and time-bound plan that delivers equitable access to thrombectomy around the clock and across the country.

“That same level of ambition is also needed to drive wider improvements across stroke care, from the point of emergency and treatment through to rehabilitation and long-term recovery. Only then will every stroke survivor in Scotland be properly supported to live well after stroke.”

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager of older people’s charity Independent Age, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling the cost of living crisis. 

“At Independent Age, we hear every day from older people being squeezed by rising costs. Action is urgently required to support the 130,000 pensioners currently in poverty in Scotland.

“We know that too often the social security system fails to reach the older people who need it most, with hundreds of millions of pounds going unpaid every year. Commitments today to maximise the take-up of social security payments hold real potential to boost incomes for older people in financial hardship and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to progress this welcome and vital work.

 “Today’s announcement that the Heat in Buildings Bill will be introduced and the commitment to ongoing winter heating support for pensioners is also very important. Our research has shown that almost 4 in 5 older people on a low income have cut back on heating, so it’s clear that measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes and support older people with energy costs is urgently needed. 

“Despite these positive steps, to meaningfully tackle the range of issues facing the one in eight older people in Scotland who live in poverty, we need sustained strategic action to boost incomes and reduce costs through a national pensioner poverty strategy. In a wealthy and fair society, both the Scottish and UK Governments must do more to make sure every older person can live well.” 

The British Dental Association Scotland has expressed its profound scepticism that plans for wholesale reform of Scotland’s health boards represents a silver bullet and has called for forensic scrutiny from MSPs.

Today First Minister John Swinney told the Scottish Parliament that “to ensure more joined-up delivery, to improve access to care and to reduce inequality for some patients” the fourteen current health boards would be reduced to two. While the professional body is wholly supportive of these objectives, following publication of the Programme for Government it is unclear how any of them will be achieved via these proposals.

The BDA will be addressing the Health, Care and Sport Committee this week, stressing the risk of unintended consequences.

BDA Scotland Director Charlotte Waite said: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that top-down reorganisations of the NHS rarely deliver the goods for taxpayers, patients, or practitioners.

“These plans need to be subjected to forensic scrutiny. They only thing we can be sure of at this stage is unintended consequences.”

Responding to the Programme for Government, Anna Fowlie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) Chief Executive, said:   ”I’m pleased to see that the Programme for Government recognises the essential role the voluntary sector plays in addressing some of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from child poverty and gender-based violence to community cohesion and public service reform. 

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Third Sector Partnership, founded on trust, collaboration and mutual respect. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver the kind of partnership with government that voluntary organisations have long called for, one that brings meaningful change. 

“We also welcome commitments to multi-year funding in a number of areas, and the first public recognition that the voluntary sector, alongside communities, must play a significant part in shaping public service reform. I look forward to seeing these commitments delivering significant progress in delivering Fair Funding across government portfolios and public bodies. 

“Finally, I welcome the First Minister’s commitment to strengthen community cohesion and counter those who seek to divide Scotland. Voluntary organisations across Scotland are on the frontline of supporting people targeted by bigotry, racism and hatred, while bringing communities together in the face of division.

“Their work demonstrates the very best of Scotland: compassion, solidarity and a determination to ensure everyone belongs. Achieving that ambition will require sustained recognition, support and investment from the Scottish Government.”  

Meningitis Now responds to three new MenB cases

Three young people in Weymouth, Dorset have been confirmed to have meningitis B, known as MenB. 

All-three individuals have received treatment and are recovering well. These cases are not linked to the recent outbreak in Kent and this outbreak is not showing the same speed of transmission or severity of illness. 

Meningitis Now CEO Dr Tom Nutt says: “We are concerned to hear of three cases of MenB amongst young people in Weymouth. Our heartfelt thoughts are with them, their families, friends and the entire community. We wish them a good recovery, and are here to provide support at this difficult time.

“Meningitis can progress very quickly and its impact can be devastating. Meningitis can affect anyone. But students and young people are at increased risk because they are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis, and because bacteria can spread more easily in settings where students and young people live, study and socialise closely together. We understand that these cases in Dorset are unconnected to the recent outbreak in Kent.

“We urge students, young people, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis, which can include a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, cold hands and feet, limb pain, and, in some cases, a rash that does not fade under pressure.

“Symptoms can appear suddenly, in any order and can easily be mistaken for flu, a heavy cold or even a hangover. So, it is vital that anyone who is concerned seeks urgent medical help immediately.

“We welcome the swift response from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to identify close contacts and provide precautionary antibiotics and MenB vaccinations to young people in school years 7 to 13 in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell. Rapid public health action is crucial in helping to reduce the risk of further cases.

“We are supporting the schools and wider community and are here to help in any way we can.

“We understand that this news may cause people concern or anxiety, especially so soon after the Kent outbreak. Meningitis Now is here to support anyone in the UK affected by meningitis. You can find our more from www.meningitisnow.org or by calling our nurse-led Helpline on 0808 80 10 388, open Monday to Friday.

“This situation is yet another reminder of why our “No Plan B for MenB” campaign is calling for greater protection for young people. MenB is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Its impact is devastating, cruel, life-changing – and preventable.

“Since 2015 only infants have been vaccinated against MenB but we believe all teenagers and young adults should be protected by this vaccine on the NHS. When it comes to MenB, there is no plan B – we must vaccinate young people to protect them.

“The MenB vaccine is currently only available for young adults privately through high street and supermarket pharmacies.

“If anyone is worried about they or a loved one may have meningitis, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical help. Acting quickly can save lives.”

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign launches Apartheid-Free Zones Map

🚨 Launched: Scotland’s Apartheid Free Zones Map 🚨

SCOTTISH Palestine Solidarity Campaign @scottish_psc has launched a new Scotland-wide interactive map spotlighting 120+ Apartheid Free Zones, including @govanhillapartheidfreezone.

Cafés, shops, unions, musicians, community groups and organisations standing in solidarity with Palestine. 🇵🇸

These spaces have pledged to support the BDS movement, boycott companies complicit in Israeli apartheid, and build anti-racist, ethical communities rooted in justice.

From local workplaces to cultural hubs, AFZs show that while governments stall, people are taking action. An act of solidarity forming a powerful, growing network of hope and resistance across Scotland. ✊

🔎 Explore the map: www.apartheidfree.scot�🏪 Not listed yet? Businesses and organisations are invited to join and help grow the movement.

The Jewish Council of Scotland response to Apartheid Free Zones in Scotland campaign

The Jewish Council of Scotland (JCoS) is alarmed at the announcement reported in yesterday’s media of the Apartheid Free Zones in Scotland campaign – launched by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which aims to achieve a boycott of Israel across Scotland in support of the Boycott, Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The strident hatred and intimidation associated with this movement has a profound effect on Jews living in Scotland, and with ever increasing incidents of antisemitic behaviour towards the Jewish population this activity is of significant concern to us.

JCoS believes the impact of this campaign will build on the fear created by the so-called Leith ‘Zionist Free Zone’ in Edinburgh, which many Jews in Leith regarded as targeting them, regardless of their personal views on Israel.

“Our concern is that Jewish people in Scotland will be branded as racist”, says Timothy Lovat, Chair of JCoS. “This campaign does nothing to attack racism and promote racial equality in Scotland.”

#ApartheidFreeZones

#ApartheidFreeScotland

#SolidarityWithPalestine

#BDS

#EndIsraeliApartheid

Report on Melville Unit highlights need to strengthen safety and wellbeing of young people

The first in a series of visits to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Inpatient units has found a mix of concerns for the safety and wellbeing of young people, alongside committed staff and positive initiatives at the Melville Unit in Edinburgh.

The joint unannounced visit was carried out in May 2025 by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland together with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, following a commitment from the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport to address national concerns about the care of young people in mental health units.

The Commission listened to the experiences of the young people in the unit during the visit. While young people reported feeling listened to by staff and staff were praised for their clear commitment and passion, the visit identified several critical areas requiring immediate action.

Key findings on safety and wellbeing of young people

The report presents a mixed picture of the care provided at Melville. On one hand, the Commission observed positive interactions between staff and young people, who reported feeling listened to by dedicated and passionate staff.

However, there were concerns for the safety and wellbeing of young people. A significant issue was the use of restraint. The report calls for urgent improvement when this highly restrictive response is used, noting a lack of detailed care plans and incomplete records.

Of particular concern is the practice of nasogastric tube feeding under restraint, which requires immediate review to ensure it follows best practice and respects young people’s involvement in decisions about their care.

The unit has also yet to ensure all care is lawful under the Mental Health Act, as our previous recommendations have yet to be fully acted on and embedded. The quality of care planning and communication with parents also requires improvement.

Young people and their families reported a lack of activities, especially in the evenings and on weekends. Some young people said this meant they spent “too much time thinking their own thoughts,” which directly impacts their recovery.

The physical environment was also noted as requiring attention to ensure the safety of both staff and patients.

Julie Paterson, Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission and Robbie Pearson, Chief Executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland said: “Inpatient care provides intensive support for children and young people experiencing acute mental health crises and it is crucial such care meets both legal requirements and standards for the safe delivery of care.

“This report has identified areas for improvement as well as good practice.  It is important the NHS Lothian addresses the recommendations and requirements with appropriate urgency.”

Claire Lamza, Executive Director (Nursing) of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said: ““The safety and wellbeing of vulnerable young people in specialist inpatient mental health units is a key priority for the Mental Welfare Commission. Several findings from our visit to Melville were concerning as they did not provide the quality of lawful care and treatment every young person has a right to.

“We recognize the dedication of staff at Melville who genuinely advocate for young people. However, decisive action from NHS Lothian is needed to address the issues identified in this joint report and in previous Commission visit reports. This must include honest reflection on why previous action plans and intentions have yet to deliver meaningful change for young people and their families.”

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “I’m deeply concerned about the findings from the Mental Welfare Commission into the care of children at Melville Unit, which highlight potential rights breaches including the safe and lawful use of restraint.

“This is further worrying evidence about the use of restraint on children living in some of the most vulnerable situations. Alongside partners I have been raising my concerns with the Scottish Government about the use of restraint on children in mental health provision for over two years.  

“Following my recent letter before action, I am pleased that the Scottish Government has now confirmed that it will revise the statutory code of practice to include human rights-based guidance and put in place mandatory recording and reporting of restraint and seclusion.

“I have also been given assurances that it will designate the Mental Welfare Commission as the appropriate monitoring body. These steps must be taken urgently to protect children from harm.”

NHS Lothian says it is working to improve services for young people at the Melville Inpatient Unit after it accepted a joint report published today (Thursday 23 October) by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC).

A robust action plan is already well underway to address the report recommendations and improve care in the specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) unit which supports up to 12 young people with complex needs.

CAMHS has made significant progress in recruiting and retaining more skilled staff and developing new care pathways, with the report also highlighting positive staff interactions and their commitment and passion for working with young people.

However, Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said that wider improvements were continuing across the unit. He added: “We want to reassure young people and families that we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality and effective care and we take the findings of the report extremely seriously.

“The safety and care of young people and staff is always our top priority.  Restraint is only ever used in the unit as a last resort to prevent harm for young people or to staff or other patients.

“We introduced an initiative to reduce the use of restraint further, which was observed by HIS during the inspection, and has shown positive results. Systems are also in place to improve the recording, monitoring and auditing of restraints.

“We continue to prioritise this work by training and educating staff in safe restraint, wider care planning, managing distress, responding to violence and aggression and supporting young people in their future care, including those who require essential nasogastric tube feeding.

“We want to thank staff for their ongoing dedication and HIS and MWC for their expertise and guidance in shaping improvements to the mental health care of young people. We will welcome any forthcoming national guidance or best practice from these essential reviews.”

The action plan also includes work underway to improve multidisciplinary team dynamics through enhanced meeting structures, communication, collaboration and decision making to work more effectively with young people.

Since May 2025, a system has been in place to monitor legal authority for treating young people under the Mental Health Act, with enhanced managerial oversight and daily checks by registered nurses to ensure documentation is in place before administrating care.

Work also continues to expand meaningful evening and weekend activities for young people with regular reviews planned. Nurses will also receive refresher training to strengthen their therapeutic skills in individual and group settings.

A review of the physical environment of the Melville Unit, including looking at options for how best to provide care safely while meeting the needs of young people, is also well underway.

A copy of the report is available from Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Vets should publish prices, says competition watchdog

Major reforms would require vet businesses to make ‘fundamental changes’ to the way they support pet owners

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published the provisional decision in its market investigation into the UK’s £6.3 billion veterinary services market.

  • Proposals to transform consumer experience will lead to more choice and savings. 
  • Twenty-one measures proposed, including better information on prices, treatments, medicines and ownership, a price cap on written prescriptions and a new comprehensive price comparison website.
  • Current regulatory system not fit for purpose and must be modernised to keep pace with commercial practice and ensure pet owners are protected.

CMA Provisional Finding

The market investigation – which is principally into vet businesses, not individual vets – identifies concerns, including that pet owners:

  • are often unaware of the prices of commonly used services and whether their local practices are part of large national chains
  • have no effective way of comparing vet prices when they get a pet or move areas
  • may be paying twice as much for commonly prescribed medicines from vet practices than they could pay online, amounting to hundreds of pounds more than they need to pay
  • often receive no written estimate for courses of treatment running to hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds
  • are often unable to tell if they are getting good value for money from pet care plans
  • may be overpaying for individual cremations often have no effective means of complaining when things go wrong

These factors are market wide and mean consumers do not benefit from strong competition between vet businesses. Average vet prices across the market rose by 63% between 2016 and 2023 – well above the rate of inflation.

The CMA also found that pet owners pay 16.6% more on average at large vet groups than at independent vets. For at least 3 of those large groups, average prices increased faster at practices they bought than at practices that remained independent. For a substantial part of the market as a whole, profits are much higher than they should be if competition was working well.

In addition, the CMA has found that the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose. It only regulates individual veterinary professionals and not vet businesses, despite the majority of practices being part of a large corporate group.

Given its market-wide concerns, the CMA’s independent expert inquiry group has provisionally decided that a far-reaching package of 21 measures is required to address the above concerns and reinvigorate competition in this market.  

Martin Coleman, Chair of the Inquiry Group, said: “Pet owners are often left in the dark, not knowing whether their practice is independent or part of a chain or what a fair price looks like.

“They are sometimes committing to expensive treatment without understanding the price in advance. And they do not always feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online – even when it could save them hundreds of pounds.

“Even where pet owners could access some of this information, it is difficult for them to compare prices and services – despite the fact that, in most of the country, there are several local practices they could choose between.

“We are proposing major reforms aimed at bringing about a transformation in the experience of pet owners and empowering them to make the best choices for their circumstances.

“We believe that our proposals would enable pet owners to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine – without confusion or unnecessary cost.”

CMA’s proposed remedies

The CMA is today proposing a wide-ranging set of remedies to address these issues, including:

  • Requiring vet businesses to publish comprehensive price lists, be clear if they are part of a large group, and make sure that their policies and processes allow vets to act in the best interests of pets and pet owners. These measures will give pet owners the information they need to choose the right practice and treatment options for them.
  • Making it easier for pet owners to access cheaper medicines online, including by requiring vets to tell pet owners about savings they make by buying medicines online and, where a medicine is likely to be needed frequently, automatically providing a written prescription to enable the pet owner to purchase the medicine elsewhere (unless the pet owner chooses otherwise), and capping the price of providing prescriptions at £16. These measures will help prompt consumers to consider buying medication online and protect them from having to pay excessive prices for the prescriptions they would need to do so.
  • Requiring vets to give pet owners clear price information when they are choosing a treatment, with prices in writing for treatments over £500 and itemised bills. This will make it easier for consumers to consider different treatment options and providers.
  • Requiring the RCVS to enhance its Find a Vet website to include pricing data drawing on the price lists vets will be required to publish; this data can also be used by third party websites and apps. This will allow consumers to compare vet prices much more effectively, for instance when they first get a pet or move areas.
  • Requiring vets to give clear price information to pet owners arranging a cremation. This is important to allow pet owners to make the best decisions for their circumstances, at an especially emotional time.
  • Requiring vets to give pricing breakdowns for pet care plans. This will allow pet owners to better decide if these would provide good value for money in their own circumstances.
  • Recommending that the government urgently prioritises a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and updates regulation to include veterinary businesses, as well as individual vets and nurses, and give the regulator powers to set and enforce requirements and standards for these businesses. Reform is needed to make sure pet owners’ interests are protected and there is an effective complaints handling route if things go wrong.

The main focus of the inquiry is into veterinary businesses, not individual vets. The CMA is concerned to hear that some vets and vet nurses face abuse from frustrated clients – they deserve respect, not hostility.

The proposed remedies would be good for vets, further enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgment from undue commercial pressure.

Implementation

The CMA’s final decision will be published by March 2026. The reforms would be implemented through a legally binding CMA Order and could see some measures coming into force before the end of 2026. Small vet businesses will be given additional time for implementation.

Vet businesses can make changes that would benefit their customers in the meantime, and the CMA encourages them to consider doing so.

The CMA fully recognises that the proposed changes would require businesses to adapt systems or make other changes which would incur some administrative costs. The CMA’s provisional view is that the benefits to consumers of these measures would far outweigh the costs to businesses.

Next steps 

The CMA will now consult on the Provisional Decision. All interested parties are welcome to respond to the provisional conclusions by the deadline of Wednesday 12 November 2025 via our consultation page.

For further information, visit the Veterinary services case page, which includes key statistics and the administrative timetable.  

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 vets across the UK, has responded to the CMA’s ‘provisional decision’ following its market investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets.

The report, published today (Wednesday 15 October), was clear that ‘veterinary professionals work hard, act ethically, and put animal welfare first’.

It also set out 21 measures that it believes will improve ‘information on prices, treatments, medicines and ownership; introduce a price cap on written prescriptions; deliver a new comprehensive price comparison website; and highlights that the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose and must be modernised to keep pace with commercial practice and ensure pet owners are protected.’ 

Responding to the CMA’s provisional decision, British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams said: “At first glance, there’s lots of positives in the CMA’s provisional decision that both vets and pet owners will welcome, including greater transparency of pricing and practice ownership; reform of the outdated regulatory framework; and support for our calls for regulation of vet businesses. The CMA also recognises that vets and vet teams are highly professional, and ‘work hard, act ethically, and put animal welfare first’.  

“However, we do have concerns that some of the measures outlined will impact how services are delivered.

“In particular, we need clarity on the proposed introduction of comprehensive price lists, because how vet care is delivered is varied and complex and unless the CMA gets this right, it could end up creating greater confusion for consumers, which in turn could have a negative impact on animal welfare.” 

Read the full CMA provisional report here.

Last chance to have your say on Princes Street plans

There’s still time to share your views on council plans to revitalise Princes Street, the Gardens and area around Waverley Station.

The survey closes at midnight TONIGHT – Friday (21 Feb). If you work, live, shop, enjoy visiting or just travel through the city centre, this survey is for you:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/princesstreetsurvey

• better pavements and crossings

• more places to sit

• less steep path into Princes Street Gardens

• generating a mix of retail, hospitality and leisure

• safer cycling at the east and west of Princes Street

• supporting wildlife, planting more trees and flowers

Old Town, New Town & Broughton and West End community councils submitted the following joint response:

Choudhury: “Edinburgh deserves  clean beaches, not sewage scandals” 

Newly revealed figures have highlighted the scale of sewage pollution in Scotland, with 165  spills recorded at the Seafield sewage treatment works in Edinburgh last year. These spills  resulted in partially treated sewage being discharged into the sea for a total of 890 hours,  raising serious concerns about environmental protection and public health. 

Managed by the French utility company Veolia under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI)  agreement with Scottish Water, Seafield is one of nine sewage sites operating under similar  contracts.

Across these facilities, more than 500 sewage overflows were reported in 2023,  amounting to a total of 3,500 hours of discharge. Major spillages were also recorded at  locations such as Newbridge, Blackburn, Whitburn, and East Calder. 

Scottish Labour MSP for the Lothian Region, Foysol Choudhury, has called for urgent action  to address the ageing infrastructure and improve oversight of sewage discharges. 

MSP Choudhury said: “The scale of sewage pollution in Scotland is unacceptable.  Communities across the country, including here in Edinburgh, deserve clean beaches, rivers,  and waterways.

“The current system is failing, and this must change.” 

Mr. Choudhury has seen the Seafield site become a source of concern for residents,  particularly after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a warning in July 2023 advising against swimming at Portobello Beach due to high bacteria levels.  

In May 2024, residents were encouraged to report odour and noise issues from Seafield via  the Leith Links Community Council’s online nuisance report form to ensure complaints are  sent directly to elected officials, including MSPs and councillors, to keep the pressure on to  address these longstanding problems. 

Choudhury said: “The Seafield Sewage Treatment Works has exposed local Leithers  to a series of appalling odour and sewage leaks. What impact does this have  on the local environment like the Water of Leith and the Forth?” 

“Scotland’s beaches and waterways are among our most  cherished natural assets. It’s not enough for operators to claim compliance with licenses— people deserve transparency and action to safeguard our environment and health.” 

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PFI CONTRACTS 

The Seafield plant and others like it are managed under PFI contracts, but MSP Choudhury has questioned whether this model delivers for communities. In the Highlands, a PFI sewage  plant has already been brought back under public control following the expiration of its  contract.

Foysul Choudhury continues to raise questions and engage with local communities to demand  greater accountability from operators and stronger action from the Scottish Government when it comes to polluting Scotland’s waterways. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

The PFI contract for Seafield is due to expire in 2029, at which point the plant will revert to  public control under Scottish Water. Mr. Choudhury hopes that this transition is used as an  opportunity to overhaul the system, upgrade facilities, and end the cycle of sewage spills  polluting Scotland’s rivers and beaches.

A spokesperson for Veolia responded: “We operate the Seafield Waste Water Treatment works in line with the SEPA licence conditions and everything that leaves the plant has been treated. 

“Even during significant rainfall, the works are designed and operated to ensure all wastewater goes through our screening, grit removal and settlement processes before being discharged. 

“We work with the local community, SEPA and Scottish Water to provide an effective service for residents and the environment and support continuous improvement works. We have a doors open policy where members of the public, councillors, MPs and MSPs can visit the site.”

At the Seafield Wastewater Treatment Plant, there is only one exit point of the plant with two outfalls. This is where final effluent (fully treated wastewater) leaves the facility.

In times of significant rainfall, contents from the settled storm overflow or settled primary overflow tanks would also be discharged from this point.

These discharges are licensed and only take place under significant rainfall events in full accordance with the site’s licence.. All discharges are treated to some extent and no raw sewage is discharged from the plant.

These should not be classed as “dumping events”. Storm discharges are continuously monitored, and the data shared with Scottish Water and SEPA

Veolia did operate a wastewater contract in the Highlands with Scottish Water and at the end of its contract period it transitioned back to Scottish Water as originally agreed after 25 years of successful service. This was not due to any inference of poor performance.

Veolia is required under the licence at Seafield to report data to SEPA and this has always been done in compliance with the licence.

As Veolia is a private company working with Scottish Water, our operations are sampled every day, which is more frequent than regulated water companies.

This is an additional level of scrutiny and gives greater assurances that we are compliant with our SEPA licence.

Governments ‘failed citizens’ with flawed pandemic planning

Inquiry publishes first report and 10 recommendations focused on pandemic resilience and preparedness

The Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, is urging the new UK government and the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to implement promptly her 10 key recommendations following publication of the Inquiry’s report of its first investigation into the nation’s resilience and preparedness for the pandemic.

These recommendations, made public on Thursday 18 July 2024, include a major overhaul of how the UK government prepares for civil emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key recommendations include a radical simplification of civil emergency preparedness and resilience systems, holding a UK-wide pandemic response exercise at least every three years and the creation of a single, independent statutory body responsible for whole system preparedness and response.

It is the first of several reports setting out the Inquiry’s recommendations and findings.

Today the Inquiry has published its first report after examining the resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom to respond to a pandemic. My report recommends fundamental reform of the way in which the UK government and the devolved administrations prepare for whole-system civil emergencies.

If the reforms I recommend are implemented, the nation will be more resilient and better able to avoid the terrible losses and costs to society that the Covid-19 pandemic brought.

I expect all my recommendations to be acted on, with a timetable to be agreed with the respective administrations. I, and my team, will be monitoring this closely.

Baroness Hallett, Chair of the Inquiry

Module 1 examined the state of the UK’s structures and the procedures in place to prepare for and respond to a pandemic.

Hearings for Module 1 were held in London in June and July 2023 and the Chair heard from current and former politicians as well as key scientists, experts, civil servants and bereaved family members.

Following these hearings, the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations are set out in the report published today. The publication of the first report has been welcomed by some of those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. Dr Alan Wightman from North Yorkshire, lost his mother in early-May 2020 to Covid-19 that she had acquired in her care home in Fife, Scotland.

My Mum was an 88-year-old widow, a dementia sufferer and a cancer survivor. She had been settled and looked after in her well-run home for 11 months before Covid got in, despite the best efforts of the staff. A number of the home’s residents were taken by Covid.

I congratulate Baroness Hallett and her Inquiry team for reaching this substantive milestone of issuing findings and recommendations from Module 1. To be at this point a mere 13 months after witnesses started giving evidence in this Module is very impressive. To have achieved that whilst simultaneously completing Module 2 and its three satellite Modules, plus having Module 3 ready to launch within the next three months, is truly exemplary.

Dr Wightman

In her findings, the Chair concludes that the UK’s system of building preparedness for the pandemic suffered from several significant flaws.

These include a flawed approach to risk assessment, a failure to fully learn from past civil emergency exercises and outbreaks of disease, and Ministers not receiving a broad enough range of scientific advice and failing to challenge the advice they did get.

Baroness Hallett acknowledges the pressure on politicians and others to make tough decisions about how resources should be used. However, she also stresses that if the UK had been better prepared, the nation could have avoided some of the significant and long-lasting financial, economic and human costs of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In summary her recommendations are:

  • A radical simplification of the civil emergency preparedness and resilience systems. This includes rationalising and streamlining the current bureaucracy and providing better, simpler Ministerial and official structures and leadership;
  • A new approach to risk assessment that provides for a better and more comprehensive evaluation of a wider range of actual risks;
  • A new UK-wide approach to the development of strategy, which learns lessons from the past and from regular civil emergency exercises and takes proper account of existing inequalities and vulnerabilities;
    Better systems of data collection and sharing in advance of future pandemics, and the commissioning of a wider range of research projects;
  • Holding a UK-wide pandemic response exercise at least every three years and publishing the outcome;
    Bringing in external expertise from outside government and the Civil Service to challenge and guard against the known problem of ‘groupthink’;
  • Publication of regular reports on the system of civil emergency preparedness and resilience;
  • Lastly and most importantly, the creation of a single, independent statutory body responsible for whole system preparedness and response. It will consult widely, for example with experts in the field of preparedness and resilience and the voluntary, community and social sector, and provide strategic advice to government and make recommendations.

The Chair believes that all 10 recommendations are reasonable and deliverable and all must be implemented in a timely manner. The Inquiry and the Chair will be monitoring the implementation of the recommendations and will hold those in power to account.

The Chair has today restated her aim to conclude all public hearings by summer 2026, and to publish reports with findings and recommendations as the Inquiry progresses.

The Inquiry’s next report – focusing on Core UK decision-making and political governance – including in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Modules 2, 2A, 2B and 2C) – is expected to be published in 2025.

Future reports will focus on specific areas, including:

  • Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C: Core UK decision-making and political governance – including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Module 3: Healthcare systems
  • Module 4: Vaccines and therapeutics
  • Module 5: Procurement – procurement and distribution of key equipment and supplies
  • Module 6: The care sector
  • Module 7: Test, trace, and isolate programmes
  • Module 8: Children and young people
  • Module 9: Economic response to the pandemic

For more details of these modules visit the Inquiry’s website.

The Chair is also examining the best way to fulfil her Terms of Reference and investigate the impact of the pandemic on the population of the UK. This will cover a wide range of those affected and include the impact on mental health.

TUC: Covid Inquiry Report is a “moment of truth for the country” as report confirms impact of austerity on UK preparedness and resilience

Report confirms that public services were under huge strain even before Covid struck

  • Baroness Hallett says public health, NHS and social care sector’s capacity to respond to pandemic was “constrained” by funding and negatively impacted by “severe staff shortages” and infrastructure “not fit for purpose”
  • Report warns that not investing “in systems of protection” will impact on the UK’s “preparedness and resilience” in a future pandemic 

Responding to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 report today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:  “This is a moment of truth and reflection for the country. 

“Baroness Hallett’s report confirms that austerity left the UK underprepared for the pandemic. 

“Faced with the biggest crisis since the Second World War our defences were down as a result of severe spending cuts. 

“We owe it to those who lost their lives – and to those workers who put their lives at risk – to make sure this never happens again. 

“Strong public services – and a properly supported workforce – are vital for the nation’s health. As Baroness Hallett rightly points out the cost of investing in ‘systems for our protection’ is ‘vastly outweighed’ by the cost of not doing so.”  

Commenting on the report’s finding that inequality put certain communities at disproportionate risk during the pandemic, Paul added: 

“This report lays bare how inequality fuelled the spread of Covid-19.  Low-income, disabled and BME people were far more likely to be infected and die from the virus.  As Baroness Hallett warns inequality is a huge risk to the whole of the UK.” 

Impact of austerity 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 2 of her report: ‘Public services, particularly health and social care, were running close to, if not beyond, capacity in normal times. 

[…] in the area of preparedness and resilience, money spent on systems for our protection is vital and will be vastly outweighed by the cost of not doing so.’ 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 122 of her report: ‘The Inquiry also heard that there were severe staff shortages and that a significant amount of the hospital infrastructure was not fit for purpose. England’s social care sector faced similar issues. This combination of factors had a directly negative impact on infection control measures and on the ability of the NHS and the care sector to ‘surge up’ during a pandemic.’ 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 123 of her report: ‘Issues of funding are political decisions that properly fall to elected politicians. However, it remains the case that the surge capacity of the four nations’ public health and healthcare systems to respond to the pandemic was constrained by their funding.’ 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 127 of her report: ‘Some witnesses to the Inquiry described the prioritisation and reprioritisation of limited resources as a cause of inaction. This is a widely recurring theme in the evidence.’ 

Impact of inequality 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 70 of her report: ‘Resilience depends on having a resilient population. The existence and persistence of vulnerability in the population is a long-term risk to the UK.’ 

‘[…] as the UK entered the Covid-19 pandemic, there were “substantial systematic health inequalities by socio-economic status, ethnicity, area-level deprivation, region, social excluded minority groups and inclusion health groups.”’ 

Baroness Hallett writes on page 71 of her report: ‘Covid-19 was not an ‘equality opportunity virus’. It resulted in a higher a likelihood of sickness and death for people who are most vulnerable in society. It was the views of Professors Bambra and Marmot that: 

“In short, the UK entered the pandemic with its public services depleted, health improvement stalled, health inequalities increased and health among the poorest people in a state of decline.”’ 

Capital summit discusses support for people of Ukraine …

… but no further council action until 15 March meeting

City leaders have come together to discuss Edinburgh’s ongoing response to the Ukraine crisis.

At a summit held in the City Chambers, Council Leader Adam McVey and Depute Leader Cammy Day hosted Acting Consul General of Ukraine, Yevhen Mankovskyi, and Father Vasyl Kren of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edinburgh.

They were joined by Lord Provost Frank Ross, EVOC Chief Executive Bridie Ashrowan, Superintendent Mark Rennie of Police Scotland, Vice Principal of the University of Edinburgh James Smith and Council Chief Executive Andrew Kerr.

Together, they reiterated the City’s condemnation of the ongoing Russian invasion and reaffirmed support for the people of Ukraine and Edinburgh’s twin city, Kyiv. They heard from Mr Mankovskyi and Father Kren about the scale of the crisis and what their people are facing, the Edinburgh-Ukrainian community’s ongoing relief efforts and what Edinburgh can do to support.

The group discussed the logistics required to coordinate and transport humanitarian aid to and from Poland and the level of support the Council could provide to Ukrainian family members and refugees arriving in Edinburgh, including accommodation, education and other services.

It was confirmed that Edinburgh no longer held any civic links with Russian cities, having previously ended its twinning with St Petersburg, and the Council is reviewing all significant contracts to determine what (if any) Russian links exist, to consider the potential for withdrawal. The Lothian Pension Fund has done likewise with its investments.

Following cross-party criticism of the invasion last week, Council Leaders confirmed they would seek to formalise political condemnation and confirm next steps at their meeting on 15 March.

Coordination of the City’s support will also be discussed at a meeting of the Edinburgh Partnership Board the same week.

The Lord Provost has already written to the Major of Kyiv to express Edinburgh’s ‘deep sorrow’ and support while a Russian Philharmonic concert, due to take place at the Usher Hall in May, has been cancelled.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “I want to thank the Acting Consul General and Father Kren for their time during what is a particularly harrowing and difficult time for them and their country. 

“We have all witnessed the heart-breaking stories of loss and families torn apart in the media; but also of the great bravery and resistance by the people of Ukraine. We stand by everyone suffering this illegal war and the Ukrainian flag continues to fly defiantly above the City Chambers. 

“Already people across Edinburgh have responded with incredible generosity, with countless individuals and organisations continuing to provide selfless offers of support, donations and solidarity. Today, we reiterated our support for the people of Ukraine and our commitment to do all we can to help as a City. 

“We are considering practical actions to support people in our twin City Kyiv and across Ukraine and will work with groups across Edinburgh to coordinate efforts. We are united against this war and are also exploring actions to use the Council’s position to pursue further sanctions we can implement locally against the Russian regime. We’ll be asking Councillors to agree actions at the Council meeting later this month.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Edinburgh has a long history with Kyiv and is home to more Scottish-Ukrainian descendants than anywhere else in Scotland. Together we stand ready to help, in any way we can. Edinburgh welcomes Ukraine citizens to our city, and all of us will do everything we can to support all. 

“The outpouring of compassion and the sight of hundreds of residents protesting has been moving. I want to pay tribute to the incredible response from citizens and businesses from across the city and their generous offers of donations and support. We will offer our help to coordinate this across our city – now we need to harness the goodwill and do our part again to direct our time and support in the most useful way.

Acting Consul General of Ukraine in Edinburgh, Yevhen Mankovskyi, said: “We will defend ourselves and we will win this war.

“Thanks to the whole world’s support and humanitarian aid, our forces and our people, we will fight with all we have and continue to support our Ukrainian community abroad and here in Edinburgh.

“I am grateful for everyone’s support and I look forward to working together with our city partners on the challenges we currently face.”

You don’t have to wait until 15th March to support the people of Ukraine:

Military deployed in Scotland to aid Storm Arwen response

A total of 134 personnel from across the services have been deployed to the Grampian region to check on vulnerable people in their homes and to conduct door-to-door checks on over 4,000 homes.

The military will also provide welfare and humanitarian support for remote communities and are on standby to deliver further support and vital supplies if needed.

Teams of 10 will deploy to remote communities across the region who have been impacted by the loss of power and water following the storm.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “We are always ready to provide extra support to civil authorities across the UK in their time of need and it’s great to see units based in Scotland supporting their local communities.

“Our dedicated Armed Forces will conduct door-to-door checks on people in their homes, providing essential support to those impacted by Storm Arwen.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Once again our fantastic British Armed Forces have stepped up to support communities in times of need.

“As well as having been front and centre of the COVID-19 recovery efforts, I’m very pleased they are also able to help those in the Grampian region suffering disruption caused by Storm Arwen.

“We are incredibly fortunate in the UK in having such committed, skilled and willing military personnel to support us in such challenging times.”

There are thousands of military personnel on standby to support resilience tasks across the UK including the response to the coronavirus. There are over 300 personnel currently supporting health boards in Scotland with the vaccine rollout and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Locations who will benefit from military assistance include Aboyne, Alford, Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff and Westhill.

This support has been provided through a Military Aid to the Civilian Authorities request which is the official process for MOD to provide assistance to other government departments and civil authorities for responding to emergencies, maintaining supplies and essential services during a crisis.

Those deployed come from units based in Scotland including 39 Engineer Regiment, 3 Scots and 45 Commando. Some of the marines from 45 Commando have recently returned from cold weather training.

The Ministry of Defence is also engaged with a number of local authorities in northern England who have been affected by Storm Arwen to identify where it would be appropriate to support.

Over the past five days, emergency teams have been working tirelessly to restore power in affected areas. Around 1 million people have been affected in total and power has now been restored to 98% of those affected.

Multi-agency response to Storm Arwen continues

The multi-agency response to return power to communities across the North East of Scotland is ongoing.

Anyone without power can refer to Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) for updates on power cuts and the welfare support available.

The Aberdeenshire Council assistance centre remains open, between 8am and 8pm, to provide help to residents. They are contactable on 0808 1963 384 and information about rest and welfare centres is also available on their website.

Chief Superintendent George Macdonald said: “The damage caused by Storm Arwen has been unprecedented and has required significant repairs to be undertaken across the power, water and communications networks.

“The Strategic Local Resilience Partnership has met almost 20 times since last Friday, in preparation for and in response to the weather. The partnership involves local authorities, health and social care partnerships, emergency services, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, NHS, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, Scottish Water, SEPA, Forestry and Land Scotland, British Red Cross, and other local voluntary organisations. Together we are all committed to providing ongoing support to those affected by the power outage.

“Rest centres, which have been in place since the weekend, remain in place in a number of locations where SSEN advise full power has yet to return. There has been a significant humanitarian effort in response to the storm, with volunteers from across the partnership carrying out welfare checks on those without power, including more than 1,800 people who were identified as potentially vulnerable.”

Chief Superintendent Macdonald continued: “We recognise that this has been a very challenging time for everyone who has been without power and water for a long time. Due to the ongoing challenges and uncertainty around when supplies will be fully restored, which has added to the complexity of the response, the partnership has deemed it proportionate and necessary to seek additional humanitarian support from the military and we are grateful for their assistance.

“The scale of damage and difficult weather conditions have added to the challenges of restoring power, however there is an absolute commitment from all agencies to do this as quickly as possible and to continue providing support as we work towards a return to normality.”

Chief Superintendent Macdonald has also praised the community support and effort that has been seen since the storm hit the North East. He said: “The sense of community spirit has been fantastic to see and there has been numerous examples of kindness and selflessness in the face of real difficulties.

“Members of the public, businesses and volunteers have come together in true North East style, including helping my officers during the storm by providing additional torches, cut back or move fallen trees and branches and other examples of basic support, kindness and practical assistance which I know has been really appreciated and made officers jobs so much easier. Thank you.”