The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today to continue his efforts to improve the UK’s relationship with the European Union to bolster the security, safety and prosperity of the British people.
Building on the ‘extensive and positive engagement’ which has taken place already, he will discuss his ambitions for the next few months with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.
The Prime Minister has set out his determination to move beyond Brexit and make the UK’s relationship with the EU work for the British people, and he remains focused on delivering a broad-based security pact, securing our borders and tackling barriers to trade.
He will say that at a time of growing instability in the world – with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the rise of vile smuggling gangs trafficking people across Europe – it is increasingly important that like-minded countries co-operate more closely on areas of shared interest.
While he wants talks to deliver ambitious and improved co-operation with EU leaders, he has been clear there will be no return to the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The UK is undeniably stronger when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important – with war, conflict and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door.
“We will only be able to tackle these challenges by putting our collective weight behind them, which is why I am so determined to put the Brexit years behind us and establish a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the European Union.
“Better co-operation with the EU will deliver the benefits the British people deserve – securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.”
The EIS has announced that strikes in Scotland’s Further Education colleges, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, have been suspended following significant progress after some meetings this morning involving EIS-FELA representatives, College Employers Scotland and the Scottish Government Minister for Further & Higher Education.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “EIS-FELA representatives met with representatives of Scotland’s Colleges after meeting the Minister responsible for Further Education, this morning.
“Significant progress was made at this meeting, with the result that EIS-FELA and the EIS have decided to suspend three days of strike action, scheduled for this week.
“This is intended as an act of good faith and in the interests of supporting students, and is on the understanding that an improved offer will be made formally by College Employers Scotland in the coming days.”
Ms Bradley continued, “While a final settlement has yet to be reached, EIS-FELA negotiators were significantly encouraged by today’s developments and believed it appropriate to suspend this week’s strikes.
“Based on discussions this morning, we remain hopeful that a resolution can be struck that will finally see a fair pay settlement that will allow lecturers to return to working as normal, and to do what they do best which is supporting their students in colleges across Scotland to learn and progress.”
Ms Bradley added, “Discussions will now continue to iron out final details. Once a revised offer is formally on the table, our intention is to put this to EIS-FELA members in a ballot.
“Today has brought us closer to an end to this long-running dispute, and we hope that discussions will now move quickly and smoothly towards a fair agreement for all parties and a return for students to the uninterrupted, quality learning and teaching that they need and deserve.”
Note – While strike action has been suspended for this week, the programme of Action Short of Strike (ASOS) currently remains in place, including the ongoing resulting boycott.
National Galleries of Scotland announces a packed three months of events across the National, Modern and Portrait galleries in Edinburgh. Whether taking a deep dive into the exhibitions with talks, tours and music or being inspired to create your own art at the workshops, there is something for everyone to discover.
With summer blockbuster An Irish Impressionist: Lavery on Location open from 20 July, there are plenty of opportunities to delve further into the glamorous sun, sea and society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Join talks live from the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre at the National or stream on YouTube as you take a trip through the extraordinary life of the Belfast-born artist, Sir John Lavery.
Be whisked away to the French artists’ colony of Grez-sur-Loing as co-curator Professor Frances Fowle explores Sir John Lavery’s time in France alongside the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson on Wednesday 31 July.
Or join assistant curator Freya Spoor on Tuesday 17 September to learn more of his connections to Scotland from schooldays in Ayrshire to his role in the pioneering group of artists known as the Glasgow Boys.
Dip your toes in the glamour of a lost era and explore the high fashion depicted in Lavery’s paintings with Dr Sally-Anne Huxtable (Associate Professor, London Metropolitan University and Chair, Design History Society) on Friday 4 October.
Be immersed in the sights and sounds of Lavery’s wonderful world with a specially commissioned music performance inspired by the artist’s work. Renowned musician and composer/arranger Martin Kershaw will premiere the music alongside Kershaw on saxophones, Paul Harrison (piano), Graeme Stephen (guitar) and David Bowden (bass) on Thursday 24 October.
Be inspired by stories of collaboration, creativity and rebellion in Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990 at Modern Two.
Join curator and researcher Alice Correia as she chairs a discussion with featured Women in Revolt! artists Nina Edge and Pratibha Parmar. Women in Revolt! Representing South Asian Women in Britain can be watched via the livestream on YouTube or join in person at the Hawthornden at the National.
On 27 August Women in Revolt: From Matisse to Think Pink explores the work of Liz Rideal with the artist herself. Rideal will make connections between her own use of collage and Matisse’sJazz images.
Discover images and voices from Scotland’s mining communities with Before and After Coal at the Portrait and discover more about the history and lasting impact of coal through talks and music events.
Dr Ewan Gibbs (University of Glasgow) and Dr Catherine Mills (University of Stirling) will consider post-1980s shifts in coal production for electricity generation, and the creation of the mining landscapes eco-museum in Beyond Coal on 3 September.
Older kids Friday after school art session at The National Galleries of Scotland.
Or in an exciting crossover between exhibitions artists Nicky Bird (Before & After Coal) and Rosy Martin (Women in Revolt!) discuss the significance of the early 1980s in It’s About Time on Tuesday 10 September. Looking at featured works in each of the shows, they dive into the themes of activism and visibility, notions of solidarity alongside the implications of becoming ‘living history’.
Or for something more musical celebrate the final day of the Before and After Coal exhibition on Sunday 15 September with a performance by the Newtongrange Silver Band founded in 1892 and is closely linked with the coal mining industry.
Explore the fascinating exhibitions at the National Galleries of Scotland across all four galleries. Learn about the inspiring 40-year career of Edinburgh-based artist Everlyn Nicodemus in an opening talk for her retrospective at Modern One on Friday 18 October.
Celebrate the incredible 40 years since National Galleries of Scotland began collecting photography, looking at the national photography collection in the context of the 1980s. Be inspired by the works of Bruce McLean and try your hand at creating your own art at The Drawing Room on 11 September.
Older kids Friday after school art session at The National Galleries of Scotland.
Experience your national collection and learn more about the incredible art belonging to the people of Scotland.
Discover the latest acquisition to be added to the collection, The Lilac Sun Bonnet by Bessie MacNicol and discover more about this pioneering artist in a talk on Tuesday 8 October. Get to know the artworks and themes in the new Scottish galleries at the National in the Scottish Art in Focus tours which take place every month on Saturday afternoon.
Learn more about the changing landscape of Edinburgh and Scotland and the people who made it all happen. For those wanting a more detailed look into Edinburgh’s evolving cityscape and how it captivated the imagination of artists, join the Inside Out: Edinburgh Old and New Walking Tour.
Be immersed in the magical free live music events all while soaking up the beautiful art and surroundings of the Portrait and National gallery. With a performance from the award-winning trio Atelier Ensemble on Thursday 5 September, they will play timeless classics and uncover lesser-known compositions. On 3 October, Isla Ratcliff & Evie Waddell perform unique arrangements of Scottish traditional music, combining Scots and Gaelic songs, fiddle, piano, stepdance and BSL.
There are free family activities for all ages and stages to enjoy, as well accessible events for visitors with specific access needs. Weekly Family Friday events let your children’s imaginations run wild. With mornings dedicated to little ones expect interesting textures, lights, sounds and sensory art-fun.
Later in the afternoon older kids can get involved in the trails, new play activities and, of course, hands-on making with artists. Sensory-Friendly Sundays for families with children with additional support needs ensure a quiet, comfortable space is available at all times.
For adults, discover fascinating audio-described and deaf led British Sign Language tours for visitors with a visual impairment.
With events for exhibitions including Lavery on Location, Woman in Revolt!, Do Ho Suh, Vermeer. With the opportunity to meet other people, see artworks in the gallery and take part in creative activities. All with access to a comfortable quiet space.
First Minister John Swinney will welcome new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Scotland today.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said: “I was really pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister on his first day in office and to congratulate him and wish him, and his family well.
“I look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Scotland where I hope to have constructive discussions with him on our shared priorities for the people of Scotland. This includes eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero, and ensuring effective public services.
“I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to forge a positive relationship between our governments and for our part, the Scottish Government is committed to working constructively with the UK Government to build a better Scotland.”
WHATEVER your political allegiances. the relationship between the two governments is crucial to the people of Scotland. I’d like to think it will be more constructive than it has been in the recent past – Ed.
Campaign for Real Ale invites John Swinney for a drink
The newly appointed Scottish First Minister, John Swinney, is invited to a pub of his choice to discuss the issues surrounding the Scottish pub and beer industry, such as pub business rates, alcohol advertising, planning laws and the Scottish Pubs Code.
The First Minister’s appointment arrives soon after Scottish Government’s decision to implement a new statutory Scottish Pubs Code and Adjudicator. CAMRA would hope to build on this long-awaited, but welcome, news in a meeting with Mr Swinney to make sure there is a robust Pubs Code to protect tied pub tenants and to secure pubs at the heart of Scottish communities.
CAMRA represents thousands of beer and cider consumers all across Scotland, who are worried about the future of their locals, unless action is taken in the near future.
CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon – representing Scotland’s CAMRA members – is inviting the First Minister for a chat at his local about the importance of fairer business rates on pubs in Scotland, in order help secure the future of community pubs and slow the rise of the price of a pint.
McMahon also wants the new First Minister to close a planning loophole that allows pubs to be demolished without planning permission.
Campaigners also want to see a commitment from the Scottish Government not to bring back draconian plans to ban all alcohol advertisement and sponsorship.
Commenting, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said: “We would like to congratulate John Swinney on becoming the First Minister of Scotland. While we are sure he has a lot on his plate, urgent discussions must be had to ensure a successful future for Scottish pubs.
“This is why we invite the First Minister to a pub of his choice to discuss the various ways in which pub, brewing and cider making industries can be improved to ameliorate the pub-going experience for beer and cider consumers.
“Our priorities for this meeting, and for the Scottish government, will be fairer business rates for pubs, confirmation of a decision to allow alcohol advertising in Scotland, a more secure planning law system and a muscular, robust Scottish Pubs Code.”
Letter to First Minister:
Dear John Swinney,
Join CAMRA to discuss the future of Scottish pubs
We are writing on behalf of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. We are a consumer organisation with thousands of members across Scotland. We campaign for great quality cask beer, real cider, and perry and thriving community pubs in all of our communities.
We would like to congratulate you on becoming the First Minister of Scotland. While we are sure you have a lot on your plate, urgent discussions must be had to ensure a successful future for Scottish pubs.
This is why we invite you to a pub of your choice to discuss the various ways in which the pub, brewing and cider making industry can be improved to ameliorate the pub-going experience for beer and cider consumers.
We know that you understand that beer and pubs are not only important to local economies, but also to our communities, culture and heritage. Our pubs are a vital part of our social fabric – playing a pivotal role in communities across the country, providing a space for local people to meet, helping to tackle loneliness, and having a positive impact on the personal wellbeing of pub-goers.
The pub-going experience, however, is changing with the prices of pints continually on the rise, potentially pricing out consumers, and the widespread closures of pubs becoming commonplace.
CAMRA members and pub-goers across Scotland are worried that this trend of pub closures will continue, and that their community local might be next.
Pub-goers up and down the country want to see a fairer business rates system for pubs, a sensible re-think on alcohol advertising and sponsorship plans, more secure planning laws to save community locals and a robust Scottish Pubs Code to protect tied pub tenants and consumer choice at the bar.
We would like to invite you to a pub of your choice to meet and have a drink (on us!) to discuss the issues facing consumers, licensees, pubs and breweries in Scotland, and how CAMRA members can work together with you to promote and protect great Scottish beer and pubs.
David Cameron will travel to Paris and Rome for talks with French President Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and foreign minister counterparts
He will call for increased coordination between allies to address the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine
Discussions will also focus on working together to tackle illegal migration
At a time of volatile international crises, Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit the French and Italian capitals today (19 December) to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine over the winter period.
During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will reiterate his call for a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace, and for increased coordination across European allies to ensure life-saving aid can get into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary will also urge continued support for Ukraine to defend itself through military, humanitarian and economic means.
Tackling illegal migration is also high on the agenda, with the UK working alongside France and Italy to stop the criminal gangs. This follows the UK signing landmark deals with the two countries that have seen small boat channel crossings drop by a third.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “As we face some of the greatest challenges to international security in a lifetime, our response must be one of strength and resilience with our European allies.
“From the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, to Putin’s brutality in Ukraine, it is more important than ever to strengthen our alliances and make sure our voice is heard.”
In Paris, the Foreign Secretary will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and finding a long-term political solution that supports Israel’s security and the rights of Palestinians to live in peace. They will also discuss how the UK and France can continue to coordinate their humanitarian responses in Gaza.
The visit will also look ahead to a milestone year for UK-France relations in 2024, which will mark 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale and 80 years since the D-Day landings, two watershed moments for the two countries.
Following the Prime Minister’s visit over the weekend, the Foreign Secretary will then travel to Rome for talks with the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and to address Italian ambassadors gathered at the Italian foreign ministry for their annual Heads of Mission conference.
The Foreign Secretary will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s meeting with PM Meloni this weekend. Top of the agenda for the Rome programme will be boosting the two countries’ close cooperation on illegal migration.
They will welcome a new agreement between the two countries to contribute £4 million to the International Organization for Migration’s assisted voluntary returns project in Tunisia.
The joint funding will go towards providing humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable and stranded migrants to return home safely.
Nursing trade union Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland has paused a formal announcement of strike action in response to further talks with the Scottish government.
The decision follows a meeting with the First Minister and RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen today and talks this week between Scottish government, the RCN and the other trade unions currently in dispute regarding NHS pay (the GMB and Royal College of Midwives) to consider a roadmap to resolving the dispute. The Scottish government was fully aware that an announcement on RCN strike dates was imminent.
The overwhelming mandate for strike action from RCN members in Scotland has been instrumental in securing these further negotiations.
The proposal from Scottish government includes:
Negotiations for the 2023/24 NHS Agenda for Change pay offer to commence on an accelerated timetable starting next week with an aim of concluding by the end of February
A commitment to an additional payment equivalent to three calendar months value of the difference between the 2022/23 and the agreed 2023/24 pay rates
A firm commitment from Scottish government to a full review of the Agenda for Change framework in Scotland to ensure nursing is recognised and rewarded with a clear route for career progression
A commitment to match any NHS pay increase in England for 2023/24 if it is higher than that agreed in Scotland
A commitment to invest any additional consequentials for NHS pay in England for 2022/23 in NHS pay in Scotland for 2022/23.
Scottish government would also support NHS employers to agree an extension of the RCN’s ballot mandate for strike action beyond early May if required.
Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive said: “The Scottish government has shown a willingness to return to the negotiating table and to act to address the nursing workforce crisis. The pressure from you, our members, has been key to these negotiations moving forward. We need to see this process through in good faith.
“Our members in Scotland are being listened to and the First Minister is in no doubt that we will take strike action if the proposals being outlined do not deliver a significant improvement by the end of February.”
Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director told union members: “You have said enough is enough and that was before the current pressures trying to care for patients and keep services running.
“We know it is frustrating that things are not moving more quickly but things are moving. While the Scottish government repeated their assertion that there is no more money for NHS pay in 2022/23, it was my strong mandate from you that led to the positive discussions this week and the commitment to keep negotiating.
“The Scottish government needs to do more and to take this opportunity to do the right thing, for nursing and for patients. These new pay negotiations must acknowledge the safety critical role of nursing.”
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh are preparing to mark Robert Louis Stevenson Day 2022 with special talks, workshops and live music.
Sunday 13 November is an annual date in our literary calendar when the life and works of one of the most famous writers born in our City of Literature is celebrated. This weekend will see drop-in sessions taking place in both our Writers’ Museum and City Art Centre.
As well as these events, visitors will be able to explore the Writers’ Museum which features rare works and artefacts celebrating the lives of three seminal Scottish writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and of course, Robert Louis Stevenson.
A chance to explore the rare collection of writers’ portraits, first edition books and personal belongings including Stevenson’s riding boots and the ring given to him by a Samoan chief, engraved with the name ‘Tusitala’, meaning ‘teller of tales’.
They can also see Stevenson’s wardrobe made by the infamous Deacon Brodie whose double life may have inspired the novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting these special events to celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson Day.
“One of Edinburgh’s favourite sons, this represents a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this important figure in our literary history and the fun family drop-in sessions will hopefully inspire younger generations to read his work.
“Writers such as Stevenson underpin the cultural fabric of our city and their words continue to influence, excite and teach hundreds of years later.
“Our Stevenson collections speak to the life and experiences of this great writer, both as a young boy and his later days spent in the South Seas and I hope they can be enjoyed by many this weekend.”
Jeremy Hodges, RLS Day co-ordinator for the Robert Louis Stevenson Club, said: “Once again we are delighted by the City of Edinburgh Council’s strong support for this annual celebration of the life and work of one of Scotland’s best-loved authors in the city of his birth.
“The events on offer at the Writers’ Museum and the City Art Centre are central to the wider programme and reflect Stevenson’s enduring popularity today.
Margaret Findlay, Learning and Public Programmes Manager at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It is always a great pleasure for me to develop activities annually for RLS Day and work with the Robert Louis Stevenson Club and other partners in the city.
“Stevenson remains such a pivotal Scottish writer, and his influence lives on today through contemporary Scottish writers.
“This year we are thrilled that Katelyn Lothian who is currently on a Promising Young People Placement funded by the Young Person’s Guarantee is developing and delivering the family activities at the City Art Centre as part of her experience.
“We are also pleased to be showcasing new research by Edinburgh and Chester Universities focused on adaptations of Stevenson’s Pacific fiction in consultation with Hawaiian, Samoan and Scottish communities.”
Join members and friends of the Robert Louis Stevenson Club for an hour of romance set in the turbulent times of Scotland in the wake of Culloden. The group will read from his works and bring to life one of Stevenson’s most romantic figures.
When a fresh story by Robert Louis Stevenson first appeared 130 years ago, it marked a new development in the work of the great Scottish novelist.
The tale that began serialisation in Atalanta magazine for young women was his first true love story.
Following on the Boy’s Own adventure success of ‘Kidnapped’, he now allowed his hero David Balfour to fall in love – with the beautiful and brave Catriona Drummond. The result was the work he regarded as his finest, yet ‘Catriona’ is still less well-known than the ever-popular ‘Treasure Island’.
Come and join us at the City Art Centre with Katelyn our Learning and Programmes Assistant for a new and exciting workshop looking at the poems of Robert Louis Stevenson.
We will be sharing the story of Robert Louis Stevenson and how he become one of Scotland’s best-known writers. Create fun, colourful illustrations inspired by his poems for you take home and treasure.
This workshop is open to anyone who is looking to learn more about one of Scotland’s much-loved writers. This workshop is designed for families working together to reflect on his life and writings.
Join us for a fun free afternoon of music & words also inviting audience members to participate with reading a short poem/literary extract by their favourite writer, marking the birthday of Robert Louis Stevenson, the 400th anniversary of Lady Stair’s House, and Remembrance Sunday.
Performances will feature ‘The Poets’ Fiddle’ made by local nature conservationist /luthier Steve Burnett to mark Robert Louis Stevenson’s 170th anniversary in 2020, along with the ‘Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon violins’, endorsed as Envoys for Peace, Reconciliation and Respect made from a living Edinburgh sycamore that still grows in Craiglockhart, the former shell shock hospital where famously in 1917, the two WW1 anti-war poets met.
Music by award-winning musicians, Scottish fiddler Alastair Savage and cellist Alice Allen, along with brother & sister violinists 14 year old Viktor and 12 year old Klara Seifert.
A new research team from Edinburgh and Chester universities will introduce a major project with partners in Hawai’i, Samoa and Scotland. The project will produce the first ever multilingual graphic adaptation of the three stories from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Island Nights’ Entertainments (1893), commission new poetry by indigenous Pacific authors, and develop a set of accompanying teaching resources for use in Samoa, Hawai’i and Scotland. In addition, it will produce the first ever documentary film exploring contemporary Samoan perspectives on Stevenson. Be among the first to hear how the team fared in their recent field work in Hawai’i, Tahiti and the Tuamotu Archipelago, this July.
EDINBURGH’s bin collections will restart when the strike ends on Tuesday 30 August,the city council has announced.
In a tweet posted last night, a city council spokesperson said: ‘Bin collections will restart when the strike ends on Tuesday 30 August. We’ve developed a recovery plan and will shortly be updating our website with advice on what to do with your bins next week – watch this space.
‘Thanks for your patience.’
Talks to resolve the national bin strike will continue this week.
