In April, Queen Margaret University is set to welcome representatives from business, industry and voluntary organisations, along with members of the local community and alumni, to its annual open event to learn about the fascinating range of work that is going on at the University.

People from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are invited to the campus in Musselburgh to find out about a variety of the University’s initiatives and build links with its staff. The event will provide an insight into QMU’s research and innovation work, educational and community engagement initiatives, and its economic impact both locally and internationally.

Visitors can expect an insight into the use of immersive virtual reality to help paramedic students navigate real life emergencies; portable ultrasound technology to help detect swallowing difficulty in acute and community settings, community arts projects, and QMU’s impressive international education partnerships.  For those interested in the great outdoors, this will be a chance to tour the newly opened Outdoor Learning Hub and Discovery Trail, located in campus grounds, and to hear about QMU’s focus on outdoor learning.

In a brief presentation and Q&A session, those attending will hear directly from the University’s Principal, Sir Paul Grice, and Chair of Court, Pamela Woodburn, who will discuss the institution’s recent developments and ambitions for the future, as well as how QMU’s work makes a difference to people’s lives locally, nationally and globally.

Visitors will be invited to chat to researchers and academic staff at an informal fair in the University’s atrium, where they can learn about research projects and academic work being delivered by the School of Health Sciences and the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management.

Pamela Woodburn, Chair of the University Court, said: “We look forward to welcoming people from across the Lothians. The evening will provide a great way for people involved in the business community, arts and cultural organisations, charitable and third sector organisations, food businesses, healthcare providers and local QMU graduates to find out how Queen Margaret University might benefit their organisation, or them individually.  The evening will provide an excellent platform to support informal networking, and to make new connections with visitors and university staff which could be of mutual benefit.”

A presentation, stallholder event, Outdoor Learning Hub tours, virtual reality demo, light refreshments; and networking opportunities will all be part of this friendly, interactive evening event, which will run on 17^th April 20124 from 4.30pm – 7pm.

Attendance at QMU’s Annual Open Event titled ‘Local Impact and Global Reach’ is free. Book your place at Eventbrite (QMU’s open event).

Event Timings: 

• 4.30-5.30pm, Registration and opportunity to explore exhibits, speak with University representatives, including Court members, and tour the Outdoor Learning Hub.
• 5.30-6.10pm – formal presentation
• 6.10-7pm – exhibition continues, along with tours
• Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available in the atrium tiers along with the informal exhibition.

OPEN EVENT EXHIBITION STALLS 2024

As part of our 2024 open event, there will be an informal exhibition and fair showcasing a range of projects and developments from across the University. See list of stalls.

Responding to the latest GDP figures published this morning, David Bharier Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:  

 

“Today’s data confirms once again that the UK economy is stuck on a low-growth treadmill. With GDP growth of 0.2% in the three months to February, and 0.1% on a monthly basis – there’s little sign of the landscape changing soon. However, it may indicate that the technical recession ended at the end of last year. 

 

“Boosting business investment is fundamental to securing stronger economic growth. While business confidence remains buoyant, our latest Quarterly Economic Survey published yesterday showed continued tough business conditions with most SMEs not increasing their investment. 

 

“Firms are still facing significant cost pressures from historically high inflation and interest rates, skills shortages, and even more trade barriers with EU. Businesses desperately need a long-term economic plan that drives investment and innovation.” 

Dear Cabinet Secretary,

In response to the UK Government’s most recent budget announcement, we are writing to urge you to allocate £196 million from Scotland’s allocated Barnett consequentials, to make up the 26 per cent cut to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme included in the Scottish Government’s budget announcement in December – a cut which will have far reaching negative consequences if left unaddressed.

We, as the representatives of the Case for Edinburgh working group, would also like to invite you to attend a meeting to discuss how we might work together to mitigate Edinburgh’s worsening housing emergency.

The most recent homelessness statistics published by the Scottish Government paint a stark picture, with homelessness clearly on the rise. Edinburgh is at the sharp end of this problem, with 3,749 households living in temporary accomodation in September 2023, including 2,910 children. The capital needs affordable housing and urgently.

We wrote to you in December, not long after Edinburgh declared a housing emergency, asking for an additional £412m to fund the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, highlighting the urgent need for housing in Edinburgh, a city which is home to 25% of Scotland’s population but contributes nearly 30% of its GDP.

Despite the city’s potential for economic prosperity, we know that employers have been finding it particularly hard to recruit for more low-paid roles, and one reason given is that potential employees can’t afford to live in the city. Funding housing in the capital is the first step towards economic growth – not just for Edinburgh but for Scotland as a whole.

Instead, the £196 million cut confirmed this February, has the potential to devastate Edinburgh’s economy and, more importantly, the health and wellbeing of its population placing extra pressure on our already struggling NHS.

A major study by the Scottish Government on health and homelessness published in 2018 found that increased interactions with health services preceded people becoming homeless and interactions with health services peaked around the time of their first homelessness application . People experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of cancer, cardiorespiratory disease, communicable disease, all-cause mortality and hospitalisation than the general population. They are often readmitted to hospital even after discharge, usually for the same or similar reasons for initial hospitalisation .

Housing insecurity and frequently moving home has significant impacts on health and wellbeing – particularly mental health , and in Edinburgh long periods in temporary accommodation and multiple moves between placements means this is all too relevant.

Most concerningly, studies have shown that people experiencing homelessness have a much higher risk of death from a range of causes and have a much lower average age of death (just 47 years old for men and 43 for women compared to 77 for males and 81 for women in the general population).

These numbers are shocking and indicative of the devastation of homelessness on a person’s health, in a time where public health is paramount if we are to allow our struggling health services to recover.
Investment in housing is investment in public health. We urge you to consider this when allocating the additional £300 million made available following the most recent UK Budget.

 

• No overall improvement in business conditions in Q1 2024 as measured by investment, sales and cashflow.
• Levels of business confidence remain unchanged, with 56% of UK businesses expecting an increase in turnover in the next twelve months.
• Almost half of firms are expecting the price of their goods or services to rise.
• Interest rates continue to slowly decline as a concern for businesses.
• Hospitality sector continues to struggle disproportionately, with 39% of these firms reporting a decrease in their cash flow, compared with 28% of respondents overall.

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and longest-running independent business survey – shows most firms reporting no improvement in investment levels, sales or cashflow in the first quarter of 2024.

After a slight rise in Q4, levels of business confidence have remained static. For the second quarter in a row, 56% of businesses say they are expecting an increase in turnover over the next year.

With inflation likely to remain volatile over the coming months – the data also reveals that more firms expect hikes in their own prices, with staffing costs being the main pressure.

The survey, conducted between 12 February and 12 March, of over 4,800 firm across the UK – 92% of whom are SMEs (fewer than 250 employees) – also reveals business performance across different sectors varies considerably.

No improvement in overall business conditions

The percentage of respondents reporting increased domestic sales stayed at 36%, the same level as Q4. Likewise for the second quarter in a row, 22% reported a decrease and 42% said sales had remained constant.

But there were significant sectoral differences. 44% of professional service firms said they had seen a boost in sales, whereas only 27% of logistic companies and 29% of retailers saw an increase.

Business confidence remains unchanged

56% firms expect to see their turnover increase over the next 12 months – the same as Q4 2023. Only 14% of respondents are expecting to see their financial situation worsen in the year ahead, 29% expect things to remain the same.

Profitability confidence has remained static, with 48% of companies saying they expect profits to increase in the next year. That compares to 47% in Q4. 21% of respondents believe their profits will fall.

Most firms still not increasing investment

Economic headwinds continue to impact heavily on business investment. The majority of firms say they haven’t increased the amount of new plant, machinery and equipment they’ve bought or rented. Only 24% reported an increase in investment (the same as Q4), while 60% said levels had remained the same, 16% reported a decrease.

There are large sectoral disparities in investment levels. 28% of hospitality sector firms say they have decreased investment, while 30% of manufacturing businesses have increased investment.

Many firms expect their prices to rise

Although inflation has slowed significantly in recent months, almost half of firms are expecting the price of their goods or services to rise. 46% of respondents are predicting an increase (compared with 47% in Q4), 51% think prices will stay the same, and just 3% are anticipating a decrease.

Labour costs are cited as the main cost pressure across all businesses. For the second quarter running, 68% of responding firms say they are under pressure to raise prices because of staffing costs. Some sectors are feeling this pressure more than others, with 77% of hospitality firms and 76% of manufacturers citing it as a key driver.

Interest rates continue to decline as a concern

While inflation remains firms’ biggest concern, business worries about interest rates continue to gradually fall. 35% of businesses say they are concerned about the cost of borrowing, compared with 39% in Q4. These figures remain high compared with the pre-Covid trend.

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“The latest results from the QES provide further evidence that the UK economy is trapped in a low-to-no growth state.

“Although business confidence remains buoyant at the start of the year, most SMEs are still not reporting any tangible improvement to business conditions.

“The lack of investment among most SMEs is a real concern. Inflation, skills shortages, and an almost endless list of new trade barriers with the EU, coupled with a lack of clear direction on infrastructure and technology investment at the government level, have led to paralysis for many businesses.

“The increased percentage of firms expecting price rises is also a reflection of global conflicts and the introduction of further import costs.

“As we head towards an election, businesses will need to see a clear long-term plan for investment and innovation from politicians.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Our results are a timely reminder of the challenges businesses are facing across the UK.

“We desperately need to see SMEs investing again. Government moves on rate relief, planning reform and full expensing are welcome – but they haven’t yet shifted the dial.

“The recent rise in the national living wage is good news for millions of employees. But it comes at a time when labour costs pressures for business are already very high. Firms need room to breathe as they strive to pay staff fairly.

“In this election year it’s vital that politicians remain laser focused on helping businesses invest, develop and grow. We encourage all parties to study our findings and understand the reality for SMEs in communities up and down the country.”

 

Read the information sheet here.

An interactive tool that lets residents map out the community services and issues they care most about has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council.

As part of a 16-week budget consultation that went live on Tuesday (9 April), the council is engaging with residents in new ways to capture hyperlocal feedback on specific issues.

People will be able to geotag areas where council services are being delivered well or areas where spend could be made differently. This information will help to inform the challenging decisions councillors need to make next year and, in the future, to balance the city’s budget.

As the way we use and access public services shifts, the council needs to deliver services efficiently and invest in the future of Edinburgh and its population, which is expected to grow by almost 60,000 people over the next 20 years.

To prioritise investment in the next budget year and beyond, the consultation seeks community-level views on where the Council could save money, where it is doing well and where it needs to improve. It forms the first phase of a wide-ranging budget engagement programme agreed by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee in March.

Residents who take part in the online consultation may also be invited to sign up to series of focus groups to take place in the Autumn, to discuss their concerns, ideas, and ambitions for Edinburgh in-depth.

Council Leader Cammy Day said:
“The council continues to face high and growing demand for services, and the reality is that this demand exceeds the funding that’s available. As we grapple with these additional pressures, we’ll face significant financial challenges and some tough decisions. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be ambitious for our capital city – or our commitment to protect those services that we know many of our most vulnerable residents rely upon.

“Just as our 2024/25 budget invests millions of pounds towards protecting and improving vital frontline services, we want to continue to get the basics right and plan for our future. Be it continuing to improve our roads, parks, and greenspaces, supporting our schools, addressing poverty and homelessness, or working towards tackling our climate crisis, we need your views to make sure this continues in your communities.

“We remain the lowest funded local authority in Scotland, and I won’t tire of fighting for fairer funding from the Scottish Government for our capital city so that we can continue to deliver the best for Edinburgh. We’ve already had to make £400m in savings over the last decade despite the unique challenges and growth Edinburgh faces and – if this squeeze on local authority budgets continues – we face a further £143m reduction by 2028/29.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said:
“The council is facing the same hard choices about spending that many of you are experiencing. We’re trying to make our income stretch further and we’re making every effort to reduce costs without cutting the services or facilities that you rely on. Your local councillors will be thinking about the impact that any changes could have on our citizens, our communities and our workforce – but we want to be sure that we’ve not missed anything that’s important to you.

“That’s why we’re asking you to take part in the ongoing discussion about the financial challenges we’re facing. I’m hoping that you’ll choose take part online or by contacting your local councillors.”

Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been awarded a contract to construct the new £209 million HMP Highland in Inverness, Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service.  

Balfour Beatty was first appointed to deliver the pre-construction phase, including the design of HMP Highland, in 2022. This latest phase, valued at £119 million, will see the company progress with the construction of the new, modern 18,500m2 facility comprised of two new interconnected buildings and associated infrastructure.

Scheduled for completion in 2026, HMP Highland will be the first net zero prison in Scotland with the facility designed to run off renewable energy sources such as ground source heat pumps, to align with the Scottish Government’s low carbon targets for the project.

The company will utilise modular construction methods to preassemble the internal wall panels and perimeter walls offsite in a controlled factory environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions by minimizing the number of lorry movements and material deliveries to and from site.

As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty has also committed to spending £60 million with local supply chain partners and businesses throughout the duration of the project.

On completion, HMP Highland will replace Inverness Prison and will accommodate 200 prisoners, becoming the first new prison in the area – serving the Highlands, Islands and Moray – for more than a century.

Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to continue working alongside the Scottish Prison Service as we move into the construction phase of this significant and important project.

“We will draw on our extensive expertise in modern methods of construction, and our unrivalled local knowledge, to deliver this groundbreaking, best-in-class facility which will become the first net zero prison in Scotland.”

Linda Pollock, Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, said: “With the support of the Scottish Government, we are committed to investing in our estate to create better environments for people to live and work.

“HMP Highland will not only increase the capacity previously available at HMP Inverness, but also provide space for quality rehabilitative work which we know gives people the greatest possible chance of a successful return to their communities on liberation.

“This project has so far seen the creation of new jobs and apprenticeships for the local area, with more to come in future.”

At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 250 people with 5% of its workforce made up of apprentices, graduates, and trainees to support its commitment to The 5% Club.  

Children in Scotland has today revealed details of the packed programme for its upcoming Annual Conference 2024, with keynote speeches and workshops set to address the sector’s most challenging and important issues.

Held on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 May at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, the flagship event will bring together delegates, partners and supporters from across the children’s sector, with a range of keynote speakers, exhibitors, workshops and networking sessions available over the two days.

One of the highlights of the programme, on the first day of the conference, Jimmy Paul, Head of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, will use his keynote to discuss the growing concern of behaviour in schools, while exploring the many challenges faced by young people today.

With a varied career managing health and social care services, and having co-chaired the Workforce Group on the Independent Care Review, Jimmy is uniquely placed to examine the factors many experts believe are contributing to behavioural issues, including the fallout from the pandemic, which saw an entire generation of children missing out on crucial years of education, socialisation and connection, the current cost of living crisis, and increased use of social media across all age ranges.

As well as offering evidence-based solutions, his speech will outline an emerging vision for the future, providing delegates with an informative and inspirational talk, which will focus on promoting collaboration across the sector.

Jimmy Paul said: “I am delighted to be speaking at the Children in Scotland Annual Conference, where some of the most caring and determined people from across the nation gather. At the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, we know that improving the lives of children goes hand in hand with making Scotland the safest place in the world to live. The world has changed drastically in recent years with the pandemic, the cost of living driving more families into poverty, and with changes in social media, which has impacted on experiences of childhood and the landscape of violence in Scotland. I’m looking forward to exploring this in my keynote address and advocating for compassion and collaboration at the heart of everything we do.”

Also on day one of the programme, which will be co-chaired by Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Children in Scotland’s CEO Dr Judith Turbyne will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the charity sector, encouraging conversation and debate among the audience. A panel discussion that day will also look at Artificial Intelligence (AI) in relation to child rights and safeguarding.

Led by Steven Sweeney, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire and Children in Scotland board convenor, day two of the programme will open with keynote addresses from Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Natalie Don MSP and campaigner and activist Amal Azzudin. Dr Alexia Barrable, lecturer in Psychology and Education at Queen Margaret University, will discuss the impact of nature on health and wellbeing in the afternoon.

On both days, workshops will be held by Scottish SPCA, Multi-Cultural Family Base, Aberlour Children’s Charity, Kibble, and many more organisations and charities across the sector, with topics covering everything from transitions for young people with additional support needs to a day in the life of a young carer.

Children and young people’s voices will be central to the conference. Children in Scotland’s children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, have been involved in the planning of the event and will be present on both days, and students from Edinburgh College of Art have been invited to provide their take on what happens. Both days will see young people co-chairing, while many of the workshops will have children and young people’s voices embedded in them.

Alongside powerful keynote speeches, informative panel discussions, and engaging workshops, both days of the Annual Conference will provide opportunities for practitioners to network and engage with colleagues.

Simon Massey, Children in Scotland’s Head of Engagement & Learning, said: “This year’s conference promises to be one of our best. We have got such a varied programme, with contributions from across the whole sector, everyone will find something of interest. But the opportunity to connect with colleagues in person is not to be missed in our world of remote working.

“I’m particularly pleased to see how children and young people’s voices are being embedded throughout the programme – from planning to delivery and, afterwards, evaluating its success.

“Thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors, we have been able to keep prices low, so I hope to see as many people there as possible – it really will be worth a day or two away from work.”

• Click here to explore Day One of the programme
• Click here to explore Day Two of the programme

For further info, interviews and all media requests please contact:  press@childreninscotland.org.uk

• £190.00 MON-FRI
• £210 SAT-SUN

Begin with a full-body exfoliation to rejuvenate the skin, followed by a nourishing body treatment wrap to deeply moisturise and replenish. While cocooned in the wrap, enjoy the added pampering of an exfoliating facial to leave your skin radiant and glowing. After rinsing off in a warm shower, sink into relaxation as our skilled therapists apply a soothing body lotion, targeting any specific areas of concern with a revitalising massage.

During your spa experience, you can also enjoy all the spa facilities. Unwind in our heated infinity pool and enjoy the spectacular views of Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran. Relax at the poolside bio-sauna with floor-to-ceiling vistas or find a true sense of calm in the relaxation room, featuring a sensory shower, ice fountain, sauna and steam room.

Finish the day with sweet treats and exquisite teas with our award-winning Afternoon Tea.

To book email: Treatments@trumpturnberry.com

Offer Ends 20th June

Leading environmental charity Changeworks has appointed two new positions that will be integral to the organisation’s drive to decarbonise Scotland’s homes. Ian Cochran will join the organisation as Head of Consultancy, and Jill Craig as Head of Building Contracts. Both will start in their positions in April.

Changeworks develops and delivers high impact solutions to make low-carbon life a positive reality for everyone. Ian and Jill will provide direction, leadership and support, pilot and develop new services, and scale the organisation’s presence in the energy efficiency sector. These roles will be key to maximising Changeworks’ impact in decarbonising homes, ever important in the face of the accelerating climate emergency and cost of living crisis.

Prior to joining Changeworks, Ian spent the last four years at the University of Edinburgh Business School as the programme director of their MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment, and is a member of the Scottish Government’s Green Heat Finance Task Force. He also worked at the Institute for Climate Economics, a ‘think-do tank’ based in Paris where he helped build their investment and finance-focused programme. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience of working with a range of different clients, stakeholders, and partner organisations to produce research and expertise to support better decisions on climate-related issues.

Ian said:

“Making Scotland’s homes more energy efficient and low-carbon makes sense not just for the climate, but also peoples’ health, wellbeing and wallet. While achieving this presents multiple challenges, it also presents opportunities that can deliver social and economic benefits. Changeworks has a key role to play in this, and I am excited to join the Consultancy team.”

Jill moves to Changeworks from Ricardo, where she worked as a Programme Manager for Social Housing Decarbonisation Programmes. As well as project managing and providing technical support to local authorities across England, Jill led the internal inaugural Social Value programme. Jill is returning to Changeworks where she worked for Home Energy Scotland firstly as Operations Manager and later as Centre Manager for the South-East. The team is looking forward to welcoming her back.

Jill said:

“I’m delighted to be joining Changeworks to lead the highly skilled and dedicated team who manage, deliver and quality assess built environment projects across Scotland. Supporting the retrofit of houses and making them into more energy efficient, warmer homes is vital work, making a real difference.”

Josiah Lockhart, Changeworks Chief Executive said:

“Jill and Ian will bring plenty of experience and a broad skillset to their roles as Head of Building Contracts and Head of Consultancy. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to Changeworks. The work we do here has never been more important and their expertise will be pivotal in achieving our strategic aim.”

Changeworks works collaboratively with partners, organisations and householders to drive transformation in energy efficiency and to tackle fuel poverty. To find out more about Changeworks, visit www.changeworks.org.uk or email workwithus@changeworks.org.uk.

Throughout March, our policy team continued to keep our members up-to-date with the latest developments that may impact their interests and operations, whilst advocating on your behalf in an effort to shape policy. Here’s a recap of the key activities from March:

UK Spring Budget

March saw the UK Chancellor announce his Spring Budget. Whilst this was light on new policy we did welcome some measures such as the increase in VAT registration threshold, but will continue to advocate for more to be done to improve business conditions.

London-Edinburgh collaboration

In partnership with London Chamber of Commerce and the City of London Corporation, we are looking at how to maximise the connections and collaborations between our two capital cities. As part of this, a group made the trip up from London, including a City of London Alderman, for a productive lunch bringing together members from finance and culture – critical sectors in both cities. A dinner focused on financial services provided further insights alongside opportunities for discussion and networking. We’re now looking at follow-up activity to capitalise on the connections made.

Cross-Party Edinburgh Economic Briefing

We held our latest quarterly briefing, to which we invite all local Councillors, MSPs and MPs – in addition to our usual economic update, we passed on feedback from our members insights roundtable, including on tax divergence, digital literacy, and the night-time economy.

‘Place’ Event

The inaugural meeting of our short life working group to help us plan a ‘Place’ themed event was productive, generating good ideas for themes and topics. We’re excited about the potential of this group to create a meaningful and insightful full-day event for our members later this year.

Consultations

We continue to engage with consultations from both the City Council and the Scottish Government to ensure your views are heard and policies are developed with business in mind. This included the Scottish Government’s consultation on their draft Heat in Buildings Bill, which proposes deadlines for phasing out polluting heating systems and increasing energy efficiency, as well as their draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map. The Council’s consultation on the management of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site was flagged up to us by one of our members, who had concerns that the strategy was overlooking the role and influence of the private sector – we do rely on members telling us about the issues they’re facing, or areas where we can advocate on your behalf so please always feel free to get in touch with our policy team at policy@edinburghchamber.co.uk

Coming up

Looking ahead, we’ll be continuing to engage with policymakers, through a range of direct conversations and through consultations. This will include roundtables where we’ll bring together a small group of members with the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism, and Trade, and with the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero, and Energy.

We’ll also be responding to the City Council’s consultation on their plan for how the city can adapt to climate change, ensuring that businesses are not forgotten. The Scottish Government have also published several consultations on the planning system – we’ll be holding a roundtable with members to get your views and insights so do get in touch if you want to join us.