
Sir Rod Stewart help offer is great but waiting lists are far too long for young Scots
Our story about four-year-old Iain Gregori, who is set to start school without an autism diagnosis that he desperately needs, touched the hearts of the nation. He is one of hundreds of youngsters stuck in a 'void' as they are bumped off waiting lists while waiting for an appointment with a mental health specialist. Today we reveal that rocker Sir Rod Stewart has been in touch with the family to offer his support to them. He says he will pay from his own pocket for wee Iain to get the diagnosis and support he needs. As a 'knight of the realm', he sees it as his duty to help people whenever and wherever he can. It's not the first time Rod has stepped in to help those in need – and we're pretty sure it won't be the last. But we hope this kind gesture will also be a wake-up call to the Scottish Government. A combination of the cost-of-living crisis, the Covid lockdown and the pressures of social media have caused serious issues for thousands of young people. The hardworking professionals at Scotland's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are doing what they can to support these kids. But waiting lists for help are far too long. First Minister John Swinney has vowed to get to grips with a growing epidemic of child mental health problems. He and his health secretary Neil Gray are right to make it a priority. They have been patting themselves on the back for bringing waiting lists down. But if that is only achieved by bumping kids off the list as they wait for a diagnosis, too many children will not get the help they need. We need to see improvements soon so that no child – like wee Iain – is left behind. As the sun comes out to herald the start of May, Scots are lapping up a rare spell of fine weather . As we report today, thousands of us have taken to beaches and lochs to soak up some rays. But we also report that almost half of Scots have suffered sunburn in the last year. And that could be a recipe for health problem – like skin cancer – further down the line. So the message is clear as sun-starved Scots take to the great outdoors. If you're going 'taps aff', you need to make sure you get the suncream on.

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Edinburgh Reporter
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Charity abseil raises funds for scores of charities
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland has raised around £100,000 for 40 different Scottish charities with their new event The Port of Leith Distillery abseil. In May, more 350 people abseiled down the side of The Port of Leith Distillery, the tallest distillery in the world, to raise funds for charity. Participants descended 100ft down from the top of the distillery, hopefully while enjoying the breathtaking views across Edinburgh's skyline and of the historic Royal Yacht Britannia. SBH Scotland organised the new fundraising event and partnered with other Scottish charities. A total of £48,000 was raised for SBH Scotland through the event. These vital funds will help SBH Scotland support people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Edinburgh and beyond to ensure that no-one is left to cope alone. Scottish businesses also signed up to take part in the abseil, including staff members from The Port of Leith Distillery, with CEOs Paddy Fletcher and Ian Stirling the first to abseil down the building. Chisholm Hunter also had a team of employees take part and staff members from Orbit Communications, YourGB, Rollos and Whitelaw Wells, who took part and raised money for SBH Scotland. Lawrence Cowan, CEO of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, said: 'Thank you so much to everyone who took part in The Port of Leith Distillery abseil for making it a massive success! We are absolutely delighted that the event has raised an incredible £100,000 for 40 different Scottish charities. 'I want to say a special thank you to everyone who took part and raised money for SBH Scotland. You helped raise a whopping £48,000 for our charity that will help us deliver our vital services and ensure the families we support feel unstoppable.' Ian Stirling, co-CEO and co-founder at The Port of Leith Distillery, said: 'From the moment The Port of Leith Distillery took shape we've imagined abseiling down the side of it. My co-founder Paddy and I were thrilled to be the first people to take the leap. 'What a tremendous weekend – it was amazing to see so many people come together and support such a fantastic charity.' SBH Scotland hosts The Port of Leith Distillery Abseil and works in partnership with other Scottish charities, whose supporters are also taking part to raise much-needed funds for a range of worthy causes. For more information, visit: Like this: Like Related


The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Why are MSPs being told there is a housing health emergency?
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It is classed as a "condemnatory" standard, with a wider scope than the Scottish Housing Quality Standard which means that it is not reasonable to expect people to continue to live in a house that falls below it. The criteria include aspects such as structural stability, adequate lighting, ventilation, and facilities for the preparation and cooking of food. And councils have the powers to legally enforce this standard. What is the Scottish Housing Quality Standard? It is a standard set specifically for social housing, requiring homes to be energy efficient, safe, secure, and free from serious disrepair - requiring housing to be free from rising or penetrating damp. It is a policy target and does not have any legislative basis. But it is included in the Scottish Housing Charter and the Scottish Government-funded Scottish Housing Regulator has powers to intervene if landlords are failing to meet the standards and outcomes set out in it. What is the outlook regarding that tolerable standard for the whole of Scotland? The Herald revealed more than 700,000 Scottish homes are classed as not fit for habitation as they come below the legal tolerable standard. Registered social landlords are required to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) which requires housing to be free from rising or penetrating damp, to have satisfactory ventilation and meet minimum energy efficiency standards. Damp and mould are a blight on Scottish homes. (Image: Agency) In 2023, the proportion of homes that are failing the SHQS standard rose from 41% (1.1m) before the pandemic in 2018, to 55% in 2023. READ MORE: But official also show that in 2023, the number of Scots properties falling below the higher 'tolerable standard' in order to be fit for habitation shot up from an estimated 54,000 (2%) in 2018 to 729,000 (27%) in 2023. So why has there been this rise in that tolerable standard? It is believed to be primarily fuelled by amendments to Scots law which came into force in February 2022, and states that smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors are a requirement of rented properties. It was brought in to reduce the risk of loss of life, injury, and damage to property in the event of fire. Failures have also been linked to an inability to be free from rising and penetrating damp and having unsafe electrical systems. What is the state of damp and mould in Scottish housing? The analysis reveals that an estimated 270,000 Scottish homes, around 10% of the housing stock in the country is suffering with mould while 81,000 are hit by rising or penetrating damp. Campaigners believe even these numbers are underestimated and have complained about a lack of clarity in tracking the issues. So what is the Scottish Government doing about it? It has proposed new laws to try and bridge a north-south divide over housing standards after the death of toddler Awaab Ishak over four years ago due to conditions at the family's Rochdale flat ushered in tough legislation forcing landlords to fix damp and mould in properties within "strict new time limits". That will only be enforceable in England and Wales. A petition lodges with the Scottish Parliament urged ministers to introduce an Awaab's Law for Scotland, requiring all private and registered social landlords to investigate and remediate damp and mould within specified timeframes and to high-quality standards. Michelle Ure and son Leighton (Image: NQ) Some have named the new rules as Leighton's Law after the Herald revealed how 28-year-old single mother Michelle Ure called for changes in how families like hers are dealt with in dealing with sub-standard homes. She revealed that her two-year-old toddler Leighton's life is lucky-to-be alive due to rampant damp and mould problems in her council flat which resulted in him being at risk of choking on his own vomit. The concerns have been ramped up after Leighton was rushed to hospital over the weekend in a diabetic coma. The Scottish Government is planning to amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to give ministers the power to impose repair deadlines on landlords to investigate disrepair such as damp and mould and start repairs. The bill would also introduce longer-term rent controls for the private sector and place a duty on local councils to carry out assessments on the state of private accommodation in their area. So what's the problem? The proposals would be directed at social landlords only - and would not apply to private tenancies. Also some believe they do not go far enough and lack detail. For instance, ministers have not yet said what the deadlines might be. Shelter Scotland says landlords should fix damp and mould issues "in a reasonable amount of time" - but what counts as reasonable depends on the circumstances. Introduced in July 2023, the Awaab's Law legislation for England and Wales effectively inserts into social housing tenancy agreements a term that will require landlords to comply with new requirements. Tenants will be able to hold their landlords to account by taking legal action through the courts for a breach of contract. From October, social landlords south of the border will also be required to address damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants within fixed timescales. They will also have to address all emergency repairs, whether they relate to damp and mould or not, as soon as possible and within 24 hours. The introduction of the law is a year later than was promised, and it will be phased, with some hazards, including fire and electrical safety, not covered until 2027. It was expected to cover excess cold and excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and hygiene hazards from 2026. Then from 2027 another expansion is planned to cover remaining hazards under the housing health and safety rating system, excluding overcrowding. The law was initially announced by the previous government two years ago. And the Ishak family has said that they believe the delays will cost lives. But the UK government has already committed to apply its Awaab's law to privately rented homes in England and Wales in a way that is 'fair and proportionate' for tenants and landlords. What other measures are being taken to address damp and mould in Scottish housing? The Scottish Housing Regulator has issued guidance to landlords, emphasizing the importance of proactive systems to identify and address damp and mould issues promptly. Housing organisations are collaborating to provide new guidance and best practices to tackle these problems effectively.


Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Six East Dunbartonshire businesses win Eat Safe Awards
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