Latest news with #AndrewBarr
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major update on strike action affecting 300 workers at Scots airport during summer travel season
It comes amid an update at another airport AIR WE GO! AIR WE GO! Major update on strike action affecting 300 workers at Scots airport during summer travel season Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UNION chiefs have issued an update on strikes at Scottish airports this summer. Around 300 workers at Menzies Aviation were set to walk off the job amid a pay dispute. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Menzies Aviation staff were in a pay dispute with airport chiefs Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Around 300 workers were set to strike Credit: Getty 4 Summer strikes have been avoided at Edinburgh Airport Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow The airport operations staff were calling for more cash. A strike could have seen chaos for Scots jetting off on their holidays. But bosses eventually got back around the table and sorted pay deals with reps. Menzies staff at Edinburgh Airport will now get pay hikes between 6.5 and 10 per cent. Dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers will all receive a pay rise under the new deal, which has called off the strike. It comes as strikes at Glasgow were avoided after workers there achieved a similar deal. New starters in Glasgow are set to receive a four per cent pay rise while others will get ten per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:'Unite has successfully negotiated a good pay deal for Menzies Aviation workers based at Edinburgh airport. 'Our Runway to Success campaign across Scottish airports continues to deliver win after win. "The Menzies deal demonstrates why Unite is the leading trade union for airport workers because we do what we promise: we deliver better jobs, pay and conditions.' Moment cops storm Jet2 flight and haul off two drunk passengers who 'downed bottle of vodka during delay' Carrie Binnie, Unite industrial officer, added:'Unite is delighted to have secured another pay win for Menzies Aviation workers at Edinburgh airport. "The deal overwhelmingly backed by our members builds on the successes of recent years. "Basic pay, shift and overtime rates are all improved along with a reward for the length of service for the Menzies workers.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
International flight from major US city forced to make emergency landing in Scotland
The plane was bound for Copenhagen Airport in Denmark after setting off from the US late AIR ALERT International flight from major US city forced to make emergency landing in Scotland Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PASSENGER plane has been forced to make an emergency landing at Edinburgh Airport. The Scandinavian Airlines flight departed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, USA, on Saturday evening. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A passenger plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Edinburgh Airport Credit: Andrew Barr The plane was bound for Copenhagen Airport in Denmark. But flight SK910 was diverted to the capital after issuing an alert. A 7700 squawk code was triggered, suggesting a general emergency onboard. The alert was issued due to a technical issues, according to SAS. The aircraft touched down in Edinburgh around 6.30am yesterday morning. A Scandinavian Airlines spokesperson said: "The SK910 was diverted to Edinburgh due to a technical issue. "All passengers were well taken care of and continued their journey to Copenhagen on an alternative flight." On Friday, President Donald Trump's Air Force One landed at Prestwick Airport. Large crowds gathered around the perimeter of the Ayrshire air hub as the US leader jetted in. Mr Trump is on a four-day private visit as he prepares to open his second Aberdeenshire golf course. Wild moment easyJet passengers pin down man who yelled 'I've got a bomb' on board flight to UK as cops swarm plane Over the weekend, the Commander in Chief played rounds of golf at Turnberry, near Girvan, and he is preparing to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney today.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
ACT Labor calls for more federal funding for public health system at annual conference
The chief minister has called for increased federal funding for the territory's public health system at the annual ACT Labor conference. The gathering of party faithful from across Canberra yesterday was the first time the event had been held since Labor returned to power in the ACT for a seventh term. It's the first time the event's been held since Labor was returned to power in the ACT for a seventh term. The annual conference is a chance for party members and elected representatives to take stock and reflect on challenges. And while there was optimism about the party's achievements, there was also concern about the issues in the capital healthcare sector. In his address to conference delegates, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this year would see a record investment in the public health system. "It includes additional nurses, doctors and allied health professionals as part of the commitment that we made to hire 800 new healthcare workers in this parliamentary term," he said. At the election in May, federal Labor committed more than $14 million to support bulk-billing GPs in the ACT, on top of national commitments to incentivise more bulk-billing. But Mr Barr said the government "always needs a little more" federal funding, and stabilising the health system was no exception. "We warmly welcome the significant additional investment coming from the federal government into primary health care, including more support for bulk-billing across our community," Mr Barr said. Negotiations between the states and territories and the commonwealth on a new five-year National Health Reform Agreement are ongoing. ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith the territory was pushing for the commonwealth to get back on track to meet a 2023 commitment to fund 45 per cent of the ACT's public health system within 10 years. "We currently now, in the ACT under the agreement, are below 35 per cent commonwealth funding, so we are looking to get back on track for that trajectory," Ms Stephen-Smith said. Health spending now makes up more than a third of the ACT budget and it is projected to grow. The territory government's plan to help fund the public health sector with a $250 healthcare levy for all ratepayers was walked back just six days after being proposed when the ACT Greens struck a deal to reduce it to $100 for residential ratepayers. It is an example of the reality the ACT government faces now that it is not in coalition with the Greens: It must negotiate with the crossbench. In his address, Mr Barr also said the territory government was well on its way to its goal of enabling the construction of 30,000 additional homes in Canberra by 2023. Mr Barr said the city had doubled in size since he began living in it in 1977, and it was going to double again. "We need to ensure that we have the planning framework in place to manage that change over the coming decades," he said. "That's why the government's planning reform agenda combines territory planning reforms, increased land release, and more direct investment from both the territory and commonwealth governments to enable the tens of thousands of new homes that we need to be built." But he said the government could not just construct more homes and call it a day — the surrounding community infrastructure had to be built too. "[It also] extends to things that make Canberra a better place to live like the new Canberra Aquatic Centre, the new lyric theatre … the new convention centre. "And that investment in infrastructure will support more jobs in tourism and hospitality." In wrapping up his address, Mr Barr said Canberra being ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world was "one of the benefits of long-term Labor governments". "Our city is fairer, more diverse, and a better place to live than it was 25 years ago," he said. "I like to say that Canberra is Australia's most improved city, and I don't get much disagreement wherever I say that in Australia or around the world. "Quality of life means something. It doesn't happen by accident, and it is the result of our collective work over many decades. Labor has been in power in the ACT for almost 24 years. The next territory election is not due for another three years, but the annual conference is a chance for the party to cement its platform — a platform it is hoping Canberrans continue to support.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Arrests made after protesters hang off Forth Road Bridge to halt gas tanker in major demo
ACTIVISTS NICKED Arrests made after protesters hang off Forth Road Bridge to halt gas tanker in major demo Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEN arrests have been made following a Greenpeace demonstration on the Forth Road Bridge. Activists shut down the bridge in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, yesterday afternoon - hours before Donald Trump touched down in Scotland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Greenpeace has said its activists have been arrested after a major demo Credit: Andrew Barr 4 The group suspended themselves from the bridge using ropes Credit: Andrew Barr Greenpeace activists suspended themselves from the bridge in order to block a tanker carrying fracked gas, which was headed for the INEOS petrochemical plant at nearby Grangemouth. Emergency crews raced to the scene after the alarm was raised at around 1.05pm as cops received reports of a protest starting to build. That was after the group suspended themselves from the bridge using ropes, ending up about 25 metres above the water level at high tide. Police have now confirmed that 10 people have been nicked. Five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection. The bridge is currently still closed. Climate campaigners from Greenpeace confirmed that 10 activists abseiled from the huge 156m bridge to block an INEOS tanker. It spent 10 days travelling across the Atlantic to deliver a cargo of 27,000 cubic meters of fracked American gas to the petrochemical facility in Grangemouth. And it happened the day that President Donald Trump touched down in Scotland for his four-day visit. The US President, 79, arrived aboard Air Force One at around 8.30pm last night. BBC Comedian Susan Riddell Charged After Defence Factory Incident in Edinburgh Greenpeace have said the protest is aimed at INEOS, which is the UK's biggest plastics manufacturer. Protesters unfurled six large red sky banners which read: "Plastics Treaty Now". They were also being supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. This morning, Greenpeace announced it had ended the demonstration, saying they had "achieved what we set out to". The campaign group said its demonstration had prevented the Ineos tanker from delivering the gas for a full 24 hours, saying that the vessel could only travel to Grangemouth during high tides. As a result the specially trained activists began climbing down their ropes early on today. 4 Greenpeace have said the protest is aimed at INEOS, which is the UK's biggest plastics manufacturer Credit: Andrew Barr 4 Protesters unfurled six large red sky banners which read: "Plastics Treaty Now" Credit: © Luca Marino / Greenpeace Greenpeace said all 10 had descended safely and were voluntarily transported to Port Edgar in South Queensferry, where it said they were arrested by officers from Police Scotland on suspicion of culpable and reckless conduct. Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: "We've achieved what we set out to. "By blocking Ineos, we've drawn global attention to the company's bottomless appetite for plastic production, false solutions and profit for its billionaire boss Jim Ratcliffe." In response yesterday, a statement from INEOS said: "Today's Greenpeace stunt is dangerous, disruptive, and entirely counterproductive. "It may grab headlines, but it does absolutely nothing to reduce plastic pollution or deliver real-world solutions." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Ten people have been arrested following a protest on the Forth Road Bridge on Friday, 25 July, 2025. "The protest was reported to police around 1.05pm. "Five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection and further enquiries are ongoing. "The bridge remains closed at this time."
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC star reveals shock plans to leave TV as he reveals major career move
CELEBRITY chef Nick Nairn revealed he's swapped pans for pots — to plant and grow his own produce. The famous cook, who spent 30 years in showbiz, said he doesn't miss a TV career. 4 Nick Nairn is focusing on his gardening. Credit: Andrew Barr 4 He's taken a step back from TV work. Credit: Andrew Barr 4 The cook school has been training chefs for 25 years. Credit: Andrew Barr 4 The TV star teaches two classes a week. Credit: Andrew Barr And he admitted: 'If I never stood in front of a camera again, it wouldn't bother me.' Nick, who found fame on Ready, Steady Cook and Wild Harvest in the mid-90s, suffered a bitter blow when his Nairn's restaurant in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, closed last year. But as part of his lifestyle overhaul, he is now reinvesting in his famous cook school and ploughing his efforts into cultivating his own ingredients. Nick — who co-hosted The Great Food Guys with Dougie Vipond for four series until 2021 and often guested on pal James Martin's shows, including STV's Saturday Morning — says: 'When I was younger, I was ambitious. I liked the money. 'I liked the fame. I liked the whole lifestyle thing. But my whole philosophy has changed. I've been there and done it and honestly, if I never stood in front of a camera again, it wouldn't bother me. 'Because there's a huge amount of time travelling and hanging about with television. Don't get me wrong, I was very lucky. 'Filming's taken me all over the world to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada, and I've enjoyed it immensely, but I'm 66 now. I'm an old age pensioner. 'So now I do three days a week in my garden and two classes a week in my cook school and I absolutely love it.' Former merchant seaman Nick, from Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire, couldn't even boil an egg until he was 24. But he taught himself to cook on a four-ring electric stove before going into the hospitality trade in 1986. He earned his first coveted Michelin star in 1991, at the age of 31, making him the youngest Scots chef to be awarded the culinary accolade at the time. In 2000, he opened the Nick Nairn Cook School by the Lake of Menteith, which boomed when financial institutions started using it for team-building exercises. But his first major crisis struck with the credit crunch in 2008, as panic in the banking markets swept the globe. 'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments He recalls: 'We're fully booked for six months ahead, and the next minute the phone was going every five seconds with companies cancelling their bookings.' Unperturbed, Nick decided to branch out and open a second cook school in Aberdeen in 2012. He ploughed hundreds of thousands of pounds into the venture, later opening Nick's Pizza Bar in the Granite City, too. He says: 'Aberdeen was still very buoyant as oil and gas was doing really well. 'But opening the cook school was a lot of hard work and business was slow to start with. 'Then it really took off in 2013 and we had two amazing years where we were packed out seven days a week. 'Of course, in 2015 we had the oil price crash. Oil went from $110 to $28 a barrel overnight, and our businesses came to a shuddering halt.' But worse followed in 2017, when Nick was injured in a street attack by oil worker Scott Smith. Thug Smith was later fined £900 after admitting the assault, which left Nick with two black eyes and a bloody nose. He says: 'As well as getting assaulted by some drunk in the street, I then tripped in a hotel and broke my ankle and finger.' The chef decided to make a real go of the restaurant business, opening Nick's in Bridge of Allan in February 2020 — a month before Covid saw the entire world grind to a halt. Then, in August 2021, a faulty fryer caused a huge blaze in the packed restaurant, gutting the premises. Incredibly, no one was hurt. Nick, who lives with his third wife Julia, explains: 'One of the chefs screamed, 'Get out'. 'I think everybody thought it was a terrorist attack, so they jumped up and left their phones and coats. 'I was cooking in Port of Menteith so my wife headed off to Bridge of Allan. She could see a big plume of smoke from miles away — that was literally our business going up in smoke.' After a full refurbishment, Nick's reopened as Nairn's in July 2023. The whole sorry saga ended last year amid an alleged 'bitter row' with the restaurant's landlord. Amid the upheaval, Nick's Port of Menteith cook school had also flooded in 2021. So it's little wonder the chef is enjoying a quieter life. He is focusing on his beloved first cook school, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Nick, who also runs The Kailyard in Hilton's Dunblane Hydro, says: 'Everything has come full circle. I'd almost become a full-time telly chef and my work took me away from home a lot of the time. 'But Lake of Menteith is kind of like paradise. I have a big polytunnel covering 100 square metres and I have my raised beds outside and just love growing my own produce. 'We cook everything from scratch. I love it. TV got in the way of this before, but it won't again.' For more information on Nick Nairn's Cook School or restaurant, visit
