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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Construction work progressing well at high school in West Lothian with problematic aerated concrete
The project is on track for completion in Spring 2026 Work on a major construction project at a West Lothian high school is progressing well. A new wing is currently being built at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn following issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). The project to re-build a significant proportion of the school is on track for completion in Spring 2026, after over two-thirds of the school had to be demolished due to RAAC. A recent meeting of Council Executive received an update on the project, with the steel frame, concrete floors, and staircases now in place to mark a significant milestone. Contractor Heron Bros is undertaking the construction work on behalf of the council and development partner, Hub South East. Discussions are ongoing with the Scottish Government over support to fund the works at St. Kentigern's. The school's Pupil Voice group has been actively involved in visiting the construction site for updates and sharing them with the wider school community. Executive councillor for education Andrew McGuire said: 'It's great to hear how much progress has been made in re-building a significant part of St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn. 'St Kentigern's is a large secondary school that provides education to many young people from towns and villages in the west of West Lothian. 'We can now look forward to the new building at St Kentigern's being open in 2026, which will deliver huge benefits for pupils and staff. 'Thanks to everyone at the school and those involved in the project for their hard work to ensure a major construction project can be delivered quickly with minimal impact on education.' The new building will feature a reception area, spacious canteen and dining area, a four-court games hall, dance studio, fitness suite, and a changing village. Additional facilities will include a performance area, a range of learning spaces, a café and nurture rooms, all designed to enhance the learning environment for the young people who attend the school. The work has been ongoing while the school is operational, with every effort made to keep disruption to a minimum for a project of its scale. A temporary Learning Village has been put in place to support learning, with some PE lessons and SQA exams the only activities requiring additional space off-site.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Poorest areas in West Lothian being hit hardest by cost of living crisis as debts rise
Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. The cost of living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances - 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth - 20% - of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% - but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost of living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. ' One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. ' We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years - even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages - a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian households sandbagged by debts
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances – 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth – 20% – of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% – but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost-of-living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. 'One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. 'We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years – even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages – a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email [email protected] By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Poorest areas in West Lothian being hit hardest by cost of living crisis as debts rise
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The cost of living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances - 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth - 20% - of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% - but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost of living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. ' One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. " This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. ' We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years - even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages - a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email
STV News
12-05-2025
- STV News
Criminal investigation launched into cyber attack on schools
School staff and pupils have been thanked for their patience, as an investigation into a suspected ransomware attack at West Lothian schools continues The council's education executive councillor also paid tribute to IT staff for their prompt response to the incident. A criminal investigation into a suspected ransomware attack on West Lothian schools is ongoing. The council was alerted to the cyber attack on Tuesday afternoon. Schools across the county were able to continue to operate after contingency plans were introduced. Councillor Andrew McGuire, who chairs the education executive told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'As we have seen from major high street retailers in recent weeks, cyber attacks are happening with increasing frequency and can cause havoc to organisations in a world now dominated by computers. 'Our dedicated IT staff are working tirelessly to resolve the issues and to get the education IT network back on track. 'I want to thank all the staff and students in schools for their patience over the last few days in what I'm sure is a very unsettling time and would encourage everyone to remain vigilant about cyber attacks.' A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We are continuing to work to mitigate the impact of a suspected criminal ransomware cyber attack on our education network. 'This remains a live criminal investigation, and we are working with all relevant external agencies, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. 'There is no evidence that the council's corporate and public access networks are affected, or that any personal or sensitive data has been accessed. 'The education network remains isolated from the rest of the council's networks, while our IT Services team and external organisations and agencies investigate the issue and work to restore systems. 'We are very grateful for all the support we have received from various organisations and agencies during this challenging time. 'The council's contingency plans are operating effectively to ensure that our schools continue to deliver education with minimal impact on pupils, including SQA exams.' Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents someone from accessing a device and the data stored on it, usually by encrypting files. Criminal groups will demand a ransom in exchange for decryption. In recent weeks both the Co-op and Marks and Spencer have seen trade disrupted after hackers broke into their IT causing shortages in stores and stalling online ordering. West Lothian has 13 secondary schools, 69 primary schools, and 61 nurseries Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
