Latest news with #MilesBriggs
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Don't say 'detention'! SNP guidance for violent pupils branded 'green light for anarchy' by experts
SNP schools guidance for dealing with problem pupils makes no reference to 'detention' – after fears were raised that the word is too 'punitive'. In a move critics say is a 'green light for anarchy', it was also suggested that a 'time-out' for classroom thugs could 'conflict with a child's right to play'. Traditionally, detentions have been used to remove a disruptive child so that fellow pupils can get on with their work. But guidance on how to deal with them – published by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth in June – failed to mention the sanction once. Now, new meeting minutes show that education groups lobbied for the word not to be used, even suggesting that detentions should be scrapped entirely. Scotland's schools face a rising tide of violence, with figures last year suggesting one teacher is attacked every four minutes. And last night critics slammed the SNP's soft touch approach. Christopher McGovern of the Real Campaign for Education said: 'This is total madness. Most pupils are desperate to see bad behaviour punished. They know that their education and future depends on peace, order and stability. 'Banning detention is a green light for anarchy, bullying and a breakdown of order.' Meanwhile, Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'It's little wonder the SNP Government can't get a grip on the epidemic of classroom violence when they're stressing over how to sugarcoat a minor sanction.' A 49-page guide to 'fostering a positive, inclusive and safe school environment' was published by the Scottish Government last month after coming under mounting pressure over anti-social behaviour in schools. Teachers were told thugs should be given a 'quiet space' to 'self-regulate' their emotions – and only be kicked out of school as a last resort. One tip for teachers was to give problem pupils a 'laminated set of bullet points, for example, to remind and support them to step away, seek help and follow an agreed and rehearsed process'. The guidance also warns staff against discipline which makes pupils feel 'shame' and 'alienation'. At no point was detention mentioned. Minutes from two meetings of the government's Consequences Sub-Group now suggest the sanction of 'detention' was dismissed during the draft stages of the report. Feedback in February raised concerns that 'detention may conflict with a child's right to play and existing Education Scotland guidance'. Another session in March saw advisers suggest the Scottish Government 'avoid punitive language like detention'. A spokeswoman for teachers' union the EIS said: 'We need more than policy documents to make a difference, we need investment and more resources – including more teachers and support staff.' A Scottish Government spokesman last night insisted that 'a child's right to play does not prevent the use of consequences in relation to behaviour.' He added: 'This is made clear in the final Scottish Government guidance. The minutes of the meetings referred to record the wide-ranging comments, reflections and inputs of the sub-group.'
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Complaints about weeds in Edinburgh reach 10-year high
The number of complaints about weeds in Edinburgh have hit their highest level for more than a decade. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A freedom of information request submitted by Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs showed the city council received 636 requests to remove weeds in 2024. The last time there were more than 500 requests was in 2016. That year, there were 565 complaints about weeds. Otherwise, the numbers over the past 10 years varied between 483 in 2015 and a Covid low of 88 in 2020. In Balerno, community weeding has helped replace the use of glyphosate Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 2024 figure of 636 represented an increase of more than 200 per cent on the 2023 total, when there were only 200 requests for weeds to be removed. Mr Briggs said the council had suggested that a combination of factors such as the mild, wet weather and the reduced use of glyphosate weedkillers may be behind the increase. The council agreed in 2023 to a gradual, three-year phasing-out of herbicides containing glyphosate, which threatens bee colonies and has been linked to cases of cancer. Instead, it said it would use a combination of other methods to control weeds, including hot foam, pressurised hot water and mechanical sweeping. Scott Arthur, the transport and environment convener at the time, said there was 'growing pressure' to reduce glyphosate use from residents across the city who were concerned about its potential environmental and health impacts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some parts of Edinburgh are already glyphosate-free. Residents in Balerno campaigned against the use of chemical weedkillers and now there is community weeding organised by the Pesticide Free Balerno group and increased mechanical sweeping. Mr Briggs said he had been disappointed to see more weeds in Edinburgh as he was out and about this summer. 'My research has confirmed that this has indeed become a bigger problem over the last few years.' And he continued: 'As glyphosate is phased out of use, councillors must find new ways to keep weeds under control. 'With rising vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh, it is vital that the council stays on top of this situation so that Edinburgh does not lose its reputation as a beautiful city to live in and visit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I am grateful to our Conservative councillors for securing additional funding for the excellent 'Pride in our City' project, which has been cleaning up our streets for the past year and will no doubt help mitigate against this increase in weeds.' Current transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said: 'We've significantly reduced our reliance on glyphosate-based herbicides, opting instead for more environmentally friendly weed control methods like deep street cleansing, mulching, strimming, and manual hoeing. 'However, the recent mix of sunshine and rain has created ideal growing conditions for greenery which means some areas may appear more overgrown than usual. If residents notice an area that needs attention, I'd encourage them to report it through the Council website so we can respond appropriately.'
Edinburgh Reporter
17-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Prevalence of disposable vapes in Edinburgh risks creating a ‘black market' MSP warns
The prevalence of disposable vapes in Edinburgh risks creating a 'black market' in the Capital, an MSP has warned. The comments follow a Local Democracy Reporting Service investigation which found shops across Edinburgh were still selling disposable vapes over a month after they were banned. And a leading health charity has called their widespread availability across the city 'disappointing'. Edinburgh Council has insisted it is enforcing the disposable vapes ban, and added it was currently seeking two banning orders for traders who have flouted the law. The city's trading standards team are currently investigating evidence passed on by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Miles Briggs, a list MSP for Lothian region, said: 'It is very concerning that the ban on disposable vapes is not being enforced properly in Edinburgh. 'The effects of these devices on people's health and the environment are serious, and shopkeepers who do not accept this must be held to account. 'Police must work with local businesses to ensure that this new law is followed, and all disposable vapes are removed from shelves immediately. 'We cannot allow a black market to develop in our city.' Lothians Green MSP Lorna Slater said: 'Disposable vapes are a scourge on our environment. Before the ban 5 million were being thrown away every week in the UK, littering our streets, parks, rivers and beaches. 'Shops have had plenty of time to adjust their inventories. There's simply no excuse to still be selling these illegal products. It shows a clear lack of respect for the law and their local community. 'The penalties for breaking this law can be steep. Now it's up to the Scottish Government to ensure enforcement teams are properly funded and equipped to crack down on those who are putting personal profit ahead of our environment and young people's health.' And Councillor Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, the Green group co-leader, said: 'Disposables vapes are an environmental nightmare, and Greens firmly supported banning them. 'They create litter and reinforce the throwaway culture while having questionable health benefits so it's right we should see the back of them. 'However a ban is useless unless it is enforced, and the Local Democracy Reporting Service's investigation into this problem shows that enforcement in Edinburgh is practically non-existent. 'Unfortunately after years of austerity in local authority budgets, trading standards departments are under severe pressure, which may account for why so many stores in Edinburgh are apparently flouting the ban. 'But the Labour administration in Edinburgh need to get a grip on this problem and ensure resources are in place to ensure the ban is properly enforced. ' Our undercover investigation saw us purchase disposable vapes at seven shops in Edinburgh, with most of them displaying the vapes openly. At one, we saw none on the shelves, but we asked a shopkeeper if he had any anyways – he obliged, placing ten on the counter for us to pick one. He told us: 'The only difference is the battery. But people still want these, they like the taste I think.' The same shopkeeper later denied selling us a disposable vape, and said the store did not stock any. Phil Doggart, a Conservative councillor for Liberton/Gilmerton ward, said: 'Any new legislation that introduces a ban or something, or restrictions on something, is only ever going to be as good as the enforcement around it. 'Not for the first time, the Scottish Government introduced something, and placed a responsibility on local authorities to deliver. 'From that perspective, if enforcement officers are unable to do anything around enforcing the vape ban, then it's not going to work. It's pointless legislation.' Cllr Doggart also noted that his party had won an additional £500,000 for trading standards enforcement in this year's budget. But he reiterated that placing extra responsibilities on local authorities without adding extra funding was bound to fail. The Scottish Government has set aside a £300,000 fund to enforce the ban, but to date none of it has been distributed to local authorities. Cosla and the government are currently in talks to determine how the funding will be distributed to Scotland's 32 local authorities. ASH Scotland, a health charity, called our investigation's findings 'deeply disappointing'. Sheila Duffy, the charity's chief executive, said: 'ASH Scotland welcomed the ban of cheap disposable e-cigarettes, which are still the starter recreational nicotine product for most youngsters. 'It is a vital first step towards reversing the alarming upsurge of children vaping in Scotland during the last few years. 'It is deeply disappointing that some retailers have not been adhering to these new regulations, which came into effect at the start of June. 'It is vital that trading standards teams are supplied with sufficient funding to effectively enforce the new regulations as a matter of urgency to protect public health and the environment.' She also said that the charity wanted to see quicker progress at Westminster over a proposed ban on flavoured vapes. A committee report from trading standards officers, presented to councillors in May, said that the service needed more funding to enforce the ban without degrading other enforcement activities. A Council spokesperson said: 'Whilst the committee report highlighted pressures on the service, it clearly outlined the success of the teams in terms of seizures of illegal vapes. 'Recently, the Council has been in court enforcing the legislation by seeking two banning orders for traders who have flouted the law. All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated with action if required.' In many shops we visited, shopkeepers acknowledged the vapes were illegal, saying that they were trying to eliminate stock and make up for the fact that refill pods are not yet widespread. However, in some, people working the tills seemed to be confused by the ban. At one store, a shopkeeper appeared to legitimately believe that the vape we bought there was disposable. A different worker at the same store believed the same thing when we came back a couple days later, saying they had got the disposable units in two weeks prior. Many companies have brought in reusable vapes which have the same design and flavours of their old disposable ones, at a similar price point. Even where refill pods are available, they are often priced at a similar level to a new reusable vape. Some vape users have continued buying a new reusable vape, which comes with a refill pod already in the unit, and then throwing it away after it is consumed. The ban was brought in to help fight littering and improve public health, with the Scottish ban part of a nationwide effort. The legislation, and punishments, for breaching the ban differ in each of the four nations, but it came into effect in all of them on 1 June. Retailers had many months' notice to clear out existing stock ahead of the ban starting, with Scotland's ban delayed by two months to line up with the rest of the UK. In Scotland, retailers can be fined £200 for the first offence, with repeat offences drawing a higher sum. The maximum penalty is a criminal prosecution, with fines up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Availability of disposable vapes in Edinburgh risks creating 'black market' says MSP
An MSP has warned that the widespread availability of disposable vapes in the Scottish capital risks creating a 'black market'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The prevalence of disposable vapes in Edinburgh risks creating a 'black market' in the Capital, an MSP has warned. The comments follow a Local Democracy Reporting Service investigation which found shops across Edinburgh were still selling disposable vapes over a month after they were banned. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And a leading health charity has called their widespread availability across the city 'disappointing'. Edinburgh council has insisted it is enforcing the disposable vapes ban, and added it was currently seeking two banning orders for traders who have flouted the law. Local democracy reporter Joe Sullivan with the illegal vapes he was able to purchase from several Edinburgh shops. | LDR The city's trading standards team are currently investigating evidence passed on by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Miles Briggs, a list MSP for Lothian region, said: 'It is very concerning that the ban on disposable vapes is not being enforced properly in Edinburgh. The effects of these devices on people's health and the environment are serious, and shopkeepers who do not accept this must be held to account. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Police must work with local businesses to ensure that this new law is followed, and all disposable vapes are removed from shelves immediately. We cannot allow a black market to develop in our city.' Lothians Green MSP Lorna Slater said: 'Disposable vapes are a scourge on our environment. Before the ban 5 million were being thrown away every week in the UK, littering our streets, parks, rivers and beaches. 'Shops have had plenty of time to adjust their inventories. There's simply no excuse to still be selling these illegal products. It shows a clear lack of respect for the law and their local community. The illegal vapes which were purchased at Edinburgh shops despite being banned since June 1. | LDR 'The penalties for breaking this law can be steep. Now it's up to the Scottish Government to ensure enforcement teams are properly funded and equipped to crack down on those who are putting personal profit ahead of our environment and young people's health.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And Councillor Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, the Green group co-leader, said: 'Disposables vapes are an environmental nightmare, and Greens firmly supported banning them. 'They create litter and reinforce the throwaway culture while having questionable health benefits so it's right we should see the back of them. 'However a ban is useless unless it is enforced, and the Local Democracy Reporting Service's investigation into this problem shows that enforcement in Edinburgh is practically non-existent. 'Unfortunately after years of austerity in local authority budgets, trading standards departments are under severe pressure, which may account for why so many stores in Edinburgh are apparently flouting the ban. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But the Labour administration in Edinburgh need to get a grip on this problem and ensure resources are in place to ensure the ban is properly enforced. ' Our undercover investigation saw us purchase disposable vapes at seven shops in Edinburgh, with most of them displaying the vapes openly. At one, we saw none on the shelves, but we asked a shopkeeper if he had any. He obliged, placing ten on the counter for us to pick one. He told us: 'The only difference is the battery. But people still want these, they like the taste I think.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The same shopkeeper later denied selling us a disposable vape, and said the store did not stock any. Phil Doggart, a Conservative councillor for Liberton/Gilmerton ward, said: 'Any new legislation that introduces a ban or something, or restrictions on something, is only ever going to be as good as the enforcement around it. 'Not for the first time, the Scottish Government introduced something, and placed a responsibility on local authorities to deliver. 'From that perspective, if enforcement officers are unable to do anything around enforcing the vape ban, then it's not going to work. It's pointless legislation.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Doggart also noted that his party had won an additional £500,000 for trading standards enforcement in this year's budget. But he reiterated that placing extra responsibilities on local authorities without adding extra funding was bound to fail. The Scottish Government has set aside a £300,000 fund to enforce the ban, but to date none of it has been distributed to local authorities. Cosla and the government are currently in talks to determine how the funding will be distributed to Scotland's 32 local authorities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ASH Scotland, a health charity, called our investigation's findings 'deeply disappointing'. Sheila Duffy, the charity's chief executive, said: 'ASH Scotland welcomed the ban of cheap disposable e-cigarettes, which are still the starter recreational nicotine product for most youngsters. 'It is a vital first step towards reversing the alarming upsurge of children vaping in Scotland during the last few years. 'It is deeply disappointing that some retailers have not been adhering to these new regulations, which came into effect at the start of June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is vital that trading standards teams are supplied with sufficient funding to effectively enforce the new regulations as a matter of urgency to protect public health and the environment.' She also said that the charity wanted to see quicker progress at Westminster over a proposed ban on flavoured vapes. A committee report from trading standards officers, presented to councillors in May, said that the service needed more funding to enforce the ban without degrading other enforcement activities. A Council spokesperson said: 'Whilst the committee report highlighted pressures on the service, it clearly outlined the success of the teams in terms of seizures of illegal vapes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Recently, the Council has been in court enforcing the legislation by seeking two banning orders for traders who have flouted the law. All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated with action if required.' In many shops we visited, shopkeepers acknowledged the vapes were illegal, saying that they were trying to eliminate stock and make up for the fact that refill pods are not yet widespread. However, in some, people working the tills seemed to be confused by the ban. At one store, a shopkeeper appeared to legitimately believe that the vape we bought there was disposable. A different worker at the same store believed the same thing when we came back a couple days later, saying they had got the disposable units in two weeks prior. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Many companies have brought in reusable vapes which have the same design and flavours of their old disposable ones, at a similar price point. Even where refill pods are available, they are often priced at a similar level to a new reusable vape. Some vape users have continued buying a new reusable vape, which comes with a refill pod already in the unit, and then throwing it away after it is consumed. The ban was brought in to help fight littering and improve public health, with the Scottish ban part of a nationwide effort. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The legislation, and punishments, for breaching the ban differ in each of the four nations, but it came into effect in all of them on 1 June. Retailers had many months' notice to clear out existing stock ahead of the ban starting, with Scotland's ban delayed by two months to line up with the rest of the UK. In Scotland, retailers can be fined £200 for the first offence, with repeat offences drawing a higher sum. The maximum penalty is a criminal prosecution, with fines up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison.
Edinburgh Reporter
14-07-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Stafford Centre – still facing massive cuts to funding
As The Stafford Centre on Broughton Street faces cuts of their core funding, Miles Briggs, MSP, visited the centre which provides mental health care. The home of Change Mental Health is just one of those third sector bodies which is threatened with a massive cut in funding by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB). Along with others affected Mr Briggs warned earlier this year that the cuts, proposed to save £60m+ by the EIJB, could make Edinburgh the only city in Western Europe without third sector community mental health provision. The MSP has written to both the Chief Officer of the EIJB and the First Minister, as well as raising the issue in parliament on several occasions. Last month Miles Briggs attended a public meeting hosted by the Thrive Collective to discuss the impact of the cuts with providers and users of mental health services. The Thrive Collective provides community mental health services through charities such asChange Mental Health. Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, has strongly criticised the approach taken by the EIJB, highlighting the flaws in both the economic and clinical rationale behind the cuts. The City of Edinburgh Council announced £3 million of emergency funding in May for third sector services facing cuts. Change Mental Health did not feature on the list of 46 organisations which will receive this support. Mr Briggs has previously said that the funding formula used to allocate money to NHS boards, NRAC, was not fair to the Lothian region. NHS Lothian has consistently received less funding each year than population growth would require, according to the government's own funding formula (NRAC). He pointed out that the shortfall for 2024/25 is more than £10m, exacerbating a £150m shortfall over the last ten years. Lothian has the fastest growing population in Scotland, currently circa 916,000, and will represent 84% of Scotland's predicted population growth over the period to 2033. However, its funding remains at -0.6% below NRAC parity. Miles Briggs said: 'I'd like to thank the Change Mental Health team for inviting me to the Stafford Centre. It was fantastic to meet all the staff and chat to some of the users of this amazing service. 'This space means a lot to the people who come here. I share their concern that the support available here could be taken away from them by the proposed cuts to Edinburgh's third sector. 'These cuts have significantly distressed some of the most vulnerable people in our city and, if taken forward, could result in Edinburgh being one of the only western European cities without third-sector community mental health provision. That would be totally unacceptable. 'I have repeatedly asked the SNP and the EIJB to rethink their strategy, and I urge the First Minister to engage with my request for cross party communication on this matter.' The EIJB meets in August under its new Chair Cllr Tim Pogson. The decision about cuts was postponed at the last meeting under previous chair Katarina Kasper. Our video below was filmed at the public meeting on 26 May when it was still believed the EIJB would decide what to do on 17 June. Like this: Like Related
