Latest news with #ScottishWater
Daily Record
18 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Loch Lomond water safety event to be held to mark World Drowning Prevention Day
Loch Lomond Shores will this week host a free water safety event to mark World Drowning Prevention Day. A free water safety event is to be staged at Loch Lomond to mark World Drowning Prevention Day. It's hoped that the water safety event will raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention. It takes place at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, on Friday, July 25. The event will be run by Water Safety Scotland and supported by Scottish Water, RoSPA, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, The Darcey Sunshine Foundation, Police Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, and SSE Renewables. The free, fun-filled, family friendly day is open to all and offers a broad range of interactive and educational activities. Now in its fourth year, the event comes as new figures show there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland in 2024. Water Safety Scotland is warning that continued vigilance is essential. Those attending will have the opportunity to learn life-saving tips through the Water Safety Code, watch live rescue demonstrations by SFRS and the Scottish Newfoundland Club rescue dogs, try out paddleboarding and canoeing taster sessions with Paddle Scotland and CAG Adventures and visit a range of interactive safety and information stands. It comes weeks after a man died after getting in to difficulty in Loch Lomond earlier this month. The 50-year-old got into difficulty near Ardvorlich. Members of the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat (LLRB) were called by the Scottish Ambulance Service to aid in what was described as a 'serious incident' occurring on a beach situated between Inveruglas and Ardlui. The man was subsequently transported to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where he sadly died the following day. Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: 'Every life lost to drowning is one too many. Events like World Drowning Prevention Day are vital in spreading awareness and equipping people with the knowledge they need to stay safe around water. Our focus remains on promoting the Water Safety Code in a fun, engaging, and educational way.' The event will run from 11am to 4pm and is open to all ages with families, school kids and community groups especially encouraged to attend. Gordon Watson, Chief Executive at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said: 'Alongside our partner agencies, we welcome the reduction in water-related deaths in 2024, but we cannot overstate the importance of continued vigilance, especially as the weather improves over the summer months. "Even on the warmest days, rivers and lochs in the National Park remain cold enough to trigger Cold Water Shock, and hidden hazards and unexpected depths can catch out even strong swimmers. 'That's why planning ahead is so important and why we're so pleased to welcome World Drowning Prevention Day event back to the National Park this summer, reflecting our year-round partnership with Water Safety Scotland to deliver a consistent, collaborative approach to policy and public engagement. "We look forward to speaking with members of the public on the day about the importance of following the Loch Lomond Byelaws and Water Safety Code - offering advice and support on how these measures are there to help prevent accidents before they happen. 'We want everyone to respect the water and enjoy the National Park this summer, but do it safely: respect the byelaws, follow the simple, life‑saving advice (Float to live), and look out for one another.' Community Safety Minister, Siobhian Brown added: 'With the warmer summer weather I understand the appeal of our seas, lochs and rivers which is why water safety is vital and events like Water Safety Scotland's Water Safety Open Day are an important way of raising awareness of the dangers of our waterways, how to enjoy them safely and what to do in an emergency. 'Our Water Safety Action Plan includes a range of key steps agreed with partners, to further mitigate risks including better signage, lesson plans for pupils and improved training. I encourage everyone to know and follow the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers, Stay Together, Stay Close and call 999 in an emergency. 'My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those affected by the recent water-related tragedies.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant during the summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'We're delighted to be involved in this event again this year, it provides a valuable opportunity for us to have water-safety conversations with people to build the vital knowledge and skills to help people stay safer in, on and around water.' 'With Scotland's abundance of coastlines, lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it's absolutely vital that everyone has the opportunity to learn basic water safety skills.'
The National
an hour ago
- Politics
- The National
Labour are creating uncertainty and acting against democratic freedom
Firstly, those charged with offences under that law are immediately subject to a judicial system compromised and discredited by those individualistic interpretations from arresting officers – onwards and upwards. Secondly, as the number of people charged with offences under interpretations of that law increases, the unclear 'catch-all' nature of the law becomes more firmly established; random arrests and charges are more firmly associated with individual enforcement officers; and outcomes are subject to further interpretations by the various courts. READ MORE: Daily Express front page piles pressure on Labour to act on Gaza Thirdly, in consequence, general fear of such a law, the uncertainty of how it will be enforced in any particular situation, destroys trust between civilians and law-enforcement officers. Fourthly, also in consequence, law-enforcement officers are burdened with the grotesque responsibility of unravelling such a bad law, often to the level of semantics, in each situation. Fifthly, since stable democracy and social cohesion are both absolutely dependent on governance by consent of the electorate, and since the dangers from unclear legislation are well-known and understood throughout the world, to proceed – as the current Westminster government has just done – to impose a dangerously vague and wide-ranging law against protesters campaigning against genocide and war criminals is a very frightening act against UK democracy. Therefore, I believe this current Labour administration should face an urgent, exceptional, vote of no-confidence within Westminster. This is because it is creating widespread fear and uncertainty; it is acting against democratic freedom within the United Kingdom, against the basic assumptions of rights within the UK constitution and endangering social and political stability – especially government by consent. Each Member of Parliament and each political party will be judged, sooner than later, on how they dealt with their awful responsibilities at this time. A General Election is urgently needed. Frances McKie Evanton, Ross-shire AS if it wasn't bad enough that the Labour Party is effectively running down Scotland economically by focusing tens of billions of pounds of UK Government investment in carbon capture and storage projects, steel-making and oil-refining in England, and by maintaining a disadvantageous energy pricing mechanism (in spite of zonal pricing proposals from Octopus Energy and Scotland's considerable contribution to the UK's renewable energy supply), Labour are now talking down Scottish Water. On Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Labour's [[UK Government]] Environment Secretary, London MP Steve Reed, stated of [[Scottish Water]] that 'their nationalised pollution in rivers in Scotland is worse than in England'. Unsurprisingly this grossly misleading statement went unchallenged by the BBC host. READ MORE: Gillian Martin: Steve Reed is leading a campaign of disinformation on Scottish water The facts are that the Scottish [[Environment]] Protection Agency reports that 87% of Scotland's rivers are in good health (as stated by Stephen Flynn on the Kuenssberg show) while only 15% of England's rivers are rated at that level, with The Rivers Trust reporting that not a single waterway in England is in overall good health. It is of course understood that with England being more densely populated there is a greater level of monitoring in England, but most sensible people would rather be taking a shower, never mind drinking the water, in Glasgow or Edinburgh, rather than in London. Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian REGARDING your piece on high-value assets being sold to keep local government afloat, this is not new (Council sell hundreds of public assets as they feel pinch from constrained budgets, Jul 13). All that started big time in the 80s and before, lest we forget – and it seems we have. We need major reform of local government with a local income tax to suit regional/local economies, with policies and service delivery to suit, instead of centralised policy and service delivery, where the centre should be oversight and enforcement. READ MORE: Scottish community-owned island announces boycott of Israel So what are the SNP waiting for? Better weather? Get in with it, before the local elections in 2027. Halve the number of councillors, and pay them a full-time wage of £45k with no outside business interests (if so, to be put in trust until and unless unelected.) Community councils, again with half the members, can be given funding or the ability to raise funding, paid a stipend of £5k per annum or a percentage of local income tax depending on population. Yes, in many ways back to pre-1974/75, but it worked, and worked much better. Local responsibility, local accountability – this is the road to a much improved democracy and interest in it. James J Paton SAAT – Shetland Autonomy Action Team
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
Take the high road from West Lothian and try paddleboarding and canoeing at Loch Lomond
Water Safety Scotland is hosting the fourth World Drowning Prevention Day event Residents from across West Lothian are being encouraged to pack their swimwear and take the high road to Loch Lomond to enjoy a host of free water activities and demonstrations this Friday. Water Safety Scotland is hosting the fourth World Drowning Prevention Day event at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch on July 25. The annual water safety event is supported by Scottish Water, RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, The Darcey Sunshine Foundation, Police Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, and SSE Renewables. The free, fun-filled, family friendly day is open to all and aims to raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention across Scotland with a broad range of interactive and educational activities, including swimming safely outdoors. The fourth annual event comes as new figures show there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland in 2024, with Water Safety Scotland warning that continued vigilance is essential. Attendees will have the opportunity to: Learn life-saving tips through the Water Safety Code Watch live rescue demonstrations by SFRS and the Scottish Newfoundland Club rescue dogs Try out paddleboarding and canoeing taster sessions with Paddle Scotland and CAG Adventures Visit a range of interactive safety and information stands Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: 'Every life lost to drowning is one too many. Events like World Drowning Prevention Day are vital in spreading awareness and equipping people with the knowledge they need to stay safe around water. Our focus remains on promoting the Water Safety Code in a fun, engaging, and educational way.' Scotland's Community Safety Minister, Siobhian Brown MSP, said: 'With the warmer summer weather I understand the appeal of our seas, lochs and rivers which is why water safety is vital and events like Water Safety Scotland's Water Safety Open Day are an important way of raising awareness of the dangers of our waterways, how to enjoy them safely and what to do in an emergency. 'Our Water Safety Action Plan includes a range of key steps agreed with partners, to further mitigate risks including better signage, lesson plans for pupils and improved training. I encourage everyone to know and follow the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers, Stay Together, Stay Close and call 999 in an emergency. 'My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those affected by the recent water-related tragedies.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant during the summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'We're delighted to be involved in this event again this year, it provides a valuable opportunity for us to have water-safety conversations with people to build the vital knowledge and skills to help people stay safer in, on and around water.' 'With Scotland's abundance of coastlines, lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it's absolutely vital that everyone has the opportunity to learn basic water safety skills.' The event will run from 11am to 4pm and is open to all ages with families, school kids and community groups especially encouraged to attend.
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Steve Reed is leading a campaign of disinformation on Scottish water
I'm proud to live in a country with a publicly-owned water company that is demonstrably delivering for the people who live here. Our water is cheaper – we pay much less for our water than people in England and Wales. And our water is cleaner – 87% is judged to be either 'high' or 'good' quality by our environmental regulator, Sepa. READ MORE: Broadcast watchdog called in over Labour's 'misleading' Scottish water claim Any profit that Scottish Water makes off our bills is invested in making improvements to its infrastructure – rather than lining the pockets of shareholders. The benefits of Scotland's approach were outlined this week in the Independent Water Commission's recent report into the water industry in England and Wales. It gave special mention to the way we manage our water sector – specifically highlighting the way the Scottish Government works as good practice. The report also draws attention to our long-term vision, the ongoing flexibility in our investment programme, our approach to sharing costs across generations and our ethical-based regulation model – which ensures we deliver the best outcomes possible for the public. But you wouldn't have heard of this if you listened to the UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed talking about it. Instead, he has taken to the airwaves with a campaign of disinformation about Scotland, designed to undermine the idea of public ownership of water. You might expect this from a Tory politician, but the last time I checked, this UK Government was meant to be a Labour government. Mr Reed's repeated assertion that pollution in Scotland's rivers is worse than England is simply wrong. The independent report commissioned by his own department clearly shows that is not the case, noting that 66% of Scotland's water bodies are of good ecological status as compared with 16.1% in England. Even allowing for differences in the timeframe for those figures, it is clear that Scotland has far higher water quality. Much of the improvement is due to significant investment in the water industry and efforts made by Sepa to address pollution from other sources In fact, we take the issue of pollution so seriously that we have already committed up to £500 million to further improve water quality, specifically to increase monitoring of the highest priority waters and tackle debris and spills. While companies in Labour-run England aren't delivering for anybody except shareholders, Scottish Water has been labelled the UK's top-performing water company and as the most trusted utility in the UK according to the Customer Service Institute. READ MORE: SNP minister calls on UK counterpart to retract 'misleading' Scottish water comments There is much we have to be proud of when it comes to our water. There is also a lot that others can learn from the Scottish Government's approach to managing the sector. However, we are not complacent. Like the rest of the UK, Scotland shares pressures relating to ageing assets and climate change and we will need to do more and more to manage this. But if we're going to make progress and deliver the best outcome for households and businesses, that has to start with an understanding of the facts. So we'll leave Labour to explain to people in England and Wales why they can't have what people have in SNP-run Scotland – and we'll get on with ensuring that our natural resources truly benefit the people of Scotland.
The National
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Water hits back at UK minister Steve Reed's pollution claim
Labour's Environment Secretary Steve Reed said in a Channel 4 interview last night that pollution levels in Scotland are 'worse than they are in England'. In response, Scotland's Climate Secretary Gillian Martin has written a letter hitting out at the 'misleading' comments and saying it is "clear that Scotland has a higher performance". But now, Scottish Water – the publicly owned utility company that provides water and wastewater services in Scotland – has also responded to Reed's comments. "Scottish Water is the UK's top performing water company and most trusted utility in the UK according to the Customer Service Institute,' a spokesperson told The National. READ MORE: 'Twinned with Epstein Island' sign put up at Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course "In addition to producing world-class drinking water, the independent regulator, Sepa, says 87% of water bodies in Scotland are either good or excellent, the highest proportion ever.' They added: "The Cunliffe Report also makes clear that 'Scotland has a greater number of water bodies achieving 'good' status compared to England and Wales'" The final report from the Independent Water Commission led by Sir Jon Cunliffe was published this week. It found that 66% of Scotland's water bodies are of good ecological status compared with 16.1% in England and 29.9% in Wales. Although, the report does note that this is, in part, due to Scotland having a much lower population density.
