Latest news with #SueWebber
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Possibilities boggle the mind
The £20 million investment at Riccarton Campus is essential as universities are under so much financial pressure, says Sue Webber Marks & Spencer estimate the cyber-attack first reported in April will cost it over £300 million in lost profit and the disruption to its services could last into next month. 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... It goes without saying that other companies, particularly those reliant on online sales, will be nervously hoping their digital security is more robust than M&S, which at least has the fallback of traditional over-the-counter high street retailing. These are not victimless crimes, and at an estimated cost of £27 billion annually in the UK alone, cybercrime means higher prices for customers, so it was good to visit Heriot Watt University last week to hear about the work they are doing to develop an ultra-secure 'quantum internet' of the future. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Heriot Watt's Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub is leading a network of five hubs in a £160m UK Government project which hopes to develop secure communications and an unhackable internet using subatomic particles. It's at the forefront of scientific research and the possibilities certainly boggled my mind. But at a more basic level, the £20m of corporate investment at the Riccarton Campus is essential as universities are under so much financial pressure because the funding they receive from the Scottish Government is not enough to maintain and grow their reputations in a fiercely competitive international market for academic research. But what's also important is that a major Edinburgh institution is at the heart of a technological revolution which is only just starting and can provide hundreds of well-paid jobs of the future. Sue Webber is a Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching TRACK ON Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026. Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three. Advertisement 3 Lumo plans to launch a train service from Stirling to London Credit: Alamy 3 Lumo trains are all-electric Credit: Alamy The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert. Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Advertisement The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow. Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services. "We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK." Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector. Advertisement "And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032." According to the BBC, there are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness and the Caledonian Sleeper. Iconic steam train Tornado delights crowds as it powers through Cornwall on rail tour The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express. Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a cheap train route from London to the North West. Advertisement A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester. If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years. What are Lumo trains like? LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021. At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90. The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair". The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating. Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027. Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Edinburgh and London is expected to be quicker than taking a flight. Advertisement Also, the UK's largest train station once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons. Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026. Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three. Advertisement 3 Lumo plans to launch a train service from Stirling to London Credit: Alamy 3 Lumo trains are all-electric Credit: Alamy The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert. Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell , Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Advertisement Read more on train journeys The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow. Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services. "We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK." Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector. Advertisement Most read in News Travel "And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032." According to the Iconic steam train Tornado delights crowds as it powers through Cornwall on rail tour The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express. Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a Advertisement A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester. If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years. What are Lumo trains like? LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021. At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90. The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair". The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating. Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027. Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Advertisement Also, the Plus, the 3 The new route could launch as early as spring 2026 Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Fast track crackdown on train louts ordered before end of ScotRail's ban on booze
NATS chiefs were last night urged to give railway staff the resources to stop 'spiralling' anti-social behaviour on trains ahead of the end of ScotRail's ban on booze. SNP ministers were blasted for thousands of cases of vandalism and anti-social behaviour on rail services which sees commuters face at least two incidents a day by thuggish passengers. 1 There have been more than 2,300 incidents on ScotRail trains since the operator was nationalised in April 2022 Credit: Alamy The figures from ScotRail show there were more than 2,300 incidents since the rail operator was brought into public ownership by the SNP in April 2022. And John Swinney was faced with the reality at Hamilton Central station where shelters were daubed with graffiti, which included possible references to Celtic's Green Brigade and Rangers' Union Bear ultras groups. Last night, the Scottish Tories urged more cash for the service to help tackle the imminent end of the alcohol ban, which they said could send the number of anti-social behaviour incidents spiralling. The party's transport spokeswoman, Sue Webber, said: 'These figures are deeply concerning and more proof that the SNP's botched nationalisation of ScotRail is continuing to deliver a poor experience for passengers. 'While it was common sense to finally lift ScotRail's unworkable booze ban, passengers will expect the impact on anti-social behaviour to be monitored. 'SNP ministers can no longer be asleep at the wheel. They must give ScotRail staff and our police the resources they need to crack down on those who misbehave to stop incidents spiralling out of control.' Official figures state there were 2,310 anti-social behaviour incidents reported on ScotRail since nationalisation in April 2022. This includes 715 incidents in 2022/23, 889 in 2023/24, and 706 in 2024/25. ScotRail placed the 'temporary' ban on booze on board in late 2020 as part of its anti-Covid safety measures. But John Swinney announced earlier this month the rules would be relaxed after years of it being flouted by travellers. Woman 'covered in blood' after fight in ScotRail train full of rugby fans From June 2, passengers will be able to drink again on ScotRail trains between 10am and 9pm. A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'The Scottish Government has worked collaboratively with ScotRail and British Transport Police to develop strengthened measures to tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour and maximise safety for all passengers and staff, particularly unacceptable behaviour targeted at women and girls.' Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: 'Anti-social behaviour has no place on Scotland's Railway. We continue to work with British Transport Police to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour and would ask our customers to report anything they witness to BTP.' British Transport Police was contacted for comment.
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Illegal use of e-bikes becoming a scourge
The good news from my regular catch-up with police in South West Edinburgh this week was that around ten illegal souped-up e-bikes have been seized in the past fortnight. 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 bad news is it's a drop in the ocean, when both the illegal use of e-bikes and the criminal use of legal motocross and quad bikes is becoming a scourge. Some youths are using illegal souped-up e-bikes A friend witnessed five black-clad youths without helmets on off-road bikes doing wheelies through Bruntsfield last week, riding abreast across the width of the road and probably on their way to terrorise people enjoying the sun on the Meadows, where the chances of being caught are next to zero. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anti-social behaviour and gang-related violence are becoming unacceptably frequent in Edinburgh. From youths abusing their free passes with threatening behaviour on buses, disorder around Bonfire Night, extreme aggression on Portobello Beach, to off-road bikes tearing up parkland – not to mention the shootings and fire-bombing associated with drug feuds – police are being stretched as never before. To think that not long ago, an idiot Green councillor was sharing 'defund the police' messages on social media when the police – with 800 fewer officers than when Police Scotland was formed in 2013 – need more resources than ever. At least the South West force is now back to its full quota of vehicles, but they still need a quad bike to tackle anti-social behaviour around the reservoirs. We don't want to live in a police state, but the mindless minority must be held to account for their actions. Sue Webber is a Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian
