News

As the UK faces a record-breaking heatwave, many workers are calling for a day off if the workplace temperature exceeds 30C. A new report by the Fabian Society, a political think tank, has recommended that the government introduce new legislation to protect workers from the health risks of extreme heat. The impact of climate crisis on workers The report, titled Hotting Up: The Climate Crisis and the World of Work, warns that the climate crisis will have a significant impact on workers’ health, safety and productivity. It cites evidence that high temperatures can cause heat stress, dehydration, exhaustion, fainting, heat stroke…

The number of council houses being built in Scotland has fallen by half in just one year, according to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government. This alarming decline has raised concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Brexit transition on the housing sector, as well as the ability of the government to meet its ambitious targets for affordable and social housing. Covid-19 and Brexit: A Double Blow for the Housing Sector The Scottish Government’s Housing Statistics for Scotland 2023 show that the total number of new homes completed in Scotland in the year to June 2023 was…

The body of a 29-year-old teacher who was reported missing on Monday was discovered in a canal in Staffordshire, sparking a murder probe by the police. Tributes pour in for ‘beloved’ teacher Robert Morris, who taught at Stoke-on-Trent College, was last seen leaving his home in Newcastle-under-Lyme on Monday morning. His family and friends launched a desperate appeal for his whereabouts, describing him as a "beloved son, brother, uncle, friend and teacher". On Wednesday, his body was found in the Trent and Mersey Canal near Stone by a member of the public. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered a head injury and his death was treated as suspicious. His…

What happened? A van collided with a house on Overton Mains in Kirkaldy, Fife, on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of several houses and the closure of Spey Avenue. Police Scotland said the incident happened around 4.30pm and no one was injured. The driver of the van, a 34-year-old man, was arrested and charged with various offences, including careless driving and driving without insurance. He is due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Wednesday. How did the residents react? The residents of the house that was hit by the van were not at home at the time of the crash,…

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry will hear from dozens of former pupils who claim they were sexually and physically abused at Edinburgh Academy, one of Scotland’s most prestigious private schools. Survivors speak out The inquiry, which has been investigating residential care provisions at boarding schools for several years, will focus on Edinburgh Academy from August 8. Eighteen former teachers and staff members at the school have been accused of molesting pupils between 1960 and 2000. There will be 30 witnesses attending in person with a further 20 witness statements at the hearings. Some of the survivors have formed a group…

A 250-year-old canal meets 21st century technology Scotland’s Smart Canal, also known as the North Glasgow Integrated Water Management System (NGIWMS), is a groundbreaking project that combines the historic Forth and Clyde Canal with modern sensor and predictive weather technology to reduce flood risk and enable massive regeneration in the north of Glasgow. The project is a partnership of Glasgow City Council, Scottish Canals and Scottish Water under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme. The project, which started in 2018 and is expected to be completed by 2028, will use the canal as a giant stormwater drain that…

The Scottish Government has been accused of failing to deliver a fair and green transition to a net-zero economy by an advisory group and opposition parties. The Just Transition Commission, which was set up in 2019 to provide independent advice on how to achieve a just transition, published its final report in March 2023. The report made 24 recommendations on how to ensure that no one is left behind as Scotland moves away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Just Transition Plan lacks detail and ambition One of the main recommendations of the report was for the Scottish…