Five thing you need to know today
Royal Week begins with pomp and ceremony - and the opening of Ratho Library
UK Government Welfare reform
On Tuesday night in the House of Commons the government's welfare reform bill was passed by a majority of 75 votes.
Last minute changes were made to allow the bill to pass through the Second Reading stage.
Th eWOrk and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said that she knows there are some really important changes coming - including a change to allowing people to work without putting their benefits at risk. She said there is "still more to do".
Some 42 Labour MPs voted against the amendment tabled by a Labour MP, Rachael Maskell - which was tantamount to rejection of the new legislation.
Last week Tracy Gilbert MP for Edinburgh North and Leith explained why she would vote against changes to the welfare regime. She said then: "Over the last few months I have heard personal stories from constituents and listened to the expertise of people working in local charities across Edinburgh North and Leith on the proposed changes to disability benefits.
"It is very clear to me that the proposals are causing concerns that have not been addressed in the Bill and there is a real risk that disabled people and children would be left worse off. As a MP whose number one priority is to eradicate child poverty I cannot ignore the consequences of this policy being implemented which are stated in the Government’s own impact assessment.
"While there are welcome proposals on supporting disabled people back into work that the Government are bringing forward, the Bill on Universal Credit and PIP is just one that I cannot support."
Here is how the Edinburgh MPs voted:
Scott Arthur - for
Tracy Gilbert - against
Chris Murray - for
Christine Jardine - did not vote
Ian Murray - for
In response Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP, said: "Despite the panicked, last-minute concessions they have made, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support they will plunge more people into poverty. That is unconscionable.
“Their approach also risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits.
“The UK Government needs to stop balancing the books on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society. They need to properly listen to the overwhelming criticism their proposals have generated and do the right thing by disabled people by abandoning this bill entirely.
“I want to reassure disabled people in Scotland, that the Scottish Government will not cut Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment - we will not let disabled people down as the UK Government has done.”
Ceremony of the Keys
As His Majesty The King arrived in the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King’s Body Guard in Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) mounted the large guard of honour with soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (BKA Coy, 5 SCOTS) providing the lining party.
Senior military representatives included the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO, Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Mark Northover and Commodore Paul Dunn OBE, Head of RN Submarine Service.
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland had the privilege of performing during the ceremony.
32nd Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21 Royal Gun Salute at Edinburgh Castle at the same time The King arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Volunteer of the Year
Colin Young, 67, and Jackie Young, 64, from Dalkeith, have been crowned ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at Midlothian Volunteer Awards, recognising their incredible decade-long fundraising efforts for the Scottish charity, Mary’s Meals.
Colin and Jackie have raised the funds primarily by knitting and selling scarves, baby blankets and chocolate ‘hats’. The award ceremony, held at Newbattle Abbey College was part of Volunteers’ Week in May, a national initiative where volunteers across Scotland are celebrated.
The annual event offers a valuable opportunity to showcase some of the outstanding volunteering projects taking place in Midlothian.
Reflecting on taking home one of the biggest wins of the evening, Colin says: “We were completely astonished when they announced that we had been chosen as Midlothian's Volunteers of the Year! The person presenting the award commented that she had never heard such a gasp of surprise! We have never thought about what we do in that context and had no expectations going into the ceremony, but we’re absolutely delighted.
“I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering with Mary’s Meals to go for it. We have made so many new friends along the way, have learned some new skills and have had so much fun. I'd definitely say that volunteering for Mary's Meals has enriched our lives in so many ways!”
Jackie added: “Although we were a little taken aback by all the fuss, on reflection it was wonderful to see our work for Mary’s Meals recognised at such a special event. There were so many amazing volunteers from across Midlothian in the room, and it was an honour to be counted among them.”
Paper Trails
The Edinburgh International Book Festival has launched a new libraries project called Paper Trails.
This is part of its year-round Communities Programme, and was announced at the official reopening of Ratho Hub Library by Her Majesty the Queen.
As recent statistics reveal that more than 1 in 4 older adults experience loneliness each week, only 1 in 5 young people read daily, and literacy rates across all ages countrywide have been declining since 2005, this five-year initiative is designed to tackle social isolation and literary inequality through creative community programming.
The Paper Trails project will be an ambitious community literature initiative, working in partnership with five libraries: Muirhouse Library (housed in the new Macmillan Hub building), Ratho Hub Library, Liberton High School Library (opening in 2026), Streetreads (a charity-run library for people experiencing homelessness), and the Mobile Library service.
Using University of Edinburgh Cultural Mapping research, these libraries were chosen as locations where cultural provision could be enhanced and where little or no other festival activity currently takes place. The programme will co-create literary experiences with local communities, addressing specific neighbourhood needs while building sustainable capacity that extends beyond the Book Festival's direct involvement.
Noelle Cobden, Director of Communities and Equality at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said:Paper Trails represents our commitment to ensuring that literature and creative expression remain accessible to all communities. This isn't just about bringing authors to libraries – it's about listening to local people to tell their own stories and strengthening the vital role libraries play in community life."
The initiative has received significant backing from celebrated crime writer Sir Ian Rankin and his wife, Miranda Harvey.
Paper Trails is also funded by the Ettrick Charitable Trust, Cruden Foundation, and National Lottery Awards for All.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to announce this hugely ambitious project that cements existing, and generates new, creative relationships across the sector, and that has the potential to impact the lives of thousands of people from in and around the city. We're delighted to begin the first phase of this a far reaching partnership and look forward to speaking with other organisations who are interested in supporting the work further and as we roll it out across our libraries.”
Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m delighted to have been part of the official opening of Ratho Library by Her Majesty the Queen. The development of this library hub had the community at its heart and I’m so pleased that residents can now enjoy all that’s on offer there.
“Paper Trails is a wonderful initiative which harnesses the positive impact our libraries can have.”
Paper Trails - more information here.
Grange CC Cricket fixtures this week
Grange Cricket Club has several fixtures this week from 3 July onwards. See below:
