Fish firm to provide housing in Scalpay due to lack of homes
The comhairle said that while the proposal to site the temporary accommodation in a compound was "not ideal," it had been justified in terms of the identified need.BFS employs more than 400 people across about 45 sites on Scotland's west coast.Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.
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The Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Sun
Six ways parents can keep costs low during expensive summer holidays through vouchers, clubs and freebies
SUMMER holidays can be a financial nightmare for parents already stretched by the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, families could be spending up to £1,000 more per week once school is out. 2 And if they decide to go abroad, the average cost of a family holiday now tops £3,600. But help is out there – and there are ways to ease the burden, especially if you're on Universal Credit or a low income. Kids eat free deals In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, families can make the most of free offers, local council schemes, and low-cost childcare this summer. Many cafes and restaurants run "kids eat free" offers during the holidays, helping to cut the cost of days out. Supermarket chains like Tesco give kids a free meal as long as you buy something from the adult menu. Asda has meals for children at just £1, and you don't need to buy anything else. Restaurant chains like Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Franco Manca and Bill's also usually have summer deals. These offers are available to all families, not just those on benefits. Free holiday clubs Parents on low incomes can also get support from their local council through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. I've saved £15k on trips to Ibiza, Mallorca & Turkey with term time holidays - I'll never stop, fines are a tax on the working class This gives children the chance to join in with sports, music or creative clubs, and includes a nutritious meal every day for free. The support available depends on your council, but generally families with children who receive free school meals are eligible. In some areas, kids can get a place in a holiday club for the equivalent of four hours a day. Check with your local authority to see what's on offer and how to sign up. Vouchers for bills and groceries Another option for help is the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is also run by local councils. This government scheme gives struggling households access to food or energy vouchers, or direct payments. Councils across England have received a share of £742million in funding, which will run until March 2026. Many councils offer vouchers for supermarkets or energy bills, while others send money directly to residents. You usually qualify if you're on a low income, claiming benefits, or classed as vulnerable. Again, contact your council to find out what help is available. There are also handy apps that can help reduce food costs. Apps to save on food Olio is a popular option that lets households and businesses give away food they don't need. Items are offered for free, but it's often first come, first served, so you have to be quick. Another useful app is Too Good To Go. It offers surprise bags of leftover food from restaurants and shops at a discounted price. You won't know what's in the bag until you collect it, but it can be a good way to save on snacks and meals. Free or cheap days out Families on Universal Credit and other benefits can also get access to top attractions for a fraction of the usual cost. ZSL London Zoo offers £3 tickets for those on Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance – a huge saving on peak tickets which usually start at £33. How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' Other spots such as York Castle Museum offer free entry, while you can visit Kew Gardens or one of the Historic Royal Palaces for just £1. There are even more free or discounted activities, including cinema tickets for as little as £2.50, free sports sessions and library reading challenges that offer free prizes. Childcare is another big cost for parents over summer, but there are ways to ease the pressure. Tax-Free Childcare allows working parents to save 20 per cent on childcare costs. If you've got two children in clubs for five weeks, that could be worth around £300. This support is available for children under 12, or under 17 if they have a disability. You can get up to £500 every three months – a total of £2,000 a year – per child to help with costs like nurseries and summer clubs. However, if you're on Universal Credit or receive tax credits, you must not apply for Tax-Free Childcare as it can affect your benefits. Instead, you can claim help through Universal Credit, which may cover up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs. Summer doesn't have to break the bank. From free meals and clubs to discounted trips and help with childcare, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the holidays without spending a fortune. 2
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
Two UK pro-Palestine organisations have bank accounts frozen
At least two grassroots pro-Palestine organisations in the UK have had their bank accounts frozen, raising fears about a wider attempt to silence voices speaking out about Gaza. Greater Manchester Friends for Palestine (GMFP) and Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which both organise peaceful protests and vigils, have had access to their funds cut off indefinitely by Virgin Money and Unit Trust bank respectively. The Guardian understands a local PSC branch in England has also had its bank account frozen but was unable to confirm it directly. Coming amid the banning of Palestine Action earlier this month and the arrest of more than 100 people for showing support for the group, and the threatened arrest of a peaceful protester for having a Palestine flag and 'Free Gaza' sign, it has amplified concerns about a crackdown on critics of Israel. Owen Cooper, co-treasurer of GMFP, said the group, which lists bike-riding among its activities, has been marching peacefully for more than a year and a half without incident or criminal activity but Virgin Money refused to say why its account had been frozen. 'If it's purely the fact that we have Palestine on the bank account name, I think it's a very worrying sign,' said Cooper. 'It would be not only hugely worrying but hugely disappointing to think that a country that values freedom of speech, that is a liberal democracy can be acting like this and that ordinary, decent people with a conscience are being regarded as extremists. 'What could the bank be thinking that we've done? Certainly nothing that the police believe is a crime.' He said the freeze meant that GMFP could not send money to Gaza and the West Bank to help those in need. 'They're actually preventing aid and support going into Gaza, and it's going in for food and medical supplies,' said Cooper. 'We don't have access to F-35 jets or 500lb bombs that we're funding.' Unity Trust bank says its aim is to be 'the bank of choice for all socially minded organisations in the UK', including charities and trades unions. But Mick Napier, from Scottish PSC's finance committee, said it had acted disgracefully. He said Scottish PSC was told the reason for its account being frozen last month was that it had a button on its website to donate to Palestine Action before the group was banned on 5 July. But the button was removed when Palestine Action was proscribed and yet the account had not been restored, said Napier. 'It's shocking,' he said. 'It's absolutely disgraceful that a campaign like ours [has been treated like this]. We've been operating for 25 years. Palestine Action we supported until they were proscribed. It came out the blue [the freezing of the account], and we were very disappointed. We think it's very bad practice. 'We can't get into our cash at all. We've had to use other means, very inconvenient means to pay bills and generally operate, it's been extremely burdensome.' The Guardian asked both banks for the reasons for the accounts being frozen and if there had been any external influence. Both said they were unable to comment on individual customer accounts. A Virgin Money spokesperson added that there were 'a variety of reasons why we may decide, or be required, to suspend or close an account in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations'. A Unity Trust bank spokesperson said it was 'a politically neutral organisation. Our mission and values underpin our commitment to operating with integrity'. They added: 'Unity has a diverse customer base that represents a broad range of communities.'
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
c2c trains are nationalised and return to public ownership
Rail services between south Essex and London have become publicly owned for the first time since the 20th c2c, which runs services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, was nationalised on became part of Great British Railways, set up by the government to oversee the rail system in England, Wales and Secretary Heidi Alexander said passengers had been suffering "spiralling costs, fragmentation and waste". Ministers have been allowed to take rail companies back into public ownership when their existing contracts was enabled under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, passed by Labour in Sunday, c2c became the sixth operator to become would be followed by Greater Anglia, which runs trains throughout the East of England, on 12 October. Alexander said public ownership would tackle "deep-rooted problems" experienced on the added: "A unified network under Great British Railways will take this further with one railway under one brand with one mission: delivering excellent services for passengers wherever they travel."The government hoped nationalisation of all services in Britain would bring savings of up to £150m, while also reducing delays and Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said it would bring a host of benefits for passengers."What they will notice in the longer-term is a better service, a more consistent level of ticketing and hopefully a continued improvement in punctuality," he shadow rail minister and Conservative Norfolk MP Jerome Mayhew previously said he feared nationalisation would end up costing taxpayers more money in increased costs for leasing rolling said the government was "risking" successful operations for "ideological reasons". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
