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Edinburgh Reporter
18-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Millions raised from the sale of council-owned property
The City of Edinburgh Council has raised £48.8 million from the sale of a range of properties, according to an investigation conducted by independent news cooperative, The Ferret. Although city prices are higher than elsewhere, by comparison The City of Glasgow Council sold only £20 million of their properties in the same period. In total, Scottish local authorities sold off 1,851 properties in recent years and between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024 the total value of council owned property sold off was £243 million. Edinburgh properties Some of the larger numbers in the Edinburgh figures represent land sold for residential developments such as the land at Meadowbank which will be developed for housing and which has a price tag on it of £9.9 million. This and the other site at Fountainbridge which is said to have raised £9.6 million make up a large proportion of the property sold off and are essentially 'balance sheet' transactions transferring the property into the housing revenue account. Finance and Resources Convener Cllr Mandy Watt explained: 'Despite the financial challenges Edinburgh Council has faced over many years, the sale of council owned properties has mainly generated funds to invest in better schools, homes and workplaces. There have also been disposals as part of the community asset transfer programme, which allows local groups to bid for council land and buildings for community use. 'It's common practice for us to transfer land from our general fund to our housing revenue account. All land and buildings owned by the council are evaluated for potential social and affordable housing use before consideration is given to selling them. Sometimes we work with local community groups to develop a place plan, with a mix of housing and commercial buildings, so that areas have local jobs and services in addition to much needed new housing. This is what we are doing at Meadowbank and at Fountainbridge.' Edinburgh has sold off five schools – although this is usually where they have committed to building a new school in the same catchment area. STUC The Scottish Trades Union Congress commented on the sales saying that the scale was 'alarming as it is unsurprising'. Deputy general secretary Dave Moxham said that local authorities are 'swinging the axe' at services which provide vital support for everyone in our towns and cities'. This comment reflects the outcry when Edinburgh council agreed to 'sell off' – (actually this was achieved by means of a long lease) – the property at Infirmary Street to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. Previously several third sector groups used the building which the Society are now renovating with the aid of around £7 million of UK Government funding to create a Fringe hub. In emotional deputations to the council the third sector groups explained why this central location was crucial to their work, but this did not prevent the transfer of the property off the council's books. Work has begun at the former South Bridge Resource Centre to convert it into the new Fringe Hub COSLA, which represents Scotland's local authorities, said that while councils 'work hard to continue running high-quality services', they face significant budgetary challenges. 'This means that in some cases they have had to make difficult decisions about which properties and services they can continue to run,' said a spokesperson. 'COSLA will continue to advocate for a fair budget settlement for Scottish local government that recognises the importance of local decision making in getting the best outcomes for our communities.' Meanwhile the Scottish Government has repeatedly said that it has given Scottish councils a record payout this year of £15.1 billion. The government claims 'this is a real terms increase of 5.5%'. Meanwhile local authorities have to pay wage rises, additional employer National Insurance contributions, all amid higher demands for their services – including health and social care where there is a shortfall of an estimated £50 million. The list of properties sold in the capital includes these: Loading… Edinburgh City Chambers. © 2023 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Palestine Action ban could 'undermine efforts to counter real terrorist organisations'
Trade unionists in Scotland have questioned why MPs voted to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Scots trade unionists have warned a vote to proscribe Palestine Action could "undermine efforts to counter real terrorist organisations". MPs voted by an overwhelming majority last night to ban the activist group after it broke into an RAF base in England and spray-painted several aircraft. Six people were later arrested after Palestine Action shared footage of the break-in on social media. The group previously broke into a Thales defence factory in Glasgow in 2022, causing £1,130,783 in damages using pyrotechnics and smoke bombs. The decision to ban Palestine Action, which amends the Terrorism Act 2000, is expected to be signed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and come into effect later this week. Once in effect, supporting Palestine Action will become a criminal offence, with membership or expressing support for the direct action group punishable by up to 14 years in prison. But the decision has been questioned by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). Dave Moxham, STUC Deputy General Secretary, told the Record: "It is one thing to oppose the activities of Palestine Action using the courts if laws are broken, but completely another to proscribe it as a terrorist organisation. "Last night's vote shifts the goal posts on the definition of terrorism. The Government is overreaching in a way that could have a profound impact on the rights of protest and freedom of expression. It also potentially undermines efforts to counter real terrorist organisations which advocate violence against the civilian population.' The Aberdeen Trades Union Council also questioned the ban and called for other Scottish trade union members to speak up on the issue. In a statement, it said: "Despite mass peaceful protest against the genocide in Gaza, the British State remains complicit in the erasure of the Palestinian people. "We stand in support of Palestine Action – a direct action group that has been protesting against the supply of weapons by the UK government to the Israeli Military. Spraying paint and breaking windows is not terrorism. Israel's genocidal war is. "We condemn government repression of the rights of protesters. As a movement we will do everything we can to defend civil disobedience and oppose Parliament's proscription of Palestine Action." Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, this week backed Cooper's decision to ban the group. "I'm all for freedom of speech. I'm all for freedom of protest. And people have been expressing their views very strongly," he told the Record. "But people who use the name of Palestine to cross a red line, to break into RAF facilities, to attempt to tamper with RAF jets, are doing a disservice to the cause they claim to represent. "There are so many phenomenal pro-Palestinian organisations who do not fall for acts of vandalism, or attacks on our defence infrastructure, or who fall into prejudice and hate, but who rightly speak out against violence and for peace - not just peace abroad, but peace and security here at home too. "Those people who use the name of Palestine to do such horrific actions should face the full force of the law. So I do support the actions of the Home Secretary."
The Herald Scotland
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
ScotRail: STUC urges 'change in direction' over management
The motion brought forward by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers states that since ScotRail was returned to public ownership in 2022, the Scottish Government's management has 'undermined' the objective of making the railway system 'safe, affordable, reliable and accessible' to all. ScotRail was returned to public ownership on April 2022 for the first time in 25 years. However, since then, the rail union says it has concerns over its management including around the plans to cut ticket office hours at 101 of 143 staffed stations and the scrapping of the off-peak fares pilot despite evidence the trial increased passenger demand. Scottish ministers scrapped higher rail fares on a trial basis in an effort to attract more passengers after the pandemic, setting the target of a 10% rise in passengers. Yet the pilot was ditched within a year despite footfall rising by 6.8%. In April this year, rail fares increased by 3.8%, meaning an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh rose by £1.20 - from £31.40 to £32.60 Read more: Scotland's trains: On the right track? – Find all articles here ScotRail still needs a plan three years after nationalisation Hyslop: Cost of rail fares in Scotland 'challenging' The motion which will be discussed at congress states: 'That this Congress notes that whilst it welcomes that Caledonian Sleeper and ScotRail are in public ownership which can ensure tax and fare payers money can be invested to improve the railway instead of being siphoned off for private profit, Congress is concerned the Scottish Government's management of rail in Scotland has undermined the objective of a safe, affordable, reliable and accessible railway for all." The motion goes on to say that congress should agree to campaign to ensure the Scottish Government addresses these concerns and develops a safe, affordable and properly-staffed railway. Commenting on the issue, the STUC's deputy general secretary told The Herald the Scottish Government must reconsider its direction of travel when it comes to their management of ScotRail. Dave Moxham, STUC's deputy general secretary said: 'It's clear that workers have reached the end of the line with eye-wateringly expensive train services. We welcome the fact that ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper are under public ownership but to realise a vision for railway travel in Scotland to be accessible, affordable and reliable, the Scottish Government must change direction. 'That means, first and foremost, scrapping peak fares for good. The Government's short-sighted, regressive and frankly backwards step in scrapping the off-peak pilot, despite their own analysis showing it was working, was hardly keeping their climate targets and public transport goals on the right track. Ministers must also show Scotland's workers that they will keep the swathe of ticket offices across the country open and accessible to the public whilst also continuing to prioritise fully staffed services across the rail network." The motion which will be discussed during the congress also criticised the UK Government and Network Rail for what it describes as a 'failure' to protect jobs in the railway supply chain. It also urges congress to agree to work on a "campaigning response" to the UK Government's integrated GB rail network, which will manage the network infrastructure and take over contracts from private firms as they expire, essentially replacing Network Rail. The motion states delegates should agree to pushing the UK Government on ensuring the creation of GBR significantly increases and enhances powers for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government over rail services in Scotland. Mr Moxham said it is important that the new network introduced by the Labour government "does not hit the buffers". He added: 'To assist, the UK Government must ensure that their plans for a fully integrated rail network – Great British Rail – does not hit the buffers. We support this move, but it must prioritise people, passengers and planet. It cannot be piecemeal. GB Rail must herald the start of a fully integrated, funded and resourced rail network in Scotland that crucially ensures our Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government have the powers and funding they require to sustain this vision for modern railway travel." Transport Scotland has been contacted for comment.
