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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Labour revives Pensions Commission amid fears workers are saving too little
Experts have warned that people looking to retire in 2050 are on course to receive £800 per year less than current pensioners. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said 45% of working-age adults were putting nothing into their pensions. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said she was turning to the Pensions Commission, which last met in 2006, to 'tackle the barriers that stop too many saving in the first place'. Liz Kendall's decision to revive the Pensions Commission has been broadly welcomed by the pensions industry (Gareth Fuller/PA) The previous commission recommended automatically enrolling people in workplace pensions, which has seen the number of eligible employees saving rise from 55% in 2012 to 88%. DWP analysis suggested 15 million people were undersaving for retirement, with the self-employed, low paid and some ethnic minorities particularly affected. Around three million self-employed people are said to be saving nothing for their retirement, while only a quarter of people on low pay in the private sector and the same proportion from Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds are saving. Women face a significant gender pensions gap, with those approaching retirement in line to receive barely half the income that men can expect. Pensions minister Torsten Bell said: 'The original Pensions Commission helped get pension saving up and pensioner poverty down. 'But if we carry on as we are, tomorrow's retirees risk being poorer than today's. So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to finish the job and give today's workers secure retirements to look forward to.' The commission will be led by Baroness Jeannie Drake, a member of the previous commission, and report in 2027 with proposals that stretch beyond the next election. Ms Kendall's decision to revive the Pensions Commission has been broadly welcomed by the pensions industry. Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon, urged the commission to make 'bold, brave and possibly unpalatable recommendations', including 'significant increases' to auto-enrolment contributions after 2029. She also called on the commission to look at wider issues, saying: 'Sources of inequality and affordability are often linked to the way the labour market works, the housing market and societal norms, such as women taking on most of the caring responsibilities. 'These are not issues that can be addressed by pensions policy alone.' AgeUK's Caroline Abrahams said the commission needed to address the state pension, which provides the bulk of retirement income for most pensioners. She said: 'If we're to avoid future generations of pensioners experiencing financial hardship, we need reforms that enable more people to build a decent standard of living, and we need them sooner rather than later to maximise the numbers who can be helped.' Ministers hope the Pensions Commission will build a consensus around changes, as its predecessor did, working with businesses and trade unions. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, said the 'only route' to higher living standards in retirement was through 'higher growth, productivity and better savings'. She added: 'Taking the time to review the best pathway to achieve this, whilst pursuing broader measures to support growth, will be needed to make it affordable for employers and workers and crucial to the aim of rising living standards, now and in retirement.' Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said: 'Far too many people won't have enough pension for a decent retirement, and too many – especially women, BME (black and minority ethnic) and disabled workers and the self-employed – are shut out of the workplace pension system altogether. 'That's why this Pensions Commission – which will bring together unions, employers and independent experts – is a vital step forward.' But shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Labour of pushing the issue 'into the long grass'. The MP said: 'The reality is they have piled up burdens on employers and workers, and that is why they have launched a pensions commission which will take years to report back and will only look at changes beyond the end of this decade. 'Conservatives in government introduced automatic enrolment which has revolutionised our pensions landscape. We should be building on that success, but now businesses and savers cannot afford to put more into pension pots thanks to Labour's reckless policies. 'Under Labour, pensioners are regarded as cash cows. Which is why it has come as little surprise that Rachel Reeves is looking to raise taxes on pensioners to plug the black hole she has dug herself.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
'Rapists are walking free': SNP told to investigate rape myths infiltrating jury deliberations
Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... SNP ministers have been told to investigate a 'significant issue with jurors making false assumptions' in sex offence trials after Scottish Government-commissioned research found almost half of Scots adults believe in at least one rape myth. Rape Crisis Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to stamp out rape myths influencing the outcome of rape trials after international evidence revealed a link. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP ministers are being urged to investigate the link between rape myths and jury trials (Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA) More than 50 studies, involving more than 15,000 participants, have explored the impact of rape myths on jurors, finding a substantial body of evidence that jurors are subject to false beliefs and preconceptions which may influence their decisions. The appeal comes after data published last week as part of the Scottish Government's latest public insight monitor, conducted by YouGov, found 47 per cent of Scots adults believe in at least one rape myth. READ MORE: Sex crimes in Scotland at second highest level in 54 years Rape myths include false beliefs and misinformation that rape cannot take place within a relationship, that victims would always report an assault straight away and that rape would always include violence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ultimately, there are concerns such myths influencing jurors is contributing to Scotland's low conviction rate for rape, which for single complainer cases is only 24 per cent. That low conviction rate comes as reported rapes and attempted rapes soared by 60 per cent in the space of a decade. Contempt of Court amendment Currently, research into rape myths can only be carried out in Scotland through mock trials due to Contempt of Court legislation. But an amendment to the Scottish Government's Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill would allow robust research to take place. Rape Crisis Scotland wants a commitment from SNP ministers to immediately commission an investigation into how deep the issue in Scotland is as soon as the Bill becomes law. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Campaigners vowing to improve outcomes for survivors were dealt a blow after the Scottish Government buckled under pressure from the legal professional and cancelled a proposed pilot of judge-led rape trials, a method used in other countries. SNP ministers have also controversially shelved plans for a standalone offence of misogyny, seen as crucial in tackling the root causes of sexual violence and a widespread concern, including from politicians, that misogynist behaviour is on the rise. Speaking to Scotland on Sunday, Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley warned that 'there's a significant issue with jurors making false assumptions in rape trials rather than basing their decision-making on the evidence' and raised the alarm over 'juries bringing assumptions and at times, outright prejudice'. Sandy Brindley, CEO of Rape Crisis Scotland | PA Ms Brindley warned that 'there's really grave concerns that this could be happening routinely in our courts across Scotland'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She pointed to a host of rape myths being spread and believed, including 'assumptions that somebody will be really distressed, they will report straight away or that there will be significant physical violence'. 'I think this evidence strongly suggests that this is a contributing factor in why the conviction rate is so low - it's the lowest of any crime type in Scotland', Ms Brindley added. 'Rapists walking free' She said: 'In single complainer cases, where it's one victim and one accused, the conviction rate is only 24 per cent which I think is quite frightening and definitely suggests that a significant number of rapists are walking free. 'We really welcome the introduction of the amendment within the Victims Bill going through parliament just now to amend the Contempt of Court Act to allow research with actual juries to take place. However, what we're calling for is for the Government to make a firm commitment to commissioning this research. We think it's urgently required.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rape Crisis Scotland has been contacted by several anonymous jurors, raising concerns about the prevalence of rape myths in deliberations. One juror wrote to the charity raising 'serious concerns arising from my recent experience as a juror on a rape and domestic abuse trial in Scotland'. Juror lifts lid on rape myths They said: 'I believe what I witnessed reflects wider structural issues that undermine justice in cases involving gender-based violence'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They warned they were 'deeply disturbed by some jurors' comments, which reflected entrenched and harmful myths' including 'that rape cannot happen within a relationship', that 'a woman might fabricate an allegation if a man was already accused of another sexual offence' and that 'medical evidence of injury could be dismissed as likely caused by consensual 'rough sex''. The juror added: 'These attitudes fundamentally undermined the seriousness with which the evidence was considered". They claimed that 'jurors defaulted to assumptions shaped by murder trials, courtroom dramas, or media depictions of crime — rather than the real complexities of sexual violence' which 'left the jury unprepared to make informed, fair decisions'. Ms Brindley stressed that 'this is not every jury'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'I've heard from some jurors who have said they were really impressed by the carefulness and the level of deliberations. But I think for rape survivors, it's the postcode lottery, if you like - you can have a rape trial on one day in one city that comes to one verdict then the next day the jury could have come to a different verdict. 'That's just unacceptable when we're talking about crimes as serious as rape.' Women 'need confidence in justice system' She stressed that for rape survivors to get an acquittal was 'absolutely devastating', but warned 'these are dangerous, predatory men that are often walking free to rape again'. Ms Brindley added: 'So this is an urgent problem for us as a society. I think women need to have confidence in the justice system and confidence that decisions in their case will be made based on the evidence, not based on false assumptions about rape. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'More generally, what is being played out is attitudes about women's behaviour and women's sexuality. 'The research will enable us to get a real sense of what is happening in these cases so that we can properly address the impact of rape myths and ensure women actually have a chance of justice when they do take the really big step of reporting what's happened to them.' The High Court in Edinburgh | PA Courts in Scotland hand out instructions to jurors ahead of sitting on a rape or sex case that 'they must make sure that they do not let any false assumptions or stereotypes about rape and sexual offending affect their verdict'. Jurors given directions on rape myths A list of false rape myths are also set out to jurors including that 'there can be good reasons why unwanted sexual activity can take place without someone using physical force to overcome the will of the complainer or without physical resistance from the complainer'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other context given to jurors includes that 'there is no standard way in which people should react' to being sexually assaulted and that 'it is very common for a person who has been sexually assaulted or abused not to tell anyone about it for a long time'. Tony Lenehan KC, the vice dean of the Faculty of Advocates, has stressed that rape myths are explained to jurors prior to deliberating rape or sexual cases. He said: 'There's a standardised handout which is given to jurors before trials start which is then read to them as well. Tony Lenehan KC is vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates, and president of the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association 'Jurors are told a variety of things about rape myths, about the pathway towards disclosure, about how they shouldn't assume anything from the fact it sometimes takes people years to come forward. It explains why that is. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It also explains what lawyers know as 'battered wife syndrome' - the fact you can't just say 'well, she wouldn't have stayed if it was as bad as they say it is'.' He added: 'We understand things a lot better than we did 20 or 40 years ago, so the Scottish courts have provided this guidance that should be followed in every case which touches on sexual offending. 'It touches on the outdated concept that unwanted sex has to be accompanied by violence and that sort of thing. That really has to be struck from the jurors' mind because that's not what the courts have learned about it.' Rape Crisis Scotland and other campaigners have been left disappointed by the Scottish Government dropping the pilot for juryless rape trials. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad READ MORE: British Army captain who raped Edinburgh woman after meeting her on dating app has sentence increased Ms Brindley said: 'Given we are not going ahead with the judge-led pilot, we absolutely must do something to address this issue of looking at the role of jury attitudes in the decision-making of these cases. 'It's absolutely right that our accused must have a right to a fair trial but there is nothing in a judge-led trial that is inconsistent with an accused's right to a fair trial. We do it all the time in summary cases. Many jurisdictions use judge-led trials for serious cases such as rape. Concern after misogyny law dropped 'I think it was a real pity that the discussion around it became so polarised. What I think would have been much more helpful was a discussion on the substantive issue which is clearly a problem here, what is the best way of addressing it. We can't just pretend it's not an issue.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister John Swinney caused widespread anger after he confirmed his government will no longer have time to bring forward its delayed plans to legislate against misogyny before the 2026 Holyrood election. No firm commitment has been made by the SNP that plans will re-emerge if the party forms the next government. First Minister John Swinney (Picture: Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty Images) Instead, a misogyny aggravator will be added to the Hate Crime Act - despite a review by Baroness Helena Kennedy recommending a separate law should be drawn up to tackle "the spectrum of misogynistic conduct", rather than including it in the hate crime law. Ms Brindley said the U-turn on the misogyny bill was 'really devastating'. She said: 'Like the judge-led pilot, this could have been a really groundbreaking development for us in Scotland for really trying to get to the causes of misogyny and also trying to address the reasons why women and girls feel so unsafe in so many situations - particularly on public transport or on the street. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We could not need it more at this time when we are seeing so much misogyny, particularly amongst young men. We are also seeing record rises in reported rapes. I do think this is absolutely linked to increased misogyny and increased access to violent misogyny.' In May, it was revealed that the number of new rape cases being reported to police across Scotland surged by more than a third since 2020/21 while data published in June found that the number of sex crimes recorded in Scotland is at its second highest level since 1971. Mr Swinney has claimed that 'the increase in the reporting of sexual crime is due to the fact that more people are prepared to come forward'. But Ms Brindley is not convinced. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'We are seeing a very significant increase which is really alarming.'I think we are burying our heads in the sand if we put that entirely down to increased confidence. I think it's very, very likely that at least some of that increase is due to more rapes taking place. Reports have been increasing significantly for the past two decades. 'I think there's only so many years we can keep patting ourselves on the back and say it's because people have more confidence. Some of it might be, but I think it is very likely that a significant part of that increase is more rapes taking place. 'I would like politicians to recognise that this is an urgent and pressing issue that needs action.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'There is substantial evidence that jurors, and their decision-making, are influenced by rape myths, which is why amendments were made at Stage 2 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill to allow for more detailed research into jury deliberations. If the Bill is passed, this will become law. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Environment Secretary pledges to halve sewage pollution by 2030
The Government said it marks the first time ministers have set a clear target on reducing sewage pollution to which they will be held accountable. It also aims to cut phosphorus from treated wastewater in half by 2028 – a pollutant that causes algae blooms which are harmful to wildlife. The pledge comes as part of ongoing Government efforts to respond to widespread public anger over record sewage spills and rising bills, against a backdrop of poor governance at debt-ridden water firms. A view of Bewl Water, the largest reservoir in the South East (Gareth Fuller/PA) Mr Reed said: 'Families have watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution. 'My pledge to you: the Government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade.' It comes as ministers brace for the publication of the Independent Water Commission's landmark review into the ailing water sector on Monday morning. The commission was set up by the UK and Welsh governments as part of their response to systemic failures in the industry, although ministers have ruled out nationalising companies. The Government will respond to the recommendations in Parliament on Monday. On Friday, the Environment Agency revealed that serious pollution incidents caused by water firms across England increase by 60% last year compared with 2023. The watchdog said companies recorded a total of 2,801 pollution incidents in 2024, up from 2,174 in 2023. Of these, 75 were categorised as posing 'serious or persistent' harm to wildlife and human health – up from 47 last year. Ministers have vowed a 'root and branch reform' to the industry and has introduced a package of measures over the last year to cut pollution levels. They have banned unfair bonuses for 10 bosses this year and threatened prison sentences for law-breaking executives. The Government has also hailed plans for £104 billion to be invested into upgrading crumbling pipes and building new treatment works as well as ringfencing consumer bills for upgrades instead of companies using money for shareholder payouts of executive bonuses. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has received a record £189 million to support hundreds of enforcement offices for inspections and prosecutions, with fines from companies footing the increase in funding. A glass of water stands on a bridge over the River Thames in London (PA Archive) Ministers hopes this will help to reach its newly announced targets on sewage pollution, which can cause harm to swimmers, loss of aquatic live and destruction to ecosystems. 'One of the largest infrastructure projects in England's history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good,' Mr Reed said. The new pledge also includes working with devolved governments to ban wet wipes containing plastic across the UK, continued work on pre-pipe measures, such as sustainable drainage systems and the start of trials by water companies of nature-based solutions, such as constructed wetlands. It comes alongside the storm overflow discharge reduction plan, which has set targets on reducing spills, including a 75% reduction in discharging into high priority sites, such as rare chalk streams, by 2035. There is also an already existing statutory target to reduce phosphorus loadings from treated wastewater by 80% by 2038 against a 2020 baseline as well as an interim goal of a 50% reduction by the end of January 2028 under the environmental improvement plan (EIP). Conservative shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'Labour came to power with big promises to reform the water system, but so far, they have simply copied previous Conservative government policy and have done nothing to stop water bill rises. 'Labour must be transparent about where the £104 billion investment is coming from as some will come through customer bill rises. 'They claim this while they have failed and hindered attempts to secure the funding needed to stabilise Thames Water. 'Labour's water plans must also include credible proposals to improve the water system's resilience to droughts, without placing an additional burden on bill payers and taxpayers.'
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
The most dog-friendly Scottish beach with expanses of golden sand and 5-star reviews
Scotland's most dog friendly beaches have been named Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Scotland's coastline is home to plenty of dog-friendly beaches – and the top-rated spots to visit with your four-legged friend have now been named. It comes as Verdant Leisure carried out extensive research to reveal the top 10 beaches in the country for dog owners and their pets to enjoy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's most dog friendly beaches have been named. | Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Ranking highly out of hundreds of beaches analysed, Dornoch Beach in the Scottish Highlands is crowned the best dog-friendly beach in Scotland, scoring 100.45. Dogs are welcome on the beach at any point in the year, and with excellent water quality, expanses of golden sand and 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, it's no surprise that it remains a popular choice. The second best dog-friendly beach in Scotland is Achmelvich. A bustling beach during the summer months, it's essential to get down early with your pooch if you're keen to avoid the crowds. Ranking in third position, Achmelvich Beach is a popular spot with water skiers, windsurfers, and kayakers, but also dog walkers alike. With a variety of walks and climbs nearby, including the famous Suilven, it's essential to ensure your dog stays under control at all times. Loch Morlich, also located in the Highlands of Scotland, is in third position, with a total dog-friendly score of 100.27. Situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Loch Morlich is a unique freshwater beach, known for its stunning scenery. With shallow water suitable for paddling, surrounding forest trails and sandy beach, it's an ideal spot to explore with your dog on a hot summer's day. Mike Wilmot, CEO at Verdant Leisure, said: 'It's fantastic to see so many of the UK's beaches recognised nationally for being dog friendly. Beaches like Woolacombe aren't just stunning – they offer space, clean air, and a real sense of freedom for both dogs and their owners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's something special about sharing those moments – watching your dog race across the sand, splash in the shallows or nose around rock pools. And with so much incredible local wildlife along our coasts, from seabirds to seals, these places offer a gentle reminder of how important it is to enjoy nature responsibly.' You can see Scotland's 10 best dog-friendly beaches below. 1: Dornoch, Highland - 100.45 2: Achmelvich, Sutherland - 100.28 3: Loch Morlich, Highland - 100.27 4: Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry, Fife - 100.26 5: Rosemarkie, Ross and Cromarty - 100.15 6: Cullen Bay, Banffshire - 100.11 7: Aberdour (Silversands), Fife - 100.08 8= Kingsbarns, Fife 100.07 8= Seacliff, East Lothian 100.07
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
French riot police in early morning clash with migrants in coastal town
Pictures and footage captured by the PA news agency shows a group throwing rocks from afar in the direction of the officers early on Friday, while small fires are alight in the road near a park in Gravelines. The scene between the men – two seen by PA wearing life jackets – and the Gendarmerie and Police Nationale officers, who were equipped with shields, helmets and tear gas, lasted for about 20 minutes at around 5.30am. The clashes occurred early on Friday in Gravelines, northern France (Gareth Fuller/PA) It came after migrants were filmed running into the water and boarding a dinghy at Gravelines beach on Thursday morning. More than 22,500 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far in 2025, a record for this point in the year. Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed a one in, one out migrant returns deal in a bid to crack down on the crossings and the people smuggling gangs who operate them. Sir Keir met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday where he also praised Berlin's plans to strengthen laws to disrupt small boat crossings by the end of the year.
