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Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Scottish bank notes quietly phased out as Glasgow ATMs dispense English tenners
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Our investigation found circulation of Scotland's unique currency has slumped by nearly a fifth since 2020. Scottish banknotes are being quietly phased out, a Sunday Mail investigation has revealed. We have uncovered official data which shows our unique cash - a symbol of Scotland's national identity and banking heritage - is being stripped out of circulation at four times the rate of English branded currency. We found ATMs across the country now giving Bank of England tenners and twenties. Politicians and campaigners have reacted angrily to our findings. Ex-Justice Secretary and Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill said: 'The Scottish banks must explain why the decline in Scottish bank notes in circulation has fallen four times as fast as equivalent notes south of the border. 'If things continue as they are, one day we might reach the ridiculous point where people in Scotland are simply unable to get Scottish bank notes from cash machines at all. 'That would be totally unacceptable. 'Scottish bank notes are a matter of pride for Scots and the banks must provide reassurance that they are not being phased out against the expressed wishes of their customers.' The Bank of Scotland was the first bank in Europe to issue paper money in 1695. But Bank of England data shows the value of Scottish notes in circulation has slumped by nearly a fifth since 2020, the year the Covid-19 pandemic hit and saw an increase in contactless card payments. Overall, it means a fall of 16 per cent in real-terms in just five years - a decline which is four times faster than Bank of England notes which have dropped by just 4 per cent. People across Scotland have reported to us a rise in cash machines dispensing English notes rather than Scottish currency. We visited three cashpoints in Glasgow, including an ATM at Sainsbury's on Gordon Street opposite Central Station and two other machines in the west end. Our reporter took out £90 - with £80 dispensed as Bank of England notes and just £10 as Scottish notes, in the form of two Clydesdale Bank fivers. The total value of Scottish bank notes in circulation - including in people's wallets, shop tills and in the wider economy as well in ATMs and bank branches - had slipped below £5billion for the first time since November 2020. The value of Scottish notes held in ATMs and bank branches fell from half a billion pounds in 2017 to just £240million last year - a massive real-terms cut of 63 per cent. Ron Delnevo, who chairs the Payment Choice Alliance which campaigns on retaining the right to cash, said: 'There's no doubt that having Scottish notes is an expensive business for the banks. 'There's also the issue that whilst English notes are always accepted in Scotland, Scottish notes aren't always accepted in England - and the further south you go, the more problems you get. 'I would guess we're going to, more and more, see Scottish notes moving out of things like ATMs.' Three banks in Scotland issue Scottish bank notes - Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. The 2008 financial crisis led to a series of acquisitions and mergers in the UK banking sector in which Scottish banks were absorbed into larger UK-wide entities. Bank of Scotland, which had already merged with Halifax in 2001, was taken over by London-headquartered Lloyds Bank in 2009. Clydesdale Bank merged with Virgin Money in 2018 then was acquired last year by Nationwide Building Society in a £2.3billion deal. RBS Group, which was bailed out by taxpayers to the tune of £45billion in 2008 and partly owned by the UK Government for 17 years, was rebranded NatWest Group in 2020. Lloyd Banking Group said it had no plans to stop issuing Bank of Scotland notes and stated it printed notes based on 'market demand'. Asked if there was an explicit policy to phase-out Clydesdale Bank notes, a spokesperson for Virgin Money said: 'No, we continue to issue notes to meet demand.' NatWest Group, which includes RBS, was also approached for comment. Delnevo added: 'We're being pushed towards a cashless society despite the fact people don't want it. 'We did a poll recently and 71 percent of people, including Scots and people in England and Wales, want a law passed guaranteeing their cash will be accepted. 'When LINK, the ATM network, did a survey, they found over 80 per cent wanted to retain the option of using cash. There's no desire amongst the public to see a cashless society. 'But there are whole areas of Scotland that have been completely denuded of bank branches and bank ATMs and it's very hard to get Scottish notes. 'People's cash access in these parts of the country is hanging by a thread.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He used one example of Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute where there is a single bank branch, run by Virgin Money. He added: 'Apart from that, there wasn't another bank branch within 50 miles, and this was on the Scottish mainland.' Some of the most vulnerable groups in the country rely on cash, including many people with disabilities - either because they do not have access to a debit card, or because someone else controls their money. Delnevo added: 'It's a massive problem. There are 16million disabled people in the UK, 13million older people over 65. 'There are 4million people living in abusive households and cash is an escape route because they can use cash secretly whereas they can't do that with debit cards or credit cards. 'Millions of people would be impacted by the loss of cash.'
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Council staff who accused ex-leader of harassment 'feared retribution' over claims
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: An official report states there was a power imbalance and a pattern of behaviour shown in the allegations against the ex-council chief. Co mplainers feared retribution if they spoke out against an under-fire former Edinburgh City Council leader, a report has revealed. Cammy Day was forced to resign after the Sunday Mail revealed allegations he 'bombarded' Ukrainian refugees with sexually explicit questions. He has been readmitted to Labour's team of councillors after police cleared him of criminality. An investigation instructed by the local authority has now shown several people came forward with claims of inappropriate conduct – but were scared to pursue formal complaints. Kevin Dunion, a former convener of the Standards Commission for Scotland who conducted the probe, said the council had no proper process to deal with claims against Day and reports of 'alleged unwanted advances' towards junior staff were 'treated as gossip'. Describing a worker being told of an allegation about Day and an inappropriate picture, Dunion said: 'They were shocked by the apparent unconcerned attitude and lack of action for protecting the member of staff allegedly targeted.' Asked if the alleged incident was reported to a manager, Dunion said: 'No it was not.' He told of two other instances involving Day which were 'reported up the management chain, such as alleged unwanted advances being made to junior staff but being treated as gossip or concerns about a social relationship with a young member of staff being formed…' Asked if the claims had an 'abuse of power' element, Dunion said: 'The report does indicate a power imbalance as grounds for reluctance to pursue complaints or be identified for fear of retribution. There are several allegations of a similar or related nature.' Day has been readmitted into the council's Labour group after a suspension. Council leader Jane Meagher said: 'I really look forward to working with him again.' She made the comments during a heated debate last week in the council chambers. Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda, who currently has a complaint against Day, said: 'I do not welcome Councillor Day back into the group.' She claimed she had been 'subject to a drunken tirade' by Day which left her 'in tears'. Scottish Labour allowed Day to return after we revealed it received a complaint of repeated unwanted sexual messages by a constituent in 2022. We also told of claims he had sent Ukrainian refugees sexual messages. An ex-council worker claimed they were repeatedly contacted by Day and invited to have wine in his caravan. The report details an anonymous complaint by someone in 2018 who claimed they were 'groomed' online aged 15 by an unnamed councillor. Dunion said emails about it were missing from all council computers. Day has admitted using dating app Grindr but said all allegations against him amount to a 'political smear campaign'.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
SNP accused of 'ripping off' work of small Scots business for profit
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The party has now withdrawn its product after being accused of copying the Edinburgh firm's design. The SNP has been accused of ripping off the work of a small Scottish business for profit. The nationalists have now withdrawn a product after claims it was a 'bootlegged' version of one by independence-supporting brand Pieute. The Edinburgh-based brand, founded by Robbie Walker more than a decade ago, released a water bottle and t-shirt in 2020 featuring the slogan 'Scottish tap water'. It became one of their best-selling designs. But the SNP recently released a similar looking water bottle, for £10 cheaper, with the slogan 'Quality Scottish Tap Water'. It prompted claims from the brand that the party had stolen its work. In a post on social media, the company wrote: 'Our main reason for existing is to further the cause for Scottish independence … 'We didn't expect for our country's biggest political party for independence to copy almost exactly our main source of income for their own profit.' As compensation the company asked for the SNP to fund t-shirts they have promised to more than 200 people who competed in its Gaelic language challenge contest, captioning the post 'fund the tees and it's a truce'. It said: ' As there were many more participants [in the contest] than expected we've not been able to afford to fulfil the promise yet. This is what they can do to make it right. It also mutually supports our joint objectives.' The company said the SNP"have now reached out and taken the product down' before announcing they have produced a new version of their best-selling original water bottle for sale online. Some of the brand's supporters commented on the post with one saying: ' Glad to see they at least took it down in the end. Wish they were as focused on independence as they are bootlegs though.' Another said: 'While you're talking to them, ask them how they intend to achieve independence cos we're not allowed it.' A third fan added: 'The current SNP leadership couldn't deliver a pizza let alone independence. Funding grassroots cultural and language projects instead of endlessly pumping cash into quango bootlickers would be a small start.' The SNP has been contacted for comment.
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Sir David Attenborough's Scots cameraman backs groundbreaking 'ecocide' law
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Celebrated BBC wildlife photographer Doug Allan has hailed MSP Monica Lennon's 'powerful' proposals to tackle eco criminals. Sir David Attenborough's award-winning cameraman has backed groundbreaking legislation being published at Holyrood this week which would outlaw 'ecocide' in Scotland. Doug Allan – world-renowned for his work on BBC shows including Life, Planet Earth and The Blue Planet – hailed MSP Monica Lennon's 'powerful' plan to hold polluters to account through a Scottish Ecocide Bill. Under the Labour politician's proposals, company bosses who cause severe or widespread damage to ecosystems could be prosecuted and face up to 20-year prison terms. After years of planning and consultation, Lennon is set to publish her draft Ecocide (Prevention) Bill at Holyrood on May 29. If passed it would be the first law of its kind in the UK. Bafta and Emmy award-winning Allan, born in Fife, said it can't come soon enough. The Sunday Mail previously teamed up with the celebrated wildlife photographer and cameraman in our successful campaign to ban polluting plastic wet wipes. Allan, also a marine biologist, said: 'I've always believed that there's a sort of Scottish psyche which is more aware of the natural environment. "Having travelled the world, I can tell you Scotland is one of the loveliest countries out there in terms of the wildernesses that you can find and the freedom to roam about them. "There's so much that Scotland's got going for it and an ecocide law has the potential to be powerful. 'I just hope it gets passed and then starts to have an effect as soon as possible.' The proposals were first championed by the Sunday Mail in 2021 as Glasgow was preparing to host COP26. Experts say ecocide laws could capture large-scale acts of eco destruction like river pollution, deforestation and oil spills. They could also target energy giants behind new fossil fuel schemes which pump even more carbon into the atmosphere – as the world hurtles towards catastrophic climate change. Allan warned political turmoil and events like the war in Ukraine had seen action on the climate and environment stall with concerns rising over the cost of net zero. But he said: "What's good about this Bill is it actually goes after the people who are causing the damage, so it shouldn't cost the government much to put it into force - and we should be extracting something from the people who cause the damage. 'I've started talking about climate breakdown rather than climate change, because climate change is much too gentle a word. 'If you've got something that breaks down, you've got to fix it – and that's what we've done. We have broken down the climate. 'People wouldn't damage the environment if there wasn't some profit motive sitting away at the back of it somewhere. "And this Bill gets to grips with the economic system which is causing that damage in the first place.' Lennon said: 'This robust plan to criminalise severe environmental crimes has been a long time in the making, with the help of world-leading experts and community voices across the country. 'It's brilliant to have the backing of legendary wildlife cameraman and photographer Doug Allan, whose work underwater and in the polar regions has brought the undeniable case for ecocide law to our screens.' It comes as the latest documentary by Sir David, 99, has sparked huge public debate over destructive industrial fishing activities, some of which experts say could meet the bar for ecocide. As well as exploring the world's incredible marine wildlife, 'Ocean With David Attenborough ' exposes the grim trail of destruction left by bottom-trawling and dredging vessels which rip up the seabed, featuring unprecedented underwater footage. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In Scotland, more than 90 per cent of our Marine Protected Areas still allow trawlers to operate. The Blue Marine Foundation, which will screen the film for free for hundreds of UK schools, is also backing Lennon's Bill. Jonny Hughes from the conservation charity said: 'If allowing our supposedly protected areas to be trashed by the most destructive fishing gears isn't ecocide, it's hard to imagine what would be. 'David Attenborough's latest film shows a stark but accurate picture of what's going on in our waters, including where there is 'protection' – at least on paper. 'Ministers cannot criticise deforestation or other ecologically damaging policies in place around the world while allowing this to happen in our own seas.' Ocean with David Attenborough is in cinemas now with a wider release on Disney+ on June 8.
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Reform chief rules out IndyRef and claims party will be second biggest in Scotland
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Richard Tice said his party want voters to give them a chance in Scotland after England success. Reform UK chief Richard Tice has ruled out Scotland having another referendum and said his party will be the second largest in Holyrood. On the campaign trail in Hamilton yesterday the MP said the Scottish Parliament elections next year would be a 'two horse race' and insisted Reform would be 'great' for Scotland. Speaking to the Sunday Mail he said there was 'no need' for another vote on the constitution and if his party were in a position to grant one the answer would be 'no'. He said: 'The answer is no, we don't need one. We're better off together. 'If you knocked on 100 doors the two issues that would come up would be immigration and winter fuel allowance. 'It's not the be-all and end-all for people's daily lives any more. The longer the SNP mess up running Scotland the more people think they should stop messing around with the independence debate and actually just do your job properly.' Tice was visiting Hamilton ahead of the by-election on June 5 and said that not only is his party hopeful of winning the seat but is confident they would become Holyrood's second biggest party. If so, they would push for a removal of the ban on alcohol at football matches and on trains, according to Tice, who insisted governments should 'trust the people'. He said: 'Of course we're going for the win. 'It's a two horse race between the SNP and Reform and we're going to give it a massive push.' Asked if he believed Reform would become Holyrood's second largest party, Tice said: 'Yeah, definitely. 'And for Scotland that would be great. Competition is a good thing. It can be respectful. It doesn't need to be as nasty and as aggressive and broken as it is.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Asked about the need for migrant labour in Scotland, Tice said Reform supported 'smart immigration' in roles where 'you've got the need for high skills, extra qualifications or where you've genuinely got a deficit' but claimed the public were being misled. He said: 'There's a great lie being told that we're short of people. We're not. We've got record numbers on out-of-work benefits, record numbers economically inactive.' He also claimed unemployment in Scotland was 'double the UK average', despite official statistics confirming Scotland has a lower unemployment rate (4.2 per cent between December 2024 and February 2025) than the UK overall (4.4 per cent). Tice said by the time of Holyrood elections voters in Scotland would be able to see how Reform has performed in their newly-acquired English councils, boasting that they had already identified 'almost a million pounds of efficiency saving [from] a few unnecessary positions' in one council and blocked a £20m 'daft project' in another. He said: 'If we deliver we can say to voters in Scotland: 'Give us a chance.''
