The latest Public Health Scotland figures on waiting times for musculoskeletal (MSK) services should be a cause for concern.
Between August 2025 and March 2026, only 52.4 per cent of patients were seen within the Scottish Government’s four-week waiting time target. Meanwhile, the number of people waiting for care increased to 75,128 by the end of March 2026.
Behind these figures are people living with arthritis and other MSK conditions who are experiencing pain, reduced mobility and uncertainty while waiting for support. MSK conditions affect around 1.7 million people in Scotland and are the leading cause of pain and disability. Timely access to services such as physiotherapy is often critical to helping people manage their condition and maintain their quality of life.
Arthritis UK is calling for a national MSK Action Plan to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and support. We are also urging the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Care and Sport Committee to undertake a dedicated inquiry into musculoskeletal health, an area that has never been the subject of a parliamentary inquiry despite its significant impact on individuals and the health service.
These latest figures highlight the need for urgent action to improve outcomes for people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions across Scotland. People living with this cannot afford to wait any longer.
Alan McGinley
Policy and Engagement Manager (Scotland) Arthritis UK
POLICE are appealing for information following the robbery and assault of a man in Craigmillar.
The incident happened around 8.30pm on Monday, 22 June, 2026, on Niddrie Mains Road near Jack Kane Park.
The man’s phone was taken. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
One suspect is described as male, white, around 5ft 10in tall, around 30-year-old, of medium build, with dark hair. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie.
The other suspect is described as female, white, around 5ft 8in tall, around 30-years-old, of slim build, with dark hair. She was wearing a light-coloured top, leggings, and white trainers.
Constable Daniel Mackintosh said: “This was a busy area and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.
“We’d also ask anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage which could assist our enquiries to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 3465 of Monday, 22 June, 2026. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PARENTS GET HELPING HAND WITH THOUSANDS OF FREE SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP PLACES UP FOR GRABS
Kellogg’s Football Camps are BACK for 2026, helping thousands of kids stay active, while relieving pressure from parents nationwide
Camps are set to return as half of parents (50%) say they are stressed at the thought of the summer holiday ‘juggle’, with almost a fifth (17%) even resorting to taking sick leave due to limited childcare options during the holidays*
Kellogg’s is offering over 39,000 FREE spots at 73 football clubs** nationwide – parents simply need to buy a box of Kellogg’s cereal and use the on-pack QR code to sign up at www.kelloggsfc.com
After delivering over 80,000 camp days during last year’s summer holidays. Kellogg’s Football Camps are returning for a third consecutive year. Delivered in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC, over 39,000 free spots are on offer, giving families across the UK extra support during the busiest and most expensive weeks of the school break.
The camps return as new research from the cereal giant highlights just how challenging the school holidays have become for families. Half of parents (50%) say they are stressed at the thought of balancing work and childcare during the summer break, as 41% struggle to keep children entertained. Almost a fifth (17%) admit they’ve even resorted to taking sick leave due to limited childcare options.*
Parents say the summer holiday turns them into multi-tasking superheroes, taking on an average of four different roles to keep their children occupied – with 49% acting as ‘entertainers’, alongside roles such as ‘chef’ (42%), ‘referee’ between siblings (24%) and even ‘sports coach’ (18%). This comes as children say “I’m bored” an average of 14 times a week during the summer break, adding to the pressure on parents to constantly find ways to keep them engaged.*
Almost all parents (94%) say it’s important their child stays active during the summer holidays, with football cited as helping to improve children’s teamwork skills (63%) and confidence (59%). Yet there’s a clear gap between intention and reality, as 47% of parents say their children are less physically active during the holidays, and 68% say they spend more time on screens.*
Kellogg’s Football Camps offer a solution, giving children the chance to get active, make friends, step away from screens and learn new skills in sessions led by FA-qualified coaches. This is all while providing parents with a little extra support during the busiest weeks of the summer.
With over 39,000 freespots up for grabs nationwide, parents simply need to buy a box of Kellogg’s cereal and use the on-pack QR code to sign up at:
In addition, Kellogg’s research also highlights the financial strain facing families, with 34% of parents saying the cost of activities is one of their biggest challenges*, reinforcing the need for more accessible options during the summer.
The camps will return from 27th June for girls and boys aged 5-15. Taking place across 73 clubs across the UK, spanning everywhere from Doncaster and Swansea to London and Glasgow. Last year alone, over 16,000 hours of coaching was delivered – the equivalent of more than 650 full days of football.
With a huge summer of football on the horizon, the camps also arrive at a time when interest in the sport is set to surge. 54% of parents say major sporting events such as the World Cup inspire their children to get involved in sport* – something Kellogg’s aims to turn into real opportunities for kids to get active, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of the game through its Football Camps.
Dean O’Brien UK General Manager, Kellogg’s said: “We’re proud to bring Kellogg’s Football Camps back for a third year, helping parents during the school holidays and giving children the chance to stay active.
“Our goal is to make camps more accessible, especially for families who might otherwise miss out. Working closely with club charities across the country helps us ensure the camps are open to everyone, inclusive and able to deliver real impact.”
EFL Director of Community, Debbie Cook, said: “Supporting communities is fundamental to the EFL’s purpose. Our Clubs are deeply rooted in their towns and cities, serving as trusted local institutions that bring people together and create opportunities far beyond the pitch.
“Our partnership with Kellogg’s helps us extend that impact even further, once again giving thousands of young people the chance to stay active and grow in confidence. These camps don’t just keep children entertained – they bring communities together, offer vital support to families during the busy school holidays, and showcase the important role Clubs play.”
For a free place, parents can sign up by purchasing a participating Kellogg’s cereal box and scanning the on-pack QR code or visitingwww.kelloggsfc.com.
One third of Britain’s workplaces do not have staff with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, according to a new survey.
The Acas survey, carried out by YouGov, found that 33% of workers thought that their organisation did not have people with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, with the figure rising to 40% for SMEs.
Mediation is a way of mending relationships when there is a disagreement at work, and looks at how people can work together. It is held by an impartial mediator who does not take sides, and is a less formal, flexible and voluntary way of resolving disagreements.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 has introduced significant changes to workers’ rights, and provides an opportunity for employers and workers to work together to help organisations thrive and improve working lives.
Acas is encouraging employers and workers to work together to raise standards of workplace relations and help prevent and manage potential disputes.
Kevin Rowan, Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, said: “Mediation can be great way of preventing and managing disputes informally without the need for potentially expensive formal action.
“It is not about judging who is wrong or who is right; it is about bringing people in a disagreement together to agree on a way of working together.
“Mediation is a valuable skill, but our survey shows that too few workers are confident their organisation has the skills to use it in a disagreement. We encourage employers to make sure their managers have the confidence and skill to mediate successfully.”
Mediation can be used to resolve disagreements around relationships at work. It might be used to resolve personality clashes or relationship breakdowns, or bullying and harassment. It is not generally used to resolve things like pay disputes or issues related to dismissal or serious misconduct.
It is a voluntary and confidential process, and the mediator will agree with everyone what information can be shared. If you do not reach an agreement, anything that’s said is kept confidential.
Mediation can help avoid stress, manage disagreements and avoid formal procedures like an employment tribunal. The outcome is decided by everyone involved and can be flexible.
The UK Mediation Conference, on 30th June 2026 in London, aims to equip managers with the key conflict resolution skills, including
Managing difficult conversations
Preventing escalation
Handling sensitive disputes inclusively and effectively.
New analysis of Scottish Charity Regulator data by Ansvar Insurance has highlighted the important contribution made by Edinburgh’s micro-charities, with 1,317 grassroots organisations supporting a wide range of causes across the region.
The figures show that 45 new micro-charities – organisations with an annual income of less than £25,000 – were registered during 2025, adding to an established network of local organisations delivering support to communities.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, a specialist insurer for the charity and not‑for‑profit sector, commented: “The latest figures show that community spirit remains strong across Edinburgh, with more people taking action to support causes that matter to them and their local area.
“Micro-charities may be small in terms of income, but their contribution to society is often far greater than their size suggests. Across the area, these organisations support a wide range of causes and play an important role in local communities.”
Despite limited income, micro-charities often face many of the same challenges as larger organisations. These responsibilities often fall to a small team, who must balance day-to-day service delivery with the regulatory demands of running a charity.
Building awareness of these challenges can ensure micro-charities are better placed to continue delivering vital services.
According to Ansvar, three key areas are:
Governance and trustee responsibilities – ensuring trustees understand their legal duties and that appropriate policies and procedures are in place.
Cyber security and data protection – protecting the personal information of donors, volunteers and beneficiaries from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Operational resilience – preparing for unexpected events that could affect the charity’s ability to deliver services, and ensuring appropriate insurance and contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption.
Adam Tier added: “Many of these organisations are run by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about making a difference.
“By building strong foundations early on, micro-charities can put themselves in the best position to continue supporting their communities for years to come.”
Ansvar conducted the analysis to highlight the important contribution made by grassroots charities and to recognise the people who dedicate their time and resources to supporting local causes.
We’ve got a professional barber popping into North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 1 July, 1-3pm, offering free short hair cuts for local residents living in North Edinburgh.
Spaces are limited, so booking is a must. Give the Link Up team a ring on 07493 876 130 to book your spot before the chairs fill up.
Scotland’s recent election tells us something important about the national mood (writes ALISON NOLAN).
The return of an SNP-led administration under John Swinney, the rise of the Greens, the fragmentation of traditional party loyalties, the emergence of Reform UK at Holyrood, and low voter turnout together point to a political landscape that is more divided, volatile and uncertain than at any point since devolution began.
At the same time, COSLA’s recent white paper on strengthening local democracy argues that Scotland must rebuild democratic participation and place power closer to communities. These are not separate conversations. The central question facing Scotland’s new administration is not simply how to govern, but how to rebuild trust, participation and civic confidence in an age of fragmentation.
That is where libraries matter.
For too long, libraries have been framed narrowly: as cultural amenities, repositories of books, or discretionary local services under financial pressure. Those roles remain important, but they no longer capture the full significance of libraries in modern Scotland. Libraries are democratic infrastructure.
In communities across Scotland, libraries remain among the very few public spaces that are free, trusted, accessible and open to everyone. You do not need money to enter. You do not need an appointment, a referral or permission. At a time when many civic spaces have disappeared from public life, libraries remain embedded in communities across the country.
The election exposed a growing sense of democratic disconnection. Turnout fell in many parts of the country. Political loyalties are becoming more fluid and polarised, while public debate is increasingly shaped by social media algorithms, misinformation and distrust. At the same time, Scotland’s new government faces enormous pressures, from public service reform and child poverty to digital exclusion and growing demands for more local decision-making.
Libraries can help Scotland respond to all of these challenges. Democracy is strongest when decisions are made closest to communities but local democracy requires more than changes to governance structures. It also requires trusted local spaces where people can access information, build confidence, participate in discussions and connect with one another. Libraries already provide that infrastructure.
Every day, libraries help people access digital public services, apply for jobs, develop literacy skills, connect with their communities and navigate increasingly complex information environments. They host community groups, youth activities and public events, while increasingly helping people understand online information, artificial intelligence and the digital systems shaping modern life.
In practice, libraries already do the work of democratic participation. We simply do not always describe it that way.
Imagine if libraries were recognised formally as civic participation hubs in every community: places where citizens’ assemblies, local consultations and participatory budgeting discussions could happen; where young people could develop media literacy and critical digital skills; and where communities could engage with regeneration, climate transition and public service reform.
Much of this is already happening quietly across Scotland’s library network. The challenge now is whether national policy catches up with that reality.
If Scotland is serious about prevention, community empowerment and democratic renewal, libraries cannot continue to sit at the margins of policy discussions. They should be recognised as part of Scotland’s democratic and social infrastructure, alongside schools, health services and community organisations.
Democracy depends on more than elections and institutions. It depends on trust, participation, shared spaces and equal access to information. Libraries provide all four. In the Scotland emerging from this election, that may make them more important than ever.
Alison Nolan
Chief executive, Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC)
