X Factor mobile – Cycling Data Map – Scotland Act – Georgian House – Bongo Club
X Factor goes mobile as the auditions hit Castle Street today. So dust off your singing voice or your dancing shoes and get along to have your chance at the big time. The mobile auditions van will arrive later today and then continue to Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness.
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STV’s Ally Tibbitt has prepared a data map of the serious accidents involving cyclists which have happened over the last five years. You can see it here along with a video from STV News which shows some further coverage of Pedal on Parliament.
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Edinburgh’s Liberal Democrat MP, Mike Crockart, has welcomed the passing of the Scotland Bill which will see the largest transfer of financial powers to the Scottish Parliament since the Act of Union.
Following the unanimous vote by the Scottish Parliament to support the Scotland Bill on 18 April and approval from the UK Parliament on 26th April, the Bill received Royal Assent yesterday.
The Act gives the Scottish Parliament multi-billion pound tax and borrowing powers and the ability to set speed limits for all types of vehicles, amend drink driving limits and control air weapons from next year.
From 2016 the Scottish Parliament will be required to set a Scottish income tax rate to replace part of the existing UK tax rate and from 2015 it will set its own Stamp Duty and landfill taxes.
Commenting, Mr Crockart said:
“As a Liberal Democrat I am absolutely committed to devolution and I am proud to have been a part of the Government which has seen this Bill through Westminster.
“The Act signals the greatest transfer of financial powers to Scotland since 1707 and makes the Scottish Parliament more powerful and more accountable to the Scottish people. It will enable MSPs to bring real change to Scotland in the years ahead.
“From 2016, we will pay a Scottish rate of income tax, those buying property from 2015 will pay a Scottish Stamp Duty and from next year drivers will drive at Scottish speed limits.
“These changes mean that the Scottish parliament is able to take the choices that suit the needs of Scotland.”
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The dedicated team charged with keeping some of Edinburgh’s finest heritage houses looking spick and span is amongst the Lothian stories which are showcased in a new series of online soundslides for the National Trust for Scotland.
Pat Wigston and Paula McEwen are experts in conservation care based at the Georgian House, a Charlotte Square property and Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile. Following painstaking conservation cleaning methods they ensure that the house is well presented to visitors and that its treasures are preserved for future generations. The pair are featured in the Trust’s Scotland’s Stories project.
This created 20 soundslides which tell the story of the diversity of the skills of the people needed to tend the places in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and their passion for their vital work to conserve and promote our heritage. The Edinburgh-based story features at www.scotlandsstories.com.
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You are asked to lend your support to save The Bongo Club. Out of the Blue Drill Hall has written asking for your help. They said:-
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