Poverty Commission 2025 update report
Poverty levels in Edinburgh have been described as stubborn by the Council Leader as a Poverty Commission’s 2025 update report claims some progress despite headline numbers remaining the same. According to the report, collaboration between the council and partners over the past 12 months has led to:
- £26 million put into the pockets of low-income households in Edinburgh
- working with employers to encourage take up of the real living wage, saw a record 790 employers sign up, and collectively employing over 221,000 workers
- supporting 5,100 people into work and learning
- intervention from specialist council teams prevented 1,700 households from homelessness and helped almost 600 households to move on from temporary accommodation
- literacy, numeracy, and attainment levels improved for pupils in the most deprived areas of the city
- subsidised childcare places provided for working families through Edinburgh’s Affordable Childcare for Working Parents service
- new approaches to using data and online tools made it easier for people to access their entitlements – providing an average of £5k per year to 132 people
The Poverty Commission’s 2025 update report found that, like Scotland as a whole, Edinburgh is not yet on track to meet its headline target to reduce poverty rates to 10% by 2030.
Choir singing today
A choir for people living with dementia which is based at North Edinburgh Dementia Care, at the Seagrove Centre, near Seafield will be out signing on Thursday morning.
Their repertoire of Christmas Carols will be entertaining shoppers at Asda at The Jewel on Thursday at around 11am.
Crowdfunding raises £300,000 for UK expansion
Scotland’s first and only dedicated non-alcoholic brewery, Jump Ship Brewing, has been successful in its latest crowdfunding campaign to help upscale production.
Sonja Mitchell, Managing Director of Jump Ship, said: “With more and more people looking to cut back on alcohol, there has never been a better time to scale. We plan to double our production capacity next year and reach tens of thousands of new beer drinkers. We are all incredibly grateful to see 89 people continuing to support our vision and join our crowdfunder.
“And while we might have reached that initial target, the campaign is still live and we’re welcoming anyone who wants to come aboard. This is a chance for beer lovers to become part of the Jump Ship story and help us bring more great-tasting alcohol-free options to drinkers across the UK and beyond. Every investment helps us expand our brewing capacity, develop new beers, and reach more people who are looking for quality alternatives without compromise on taste.”
Donation to Oxgangs Care
Oxgangs Care, based in Edinburgh, has received a £20,000 donation from Coca-Cola, after their nomination by local retailer, Sophie Williams.
Sophie is one of six stars of Coca-Cola’s The Bosses campaign, and this charity is close to her heart.
The Williams’ corner shop in Edinburgh’s Oxgangs suburb was founded by Sophie’s father, Dennis, and his parents in 1983, and has been at the heart of the community ever since.
Now Sophie, an experienced theatrical performer, is bringing fresh energy to the store – from viral TikTok videos to online delivery apps for a new generation of customers.
Dusan Stojankic, Vice President and General Manager of Great Britain & Ireland at Coca-Cola said: “Local retailers like Sophie are at the heart of our communities, and we’re proud to support charities that matter most to them. This year’s The Bosses campaign is all about celebrating the people who keep their communities ticking. For 125 years Coca-Cola has worked hand in hand with convenience store owners across Great Britain, and these donations reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting the places and people that make them thrive.”
Sophie Williams commented: “I’m honoured to have been part of this campaign and to be able to shine a light on the charities that do so much for the community I grew up in. This donation will make a real difference to people locally, and I’m grateful to Coca-Cola for helping continue to support our work within the community around us.”
International English Olympiad winner is from Edinburgh
Lakshitha Vinothkumar (11) a pupil at Gylemuir Primary School in Edinburgh has been announced as a level 7 winner in an International English competition.
The International English Olympiad run by The British Youth International College improves language skills and covers reading, listening, writing and comprehension of contemporary and traditional English language texts.
As one of the top performers Lakshitha received a certificate and trophy.
Thousands of students from all over the world took part in the one day challenge for students aged five to fifteen.
Lakshitha’s parents, Vinothkumar and Sujatha, said: “My daughter winning this competition is a moment of pride for us. Her lessons in abacus and English are doing wonders for her overall performance. Winning this title would surely boost her confidence and propel her for higher achievements.”
