Latest news with #Midlothian
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Families urged to check school meal support before start of summer holidays
Households with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the school holidays this summer. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Families across Scotland are being urged to check their eligibility for free school meal support ahead of the summer holidays. Local authorities support eligible families to access food during school holiday periods, including food vouchers and direct payments to families. The Scottish Government provides local councils with a total of £21.75 million annually to fund this provision. Households normally eligible for free school meals during term time should automatically start receiving payments of £2.50 or £4.80 per day, per child, during the holidays, depending on the child's age and where they live. While exact holiday dates vary by council, national advice agency Advice Direct Scotland calculated that a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 to help cover meal costs over the course of the six-week summer break. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 'Schools breaking up for summer provides families with opportunities to rest, enjoy quality time together and prepare for the academic year ahead, but we know the holiday periods can also be a time of increased financial pressure for families. 'Scotland is currently the only part of the UK with holiday free school meal provision, which is an important strand of our work towards eradicating child poverty. The Scottish Government provides more than £21 million annually to support local councils to continue free meal provision for those families that need it most. 'As we approach the summer break, I urge anyone who may have become newly eligible to check their eligibility status with their local authority and apply as soon as possible.' Parents who have not yet applied for free school meals, or who might start claiming benefits over the holidays due to a change in circumstances, are being urged to take action now. All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances. Children in P6 and above continue to qualify only if they come from low-income households. Over the summer and other holidays, support is available to those who normally receive free school meals. Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays, excluding weekends. However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil. This means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With the summer holidays approaching fast, it's crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children. Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills. 'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now. Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays. 'If you're unsure about your eligibility or need help applying, our team at offers free, confidential support to everyone, regardless of personal circumstances.' How to qualify for free school meals To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 People who are not currently eligible but start receiving one of the above benefits during the summer holidays can apply for the extra support immediately. Applications can be made through councils or online at Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at for help, over the phone or online. The form takes around 20 minutes to complete. Applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details. provides free, practical advice and information on any topic, including access to benefits and whether households are claiming all the support they are entitled to. The team can be contacted on 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Times
Footballer denies deliberately getting booked in ‘betting scam'
A former Livingston FC footballer has appeared in court accused of a betting scam by deliberately getting himself booked in a Scottish Premiership match against Celtic. Keaghan Jacobs, 35, is alleged to have attempted to cheat at gambling by picking up the yellow card on purpose during a game against the Hoops at the Tony Macaroni stadium in October 2019. Court papers state that the player is said to have 'acted in a manner whereby he would receive a yellow card for the purpose of enabling or assisting others to cheat at gambling'. Jacobs, above, will go on trial with his co-accused, Conan McDiarmid, in October ALAMY Jacobs, who now plays for the Lowland League club Gala Fairydean Rovers, entered a not guilty plea when he appeared at Edinburgh sheriff court on Wednesday. Sheriff John Cook set down a date for trial in October and issued a bail condition that Jacobs, from Edinburgh, cannot approach or contact his co-accused, Conan McDiarmid. McDiarmid, 40, is facing a charge of allegedly placing bets, and arranging for others to place bets, on Jacobs receiving the caution from the referee Willie Collum. He is alleged to have placed bets 'in the knowledge that it had been arranged that Jacobs would act in a manner whereby he would receive a yellow card during the match'. McDiarmid, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, pleaded not guilty in May and will stand trial alongside Jacobs at the capital court in October. Both men are being prosecuted under the Gambling Act 2005, Section 42, 1A. The match resulted in Livingston beating Celtic 2-0 on October 6, 2019. The Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie was shown a straight red card in the 25th minute before second-half goals from Scott Robinson and Lyndon Dykes clinched the points for the Lions. Jacobs played the full 90 minutes and was shown a yellow for an illegal challenge on the winger Jonny Hayes in the 95th minute. Jacobs is a South African national who had two spells with Livingston between 2007 and 2015 and again between 2017 and 2022. The midfielder played 252 times for the West Lothian club, scoring 23 goals, and has also played for Falkirk, Arbroath and the South African side Bidvest Wits. Jacobs is believed to have made football history when he played alongside his three triplet brothers — Kyle, Devon and Sheldon — in a Scottish Third Division match between Livingston and Albion Rovers in April 2010. The 2-0 win in front of just over 600 supporters is said to be the only time four brothers have turned out for the same professional senior team in the same match. McDiarmid played as a defender with a number of amateur clubs including Edinburgh United and Whitehill Welfare before he retired in 2020 and moved into management.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Dangerous Midlothian biker 'had near misses with public' as police hunt culprit
Midlothian police have issued an appeal as they hunt a dangerous off-road motorcyclist in the area. Officers received a number of reports due to the biker in Penicuik driving dangerously at popular spots - including Montgomery Park and The Precinct. The culprit has had "several near misses" with the public according to police who say "it's imperative" they trace the rider. READ MORE: Actor hits out at lifetime Jet2 ban after 'row over Pringles' on Edinburgh flight READ MORE: Edinburgh woman sues charity and earns £8k compensation payout over 'holiday row' Constable Keith Dolan said: "This motorcycle has had several near misses with people in the area and I would appeal to anyone who has any information regarding this off road motorcycle or its rider to contact us. "It is imperative that we trace them as soon as possible." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1053 of Monday, 9 June, 2025, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
Edinburgh Live
6 days ago
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian residents besieged by flooding as yellow weather warning in place
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Residents of a Midlothian town have shared images and video footage of flooding impacting their community. A picture taken by a shopper, Karen Seex, in Dalkeith appears to show the car park outside of the Morrison's supermarket on Eskbank Road. She warned shoppers to wear wellies if attending the shop, with the water believed to be over ankle height. Another video shared by Yvonne Henderson showed the road leading up to the Mayfield Shell garage and the surrounding fields inundated with water. Meteorologists issued a yellow weather warning for the Edinburgh and Lothians region, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected to persist for most of Saturday June 14. Forecasters at the BBC said the weather is expected to cause disruption with homes and businesses at risk of flooding and damage from floodwater, lightning strikes or hail. Heavy rain and thunderstorms may lead to some disruption. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. As a precaution they added 'there is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.' Public transport could also be impacted with train and bus services most likely to be disrupted. On Saturday morning a power issue relating to overhead lines between Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket however it is not known if this was related to recent weather conditions. Motorists have also been warned to take caution on the roads as surface water and sudden flooding could create problematic driving conditions and road closures. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox They also warned communities could be cut off by flooded roads while forecasters argued there is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost. The yellow weather warning is expected to be in place until 6pm.
Edinburgh Live
11-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian mum horrified as BMW driver ploughs into garden with children in house
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Midlothian mum has said she was 'in shock' after a driver in a BMW ploughed into her garden. Shona Halliday was at her house in Dalkeith on Tuesday evening when a motorist 'came through the fence to her garden'. Officers have since arrested a 32-year-old driver, who is due to appear in court on July 2. Shona and her neighbour both have 13-year-old boys, who she said 'could have been out playing in the garden'. Footage from the garden after the incident shows the 3 series on the lawn, with damage to the front of the vehicle and the wooden fence crumpled underneath. Police have said no injuries were reported. Speaking to Edinburgh Live , Shona said: "This happened at 9.05pm last night on Thornybank Grove. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "He drove into the Woodburn pavilion car park, then drove right through the boundary fence through my garden and through me and my neighbour's fence. Then was trying to reverse back out. "Neighbour and a bystander got him out the car and held him till the police came. No one was hurt but myself and my neighbour has 13-year-old boys who could have been out in the garden, such a shock. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 9.05pm on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, we received a report of a one vehicle crash on Thornybank Grove, Dalkeith. 'Officers attended, and no injuries were reported. The driver, a 32-year-old man, was arrested and charged in connection with a driving offence and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 2 July, 20."
