Ben Croll As director Alex Ruhl’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors” continues an international festival tour, the project’s funder has sent out a message to other immersive titles considering public support: BFI Network is open for business. “We are open for all applications, and accepting narrative fiction VR projects,” says BFI Network talent exec Alexzandra Jackson. “I had such a good experience working with Alex [Ruhl] on ‘Rock, Paper, Scissor’ that I would certainly love the opportunity to work on more.” The new and emerging talent arm of the BFI, BFI Network looks to invest in filmmakers outside of London and Southeast England, keeping scouts in a number of English regions and satellite offices in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Since 2018, the development org has held an annual call for projects, offering up to £25,000 ($31,500) for short narrative fiction development titles.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran deficit doubles to £56m as cost of paper towels, pay deals and medicine mounts
28.03.2023 - 12:11 / dailyrecord.co.uk
NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s financial deficit will more than double to £56m over the coming year.
Pay deals, medicines and even the cost of paper towels have put significant pressure on the health service’s budget.
But just £9m in cuts and savings have been identified ahead of the budget meeting on Tuesday. However, little detail has been revealed.
Funding from Scottish Government increased from £833m last year to £850m in 2023/24.
The service has already spent £26m more than it brought in during 2022/23.
In his report to the health board this week, NHS Ayrshire & Arran finance chief Derek Lindsay said that it would now have to find £33m simply to avoid worsening the existing deficit.
The main financial pressures include:
The service also faces having to pay out £6.1m on 165 unfunded hospital beds put in place as a response to covid, although it aims to close the majority of these by June.
Mr Lindsay states: “During the pandemic many additional services were introduced. The only ones they will support in 2023/24 and beyond are the vaccination programme, test and protect and PPE.”
Despite this, the board will decide on recommendations to maintain other covid programmes that will not receive funding – namely £822k on cleaning enhancements and £1m on a scheme related to acute respiratory issues.
The board will hear about plans to allocate more of NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s budget to primary care, the new medicines fund, and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
Inflation has hit every part of the health service. While 98 percent of gas and electricity was bought in advance to protect against continued inflation, it will still cost an additional £2.4m.
There have also been significant rises in infrastructure maintenance
‘It’s time to talk’ as personal debt levels across Ayrshire revealed
Ayrshire residents are being encouraged to talk about money worries as new figures have revealed debt levels across the region.
Ayrshire's Culzean Castle named among Europe's 'most beautiful'
Stunning Culzean Castle has been named among "the most beautiful" in Europe by a top travel outlet. The grand location in Carrick featured among a must-see list of medieval buildings published by Brazilian travel guide Vegas Pelo Mundo.
Ayrshire pubs to do battle for top UK title at glittering London awards bash
Three Ayrshire pubs will do battle to be crowned best in the UK at a prestigious national award ceremony this summer.
State Pension payment increase next week could see more people in retirement pay tax
Basic and New State Pension payments will increase next week by 10.1 per cent for some 12.6 million older people across the country, including around one million living in Scotland.
Scots woman 'dies during gastric band surgery' in Turkey as loved ones pay tribute
A young Scots woman has died in Turkey after reportedly undergoing gastric band surgery.
Cars going wrong way on A77 as evacuation from Ayrshire crash site takes place
Cars have been spotted going the wrong way on the A77 as the evacuation from the crash site continues.
NHS Forth Valley faces £40 million funding squeeze - with bed cuts mooted
Stretched NHS Forth Valley is facing a huge £40million funding gap for 2023/24 and could be forced to cut beds.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomes study suggesting minimum unit pricing leads to fewer alcohol-related deaths
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has welcomed a new study suggesting that minimum unit pricing in Scotland has led to fewer alcohol-related deaths compared with England.
Chanel West Coast Feels ‘Great’ After Announcing ‘Ridiculousness’ Exit : I’m ‘Excited’ to ‘Control the Narrative’
Boss babe! Chanel West Coast feels “great” after announcing her exit from Ridiculousness following 12 years as its cohost.
Devastated staff at Paul O'Grady's favourite Edinburgh bar pay tribute to 'iconic legend'
Devastated staff at a Scots bar which Paul O'Grady regularly dropped into have paid tribute to the "iconic legend" following his death on Tuesday.
Dying Ayrshire patient unable to get pain relief due to GP practice failings
The partner of a dying patient who was prevented from getting pain relieving medication has had a complaint against an Ayrshire medical practice upheld.
Scots issued urgent Calpol, Lemsip and Gaviscon warning amid medicine supply issues
Users of "very common medicines" are being asked not to buy in bulk as shoppers are being warned of shortages on pharmacy shelves.
Chanel West Coast Exits ‘Ridiculousness’ After 12 Years With New Paramount Deal: Read Her Statement
The end of an MTV era. Chanel West Coast is officially leaving Ridiculousness after 12 years as a cohost after signing a new overall deal with Paramount Media Networks.
Scots terrorism expert convinced Vladimir Putin using body double on public appearances
A Scottish terrorism expert is convinced Russian leader Vladimir Putin is using a body double on public appearances. The warmonger was accused by the Ukrainians of using a stand in on a surprise visit to occupied Mariupol last Sunday - to protect himself from assassination.
Asda shopper has to 'double take' after being charged £600 for a box of croissants
An Asda customer got the shock of his life when a 'reduced' box of croissants turned out to be more than he bargained for.
Plan to transform Ayrshire beachfront toilet into cafe gathers pace
Community campaigners have taken another giant stride towards leasing a beachfront toilet block as part of plans to revitalise Ardrossan South Beach.
The retailers giving pay rises as Amazon increases minimum wage for UK workers
Amazon are the latest company to announce a base pay increase for thousands of workers across the country.
Mother's Day afternoon tea deals from M&S, Aldi, Asda and more - from £2.47 per person
This Sunday, March 19, marks Mother's Day this year - a day to show appreciation and love to mums in countries all over the world. Many people choose to go out to a restaurant or bar to celebrate and treat their mums, but if a more chilled day is on the cards for you, it's still possible to make your mum feel special.
Brian Cox Is Glad ‘Succession’ Is Ending, and Doubles Down on Hating Method Acting: ‘I Don’t Put Up With That American S—’
Kate Aurthur editor Last month, when “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong announced that the fourth season of the Emmy-winning HBO drama would be its last, the internet howled in despair. But Brian Cox — who’s played the ferocious mogul Logan Roy since the show’s 2018 premiere — applauds Armstrong’s decision. “He’s very disciplined in that way, and also he’s very British in that way,” says Cox, who is Scottish, and in conversation seems to mention birthplace to explain behavior. “The American inclination is to milk it for all it’s worth.” Not that Cox, 76, won’t feel the loss. “I’ll miss the cast, I’ll miss the atmosphere, I’ll miss the bonhomie,” he says, ticking off reasons during a recent Zoom interview from London. And Logan? “Logan, probably, I’ll miss a bit. But upward and onwards.”