We know some residents are concerned about the behaviour of a small number of jet ski users. While we do not regulate activity on the water, we want to make sure concerns reach the organisations that can investigate and take action.
If you witness unsafe or antisocial behaviour, please report it directly to the appropriate authorities. The more information you can provide, the more likely they are to be able to identify those involved and investigate the incident.
If it’s safe to do so, try to record:
Date, time and location#
Colour and description of the craft
Any visible registration or identifying marks
Description of the rider(s)
Photos or video footage, where safe to obtain them
Report to:
Simply reporting that a jet ski was present is unlikely to provide enough information for authorities to identify the operator. Providing as much detail as possible helps build the evidence needed to tackle unsafe and antisocial behaviour on the water.
Find out more about reporting of alleged anti-social or unsafe use of watercraft and other vessels on the KHM website.
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed continued progress in controlling the Cairngorms wildfires as he chaired another meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) this afternoon.
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Climate Action and Rural Affairs Secretary Gillian Martin were also in attendance, along with representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Highland Council and Cairngorms National Park.
The SFRS confirmed that a Level 3 response will continue and reported positive progress in controlling the outbreak.
Additional support for residents in Nethy Bridge remains in place through the Local Resilience Partnership.
The First Minister said:
“As our emergency services and partners continue to tackle the wildfires in the Cairngorms, I am pleased to see there has been welcome progress and I thank all again for their continued hard work and collaboration.
“The Scottish Government requested military assistance, in the form of aerial support to drop water on the fire, from the Ministry of Defence to supplement existing aerial resources that are in place. We have received a formal response advising that the UK Government are not in a position to agree to this request, given that the Ministry of Defence does not possess aerial firefighting assets stationed within the UK. The offer of other resources is welcome but SFRS has confirmed they have the other resources they need.
“Ministers will continue to be updated on the fire and resources and services will remain until the fire is out. As I stated earlier, this wildfire is being treated with the utmost seriousness and necessary resources will be in place until the last flames are out.”
Background
Plans for the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) to meet again tomorrow will be reviewed following updates from local resilience partners.
Doctor Who should be filmed and produced in Glasgow.
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The next era of Doctor Who should be based and filmed in Glasgow, bringing long-term jobs, training and investment to Scotland’s screen sector, say Scottish Green councillor Anthony Carroll, and Patrick Harvie MSP.
The BBC announced last month that it will put production of the iconic series out to competitive tender this year as it prepares for the programme’s next phase.
The call comes following the BBC’s decision to axe River City after 24 years and the subsequent demolition of its Shieldinch set, which had provided regular employment and a crucial training ground for generations of Scottish actors and production workers.
Scottish Green councillor for Dennistoun, Anthony Carroll, said:
“Glasgow has many police boxes already on its streets, it’s time we see another added.
“This time, it will be one that can help make Glasgow the beating heart – or two – of the television production industry in Scotland, providing vital opportunities to the sector.
“Scotland has had four actors play the Doctor on camera, now we should bring the local talent behind the camera, into the world’s longest running sci-fi TV show.”
Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie said:
“The BBC has been under pressure to show commitment to Glasgow and Scotland, after controversial changes including recent redundancies in journalism and the loss of River City.
“Now that they are deciding what the next regeneration of Doctor Who will look like, there could not be a better time for Glasgow to make our case to be the new home of the Doctor.
“Glasgow has already doubled for cities across space and time, with productions from Spider-Man to Indiana Jones filmed right on our doorsteps.
“Our city has shown that it already has everything needed to bring the Doctor here. We have the locations, facilities, creativity and local talent. What we need is a commitment from the BBC to secure this production opportunity. It would give our screen sector the kind of boost that Doctor Who did for Wales.”
“The next time the TARDIS lands, it should land in Glasgow.”
NOTES:
Glasgow has become a major destination for film and television, hosting 140 productions during 2024 and generating an estimated £33 million in local spending. Recent productions have included Shetland, The Buccaneers, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, The Running Man and The Bombing of Pan Am 103, while the city’s streets have also been transformed for major Hollywood productions including Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Further across Scotland, The Traitors has turned Ardross Castle into a globally recognised location, while Netflix’s hit detective drama Dept. Q was based at Leith’s FirstStage Studios and filmed across Edinburgh for six months.
Screen Scotland estimates that productions beginning principal photography in the first half of 2024 generated around £194 million in total production spending.
A BBC economic-impact study found that basing the revived programme in Wales contributed approximately £134.6 million to the Welsh economy between 2004 and 2021, while generating £256 million across the UK. Research by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy described Doctor Who as a catalyst that transformed South Wales into a major centre for high-end television, developing local crews, attracting further productions and supporting lasting investment in studios and post-production.
Evacuated residents advised it is safe to return home.
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the news that residents of Nethy Bridge affected by the precautionary evacuations prompted by the Cairngorms wildfire have been advised they can return home.
At a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) this evening the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported good progress in strengthening fire breaks to protect residential areas and said the number of hot spots are reducing. Two helicopters have each been dropping between 20,000 and 40,000 litres an hour on the areas affected.
The meeting was chaired by the First Minister with Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin also in attendance, along with representatives from the SFRS, Police Scotland, Highland Council and Cairngorms National Park.
The First Minister said:
“Efforts to tackle the wildfire in the Cairngorms are in their tenth day, and changeable weather conditions have presented a range of challenges for those on the ground. I praise their resilience and tireless efforts to bring it under control.
“With residents in Nethy Bridge now able to return to their homes, Police Scotland have lifted the Major Incident declaration. I want to stress however, that the Scottish Government, the emergency services and all relevant authorities will continue to treat this wildfire, as has been the case since its onset, with the utmost seriousness and necessary resources until the last flames are out.
“I have been heartened to hear of the cooperation and support from the local community – an appeal earlier today for assistance with the provision of plant machinery to help firefighting efforts was responded to quickly and no further equipment is needed at this time.
“We do ask for the continued patience of members of the public and their cooperation in staying away from the area both for their own safety and to enable those on the scene to focus on the task at hand.”
Background
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) will meet again tomorrow.
First Minister John Swinney has chaired a further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) on the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park.
Also in attendance for the update at 13:00 were Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray, Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn, plus representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Highland Council and Cairngorms National Park.
SFRS reported positive progress in tackling the blaze, whilst still taking proactive and preventative measures to stop its spread. Air support is also being prioritised for the areas where it is of most benefit.
The First Minister said:
“The latest update I received on the situation in the Cairngorms shows an improved picture, however, as we have already seen, events can change very quickly due to the weather conditions. I would like to again thank the fire service, police and local partners for their efforts.
“This remains a major and serious incident, so it is still extremely important that people follow the advice of emergency services and the Cairngorms National Park – it is essential people avoid the affected areas for safety reasons and to allow responders to focus on tackling the wildfire.
“A request has been made today to the UK Government for military assistance in aerial support that can be used to supplement existing resources that are being deployed to tackle the Cairngorms wildfire and we await a response.”
Background
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room will meet again later this evening.
Resilience Room reconvenes to discuss ongoing incident.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) reconvened this morning at 7am to review the position on the Cairngorms National Park wildfire.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, other partners, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth and Justice Secretary Neil Gray.
A precautionary evacuation of Nethy Bridge began on Friday 24 July 2026 after Police Scotland declared a major incident following changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire.
A fire break around the village was established overnight, new fire breaks are being constructed and SFRS is deploying additional resources.
The First Minister said:
“This continues to be a very serious situation. Residents, businesses and people staying in the affected areas will understandably be very worried. My thoughts are with them and I thank them for their understanding.
“With the fire changing to be in the direction of Nethy Bridge yesterday afternoon, a precautionary evacuation was put in place and a fire break was successfully established overnight to protect the village. Police officers visited all properties in Nethy Bridge and officers are in the village today to support residents.
“The wind has changed direction overnight, which means the track of the fire has altered once again and the threat to Nethy Bridge has reduced, for the moment at least. Ground and helicopter resources are being focused on the current path of the fire and new fire breaks constructed.
“This demonstrates how these situations can change very quickly and dramatically, reflecting the challenges being faced by SFRS and the other responders tackling this wildfire. It does not mean however that anyone should return to that area until they have been given the go-ahead to do so. Further decisions will be taken later today by the Local Resilience Partnership and the Scottish Government Resilience Room will also reconvene.
“I remain extremely grateful to the emergency services and all those involved who are working tirelessly to control this fire and support local residents. I reiterate the message that people in the area must follow the advice of emergency services and the Cairngorms National Park – it is essential people avoid the affected areas.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Fleet of spy drones to equip British soldiers and back jobs in South West England and Wales
British soldiers will be better protected and more lethal on the battlefield as a new investment of up to £400 million will see the Army equipped with the latest spy drone technology.
New Tekever AR5 surveillance drones chosen to keep British troops safe through round-the-clock intelligence gathering.
Up to £400 million deal will support jobs at Tekever’s UK sites, bolstering Britain’s defence manufacturing base.
Investment supports re-industrialisation of Britain, helping to strengthen national security and create growth across the UK.
British soldiers will be better protected and more lethal on the battlefield as a new investment of up to £400 million will see the Army equipped with the latest spy drone technology.
The new drones will be able to carry up to 50kg in surveillance equipment, such as cameras and sensors, and can fly for longer than previous systems the Army has used, giving commanders real-time intelligence to protect troops and inform battlefield decisions.
The initial order will be for six AR5 drones, with up to 24 delivered by 2029.
The AR5 has been selected to replace the ageing Watchkeeper drones, under a deal worth up to £400 million over the next 10 years. The drone will be built in Tekever’s soon to be open Swindon manufacturing facility.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said:
Proven in Ukraine and designed to protect British soldiers globally, we’ve chosen the UK-based Tekever AR5 drone to supply our personnel with kit that will keep them ahead of emerging threats.
This investment will support our troops on deployment, while driving re-industrialisation and backing British innovation.
Watchkeeper, in service since 2014, is reaching the end of its operational life. The new AR5 offers significantly improved endurance, sensor capability and reliability, ensuring that the Army maintains a battle-winning edge in surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The drone has been utilised by Ukraine’s Armed Forces on the battlefield, as they continue their fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion.
The full contract will sustain and create hundreds of jobs at Tekever’s UK sites, reinforcing defence’s important role in the UK’s growing defence and technology sector. It reflects this government’s commitment, driving defence as an engine for growth and supporting the reindustrialisation of industry in Britain.
Tekever UK’s Managing Director Karl Brew said:
CORVUS represents a major step change in delivering cutting edge autonomy to the British Army. This isn’t about a platform, it’s about building and sustaining sovereign capability that stays one step ahead of our adversaries.
Through CORVUS, TEKEVER aims to create a new type of partnership between government and industry where we will ensure a constant cycle of capability evolution that delivers decisive advantage to our end users.
Subject to contract signature and final approvals, the new capability will begin entering service later this year, with support sustained for at least five years and options to extend.
Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, Ariane Burgess, has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray, calling for urgent resources and clarity on the action being taken to bring the devastating blaze ravaging the Cairngorms under control.
This comes as people and families from Nethy Bridge have been evacuated and a major incident has been declared.
Ariane said:
“The fire has raged for over a week, destroying precious nature, threatening livelihoods and forcing local residents from their homes.
“People across the area are understandably anxious and worried, and the scale of the damage can be seen and smelt for miles.
“This is a deeply distressing time for the communities in and around the Cairngorms. People are being forced to watch the landscape they love burning around them, while worrying about their homes, their businesses and what the coming days will bring.
“Firefighters are putting their lives on the line and working around the clock to protect our communities. No stone can be left unturned in making sure crews have the equipment, personnel and support required to tackle this fire safely and effectively.
“Airborne helicopters dropping water have already made a difference, and a lot of local people who have reached out to me want to see more of them on their way.
“Local residents and businesses must not be left to face this crisis alone. A lot of the land managers have gone above and beyond, but we also need greater government resources including skills and assistance from nearby Lossiemouth.
“The Scottish Government must provide urgent clarity on what additional resources will be made available to them now and in future, what further action is being taken to bring the blaze under control, and how those affected will be supported through the immediate crisis and its aftermath.
“Our communities have shown enormous strength, resilience and solidarity, but they need action and reassurance now. The priority must be protecting people, supporting firefighters and doing everything possible to limit further damage to this precious part of our country.”
TEXT OF LETTER FROM ARIANE TO NEIL GRAY
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
Thank you for the updates provided throughout the wildfire incident.
Given that Police Scotland has now declared a major incident and residents are being evacuated from the Nethy Bridge area, I would be grateful if you could outline what additional operational, logistical and financial support is now available as a consequence of that designation.
In particular:
Have any additional Scottish Government resilience arrangements now been activated?
Is military assistance being considered or has any request for support been discussed?
What support is being made available to evacuated residents and affected local businesses?
What assessment is being made of the likely recovery and environmental restoration requirements following the fire?
Given the understandable concern amongst local residents, any information you can provide on the practical implications of the major incident declaration would be greatly appreciated.
SGORR meets to discuss evacuation of Nethy Bridge.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met this evening to discuss the evacuation of Nethy Bridge after Police Scotland declared the Cairngorms National Park wildfire a major incident.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and other Ministers and partners.
The First Minister said:
“This is clearly a very serious situation and is a hugely concerning and anxious time for residents and businesses in Nethy Bridge, and my thoughts are with them.
“As a result of changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire, Police Scotland declared a major incident requiring the evacuation of the village of Nethy Bridge as a precaution.
“SFRS resources are focussed on creating a fire break and additional police resources are being deployed to assist with the evacuation, including identifying vulnerable residents who may need extra support. Residents are being directed to a respite centre in Aviemore, where Highland Council can provide support and advice.
“I am extremely grateful to all the first responders who have been working hard to control this fire since it was first reported last Wednesday. I remain in continued contact with SFRS and partners and SGORR will convene again.
“This is a serious situation and I strongly urge people to continue to follow all advice from emergency services and transport authorities and continue to avoid the affected areas in the Cairngorms National Park.”
But from continuity cabinet appointments, to standard Starmer policy positions, Burnham’s first week on the job has many asking: is this change, or more of the same?
From Westminster to Greater Manchester, Greens have been challenging the new PM to commit to the real change the country needs.
As Zack Polanski said: “There is an affordability crisis, an inequality crisis, and a climate crisis. We will judge Andy Burnham on whether he provides the leadership necessary to deliver solutions.”
“Is he willing to take on vested interests?”
On the day of Burnham’s coronation, Zack made clear where he would focus his attention if he were in the PM’s position.
“We need action on sky high rents, with rent controls, we need to end the rip off and take water into actual public ownership, not tinkering with the existing failed model as is being suggested.
“We need wealth taxes as a first step towards tackling gross inequality and getting serious investment into our economy and public services.”
Key to achieving any of these fundamental changes to how our economy works is a willingness to change the status quo.
But Zack noted that Burnham’s first speech as PM “failed to mention any willingness to challenge the vested interests of the establishment which Labour has become part and parcel of and has driven these crises.”
“The Prime Minister’s speech today will leave many sceptical that Andy Burnham really plans to challenge the wealth and power of the establishment and it all starts to look and sound like more of the same.”
Another fossil fool?
One vested interest that Burnham seems unlikely to take on is the oil and gas lobby.
Repeated reports suggest Labour are set to give the go-ahead to the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field and Jackdaw gas field.
As Zack said “There is a climate crisis and yet the mood music coming from within the Labour Party has been to reverse policy on North Sea drilling, to appease powerful fossil fuel interests, and Donald Trump.”
And Green MP Adrian Ramsay noted the total omission of climate and nature from Burnham’s introductory speech outside No. 10:
“He failed to mention one of the greatest crises our country is facing: the climate and nature emergency. Burnham must end speculation and commit to no new oil and gas fields. Anything else is a failure of leadership.”
I welcome the new PM to his post, but he failed to mention one of the greatest crises our country is facing: the climate and nature emergency.
Burnham must end speculation and commit to no new oil and gas fields. Anything else is a failure of leadership.
Amid a summer of extreme heat, drought, and wild fires, a decision to expand North Sea drilling would be all the more blinkered.
Sold on international markets, these fossil fuels would also do nothing to lower UK household bills.
As Zack said: “Only serious investment in renewable energy will provide the energy security and reduced bills that we need.”
Continuity Starmer: more US bombers at UK bases
On his first day in office, Burnham continued what’s now a Labour tradition: appeasing Donald Trump.
Picking up where Starmer left off, the war mongering President was the first world leader Burnham spoke to in No. 10.
And he wasted no time in approving the continued use of UK bases by US bombers for Trump’s illegal war on Iran – even amid the latest escalation by the US which has seen it bomb civilian infrastructure.
Of course, Burnham and his cabinet have questions to answer on the genocide in Gaza too.
Ellie Chowns this week wrote to Wes Streeting, the new Defence Secretary, to ask what steps he will take to end the UK’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza.
In his brief time out of the cabinet this year, Streeting made public his views that Israel is committing war crimes – expressed both in WhatsApp messages to Peter Mandelson that he made public in February, and again in an interview on the News Agents podcast in June.
As Ellie wrote: “Your appointment therefore marks a first. We now have a Secretary of State in the UK Government who has made public their view that the Israeli government has committed war crimes during the genocide in Gaza.”
This brings with it legal obligations to act. And Ellie challenged Streeting to do so.
“You now have a direct responsibility for the UK’s complicity in these horrors. But as ever, we need action, not words. If you are serious about ending this injustice, you will start by ending the sale of all arms to Israel.”
A few weeks ago, the new Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, said there were “serious and substantial allegations of war crimes” in Gaza.
International Law prohibits states from exporting weapons if they know the arms will be used to commit war crimes, genocide, or crimes against… pic.twitter.com/yO50YlUHUi
And the Green Party has challenged another senior member of Burnham’s cabinet to follow through on their words with action.
Louise Haigh – this week promoted to first secretary of state – last year described Israel’s assault on Gaza as a genocide and asked the Government to impose sanctions on Netanyahu and “his genocidal regime”.
Zack Polanski has today written to her to ask if she stands by her comments and if – more importantly – she will act on them.
Continuity cabinet
Many of Burnham’s other cabinet appointments suggest he hasn’t learnt the lessons of Starmer’s failure.
From his endorsement of Shabana Mahmood’s performatively cruel approach to running the Home Office…
… to the clear signal he wants to prioritise defence spending over, say, support for sick and disabled people by naming John Healey Chancellor…
… to the appointment of Yvette Cooper – second only to Wes Streeting for donations from organisations linked to private health – as Health Secretary, the signs are there that we can expect more of the same.
Especially if you’re a renter.
Just this week, in a video with economist Beth Stratford, Zack outlined the potential win-win of rent controls – both helping millions of renters, and saving the Government money.
Burnham had previously signalled his support for the policy. But on Friday, returned Housing Secretary Angela Rayner confirmed that this Labour government “won’t be looking at rent controls”.
As Zack summed up: “By ruling out rent controls, this new Labour Government are already demonstrating that they have no interests in supporting struggling people in this country – but will always back the interests of the powerful and wealthy.”
Less than a week to elect a Green Mayor of Greater Manchester
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester may have turned his back on renters, but Geraldine Coggins hasn’t.
The Green candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester paid Burnham a visit on Friday to hand deliver a letter urging to change his mind on rent controls.
Affordable housing is a key pledge of Geraldine’s – with plans to create 20,000 affordable homes over 10 years – and as mayor she will keep campaigning for rent controls to help people make ends meet.
The Labour party has failed the people of Greater Manchester on housing. Geraldine is the candidate to replace Labour and defeat the hateful politics of Reform.
Greens can win on Thursday 30 July – with your help.