We are officially in the last month of 2022, can you believe it? And with Christmas just around the corner, December can be pretty hectic for most.
To add to the busy times, there are some important changes and events happening impacting people across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Whether it be traffic disruption due to Christmas market road closures, train and postal strikes as we approach the big day, or changes to benefit payments before December 25.
Luckily, Edinburgh Live have noted some key dates for your diary and changes to be wary of as we head through the final days of the year. Here is everything you need to know.
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Christmas market road closures
As the festive fun kicks off in the capital, there are a number of roads closed off.
The Edinburgh City Council web sports shows that George Street, between Charlotte Square and Castle Street Road, will be closed except for cycles until January 14, 2021..
Loading will be permitted on George Street from the eastbound side, in the hours between 6.30am -9.30am.
Keep checking Edinburgh Live for the latest traffic and travel updates in the coming weeks.
Hogmanay celebration road closures
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party is returning for the first time in three years after it was cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
The world-famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party returns to the capital’s historic city centre on 31 December to light-up the Edinburgh skies at one of the greatest New Year celebrations in the world.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle, 30,000 revellers will make their way into 2023 with live DJ soundtracks, giant screens, funfair attractions and a delicious selection of street food & drink throughout the arena.
A full list of road closures has not yet been confirmed, but major travel disruption is expected. Closures will be on top of the Christmas market road closures - set to be in place until January 14.
During the last celebration in 2019, 10 busy routes will close in total, with some closed from 6pm this evening and others shutting at 10pm. They'll all remain off-limits until 10am on New Year's Day. And the same is expected as the party returns this year.
Train strikes
More rail disruption is expected across the Edinburgh and the rest of the country throughout December, with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) confirming 48-hour action. More than 40,000 members of RMT, across 14 train operating companies, are set to take part in the strikes. The strikes not only include conductors and drivers, but signalling staff too.
These particular strikes do no actually involve ScotRail staff, but there will still be a huge impact to lines running on strike days.
The dates announced by RMT are as follows:
- December 13
- December 14
- December 16
- December 17
There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from December 18 until January 2, meaning RMT will be taking industrial action for four weeks.
Postal strikes
Royal Mail workers are to launch a fresh wave of strikes throughout December, with heavy disruption expected in the lead up the Christmas.
The walkouts have been organised by the Communication Workers’ Union amid a row with the company over pay and working conditions.
A total of 10 days of action were planned, with 115,000 CWU members staging a walk out. Two of the dates fell in November, with a third today - December 1.
Here are the future planned dates...
- Friday, December 9
- Sunday, December 11
- Wednesday ,December 14
- Thursday, December 15
- Friday, December 23
- Christmas Eve
DWP payment date changes
Those claiming benefits including Tax Credit can expect to be paid earlier this year.
This comes as Christmas lands on a Sunday and so the bank holiday lands on December 27 and according to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), if your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.
For example, if you are due a payment on either 24, 25, 26 or 27 of the month, you should be paid on Friday, December 23 instead.
New Year payments will also be paid earlier.
Current due dates for benefits, and when they will be paid
- December 26 (Will be paid on December 23)
- December 27 (Will be paid on December 23)
- January 2, 2023 (Will be paid on December 30, 2022)
- January 3, 2023 (Will be paid on December 30, 2022)
Rent freeze
Agents have until December 2 to feed into the Propertymark's respose to a new consultation on the matter of rent controls.
The Scottish Government is currently assessing the impact of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022, which wsas introduced to set a rent freeze for private tenants throughout Scotland.
For most tenants, rents cannot increase until at least 31 March 2023. This will apply to you if you rent from: a private landlord or letting agency. the council or a housing association.
Ministers have the power to vary the rent cap while it is in force - currently it’s set at 0 per cent.
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