9am Briefing: Campaigners back alternative to Forth oil transfer

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed plans they believe would effectively rule out controversial ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

A row over proposals to allow ships to transfer oil in the area has been going on for years, but UK ministers say they will introduce rules before the end of this year. If implemented, the rules would ban transfers in the outer Forth. Inside the inner Forth would be subject to stringent safety and environmental regulations.

The director of WWF Scotland said those restrictions would make it "unlikely" for any transfers to take place.

• SCOTTISH Water said supplies to hundreds of homes in the EH10 area of the Capital were back to normal today after problems yesterday.

Customers had complained of loss of supply, low pressure and discoloured water.

Scottish Water apologised for the inconvenience caused and said the problem had been traced to a valve which had now been fixed.

• THREE-QUARTERS of all Scottish care homes owned by crisis-hit Southern Cross have had complaints upheld in the past five years, it was reported today.

Among those to receive criticism was Tranent Care Home, where complaints about low staffing levels were partially upheld last year among a total of thirteen complaints.

The findings come as the company, which has 98 homes in Scotland, is cutting costs and shedding staff.

• STANDARD Life has re-established the role of UK chief executive with an internal promotion.

Paul Matthews will take up the role on a permanent basis. He will oversee the Edinburgh-based insurer's nationwide operations and customer services.