New ways to cut NHS waiting lists and help young people with mental health issues are among Scottish tech solutions being unveiled today.
Firms that are bidding to help overhaul the way public services are delivered in Scotland are unveiling their prototypes at the CivTech Demo Day at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
CivTech, which is part of the Scottish Government, links firms who reckon they have the solutions to problems faced by public sector bodies such as councils, police and the NHS.
The 3rd challenge of today might be the most important one. Inspirational stuff with young people at the centre of it. #CivTechDemoDay pic.twitter.com/eNKARZI41s
— Scott Lindsay (@scottlindsay99) February 6, 2019
Open challenges are set, to which any organisation, team or individual can respond.
After months of hard work the team at @oxidoltd are proud to present our MVP at #CivTechDemoDay. Thank you to all the @CivTechScotland team for making this happen and our INCREDIBLE challenge sponsors at @nature_scot for working with us to bring our vision to life! 👏 pic.twitter.com/zdFC0bAcKm
— Zepto (@ZeptoApp) February 6, 2019
Shortlisted proposals go into an exploration stage and are further developed.
A moving pitch from young people to promote their @VoxsioAI app to support mental wellbeing through personalised @Allichat_Voxsio #AI #chatbot - great citizen engagement in UI design #CivTechDemoDay #CivTechScotland #StartTheChat #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 👏 pic.twitter.com/FfOZOS5FpV
— Peter Lee (@getpeter) February 6, 2019
The best go through to the accelerator - four months of working with challenge sponsors, citizens, and he CivTech team through a workshop system - to create the "best possible solution and a business capable of taking that solution to the world".
In one challenge, Stirling Council and the NHS are pushing to open a wider mental health conversation to help young people with problems affecting relationships and work or study.
Full report in tomorrow's business section.
Barratt Developments has reported a rise in half-year sales and profits as it continues to shrug off Brexit pressures hitting the wider property market.
The housebuilder posted a 7.2 per cent rise in revenues to £2.1 billion in the six months to December 31, while pre-tax profits jumped 19.1% to £408 million.
Completions in the first half came in at 7,622 homes, up 4.1%, while the average selling price of homes was broadly flat at £282,200.
Total forward sales were up 7.3% at £3bn and the outlook for the full year remains in line with expectations.
On Brexit, Barratt said it is working with suppliers to ensure the "continuity of supply of non-UK manufactured components", as it seeks to mitigate chaos at ports in the event of a disorderly exit.
Outsourcing giant Interserve has agreed a debt-for-equity swap with its lenders as part of plans to slash its near-£650 million debt mountain and put the firm on a secure financial footing.
Under the terms of the deal, Interserve's net debt will reduce to £275m.
The group, which holds crucial contracts for a range of services in prisons, schools and hospitals, will also issue £480m of new equity as part of the arrangement.
Interserve's building materials division, RMD Kwikform, will remain part of the group and £350m of debt will be secured against the lucrative unit.
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