First Minister John Swinney is defending the use of over £45,000 in public funds for business-class flights to the US. While Swinney and two aides flew business class for a trip involving the World Cup and trade talks, other officials traveled economy.
The Scottish government welcomed the US lifting tariffs on Scotch whisky exports, a move reciprocated for US bourbon and casks entering the UK. This follows an agreement after a state visit, benefiting an industry that lost £150m due to previous levies.
Scotland's government may consider a moratorium on new datacenters, a move that could jeopardize the UK's AI strategy. The SNP national council passed a motion to freeze projects lacking planning permission, citing "overdevelopment" and environmental concerns.
The Scottish Government plans new legislation to allow Commonwealth citizens with limited leave to remain in the UK to stand in local council elections, correcting an oversight in previous laws. The bill, expected after summer recess, aims for implementation before the May 2027 elections, drawing criticism from political opponents.
France's cybersecurity agency Viginum has accused Israeli tech company BlackCore of orchestrating a digital interference campaign targeting Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish government during recent elections. The firm allegedly used proxy social media accounts to spread disinformation, with similar operations noted in France, New York, Togo, and Angola. The sponsor behind BlackCore's actions remains unidentified.
A Scottish charity, Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS), warns that the government's policy on "green datacentres" lacks a clear definition, potentially allowing significant carbon emissions to be overlooked. Despite huge energy demands and planned gas connections for over 100 datacentre projects, the policy's climate impact analysis is outdated and doesn't account for AI development.
Scotland's deputy first minister, Jenny Gilruth, warned of "undoubtedly" necessary cuts to address a projected £5bn funding gap by 2030. She emphasized protecting services and frontline workers while exploring public sector reform and shared services, but faced criticism from opposition parties regarding transparency and potential job losses.
Keir Starmer faces leadership challenges as allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicate he may resign and potentially challenge for the leadership. Starmer has expressed 'full confidence' in Streeting. The King's Speech outlined 37 bills, including education, health, and energy reforms.
Keir Starmer faces leadership challenges as allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicate he may resign and potentially challenge for the leadership. Starmer has announced key reforms in education, health, and the courts in the King's Speech, aiming to prove his ability to enact change.
Downing Street confirms Wes Streeting remains Health Secretary amid potential leadership challenge rumors. The King's Speech debate begins with jibes from Labour's Naz Shah. A European partnership bill aims to align UK regulations with the EU, potentially adding £5.1bn annually to the economy. Nigel Farage faces a parliamentary inquiry over an undeclared £5m donation.
Wes Streeting, UK's health secretary, is reportedly preparing to resign and launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer, potentially as early as tomorrow, despite doubts over his support among MPs.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer met Health Secretary Wes Streeting for 17 minutes amid calls for Starmer's resignation. The meeting's outcome is unclear, but Starmer's leadership faces challenges, including a potential no-confidence vote by the SNP and predictions from Labour-supporting unions that he won't lead the party into the next election.
Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, concedes his party was comprehensively beatenElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesJohn Swinney, the Scottish National party leader, has challenged Keir Starmer to show “greater respect” to the Scottish government after winning the Holyrood elections by a comfortable margin.The Scottish National party secured a record fifth term in office on Friday after securing at least 57 of Holyrood’s 129 seats, with Labour and Reform vying for a distant second place. Continue reading...
Parties accused of ‘fiscal denial’ and failing to tell voters the scale of the challengeThe next Scottish government will need to make “really difficult” spending decisions soon after taking power, including tackling its large public sector pay bill, senior economists have said.Economists with the Fraser of Allander Institute, at the University of Strathclyde, believe the manifestos published by Scotland’s political parties during the campaign failed to tell voters about the true scale of the challenge. Continue reading...
Six Scottish parties have released manifestos for the May 7 Holyrood election, featuring pledges on price caps, tax cuts, housing, net zero scrapping and public services. Critics highlight unfunded commitments, fiscal credibility issues and constitutional limits.
