Scottish ministers under fire as North Sea bulletin is dumped
The Scottish Government was accused of “actively disowning” the North Sea industry last night after it emerged that its oil and gas analytical bulletin had been officially dumped.
Budget-cutting NHS Highland bosses accused of ‘mismanagement’ after £200,000 contract payments were not legally agreed
Health chiefs in the Highlands have been ordered to carry out a major review after investigators found they were paying a £200,000 contract that was not legally agreed.
Scottish ministers signal that there are no plans to merge NHS Grampian and crisis-hit Tayside
Health Secretary Shona Robison has signalled that the Scottish Government has no plans to merge NHS Grampian with the crisis-hit Tayside board.
Mark McDonald moved from Holyrood’s basement to office next to SNP and Tory MSPs
Shamed Aberdeen Donside politician Mark McDonald has been moved from Holyrood’s basement to an office next to other MSPs and staff.
Health secretary reiterates pledge to retain Moray’s maternity service
Health Secretary Shona Robison has reiterated her pledge that maternity services in Moray will not be permanently downgraded as she vowed to turn the region into a “centre of excellence” for medical training.
BiFab deal raises hopes of new work and “vibrant future” for Western Isles yard
A mothballed fabrication yard on the Western Isles was on the brink of being reborn last night after a landmark deal was struck to take over troubled firm BiFab.
Investigators to probe former Aberdeen children’s home from next week
A national child abuse investigation will turn its focus on events at a former Aberdeen children’s home from next week.
Concern over £360million repair bill facing Scotland’s colleges
Colleges in Scotland are facing a £360million repair bill but may be left short with just £39million allocated for the work this year.
SNP ministers under fire as pensioners fear missing early winter fuel cash next year
Fears have been raised that thousands of north and north-east pensioners will miss out on early winter fuel payments next year because ministers are “dragging their feet.”
Trade union urges Scottish council workers to reject pay rise offer
Council workers have been urged by a trade union to reject a pay rise amid claims it would “only increase disparity” between staff and bosses.
Scottish Government accused of “struggling” to meet health visitor target
Opposition MSPs have claimed the Scottish Government is struggling to meet a pledge to boost health visitor numbers after vacancy rates hit a three-year high.
Shock as a third of Western Isles residents now acting as unpaid carers
Shock figures have revealed that more than a third of Western Isles residents are now acting as unpaid carers – the highest rate in Scotland.
Scottish ministers warned against merging health boards amid NHS Tayside row
Scottish ministers have been warned that north and north-east patients would suffer if local health boards were abolished and replaced with new “super-boards.”
Defence chiefs ‘committed’ to retaining Kinloss Barracks
Kinloss Barracks and other Scottish military bases are safe from the axe in the next round of Ministry of Defence cutbacks, it has been revealed.
David Mundell says Holyrood court challenge ‘inevitable’ but no ‘big deal’
David Mundell has admitted it is now “almost inevitable” that Holyrood’s Brexit powers bid will be challenged in court - but he insisted the unprecedented move was not a “big deal”.
David Mundell tells Theresa May there is ‘no leeway’ on Brexit fishing deal
Prime Minister Theresa May has been told by her Scottish secretary that there can be no “leeway” or “compromise” on fishing powers in the final Brexit deal.
Income tax changes come into effect in Scotland from today
The biggest shake-up of income tax since devolution will take effect from today – hitting higher earners but leaving two-thirds of Scots paying less.
Call for reform to end ‘secrecy’ of Scotland’s landowners
Campaigners have stepped up calls for reforms that would finally lift the “veil of secrecy” that shrouds the identity of many of Scotland’s landowners.
Watchdog warns that north-east schools are under-performing
North-east schools have been singled out as under-performing by a powerful local government watchdog.
North councils facing ‘ticking time bomb’ of population change
North councils are facing a demographic “ticking time bomb” that could accelerate cuts and make vital services unsustainable within a few years, according to a new report.
Scottish minister defends council funding amid demands for change
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay insisted last night that the Scottish Government had “led the way” on radical redesigns of services to meet the challenges faced by councils.
Two bikes stolen every day in north and north-east – but the culprits usually get away
Concerns have been raised after it emerged that two bikes are stolen every day in north and north-east communities – but only 15% of the culprits are caught.
Research shows north councils hit hardest by spending cuts
Communities in the north and north-east have been hit hardest by cuts to vital council services in recent years, new figures suggest.
Prosecutor suggests ‘torture flights’ probe could continue until US hands over secret report
Scotland’s top prosecutor has signalled that a five-year probe into CIA “torture flights” at north and north-east airports could continue until the US hands over a secret report.
Call to bring forward business rates revaluation to avoid more “bombshell” rises
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is facing calls to bring forward the next business rates revaluation to ensure firms are not hit again by “bombshell” rises.
North-east Tories face skippers in Peterhead after Brexit row
North-east Conservatives have admitted that local fishermen are “understandably angry” after holding a face-to-face meeting with skippers in Peterhead yesterday.
Major event planned when AWPR finally opens to drivers
Plans for a major event are being drawn up to mark the official opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route when the road is finally completed.
Ministers could splash the cash to accelerate delay-hit Aberdeen bypass
Economy Secretary Keith Brown has hinted that the Scottish Government would consider splashing the cash to try to speed-up the delay-hit Aberdeen bypass.
Nicola Sturgeon pledges to investigate island airport parking charges
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to investigate a row over the introduction of controversial parking charges at island airports.
Opening of Aberdeen’s £745million bypass delayed until late autumn
Transport chiefs have officially pushed back the completion date for Aberdeen’s long-awaited bypass – revealing the road is not now due to be open until late autumn.
Under fire Theresa May insists Brexit will deliver “bright future” for fishing fleet
Theresa May insisted yesterday that fishing fleets will enjoy a “bright future” after Brexit amid claims she had sanctioned the “worst imaginable” transition deal.
Aberdeen MP criticised over “bizarre” Brexit fishing stunt on the Thames
Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson faced criticism last night after taking part in a “bizarre” Brexit stunt in which dead fish were flung into the River Thames.