Theresa May offers assurances on fishing with common access to UK waters after Brexit
Theresa May has given an “absolute” commitment that fishing rights will not be up for renegotiation with Brussels in the coming weeks.
Holyrood
Theresa May tells SNP to stop ‘hoarding’ power after Moray cuts raised at Westminster
Theresa May yesterday told the SNP to empower local government instead of “hoarding power” at Holyrood after Moray Council cuts were raised at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Green MSP warns rural areas will suffer unless Derek Mackay’s budget delivers the goods
The Scottish Government and Greens were last night edging closer to striking a deal to get the budget through Holyrood - on the basis that local councils get more support.
Most teachers on government flagship scheme in north and north-east are on temporary contracts
Nearly two thirds of new teachers employed in north and north-east schools under a Scottish Government scheme to close the attainment gap are on temporary contracts.
Heart attack death rate has increased in Highland, Western Isles and Shetland council areas
The heart attack death rate in the Highland, Western Isles and Shetland council areas has gone up over the last decade, official data has shown.
Gillian Martin warns that Green failure to back budget could cost pro-independence parliament
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has warned that Holyrood could lose its pro-independence majority if the Greens fail to support the Scottish Government’s budget.
Scottish MPs give their reaction to last night’s Brexit vote
Scottish MPs have given their verdict following the latest Brexit vote in Westminster last night.
SNP defy calls to step aside from chairing Holyrood investigation into handling of claims against Alex Salmond
The SNP yesterday defied calls to step down from chairing the Holyrood committee set up to investigate the Scottish Government’s botched handling of complaints into Alex Salmond.
Retailers urge politicians to break Scottish budget deadlock
Scotland’s retailers yesterday attempted to persuade Holyrood politicians to break their budget deadlock by warning that failure to pass the £33billion package would cause economic damage.
Plans to cut fuel poverty don’t reflect reality of Highlands and islands life
MSPs have expressed fears that Scottish Government plans to cut fuel poverty do not reflect the harsh reality of living on islands and in remote areas.
Aberdeenshire teacher hits out at controversial P1 tests
An Aberdeenshire teacher has claimed controversial primary tests “disrupt” the help being given to children with Additional Support Needs.
AWPR economic boost figures were calculated before two oil price crashes
Figures used by the Scottish Government to demonstrate the multi-billion pound impact of the Aberdeen bypass have not been updated in a decade, it has emerged.
CalMac’s customer payouts triple for faults
The cash paid out by CalMac to ferry passengers to compensate for technical faults has soared in the last year, according to official figures.
‘Astronomical’ rates rise threatens north-east fish processing
Fish processing firms in the north-east risk losing their geographical advantage due to the “astronomical” business rates they are being charged.
Raigmore Hospital among Scotland’s lowest spenders on cleaning
Raigmore in Inverness was among Scotland’s lowest spending hospitals when it came to cleaning last year, it has emerged.
Alex Salmond faces two counts of attempted rape plus multiple sexual assault charges
Former first minister Alex Salmond has appeared in court charged with two attempted rapes and multiple sexual assaults.
Michael Matheson says AWPR contractors still have to show work is complete
Michael Matheson yesterday said the final stretch of the Aberdeen bypass would not be opened until the contractors had provided assurances that remedial work on the Don Crossing was complete.
Business minister Jamie Hepburn says hopes are high for a Stoneywood Mill buyer
Business Minister Jamie Hepburn has said an Aberdeen papermill is an “attractive prospect” for potential buyers as he pledged to work with all parties to save the 500 jobs at the plant.
Fort George soldier’s struggle to be with his daughter raised with Theresa May
The teenage daughter of a Fort George soldier has been refused a visa to the UK to live with her father’s family - amid claims he doesn’t see her enough.
Revealed: Tory MSP privately raised fears that Fort George would close early
A Tory MSP privately raised fears that military chiefs would break their promise to the Highlands by shutting down the historic Fort George barracks several years early.
LBTT tax take falls in the north east
Money raised by the Scottish Government’s Stamp Duty replacement has fallen in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeen sick kids fund raising congratulated at Holyrood
The NorthLink Ferries team, who raised £7,000 for the Archie Foundation at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, have been recognised in the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Labour faces ridicule after using images of Wales to illustrate its ‘Vision for Scotland’
A Scottish Labour promotional video trumpeting its “vision for Scotland” has been ridiculed after viewers spotted it was illustrated with shots of the Welsh mountains.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson signals ferry fare hikes plan to solve capacity issues
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said ferry users could be hit by fare rises at peak times this summer when he was tackled over the reliability of CalMac’s ageing fleet.
Local Tories split over crucial Brexit vote
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross has confirmed that he will vote against Theresa May’s Brexit deal tonight citing concerns about its impact on fishing.
Funeral poverty fears as further hike planned to ‘scandalous’ charges
As part of the P&J’s week-long series on the challenges grieving families face when a loved one dies, Calum Ross today investigates the soaring cost of funerals.
Review to look at smaller council wards for islands
A review of council wards on Scotland’s islands has been launched in a move that could see councillors represent smaller areas.
Revealed: Dozens of local cemeteries on the brink of running out of graves
Graveyards are on the brink of running out of space for new burials in dozens of communities across the north and north-east, it can be revealed.
No deal Brexit would cost Scottish food and drink £2 billion per year
Leading figures in the Scottish farming, food and drink industries have warned that a no deal Brexit would cost the sector £2billion in lost sales each year.
Councils insist they have ‘plans are in place’ to address cemetery capacity concerns
Local authorities have admitted they are under “pressure” to act on cemetery provision but insisted that “plans are in place” for many sites.
ScotRail accused of ‘patting itself on back’ over punctuality
ScotRail was last night accused of “patting itself on the back” after releasing a statement saying that punctuality had improved on Scotland’s railways.
Police chiefs are urged to honour pledge over jobs
Just one police job has been created in the north in the 16 months since force chiefs pledged to redistribute staff, it has emerged.