Advertising watchdog vows to ‘put a lid’ on false delivery charge claims
The boss of Britain’s advertising watchdog has vowed to “put a lid” on false delivery charge claims as he hailed the success of a recent crackdown.
Holyrood
Minister warns SPFL to avoid any repeat of the League Cup semi-final fiasco
A Scottish Government minister has warned the SPFL to ensure there is no repeat of the League Cup semi-final fiasco as hopes were raised of a breakthrough last night.
Court date agreed over Alex Salmond’s sexual harassment complaints
Court officials have fixed dates for Alex Salmond’s legal action against the Scottish Government over its handling of sexual misconduct complaints against him.
Health secretary under fire for refusing to meet north-east campaigners
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has been criticised for refusing to meet a north-east campaign group battling for improved services for sufferers of a rare skin condition.
MSPs spent thousands of pounds on hotel meals, taxis and stamps
A north-east MSP spent almost £1,200 on meals in Edinburgh hotels last year, while another forked out £4,350 on postage stamps.
Nicola Sturgeon signals potential U-turn on ‘tourist tax’ powers
Nicola Sturgeon has signalled that the Scottish Government could perform a U-turn and grant councils the power to levy a “tourist tax”.
Ferry boss admits investment is ‘significantly lower than we would like’
The boss of the firm which owns CalMac ferries and harbours around the country has said that current investment levels are less than half of the amount required.
Campaign to win new protections for music venues in Aberdeen clears key hurdle
Live music venues have moved a major step closer to securing more legal protections against new housing developments.
Minister to ask why Aberdonians can not board train called ‘The Aberdonian’
A Scottish Government minister has vowed to ask the operators of a new steam train called “The Aberdonian” why Aberdonians can not get on board.
Crime falls by 12% in Aberdeen, Shetland and the Western Isles
Crime in Aberdeen, Shetland and the Western Isles has plummeted by 12% in the last year – the biggest reductions in Scotland.
Concern over ‘vast disparity’ in classroom assistant numbers
Concerns have been raised after new figures exposed a “vast disparity” in the number of classroom assistants in schools across Scotland.
Scottish Government ‘intends to contest Alex Salmond’s legal action’
The Scottish Government has notified court officials it intends to contest Alex Salmond’s legal action over its handling of sexual harassment allegations made against him.
RBS urged to review the way it serves rural communities in the north
The Royal Bank of Scotland has been urged to order a review into the way it serves rural communities as MSPs joined forces to condemn bank branch closures yesterday.
Inquiry into ‘jobs for the boys’ controversy at RGU poised to start
An inquiry into the “jobs for the boys” controversy at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen will get under way this week.
Remote communities told to work longer to avoid population crisis
Residents in remote communities in Scotland have been told they should work longer into their old age rather than relying on immigration to boost fragile populations.
S4 pupils suffer subject choice ‘postcode lottery’ in Scotland
A leading academic has told MSPs that a cut in school subject choice in many areas has created a “postcode lottery” for pupils.
RAF Lossiemouth could be key bargaining tool to secure Nato membership for independent Scotland
RAF Lossiemouth could be used as a key bargaining tool to secure Nato membership for an independent Scotland, it has been claimed.
Nicola Sturgeon’s touching letters to youngsters revealed
Nicola Sturgeon has been taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to touching letters from young children who are eager to see wolves reintroduced to the Highlands.
SNP MSP urges Scottish Government to hold ‘tourist tax’ consultation
An SNP MSP has called on the Scottish Government to hold a consultation on the proposed introduction of a “tourist tax” in the Highlands.
‘Tax tourists to pay for new public toilets’
The power to tax tourists could enable councils in the Highlands and Aberdeen to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in local infrastructure and facilities.
First Minister outlines discussions between Scottish and UK Government on mobile phone coverage on Scottish roads
Earlier this week the Highlands topped a British league of the region’s with the most road miles bereft of mobile phone coverage.
Scotland’s child mental health services too ‘complex and fragmented’
A powerful watchdog has warned that mental health services for children are too “complex and fragmented” and the system is under “significant pressure”.
Aberdeen MP urges end to ‘scaremongering’ over Brexit after North Sea warning
A north-east MP has claimed there is too much “scaremongering” over Brexit after oil and gas leaders warned that North Sea platforms could be shut down.
How Gillian Martin’s ministerial role crashed before it had even begun
Gillian Martin’s ministerial career came crashing down before it had begun as she played a central role in what was branded the “most notorious reshuffle in the parliament’s history”.
Only one-in-10 chronic pain patients treated on time in Grampian
Almost nine out of every 10 pain patients in the north-east are now being “left to suffer” as they wait for treatment, it has emerged.
Gillian Martin delighted to land new Holyrood job – just weeks after blog posts row
Gillian Martin has spoken of her “relief” at being appointed to lead an influential Holyrood committee – just weeks after it appeared her career was in tatters.
MP calls on supermarkets to end north-east ‘fuel price lottery’
Supermarket bosses have been told stop “ripping off” motorists in the north and north-east amid growing anger at fuel price “disparities”.
Scottish kids ‘should not be sent to school until they are six or seven’
Children in Scotland should not start primary school until they are six or seven-years-old, it will be claimed today.
Sir Vince Cable will step down as Liberal Democrat leader after Brexit conclusion
Sir Vince Cable has announced that he plans to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrats after Brexit is “resolved or stopped”.
Critics claim new migrant worker visa scheme for farms ‘falls short’
The UK Government has moved to try to avert a labour crisis facing fruit and vegetable growers by allowing the sector to recruit up to 2,500 migrant workers a year.
David Mundell denies that the Chequers plan on Brexit plan is a ‘dead duck’
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has denied that the UK Government’s official blueprint for Brexit is a “dead duck”.
Concern as Scottish income tax receipts £550million lower than forecast
Concerns were raised about tax changes in Scotland yesterday after it emerged that income tax receipts were £550million lower than forecast in 2016/17.