Calls to end to Government’s ‘feast or famine’ treatment of north-east roads
Aberdeenshire's road network has reached "crisis point" with a new document revealing a crippling backlog of repairs totalling £99 million pounds.
Derek Mackay
Scotland can more than afford independence, Finance Secretary will tell SNP
Scotland’s Finance Secretary will insist the county can “more than afford” to be independent.
Anger over plummeting value of Scottish Government loans and guarantees to businesses
Around £140million in Scottish Government loans and guarantees to private companies including the Lochaber Smelter have dramatically reduced in value, it has emerged.
Scottish Government requests £52m to prepare for no-deal Brexit
The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from a contingency fund to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
Scotland ran up £12.6 billion deficit in 2018/19, GERS report reveals
Scotland spent £12.6billion more than was raised in taxes in 2018-19, running a deficit that was six times bigger than that of the UK.
Minister has ‘productive’ talks with Moray Council but offers no breakthrough amid funding pressure
Moray Council’s SNP administration has welcomed “productive” talks with the Scottish Government’s budget chief amid attempts to lever more cash out of Holyrood.
Liam McArthur seeks assurances on delivery of hydrogen-powered ferry for Orkney
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has sought assurances the nationalised Ferguson shipyard will remain committed to a state-of-the-art hydrogen ferry destined for the islands.
Nicola Sturgeon accused of hiding from Scotland’s financial challenges
Nicola Sturgeon was last night accused of “hiding” from Scotland’s financial challenges after it emerged she is heading for Shetland instead of launching a key document.
New schedule for completion of west coast ferries to be drawn up in October
Derek Mackay has confirmed a new schedule for the completion of the Calmac ferries under construction at Ferguson’s shipyard will not be drawn up until October.
Ferguson Marine shipyard nationalised to secure two west coast ferries
Ferguson Marine shipyard is to be nationalised in an attempt to ensure two new west coast ferries are completed.
Derek Mackay says he is `ready’ to take Ferguson shipyard into public ownership
Derek Mackay said yesterday the Scottish Government is “ready and willing” to take Ferguson shipyard into public ownership to deliver two new ferries for west coast routes.
Derek Mackay accused of ‘huge blunder’ over fishing remarks
Derek Mackay was yesterday accused of a “huge blunder” for suggesting signing up to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) would be a “trade-off” for Scotland re-joining the EU.
Number of Scottish businesses increase by 46% in last two decades
The number of businesses in Scotland has risen by 46% over the last two decades but the increase lags behind the UK as a whole, new research has found.
Scottish Government considers nationalising Ferguson shipyard amid concern over two new island ferries
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is considering nationalising the Ferguson shipyard, amid rising concern over the multi-million pound increase of two new west coast ferries.
Scotland’s income tax take was almost £1 billion short of forecasts in 2017/18
Scotland's budget will be cut by more than £200 million next year to compensate for an income tax take of almost £1 billion less than forecast.
Labour attack finance secretary Derek Mackay over Brexit funding
Derek Mackay has been accused of spending millions intended to protect Scotland from a no-deal Brexit on other things.
Brexit has led to falling investment in Scottish economy
Brexit has exposed the Scottish economy to downturns and is affecting business investment, the nation's chief economist said yesterday.
Finance secretary Derek Mackay warns of spending cuts to plug £1billion black hole
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has warned public spending cuts may be needed to deal with a £1billion black hole in the Scottish budget.
Anger over ministers’ letters on Air Departure Tax
A north-east Tory claimed the Scottish Government's reputation has been damaged after it emerged ministers sent letters committing themselves to abolishing Air Departure Tax (ADT).
Tax rise warning to plug £1 billion hole in Scottish budget over next three years
Workers can expect more tax rises to plug a £1 billion gap in the Scottish budget, Scotland’s independent economic forecaster has said.
Scottish Government delays transfer of VAT revenue to Holyrood
Nicola Sturgeon has delayed taking £6billion worth of VAT revenue to Holyrood amid fears the transfer would hit the Scottish budget.
Nicola Sturgeon U-turns on flagship plans for airline industry tax cut
The SNP's flagship policy for a £150 million airline industry tax break has been axed amid fury from Aberdeen airport and north-east businesses.
‘Conditions’ could be added to future offshore wind awards, Scot Gov says
Scotland’s finance secretary has promised to explore adding “conditions” to future offshore wind farm projects to include local businesses and jobs, following a summit at Holyrood yesterday.
Derek Mackay warned of `catastrophic’ consequences of ditching the pound
Derek Mackay was yesterday accused of being in “full retreat” over the SNP’s plans to ditch the pound amid warnings of the policy's “catastrophic” consequences.
Nearly three-quarters of Scots want to keep the pound
The SNP’s plans for a new Scottish currency were dealt a blow when a poll suggested nearly three-quarters of Scots want to keep the pound.
Exclusive: Government-led summit to probe dearth of wind supply chain deals
Westminster and the Scottish Government are to lead a summit into the awarding of contracts to the offshore wind supply chain as foreign firms continue to cash in on UK work.
North and north-east businesses raise objections with Scottish Government over controversial tourist tax plans
North and north-east businesses have raised objections with the Scottish Government over its controversial tourist tax plans and claimed they will damage the economy and discourage visitors.
Labour delegates reject workplace parking tax
Scottish Labour delegates yesterday formally rejected Scottish Government workplace parking tax plans at their conference in Dundee.
SNP plan for Scottish currency branded ‘fantasy’ by Theresa May
Proposals by the SNP to ditch the pound and establish a new currency in the event of independence have been dismissed as "fantasy" by Theresa May.
Scottish Government unveils £50 million pot to revamp country’s high streets
Communities across Scotland are to share a £50 million fund to help revitalise their town centres.
SNP wants to create new Scottish currency
The SNP is committed to adopting a new policy that would see an independent Scotland ditch the pound and establish its own currency.
MSPs pass Derek Mackay’s controversial Scottish budget
The Scottish Government’s budget was officially passed last night - meaning an increase in income tax paid for Scottish higher earners compared with the rest of the UK.