Scotland’s bottle deposit return scheme must not disadvantage rural areas, MSPs say
Scotland’s proposed 20p deposit return scheme for bottles and cans must not penalise those living in rural areas, MSPs have warned.
Holyrood
Calum Ross: There is only one predictable result at this general election – local councils will be the losers
From Brexit to Trump, political shocks have become routine in recent years.
Transport Secretary urged to take action on £3 billion roads repair backlog
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson is facing calls to tackle a £3 billion roads repairs and potholes backlog.
Flagship plan to regenerate Scotland’s islands comes under fire
Islands minster Paul Wheelhouse said some island communities face becoming “the next St Kilda” because they are losing so many young people.
Holyrood committee says elections watchdog should test indyref2 question
Nicola Sturgeon’s second independence referendum plans were dealt a blow yesterday by a Holyrood report demanding the elections watchdog scrutinises the question.
North-east union boss calls for change in the law over ‘shocking’ shopworker abuse
A north-east union boss has called for a change in the law after shock new statistics revealed the average shop worker is being abused, threatened or assaulted on average over 17 times a year.
Fergus Ewing: Providing a positive future for rural Scotland
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing outlines what the latest Progamme for Government means for rural Scotland
Scottish politicians reject no-deal Brexit in symbolic Holyrood vote
Scottish politicians last night rejected a no-deal Brexit in a symbolic Holyrood vote.
WATCH: Health committee at Holyrood live
Watch live the debate at Holyrood’s health committee.
Call for local authorities to get power to replace council tax
Councils should be given the power to abolish council tax and replace it with another levy, a leading think tank has proposed.
Minister for the Highlands and Islands needed to overcome ‘democratic deficit’
Theresa May's successor in Downing Street should appoint a "minister for the Highlands and Islands" to give greater voice to northern Scotland, MPs have been told.
Extinction Rebellion Scotland pitch tents in Holyrood grounds
Environment campaigners yesterday set up camp in Scottish Parliament grounds as they began a five-day climate change protest.
Abandoned shop to become hotel as north-east receives £1.5 million Holyrood cash boost
An abandoned shop will be transformed into a hotel after receiving a major cash boost as part of a Holyrood funding bonanza intended to breathe new life into north-east town centres.
MSPs unanimously pass law to raise age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12
Primary school-aged children will no longer be treated as offenders after MSPs passed legislation raising the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12.
Twenty years of devolution: Two decades of achievement, scandal and tragedy
When Donald Dewar spoke at the opening of the Scottish Parliament two decades ago he described the moment as “a new stage on a journey begun long ago and which has no end”.
‘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.
Unions to table legal case for offshore wind jobs at Holyrood summit
Trade unions are to make the legal case for Scottish Government intervention in offshore wind jobs during a summit at Holyrood today.
Kezia Dugdale to quit Holyrood for job at Glasgow University
Kezia Dugdale is set to quit frontline politics for a role at Glasgow University’s John Smith Centre.
Decison to reject Orkney windfarms overturned in Holyrood
The Scottish Government’s influence over rural planning issues has been attacked after a local decision to reject two Orkney windfarms was overturned in Edinburgh.
Mike Russell accused of ‘game playing’ over second Brexit referendum
Mike Russell has been accused of "game playing" after demanding a second Brexit referendum and then saying the Scottish Government would not necessarily accept the result.
Scottish Government to get knife crime funding boost
Holyrood is set to receive £8million as part of a scheme to tackle the knife crime crisis.
Scottish Government accused of ‘wasting’ £10million Brexit fund
The Scottish Government has been accused of "wasting" £10 million of cash earmarked for Brexit preparations.
Scottish Government accused of failing to listen on workplace parking charges
SNP ministers have been accused of failing to listen to people’s views on controversial proposals for a workplace parking charge.
Business leader calls for rates revaluation to be brought forward
A north-east business body leader has urged the Scottish Government to bring forward the next business rates revaluation- warning that the survival of firms “depends on it”.
Timeline: Alex Salmond’s journey from Bute House to winning his case against Holyrood
The Scottish Government has conceded defeat in its legal battle with former First Minister Alex Salmond but it's likely that the fall-out is only just beginning.
Efforts of Stonehaven fundraisers praised in parliament
An Aberdeenshire community has been praised in the Scottish parliament for its fundraising efforts.
MSPs build on grasp of Brexit effect
The potential impact of Brexit on Scotland’s construction industry will be put under the microscope at Holyrood.
Inspirational blind harpist aims to soothe the sick by playing at north and north-east hospitals
A harpist who has mastered the instrument despite being blind is to play soothing music at hospitals across the north and north-east as a way of helping patients and their families relax.
Scots energy minister touts possibility of exploration incentives
Scottish and UK ministers could join forces to create incentives for stimulating North Sea exploration.
Urgent action needed on fish farms, say MSPs
Urgent action must be taken to improve the regulation of the salmon farming industry and to improve fish health and meet environmental challenges, a Holyrood Committee has concluded.
Majority of under-18s sectioned under mental health laws have autism
More than half of under-18s sectioned under mental legislation in Scotland have some form of autism, a North East MSP campaigning for a constituent trapped in Carstairs has discovered.
The tax gap: can the SNP find a way to stop themselves falling into it?
Death, taxes and a post-Budget spat between the UK and Scottish governments.