NHS funding from UK Government ‘£55m less than promised’
The UK Government has “picked the pocket of the health service” in Scotland, with funding claimed to be £55 million lower than promised.
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Derek Mackay welcomes bank proposals
An Aberdeen MSP has said that ambitious plans for a Scottish national investment bank have “enormous potential” to help revive the north-east’s economy.
MSPs review freedom of information laws following concerns
A Holyrood committee is scrutinising freedom of information legislation introduced in 2002 after a “number of concerns” were raised.
British Sign Language provided at FMQs for first time
The Scottish Parliament has introduced sign language interpretation in its coverage of First Minister’s Questions for the first time.
Jewish community vital and valuable to Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon has said the Jewish community are a “vital and valuable” part of Scottish society, following concerns over rising anti-Semitism in the UK.
Autistic pupil’s school support slashed due to budget cuts, Nicola Sturgeon told
School support for a severely autistic child was slashed due to council funding cuts, Nicola Sturgeon has been told.
Sturgeon’s chief of staff joined Salmond meeting amid misconduct probe
Nicola Sturgeon was accompanied by her chief of staff when Alex Salmond told her the Scottish Government was investigating sexual misconduct allegations against him, but she has insisted the meeting was not Government business.
Minister under fire over claims of support for primary one tests
Education Secretary John Swinney has been accused of a “substantial and perverse misrepresentation” of an expert’s work after claiming he supports controversial tests for primary one pupils.
Halt universal credit roll-out to save people from poverty: Nicola Sturgeon
The UK Government must completely halt the roll-out of universal credit to prevent it from driving people into poverty, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Tourism can benefit from Mary Queen Of Scots movie, says minister
The new Mary Queen Of Scots movie offers a great opportunity for Scotland’s tourism sector, the Culture Secretary has said.
MSPs urged to fast-track law change and ‘stop criminalising eight-year-olds’
Legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 should be enacted as soon as possible to “stop the criminalisation of eight-year-olds”, MSPs have heard.
Post-Brexit immigration changes disastrous for Scotland, minister warns
Rules over immigration being proposed by the UK Government would be “economically disastrous” for Scotland, MSPs will hear.
Food and drink sector warns against ban on unhealthy food promotions
Banning shops from having promotional offers on unhealthy food in a bid to tackle obesity “is a bizarre and contradictory public health policy”, the Scottish Government has been told.
Mouse spotted making dash for freedom during Scottish Parliament meeting
An uninvited visitor was captured on camera at a Scottish Parliament committee meeting – a mouse.
Minister plans further consultation on water rates discount cut
The Scottish Government has insisted it has no plans to scrap the discount single people receive on council tax – but it refused to rule out changes to a similar discount scheme for water charges.
Top rate taxpayers forecast to increase almost 50% in five years
The number of Scots paying the top rate of income tax is forecast to rise by almost 50% in the next five years.
Scottish Parliament bosses plan events to mark 20th anniversary
Holyrood bosses are planning a year-long programme of special events to commemorate the Parliament’s 20th anniversary.
Review into miners’ strike should consider pardons, Scottish Labour demands
A review into the 1980s’ miners’ strike should consider pardons and “ensure that politicised convictions are thrown into the dustbin of history”, Scottish Labour has said.
MSPs to examine Brexit’s impact on ‘vital’ construction sector
The impact Brexit could have on Scotland’s construction sector is to be probed by a Holyrood committee.
Town centre fund should be used to cut business rates, retailers urge
Councils should be permitted to use a £50 million fund set up to help Scotland’s struggling high streets to cut business rates, according to retailers.
Scottish firms left short-changed by enterprise funding: Labour
Labour has pledged to overhaul the business grants system which it claims has left Scottish firms “short-changed” by more than £80 million over the last decade.
Nicola Sturgeon hails primary school teacher numbers
Nicola Sturgeon has defended her Government’s record on education, saying there are now as many primary school teachers as there were when she was a child.
Enduring ties from Lockerbie bombing ‘leave legacy of hope’
The enduring ties and friendships created following the Lockerbie bombing have left a legacy of hope for the future, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
ScotRail delays unacceptable and passengers deserve better: Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon has described ScotRail delays as “unacceptable” as it was indicated around 5,000 trains are axed or partially cancelled each year.
UK approached Brexit talks in amateurish way: Scottish minister
The UK Government has failed to recognise the reality of devolution in its “amateurish” approach to the Brexit negotiations, a Holyrood minister has said.
Mike Russell to hold cross-party talks after Supreme Court Brexit Bill ruling
The Scottish Government will hold talks with opposition parties on how to proceed after the UK’s highest court ruled part of its alternative Brexit legislation was outside Holyrood’s powers.
Fresh row between Scottish and UK governments over Brexit ruling
Part of the Scottish Government’s alternative Brexit legislation has been ruled to be outside of Holyrood’s powers.
Parts of Scottish Brexit Bill outside Holyrood’s devolved powers – Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ruled that parts of a Brexit Bill passed by the Scottish Government would be outside its legislative powers.
Derek Mackay pledges cash for health and education
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay made health and education key priorities of his budget, investing hundreds of millions of pounds in initiatives designed to cut waiting lists and raise school standards.
Pay increase of 2.3% announced for MSPs
MSPs will receive a pay increase of 2.3% from April next year, it has been announced.
F1 star launches festive campaign to tackle drink-driving
Formula One legend Mika Hakkinen brought a supercar to Holyrood as he launched a festive campaign urging people to never drink and drive.
Scotland’s landowners stress they want less interference over what trees to plant where
Hey Holyrood leave our trees alone - that's the message from landowners wanting more freedom to where trees can be planted.