Government returns powers to Rotherham Council after sex abuse scandal
A council has been given back control of its services which were stripped away after a child sexual exploitation scandal.
Politics
Minister issues rallying call to Tories to ‘unshackle enterprise’
Theresa May has been urged by one of her senior ministers to prepare to fight the next general election on a radical pro-business platform of tax cuts and de-regulation.
Businessman Peter Casey becomes sixth candidate in Irish presidential race
Londonderry businessman Peter Casey has become the sixth entry in the race to become the next president of Ireland.
Teachers reject ‘derisory’ 3% pay rise offer
Teachers’ organisations have rejected the offer of a 3% pay rise, branding it “derisory”.
MSPs back wild kelp dredging ban
Petitioners against wild kelp dredging are “delighted” after a Holyrood committee voted to ban the practice.
What is a people’s vote and who supports it?
Campaigners opposed to Brexit and others against the Government’s favoured approach have called for a “people’s vote”.
Swinney urged to ‘listen and learn’ from vote on P1 testing
Educatin Secretary John Swinney needs to call an “immediate halt” to assessments of P1 pupils if Holyrood votes against the controversial tests, opposition politicians have insisted.
Scotland-specific immigration system ‘not justified’ – report
Scotland’s economic situation does not justify having a “very different” migration policy to the rest of the UK, according to a UK-government commissioned report.
Railway police merger legislation might not be enacted – Justice Secretary
Controversial legislation to merge the British Transport Police and Police Scotland might never be enacted, the Justice Secretary has said.
NHS waiting time target missed for more than half of musculoskeletal patients
NHS waiting time targets are being missed for more than half the people in Scotland who need services such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy, official figures show.
Safe NHS staffing bill ‘can’t magically create nurses’
A planned new law to ensure safe staffing levels in the NHS “can’t magically create nurses” in the face of a recruitment crisis, MSPs have heard.
Justice Secretary facing questions over paused railway policing merger
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf is facing questions from MSPs after controversial plans to merge transport police with Police Scotland were called to a halt.
‘Breaking up is hard to do’, Rennie tells SNP leader Sturgeon
The SNP is being challenged to “get off the fence” and back calls for a referendum on the terms of Brexit.
Demo of P1 tests will allow ‘informed debate’ – Swinney
Education Secretary John Swinney has invited opponents of national testing for P1 pupils to see first-hand what the tests involve, before MSPs vote on scrapping then.
Mike Russell criticises Westminster over ‘chaotic, blind Brexit’
Mike Russell has insisted Westminster is “incapable” of working in Scotland’s interests as he warned of the growing risk that the UK will be forced into a “chaotic, blind Brexit”.
Vince Cable: Brexit supporters got ‘erotic spasm’ to justify pain of leaving EU
Sir Vince Cable will use what is likely to be his final keynote Liberal Democrat conference address as leader to demand a U-turn on Brexit.
Mike Russell blasts Westminster over ‘chaotic, blind Brexit’
Mike Russell has insisted Westminster is “incapable” of working in Scotland’s interests as he warned of the growing risk the UK will be forced into a “chaotic, blind Brexit”.
Hobbits and Nick Clegg’s reception: What we learned at the Lib Dem conference
Things we learned at the Liberal Democrat conference on Monday:
Government rules out inquiry into HMP Birmingham crisis
The Government has rejected a watchdog’s call for an urgent inquiry to establish how one of Britain’s largest jails slipped into crisis.
Jaguar cuts car production after boss accused of making up Brexit jobs warning
Jaguar Land Rover has announced a cut in production due to “continuing headwinds” affecting the car industry, hours after its chief executive was accused of fabricating warnings about potential hard Brexit job losses.
Tory councillor Sebastian Leslie suspended by party for a year after missed council tax payments
A scandal-hit councillor who made headlines after he deliberately stopped paying tax has been suspended by his party for a year.
Most voters believe Government has handled Brexit negotiations badly – poll
Half the public believe Brexit will have a negative impact on the country, while an overwhelming majority are critical of the Government’s handling of the exit talks, according to polling.
Views wanted on new legislation to cut fuel poverty
MSPs want to hear from the public on planned legislation to set a new legal target to reduce fuel poverty.
Gina Miller’s leadership credentials in spotlight ahead of speech to Lib Dems
Controversial campaigner Gina Miller is set to take centre stage at the Liberal Democrat conference as speculation continues to swirl over whether she could be a future leader of the party.
Gove refuses to condemn Hungary’s authoritarian PM
Michael Gove has refused to condemn Viktor Orban, as the Conservatives faced a backlash for opposing European condemnation of the controversial Hungarian prime minister.
Education Secretary urged to respect Holyrood vote on P1 tests
Education Secretary John Swinney has come under increased pressure to respect the result of a crunch Holyrood vote on controversial primary one tests.
There’s a lot of road ahead as Lib Dem leader, says Sir Vince Cable
Sir Vince Cable has rejected claims he is “running out of road” as Liberal Democrat leader, as he again refused to set a firm resignation date.
Jo Swinson says Lib Dems ‘have to change’ to win new votes
Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson has said the party needs to change in order to attract new voters.
MSPs urged to ban mechanical dredging for kelp
A Holyrood committee could vote to ban the mechanical harvesting of kelp, after more than 10,000 people backed a petition against the practice
It would be deeply irresponsible to scrap P1 tests, warns minister
Scrapping controversial tests for primary one pupils would be deeply irresponsible, Education Secretary John Swinney has said.
14,000 children have faced delayed access to mental health services: Labour
More than 14,000 young people have waited longer than the 18-week target for mental health treatment since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister, new analysis shows.
Theresa May admits being ‘irritated’ by leadership talk
Theresa May has admitted she gets “irritated” by the debate over her leadership and lashed out at possible successor Boris Johnson.