Child poverty risks reaching 20-year high – think tank
Child poverty is increasing and will hit a 20-year high, pushing an extra 60,000 children into poverty, the Scottish Government has been warned.
Scottish Government
Risk of growing staff shortages after Brexit, says minister
A shortage of skilled workers across Scotland could worsen after Brexit, it has been suggested.
Police ‘don’t know’ about dog control laws passed almost 10 years ago – MSP
Police officers do not all know about dog control legislation introduced by Holyrood almost a decade ago, MSPs have been told.
Councils need to make fundamental changes to meet demands, new report finds
Scotland’s councils are dealing with rising demands for care and increasing staff sickness rates while day-to-day funding from the Scottish Government has fallen in real terms over the last six years, a new report has warned.
Concentrated land ownership ‘damaging communities’ in some areas, report finds
Concentrated land ownership appears to be causing “significant and long-term damage” to communities in some parts of Scotland, a report has found.
Scottish Government declare public health emergency after dramatic rise in hard drugs seizures
Seizures of hard drugs in Scotland have risen dramatically leading to calls for the Scottish Government to declare a public health emergency.
Fears over future of vital Orkney ferry service amid funding shortfall
A leading transport union has written to the First Minister demanding action over a £1.5million funding shortfall for Orkney's vital inter-island ferries.
Fears of ’21st Century clearances’ in rural Scotland triggered by Brexit
Fears have been raised that the impact of Brexit on the north and north-east of Scotland could result in “21st Century clearances”.
Call to crack down on unqualified people identifying as electricians
A law must be introduced to clamp down on unqualified people calling themselves electricians, according to an MSP.
Number of self-harm incidents in Scottish prisons ‘devastating’, says MSP
The funding of mental health care for Scotland’s prisoners must be increased after the number of self-harm incidents “skyrocketed”, an MSP has said.
Growth deal vision for Moray could help boost space sector
A new £200million vision for Moray could help the region reach for the stars.
Salmond civil case cost Scottish Government more than £100,000
The Scottish Government spent more than £100,000 on legal costs in a civil court case brought by former First Minister Alex Salmond.
Concerns rise over update of secondary language learning in Highland schools
Councillors have voiced concerns over a new languages scheme for children.
No tourist tax before 2021, Fiona Hyslop tells industry
Councils in Scotland will not be able to bring in a tourist tax on hotel stays until the 2021 season at the earliest, Fiona Hyslop has said.
Scottish Government under fire over £4 million IT scheme
Another troubled multi-million IT project has exposed “very serious shortcomings” in government, a former cabinet minister has said.
Projects tackling child poverty share £450,000 funding
Funding for projects aimed at tackling child poverty has been announced by the Scottish Government
Sturgeon announces £400,000 for Malala-inspired Pakistan female scholarships
Nicola Sturgeon has announced £400,000 of funding to help disadvantaged women and girls in Pakistan complete their education, inspired by education campaigner Malala Yousafzai.
Funding announced for four Scottish science centres
Science centres in Scotland’s four largest cities have been given £2.63 million to make them more accessible.
MSPs back plans to extend recorded evidence for child domestic abuse witnesses
A Holyrood committee has agreed to back proposals to extend the use of pre-recorded evidence to child witnesses of domestic abuse.
Rise in number of new build homes completed in Scotland last year
The number of new build homes completed in Scotland has increased, according to official figures.
Scottish Government ‘must have a guaranteed role’ in future trade negotiations
The Scottish Government must have a guaranteed role in future trade negotiations, a powerful Commons committee has said.
Moray Firth wind farm procurement process exposes issues over ‘fairness’
The Scottish Government has vowed to convene a summit after issues over fairness were exposed in the Moray East offshore wind farm contract procurement process.
Call centre help for businesses stepped up as Brexit approaches
Support for businesses preparing for Brexit is being stepped up as March 29 approaches, the Economy Secretary said.
Scottish Government must have role in future trade negotiations, committee says
The Scottish Government should have a seat at the negotiating table in Brexit trade negotiations to protect the distinct priorities of Scottish trade, according to a House of Commons committee.
No-deal Brexit could damage Scotland’s housing sector, minister warns
A no-deal Brexit could cause serious problems for Scotland’s housing sector, the housing minister has warned.
Waiting time target for autism patients must be introduced, says Tory MSP
The Scottish Government should introduce a three-month waiting time target for autism patients, according to the Scottish Conservatives.
Highland MSP John Finnie demands air fare rethink
A Highlands MSP has claimed the government's green credentials are making him see red.
Fears north-east homes could run out of water with repeat of 2018 heatwave
Calls have been made for government intervention to ensure water supplies do not run dry, following an "unprecedented" drought last year.
Moray Council’s SNP administration urged to heap more pressure on Scottish Government for better funding deal
Moray Council’s SNP administration has been urged to heap more pressure on the Scottish Government to get a better funding deal for the region.
Proposed Aberdeen community centre given £2m Scottish Government boost
Plans for a £25 million community centre on the grounds of a former Aberdeen school have been given a major boost.
Historic theatre given extra funding as redevelopment costs rise to £21.5m
A historic theatre in need of redevelopment has been given £1.5 million in extra funding after it emerged the project’s final cost had risen.
Rail depot closure confirmed, with almost 200 jobs at risk
A rail depot in Glasgow has been marked for closure, threatening almost 200 jobs.