Labour is on course to suffer its worst performance in at least 40 years in the local elections in England and Wales.
BBC research suggests the party has fallen into third place nationally with 24% of votes, with the Conservatives on 44% and Lib Dems on 25%. for more click here
The share of pupils in England’s schools speaking English as a second language has risen to a record high, government figures show.
Some 14.4% of primary school pupils spoke a language other than English as their first language in 2008 - a rise of 0.9 percentage points on 2007. for more click here
DOZENS of city charities and voluntary groups are facing swingeing grant cuts as part of the latest council efficiency drive.
Reports leaked to the News have revealed city leaders are considering making £874,297 worth of savings in the grants they give out – with everything from small sports clubs to the Royal Zoological Society in the firing line. for more click here
IS it possible for a city to lose its appeal? For its brand to become tarnished? To fall out of fashion? Those lucky enough to be able to afford to live here know that Edinburgh is the best place to live in Britain (a fact confirmed last year by Phil and Kirsty of Location, Location, Location and who are we to argue with such luminaries?) and it’s consistently voted as one of the world’s top five cities. for more click here
VAST differences are set to emerge in patterns of population across Scotland over the next 25 years, according to the latest demographic forecasts.
The figures give a sobering “snapshot” projection for Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, showing drifts in population, a massive increase in the number of elderly people and a sharp drop in the number under the age of 15. for more click here
It is becoming the truth that dare not speak its name, almost; Unionism, the creed that has bound Britain’s main political parties together - no matter what their other differences - is being watered down on an almost weekly basis. for more click here
MINISTERS unveiled their vision for Scotland in 2030 yesterday – a country ringed by massive container ship ports, with two top-class airports and powerful electricity lines to transport renewable energy to the Central Belt.
John Swinney, the finance secretary, said the Scottish Government had agreed in principle to back nine infrastructure projects which, he claimed, would grow the economy, improve the environment and make life better for Scots. for more click here
A LOTHIANS SNP MSP has called for cross-party support for the campaign to write off Edinburgh’s housing debt.
Shirley-Anne Somerville attacked Chancellor Alistair Darling for using billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to prop up Northern Rock while failing to write off the Capital’s £280m debt burden. for more click here>
FLOOD prevention measures to protect thousands of city homes could be under threat because of the council’s cash shortage, Labour claimed today.
Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central and the party’s environment spokeswoman, claimed a change in government funding had placed a question mark over the £46.5m Water of Leith flood defence scheme. for more click here
DRIVERS will not have to pay for on-street parking on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day in Edinburgh this year.
However, normal parking restrictions will be in effect in the city on 27, 28, 29 and 31 December and on 2 and 3 January.
Sunday parking restrictions will apply on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, but payment is required on all other bank and public holidays except Easter Monday.
Drivers should always check signs and lines before parking their car.
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Media contact: Fiona Borland, Media and Communications Officer, the City of Edinburgh Council, 0131 529 6471.
source-CapInfo