Scotland’s two Green MSPs are on the brink of a remarkable deal with the SNP government that could provide 1.8 million homes north of the border with a free insulation scheme over the next decade.for more click here
The situation at England’s Whitemoor Prison has gone from bad to embarrassing. Earlier this year a review of the high-security Cambridgeshire facility found that dangerous Muslim inmates were gaining the upper hand while “staff appeared reluctant to challenge inappropriate behavior,” fearful of being accused of Islamophobia. In response, the Ministry of Justice prescribed activities to “increase mutual understanding between staff and prisoners.” for more click here
Alex Salmond was attacked yesterday over his claims that if Scotland were independent he would have ordered a Scottish central bank to pump £100million into HBOS to prevent its takeover by Lloyds TSB.
The First Minister’s comments, reported at the weekend, were described as “palpable nonsense” by Tavish Scott, leader of the Lib Dems. for more click here
Young Scots could be banned from buying alcohol in shops, retailers forced to sell cigarettes under the counter and the council tax scrapped in a series of controversial reforms outlined by Alex Salmond yesterday.
Scotland’s first minister said the measures, among the most significant in 15 bills announced at Holyrood, were central to his plans to build a “safer, greener, healthier, wealthier and fairer” society. for more click here
It might be midsummer, but already Grace McDonald is looking ahead with trepidation towards the long, cold winter days. The retired primary school teacher from Inverness just about gets by on her £9,000-a-year pension, but with last week’s massive rises in energy bills — anything between 22% and 35%, depending on your supplier — her electricity bill now accounts for more than a tenth of her income. With food and travel costs also on the rise, the 79-year-old widow fears she may soon slide below the poverty line. for more click here
SCOTTISH Labour was facing full-scale civil war last night as leading MSPs demanded the new leader wrest “complete control” of the party from its London headquarters.
Former Finance Minister Tom McCabe said the next Labour leader at Holyrood should have total power over Scottish affairs, claiming Jack McConnell had been hamstrung by Westminster MPs while in office. for more click here
The right solution for Scotland’s sea and coastal communities is the devolution of more marine powers, the Scottish Government said today.
Speaking ahead of the publication of the UK Marine Bill consultation, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead called for Ministerial-level discussions on who rules Scotland’s seas.
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The Scottish Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Scottish Parliamentary and Local Government Elections – the Gould Report – was published today.
Full administrative and legislative responsibility for the Scottish Parliamentary elections should come to the Scottish Parliament, Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford said following its publication.
Ministers also began a consultation on how best to ‘decouple’ future local government elections from Parliamentary elections.
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ALEX Salmond would start legal moves to bring Berwick back under Scottish control if the town’s residents voted to leave England in a referendum, it emerged yesterday.
A spokesman for the First Minister said borders were “fluid” and there were precedents from around the world of towns changing hands from one government to another. for more click here
Scotland’s flagship policy of providing free personal and nursing care for elderly people is under threat because of a funding gap of up to £63m, a watchdog revealed today.
In 2001, Scotland’s devolved government broke away from Westminster policy to provide a free service for people who need help with washing, dressing and grooming. Scotland’s councils have provided free care to around 72,000 people since the policy was introduced in 2002. for more click here