News and analysis of Scottish politics and the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood MSPs, political conferences and forums

1 day ago · Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny has been suspended over allegations of "gross misconduct", it has emerged. The news comes as the party tries to determine a successor to Alex Salmond, whose death in October has led to a leadership contest.. McEleny announced he would step down as general secretary to allow the new leader to "run the party differently".

2 days ago · The cost of a replacement for the ageing Barlinnie prison has soared to almost £1bn. HMP Glasgow will be bigger than the Victorian jail, where overcrowding problems have added to pressures.. In a letter to Holyrood's Justice Committee, cabinet secretary Angela Constance has confirmed that costs have now risen to £998.4m.. The revised price is far higher than the initial £100m estimate or ...

2 days ago · At the time, public health minister Jenni Minto said the Scottish Government is "determined to do all it can to reduce alcohol-related harm and to treat the matter as a public health emergency.. A total of 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths were recorded in Scotland for 2023, a rise of one case from the year before.. For England …

2 days ago · On the day of its release, Sturgeon said she was “committed” to turning its vision for an improved care system into reality. However, five years on the Promise Oversight Board has said objectives set for 2024 “remain unmet”, there was “significant variation” across the country, and the plan dated for 2021-24 has not been fully delivered.

3 days ago · The MSP behind Scotland's assisted dying bill has said the age limit should be considered if parliament backs his bid. Liam McArthur's bill would allow terminally ill people aged 16 and over to seek medical help to end their lives.. This differs from the bill put forward in England, where the age limit is 18.

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Scottish Labour’s stunning victory in July should have been the major moment of the year for the party. But instead the bigger story has been that of its fall. A series of unpopular decisions made by Keir Starmer since entering Downing Street has turned the taste of success sour, and the idea of Anas Sarwar becoming the next first minister seems even less likely now than it did in January.

A sense of great satisfaction emanates from Kate Forbes as she talks about an economic boom currently happening in the Highlands and Islands. No doubt she’d be pleased, as deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for the economy, to be reporting back on investment anywhere in Scotland – but she’s particularly gleeful about what’s going on in her own backyard.

Oct 30, 2024 · Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone introduced the debate, noting the whole parliament was “shocked and saddened” by Salmond’s passing. She added: “Alex Salmond’s contribution to the development and life of this parliament is an integral part of its history.”