Kathleen Nutt and Andrew Learmonth

A pilot scheme to hold trials for serious sexual offences without a jury is to be scrapped by the Scottish government.

John Swinney has insisted his legislative programme for the year ahead will deliver “real change for the people of Scotland,” despite reports that his government is set to announce up to £600 million worth of cuts to Scotland’s public services.

David Duguid will not stand against Douglas Ross in the general election, the list of contenders for the seat has shown.

John Swinney has described Conservative plans to change the Equalities Act to include biological sex as part of a “deliberate strategy to undermine” Holyrood.