Political explainers

Legal Aid Crisis

People in many parts of Scotland are struggling to get lawyers who provide legal aid

Scotland's Legal Aid Crisis

Explainer: Why are so many of Scotland's towns 'legal aid deserts'?
"Over recent years there has been a marked drop in the availability of criminal legal aid. Those who continue to undertake legal aid work are having to cover an ever-larger area. All of this has the potential to harm some of the most vulnerable members of our communities."

Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget which introduce new taxes on farms worth more than £1 million. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. Farmers have reacted over the

Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget which introduce new taxes on farms worth more than £1 million. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. Farmers have reacted over the

Farming difficulties

3

Farmers protest in London over proposed inheritance tax changes - explained in five

Who qualifies for legal aid in Scotland?

Who qualifies for legal aid in Scotland?

Legal aid crisis

Scotland's Legal Aid Crisis

3

Explainer: What is legal aid and who qualifies to get it?

We take a deep dive into the key statistics and the data behind access to legal aid

We take a deep dive into the key statistics and the data behind access to legal aid

Legal Aid Crisis

Scotland's Legal Aid Crisis

What's the provision of legal aid in your area? A deep dive into our data

The Republican Party have taken charge of the Senate

The Republican Party have taken charge of the Senate

47

Republicans have won the Senate but what does it mean for America?

Donald Trump's mother is from the Isle of Lewis

Donald Trump's mother is from the Isle of Lewis

4

What are former US President Donald Trump's family ties to Scotland?

Explained in five

7

Delays, funding and political rows: A9 dualling update explained

Free school meals

Free school meals

2

Charity's five point plan to tackle child poverty public debt crisis

Former first ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.

Former first ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.

17

Will Sturgeon, Matheson and Yousaf step down in 2026 for ousted SNP MPs?

Former First Minister Alex Salmond attending a conference in North Macedonia shortly before he died

Former First Minister Alex Salmond attending a conference in North Macedonia shortly before he died

1

Explainer: Full details: When will Alex Salmond's body arrive in Scotland?

The Human Rights Bill will now be delayed until after the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

The Human Rights Bill will now be delayed until after the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

1

Human Rights Bill: What is it and why has it been stalled in Holyrood?

Members of the House of Lords pictured in the chamber ahead of the State Opening earlier this year

Members of the House of Lords pictured in the chamber ahead of the State Opening earlier this year

Explained in five

3

House of Lords reform bill passes second reading - what you need to know

The SNP and Labour candidates for the Falkirk South by-election

The SNP and Labour candidates for the Falkirk South by-election

Explained in five

7

Date, candidates and how the voting system works for the Falkirk South by-election

John Mason has been branded ‘despicable’

John Mason has been branded ‘despicable’

10

Who is John Mason? MSP's past controversies from creationism to gay marriage

Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer

5

What are Labour proposing as they set out to strengthen workers' rights

Russell Findlay is the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives

Russell Findlay is the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives

3

Who is Russell Findlay? The ex-journalist named leader of Scottish Conservative party

Constituency changes in Scotland explained ahead of 2026 Holyrood election

Constituency changes in Scotland explained ahead of 2026 Holyrood election

Local government

Constituency changes in Scotland explained ahead of 2026 Holyrood election

Domestic violence can have a devastating impact on children

Domestic violence can have a devastating impact on children

Explained in five

1

New bill which aims to tackle domestic homicide and suicide in Scotland explained

Schools have been encouraged to have a flexible dress code

Schools have been encouraged to have a flexible dress code

2

Scot Gov school uniform guidance — Dress codes and costs explained

Explainer: What is the Winter Fuel Payment and why is it under threat?

Explainer: What is the Winter Fuel Payment and why is it under threat?

Winter Fuel Payment

Explainer: What is the Winter Fuel Payment and why is it under threat?

Finance secretary Shona Robison

Finance secretary Shona Robison

12

Who will lose out in SNP cuts? The key groups hit by spending squeeze

Angus Robertson

Angus Robertson

Angus Robertson

5

Explainer: Why is the SNP tearing itself apart over Israel diplomatic meeting?

Why are so many Westminster politicians flocking to the Edinburgh Festivals?

Why are so many Westminster politicians flocking to the Edinburgh Festivals?

Edinburgh Festival

7

Why are so many Westminster figures flocking to the Edinburgh Festivals?

Priti Patel, Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly

Priti Patel, Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly

Conservative Party

1

Conservatives announce leadership contest rules and when new leader will be in place

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks during the debate on the King's Speech in the House of Commons

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks during the debate on the King's Speech in the House of Commons

2

When MPs will vote on the two-child benefit cap and why it matters for Keir Starmer

King Charles III reads the King's Speech

King Charles III reads the King's Speech

3

Explained: Which Bills in King's Speech apply to Scotland?

Meet JD Vance: Trump's running mate who once referred to him as 'America's Hitler'

Meet JD Vance: Trump's running mate who once referred to him as 'America's Hitler'

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Meet JD Vance: Trump's running mate who once referred to him as 'America's Hitler'

Who is Thomas Crooks? The 20-year-old aide worker who shot Donald Trump

Who is Thomas Crooks? The 20-year-old aide worker who shot Donald Trump

12

Who is Thomas Crooks? The 20-year-old aide worker who shot Donald Trump

For the first time, voters will need to provide ID to have their say in the General Election

For the first time, voters will need to provide ID to have their say in the General Election

General Election

14

Full list of acceptable photographic ID needed to vote in today's General Election

Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are currently favourites to form the next government

Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are currently favourites to form the next government

3

How to watch Labour leader Keir Starmer's Panorama interview tonight

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross

General Election

Explainer: When will a new Scottish Conservative leader be chosen and how?

John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross and Alex Cole-Hamilton will debate tonight

John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross and Alex Cole-Hamilton will debate tonight

1

How to watch the Scottish leaders General Election debate on STV tonight

The General Election will take place during the school summer holidays in Scotland (excluding Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire).

The General Election will take place during the school summer holidays in Scotland (excluding Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire).

General Election 2024

1

How do I register for a postal vote in Scotland ahead of the General Election?

What we know so far as Rishi Sunak appears ready to call a general election

What we know so far as Rishi Sunak appears ready to call a general election

General Election 2024

9

What we know so far as Rishi Sunak appears ready to call a general election

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

18

John Swinney's speech on growing the economy: Six key points

Humza Yousaf stepped down as First Minister last week

Humza Yousaf stepped down as First Minister last week

3

Explained: The Cass Review, Humza Yousaf, and its part in his downfall

SNP MSP John Swinney with supporters on Thursday as he announced his bid for the SNP leadership

SNP MSP John Swinney with supporters on Thursday as he announced his bid for the SNP leadership

20

John Swinney: Cabinet reshuffle and government reset: What's happening next week

Explained: How much is Humza Yousaf’s pension actually worth?

Explained: How much is Humza Yousaf’s pension actually worth?

7

Explained: How much is Humza Yousaf’s pension actually worth?

SNP MSPs Michelle Thomson and Ivan McKee

SNP MSPs Michelle Thomson and Ivan McKee

3

SNP leadership contest: Who are Forbes' allies and why their call for courage?

Explained: How Humza Yousaf's resignation could trigger an early Holyrood election

Explained: How Humza Yousaf's resignation could trigger an early Holyrood election

Bute House Agreement

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Explained: How Humza Yousaf's resignation could trigger an early Holyrood election

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf reacts as he answers questions during First Minister's Questions at Scottish Parliament at the Scottish Parliament Building on April 25, 2024

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf reacts as he answers questions during First Minister's Questions at Scottish Parliament at the Scottish Parliament Building on April 25, 2024

2

Explained: Would Humza Yousaf have to resign if he loses a vote of no confidence?

Scottish Green party co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie at Holyrood

Scottish Green party co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie at Holyrood

Bute House Agreement

4

What have the Greens done for us? A post Bute-House run down of power-sharing impact

The Bute House Agreement is over.

The Bute House Agreement is over.

Bute House Agreement

What next for the Scottish Government after end of Bute House Agreement?

The Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021

The Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021

Bute House Agreement

1

Explainer: What is the Bute House Agreement and why is it in the spotlight?

An inquiry has been launched in Holyrood into Scotland's commissioner landscape

An inquiry has been launched in Holyrood into Scotland's commissioner landscape

Explainer: What are commissioners and should Scotland have more?

The flags of Israel and Iran (Alamy)

The flags of Israel and Iran (Alamy)

Explained in five

21

Iran launches strikes on Israel: Why it happened, reaction and what happens next

Could wood burning stoves be on the way out?

Could wood burning stoves be on the way out?

15

Explained in five minutes - Scotgov's ban on wood-burning stoves

An image from the Scottish Government's campaign

An image from the Scottish Government's campaign

Police Scotland

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Explained in five minutes: What are Scotland's new Hate Crime Laws?

Gillian Mackay MSP is bringing the abortion safe access Bill to Holyrood

Gillian Mackay MSP is bringing the abortion safe access Bill to Holyrood

The abortion buffer zones debate, explained in five minutes

A student of the Maritime State University named after admiral Gennady Nevelskoy casts a ballot at a polling station during the presidential election in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok

A student of the Maritime State University named after admiral Gennady Nevelskoy casts a ballot at a polling station during the presidential election in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok

Explained in five: Russia heads to the polls with Vladimir Putin certain to win

Professor Jason Leitch

Professor Jason Leitch

2

From WhatsApp to facemasks - the controversies which preceded Jason Leitch's exit

Why University of Edinburgh is the second biggest landlord in Scotland's capital

Why University of Edinburgh is the second biggest landlord in Scotland's capital

University of Edinburgh

1

Why University of Edinburgh is the second biggest landlord in Scotland's capital

Speculation is increasing of a May general election

Speculation is increasing of a May general election

Conservative Party

4

Explainer: Why is there talk of a May election and when will we know?

Douglas Ross speaking at Scottish Tory conference in 2023

Douglas Ross speaking at Scottish Tory conference in 2023

Tory Conference

Rising stars to defining Islamophobia: Key talking points ahead of Tory conference