UK Government

Exclusive

The UK Government paid foreign offenders more than £6 million to leave the UK early within 2021 and 2024.

Early release of prisoners

10

Foreign offenders paid £6.4m to leave UK early in three year period
Foreign offenders serving a jail sentence in the UK were paid a total of £6.4 million to leave the country early in a three-year period.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged by GMB Scotland to fund the shortfall left by the increase to national insurance contributions. (Image: PA)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged by GMB Scotland to fund the shortfall left by the increase to national insurance contributions. (Image: PA)

National Insurance

23

GMB: Reeves must fund national insurance hike facing Scotland's public sector

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh

56

Louise Haigh resigns as Transport Secretary

Members of the Unite union march and rally at the Scottish Parliament in protest at Petroineos plans to close Grangemouth oil refinery.

Members of the Unite union march and rally at the Scottish Parliament in protest at Petroineos plans to close Grangemouth oil refinery.

2

Scottish Government 'dereliction of duty' over Grangemouth closure, says Green MSP

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

Scottish Government

3

Scottish services could be ‘short-changed’ by £400 million - Swinney

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband

3

Letter of the Day: Starmer and Miliband are divorced from reality

The decision was announced on Thursday (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The decision was announced on Thursday (Andrew Milligan/PA)

9

Roz Foyer: Save Grangemouth project is vital to turn tide on 50 years of failure

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray says the rolling age ban on tobacco will save lives in Scotland.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray says the rolling age ban on tobacco will save lives in Scotland.

13

Ian Murray: ‘UK Government bill on tobacco restrictions will save Scots’ lives’

Scottish Government quizzed over how extra £41 million will be spent this winter

Scottish Government quizzed over how extra £41 million will be spent this winter

1

Scottish Government quizzed over how extra £41 million will be spent this winter

Liam McArthur (second right) reads people's dying wishes

Liam McArthur (second right) reads people's dying wishes

2

Ministers warned against lobbying on assisted dying bill by MSP

The SNP has condemned the UK Government’s decision to hike national insurance contributions in its recent budget as they say it leaves thousands of childcare providers in Scotland at risk.

The SNP has condemned the UK Government’s decision to hike national insurance contributions in its recent budget as they say it leaves thousands of childcare providers in Scotland at risk.

‘3,500 childcare providers in Scotland at risk due to NI hike’, says SNP

How many more red pandas need to die to fuel our firework obsession?

How many more red pandas need to die to fuel our firework obsession?

12

How many more red pandas need to die to fuel our firework obsession?

Pictured (left to right): Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, and Rt Hon Ian Murray MP Secretary of State for Scotland following the signing of the Deal.

Pictured (left to right): Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, and Rt Hon Ian Murray MP Secretary of State for Scotland following the signing of the Deal.

Scottish Government

2

Growth deal worth almost £150 million agreed for Falkirk and Grangemouth

9

Backlash after former Labour Spin Doctor's comment on Farmers and Thatcher

Scottish Secretary of State Ian Murray

Scottish Secretary of State Ian Murray

6

UK Government promise £1.4 billion for local growth projects in Scotland

Cllr Susan Aitken (SNP, Langside ward).

Cllr Susan Aitken (SNP, Langside ward).

Glasgow City Council

5

'National Insurance hike will cost Glasgow City Council over 50 million pounds'

Andrew Bowie given Scotland role in new Tory Shadow Cabinet by Kemi Badenoch

Scottish Government joins international alliance on AI and cybersecurity

Scottish Government joins international alliance on AI and cybersecurity

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Scottish Government joins international alliance on AI and cybersecurity

Rachel Reeves outside No 11

Rachel Reeves outside No 11

Letter of the day 📨

10

Rachel Reeves didn't need to raise taxes - here's what she should have done instead

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox.

Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox.

7

Budgets should no longer be a space for dull men trying to overcomplicate things

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

2

Swinney: Budget must ‘immediately and significantly’ increase cash for Scotland

The First Minister says the the Chancellor must increase funding for Scotland in the UK Budget (Andrew Milligan/PA).

The First Minister says the the Chancellor must increase funding for Scotland in the UK Budget (Andrew Milligan/PA).

10

'Funding for Scotland in UK Budget must increase', First Minister says

Rachel Reeves is due to present her first Budget this week

Rachel Reeves is due to present her first Budget this week

What to look out for in the UK budget for Scotland

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay delivers a speech at the Marriot Hotel Holyrood, Edinburgh, calling for lower taxes in Scotland and a smaller state that runs more efficiently.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay delivers a speech at the Marriot Hotel Holyrood, Edinburgh, calling for lower taxes in Scotland and a smaller state that runs more efficiently.

Scottish Budget

2

Russell Findlay 'all ears' to Scottish budget talks with First Minister

There are proposals to build a new gas burning power station at Peterhead

There are proposals to build a new gas burning power station at Peterhead

Friends of the Earth Scotland

8

Ministers ‘misled’ on environmental impact of new power plant, campaigners claim

Two rural SNP MSPs are urging Scottish Labour to persuade the UK Government to introduce Scottish visas in order to attract more overseas workers.

Two rural SNP MSPs are urging Scottish Labour to persuade the UK Government to introduce Scottish visas in order to attract more overseas workers.

12

MSPs urge Scottish Labour to negotiate with UK Government over Scottish visas

A mother from rural Scotland says she faces destitution if benefits are cut in the upcoming budget.

A mother from rural Scotland says she faces destitution if benefits are cut in the upcoming budget.

Mother may face ‘destitution’ if UK Government cuts benefits in budget

A preschool age child playing with plastic building blocks (File/PA)

A preschool age child playing with plastic building blocks (File/PA)

1

UK Government Child Poverty taskforce to meet in Scotland

Kilgraston School in Bridge of Earn is one of two private schools in Scotland that has closed its doors this year.

Kilgraston School in Bridge of Earn is one of two private schools in Scotland that has closed its doors this year.

Private Education

9

Questions raised over private school VAT payout in Scotland

Andrew Tickell discusses the Spycops scandal in his latest column

Andrew Tickell discusses the Spycops scandal in his latest column

2

Sickening Spycops sex scandal deserves much more of our attention

The UK and Scottish Governments will offer

The UK and Scottish Governments will offer

Scottish and UK Government's offer 'bespoke support' to Grangemouth workers

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

Last week, the Labour UK Government published their long-awaited Employment Rights Bill.

Last week, the Labour UK Government published their long-awaited Employment Rights Bill.

Roz Foyer: We can’t always get everything what we want. But we can try hard to do so

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Gareth Fuller/PA)

1

Budget will boost living standards, revive NHS and ‘rebuild Britain’ – Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer on his way to the Commons yesterday, the day after he saw off a rebellion over

Sir Keir Starmer on his way to the Commons yesterday, the day after he saw off a rebellion over

2

Trades unions and businesses react to UK Government's new Employment Bill

The Labour government has faced a massive backlash over its decision to means test the winter fuel payment.

The Labour government has faced a massive backlash over its decision to means test the winter fuel payment.

18

'Vast majority' of Scots pensioners in poverty will lose winter fuel allowance

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar faced a rebellion over the UK Government's cuts to winter fuel payments. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar faced a rebellion over the UK Government's cuts to winter fuel payments. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Winter Fuel Payment

11

Anas Sarwar suffers Labour MSP rebellion over winter fuel payment cut

Sir Keir Starmer's first 100 days as Prime Minister has had teething problems, Anas Sarwar admits. (Image: PA)

Sir Keir Starmer's first 100 days as Prime Minister has had teething problems, Anas Sarwar admits. (Image: PA)

8

'Teething problems': Sarwar admits UK Labour Government has had a challenging start

Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on MSPs to unite against the UK Government’s decision

Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on MSPs to unite against the UK Government’s decision

13

Justice Secretary calls on MSPs to unite against winter fuel payment cut

A homeless person on Buchanan Street in Glasgow

A homeless person on Buchanan Street in Glasgow

7

Support for legally binding poverty reduction targets

The return of the Chagos Islands is long overdue, writes Andrew Tickell

The return of the Chagos Islands is long overdue, writes Andrew Tickell

1

Long overdue return of Chagos Islands brings an end to a shameful colonial episode

Lara (no surname given) speaks to media at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight from Beirut

Lara (no surname given) speaks to media at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight from Beirut

2

More than 150 British nationals evacuated from Lebanon after Israeli invasion

Protesters campaign against the development approval given to the Rosebank oil and gas field, off

Protesters campaign against the development approval given to the Rosebank oil and gas field, off

14

Open letter urges Keir Starmer to scrap 'climate disaster' Rosebank oil field

Catherine Smith KC

Catherine Smith KC

Catherine Smith officially appointed as Advocate General for Scotland in Edinburgh

Keir Starmer faces mounting questions about the hedge fund's £4m donation

Keir Starmer faces mounting questions about the hedge fund's £4m donation

9

Labour's new 'climate envoy' linked with £4m party mega-donor hedge fund

6

Oil companies 'marking own homework' as spills could be twice those reported

Around 900,000 Scots will lose out on the winter fuel payment

Around 900,000 Scots will lose out on the winter fuel payment

Winter Fuel Payment

3

UK and Scottish Government face legal challenge on winter fuel payment cut

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, arriving ahead of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, arriving ahead of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool

3

Appalling tawdriness of vain Starmer’s freebies is proving to be his undoing

Protestors call for the winter fuel allowance not to be washed away

Protestors call for the winter fuel allowance not to be washed away

Winter Fuel Payment

11

Protestors look to turn the tide on winter fuel payment with 'real worry' for winter

homeless people sleeping on the street

homeless people sleeping on the street

Refugees and immigration

4

Hostile immigration policies leave 97% destitute as UK and Holyrood urged to act

Keir Starmer waves to members of the media after taking a photograph with the new intake of Scottish Labour MPs

Keir Starmer waves to members of the media after taking a photograph with the new intake of Scottish Labour MPs

14

I've zero sympathy for Labour MPs' crocodile tears over winter fuel payments

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray

Scotland's space industry promised £7.2 million investment by UK Government

A Holyrood committee is calling on the UK Government to seek improvements to the post-Brexit UK-EU trading relationship

A Holyrood committee is calling on the UK Government to seek improvements to the post-Brexit UK-EU trading relationship

10

MSPs push for further UK-EU trading talks amid concern for businesses

Starmer pushed ahead with winter fuel cut despite pleas from Scottish Labour MPs

Starmer pushed ahead with winter fuel cut despite pleas from Scottish Labour MPs

11

Starmer pushed ahead with winter fuel cut despite pleas from Scottish Labour MPs