Scots urged to safeguard Gaelic for future generations
Young Gaelic speakers have a duty to pass on the language to the next generation, according to SNP MSP Kate Forbes.
Scotland
Increased use of pre-recorded evidence ‘to reduce trauma for victims’
The use of pre-recorded evidence in criminal trials in Scotland could be increased after MSPs on Holyrood’s Justice Committee approved initial proposals.
NUS Scotland backs ‘winter break’ on forced evictions
Proposals to introduce a “winter break” on forced evictions have been supported by Scotland’s largest student organisation.
How they voted
MSPs have voted by 76 to 27 in favour, with six abstentions, of a Scottish Government motion, as amended by Labour, recognising the success of Scotland’s entrepreneurial businesses, welcoming the collaborative approach to increasing and supporting entrepreneurship between the private sector and the Scottish Government, and noting the role of the public sector in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
Waste disposal firm concerns raised months before it ceased trading, MSPs told
The Scottish Government was made aware of concerns about a clinical waste disposal firm several months before it ceased trading and made hundreds of staff redundant.
Education Secretary announces improvements to teaching of PSE in schools
Schools will be given updated guidance on teaching pupils about relationships and consent in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Publish advice on second independence referendum, Scottish Government urged
The Scottish Government has been urged to publish what legal advice it has been given over the holding of a second independence referendum.
Justice Secretary urged to rule out railway policing merger
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has faced calls to permanently rule out plans to merge Police Scotland and the British Transport Police north of the border.
Food charity donation doubled by ministers in build-up to Brexit
The Scottish Government will double the cash it gives to a charity that helps those struggling to pay for food in the run-up to Brexit.
Primary one national test data could be ‘invalidated’, academic warns
Nationalised data from controversial tests for primary one pupils could be “invalidated” by the way they are carried out, an academic has warned.
Scotland ‘global leader’ in science and research, report indicates
Scotland is “punching above its weight” in the science and research sector, according to a new report.
School Age Payment to help low-income families prepare for new term
Low-income families will be able to apply for financial support to help with the costs of preparing for school from June 3, the Scottish Government has announced.
Net zero emissions by 2045 ‘credible’ target, WWF Scotland claims
Environmental campaigners have claimed it is “credible” for Scotland to achieve the target of having “net zero” emissions by 2045 – even though ministers’ current target is to reduce these by 90% by 2050.
Rise in number of Scots going bust, report indicates
The number of people facing financial hardship has increased in Scotland, according to official statistics published on Wednesday.
Independence supporters urged to ‘ca’canny’ on second referendum
The SNP continues to be split over whether now is the time for Nicola Sturgeon to call a second Scottish referendum, with one of the party’s MEPs insisting it is not time yet to “push the button” on such a vote.
Stress has caused 37% of staff to quit Scottish SMEs, study suggests
More than a third of employees at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland have quit their job due to stress in their workplace, according to new research.
Brexit already hitting Scotland’s hospitality industry, study suggests
Brexit has already had a negative effect on just under a fifth of Scotland’s hospitality sector, a new survey suggests.
Scotland ‘needs to give voice to the voiceless’
Scotland’s public services watchdog has accused the Scottish Government of a “lack of progress” over enabling her to hold public value investigations.
New Caledonian Sleeper fleet undergoes trials ahead of full rollout
Caledonian Sleeper has trialled its new carriages running from Scotland to London Euston ahead of the rollout of the new fleet in May.
UK Government ‘cancels Brexit talks with Scotland and Wales’
The UK Government has cancelled talks with senior politicians from Scotland and Wales over Brexit, MSPs have been told.
Glasgow Airport rail link ‘badly needed’, Scottish Government told
Proposals to build a rail link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow city centre must be progressed “as a matter of urgency”, according to opposition parties at Holyrood.
Pigeon dropping infection ‘contributed’ to child’s death, MSPs told
A review will be carried out at Scotland’s flagship hospital after it emerged one of the two patients who died there after contracting an infection linked to pigeon droppings was a child.
Some children exposed to risk and neglect for too long, review finds
Authorities looking into concerns about children’s well-being provided a “less consistently robust” response in cases where youngsters were suffering from “chronic poor parenting”, inspectors have said.
Cancer referral guidelines updated to help identify symptoms early
Guidelines on cancer referrals in Scotland have been updated in a bid to recognise symptoms of the disease earlier.
New BBC Scotland channel programming details revealed
Singer Emeli Sande picking buskers to perform with an orchestra and a new drama featuring stars from Game of Thrones and Line of Duty are among the latest shows announced for the new BBC Scotland channel.
Vulnerable man found dead after police ‘mishandled report of concern’
Police failed to record a report of concern for a vulnerable man who went missing and was later found dead, an investigation has indicated.
Scottish teaching profession urged to reflect diversity of classrooms
There must be greater diversity in Scotland’s teaching profession to help promote equality, MSPs will be told.
Jobless total in Scotland drops below 100,000 for first time
Unemployment in Scotland has fallen below 100,000 for the first time, new figures have revealed.
Widening gap between rich and poor Scots visiting their dentist, figures suggest
People from Scotland’s most deprived areas are less likely to have visited their NHS dentist in the past two years than their more affluent peers, new figures indicate.
Prince of Wales to open health and well-being centre at Dumfries House
The Prince of Wales is to open a new health and well-being centre at Dumfries House on Tuesday.