MPs should not be ‘railroaded’ into bad or blindfold Brexit deal – Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon will warn MPs should not be “railroaded” into accepting a bad or blindfold deal on Brexit on the grounds that no deal would be catastrophic.
Scottish Government
North-east NHS buildings in good condition 6% below average
More than 60% of buildings across NHS Grampian are rated in good condition – but the figure falls 6% lower than the national average.
‘Frustration’ from north-east community council over A96 upgrade options
A community leader has hit out at options for the A96 upgrade works, saying there is “huge frustration” about the plans.
Almost 10% of health board’s buildings in ‘unsatisfactory’ condition
One of Scotland’s health boards has just a quarter of its buildings in a good physical condition, while in another area almost one in 10 properties have been ranked as “unsatisfactory”.
Majority of Scots ‘want more information on devolved tax system’
The public is struggling to make sense of Holyrood’s new tax powers, an expert claimed, as a poll revealed 84% want more information about how the charges are set.
Teachers to be balloted over pay offer
Teachers are to be balloted on the latest pay offer which they are being urged to reject.
Scottish Government to seek new advice on climate change targets
The Scottish Government will seek fresh independent advice on its climate change targets after a new report warned countries must take “unprecedented” action to slash carbon emissions.
Public given chance to discuss A96 dualling plans after some options axed
Some options for the dualling of a north-east road have been dropped following feedback and design work.
Population of rural Scotland increasing faster than rest of country
The population of rural Scotland is increasing faster than the rest of the country and a higher proportion of residents rate their neighbourhood as a “very good” place to live, official statistics show.
Ministers to set up information service for EU citizens concerned about Brexit
European citizens who want to stay in Scotland following Brexit will be able to get help and support from a new government-funded project.
Calls for more focus on tackling health inequalities in Scotland
A body representing doctors in Scotland has called for more to be done to deal with the “whole picture” of health inequality.
Malawi and Zambia given £600,000 to tackle climate change
Scottish Government cash of £600,000 is to be spent tackling climate change in Africa, as Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham insisted ministers here have a “moral obligation” to help nations that will be hardest hit by rising temperatures.
Bonfire Night revellers urged to act responsibly
Anyone who puts lives in danger using fireworks will face “robust action”, officials warned, after last year’s Bonfire Night saw missiles thrown at emergency crews.
Flu vaccination campaign launched with plea to get immunised
Scots eligible to receive the flu vaccine are being urged to make immunisation a priority as the national protection programme gets under way.
North-east health board to replace cancer detection machine
NHS Grampian is to replace a multi-million-pound machine used in the process of detecting certain cancers.
FGM protection orders proposed to stop at-risk girls being taken abroad
Special protection orders could be introduced in a bid to prevent women and girls at risk of female general mutilation from being taken abroad.
Work to start on new Aberdeen hospital next month
Initial site works on a new £163 million hospital and cancer treatment centre are expected to start in early November.
Scottish Government benefit increase reaches 75,000 carers
More than 75,000 carers have received extra cash after the Scottish Government increased their benefit payment.
£1m funding bids to turn the tide on marine plastic pollution
The Scottish Government is doubling its cash help for projects that aim to tackle the “scourge” of marine plastic pollution.
£1m funding bids to turn the tide on marine plastic pollution
The Scottish Government is doubling its cash help for projects that aim to tackle the “scourge” of marine plastic pollution.
Public spending watchdog’s concerns as two Scottish health boards may need to be bailed out
Scotland’s public spending watchdog has expressed “serious reservations” about the finances of two health boards which could both require to be bailed out with £22 million of government cash.
Free sanitary products to be made available in schools following Aberdeen pilot
Ministers are to spend £7.5 million a year on providing free sanitary products in schools after a successful pilot project in Aberdeen.
Scottish Government has not taken decisive steps tackling child poverty – report
The Scottish Government has not taken the “decisive steps” needed to tackle child poverty, campaigners have said, with a quarter of youngsters living in families that are struggling to get by.
Court dates set for Alex Salmond’s legal fight against Scottish Government
Dates have been set for the full hearing of Alex Salmond’s legal challenge against the Scottish Government.
Report claims welfare reforms will cost Scots £3.7 billion by 2020-21
UK Government welfare reforms introduced since the Conservatives came to power in 2010 will result in the loss of £3.7 billion worth of benefits in Scotland by 2020-21, a new report has estimated.
Forest improvement plans handed £1m cash boost
A new forest project in the Scottish Borders has secured £1 million of public money.
Welfare reforms forcing thousands of Scots into poverty, report says
Thousands of people across Scotland are being forced into poverty due to welfare cuts, according to an official report.
Health Secretary writes to EU workers at NHS Scotland over Brexit fears
The Health Secretary has written to EU staff working in Scotland’s NHS to express the country’s gratitude and wish for them to stay on post-Brexit.
Scottish Government warns against ‘twin disasters’ of blind or no-deal Brexit
Staying in Europe’s single market and the customs union is the only “credible plan” to avoid the “twin disasters” of a no-deal Brexit or a so-called blind Brexit, the Scottish Government has insisted.
Scottish Government reveals budget underspend of almost £340m
The Scottish Government had an overall budget underspend of almost £340 million last year, an official report has revealed.