Foster accuses Coveney of ignoring NI unionists
Stormont’s First Minister has accused Ireland’s Foreign Minister of ignoring the views of unionists and assuming they will go away.
UK Government
EU ‘simply cannot trust’ UK Government after NI Protocol move, says Coveney
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister has said the EU is negotiating with a partner it “simply cannot trust” after the UK’s latest Brexit move.
Next parliament must focus on Covid economic recovery, MSPs agree
The next Holyrood term should make recovering from the effects of Covid-19 its focus, MSPs have agreed.
More than 50,000 applications for new child benefit payment approved
More than 50,000 applications for the new Scottish Child Payment have been granted, the Scottish Government has said.
The budget 2021: What does it mean for Scottish hospitality? Industry figures speak out about ‘hardest hit’ industry
Hospitality will benefit from alcohol duty being frozen, 5% VAT for the next six months, an extension of furlough and additional grant schemes following today's budget.
Cocaine use soars in five years as heroin use drops, figures show
Cocaine use in Scotland has soared in the past five years, new figures show, while heroin has seen a sustained fall.
Sir Ian Wood welcomes UK Government funding for Aberdeen’s energy transition zone
Sir Ian Wood has revealed that he thinks Aberdeen has been "left behind" in moving away from oil and gas.
Doctors say serious consideration should be given to decriminalising drugs
A doctor’s organisation has said that serious consideration should be given to decriminalising drug use to help tackle the “national emergency” of drug-related deaths in Scotland.
‘Great uncertainty’ around holidays, Van-Tam warns as EU plans vaccine passport
The UK will examine European Union proposals for a vaccine passport in the hope of reviving international travel for the summer holidays.
EU to set out plans for vaccine passports
British officials will discuss the European Union’s proposals for a vaccine passport which Brussels hopes will revive international travel ahead of the summer holidays.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak urged to ‘back Scotch whisky’ in Budget
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to give the whisky industry a boost and slash spirits duty in his Budget next week.
SPONSORED: Companies keen to build on the success of trading with Europe
The UK’s new trading relationship with the EU means that businesses are able to seize new opportunities as we strike trade deals with the world’s fastest growing markets.
Not enough nursing staff to provide safe and effective care, Scots tell poll
Nearly three quarters of Scots believe there are not enough nursing staff to provide safe and effective care, according to a new poll.
Westminster accused of ‘naked power grab’ as Levelling Up Fund extended
The UK Government has been accused of a “naked power grab” after it announced a fund which aims to boost regeneration is being extended to Scotland.
Scottish economy contracted 0.3% in December, new figures show
Scotland’s economy shrank in December as coronavirus restrictions took hold, new figures show.
Employment rate shows slight drop in Scotland
The employment rate in Scotland fell slightly in the last quarter, according to latest figures.
Lewis set for crunch talks with Stormont over funding for victims’ payments
Stormont ministers are set for crunch talks with the UK Government over who will foot a potential £1.2 billion bill for a delayed Troubles victims’ payment scheme.
Boris Johnson to visit Shetland amid self-determination push
Boris Johnson has said he is keen to see power "sit at the most appropriate level" after being contacted by the leader of Shetland Islands Council on the issue of self-determination for the isles.
Losing Erasmus ‘huge blow’ to Scotland, says Constitution Secretary
Scotland’s Constitution Secretary has said losing the Erasmus scheme was a “huge blow” to the country.
Save Our Salons: Calls for VAT cut to support hairdressers
Hair salons in the north-east and Tayside have joined calls for the UK Government to temporarily reduce VAT in a bid to ensure businesses survive the pandemic.
We will continue efforts to rejoin Erasmus scheme, says Mike Russell
Leaving Erasmus after Brexit was “utterly unnecessary” but Scotland should not give up hope of rejoining the student exchange programme, Mike Russell has said.
Scots urged to back Wee Box appeal to support people in poverty
Scots are being urged to back the Wee Box appeal, which supports those living in poverty.
Scottish Government extends business rates relief after budget clarity
Some businesses will not pay non-domestic rates in the next financial year, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced.
North-east MP welcomes 4G news for rural communities
A north-east MP has welcomed news that rural mobile 'notspots' will be given a 4G boost.
Different Covid quarantine rules between Scotland and England risks increasing transmission of virus
A north-east public health expert has today said differences in quarantine policies between England and Scotland could undermine work already done and increase the risk of Covid being transmitted.
Treasury announces £1.1 billion coronavirus support boost for Scotland
The Treasury has announced a further £1.1 billion of coronavirus support funding for the Scottish Government.
Hotel quarantine: UK Government accused of ‘undermining’ stricter Scottish rules
Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson claims the UK Government is "undermining" Scotland's tougher quarantine rules by failing to close a loophole which exists.
‘Serious thought’ must be given to border checks, says Health Secretary
The Scottish Government must give “serious thought” to border controls to stop travellers entering Scotland by landing elsewhere in the UK, the Health Secretary has said.
Seafood task force must not be a ‘talking shop’, Fisheries Secretary says
Scotland’s Fisheries Secretary has urged a new UK-wide seafood export task force to offer urgent solutions to issues facing the sector.
Quarantine hotels booking site hit by gremlins on launch day
An online booking system launched on Thursday for people flying into the UK to book a hotel for their "managed isolation" has a glitch.