Scottish Labour leader and MSP, shaping budgets and leadership contests since 2021
Britain seeks closer access to European markets as the EU pushes the Industrial Accelerator Act to curb China’s role in Europe’s supply chains. Britain warns against new barriers while exploring a reset with Brussels.
Multiple Edinburgh schools face overcrowding as VAT on private school fees is cited as contributing to demand shifts. Parents report cramped spaces, with pupils eating in toilets and sharing facilities while councils contemplate urgent action and longer-term plans.
More than 80 firefighters and about 30 trucks have contained a fire at a single building on Victoria Street, Richmond. The blaze affected adjacent shopfronts; the premises was unoccupied. Victoria Police are investigating a ram raid and arson. Thick smoke has prompted VicEmergency alerts and road closures.
A large railway embankment fire in Walthamstow has drawn more than 100 firefighters, prompting road closures, rail disruption, and evacuation of nearby residents. Authorities advise keeping windows and doors shut and avoid the area as the blaze continues to burn and investigators assess the cause.
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour's new leader, pledging to unite the party and reverse four decades of neoliberal policies. He outlines five points, including devolution and a distinctively Labour approach, while delaying final cabinet selections until after the handover. The speech signals a shift but leaves policy details unclear as Reform gathers momentum.
The piece assesses how Andy Burnham, newly positioned prime minister, has pledged significant policy changes and unity within Labour as he navigates rebellions and expects tough decisions ahead. He aims to restore public trust after a contentious 2024 and 2025 period, while facing internal challenges and voter scrutiny.
Anas Sarwar has indicated a transition from Scottish Labour leader to a Westminster role, moving to the House of Lords as a business minister. The shift follows Labour's worst Holyrood showing and questions about leadership succession, with analysis noting cross-UK dynamics and implications for party strategy.
Scottish Labour has confirmed Anas Sarwar has stood down as party leader and will join UK government, prompting acting leadership by Dame Jackie Baillie and potential leadership bids from Michael Marra and Monica Lennon as the party reassesses after a heavy Holyrood defeat.
The Prime Minister has met Scotland’s First Minister in Glasgow amid Commonwealth Games coverage, arguing for deeper devolution to spur growth while ruling out a new independence referendum. Both leaders commit to constructive engagement and addressing the cost of living.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% business rates reduction for nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027, a package the government says will save a typical pub about £1,100 a year and cost roughly £100m. Ministers are proposing to fund it by reviewing reliefs for vape shops and cracking down on online tax non-compliance.
Mayors across England will soon keep a share of local income tax to fund growth projects, a major step in devolving power from Whitehall. The plan aims to address regional inequality but faces implementation barriers and risk of lagging growth for less wealthy areas.
The Scotsman reports that SNP governance faces scrutiny over Monklands Hospital funding promises. Critics argue the project was unaffordable and that voters were misled before the election. Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir foreword and John Swinney’s defence spark further debate about the SNP’s record and future path.
Scottish Labour is facing a leadership race after Anas Sarwar's departure to accept a UK government role. The contest centers on infighting and a push to impose five budget tests if elected, aiming to secure concessions from the SNP ahead of next year’s council elections.
Two candidates remain in the Scottish Labour leadership contest after Monica Lennon fails to secure enough nominations. Michael Marra and Joe Fagan now contest the ballot to replace Anas Sarwar, who has joined Andy Burnham’s government. Lennon accuses the party of being stuck in the past while Marra and Fagan vow to rebuild and unite Labour.
Michael Marra and Joe Fagan are vying to lead Scottish Labour. In speeches and interviews, Marra pledges to deliver change from the opposition, while Fagan emphasizes leadership style and unity. The race remains open with a mid-September result expected.
Labour has seen a small improvement in polling under Andy Burnham, but experts say the gains may be fragile. Reform UK faces scrutiny over funding and leadership turmoil, while the rise of Restore Britain adds to a fragmented right. Across multiple polls, Labour’s share remains around the low to mid-20s, with Reform similarly challenged.
Energy Secretary is preparing to recommend approval for the Jackdaw gas field and the Rosebank oil field after consultations, continuing the North Sea program to support jobs and energy security while facing climate concerns.
The triple lock has raised costs and sparked calls for reform. Governments and thinktanks say the system is expensive and unsustainable; opponents urge targeted support for pensioners, while some advocate linking uplifts to inflation only. The debate centers on funding, fairness, and youth opportunities as the policy’s future comes under review.