The devolved government of Scotland, formed in 1999, accountable to the Scottish Parliament
Glasgow School of Art says faithful reinstatement is now unaffordable without external funding. A new report shows gear for stabilisation, scaffolding removal and a plan to anchor a creative district, while critics call for a full rebuild and transparency.
The Scottish government has approved a hostel project that refurbishes four Category A-listed townhouses on Atholl Crescent into capsule‑pod accommodation. More than 280 objections were lodged, but authorities say the plan does not harm local housing or services. Campaigners warn this sets a precedent for heavy tourism in heritage sites.
Pro- and anti-immigration protests have escalated around Glasgow Green, with hundreds gathering and police separating groups. Several arrests have been made as violence and intimidation were reported, and investigators are reviewing CCTV and footage to identify those behind the disorder.
A mix of developments in education tech coverage shows parents and teachers weighing AI and device policies, from New York City's DOE AI plan feedback to classroom device bans and AI tool adoption in schools; reports contrast parental concerns with educators’ perceived benefits, while researchers assess effects of ability grouping in maths.
CWP Energy has lodged a petition for judicial review of ministers’ refusal to approve Scoop Hill wind farm near Moffat. The company argues the decision was unlawful and calls for remedies that could unlock up to £1 billion in renewable investment; the case follows a government stance that the site is not right for the location.
Nicola Sturgeon has said she feels she is “serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit” after her estranged husband Peter Murrell admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP. Murrell has pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced next month. Sturgeon has stressed she is not responsible for his crimes and has condemned the betrayal and deceit that have surrounded the case.
The UK government has announced plans to bar under‑16s from major social platforms and to restrict risky features, including livestreaming, stranger‑to‑stranger chats and romantic AI chatbots for under‑18s. Ministers say the measures will start next spring; critics warn the ban is rushed, risks driving children to unregulated services and could face legal challenges.
Devolved welfare policy shows regional differences in entitlements, with Scotland benefiting more from certain supports. England and Wales have lower access in some cases, while local council tax reductions vary by locality. Separately, SNAP benefits have shrunk as a new U.S. law raises work requirements and state cost responsibilities, impacting millions of beneficiaries.
Campaigners call for talks with Hebridean communities to phase out the infant gannet hunt on Ness, citing welfare concerns and conservation data. Opponents accuse recent tactics of entrenching views; supporters stress tradition and subsistence. Licensing decisions by NatureScot loom as seabird numbers trend downward.
The Royal College of Radiologists warns Scotland’s radiology and cancer care faces dangerous delays due to a chronic shortage of specialist doctors. The issue is most acute in the north and east, with waits for scans and treatments rising and outsourcing increasing. The report calls for urgent, sustained investment in training and permanent posts.
A court has ruled that Scotland7s transgender prisoner housing policy is unlawful, affecting the placement of trans inmates in female or male prisons. The government has decided not to appeal and transfers are set to proceed under the clarified rules, prioritising safety and rights. The case follows the Supreme Court ruling on gender identity and rights.
Trump has accused Keir Starmer of failing on immigration and energy, urging his resignation and calling for expansion of North Sea drilling. The remark underscores tensions in UK‑US relations as UK political tempers flare after recent by‑election results.
Conservation groups say Scotland’s marine protected areas are recovering when properly shielded from dredging and trawling. The Wester Ross MPA has shown early signs of life returning after illegal disturbance, while groups press for faster, broader protections across inshore waters.
As temperatures surge across the UK and Europe, schools face red heat warnings. Authorities urge adaptive measures from headteachers, including flexible timings, ventilation, hydration, and possible early closures. The debate over whether to close schools or keep them open intensifies as unions demand better climate-ready infrastructure.
The government is expanding use of former military sites to house asylum seekers, planning to accommodate about 3,750 people across Bicester, Barnham and Linton-on-Ouse, with extensions at Crowborough and Wethersfield. Local opposition persists in several communities as the plan unfolds.
Glasgow City Council has appointed architects to explore a meanwhile-use proposal for the Union Corner fire site, following a blaze that damaged the adjacent B-listed building. O’Donnell Brown will draft options for commercial and cultural uses over the next four years as authorities seek a rapid return of life to the city centre.
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.
A series of proposals around council tax, stamp duty and land value tax are attracting attention as policymakers consider how to reform property taxation. The debate spans mansion taxes in Scotland, and broader reforms that could affect ownership costs and mobility.
Shetland Islands Council has backed a plan to explore four subsea tunnels, linking Mainland with Yell and Unst, with later links to Bressay and Whalsay. The project aims to replace aging ferries and unlock economic growth, with an estimated total cost of about 1.5 billion pounds and a completion timeline of eight years for the first tunnel.
The National Trust says a sapling from the Sycamore Gap tree, planted in Wray Castle, Cumbria, has been stolen between 9 and 16 June. The theft follows the 2023 felling of the original iconic tree and the sentencing of two men. Police are investigating and appeal for information. The sapling was part of a UK-wide restoration effort.
The UK government has issued a formal apology for the state’s role in forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976, acknowledging harm to mothers, children and families. A £4 million package will fund access to adoption records, reconnecting relatives, and research into long-term impacts. The apology is supported by devolved administrations and follows earlier apologies from religious institutions.
A major fire has broken out near Edinburgh’s Princes Street, affecting the old Debenhams building and surrounding blocks. Fire crews are damping hotspots, with road closures in place and tram and bus services disrupted. No injuries have been reported. Updates are ongoing.
Health Secretary has announced plans to treat e-cigarettes like tobacco, moving them behind counters and removing displays in shops, airports and duty-free zones. The move aims to curb youth vaping while acknowledging vapes’ role in helping adults quit smoking.
Ferguson Marine reports the Glen Rosa has left dry dock ahead of schedule and is moving toward sea trials; costs are now estimated at £197.5m, with service hoped in 2027. The yard emphasises progress on “modern Clydebuilt standards.”
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.
McGill’s Buses has challenged a ScotZeb funding decision after Ember secured £13m to buy 100 Chinese electric coaches. The move will not replace any diesel buses, and McGill’s argues the process lacks transparency. A legal appeal is now underway.
NatureScot plans an online register for Scotland’s ancient woodlands, recording location and conditioning. The system, due to live in 2027, will include conifer forests, recently planted woodlands and even ‘ghost’ woods, with a PIN procurement launching 2026–27.
The independent review into March’s Old Firm clash has highlighted near-misses, planning failures, and a call for stronger sanctions and accountability for clubs. Hearings are set for August 13 as the SFA publishes its findings.
ScottishPower Renewables has lodged plans to repower Whitelee Windfarm, replacing 215 turbines with about 124 taller units in three phases. The £1.5bn project aims to double output to 1GW and keep the site accessible to visitors; full operation is expected by 2035. The move follows solid half‑year profits, driven by renewables and grid investments.
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.