Britain’s largest public-sector union
Population growth in Scotland has slowed to a near standstill, driven by a widening gap between births and deaths. Net migration has fallen, with international and UK-to-Scotland flows both down. Officials warn that without renewed inward movement, Scotland faces a longer-term decline, threatening NHS and social care stability.
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.
A summer of record heat has disrupted schools and workplaces, with unions and researchers calling for safer conditions and investment in cooling. Schools have endured closures and high temperatures, while unions push for legal temperature limits and infrastructure upgrades to withstand climate extremes.
Glasgow City Council has paused its plan to dismiss and rehire 23,000 non-teaching staff amid continuing talks with unions over a new pay and grading system designed to address previous gender pay disparities. About 11% face wage cuts, while most staff will see pay stay the same or rise. Talks with Unison, Unite and GMB are ongoing.
Labour MPs are pressuring Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood over proposed residency rules for migrants, with debates centring on care workers and retrospective changes. The proposals would raise wait times for permanent settlement and provoke questions about fairness to those already in the UK.
Glasgow City Council has moved to the next phase of its pay and grading overhaul. Unison has secured three years of pay protection and continued talks, while GMB and Unite have signalled readiness to ballot members. The council says the majority of staff will be unaffected or better off, and negotiations are ongoing to address equality impacts and other protections.