Scottish Political News | Herald Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news Scottish Political News | Herald Scotland Copyright 2012 Herald & Times Group all rights reserved 2012-02-10T07:40:01Z Scotland could lose business networks, says Cable http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/scotland-could-lose-business-networks-says-cable.1328843044 KEY UK-wide business networks, including the Royal Mail's universal service obligation, could be threatened and lost if Scotland became independent, Vince Cable, Britain's Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Secretary, warned. Sports star's fear Games will be hijacked by politicians http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/sports-stars-fear-games-will-be-hijacked-by-politicians.1328843045 A LEADING Scottish sportswoman has expressed concerns that the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow could be hijacked by politicians. Coalition winning battle on bonuses, says Cable http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/coalition-winning-battle-on-bonuses-says-cable.1328756768 THE Coalition is winning the battle on bank bonuses, Vince Cable, the UK Business Secretary, declared yesterday as he reminded Barclays, due to announce its executive bonuses, it was still reliant on a taxpayer guarantee. MSPs told fishing area conservation plan a risk to island life http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/msps-told-fishing-area-conservation-plan-a-risk-to-island-life.1328756768 Barra's economy will be crippled if local fishing grounds are designated as a conservation area, MSPs heard last night. Sturgeon in alcohol price claim denial http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/sturgeon-in-alcohol-price-claim-denial.1328756768 HEALTH Secretary Nicola Sturgeon denied claims last night she had misrepresented the position of senior EU officials over the legality of plans for minimum unit pricing of alcohol. Consensus remains unlikely but LibDem support welcome http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/consensus-remains-unlikely-but-libdem-support-welcome.1328756768 JOHN Swinney's stated aim for his Budget was to build consensus with opposition parties. French politician brings tax push to Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/french-politician-brings-tax-push-to-scotland.1328756768 The so-called Robin Hood tax should be embraced as part of a "real and ambitious alternative to this new era of capitalism", French politician Harlem Desir will say in Edinburgh tonight. The big numbers Where the extra money goes http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/the-big-numbers-where-the-extra-money-goes.1328756768 September's draft budget was based on coping with a £10.4 billion cut over the four years from 2010-11 to 2014-15: £6.7bn to revenue and £3.7bn to capital budgets. Ministers in talks on bank job fears http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/ministers-in-talks-on-bank-job-fears.1328756768 THE Scottish Government has been in direct contact with Clydesdale Bank after news of a major strategic review threatening hundreds of jobs. King to face MPs on independence http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/king-to-face-mps-on-independence.1328756768 SIR Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, and General Sir Richard Dannatt, former head of the British Army, look set to be among witnesses called to give evidence to Scottish MPs examining various aspects of the Scottish independence debate. Glasgow Labour in turmoil with rebels planning tactical moves http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/glasgow-labour-in-turmoil-with-rebels-planning-tactical-moves.1328756768 A FURTHER resignation from Labour and a stinging parting shot from a de-selected councillor have overshadowed one of the most significant budgets to be delivered in Glasgow for many years. £81m reoffending spend questioned http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/81m-reoffending-spend-questioned.1328756768 MSPs have said they're "not convinced" that £81 million spent last year by the Scottish Government on reducing reoffending was effectively used. Claim Scottish civil service chief frozen out denied http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/claim-scottish-civil-service-chief-frozen-out-denied.1328670359 THE head of the UK civil service has denied Sir Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary to the SNP Government, was being frozen out of high level Whitehall talks about Scottish independence. Support for Holyrood to call shots on referendum http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/support-for-holyrood-to-call-shots-on-referendum.1328670362 THE Scottish Government has received another boost to its referendum proposals, with the Electoral Reform Society adding its voice to calls for a "no strings" deal. RBS chief 'to prove critics wrong' after bonus furore http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/rbs-chief-to-prove-critics-wrong-after-bonus-furore.1328670362 THE chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland has broken his silence to admit the media spotlight caused by the rows over Fred Goodwin and bonuses had been uncomfortable but he insisted the best way to hit back at the bank's critics was to prove them wrong. EU green light for drink price plan http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/eu-green-light-for-drink-price-plan.1328670362 NICOLA Sturgeon returned from meetings with senior figures in Brussels last night claiming plans for minimum alcohol pricing had been vindicated. Colleges hope for Budget cuts relief http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/colleges-hope-for-budget-cuts-relief.1328670362 FINANCE Secretary John Swinney is expected to announce an improved deal for colleges in today's Budget. Chancellor hits out at anti-business culture http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/chancellor-hits-out-at-anti-business-culture.1328670362 George Osborne launched a robust defence of Britain's bonus culture last night insisting it was crucial for a successful economy. Stalking law set for England http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/stalking-law-set-for-england.1328670362 MOVES to introduce a stalking law in England, to bring the legal position into line with that in Scotland, were welcomed last night. No confidence threat to council http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/no-confidence-threat-to-council.1328670362 AN SNP-led council administration could be toppled this week, with Labour opponents mounting a no confidence move after the revelation a Nationalist councillor was disqualified from duty two months ago. Another hammer blow to UK's bonus culture http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/another-hammer-blow-to-uks-bonus-culture.1328584000 BRITAIN'S bonus culture in both the public and private sectors suffered another hammer blow yesterday after Network Rail executives gave up their lucrative payouts. Government rejects fears of AAA rating downgrade http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/government-rejects-fears-of-aaa-rating-downgrade.1328583997 THE Scottish Government last night expressed confidence an independent Scotland would continue to enjoy the highest possible credit rating, despite new doubts. Airport visit eases concerns on stop and search powers http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/airport-visit-eases-concerns-on-stop-and-search-powers.1328584000 THE MSP who demanded action over race-related use of stop and search powers has praised progress made on the issue following a visit to Glasgow Airport by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. Ed is best man for Labour, says older Miliband http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/ed-is-best-man-for-labour-says-older-miliband.1328584000 DAVID Miliband yesterday insisted he was intent on not being drawn into a Labour "soap opera" and that his younger brother Ed was the best man to lead the party into the next General Election. Dangers of losing status http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/dangers-of-losing-status.1328584000 A credit rating is important because it tells investors how reliable an economy is. Blow for SNP as support for independence slips http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/blow-for-snp-as-support-for-independence-slips.1328497587 SUPPORT for Scottish independence has slipped in recent months and backing for the status quo is on the rise, a new poll shows. Rivals to join forces and call for leadership over cuts http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/rivals-to-join-forces-and-call-for-leadership-over-cuts.1328497583 MINISTERS have been warned they run the risk of much-needed cash-saving plans across local government being strangled at birth unless they take the lead and fund the moves. Calls for Alex Salmond to say sorry for 'Nazi' slight http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/calls-for-alex-salmond-to-say-sorry-for-nazi-slight.1328497588 FIRST Minister Alex Salmond faced accusations of an "ugly" smear campaign yesterday amid claims he compared a BBC executive to a Nazi official. England 'border controls' fear http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/england-border-controls-fear.1328497588 LEAKED UK Government papers have reawakened fears England would insist on border controls with an independent Scotland. Labour's O'Rourke banned from May election http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/labours-orourke-banned-from-may-election.1328497587 A LABOUR councillor who was suspended over remarks he made to a nine-year-old alleged rape victim has been barred from standing for the party in May's local election.