Holyrood

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More Scottish teenagers are in work, education or training, figures have shown, but the poorest are five times less likely to participate.

Scotland's youth Neet total has barely moved in ten years. So why the record high?

Scotland's youth participation rate has hit a record 93.6%, but analysis shows the improvement owes more to better data-tracking than to young people finding work. Nearly 8,730 Scots aged 16 to 19 remain without a job, education place or training.

Officials have warned the risk level sits at more than double the acceptable threshold.

Officials have warned the risk level sits at more than double the acceptable threshold.

Angela Constance

Leaked government papers reveal NHS merger being rushed through without business case

A BBL carried out under proper clinical conditions

A BBL carried out under proper clinical conditions

Hundreds of aesthetics clinics could close as regulator struggles with new Botox law

MSPs on the Finance and Public Administration Committee said the Government must provide “much greater transparency” on its progress in closing a near-£5 billion financial black hole.

MSPs on the Finance and Public Administration Committee said the Government must provide “much greater transparency” on its progress in closing a near-£5 billion financial black hole.

Scottish Government

Holyrood committee cannot confirm Scottish budget plans are affordable amid £5bn gap

Rubber over Scotland

Rubber over Scotland

Why we're pushing back on John Swinney's bid to axe our councils

Swinney 'jolted' talks, says COSLA chief as he calls for council shake-up slowdown

ScotRail draws up plan to make Sunday a contracted working day for drivers

Justice Secretary Angela Constance (left) and First Minister John Swinney (right) speak during at

Justice Secretary Angela Constance (left) and First Minister John Swinney (right) speak during at

Angela Constance

Constance sparks NHS anger by ordering Glasgow and Lothian chiefs to oversee peers

A person using an e-scooter. MSPs are to explore whether authorities have the powers they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters. Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee Convener, David Linden MSP, said the

A person using an e-scooter. MSPs are to explore whether authorities have the powers they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters. Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee Convener, David Linden MSP, said the

MSPs to investigate whether authorities have enough powers over e-bike crime

The Scottish Conservatives have accused John Swinney of wasting taxpayers' money after it emerged that the Scottish Government's new schoolbag scheme will cost £28 per pupil.

The Scottish Conservatives have accused John Swinney of wasting taxpayers' money after it emerged that the Scottish Government's new schoolbag scheme will cost £28 per pupil.

Scottish Government's welcome to school bags 'could be bought for half the price'

Nicola Sturgeon appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in May 2026

Nicola Sturgeon appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in May 2026

Nicola Sturgeon says Andy Burnham may struggle to avoid snap general election

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Scotland must embrace AI revolution or risk missing out, warns minister

Something important is happening with AI

Something important is happening with AI

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

My challenge is to make sure Scotland gets AI's benefits without the downsides

Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

MSPs launch AI and cyber group as expert warns Scotland lacks stolen data laws

More pressure on John Swinney as Kate Forbes urges Government to back Rosebank

President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump listen to a question from a reporter after casting their early-voting ballots for the 2026 midterm elections

President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump listen to a question from a reporter after casting their early-voting ballots for the 2026 midterm elections

Sturgeon: my 'mad' Trump call and why midterms could make him more erratic

People take part in a protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh in support of Palestine Action

People take part in a protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh in support of Palestine Action

Demonstration supporting Palestine Action takes place in Edinburgh

Protesters wearing Halloween themed masks and holding placards with messages such as “fossil fuel ghouls”

Protesters wearing Halloween themed masks and holding placards with messages such as “fossil fuel ghouls”

Extinction Rebellion

Environmentalists stage Bute House demonstration over ‘scary’ fossil fuels

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey (left) and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting (right) on board HMS Glasgow during a visit to BAE Systems

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey (left) and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting (right) on board HMS Glasgow during a visit to BAE Systems

Streeting attacks FM over claim Scotland 'being left defenceless' by UK Government

Prime Minister Andy Burnham chairing a meeting of the National Economic Council in Glasgow

Prime Minister Andy Burnham chairing a meeting of the National Economic Council in Glasgow

Burnham says he and Swinney can 'find a way to work together' for Scotland's benefit

Highland Council

Highland Council

Highland Council

Highland Council delays key decisions after seven-hour meeting runs out of time

Court of Session finds Information Commissioner erred in law over Salmond files

The shortlist for The Herald Scottish Politician of The Year 2026 in association with Scottish Power

The shortlist for The Herald Scottish Politician of The Year 2026 in association with Scottish Power

Alex Cole-Hamilton

Swinney, Offord, Greer and Mackay to face off at Scotland's top political awards

John Swinney is set to meet Andy Burnham on Friday at a meeting of the UK Government’s National Economic Council

John Swinney is set to meet Andy Burnham on Friday at a meeting of the UK Government’s National Economic Council

Burnham's Scotland meeting an opportunity to ‘turn words into action’, Swinney says

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

Swinney ‘understands’ concern over allegations relating to Epstein’s Balmoral visit

Scotland’s prison estate has been struggling under the weight of overcrowding in recent years

Scotland’s prison estate has been struggling under the weight of overcrowding in recent years

Scottish Government

Scottish Government considers 'temporary modular accommodation' to house prisoners

(Left to right) Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds

(Left to right) Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds

Acorn funding row branded 'spectacular shambles' as ministers contradict each other

John Healey holding the red box ahead of the budge

John Healey holding the red box ahead of the budge

Why one OBR chart from Healey's budget should alarm every Scottish voter

First Minister John Swinney speaks to the media after First Minister's Questions

First Minister John Swinney speaks to the media after First Minister's Questions

Swinney declines four times to say he supports Rosebank oil field development

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill with First Minister John Swinney

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill with First Minister John Swinney

O'Neill claims DUP 'blocked' Glasgow Celtic Alliance summit with Swinney and Burnham

The new rules will make it illegal for under-18s to purchase pouches, strips and pearls, and any herbal products that can be smoked.

The new rules will make it illegal for under-18s to purchase pouches, strips and pearls, and any herbal products that can be smoked.

Scotland bans under-18s from buying all nicotine and herbal smoking products

John Swinney addresses the SNP conference

John Swinney addresses the SNP conference

SNP independence strategy: Does the party really want another referendum?

Brian Taylor, centre, with, from left, Stephen Boyd, Andy Williams, Craig Wilson and Derek Hanlan

Brian Taylor, centre, with, from left, Stephen Boyd, Andy Williams, Craig Wilson and Derek Hanlan

Low-key Budget with many positives and no major shocks

Graphic of John Healey and his red box

Graphic of John Healey and his red box

Healey offers 'breathing space' but OBR warns of year with no real earnings growth

Jenny Gilruth speaking to press in Holyrood

Jenny Gilruth speaking to press in Holyrood

Gilruth says Burnham holding back for snap election as Budget 'leaves Scotland short'

Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey during a visit to Shell UK's St Fergus Gas Terminal in Peterhead,

Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey during a visit to Shell UK's St Fergus Gas Terminal in Peterhead,

Aberdeen Grampian Chamber of Commerce

'Hammer blow' for north east as Acorn project loses £200m funding promise in Budget

The criticism comes amid ongoing concerns about fuel poverty and follows the approval of the controversial Jackdaw oil and gas development in the North Sea.

The criticism comes amid ongoing concerns about fuel poverty and follows the approval of the controversial Jackdaw oil and gas development in the North Sea.

Scottish Greens accuse 2026 Budget of letting oil and gas giants ‘off the hook’

Plans for a data centre near Currie in Edinburgh

Plans for a data centre near Currie in Edinburgh

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

UK launches data centre covenant in 2026 Budget with jobs and water protection rules

SNP warns scrapping gas standing charges could raise bills for Scots

Budget 2026 live: John Healey’s first Budget and what it means for Scotland

Budget 2026 live: John Healey’s first Budget and what it means for Scotland

Budget RECAP: Scottish Government confirms £100 energy payment for Scots

John Healey promises 'fresh hope' in first Budget but polls shows public pessimistic

John Swinney said that if the Chancellor cannot provide people with help during the current cost of living crisis, his Budget will be “just like all the failed budgets” of his predecessor, Rachel Reeves

John Swinney said that if the Chancellor cannot provide people with help during the current cost of living crisis, his Budget will be “just like all the failed budgets” of his predecessor, Rachel Reeves

John Swinney calls for ‘substantial support’ with energy bills in UK Budget

'Climate justice means showing up in the decisions we make, not just the speeches we give'

'Climate justice means showing up in the decisions we make, not just the speeches we give'

Ministers accused of ‘catastrophic’ decision to approve new 900MW gas power station

Employment tribunal

Sandie Peggie legal team seeks NHS Fife emails as 'highly relevant' to tribunal claim

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and First Minister John Swinney

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and First Minister John Swinney

Third independence referendum should follow any Yes vote, says leading historian

Unionists should back a third independence referendum, says professor

Unionists should back a third independence referendum, says professor

If Scotland votes for independence, we need a third referendum to make it stick

Reform UK's Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord

Reform UK's Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord

Reform UK reshuffles Holyrood front bench after MSP quits

Traditional musicians have performed at Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh International Festival as part of the Grit Orchestra.

Traditional musicians have performed at Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh International Festival as part of the Grit Orchestra.

Celtic Connections 2026

Màiri McAllan: Treatment of traditional music is an 'anomaly' in Scottish culture

Ninewells hospital in Dundee

Ninewells hospital in Dundee

NHS Tayside scientist snooped on 386 patients’ records 497 times without authority

UK Government backed English whisky protection without assessing impact on Scotch

Sandbags outside shop doorways in Largs after Storm Boelo passed through the area.

Sandbags outside shop doorways in Largs after Storm Boelo passed through the area.

Storm-hit Scots demand answers as flood damage sparks 'serious questions'

Israeli soldiers and emergency personnel gather near ambulances following a shooting attack carried out by Palestinian gunmen at a junction near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.

Israeli soldiers and emergency personnel gather near ambulances following a shooting attack carried out by Palestinian gunmen at a junction near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.

Scottish Green, SNP and European politicians detained at Israel-Palestine border

Solicitor Margaret Gribbon and nurse Sandie Peggie arrived in Dundee as the employment tribunal

Solicitor Margaret Gribbon and nurse Sandie Peggie arrived in Dundee as the employment tribunal

Employment tribunal

Revealed: the secret emails behind NHS Fife's controversial Sandie Peggie statement

Graphic of John Healey

Graphic of John Healey

Why working out what Scotland gets from this Budget may be a lot more complicated