John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney and Irish President Catherine Connolly pictured in Dublin last year.

Catherine Connolly

Irish President visits Scotland days after 'Celtic Alliance' agreement

The President of Ireland Catherine Connolly has arrived in Scotland where she begins a four-day official visit with a meeting with First Minister John Swinney.

Violence against women and girls remains a major focus of political debate in Scotland, with campaigners calling for stronger protections and changes to how abuse-related deaths are investigated.

Violence against women and girls remains a major focus of political debate in Scotland, with campaigners calling for stronger protections and changes to how abuse-related deaths are investigated.

Scotland can review domestic abuse deaths. But is that enough?

Taoiseach Micheal Martin attending the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly. Mr Martin suggested that Sinn Fein may set back the cause of Irish unity by aligning itself with Scottish and Welsh pro-independence parties.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin attending the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly. Mr Martin suggested that Sinn Fein may set back the cause of Irish unity by aligning itself with Scottish and Welsh pro-independence parties.

Irish PM warns Sinn Féin's pact with SNP could 'set back Irish unity'

John Swinney initially told Parliament the Government anticipated the pilot would begin next year but later gave a more precise timetable

John Swinney initially told Parliament the Government anticipated the pilot would begin next year but later gave a more precise timetable

‘Women are at risk’: Families urge action as GPS pilot gets New Year date

The UK’s cyber security agency has warned the rise of AI will enhance the threat posed by ransomware over the coming years (Alamy/PA)

The UK’s cyber security agency has warned the rise of AI will enhance the threat posed by ransomware over the coming years (Alamy/PA)

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Scotland's FOI watchdog sounds alarm over funding as AI fuels surge in appeals

Celtic Alliance

'Our country won't be broken up': Unionists fight back as Swinney ramps up indyref2

John Swinney's summit with Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin should worry Andy Burnham.

John Swinney's summit with Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin should worry Andy Burnham.

Celtic Alliance

Andy Burnham won't be the last Prime Minister - but John Swinney has got a point

First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, Sinn Fein President and leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill

First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, Sinn Fein President and leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill

'Westminster's time is coming to an end': Cardiff pact signed by devolved leaders

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon with ex husband Peter Murrell as they cast their votes in the 2019 General Election

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon with ex husband Peter Murrell as they cast their votes in the 2019 General Election

Peter Murrell could be ordered to repay more than he embezzled from SNP

Families of women killed by men take calls for action to Holyrood

SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill will meet in Cardiff on Monday

SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill will meet in Cardiff on Monday

Swinney to join Welsh and Irish leaders to sign independence referendum pact

Has John Swinney been 'timid' on Scottish independence?

Has John Swinney been 'timid' on Scottish independence?

Scottish independence

Why SNP activists think John Swinney missed the best independence opportunity yet

Michelle O'Neill and John Swinney pictured at the British Irish Council meeting in Edinburgh

Michelle O'Neill and John Swinney pictured at the British Irish Council meeting in Edinburgh

Swinney to turn to Sinn Féin to help force Downing Street's hand on IndyRef2

Scottish schools have much to boast about.

Scottish schools have much to boast about.

Scottish education in freefall to mediocrity? Not at all

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has backed calls for a cut in whisky duty

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has backed calls for a cut in whisky duty

John Swinney backs calls for cut in whisky duty in upcoming Budget

The party said the “independence dividend” would come as a result of the economic cost of Brexit.

The party said the “independence dividend” would come as a result of the economic cost of Brexit.

SNP claims independence could make every Scot £3,000 a year better off

A view of World Trade Center Towers after a hijacked flight assault on each structure in lower Manhattan. The photographs were taken in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn.

A view of World Trade Center Towers after a hijacked flight assault on each structure in lower Manhattan. The photographs were taken in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn.

Swinney pays tribute on 25th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks

(L-r) Mayor Michelle Wu, John Swinney and Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey

(L-r) Mayor Michelle Wu, John Swinney and Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey

Scotland's World Cup ties with Massachusetts lead to new investment push

The UK is at loggerheads with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

The UK is at loggerheads with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

UK must defy Israel: a two-state solution’s worth a fight

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

Burnham rejects Swinney's call for IndyRef2 talks and insists vote is 'off limits'

Has Andy Burnham opened the door to Indyref2?

Has Andy Burnham opened the door to Indyref2?

Labour insists its position on Indyref2 hasn't changed... it has

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

Swinney calls for Indyref2 talks after Burnham sets out conditions for new vote

CBI chief executive Rain Newton-Smith pictured at her organisation's annual conference in London last November.

CBI chief executive Rain Newton-Smith pictured at her organisation's annual conference in London last November.

CBI chief makes Brexit reset appeal in bid to boost economy and living standards

East Asian work ethic: In the Orient there's no need for gifts to incentivise employees.

East Asian work ethic: In the Orient there's no need for gifts to incentivise employees.

Civil servants shouldn’t need vouchers to coax them to work

Aberdeen to become home to Scotland's first electrolyser assembly facility

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street

Andy Burnham sets out conditions for second vote on Scottish independence

Too wee, too poor, too stupid? The strange message behind Swinney’s big reform plan

First Minister John Swinney attends Tuesday’s backbench FMQs at Scottish Parliament Building on September 08, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney attends Tuesday’s backbench FMQs at Scottish Parliament Building on September 08, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Police will pursue those spreading Glasgow fire 'racial tension' misinformation

Swinney accuses Reform of bid to ‘incite racial tension’ over burqa ban

Cabinet secretary for education, culture and Gaelic Mairi McAllan

Cabinet secretary for education, culture and Gaelic Mairi McAllan

McAllan defends creation of new public body despite Swinney cull

The ghosts of SNP health secretaries past are casting a shadow over John Swinney’s NHS reforms.

The ghosts of SNP health secretaries past are casting a shadow over John Swinney’s NHS reforms.

Ghosts of SNP health secretaries past cast shadow over Swinney’s NHS reforms

‘Fools gold’: Ex-health secretary says NHS board cuts alone won’t improve outcomes

Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow

Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow on 'brink of inevitable, irreversible decline' says Miles Better mastermind

Graphic showing Mr Happy with the words Glasgow Needs Better underneath

Graphic showing Mr Happy with the words Glasgow Needs Better underneath

Glasgow City Council

The city that drives Scotland is being left behind. Here's how to fix it

First Minister John Swinney set out his Programme for Government last Tuesday including plans to reduce the number of public bodies.

First Minister John Swinney set out his Programme for Government last Tuesday including plans to reduce the number of public bodies.

FM accused of 'blindsiding' staff and causing uncertainty with public bodies cull

Six fire appliances, along with special high-reach equipment, were on scene Sunday night as smoke billowed from the derelict building, which is undergoing a multi-million-pound development.

Six fire appliances, along with special high-reach equipment, were on scene Sunday night as smoke billowed from the derelict building, which is undergoing a multi-million-pound development.

Glasgow tenement fire to be investigated as wilful amid asylum housing disinformation

The blaze on Stonyhurst Street in the Possilpark area of the city

The blaze on Stonyhurst Street in the Possilpark area of the city

All the force of the law to be used if Glasgow tenement fire was deliberate - Swinney

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

John Swinney warned NHS shake-up risks QEUH corporate homicide investigation

'Spending on agency staff in the NHS continues to rise year on year, now sitting at over £500 million. The Scottish Government has doubled its spending on private consultants'

'Spending on agency staff in the NHS continues to rise year on year, now sitting at over £500 million. The Scottish Government has doubled its spending on private consultants'

Jobs and careers

Scottish Government's public sector reform plans 'risk damaging frontline services'

John Swinney 'unable to put figure on NHS job losses' from health board cuts

John Swinney 'unable to put figure on NHS job losses' from health board cuts

John Swinney 'unable to put figure on NHS job losses' from health board cuts

John Swinney accused of ‘wasting’ cash on overseas office expansion

More than 70 public sector workers earn more than First Minister John Swinney.

More than 70 public sector workers earn more than First Minister John Swinney.

Full list of public sector leaders and civil servants earning more than John Swinney

Affordable housing

SNP councillors block affordable housing scheme a day after Swinney's home pledge

Smoking cannabis may result in a visit from the police: - but should that be the case?

Smoking cannabis may result in a visit from the police: - but should that be the case?

Let’s make cannabis smoking legal – it’s better for society

Sir Peter Mathieson's bold views on the future of university funding

Sir Peter Mathieson's bold views on the future of university funding

Universities are a jewel in Scotland’s crown - but they cannot survive as they are

NHS merger: Scottish Government accused of 'lack of honesty' as top jobs carved up

'The words spoken by Mr Swinney earlier this week, during his first Programme for Government under his own mandate, really matter'

'The words spoken by Mr Swinney earlier this week, during his first Programme for Government under his own mandate, really matter'

John Swinney is right that Scotland needs rewiring. Delivery is what matters now

'John Swinney wants reform of social care to lead the way in his public service revolution'

'John Swinney wants reform of social care to lead the way in his public service revolution'

Adult social care

Why John Swinney wants the NHS to take the lead on Scotland's social care system

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

SNP bail law changes had ‘fatal consequences for women’, Swinney told

Social care organisations were not consulted on the social care reforms.

Social care organisations were not consulted on the social care reforms.

Adult social care

Social care must not be swallowed up by NHS under reform plans, John Swinney warned

John Swinney has plans for the NHS, but will they pan out?

John Swinney has plans for the NHS, but will they pan out?

Plan to cut NHS health boards is a cruel SNP fantasy

Transport Scotland told The Herald that operators' participation in the scheme is entirely

Transport Scotland told The Herald that operators' participation in the scheme is entirely

Major Glasgow bus operators back £2 fare cap despite 'astonishing' timescale

Alyn Smith in the Commons

Alyn Smith in the Commons

Swinney appoints ‘experienced’ Alyn Smith as Scottish Government innovation minister

The First Minister said there would be no compulsory redundancies in the NHS merger

The First Minister said there would be no compulsory redundancies in the NHS merger

Swinney guarantees no NHS redundancies but says public sector job losses inevitable