Scottish councils have called for greater certainty over local government funding in the future to allow them to deal with long term pressures such as pay.
It will be difficult to achieve the Scottish Government’s ambition for a huge expansion in early learning and childcare by the end of the decade, auditors have warned.
Scottish councils have been praised for “substantial improvements” in efficiency, innovation and productivity despite the real-terms squeeze in local government funding.
Urgent action is required by Clackmannanshire Council to address “serious concerns” in its financial position, according to a report from the Accounts Commission.
Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay has defended the financial settlement for local government as his spending plans came under increased scrutiny by MSPs.
Defra has insisted the Environment Agency will play a “critical role” in delivering the government’s environmental plans over the next 25 years, as a new watchdog is set up.
A multi-billion pound scheme to boost economic growth in areas across Scotland has been undermined by “tension” between the Scottish and UK Governments, according to a Holyrood report out today.
UK ministers should bring forward a replacement for European structural funding as soon as possible – and ensure it is generous and flexible enough to fit Scotland’s circumstances, Scotland’s economy...
Income tax in Scotland is to be radically restructured in a bold attempt by Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay to cancel out reductions in Scotland’s direct grant from Westminster.
Scotland’s councils are in danger of emptying their financial reserves before the decade’s end as they struggle to absorb continuing budget cuts, the Accounts Commission has warned.
Public consultation on the Scottish Government’s plan for a Scottish National Investment Bank has ended with a plea from a left-of-centre think-tank to give the bank a clear social mission.
Scottish council leaders have demanded a revenue increase of £545m to achieve “adequate and fair funding” for local government in a Budget submission to the chancellor.
Holyrood’s health committee has powerfully criticised a lack of clarity as to how or to what effect more than £8bn of Scottish taxpayers’ money is being spent under the merger of...
Deputy prime minister Damian Green is facing complaints at today’s British-Irish Council meeting from the devolved governments that they have been sidelined by British ministers in the...
Scotland faces the likely closure of many of its fire stations, five years after the emergency services were converted from regional authorities into a single national force.
Nicola Sturgeon has asked the Scottish public for ideas about how the new Scottish National Investment Bank could help grow the country’s economy and spread the benefits across society.
Civil servants in Scotland will be offered a 2% pay rise in November as talks continue over Nicola Sturgeon’s commitment to lift the public sector pay cap.
