Strike build-up latest from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scottish and Welsh patients face cancelled appointments as Northern Ireland’s SDLP outlines support for striking workers, reports Left Foot Forward’s Ed Jacobs.
Scotland
Swinney calls on Osborne to “change course” on Scottish investment
Ed Jacobs covers the SNPs calls for Osborne to move away from strict austerity, both for Scotland and nationwide.
Anti-Catholic bigotry in Scotland on the rise; all religious hate crimes up 10%
Religious hate crimes in Scotland have surged 10 per cent in the last year, according to research released today by the Scottish government, reports Kevin Meagher.
Unemployment is no better for the Scottish government than for the British one
Matthew Pitt explains why the SNP can’t be smug about their unemployment figures, no matter what they may claim.
New report dubs Osborne’s economic strategy a “myth”
A new report says the government’s central message that reducing the budget deficit and debt levels will enhance economic growth is a “myth”, reports Ed Jacobs.
Report warns families face being “impoverished” by coalition’s welfare reforms
Left Foot Forward’s Ed Jacobs writes about the disproportionate effect the welfare reforms will have on poverty in Wales and Scotland.
Labour: Anti-sectarian legislation is right in spirit, but flawed in execution
Shadow Scottish justice secretary James Kelly MSP explains why Scottish Labour is opposed to the SNP’s anti-sectarianism bill.
Scots support “devo-max” as new Tory leader distances herself from Cameron
Ed Jacobs writes about the latest opinion polls showing a plurality of support for Devo-Max, and a majority of support for some sort of constitutional change in Scotland. He also covers the election of Ruth Davidson to lead the Scottish Tories.
Sectarian Law will address “ugly element” within Scottish society
John Finnie writes about the introduction of a new law in Scotland which aims to drive the ugliness of sectarianism from football north of the border.
Tartan tabbies: Fat-cat Scottish judges seek pay rise
Ed Jacobs covers the astonishing claim by senior Scottish judges that their £170k salary leaves them underpaid.