Policy and Government

Clear reporting and explanation of Scottish Government, councils, public bodies, FOI releases, public policy and institutional decision making.

67405890 scottish parliament holyrood edinburgh

Scotland’s Councils Gain New Legal Protections Just as Government Proposes to Replace Them

Scotland’s 32 councils have acquired new legal protections against certain forms of central government intervention, just as the Scottish Government is considering proposals that could bring an end to the existing council structure and replace 14 territorial NHS boards with two larger health authorities.

Policy and Government

UK Plans Tough New Undersea Cable Laws Despite No Confirmed Sabotage in Scotland

The UK Government is proposing prison sentences of up to 14 years for deliberate attacks on undersea cables and pipelines, despite having identified no confirmed act of sabotage against subsea infrastructure in Scottish waters in the public evidence examined for the new legislation. The

Police Assess Election Spending Records of Nine Reform UK Candidates as Party Admits Errors

Police Scotland is assessing possible breaches of election spending rules involving nine Reform UK candidates who

78467684 bbc broadcasting house in london

From Wireless to Wi-Fi: Scotland’s Century of BBC Licence Fees as Westminster Considers Charging More Streaming Households

A parliamentary committee wants the television licence extended beyond traditional broadcasting as the £180 annual charge

33332050 concept of face recognition software and hardware

Police Scotland Reconsiders Facial Recognition Six Years After Holyrood Committee Found It Unfit for Use

Newly published government minutes confirm that Scotland’s Chief Constable is actively considering live facial recognition, including

100038676 computers in data center supporting ai training workflows

Policy and Government

EU Regulators Examine Oracle Licensing as Scotland Builds More of Government Around the US Technology Giant

The European Commission is gathering information about Oracle’s software-licensing practices as European competition regulators consider whether there is evidence warranting a formal

by David McDonald

8 October 2026

90780906 virtual hybrid meeting in office

Policy and Government

Scottish Government Moves From Hybrid Target to Mandatory Attendance with Staff Reporting Oracle Check-Ins

Scottish Government civil servants are being moved from a hybrid-working system in which office attendance was explicitly described as a target rather

by David McDonald

7 October 2026

16682622 lawyer and judge speaking next to the criminal in handcuffs

Policy and Government

Sexual-Crime Cases Reaching Scotland’s High Court Take a Median 2 Years 11 Months

Scotland has brought the overall criminal-court backlog below its pre-pandemic operating level, but cases involving the most serious offending are moving in

by John Campbell

6 October 2026

81975258 mold near the windows fungus on the walls of the house metal plastic windows are not properly installed

Policy and Government

Scotland’s New Damp and Mould Law Began on 6 October

From 6 October 2026, social and private landlords across much of Scotland’s rented housing sector must investigate reports of damp and mould

by John Campbell

5 October 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

NHS Scotland Orders New Disclosure System for Staff Interests

A new national system requiring NHS Scotland staff to declare outside employment, business interests, private clinical work, research relationships, sponsorship, gifts, hospitality

by Andrew Robertson

5 October 2026

64410304 advancements in facial recognition technology for secure identification

Policy and Government

Scotland’s Digital ID: ScotAccount Uses Experian, Cifas and Biometric Checks

The Scottish Government opposes a mandatory UK digital identity scheme. At the same time, Scotland already operates its own reusable digital identity

by John Campbell

30 September 2026

Policy and Government

COSLA Tells Ministers Council Reform Must Be Agreed, Not Imposed

Scotland’s council body has formally responded to proposals for six to ten regional authorities and 120 to 160 community authorities, asking ministers

by John Campbell

30 September 2026

Policy and Government

Scotland Has No Compulsory Sale Order — and England’s Six-Month Empty-Home Reform Does Not Apply Here

If you own a property in Scotland, rent one out, are trying to sell one, or have seen reports that councils are

by Andrew Robertson

28 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Your NHS Records, Tissue and DNA: When Scotland Can Share Them, and How Companies Can Profit From Their Use

Scotland is building a health research system in which information produced during ordinary NHS care, such as hospital records, prescriptions, laboratory results

by Andrew Robertson

27 September 2026

Woman with narcotic addiction sitting at home checking bag with white powder for dependency and craving. Desperate person with illegal habit having drugs, herion, cocaine in hand

Policy and Government

Scotland’s Lost Citizens: 1,133 Drug-Use Deaths in 2025 as John Swinney Declares a Public Health Emergency

Scotland registered 1,133 drug-use deaths in 2025, an increase of 116 in a year. The average person who died was 46. The

by LM Bruce

24 September 2026

Policy and Government

Scotland’s First Drug-Checking Service Opens in Glasgow — But Home Office Licence Restricts Who Can Use It

Scotland’s first local drug-checking service will open in Glasgow on 5 October, allowing people to submit illicit drugs for rapid analysis and

by James Stewart

23 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Labour Joins SNP and Greens as Holyrood Votes 84–18 for Scotland’s ‘Right to Decide’

Scottish Labour joined the SNP and Greens to back the principle that Scotland has the right to determine its own future, producing

by David McDonald

23 September 2026

Policy and Government·Scottish News

John Swinney Signed Scotland’s Local-Integration Reform in 2011. Now He Is Redrawing the System

Fifteen years after putting his name to a reform programme built around local integration, John Swinney leads plans for two strategic health

by David McDonald

21 September 2026

St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, headquarters of the Scottish Government, photographed from the air in April 2025. Credit: 瑞丽江的河水

Policy and Government

The Great Consolidation of Scotland’s Public Bodies

Scotland’s Public-Sector Reorganisation Now Reaches Local Government Scotland’s public administration is entering a five-year reorganisation affecting health boards, councils, environmental agencies, transport

by David McDonald

21 September 2026

Policy and Government

NHS Scotland Awards New £100,000 Contract for Pelvic Mesh Removal

A new NHS Scotland contract will continue specialist pelvic mesh removal treatment for women living with complications from procedures that were halted

by LM Bruce

16 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Westminster Set India Trade Terms as More Than Half of Scotland’s £3bn Trade Projection Flows From India to Scotland

The Scottish Government presented India as a £3 billion opportunity for Scottish businesses. Its own central model tells a more complicated story.

by David McDonald

16 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland, Wales and Ireland’s Nationalist Movements Join Forces in Challenge to Westminster Rule

SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin sign Cardiff pact declaring ‘constitutional change is coming’ The leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and

by LM Bruce

14 September 2026

77329342 scottish parliament in edinburgh

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Is About to Rewrite the Map of Its Public Bodies

The Scottish Government has begun a five-year programme to reduce a public sector landscape containing more than 130 national bodies. Transport Scotland

by James Stewart

9 September 2026

74117298 young woman in professional training to become plumber

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Plans 150,000 Apprenticeships. Parliament Has Reopened the Question of Where the Money Goes

The Scottish Government intends to fund at least 150,000 apprenticeships over the next five years. As it prepares for that expansion, an

by Andrew Robertson

9 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Is Preparing to Put Legal Price Ceilings on Food, Potentially Selecting Imported Food Over Scottish Food

The Scottish Government has now published the first detailed framework for statutory controls on the price of essential food. What began as

by LM Bruce

3 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Is Building A Major Projects Office. What Will Change?

The Scottish Government has announced a new Major Projects Office to accelerate nationally significant investment in housing, energy and other strategic sectors.

by Andrew Robertson

3 September 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Moves Toward Compulsory Purchase Reform After 2025 Consultation

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will bring forward legislation in this Parliament to reform compulsory purchase in Scotland. The proposed

by John Campbell

27 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland’s GP Walk-In Pilot Expands To Forty Planned Or Operational Services

The Scottish Government has announced 24 further areas for GP-led walk-in services, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40.

by James Stewart

27 August 2026

HMP Shotts in North Lanarkshire, one of Scotland’s maximum security prisons, which holds men serving long term sentences. Image: Scottish Prison Service

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland’s Prisons Hold More Than 8,600 People as Ministers Consider Sentencing and Release Reform

Scotland’s prison system has entered a new policy stage after consultation closed on proposals that could change the use of short custodial

by Andrew Robertson

21 August 2026

95390582 a modern control room features screens displaying data monitoring an offshore wind farm at sunset

Featured·Policy and Government

New 50MW Data Centre Rule Gives Ministers Sight of Scotland’s Biggest Projects, but Not the Whole Pipeline

Scotland’s largest proposed data centres will now have to be brought quickly to the attention of ministers, after the Scottish Government introduced

by Andrew Robertson

21 August 2026

91959854 veterinary injection on the farm

Dumfries and Galloway·Featured·Policy and Government

New Livestock Movement Laws Tighten As BSE And Bluetongue Hit Dumfries And Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway is confronting two separate livestock disease problems at once, with a new case of classical BSE confirmed in cattle

by David McDonald

21 August 2026

79021986 drug spoon and syringe on a table

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Declined £20,675 to Restore Five Drug-Wastewater Monitoring Sites

Internal records show the Scottish Government was offered the chance to return five sites to a UK drug-monitoring programme after Home Office

by David McDonald

20 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

ScotAccount Brings Digital Identity Into Scotland’s Property Ownership System

Scotland does not currently require a government Digital ID to buy or sell a home, but Scotland is promoting its government Digital

by James Stewart

18 August 2026

Detail of the fountain in the inner courtyard of Linlithgow Palace Scotland

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland, Rebuilt: What 81 Years of Progress Did, and Did Not, Solve

The Scotland that emerged from the Second World War faced a housing shortage measured in hundreds of thousands, decades of outward migration,

by LM Bruce

17 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Britain Will Keep Brazilian Meat Market Open as EU Restrictions Begin

Scottish farming and meat organisations are pressing the UK Government to tighten controls on Brazilian beef and poultry before new European Union

by John Campbell

17 August 2026

58937952 female psychologist having online therapy with middle aged woman patient

Featured·Policy and Government

NHS Scotland Seeks Provider for £9m Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Service

NHS Scotland is seeking a provider for a national online cognitive behavioural therapy service under a contract worth up to £9m. The

by James Stewart

17 August 2026

Policy and Government

New Safety Guidance Issued for Nearly 500,000 Traditional Scottish Buildings

The first major guidance of its kind in almost two decades follows lessons from the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire. New guidance

by James Stewart

13 August 2026

Na h-Eileanan Siar·Policy and Government

£1.5m announced to support Gaelic in designated communities

The funding was announced as the second phase of the Cnoc Soilleir Gaelic cultural and education centre opened in South Uist. Scottish

by Andrew Robertson

13 August 2026

Nurse consoling a senior woman in the nursing home holding her hand

Policy and Government

Scotland Looks To Displaced Care Workers To Add 45,000 Hours A Month

The Scottish Government says a recruitment scheme could add 45,000 hours of adult social-care work each month, but the figure describes potential

by Andrew Robertson

6 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland’s Elected Representatives, Counted: 1,407 Names Across Councils, Holyrood and Westminster

Modern Scot assembled the current official details of Scotland’s serving councillors, MSPs and MPs. The directory contains 1,407 elected representatives: 1,221 councillors,

by LM Bruce

5 August 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Twenty Of Scotland’s 24 Community Energy Meetings Came From One Consultation

Twenty of the 24 community energy meetings identified by the Scottish Government over a 12-month period came from a single offshore-wind consultation.

by Andrew Robertson

3 August 2026

95677512 a group of children in front of a wall with smartphones symbolizing technological addiction

Featured·Policy and Government

Scotland Promised Every Pupil A Device. Five Years Later, The National Account Is Still Incomplete

The Scottish Government said every school-aged child would receive a digital device by 2026. Its latest report records widespread shared provision, leaves

by James Stewart

31 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Open Letter: Scotland Should Not Be Left Behind on Local News

Local news publishers from across Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a Scottish Local News Fund, warning that Scotland

by David McDonald

29 July 2026

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Policy and Government

The Children Who Leave Mull For School — And The Local Answer Scotland Has Not Yet Tested

Almost one in five secondary-age pupils across Mull, Iona and Ulva attend school on the mainland. Many live in an Oban hostel

by LM Bruce

27 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Scottish Local Government External Debt Budgeted To Rise By £3.2 Billion

Scotland’s councils and other local-authority bodies have budgeted for combined external debt to reach almost £28.8 billion during 2026–27, as borrowing remains

by Andrew Robertson

25 July 2026

Policy and Government·Shetland Islands

Shetland Sets Terms For Developers But New Charter Relies On Voluntary Cooperation

Shetland Islands Council has approved a development charter intended to secure greater local benefit from major investment, including renewable energy projects. It

by David McDonald

24 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Legal Aid Reform Promises a Planned System but Does Not Guarantee Access to a Lawyer

Ministers are proposing simpler applications, greater freedom for accredited solicitors and stronger powers to direct services towards areas where private firms are

by James Stewart

22 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government

Burnham Closes Door on Scottish Referendum in First Call with Swinney

The new Prime Minister promised deeper devolution and more pragmatic relations with Holyrood, but made clear that his government was not preparing

by Andrew Robertson

21 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Amendment Would Criminalise Gaelic Language

A proposal submitted at Westminster would allow election publications only in English or Welsh. Gaelic is neither named nor protected. If adopted,

by LM Bruce

14 July 2026

101917084 tree anchored at data crossroads on motherboard topdown perspective revealing intersecting traces like city streets sense of strategic network hub where nature meets

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Data Centres Abroad are Leaving Scotland a Warning

Communities living beside the world’s expanding data-centre industry are reporting contaminated reclaimed water, continuous industrial noise, pressure on electricity systems and rising

by David McDonald

14 July 2026

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Argyll’s Islands May Become Scotland’s Next Short-Term-Let Control Zone

Argyll and Bute Council is preparing to consult on planning controls that could change how houses are converted into holiday accommodation across

by John Campbell

11 July 2026

Featured·Highland·Policy and Government·Scottish News

The Highlands Are Being Redrawn Before the Public Can Object

More than 230 distinct development bids have been placed before Highland Council, including proposals for about 21,600 homes. Modern Scot’s analysis finds

by David McDonald

11 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Is Preparing the Rules for Cultivated Meat While Most Scots Say They Would Not Eat It

Food Standards Scotland has helped publish four new guidance documents for businesses developing cell-cultivated and other novel foods, bringing products grown from

by Andrew Robertson

10 July 2026

Scottish m edical system. Flag of Scotland between white and blue pills capsules

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Estimated 579,814 Scots Waiting While Ministers Claim NHS Progress

Scotland’s NHS waiting lists are falling in some areas, but the latest official figures still show an estimated 579,814 people on at

by John Campbell

7 July 2026

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

House Rich, Cash Poor: The Risk Inside Scotland’s Mansion Tax

The Scottish Government has opened consultation on two new council tax bands for homes valued above £1 million, setting up a debate

by James Stewart

7 July 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Foreign Influence, Scottish Democracy And Hunting For BlackCore

French authorities say a private Israeli-linked influence firm targeted John Swinney, the SNP and the Scottish Government during Scotland’s election campaign. The

by LM Bruce

12 June 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scots Are Right To Ask Who Watches The Watchers

Digital surveillance is no longer a remote intelligence issue. It now sits inside ordinary life, touching phones, platforms, private messages, children, journalism,

by Andrew Robertson

12 June 2026

49195098 the problem of childrens addiction to gadgets online and screen time

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Starmer Is Opening The Back Door To Britain’s Devices In The Name Of Child Safety

The UK Government says it wants to stop children taking, sharing or viewing nude images on smartphones and tablets. But Scotland should

by LM Bruce

9 June 2026

68705824 landscape wth windmills in scotland

Energy·Featured·Orkney Islands·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Was Warned. The Grid Bill Is Now Arriving.

Scotland’s electricity story is often told as a story of abundance. Wind in the North Sea. Hydro in the glens. Islands surrounded

by LM Bruce

9 June 2026

The Court of Session sits at Parliament House in Edinburgh, where Scottish Ministers were admonished over the FOI delay

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scottish Ministers Admonished Over FOI Delay in Sturgeon Inquiry Papers Case

The Court of Session has found that Scottish Ministers deliberately failed to comply on time with an order from the Scottish Information

by David McDonald

3 June 2026

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Moves Toward a Classroom Smartphone Ban

The Scottish Government plans to consult on legislation to make school learning environments phone free. The move is a recognition that digital

by David McDonald

2 June 2026

The Scottish Parliament building with reflection in water Edinburgh Scotland

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

100 Things an Independent Scotland Could Choose To Do

Independence would not decide Scotland’s future policy. It would decide who gets to decide it. Scotland’s present problem is not that it

by David McDonald

28 May 2026

Lord Smith of Kelvin holding the Commission's report

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

What Was the Smith Commission, and Why Does It Matter Again?

Download the Smith Commission Report The Smith Commission was created after the 2014 No vote. It recommended more powers for Holyrood. It

by LM Bruce

27 May 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scottish Parliament Backs Call for Second Independence Referendum Powers

MSPs have voted to call on the UK Government to transfer the legal power needed for a second Scottish independence referendum. The

by LM Bruce

26 May 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland’s Constitutional Question is Back Before Holyrood

The First Minister’s first major programme debate of the new Parliament will ask MSPs to support a call for Westminster to devolve

by LM Bruce

22 May 2026

55168108 criminologist reading classified records

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Freedom of Information Awareness Reaches Record High in Scotland, but Confidence Has Not Kept Pace

Awareness of freedom of information rights in Scotland has reached its highest recorded level, two decades after the country’s access to information

by David McDonald

20 May 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

John Swinney Returns as First Minister With Promise of Cooperation and Constitutional Purpose

John Swinney accepted the Scottish Parliament’s nomination as First Minister today with a speech that sought to combine personal humility, post election

by LM Bruce

19 May 2026

King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, reads the King's Speech in the Chamber of the House of Lords PA

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

The King’s Speech and Scotland: Where The Real Risks Lie

The King’s Speech set out a large Westminster programme on energy, Europe, immigration, housing, digital identity, public services and national security. Modern

by David McDonald

13 May 2026

Featured·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland’s Complaints Watchdog Warns Some Cases May Wait 25 Weeks

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says sustained demand has left some complaints waiting up to 25 weeks before allocation to a Complaints

by John Campbell

11 May 2026

Featured·Highland·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Returns the SNP, But Not the Old Political Map

The 2026 Holyrood election has returned the SNP as Scotland’s largest party, but not with the comfort of command. Beneath the headline

by LM Bruce

9 May 2026

95668162 calm wetlands in aberlady bay nature reserve with reflections and vegetation

Featured·Policy and Government

Biodiversity Is Becoming Law in Scotland

For years, biodiversity policy in Scotland largely existed in the language of targets, strategies and environmental ambition. Nature restoration was encouraged, discussed

by David McDonald

6 May 2026

Policy and Government·Scottish News

Why The FOI On John Swinney’s International Affairs Speech Matters

A Freedom of Information release on John Swinney’s international affairs speech does not prove hidden wrongdoing. What it does show is something

by David McDonald

5 May 2026

91443384 a street musician playing guitar captivating passersby as the sun sets

Perth and Kinross·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Perth & Kinross Test the Limits of Street Performance with Consultation on Busking Rules

There is no ban proposed, but there is a question being asked about how far informality can go. Perth and Kinross Council

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Aberdeenshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Inverurie Service Point to Close as Council Shifts to Digital Services

Residents in Inverurie are being urged to prepare for a significant change in how they access local authority services, as Aberdeenshire Council

by James Stewart

2 April 2026

Man is charging his electrical scooter with charger on special parking. Closeup photoshoot

Policy and Government·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

Council bans indoor storage and charging of e-bikes over fire safety concerns

Shetland Islands Council has banned the indoor storage and charging of electrically powered bikes and scooters across all of its premises, citing

by James Stewart

10 March 2026

14014246 flags of the united kingdom and scotland scottish independence 1

Falkirk·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Falkirk Council Approves New Gaelic Language Plan

Falkirk Council has signed off its third Gaelic Language Plan, setting out measures to support the language and culture locally over the

by James Stewart

24 August 2025

Aberdeenshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Taxi checks carried out across Aberdeenshire in joint safety operation

ABERDEENSHIRE — Dozens of taxis and private hire cars were stopped and inspected in a joint operation by Aberdeenshire Council Licensing Standards

by James Stewart

18 August 2025

City of Edinburgh·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Edinburgh Joins Core Cities — But What’s Really In It?

Edinburgh has become the 12th member of Core Cities UK, a group that claims to champion urban policy change—but critics might ask

by David McDonald

9 April 2025

90476590 a man is holding a british pound sterling money bag over a group of people figurines political lobbying payment for labor and services generation of funds organization of

East Dunbartonshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Dunbartonshire Extends Public Consultation on Economic Development Strategy

Council seeks broader input to shape plan for jobs, investment and local resilience EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE — East Dunbartonshire Council has extended its

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

36307420 construction workers on site close wood box

East Lothian·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Lothian Approves Expansion of Holiday Lodges at Whitekirk Hill

Second phase of development gets green light as part of broader tourism investment near North Berwick EAST LOTHIAN — Plans to expand

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

East Ayrshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

East Ayrshire Adds QR Codes to Bins to Simplify Community Issue Reporting

New feature builds on success of ‘Report It!’ system, making it easier for residents to flag local concerns EAST AYRSHIRE — Reporting

by James Stewart

8 April 2025

Clackmannanshire·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Clackmannanshire Council Launches Citizen-Led Transformation to Rethink Public Services

£1 million Transformation Fund to back community-driven solutions on housing, mental health, and economic opportunity Clackmannanshire Council has approved a bold new

by James Stewart

8 April 2025