Scottish COVID Inquiry winter hearing schedule
Scottish COVID Inquiry The Scottish COVID inquiry convened yesterday for a preliminary session on the arrangements for the forthcoming hearings on education and certification (Portfolio 4) and business and welfare support (Portfolio 2). The inquiry heard about the extensive programme of investigations that had been undertaken across both workstreams including literature reviews, round table discussions, […]
Programme for Government 2024
As John Swinney prepares for his first PFG statement on Wednesday, Evie Milligan and Lewis Gillingwater take a dive into the ministerial postbag to see what the various influencer organisations and pressure groups are asking for… WHO WANTS WHAT FROM PFG24 An open letter signed by Unison, Unite, GMB, RMT, UCU, PCS, Aslef and NUS […]
A Closer Look at the Political Discourse Surrounding Scotland’s Hate Crime Legislation
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force on Monday 1 April sparking immediate comment, criticism, and defence of the proposals. In this blog, Emma Currie provides a summary of the immediate reactions to the new legislation. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill was drafted in response to Lord […]
Scottish Awareness Weeks 2024
Awareness weeks are a popular means of creating visibility for sectors and campaigns across a collaborative area of work. Parliamentary events and exhibitions are often part of the mix alongside public relations and media work. Here’s our list of some of the Scottish weeks with their dates for 2023 or 2024. If you have any […]
What’s On: SNP conference fringe – 15-17 October 2023
FRINGE PROGRAMME Sunday 15 October – lunchtime Strathclyde Partnership for Transport: Rethinking public transport: how do we deliver world-class, affordable and sustainable public transport? – Fiona Hyslop and Cllr Stephen Dornan The Royal Society of Edinburgh: Humans at the heart of a just transition – Michelle Thomson Advice Direct Scotland: Cost of Living and Energy […]
Programme for Government 2023-24 Preview
The Scottish Government will announce its 2023-24 Programme for Government (PfG) in parliament tomorrow. With a change in leadership, the PfG will not only outline the government’s priorities but will highlight Humza Yousaf’s key policy objectives as First Minister. Party dissent and internal investigations into SNP finances has led the First Minster to describe the […]
The Future of the Bute House Agreement
When the SNP formed a minority government after the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2021, the party quickly sought to enter into a cooperation agreement with the Scottish Greens. Following a period of negotiations, the SNP and Scottish Greens reached what is known as The Bute House Agreement in August 2021. This set out how […]
Newsdirect at the Scottish Festival of Political Communication
Newsdirect was delighted to co-sponsor the inaugural Scottish Festival of Political Communication, convened by the University of Stirling’s Faculty of Humanities and Arts, alongside Laura Westring and Charlotte Street Partners. The event aimed to shed light on the role of communication in politics, highlighting roles and industries that surround Scotland’s democratic institutions and interrogating the […]
Humza Yousaf names his Cabinet and Ministers
Humza Yousaf has appointed a 10-member Cabinet supported by 18 ministers in his first round of appointments since being confirmed as First Minister. Health Team Health is now Michael Matheson supported by Jenni Minto and Maree Todd Rugby-playing minister, Maree Todd, remains in charge of sport, but switches her other responsibilities – giving up […]
Education: Putting Nicola Sturgeon’s Top Priority to the Test
During a speech in 2015, Nicola Sturgeon declared that she “wanted to be judged” on her education record and committed that it would be her “priority” during her time in office. In doing this, the First Minister opened the Scottish Government’s education performance up to regular criticism from opposition parties or, in the words of TES […]
