News and analysis of Scottish politics and the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood MSPs, political conferences and forums

Holyrood.com is the website of Holyrood , Scotland's fortnightly political and current affairs magazine that keeps Scottish politics informed with its award-winning and thought-provoking editorial.

1 day ago · In its report, Audit Scotland urged the government to publish a “realistic” set measures on achieving the goal by the end of the year. This includes a delivery plan, outlining the responsibilities the government, councils and Regional Transport Partnerships are expected to fulfil as well as timescales, costs, and a monitoring and evaluation plan to achieve the target.

1 day ago · A senior Conservative asked justice secretary Angela Constance if she fears delays to the SNP finances probe could create an injustice. Operation Branchform was launched into SNP accounts in July 2021. The investigation is still live and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - the estranged ...

1 day ago · On social security, the committee highlights that no funding has been assigned to the government’s plan to lift the two-child cap from next year and seeks further information on the funding of the policy if it can be introduced early.. Finance secretary Shona Robison said the government hopes to begin mitigating the cap in 2026 but a precise timeline was dependent on receiving the necessary ...

3 days ago · In an exclusive interview with Holyrood, Gray said there were “challenges” but insisted the Scottish Government was “facing up to them”.. Asked if the NHS in Scotland was in crisis, or reaching crisis point, he replied: “No.” Swinney was asked if the under-fire health secretary would still be in post come autumn, to which he replied: “Yes.”

Jan 15, 2025 · The SNP are on track to win the 2026 Holyrood election as Labour continues to suffer a significant setback, according to a new poll. The governing party out-polled its closest rival by 10 percentage points, with 35 per cent of voters intending to give the party their constituency vote and 31 per cent their list vote.

A sense of great satisfaction emanates from Kate Forbes as she talks about an economic boom currently happening in the Highlands and Islands. No doubt she’d be pleased, as deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for the economy, to be reporting back on investment anywhere in Scotland – but she’s particularly gleeful about what’s going on in her own backyard.

Scottish Labour’s stunning victory in July should have been the major moment of the year for the party. But instead the bigger story has been that of its fall. A series of unpopular decisions made by Keir Starmer since entering Downing Street has turned the taste of success sour, and the idea of Anas Sarwar becoming the next first minister seems even less likely now than it did in January.

Oct 30, 2024 · Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone introduced the debate, noting the whole parliament was “shocked and saddened” by Salmond’s passing. She added: “Alex Salmond’s contribution to the development and life of this parliament is an integral part of its history.”