The Latest Breaking News from Jane Barlow

Budget plans aim to help families when they need it most, insists John Swinney

The Scottish First Minister has hailed his Government’s tax and spending plans for 2026-27, which were unveiled at Holyrood on Tuesday.

Evening Standard · Jan 14

More than 600 referrals made from UK’s first drug consumption room, figures show

According to the council, 11,348 visits to The Thistle in Glasgow were made by 575 registered users in the first year.

Evening Standard · Jan 13

SNP faces last-minute pleas ahead of final Budget before election

The Finance Secretary faces calls from parties, charities and business leaders ahead of Tuesday’s Budget.

Evening Standard · Jan 13

Do not muck about at election, Swinney warns independence supporters

The First Minister said voters need to make sure the SNP ‘does really well, because that’s the only way Scotland is going to make progress’.

Evening Standard · Jan 4

Never a more important time to be a unionist or conservative, says Findlay

The Scottish Conservative leader attacked Reform UK’s unionist credentials.

Evening Standard · Jan 3

In Pictures: From fire festival to foam fight, the lighter side of life in 2025

A look at the some of the quirkier events the Press Association covered in the last 12 months.

Evening Standard · Jan 2

John Swinney calls on parties to agree budget quickly

The Scottish Government’s tax and spending plans have been delayed as a result of the UK Budget.

Evening Standard · Jan 2

In Pictures: A year of royal resilience and resolution

The King and Princess of Wales were back in action after health issues although Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ended the year stripped of his titles.

Evening Standard · Dec 30, 2025

In Pictures: The changing seasons during 2025

Storms bookended a year that provided its usual spectacle of changing colours.

Evening Standard · Dec 29, 2025

More than 700,000 disability benefits claimants transferred to devolved agency

Social Security Scotland now provides the vast majority of the payments north of the border.

Evening Standard · Dec 29, 2025