SNP and Tories reverse tail-docking ban for working dogs

A POLICY REVERSING the ban on tail-shortening of working dogs has faced criticism from animal welfare groups after a majority in the Scottish Parliament passed changes to the law. 

Since 2007 there has been a full-ban on tail-docking - the cutting of a dog’s tail by its owner without anaesthetic. Previously used by owners of ‘working dogs’ - for instance on Scotland’s shooting estates - the practice has been condemned as “cruel”.

Scottish Government accepts Freedom of Information failings

THE Scottish Government has accepted failings over the handling of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, under scrutiny from opposition politicians.

However, concerns have been raised over the status of an independent inquiry into FoI handling, which was the central feature of a motion passed unanimously yesterday (Wednesday 21 June) in the Scottish Parliamnet.

Renewable funds success boost Sutherland community land buyout plans 

A THEE-THOUSAND ACRE community buyout plan on the east coast of Sutherland has now secured a double victory in locating financial support for the purchase from the Sutherland private estate. 

Garbh Allt Community Initiative, for the townships of Marrel, West Helmsdale, Gartymore and Portgower, have achieved substantial progress towards a buyout of land surrounding Helmsdale. 

Campaigners and parties warn that Tory policy threatens Scotland and Britain’s future

THE TORIES ARE CLINGING to power after losing the party’s majority in the self-imposed June snap General Election. The 2017 Queen’s Speech - setting out priorities for the next two year - dropped many of the party’s main policies, and now faces criticism as a Brexit “power grab” and for failing to confront high inequality and major public service challenges.

Tories forced to scale back government plans following election fall-out 

THE UK GOVERNMENT’S PLANS for the next two years will be dominated by Brexit, with controversial manifesto proposals under-played in the Queen’s Speech following the snap General Election result. 

The ceremony to announce specific bills that will be presented to the Westminster Parliament, the speech took place in the shadow of ongoing negotiations between the Tories and the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party to try and form a working majority in parliament. 

Russia warns of targeting US airforce following strike of Syrian jet 

THE MILITARY CHAOS in Syria has been raised further as Russian officials warned they would take measures to target the US airforce, after the Americans shot down a Syrian military jet. 

The US and Russia have both intervened in the Syrian civil war, with America opposed to the government of [Bashir al-Assad] and the Russians determined to maintain his position in the region. 

Renfrew manufacturing investment support “critical to Scotland’s economic success”

INVESTMENT IN A SPECIALIST manufacturing centre in Renfrew will help set Scotland’s economy on the right track, according to the Scottish Government, academics, and business groups supporting the plan. 

£9m in funds will support the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre - based in the former Doosan Babcock facility in Westway, Renfrew - to focus on lightweight manufacturing work. 

Kensington housing crisis revealed by Grenfell fire deaths 

THE WEALTHY BOROUGH of Kensington and Chelsea, where the disastrous Grenfell Tower fire disaster took place, represents the extreme segregation of UK housing policy, according to new figures released by researchers. 

There are 1,399 vacant dwellings are in the borough according to Kensington and Chelsea council research, with many properties linked to offshore tax haven ownership - the mechanism of the property speculation industry. 

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and MSP Gail Ross were among the delegation to Bosnia to mark the anniversary of the genocide

LAST WEEK, Remembering Srebrenica Scotland took a delegation to Bosnia to visit the site of the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War.

The delegation, including Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, SNP MSP Gail Ross, journalists, educators, and representatives from the police and the legal profession, visited Srebrenica as part of a three-day tour of the country.