Scottish Information Commissioner has criticised government proposals for FoI reform to the responsibilities of special advisers in the FoI process

THE Scottish Government has denied that its Special Advisers (SPADs) are responsible for a long delay in an FoI request specifically about SPAD communications, despite email evidence to the contrary.

Colette Walker, women for indy national committee member and disabled person and carer to a disabled young adult, explains the vision behind her motion on food & drink, which was passed by acclaim at SNP annual conference

ON TUESDAY [9 October] at the SNP conference in Glasgow, I proposed a resolution to support Scotland’s food and drink sector which was passed by acclaim.

Policy proposals and demands for cultural change chosen by Scottish young people have been published to mark the 25^th anniversary of Children in Scotland

SCOTLAND’S YOUNG PEOPLE have demanded a lower voting age, better mental health care, an expansion of the rights of trans youth and a society-wide change in the way child poverty is talked about, via a new Scotland-wide campaign.

SNP Conference passes topical motion on IPCC report

THE findings of the International Panel on Climate Change’s latest report must lead to faster action and bigger ambition on the part of the Scottish Government, environmentalists have said.

The landmark IPCC report published today [8 October] found that keeping temperature rises to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels can prevent the most disastrous consequences from climate change and is still possible, but “would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society”.

Scottish National Infrastructure Company could see companies like the now defunct Carillion and private banks cut out of future public building projects in Scotland

THE SNP has announced at its annual conference that the Scottish Government will look at establishing a Scottish National Infrastructure Company, as part of a new infrastructure commission.

SNP Westminster leader reiterates that the Scottish Government will only accept a deal that keeps Scotland in the single market and customs union.

SNP WESTMINSTER LEADER Ian Blackford has told delegates at the party’s ongoing conference that they can expect “maximum disruption” from the party’s MPs over Brexit, following the release of SNP-commissioned polling that suggests a no-deal Brexit would increase support for independence.

Ahead of the SNP’s annual conference, Common Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that waiting for the SNP leadership to take the initiative is likely to only lead to more despondency – the members have to make it happen

I WAS at a conference this week where an important and influential group in Scotland debated the future.

Ruth Davidson may feel comfortable opposing referendums, but the crisis of the British state will continue regardless

THERE is more that unites than divides Ruth Davidson and Boris Johnson. Despite the Scottish Tory leader’s fragile yet impeccably burnished public image, this should by now be evident.

Is Scotland still a world leader on climate change? Ben Wray finds that while targets are still being hit, little progress is being made in key industry sectors, while other countries and climate scientists raise their ambitions and expectations.

CLIMATE WEEK begins today [1 October] in Scotland, just as scientists meet in the South Korean city of Incheon for crucial Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) talks ahead of a much anticipated report publication.