The First Minister offered no denial when questioned if the Scottish Government-owned airport was used in the latest military action against Syria

CONTROVERSY over the use of the Scottish Government-owned Prestwick Airport by United States military returned to the Scottish Parliament today [19 April], as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was unable to confirm whether or not Prestwick had facilitated this month’s strikes against Syria.

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine says that while big banking executives may be frightened by an approach to public policy which comes from ‘nowhere’, grassroots and transparent popular policy could be revolutionary

IT’S been a good week for Common Weal, and perhaps the highlight was when I got the text last Friday night to say that after a great targeted campaign by the team we, alongside our grassroots partners in the SNP, successfully got a motion to support a National Infrastructure Company onto the provisional agenda for the SNP Spring conference.

Sponsoring projects like the Edinburgh ‘eco-village’ is a way for companies to “cover up the climate crimes they are complicit in,” claim activists

THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL should drop all sponsorship from companies and concerns involved in the fossil fuel industry as of 2019, activists have argued.

Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK advocacy manager, argues that the Planning Bill as it stands will is centralising and will not protect the environment – and calls for urgent action

ONE of the most important new laws for Scotland is making its way through the Scottish Parliament virtually unnoticed by the wider public and the media: the Planning Bill. 

With problems of mental health increasingly prevalent, and feelings of hopelessness and anxiety on the rise, what can be done to help Scotland’s young people?

OVER 40 per cent of Scotland’s young people said they have experienced a problem with their mental health in a new UK wide survey. 

Meanwhile, 51 per cent say they commonly feel anxious, 53 per cent speak of semi-constant stress, and one in five describe themselves as regularly feeling hopeless.

If a North Sea wealth fund had been set up in the 1980s, it would be worth over half a trillion pounds today, the IPPR estimates

THE UK GOVERNMENT missed its chance to establish a wealth fund based around North Sea oil which would today be worth over £500bn, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Last day before Easter recess

THURSDAY is the last fully active day of parliamentary business before Holyrood goes into Easter recess until 15 April, out of deep respect for the magical power of chocolate eggs.

Yet the anticipation of a break doesn’t mean there’s any less going on. Holyrood Highlights will be suspended for the duration of the recess, so let’s round it up one last time…

Parliamentary business

Embattled former Catalan minister released ahead of April hearing as hundreds of activists rally in support

FORMER CATALAN MINISTER Clara Ponsati has been released on bail, following her appearance at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court in response to a warrant from the Spanish Government, seeking her extradition on charges of rebellion and misappropriation of public funds.

Wednesday goes Green

GREEN CONCERNS dominate Holyrood this Wednesday, both in an environmental and party-political sense.

Not only are the Scottish Greens bringing two debates to the parliamentary chamber, but the day will finish up with some hippie nonsense concerning “caring about the planet’s future”, or some such. Read on for all the details.

Parliamentary business

Aamer Anwar defends Scottish Government position and announces crowdfunder for former Catalan minister’s legal costs

AAMER ANWAR, the lawyer for former Catalan minister Clara Ponsati, has defended the Scottish Government’s lack of direct intervention in his client’s case and has announced that crowdfunding on her behalf will begin shortly.