Holyrood

The latest Holyrood news and views from expert Scotsman journalists at the Scottish Parliament

Making Britain better off will be "at the forefront of the Chancellor's mind" as she visits China, the Treasury has claimed

SNP call for Chancellor return as Government defends China visit

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

'Urgent clarification' needed on Forbes two-child benefit cap claims

SNP ministers have committed to not sending 16 and 17-year olds to young offenders institutions such as Polmont (Picture: Michael Gillen, National World)

Fears children 'rushed out' of secure care as only three beds empty

Patrick Harvie

Harvie to take time away from Holyrood due to medical procedure

Murdo Fraser MSP

Exclusive The Ruth Davidson secret to reviving the Scottish Conservatives

John Swinney and Anas Sarwar (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Analysis Sarwar turns tables on Swinney as SNP under pressure to deliver Budget

Scottish Budget set to pass following Labour announcement

Shoppers out and about on the streets of Glasgow - Scotland's largest retail destination. Picture: Jane Barlow

Retail bosses praise pro-growth measures but make key demand for Scottish Budget

Why Sarwar must distance himself from SNP and Sir Keir Starmer Euan McColm

Richard Baker previously served in Holyrood

New Scottish Labour MP on what Westminster can learn from Holyrood

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney (Picture: Andy Buchanan/WPA pool)

Poll: SNP to reclaim most seats lost to Labour at July election

Scottish independence supporters on the march. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive Last indy strategy damaged 'credibility', Pete Wishart says

John Swinney, Russell Findlay and Anas Sarwar

Analysis What Holyrood party leaders will have on New Year's wishlist for 2025

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage

The 5,844 reasons why Reform UK thinks it can overtake Scottish Tories

John Swinney and Anas Sarwar

Analysis John Swinney's simple political strategy to save the SNP in 2025

Rt Rev Dr Shaw James Paterson, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Exclusive Kirk should be commended for rethinking assisted dying, says moderator

Politicians’ intervention in the market has hit tenants in their pockets (Picture: John Devlin)

Law of unintended consequences applies to rent controls - David Alexander

The likes of wolves becoming a common site in Scotland's rural areas worries reader (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: I'm not totally wild about idea of rewilding Scotland

Chris Dunn, senior associate, Clyde & Co

Border throws up major assisted dying questions - Chris Dunn

Angela Constance

SNP minister defends being driven to Old Firm game in ministerial car

Former first minister Humza Yousaf at Bute House in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Readers' Letters: Yousaf has an exaggerated sense of his own importance

Stephen Flynn sparked an internal party row after announcing his intention to run for Holyrood while remaining an MP

'Not a cosy club': Why Holyrood has banned 'double jobbing'

Former first minister Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf to stand down as an MSP at the 2026 election

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Assisted dying rules warning over 'cross-border flow' fears

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn won’t decide on whether to run for Holyrood until next year

Stephen Flynn gives update on Holyrood election decision

Why there is good reason for politicians to get involved in people’s sex lives Euan McColm

The Scottish Parliament is at risk of being open to AI ‘chamberfakes’ (Picture: Andrew Milligan)

'Deepfakes' pose 'security risks' to Scottish Parliament

First Minister John Swinney looks on as Finance Secretary Shona Robison presents the government's Budget. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The key battlegrounds for Scottish Budget negotiations

How Scottish business hopes and confidence have been dashed - yet again Paul Waterson

Water fluoride branded the solution to Scotland's 'worst in Europe' dental decay

Finance Secretary Shona Robison presents her proposed Budget for next year to the Scottish Parliament (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Scottish Budget: SNP takes fight to Labour with benefit cap pledge

Former independence minister Jamie Hepburn, former first minister Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Shona Robison with one of the government’s independence papers.

SNP Government independence papers 'almost at the end of the process'

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar campaigning in Partick East and Kelvindale ahead of a by-election there on Thursday

Sarwar will 'relish election' if SNP budget falls despite dire polling

First Minister John Swinney and Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

SNP to prioritise the NHS in the Scottish budget, says John Swinney

Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson

Angus Robertson to lead SNP 2026 Holyrood election campaign

Assisted dying bill debate did little to ease my scepticism Euan McColm

Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Shona Robison. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Exclusive SNP warned not to use workers as 'scapegoats' for budget cuts

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Nigel Farage to be the figurehead of Reform Holyrood election campaign

Anti-racist campaigners gathered outside the Reform UK protest.

Watch: Protestors stage noisy protest at Reform UK Scottish conference

Liam McArthur

MSP behind Scottish assisted dying Bill is ‘confident' of backing

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur published his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in March this year

Analysis What the assisted dying vote in Westminster means for Scotland

SNP social care minister Maree Todd

SNP accuses Cosla of 'ignoring disabled people' over care service plan

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn

SNP set to block Stephen Flynn's Holyrood bid

Stephen Flynn MP in the House of Commons.

Scottish secretary says double jobbing 'too difficult' and backs ban

The decision by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (right) to submit a bid putting him up against incumbent MSP Audrey Nicoll has upset some party figures

Female SNP MSP suggests ‘protections’ needed to stop men ousting women

Nicola Sturgeon

SNP MSP takes swipe at Nicola Sturgeon over private company earnings

There are still doubts in the Scottish Parliament about the SNP’s pledge to dual the A9.

The politics behind A9 delays and the 'wasted years'

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries