First minister focuses on improving NHS, plus Greens co-leader urges party unity after calling time on 17-year tenure
Scottish first minister John Swinney says move will allow for year of ‘delivery’ ahead of Holyrood elections
Police say Scotland’s former first minister is no longer under investigation
Strenuous denials of a clampdown on felines are only feeding suspicions in an animal-loving nation
Latest poll shows pro-independence party set to remain in power as the largest party after next Holyrood elections
The former Scottish first minister on SNP scandals, falling out with Alex Salmond — and why pressure for a new referendum will return
Polls show highest level of support in four years for breaking away from UK
Decision comes after disputes over deletion of messages by ministers at height of Covid-19 pandemic
Also in this newsletter, Scotland’s drive to end child poverty
SNP administration sets out record healthcare spending as it seeks to double down on policy priorities
Caps for increases would be tied to inflation under SNP’s new housing bill
The government’s internal estimate will heap pressure on Keir Starmer to backtrack on the contentious policy
SNP battling multiple fronts despite John Swinney’s optimism he can win the 2026 Holyrood elections
Figures lay bare scale of mounting housing pressures across the UK
Government in talks with investors in clean energy to fill gap left by declining North Sea oil sector
Nationalist party blames Westminster for need to slash budgets
Scottish government agenda to focus on ‘people’s priorities’ as party fears its independence campaign is losing momentum
Scotland’s first minister defends party’s record in power as he criticises ‘damaging austerity’ from Labour
Scotland’s first minister to lead review at party conference while trying to shift focus on to Labour ahead of 2026 polls
Increase to 10.4% of GDP highlights vulnerability of country’s finances to moves in global oil market
Also in this newsletter, blossoming relations between Scottish government and Starmer’s administration
Defeat at the hands of Labour means the nationalists have just £358,000 of annual funding from Westminster, down from £1.3mn
Nationalists lose grip on Scotland as Labour regains dominance
Labour secures landslide victory as Conservatives crash out of office
An FT overview of the key policies, people and polls
