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Kevin Stewart

Net Zero and Just Transition Secretary Mairi McAllan arriving for her first Cabinet meeting at Bute House in Edinburgh on Wednesday (Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Yousaf knows the importance of transport despite Cabinet snub – Alastair Dalton

The Scottish Government has been criticised for its planned National Care Service reform.
The Scottish Government has been criticised for its planned National Care Service reform.

SNP group joins calls for National Care Service plans to be paused

A young carer walking with an elderly woman.
A young carer walking with an elderly woman.

Former ministers call for end to zero-hours contracts in social care

Holyrood finance watchdogs, including SNP MSPs, have expressed “significant concerns” over the lack of detailed costs for the National Care Service in a blow to the Scottish Government’s flagship plans.
Holyrood finance watchdogs, including SNP MSPs, have expressed “significant concerns” over the lack of detailed costs for the National Care Service in a blow to the Scottish Government’s flagship plans.

'Significant concerns' over National Care Service

Six ministers used WhatsApp for government business this year, it can be revealed.
Six ministers used WhatsApp for government business this year, it can be revealed.

Revealed: Six ministers used WhatsApp for Scottish Government business last year

The National Care Service plans have sparked controversy.
The National Care Service plans have sparked controversy.

SNP ministers urged to halt 'billion-pound bureaucratic takeover of social care'

The National Care Service Bill, which is making its way through the Scottish Parliament, would transfer social care responsibility from local authorities to a new, national service, overseen by ministers
The National Care Service Bill, which is making its way through the Scottish Parliament, would transfer social care responsibility from local authorities to a new, national service, overseen by ministers

No reason to pause National Care Service Bill, says Scottish minister

The number of people have detained for mental health treatment against their will has decreased
The number of people have detained for mental health treatment against their will has decreased

Mental health detentions decrease but safeguarding concerns remain

Launch of the new Scottish Government Suicide Prevention and Action Plan – Creating Hope Together.
Launch of the new Scottish Government Suicide Prevention and Action Plan – Creating Hope Together.

Peer support groups can give hope to those at rock bottom - Christine Muir

Kevin Stewart said the National Care Service would help eradicate 'postcode lotteries'.
Kevin Stewart said the National Care Service would help eradicate 'postcode lotteries'.

National Care Service is not centralisation, insists SNP social care minister

Carstairs State Hospital
Carstairs State Hospital

15 Scots with learning disabilities and autism in hospital for over 20 years

The funding will help provide practical mental health support for those most in need. Picture: Marjan Apostolovic
The funding will help provide practical mental health support for those most in need. Picture: Marjan Apostolovic

Patients wait more than 1,000 days for mental health treatment in Scotland

Thousands of council dwellings were sold under the scheme in Scotland. Photo: Bikemech / Getty Images / Canva Pro.
Thousands of council dwellings were sold under the scheme in Scotland. Photo: Bikemech / Getty Images / Canva Pro.

What is the Right to Buy scheme?

Picture: Shutterstock
Picture: Shutterstock

'Desperate' need for more child mental health support, government told

Picture: John Devlin
Picture: John Devlin

Mental health problems cost Scotland's economy £9 billion a year, report finds

Mental wellbeing minister Kevin Stewart said the Government recognises it has "to do more”
Mental wellbeing minister Kevin Stewart said the Government recognises it has "to do more”

Action pledge on on long hospital stays and out-of-area placements in Scotland

Picture: Getty Images
Picture: Getty Images

Put counsellors in every school to combat mental health emergency, urge Lib Dems

An elderly man, as the Scottish Government has been told that social care services in Scotland are in crisis and need urgent improvements. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
An elderly man, as the Scottish Government has been told that social care services in Scotland are in crisis and need urgent improvements. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Action needed now to improve social care services, Scottish Government warned

Susana Ramos Sanchez has not been able to get a referral to a psychiatrist in Edinburgh.
Susana Ramos Sanchez has not been able to get a referral to a psychiatrist in Edinburgh.

'I'm in limbo, there's no-one to refer me to' - concern over gaps in psychiatry

Devo-Max has been suggested as a possible third option for an independence referendum.
Devo-Max has been suggested as a possible third option for an independence referendum.

Three-option IndyRef2 rejected by majority of Scots amid devo-max calls

Isolation periods in care homes have been changed.
Isolation periods in care homes have been changed.

Care home isolation requirements eased

Resident Annie Innes, 90, talks with a healthcare worker at the Abercorn House Care Home in Hamilton.
Resident Annie Innes, 90, talks with a healthcare worker at the Abercorn House Care Home in Hamilton.

Pressure mounts for 'unfair' care home 14-day isolation period to be cut

Picture: Getty Images
Picture: Getty Images

Alex Salmond takes dig at SNP amid row over devo-max referendum option

An independence rally held on Glasgow Green. Picture: John Devlin
An independence rally held on Glasgow Green. Picture: John Devlin

SNP figures dismiss calls for devo-max option on indyref2 ballot paper

Resident Annie Innes, 90, talks with a healthcare worker at the Abercorn House Care Home in Hamilton.
Resident Annie Innes, 90, talks with a healthcare worker at the Abercorn House Care Home in Hamilton.

Scottish Government urged to protect care home visiting rights over winter

Kevin Stewart, the Scottish government's minister for mental wellbeing, has said that Scotland is aiming to become the first country in the world with a dedicated self-harm strategy.
Kevin Stewart, the Scottish government's minister for mental wellbeing, has said that Scotland is aiming to become the first country in the world with a dedicated self-harm strategy.

Scotland could become first country with self-harm strategy, says minister

Lisa Maynard, a care worker in Dundee, has already used the app Sleepio.
Lisa Maynard, a care worker in Dundee, has already used the app Sleepio.

Mental health therapy apps to be offered by NHS

Consultation on the new law has opened
Consultation on the new law has opened

Consultation on Anne's Law to give care home residents legal right to visits

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: PA
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: PA

Scottish Government questioned over scope of proposals for National Care Service

New figures were published on Tuesday.
New figures were published on Tuesday.

Fall in rate of suicides in Scotland in 2020

Admissions are at their highest since 2007.
Admissions are at their highest since 2007.

Self-harm cases in children at highest level in 14 years

Drug-related deaths have risen across Scotland. Picture: Andy Buchanan
Drug-related deaths have risen across Scotland. Picture: Andy Buchanan

Scotland's national care service expansion an 'attack on local communities'

Carers have had no respite
Carers have had no respite

'Eight in ten unpaid carers have had no respite' since start of pandemic

Numbers of people suffering from eating disorders have soared in lockdown.
Numbers of people suffering from eating disorders have soared in lockdown.

Extra £5m for health boards to treat rise in eating disorders

Rob Donaldson, whose 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in 2019.
Rob Donaldson, whose 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in 2019.

Eating disorders among under-18s soared in lockdown, psychiatrists warn

Cathie Russell and her mother Rose, 89.
Cathie Russell and her mother Rose, 89.

'It's nuts': Relatives call on Scottish Government to review care home guidance

As of March, 2,012 young people in Scotland had been waiting more than 12 months for treatment.
As of March, 2,012 young people in Scotland had been waiting more than 12 months for treatment.

Half of Scottish youth facing year-long wait for counselling from NHS Lothian

Between March 1 and May 31 2020, 5,204 patients were discharged from NHS hospitals to care homes.
Between March 1 and May 31 2020, 5,204 patients were discharged from NHS hospitals to care homes.

Scottish Government vows unlawful care home moves will 'not happen again'

Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive , Homes for Scotland www.homesforscotland.com
Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive , Homes for Scotland www.homesforscotland.com

Political ambition on housing gratifying but words alone are not enough - Nicola...

Author Louis de Bernieres has questions for supporters of Scottish independence
Author Louis de Bernieres has questions for supporters of Scottish independence

How does independence fail us? Let me count the ways - readers letters

Work is carried out to remove dangerous cladding on a Glasgow high-rise building. Picture: John Devlin
Work is carried out to remove dangerous cladding on a Glasgow high-rise building. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish Government to offer free cladding inspections of high-rise buildings

The number of people who died in Scotland while homeless rose to 216 in 2019, according to new figures.
The number of people who died in Scotland while homeless rose to 216 in 2019, according to new figures.

Homeless deaths increased to more than 200 in 2019, figures suggest

A new law intended to tackle the growth of short-term let properties has been pushed back in Holyrood’s schedule until after the Scottish election in May
A new law intended to tackle the growth of short-term let properties has been pushed back in Holyrood’s schedule until after the Scottish election in May

Law to clamp down on Scottish short-term let properties delayed

The new recommendations aim to prevent homelessness.
The new recommendations aim to prevent homelessness.

New plan to end homelessness by catching causes six months early

Joanne Saurin, empty homes officer at Fife Council, has helped bring nearly 400 vacant properties in the region back into use
Joanne Saurin, empty homes officer at Fife Council, has helped bring nearly 400 vacant properties in the region back into use

Top award for empty homes worker

Fife Council
Fife Council

Fife planners' mock exercise prepared them for COVID working from home

Legislation for a licensing regime to tackle the growth of short-term lets have been recommended for approval by a Holyrood committee.
Legislation for a licensing regime to tackle the growth of short-term lets have been recommended for approval by a Holyrood committee.

'Not fit for purpose' short-term let licensing scheme approved by Holyrood commi...

New US President Joe Biden is giving the Western world renewed optimism
New US President Joe Biden is giving the Western world renewed optimism

Readers' Letters: UK should go federal to cope with Brexit

Thousands of Scots have benefited from Help to Buy
Thousands of Scots have benefited from Help to Buy

Blow for Scottish house hunters as Help to Buy is axed

Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon are the two candidates for the leadership of Scottish Labour.
Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon are the two candidates for the leadership of Scottish Labour.

Labour leadership candidates challenged to retain suspension of councillors

The number of people in temporary accommodation in Scotland is at record levels
The number of people in temporary accommodation in Scotland is at record levels

Former homeless people call for end of 'poor-quality' temporary accommodation

Scotland players celebrate their victory in the Euro 2020 playoff final soccer match between Serbia and Scotland, at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Scotland players celebrate their victory in the Euro 2020 playoff final soccer match between Serbia and Scotland, at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

NHS chief warns of virus spreading after football fans celebrate Scotland's win

Fire alarm
Fire alarm

Scottish fire safety law delayed amid row over costs

Aparthotels are common in cities such as Edinburgh.
Aparthotels are common in cities such as Edinburgh.

Aparthotels in plea for Scottish short-term licence exemption

The Scottish Government has said it aims to introduce a licensing scheme for holiday lets
The Scottish Government has said it aims to introduce a licensing scheme for holiday lets

Self-caterers call for delay and blast 'ham-fisted' Airbnb licensing scheme

A pilot scheme that provides first-time buyers with loans of up to £25,000 to help them get on the property ladder is being continued next year, the Scottish housing minister announced today.
A pilot scheme that provides first-time buyers with loans of up to £25,000 to help them get on the property ladder is being continued next year, the Scottish housing minister announced today.

Scottish Government loan scheme to help first-time buyers will reopen next year

The Scotsman Top Stories

Police and security staff escort a protester from the public gallery during First Minister's Questions. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Police and security staff escort a protester from the public gallery during First Minister's Questions. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Holyrood bosses announce crackdown after protesters disrupt FMQs

The deposit return scheme (DRS) could be paused by Humza Yousaf. Picture: PA
The deposit return scheme (DRS) could be paused by Humza Yousaf. Picture: PA

Humza Yousaf considering pausing deposit return scheme

New First Minister Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
New First Minister Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Analysis: Pity the poor schoolkids forced to stay and watch this FMQs