Expenses: SNP MPs cost less than their predecessors

By Alex Aitchison SNP The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) have confirmed that data published last week on MP expenses was incorrect. The incorrect figures, which under-reported the expenses of Scottish Labour and Lib Dem MPs in 2014/15, were used by Scottish Labour to launch an attack on SNP MPs. Here are the facts. SNP MPs are costing less than their predecessors – by over £1 million IPSA issued a written acknowledgement and apology to the SNP, and new figures published on their website confirm that in 2015/16 SNP MPs…

Read More

Scotland’s budget cut by £2.9 billion in real terms

By David Livey (SNP) The Tories are claiming a £820 million Autumn Statement giveaway to Scotland. To paraphrase the former Tory leader William Hague, it’s a bit like stealing someone’s car and coming back the next day with the hubcaps. The £820 million announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond is capital spending (in plain English that’s money that can be spent on things like big infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and new roads) and is spread over the next five years. While welcome, here’s the bit Chancellor left out: this new…

Read More

Scotland; A European Nation

Our history with Europe. (Scot Govt Publication) A document outlining Scotland’s extensive historical engagement with Europe and its present democratic and constitutional position in relation to the UK, Europe and Brexit has been published today. The document, for an international audience, explains the historical, political and legal reasons why Scotland’s voice needs to be heard following the EU Referendum. In addition the Scottish Government has set out our intention to publish plans to maintain Scotland’s relationship with Europe in the coming weeks. Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs…

Read More

Murray Caps Dream Season With London Title, Year-End No. 1

Full Report: http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/finale-2016-final-djokovic-murray Andy Murray sealed a storybook conclusion to his 2016 campaign, assuming the mantle of year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings with his first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title. Murray dethroned rival Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday’s gripping final. Murray capped a stunning march to the pinnacle of the tennis world with his 24th consecutive match win and fifth straight title. He cemented his place in the history books in becoming the 17th player to finish atop the Emirates ATP Rankings and first Brit…

Read More

Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares end the year with number one ranking

Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazilian Bruno Soares will end the year as the number one doubles team in the world. French pair Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut saw their number one ranking challenge end with defeat at the ATP World Tour Finals on Friday. They lost 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 10-4 to Henri Kontinen and John Peers in their final group match in London. Herbert and Mahut, who failed to reach the semi-finals, trail Murray and Soares by 25 points. Murray and Soares are assured of topping the ATP doubles team…

Read More

Scotland to benefit from significant EU funds

Scotland is to benefit from significant EU funds Investment for vital projects to tackle poverty and inequality. Councils across Scotland are set to benefit from almost £13m of funding to tackle poverty in communities across the country. The money, made up from a combination of £5m of European Social Funds (ESF) and match funding from local authorities, will be targeted to projects that combat poverty and promote equal opportunity. The First Minister made the announcement as she visited Project Search, an initiative delivered by the local authority in Renfrewshire designed…

Read More

Scot Gov: Scotland must remain in EU single market

Keith Brown calls for parliamentary consensus over single market membership. Article Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/scotland-must-remain-in-eu-single-market Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Fair Work, Keith Brown, will call for the Scottish Parliament to unanimously back Scotland’s continued membership of the EU single market at a debate in Holyrood later this week. Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Brown said: “The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain within the European Union, and it is vital that any Brexit negotiation acknowledges and respects that choice. “This is why I am asking the Scottish Parliament to…

Read More

Scottish Government will intervene in Article 50 legal case

ARTICLE SOURCE: >> news.gov.scot/news/scottish-government-will-intervene-in-article-50-legal-case RELATED LINKS: SCOT GOV WEBSITE >> www.scotland.gov.uk By Nicola Sturgeon on 08//16: First Minister confirms Lord Advocate will lead intervention. The First Minister has confirmed that the Lord Advocate will lodge a formal application to intervene in the UK Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court on the triggering of Article 50. The Lord Advocate – Scotland’s most senior law officer – will lodge the application as soon as the UK Government lodges its appeal against a High Court ruling preventing them from using the Royal Prerogative…

Read More

Scottish Women’s Cup: Hibernian win final against Glasgow City

ARTICLE SOURCE/REPORT ON BBC SCOTLAND: >> www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37891305 RELATED LINKS: Website: >> www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/ladies Wikipedia: >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernian_L.F.C Hibernian completed a cup double by beating Glasgow City on penalties to lift the Scottish Women’s Cup. Having beaten City to win the League Cup in June, Hibs took the lead with Lisa Robertson’s looping header. Hayley Lauder levelled in the second half, with goalkeeper Jenna Fife unable to keep out her curling shot. Neither side could find an extra-time goal and Hibs recovered from Robertson’s opening miss from the spot to prevail 6-5 in…

Read More

New World Number 1 Andy Murray wins Paris Masters

ARTICLE SOURCE/REPORT ON BBC SCOTLAND: >> www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/37888677 RELATED LINKS: ATP TOUR WEBSITE >> www.atpworldtour.com/en/tournaments/paris/352/overview ANDY MURRAY WEBSITE: >> www.andymurray.com Andy Murray celebrated his rise to world number one by beating American John Isner 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 to win his first Paris Masters title. The victory brought Murray his sixth ATP title of a memorable 2016. The Scot, 29, also added his second Olympic and Wimbledon titles on his way to the top of the rankings. On Monday he was officially confirmed as Britain’s first singles number one since computerised…

Read More