Kathleen Nutt

Orkney's legal aid system is at breaking point, with only one local solicitor offering support. Serena Sutherland warns of a deepening crisis as low fees, bureaucracy, and dwindling numbers leave residents struggling to access justice.

"Over recent years there has been a marked drop in the availability of criminal legal aid. Those who continue to undertake legal aid work are having to cover an ever-larger area. All of this has the potential to harm some of the most vulnerable members of our communities."

"Is she concerned that the overall tax revenue from income tax is being reduced by some people, and I mentioned no names, who choose to set up a limited company, who then appear able to insert into that company's income, income from, for example, book royalties or TV appearances."

Russell Findlay's proposals include an income tax cut for anyone earning under £43,662 with a 19p rate applying to salaries up to that level.

'Every year thousands of parents in Scotland need legal aid for cases about access to their children and decisions about who a child should live with.'

A vote could take place before Christmas on the potential double jobs ban with Labour and the Greens supporting it

John Swinney, Anas Sarwar or Kate Forbes are all up for Scottish Politician Of The Year on Thursday night. The Herald's Political Correspondence, Kathleen Nutt profiles the First Minister and weighs up his chances of victory.

"The scale of divergence in income tax bills between Scotland and the rest of the UK for high income earners has increased significantly over the last two years."

"I hear journalists are wondering if I’ve put my name in for the Scottish Parliament. Big news re 2026 coming in the next hour…watch this space."

"Kate Forbes still has her own leadership ambitions, setting them aside this Spring in the interest of party unity to accept Mr Swinney's offer to become Deputy First Minister."