Axel Piper

Labour slams SNP for not using the powers transferred from Westminster Labour has launched a scathing attack on the SNP government for its “disastrous failure” to use the social security powers devolved from Westminster five years ago. The party said the SNP had “broken its promise” to the people of Scotland by not delivering the benefits it had pledged. The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, which was passed on April 25, 2018, created a new system for benefits transferred from the UK Government. A total of 13 Scottish Government benefits are now being delivered through Social Security Scotland, seven of…

A man who was allegedly kidnapped and tortured in a horrific attack that was shared on Snapchat has died in hospital. Alan Lawson, 36, was found severely injured at his home in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, on Sunday. He passed away two days later. Brutal assault and online boast According to sources who viewed the disturbing clips on Snapchat, Lawson’s attacker held him hostage while he inflicted gruesome injuries on him. The attacker claimed that Lawson was chained to a radiator while he was beaten and slashed, leaving him with a gaping wound on his head. The attacker also claimed to have…

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park hosts a discussion on good practices Landowners and managers within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park came together to discuss good practices and help stimulate fresh thinking to ensure Scotland’s land is managed responsibly. The event at Kinlochard Village Hall was hosted by the Scottish Land Commission, in partnership with Scottish Land and Estates and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, featuring sessions and discussion around fairness, engagement and opportunities for land in Scotland. The event was part of the Scottish Land Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote the Scottish Land…

Suzanne Gunn, a 35-year-old mother from Wallyford, East Lothian, died unexpectedly on January 3, 2024, just two days before her 36th birthday. She had been suffering from a rare auto-immune disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), which causes inflammation of the blood vessels and organs. A bubbly and loving person who enjoyed life Suzanne was described by her friends and family as a bubbly and loving person who enjoyed life. She had a passion for music, dancing, and travelling. She was also a devoted mother to her 11-year-old daughter, Lily, who was her “world”. Suzanne had been working as a…

Glasgow City Council has announced that it will double the number of Street Play days in 2024, to allow children and communities to enjoy a traffic-free environment in their local streets. The scheme, which provides a free road closure for residents and groups who want to organise a Street Play session, had been growing in popularity before the Covid pandemic. What is Street Play and why is it important? Street Play is an initiative that aims to create safe and fun spaces for children to play outside in their neighbourhoods, and to bring people of all ages together. It is…

Children need a safe and loving home to grow and thrive. But not every child has that opportunity. Many children are living in difficult or dangerous situations, and they need someone to care for them. That’s where foster carers come in. Foster carers are people who open their hearts and homes to children who need them. They provide temporary or long-term care, support, and guidance to children who can’t live with their birth families. By becoming a foster carer, you can make a profound difference in a child’s life. What is fostering and why is it important? Fostering is a…

What are XL wind turbines and why are they important? XL wind turbines are large-scale offshore wind turbines that can generate more power than conventional ones. They have a maximum tip height of 187m (614ft), which is about twice the height of the tower housing Big Ben. They can also withstand harsh weather conditions and operate at greater depths in the sea. XL wind turbines are important for Scotland’s renewable energy goals, as they can produce more electricity with fewer turbines, reducing the environmental impact and the cost of installation and maintenance. They are also expected to create thousands of…

Princes Square, one of Glasgow’s most prestigious shopping and leisure destinations, has been acquired by a new owner who plans to bring in more high-profile brands and restaurants. The property and investment collective M Core has purchased the five-storey Grade B listed building for an undisclosed sum from Redevco, the previous owner who had invested £7.5m in refurbishing the centre in 2020. A landmark in Glasgow’s city centre Princes Square, which first opened in 1988, occupies a prime position on Buchanan Street, the main shopping street in Glasgow. The centre features four self-contained retail units along the street and an…

Cambo Country House and Estate, a historic venue and attraction on the coast of Fife, is preparing to host its 15th annual Snowdrop Festival in February and March. The festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of snowdrops, which are among the first flowers to bloom in the year. Cambo Estate is home to the UK’s Plant Heritage national collection of snowdrops, with over 200 varieties on display. A rare opportunity to tour the house As part of the festival, Cambo House, which has been the residence of the Erskine family since the late 1600s, will open its doors to visitors…