Zane Lee

A major police operation unfolded on Monday morning after reports of a man carrying a firearm prompted the temporary closure of Scotland’s busiest motorway, the M8. The incident, which occurred near Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire, during the busy rush hour, caused significant disruption to traffic. The Incident and Arrest Specialist officers were swiftly deployed to the scene at junction six of the M8, where initial reports indicated that a man was seen with a gun on a slip road. By the time police arrived, the man had fled on foot. Despite his escape, officers were able to recover a firearm in…

Scotland's first national medical drone network could soon become a reality, following a groundbreaking project that is transforming healthcare logistics. This pioneering initiative, part of the CAELUS project, has already proven the immense potential of drones to speed up the transportation of medical supplies, even to the most remote corners of the country. Project CAELUS: Pioneering Drone Delivery of Medical Supplies In 2024, live flight trials were conducted across Scotland as part of Project CAELUS, aiming to revolutionize the delivery of medical supplies and diagnostic samples. The drones were tested transporting medical materials between mainland hospitals and remote, rural areas,…

A new report from Audit Scotland has cast doubt on Scotland’s ability to achieve its ambitious goal of reducing car kilometres driven by 20% by 2030. The independent public body’s findings suggest that a lack of leadership, fragmented spending, and unclear guidance are key reasons why the target remains out of reach. UK charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) has expressed little surprise at the report’s conclusions, highlighting that Scotland has yet to develop a solid plan to back up its goal. “The Scottish Government published a draft route map on reducing private car use back in 2022, but the final…

Scottish Premiership clubs are being urged to prioritize the future of the entire Scottish football pyramid by agreeing to share a portion of the new UEFA solidarity payments with their counterparts in the Championship. The concern is that failing to distribute the funds fairly could widen the growing gap between the top tier and second-tier clubs, potentially creating a "closed shop" at the top of Scottish football. UEFA Solidarity Payments: A Crucial Opportunity In March and June 2025, Scotland is set to receive a total of €6.018 million in UEFA solidarity payments—money distributed by UEFA to clubs that miss out…

In a recent article, the Mercat Group highlighted the need for a vital conversation on how public services in Scotland are delivered. For over 25 years, Scotland has seen the devolution of power from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, yet local councils have seen little of that power returned. Instead, more services are being managed by unelected quangos, diminishing the influence and capacity of local authorities. A Vision of Local Empowerment The Mercat Group, comprising former chief executives from Scottish local authorities, argues that the original devolution settlement has been reversed. While services continue to be centralized, the role of…

Stroke in Scotland: A Growing Concern The latest Scottish Stroke Statistics, published by Public Health Scotland, highlights several critical trends that are cause for concern, particularly as Scotland’s population continues to age. According to Jane Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), while there has been a slight decrease in the number of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases, the increase in stroke cases is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Forecasted Rise in Strokes The report from Public Health Scotland outlines a forecasted 35% increase in cerebrovascular disease cases from 2019 to 2044, equating to…

A court has ruled that Biffa Waste Services can proceed with its £166 million legal claim against the Scottish government over the abandoned deposit return scheme (DRS), which was initially planned for launch in 2023. Legal Action Against the Scottish Government In June 2023, Scottish ministers postponed the implementation of the deposit return scheme, citing a dispute with the UK government. Biffa, which was hired to collect and process recyclable containers for the initiative, argued in the Court of Session that the Scottish government had assured the company that the scheme would proceed, causing it to incur significant losses when…

Starting on April 1, 2025, Scottish households will see an increase in their water bills, with average charges rising by £44 annually, or £3.68 per month. This marks a 9.9% rise in the cost of water and wastewater services, which will be implemented by Scottish Water to support essential infrastructure and services. Why Are Charges Increasing? Scottish Water, the publicly owned utility responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services across Scotland, stated that the increase in charges is necessary to fund vital investments into maintaining and upgrading the country's water systems. According to Alex Plant, Chief Executive of…

The Scottish government has admitted that the victims of one of Scotland's most horrifying child sex abuse rings were "failed" by authorities, following the convictions of seven gang members for their roles in the abuse of three children in Glasgow. Gang Convicted After Years of Abuse The group, consisting of Iain Owens (46), Elaine Lannery (40), Lesley Williams (43), Paul Brannan (42), Scott Forbes (51), Barry Watson (48), and John Clark (49), were sentenced to life imprisonment after they subjected their victims, all under the age of 13, to unimaginable abuse over a seven-year period. The abuse took place in…

First Minister John Swinney is set to announce a bold plan aimed at expanding NHS Scotland’s capacity. The announcement, scheduled for Monday, will outline plans to increase the number of appointments and procedures by 150,000 each year, marking a significant step toward addressing growing demand within the nation's health services. Plans for Expansion In his upcoming keynote speech, Swinney will detail a comprehensive strategy designed to relieve pressure on the NHS, which has been grappling with long waiting times and increasing demand. The additional 150,000 appointments and procedures are expected to significantly ease the burden on the healthcare system, improving…