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LONDON – Britain’s local government system is sprawling, layered, and often opaque. As voters across England, Scotland, and Wales prepare for the 2025 local elections, the patchwork of councils that serve them is under growing scrutiny — and possible reform. The UK government’s December 2024 white paper on English devolution and local governance set out plans for sweeping structural changes. But for now, the rules of engagement vary sharply depending on geography, with Scotland and Wales operating under simpler unitary models, while England remains divided by single-tier, two-tier, and overlapping authorities. A three-nation system Despite similarities in overall responsibilities —…

EDINBURGH – Patients in Scotland suffering from a rare and debilitating autoimmune liver disease will soon have access to the first new treatment in nearly ten years, as Ipsen’s Iqirvo (elafibranor) has been accepted for use by NHS Scotland, the pharmaceutical company confirmed Monday. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved Iqirvo for use in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare, chronic liver condition that can lead to liver failure if left inadequately treated. The green light comes after strong results in clinical trials and marks a key milestone for Ipsen’s expanding rare disease portfolio. Targeting a gap in care Iqirvo,…

Scotland’s energy ambitions just got a major jolt. The government has approved the UK’s biggest-ever pumped hydro project—1.8GW strong with 40GWh of energy storage capacity—planned for Loch Earba in the heart of the Highlands. This isn’t just another infrastructure announcement. It’s a bold move, marking a key moment for the country’s renewable energy landscape. Loch Earba’s Massive Storage Bet Loch Earba might not be a household name, but it’s about to be at the centre of the UK’s clean energy transformation. Gilkes Energy’s pumped hydro storage (PHS) scheme at the loch is the largest ever given the green light in…

A butterfly basking in Bo’ness. Sea and sky dancing at Elie beach. From still corners to sweeping coasts, The Scotsman’s Readers Gallery delivers quiet, stirring moments of Scotland through the lenses of its people. There’s something strangely comforting about seeing familiar places through someone else’s eyes. It’s not just about the view—it’s about the feeling behind it. And this month, that feeling runs deep. A Glimpse of Spring from the Back Garden Sometimes, the best photos come when you’re not even trying. That’s exactly what happened in Bo’ness, where Jim Dewar captured the first peacock butterfly of the year fluttering…

Scotland’s new First Minister is pushing for closer links with the United States—just days after Donald Trump reimposed punishing tariffs that could hit the heart of Scotland’s export economy. In New York for Tartan Week, John Swinney struck a confident tone. But behind the tartan and handshakes, concern is mounting over the future of Scotch whisky sales in America—Scotland’s biggest overseas market. Tariffs Cast Shadow Over Tartan Week The US president’s decision to reintroduce tariffs on EU and UK goods—branding the move part of “liberation day” from what he claims are unfair foreign trade rules—has thrown a wrench into the…

A small Angus-based tech firm is making waves across the UK’s business scene after being shortlisted for not one, but two major awards in this year’s Scotland StartUp Awards. AgriAudit, a farm-focused audit management app founded just last year, is in the running for both Digital StartUp of the Year and Innovative StartUp of the Year—recognition that’s caught the eye of the industry and beyond. From Farm Fields to Finalist List The brain behind AgriAudit is Tom Porter, a local entrepreneur who launched the app in 2024. His idea? Streamline the painful, paper-heavy audit process that’s become a thorn in…

Union members across Scotland’s councils are preparing to walk out after rejecting a 3% pay offer, with ballots showing overwhelming support for strike action if no improved deal is put on the table. The stage is now set for a major standoff between local authority workers and employers as discontent brews over what unions describe as years of pay erosion and disregard for the public sector’s lowest-paid staff. More Than Just a Pay Dispute This isn’t just about percentages. It’s personal now. Local government workers say they’re fed up watching their pay fall further behind as costs rise and recognition…

Scotland’s electricity infrastructure is set for a major upgrade, with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) announcing a £450 million investment into the north of the country’s grid over the next five years—one of the largest distribution-level upgrades in recent history. 300 Jobs, Resilience, and Clean Energy The ambitious programme will cover Dundee, Aberdeen, the Highlands, and Scotland’s islands, and is expected to create at least 300 skilled jobs, while strengthening the backbone of the electricity network ahead of rising demand from heat pumps, EVs, and rooftop solar. The upgrade will replace ageing wooden poles and overhead lines, modernise substations,…

Scotland’s Business Minister Richard Lochhead has launched a two-week visit to China and Japan aimed at strengthening economic, cultural and academic ties, as the country seeks to expand trade beyond Europe amid a volatile global market. Whisky, Seafood—and Gaming The trip underscores the rising importance of East Asia to Scotland’s economy. Whisky exports to Japan rose 7% last year, placing it among the top markets by value. Meanwhile, whisky and seafood exports to China have tripled since 2005, according to the Scottish Government. Mr Lochhead will use the visit to promote Scottish innovation in traditional and emerging sectors alike—from distilleries…

Scotland’s ferry procurement agency has confirmed that no social value scoring was included in the recent £160 million contract award for seven new CalMac ferries—despite mounting political pressure and questions over support for domestic shipbuilding. Ferguson Loses Out on Price—Not Performance The state-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow lost the bid to Polish yard Remontowa, which undercut rivals with an offer of just over £21 million per vessel. BBC Scotland understands Ferguson performed well on technical criteria but fell short on cost, which accounted for 35% of the evaluation. The result dealt a blow to Ferguson’s hopes of securing…