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A 250-year-old canal meets 21st century technology Scotland’s Smart Canal, also known as the North Glasgow Integrated Water Management System (NGIWMS), is a groundbreaking project that combines the historic Forth and Clyde Canal with modern sensor and predictive weather technology to reduce flood risk and enable massive regeneration in the north of Glasgow. The project is a partnership of Glasgow City Council, Scottish Canals and Scottish Water under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme. The project, which started in 2018 and is expected to be completed by 2028, will use the canal as a giant stormwater drain that…

The Scottish Government has been accused of failing to deliver a fair and green transition to a net-zero economy by an advisory group and opposition parties. The Just Transition Commission, which was set up in 2019 to provide independent advice on how to achieve a just transition, published its final report in March 2023. The report made 24 recommendations on how to ensure that no one is left behind as Scotland moves away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Just Transition Plan lacks detail and ambition One of the main recommendations of the report was for the Scottish…

Local authorities in Scotland are at risk of running out of money if the Scottish government does not increase their funding, according to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla). The council body issued a pre-Budget warning ahead of the Scottish budget on 19 December, saying that councils need nearly £14.4bn in the budget just to “stand still”. Council tax freeze adds to pressure Cosla’s warning comes after First Minister Humza Yousaf announced a council tax freeze at the SNP party conference in October, without consulting the council leaders. Cosla says this policy, along with the impact of inflation, means local authorities need almost £14.4bn in their 2024/25…

The UK government’s decision to increase the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas has been met with fierce criticism from MSPs and rural groups in Scotland, who say it will have a devastating impact on families, businesses and communities. Visa changes threaten to split families The new rules, which will come into effect on 12 April 2023, will require skilled workers from outside the UK to earn at least £26,200 per year or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher. This is an increase from the current minimum of £25,600 per year or the going rate. The change…

Former Green MSP Andy Wightman has announced his plans to introduce a private member’s bill in the Scottish Parliament that would aim to transform the ownership and use of land in Scotland. The bill, which he hopes to publish by the end of the year, would propose a comprehensive package of measures to address the issues of land concentration, land speculation, land taxation, land use planning, and land rights. Land concentration and inequality Wightman, who is now an independent MSP for the Lothian region, has been a vocal advocate for land reform in Scotland for decades. He is the author…