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Policing the Unmanageable: Overtime Bill Soars to £85,000 Per Day Scotland's national police force is grappling with growing operational demands, plunging officer numbers, and a surging overtime bill that is raising alarm across political and public sectors alike. New figures published in 1919 Magazine reveal Police Scotland paid out £28.15 million in officer overtime for the 2024/25 financial year, alongside £3.4 million for non-officer staff. That puts the daily overtime cost at £85,000, a figure that has sparked concern about sustainability, especially in light of rising national and international commitments. Although the total has dropped from the spike seen in…

A high-stakes expansion of Scotland’s renewables comes with a heavy ecological price tag, conservationists warn Scotland's bold leap into large-scale offshore wind may be headed straight into a conservation storm. Just days after the Scottish Government approved the 4.1GW Berwick Bank wind farm—the country’s largest to date—environmental groups are sounding the alarm, calling the decision a potential ecological catastrophe. The £8 billion development, located in the outer Firth of Forth, is being hailed by energy leaders as a critical pillar of the UK’s net-zero ambitions. But conservationists argue it could tip already-declining seabird populations past the point of no return.…

Scotland is grappling with the wide-reaching impact of Storm Floris, as the intense summer tempest continues to unleash chaos across multiple sectors — from education and energy to policing and postal services. Exam Results Delayed in Islands More than 147,000 school pupils across Scotland are receiving their National, Higher, Advanced Higher, Skills for Work, National Progression Awards, and National Certificates results today. However, the excitement has been dampened for many, particularly in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland, where storm-related postal disruptions have delayed certificate deliveries. While students expecting email or text results remain unaffected, those relying on first-class postal…

‘Not Enough Officers’: Mounting Workloads Drive Up Police Overtime Costs Scotland’s overstretched police force is racking up an eye-watering £85,000 a day in overtime payments, according to newly published figures that lay bare the growing strain on frontline services. The data, revealed by 1919 Magazine, shows Police Scotland spent £28.15 million on officer overtime in 2024/25, with an additional £3.4 million allocated for other staff—a 10% increase on the previous year. While the total is lower than the exceptional spending levels of 2022/23—when policing surged following the death of Queen Elizabeth II—the trend still paints a picture of a service…

It’s official: 33 everyday Scots doing extraordinary things are in the running for one of the most heartfelt recognitions in the country. The BBC Make a Difference Awards finalists have been announced — and their stories are nothing short of inspiring. From quiet acts of kindness to bold community initiatives, this year’s shortlist reflects the spirit of Scotland in full force. Finalists chosen from hundreds of heartfelt nominations BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal spent weeks sifting through nominations submitted by listeners. The challenge? Narrowing down hundreds of moving stories into just a few finalists across nine award…

The UK’s tourism scene just got a major upgrade. England, Wales, and Scotland have teamed up to launch a sweeping new 23-night experience that combines high-end cruising with deep inland exploration — offering travelers a one-of-a-kind, luxury deep dive into the British Isles. It’s part floating hotel, part countryside escape, and fully curated to show off the UK’s most iconic landscapes and historic treasures in one grand voyage. A three-country collaboration like no other This isn’t just another cruise with optional bus tours. What makes this itinerary stand out is how tightly integrated it is — a true collaboration between…

Across Scotland, nerves are peaking and phones are buzzing as more than 147,000 pupils receive their long-awaited exam results — but for some, the wait is just a little longer thanks to wild weather knocking out mail deliveries. Storm Floris didn’t just cause travel disruptions. It’s now delaying the one envelope Scottish teens have been both dreading and dreaming about all summer. First-class nerves meet first-class delays Every August, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) sends out a wave of exam results covering everything from Highers and Advanced Highers to Skills for Work Awards and National Certificates. This year’s batch is…

Lashing winds, fallen trees, power cuts and festival chaos — Storm Floris has left much of Scotland reeling after it barrelled across the country with brutal force. Travel ground to a halt, iconic events were called off, and authorities scrambled to keep people safe as the storm hit right in the middle of Scotland’s tourist season. Heavy rain, crashing waves, and gusts nearing hurricane strength made Monday a washout for thousands of residents and visitors alike. 90 mph gusts bring down power lines and trees across Scotland By Monday afternoon, parts of northern Scotland were seeing wind speeds climb to…

Scotland has approved what could become one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, giving the green light to the long-anticipated Berwick Bank Wind Farm, a major leap in the UK’s push for net zero and energy independence. The sprawling offshore site, to be developed by SSE Renewables, will sit approximately 38km off the Scottish Borders coast near St Abbs, with an expected generation capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW) — enough, using current technology, to power every household in Scotland more than twice over. A green light—but with environmental strings attached While the approval marks a significant boost for Scotland’s…

“The Most Damaging Summer Storm in Recent Memory” In the wake of Storm Floris, tens of thousands across Scotland are still without electricity, stranded by blocked roads and suspended trains. The storm, which barrelled through the country on Monday with wind gusts reaching up to 90 mph, is now being called the worst summer storm in years by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). More than 50,000 homes lost power at the height of the storm. While many were reconnected overnight, thousands remain in the dark across the Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire. “This was the most damaging summer storm in…