Early release. The Scottish Government plans to free hundreds of prisoners in a bid to reduce jail overcrowding.

Thu 16 May, 6.00 pm

Scotland is in a nationwide Housing Emergency. The declaration from the Scottish Parliament comes after five local authorities - including Glasgow and Edinburgh - had already declared housing emergencies in recent months.



The Scottish Government has cut almost £200 million from the housing budget.



Labour piled on pressure on the issue, and in the past 15 minutes MSPs backed their motion at Holyrood. Campaigners say the crisis in housing took decades to get into-- with a lack of council and social properties being built.



They fear it could also take decades to put things right.

Vanessa Taaffe

The Government say they're committed to delivering over 1,100 affordable homes by 2032



Scottish Government declares nationwide housing emergency

A mother whose repeated pleas for a rehab place were rejected is urging MSPs to get behind a proposed law which would ensure those at "death's door" from addiction can access the treatment they need.



If passed, the legislation would give anyone diagnosed with drug or alcohol dependency the right to residential rehabilitation within weeks.

Sharon Frew

The Scottish Conservatives believe their Right to Recovery Bill could be transformativ

Mother who overcame addiction backs recovery bill

Scotland's nurses are stuck in a "vicious cycle" of not being able to provide adequate patient care due to "unsafe" staffing levels.



The Royal College of Nursing is calling on the Scottish Government to do more to stop workers leaving the profession.



The Health Secretary says nurses here are the highest paid in the UK and students have access to a £10,000 bursary.

Political Reporter

Laura Alderman

There's currently nearly 4,000 nursing vacancies in Scotland 


Nurses facing ‘unsafe’ staffing levels says Royal College

"Lessons will be learned". That's the message from Glasgow City Council as it enters the next stage of its multimillion pound Avenues Project, designed to transform the city.



A consultation event on proposals for the Broomielaw and Clyde Street has been taking place in the city.

Caitlin Hutchison

Glasgow city centre's £115 million makeover is well under way

‘Lessons will be learned’ as Avenues Project takes next step

Dundee and Angus Foodbank is no longer Scotland's busiest after it saw a 17% drop in demand.



In contrast, there was a much more marginal decrease across the country with more than 260,000 food parcels handed out in the past year, a 0.1% fall.

Lynne Rankin

Almost 15,500 people received a parcel last year - 3,000 less than the previous year.

Dundee and Angus foodbank sees 17% drop in demand

It's a challenging industry, working long hours in all weathers, with no two days the same.



And with an ageing workforce and a shortage of people, Scottish farmers say it's more important than ever to recruit into the sector.



A course at Scotland's Rural College is teaching students the skills they need to succeed.

Reporter

Haley Bouma

SRUC has changed its agricultural courses to reflect the challenges facing farmers.



Rural College course hoping to encourage youth into farming

A grieving family have told STV News, the funeral home they trusted with their uncle's body failed to prepare it in line with his final wishes.



The firm, A. Milne Independent Funeral Directors, is also being investigated by Police Scotland over alleged financial misconduct and their handling of cremated remains.



Some people claim they have been unable to track down money paid into funeral plans - leaving them angry and upset.

Olly Dickinson

A Milne Independent Funeral Directors remains under investigation by Police Scotland 


Funeral home failed to prepare body properly, says family

A man who admits murdering a retired teacher from the exclusive Fettes College in Edinburgh has told the High Court another man was involved in the killing too.



Paul McNaughton was giving evidence at the trial of Paul Black, who is also known as Joseph Hillary.



Black denies murdering Doctor Peter Coshan. Today the jury heard about the 75-year-old's final moments.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

Paul McNaughton said that he and Paul Black hatched a plan to murder Dr Peter Coshan 

Man who admits murdering teacher claims other man involved

South Lanarkshire Council has given the green light for plans to transform East Kilbride town centre.



The £62.2m pound proposals will see two key projects get underway - one which involves a new residential community being built at the centre of the town and the other will see changes to the transport network.

Courtney Cameron

The council estimate it could take around ten years to complete the project

Green light for East Kilbride town centre redevelopment

Residents affected by a fire in a block of flats in Edinburgh, that has been identified as one of 105 buildings included in the Scottish Government's cladding remediation programme, are calling for speedy action after a bill was passed today.



Ministers say it will make it easier for the Government to carry out the current scheme.

Amie Flett

Today the Scottish Parliament passed the Housing Cladding Remediation Bill 

Residents call for action after flat cladding fire

A project - described as a first-of-its kind in Scotland - is aiming to give new skills to young people with care experience - through the medium of technology.



Led by the charity YMCA - the scheme aims to provide youngsters with an insight into the tech industry.

Callum Clark

A series of workshops are to be rolled out in Dundee

New project helping care experienced youngsters with technology

Health provision in Tayside could be hit as the health board attempts to plug a £75m black hole in its finances.



Thousands of patients could be affected by the proposals, which NHS Tayside described as "unpalatable".

Saul Sievwright

The Scottish Government says it is investing £14 billion for NHS Boards

‘Unpalatable’ cuts as NHS Tayside faces £75m black hole

Scotland's renewables industry has reached another milestone with construction under way on a new subsea cable factory in the Highlands.



It was toasted not with whisky but with a tot of the Japanese drink sake.



The project is being funded by Japan's electricity giant Sumitomo.

Iain Ramage

It promises to create jobs and reduce carbon emissions

New subsea cable factory to be built with Japanese investment

Critics of the controversial Rosebank oil and gas development off Shetland have been demonstrating in Aberdeen.



Environmental groups say it will have serious implications on the climate and staged a protest outside Equinor's AGM this afternoon.



The oil giant, a majority stakeholder in the field, says Rosebank will help meet the country's energy needs.

Environmental campaigners say drilling in the Rosebank field must not go ahead

Activists protest outside oil giant AGM in Aberdeen

Pilots and crew at a major North Sea helicopter operator say they are prepared to continue strike action for "as long as it takes" in a dispute over pay.



Flights to rigs have been disrupted and search and rescue services impacted as members of the BALPA union - working at Bristow - have walked out again this week.

Steven Brown

The union have accused management at the helicopter firm of showing contempt for staff

Offshore flights disrupted as helicopter staff strike

Throughout the 1960s girls from Glasgow were sent to Fornethy House in Angus for up to two months at a time.



There, they say they suffered physical and sexual abuse.



Because it was only short-term they can't apply to the redress scheme set up by John Swinney when he was deputy First Minister.



Their petition is still being considered in the Scottish Parliament, but they are hoping the First Minister will step in.

Political Editor

Colin Mackay

John Swinney spoke to STV News after first First Minister's Questions.

Abuse survivors call on Swinney for redress scheme appeal

Thousands of parents across Falkirk say they are "outraged" at the local authority's latest plans to cut school learning hours in a bid to save money.



The council said if school hours are not reduced, there will need to be cuts to staff and services.



For primary school pupils, the week could reduce from 25 hours of learning to 22.5, while in secondary from 26.6 hours to 24.7.



The Scottish Government said cuts to learning hours are unacceptable.

Falkirk Council is facing a budget gap of £62.5 million over the next five years

Parents ‘outraged’ over plans to cut school learning hours

Three centuries after it was built and 50 years after it almost burnt to the ground, a historic mansion which has been derelict for years is set to be saved.



Mavisbank House in Midlothian has been awarded more than £5m by the National Heritage Fund.

Vanessa Kennedy

Work on the building, which is of national significance, will be finished in five years

Mavisbank House receives £5m for full restoration

Today marks the start of mental health awareness week.



It aims to help people better understand the importance of protecting and nurturing the mind.



STV News is in Angus, where people are getting behind the campaign, by getting active.

This year's theme is all about movement.

People getting active as part of mental health awareness week

Residents from a village in Aberdeenshire say the Scottish Government must intervene before their community is overtaken by huge industrial projects.



Kintore's electrical substation is being extended as part of an upgrade to the line, but the area is also facing applications from battery storage companies and a hydrogen plant.



The Scottish Government said the potential impact on communities must be taken into account before planning decisions are made.

Residents in Leylodge fear their community is set to become an industrial hub

Village calls for Holyrood to intervene in industrial projects

A UK parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma is calling for a national plan to improve maternity and postnatal care, after it found poor care is "all-too-frequently tolerated as normal".



It heard evidence from more than 1,300 women including one who's described her experience to STV News.

Gráinne Ní Ghréacháin

The Scottish Government says it will carefully consider the findings and recommendations

UK parliamentary inquiry into standard of maternity care

The First Minister has welcomed the awarding of a £100m loan to help develop the former fabrication yard at Ardersier for the renewables sector.



The facility was a major employer in the boom times of the North Sea oil and gas sector in the 1970s and 80s.

Nicola McAlley

New owners want to harness the potential of wind power and breathe new life into the site.

First Minister welcomes new investment in Ardersier yard

Scotland's national badge of shame. That's how homeless organisations have described the number of people living in temporary accommodation.



Exclusive STV News figures reveal almost 17,000 households in Scotland are living in a home they can't call their own.



Almost every council area had reported a rise in such households over the last two years.



The housing minister says nearly £600m will be invested in affordable housing over the next two years.



STV News has speaking to one woman who's caught in the system. We've changed her voice to protect her identity.

Charities are calling on the new First Minister to declare a national housing emergency.

17,000 households in temporary homes, show exclusive figures

First Minister John Swinney chaired his first cabinet meeting on Friday morning since taking up the position.



He then embarked on a three-stop tour of the country, taking in a visit to a hospital, a railway station and a farm.



His deputy, Kate Forbes, has also been officially sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

Swinney is keen to show that the business of government under his leadership is under way.

Swinney chairs first Cabinet as Forbes is sworn in

Those who struggled to get access to the health services they needed through the Covid pandemic claim they felt "abandoned" by the NHS.



The Scottish Covid Inquiry has heard evidence of the impact on health and social care.

Oliver Wright

The inquiry has heard evidence of the impact the pandemic had on health and social care. 

Health service users felt ‘abandoned’ hears Covid Inquiry

Overworked and under threat of violence, that’s the message from two teaching unions at their annual conferences.



The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association claims excessive workloads are pushing the profession into crisis.



Meanwhile the NASUWT union says “dangerous and disruptive behaviour” in the classroom is only getting worse – but the Scottish Government insists a behaviour action plan is coming.

Teachers in Scotland are facing harmful levels of stress and burnout.

Teachers facing ‘moral blackmail’ to do overtime, says union

School pupils in Angus are being offered the chance to try their hand at being a vet nurse as the industry faces a workforce crisis.



Thrums Vets in Kirriemuir has launched a free two-day course for 15 to 17 year olds to encourage more young people to consider a career caring for animals.



The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons say Covid and Brexit created the 'perfect storm' of more people with pets but less vets to treat them.

The sessions will run at various times throughout the year.

School pupils offered free vet course as industry in ‘crisis’

A mother says she's been to hell and back after waiting ten years to find out if her son's death could've been prevented.



Warren Fenty, 20, died from a drugs overdose at Kittybrewster Police Station in Aberdeen in 2014.



As part of Scotland's longest running fatal accident inquiry, a sheriff has ruled his death may have been avoided, and there had been 'institutional failure' by Police Scotland.

STV News spoke to Warren's mother, Sharon, about her fight for justice.

Death of young man in police custody preventable, rules Sheriff

An Aberdeen mother has praised the support on offer for deaf children after her son was born with profound hearing loss.



Now the National Deaf Children's Society are urging parents to reach out and access the support that's available.

Figures show 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents with no experience of the condition

Aberdeen mother praises support for deaf children

Families from across Scotland have gathered at a special art exhibition in Dundee to honour those impacted by asbestos.



Portraits of people who are either living with, or have died from, asbestos related diseases have gone on display.



Together, they paint a powerful picture of the devastation exposure to this once popular building material has caused.

Around 100 people gathered in Dundee to witnesses the unveiling of Craig Semple's work.

Exhibition opens honouring those impacted by asbestos

John Swinney has held First Minister's Questions for the first time since taking on the top job, and faced a tough time from all sides of the Scottish Parliament.



On Thursday, Labour and the Conservatives questioned his own record over 16 years in Government, and the Greens challenged the direction of the Scottish Government without them in it.

The FM says he will provide fresh leadership for Scotland.

John Swinney takes inaugural First Minister’s Questions

People living with what's thought to be the most common genetic connective tissue disorder in Scotland are waiting on average 20 years for a diagnosis.



Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes are a group of life-long conditions that affect tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and organs.



Campaigners are raising awareness at Holyrood in a bid to encourage a better pathway to care as it's estimated around 20,000 people are living with the condition.

One patient told STV News the pain is often so bad, it leaves her feeling suicidal.

Patients waiting 20 years for Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes diagnosis

Bosses at Ocean Terminal have confirmed that the redevelopment of the centre is expected to be complete by the end of this year.



The project hit a major milestone this week, as main works to demolish a third of the centre got under way.

It comes as part of a £250m investment in Leith’s waterfront.

Ocean Terminal redevelopment hits demolition milestone

Known as the father of wind power, the achievements of James Blyth have been celebrated in his hometown of Marykirk.



A plaque was unveiled at his former home to mark his achievements of developing the world's first turbine, which has helped to grow Scotland's globally pioneering wind industry.

James Blyth was celebrated at the house where he grew up in Aberdeenshire.



Plaque unveiled to celebrate wind turbine inventor

The Scottish Government has reassured the fishing industry that "support will continue" under John Swinney's leadership.



Fishermen say they're cautiously optimistic, and that the government must work to address the challenges the industry faces.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon was addressing the Skipper Expo in Aberdeen.

Support for fishing industry ‘will continue’ says Holyrood

At Bute House, newly sworn in First Minister John Swinney spent the afternoon putting together his top team as he tries to unite his party.



As promised, a big promotion for Kate Forbes - she's now deputy first minister and will also take on the economy brief.



The former deputy, Shona Robison, offered to step aside but remains as finance secretary.



It is the only change to the Cabinet formed under Humza Yousaf.

Opposition parties say it will mean continued chaos at the heart of government.

Forbes gets deputy as new FM Swinney reveals Cabinet

First elected to Westminster in 1997 as the MP for Tayside North, he was one of the original intake when the Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999, representing Perthshire North, which he still holds today.



STV News has been to Swinney's hometown of Blairgowrie to find out about the person behind the politician.

After 27 years in politics, he is now Scotland's 7th First Minister.

Friends and constituents react as John Swinney becomes First Minister

Power companies profits aren't excessive, they're fair and reasonable, says the chief executive of the energy regulator Ofgem.



He was asked about the £30bn worth of profits energy suppliers are making in a year.

It comes as one man told STV News he's paying more than £400 a month for his gas and electricity.

Ofgem head says high profits ‘fair and reasonable’

It's a pioneering project, that drastically reduced teenage drinking and drug taking in Iceland.



Now the voices of Dundee school pupils are at the centre of the scheme here, as they help to shape improvements to children's lives.

It's believed lasting change is possible within a generation.

Dundee learning from Iceland to tackle teen drink and drug use

The project to dual the A9 slipped down the list of Government priorities after 2014, according to former first minister Alex Salmond.



Giving evidence to the Public Petitions Committee this morning, Salmond said, when he had been in office, the dualling of the route by 20-25 was challenging, but achievable.

The inquiry is examining, why the dualling programme, has been delayed by ten years, to 2035

A9 dualling slipped down priorities Salmond tells inquiry

John Swinney has been elected the new First Minister of Scotland, the third in little over a year, and the seventh in the history of the Scottish Parliament.



Swinney said it was an "extraordinary privilege" to fill the role after 25 years in the Parliament.



He said he offered himself as the First Minister to everyone in Scotland.



He added that, as a minority Government, he would need to work with other parties to make things happen and he acknowledged the Parliament is intensely polarised.

He replaces Humza Yousaf who formally stepped down this morning.

John Swinney elected as seventh First Minister of Scotland

As well as trying to reunite the SNP and reach across the political divide - John Swinney inherits a lengthy to-do list as First Minister.



From clearing the NHS backlog, to resetting relationships with businesses - he won't have his troubles to seek.



All of that while operating as a minority Government.



STV News looks at the challenges ahead for Scotland's seventh First Minister.

Child poverty, the NHS and the cost of living crisis are but a few of the issue on the horizon.

What are the challenges ahead for the new First Minister?

John Swinney is already facing calls from the housing sector to prioritise the crisis there. 



Housing organisations have expressed concerns about the Scottish Government watering down their commitment to tackling the issue.



Five council areas have now declared housing emergencies and many are concerned problems will worsen following the ending of the Bute House Agreement.



Tenants are worried they'll face further rent increases if there isn't additional investment to build more homes.

Currently, there's not enough supply to meet the incredible demand

Calls for incoming FM not to water down Housing Bill

The author of a major review of gender identity services for young people has told a Holyrood committee more research is needed before puberty-blocking drugs can be prescribed to under-eighteens.



The use of the treatment is currently suspended in Scotland after the report by Doctor Hilary Cass into the system in England found the current evidence on medical interventions is "remarkably weak".

Scotland has seen a big rise in young people seeking advice about gender dysphoria.

More puberty blocker research needed hears Holyrood committee

Scotland’s first Multiple Sclerosis Doctoral Training Centre, helping people with moderate to severe forms of the condition to manage their symptoms with physical activity, has opened at Glasgow Caledonian University.



Scotland has the highest rates of MS in the world with more than 15,000 people living with the condition.

The centre is to explore how exercise can help those with the condition.

Scotland’s first Multiple Sclerosis Doctoral Training Centre opens

Injured officers are preparing to launch legal action against Police Scotland following “unprecedented” violence on Bonfire Night last year in Niddrie.



They say the disorder has resulted in some having hearing loss and claim that the force failed to provide them with adequate ear protection, despite having the equipment.



Police Scotland said a full roll-out of new noise defenders is now under way.

Last year Bonfire Night saw police officers targeted with fireworks and other projectiles.


Injured officers to launch legal action against Police Scotland

A travel transformation is taking place between two coastal communities in Tayside.



£18m has been spent upgrading the route between Broughty Ferry and Monifieth, encouraging more people to cycle and walk.

Susan Nicholson

It's hoped the travel transformation will improve the lives of locals and visitors.

£18m spent on new promenade route in Tayside

To mark World Asthma Day, an Aberdeen-based charity says more awareness is required to prevent further deaths in children and young people.



A mother told STV News her daughter would still be alive if an emergency inhaler had been available.



Elaine Cunningham lost 19-year-old Lauren Reid after an asthma attack.

Kirstin Tait

Figures show the UK has the highest number of asthma deaths in children and young people in Europe.

Charity calls for more awareness on World Asthma Day

A new exhibition about the Japanese Kimono and it's influence on art, fashion and film has opened to the public at the V&amp;A museum. 



The collection is the last stop on the international tour of Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk.



Almost three hundred objects have been collected to tell the story of one of Japan's most recognisable garments.



Felicity Clifford reports

Felicity Clifford

A new exhibtion looks at the history of the iconic kimono.

Kyoto to Catwalk exhibiton explores Japanese dress at the V&A museum

The world's largest Lego event of its kind is about to land in Edinburgh. This is the first time Brick Fest Live has taken place in the UK.More than a million toy bricks will be on display ready for fans to make their own creations. 







Laura Piper reports

Laura Piper

More than one millions pieces of Lego will be on show at the event.

There’s a lot of love for Lego at Edinburgh’s Brick Fest Live

'We need new ferries', that’s the call from Scotland’s island community who are facing an uncertain summer relying on an ageing ferry fleet.



Solving this problem will be high up the agenda for the next First Minister as the tourist season approaches with a consulatation asking the public for their views. 



Vanessa Taaffe reports

An island community is calling on the Scottish Government to prioritise new ferries

Concerns grow over Scotland’s aging ‘lifeline’ ferry network

The SNP will be heading into the general election with a new party leader and First Minister, after Humza Yousaf dramatically resigned on Monday. 



John Swinney is currently the only contender after Kate Forbes stood down on the promise of a signifcant role in his government. Unless another wildcard candidate emerges before Monday, he could be sworn in as early as next week. 



But what do party members think of the situation? Laura Alderman reports

What next for the SNP after a tumultuous week in Scottish politics? 


What’s next for the SNP  – and will John Swinney become First Minister?

John Swinney looks on course to become the next leader of the SNP and First Minister.



He promised he would not be taking the position on an interim basis as he launched his campaign this morning.



Hours later Kate Forbes issued a statement saying she will not run against him.

John Swinney was previously elected SNP leader almost 24 years ago

Swinney on course to be new FM as Forbes will not run

Nine years ago tomorrow Sheku Bayoh died after being restrained by police officers in Kirkcaldy.



Today, at the public inquiry into his death, the man who was Scotland's most senior law officer at the time said it was "obvious" from the start that issues around race could be a factor.



In his evidence, former Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland also said he'd told his successor it was important to maintain personal contact with Mr Bayoh's family.

Mr Bayoh died on May 3, 2015 after he was restrained by police officers

Race ‘obvious’ factor in death of Sheku Bayoh says former Lord Advocate

Veterans at a social enterprise company in Erskine are being rewarded for their efforts, with a King’s Award for Enterprise.



The 21 workers at Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company make road and rail signs.

Fraser Nicoll

Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company specialises in the production of signs

Veteran’s social enterprise company receives King’s Award

A major renovation of Edinburgh's King's Theatre is well under way - almost one thousand tonnes of rubble has been excavated from the site, in what is the biggest project at the venue in recent years.



There's also a plea for those who may have old stories of the building to come forward with their cherished memories.

Once complete, it will feature new accessible lifts and stairwells as well as a new bar

Good progress in King’s Theatre redevelopment

It's a celebration of the diverse voices that shape Aberdeen.



The Rise Up festival kicks off in the Granite City this week, with three days of art and music performed by black and people of colour.

STV News - Aberdeen