BREXIT / INDEPENENCE
- Former First Minister, Alex Salmond, has indicated a decision on whether to hold a new independence referendum could come within weeks, suggesting a possible autumn 2018 referendum.
- A new poll, commissioned by the Labour Party, shows that only one in five Scots back the creation of a separate currency for an independent Scotland , and that Brexit is a more important issue to Scots than independence.
PARTY CONFERENCE SEASON
- Labour is to bring forward a motion at the party’s conference later this month which will call for the UK to adopt a “progressive federal structure” in the UK.
ECONOMY
- The Financial Technology (Fintech) sector continues its rise as ‘the next big thing’, with RBS announcing a new Fintech hub based at its Gogarburn headquarters.
FOOD/DRINK
- The new agreement between the EU and Canada risks harming iconic British food brands as it is understood UK ministers failed to add any to the free trade deal.
- Following last week’s lettuce shortage story, industry experts are forewarning an olive oil shortage this year.
HEALTH
- A Panelbase poll this weekend found 53 per cent of Scots supported reducing free universal benefits such as university tuition and elderly care.
TRANSPORT
- Scotrail has warned the Scottish Governments plans to merge British Transport Police functions into Police Scotland could lead to delays on the network.
ENVIRONMENT
- Green MSPs are to push to extend 20mph speeds limits across the country. This comes after a “patchwork” of 20 Zones has caused confusion in Edinburgh.
EDUCATION
- The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has announced further education lecturers are ready to strike over lack of progress on a pay deal.
COMING UP
- Parliaments at Westminster and Holyrood are in recess this week.
- The Scottish Government is to launch the ‘Future Me’ campaign. This encourages parents or guardians to talk about their dreams, and hopes to improve literacy and numeracy skills.