Westminster accused of 'misleading' over privatisation of search and rescue services

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 15:40

9 Comments

By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP's defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has slammed the privatisation of military helicopter search and rescue services as 'misguided' and accused the Department of Transport of 'misleading' him about the changes in Scotland.

It was announced on Tuesday that the service is to be privatised with the Bristow Group winning a 10-year £1.6bn contract to run the service from 2015, ending 70 years of search and rescue from the RAF and Royal Navy.

Scotland suffers again as MoD breaks another defence pledge

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 00:17

23 Comments

By a Newsnet reporter

Scotland has suffered yet another defence blow after it emerged that aircraft thought to have been earmarked for the RAF base at Lossiemouth will instead be heading to England.

In a shock announcement by the UK Ministry of Defence, the department confirmed its intention to renege on a previous commitment to station the RAF's newest aircraft at the Morayshire base.

SNP group slam council decision to put payrises before bedroom tax victims

Monday, 25 March 2013 21:20

2 Comments

By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP group in Aberdeen city council have submitted an emergency motion calling on the Labour-Conservative coalition which governs the city not to evict anyone who falls into arrears as a result of the bedroom tax, if they take all reasonable steps to pay.

The council rejected a previous motion calling on Aberdeen housing department stop bedroom tax evictions, but at the same time they passed a motion raising the salaries of senior administration members.

Survey shows Scots want own government at EU top table

Monday, 25 March 2013 00:46

7 Comments

A new opinion poll shows that a majority of people want to see Scotland represented in the EU by the Scottish Government rather than Westminster.

The YouGov poll conducted on behalf of the SNP, found that when asked which government would be best at representing Scotland and Scottish interests in the EU, 50% of people in Scotland put their trust in the Scottish Government.

SNP conference calls for constitutional ban on nuclear weapons

Saturday, 23 March 2013 21:37

0 Comments

By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP conference has given its overwhelming support to a motion proposing that the new Scottish constitution should include a specific ban on nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction being sited on Scottish soil.

Last year First Minister Alex Salmond called for an independent Scotland to have a written constitution, drawn up in a future constitutional convention which draws in people from across all walks of life.

Alex Salmond's keynote conference speech in full

Saturday, 23 March 2013 19:46

4 Comments

By First Minister Alex Salmond

First minister Alex Salmond has presented his keynote speech at the SNP Spring Conference in Inverness. Here is the text of the speech in full.

A week is indeed a long time in politics. On Thursday we announced the date of the independence referendum – Scotland’s date with destiny.

New poll shows a majority want all financial and welfare decisions to be made in Scotland

Friday, 22 March 2013 23:26

9 Comments

By a Newsnet reporter

As SNP delegates arrive for the start of SNP conference, a new YouGov poll has found that a clear majority of Scots want all tax, spend and welfare decisions to be made by the Scottish Government.

The poll found that 52% of respondents thought that the Scottish Government should be responsible for all tax and spending decisions in Scotland - including oil and gas tax revenue, with 35% supporting Westminster control.