59 m. ago Voices: Zero change. Zero growth. Zero hope of Rachel Reeves being rescued

The chancellor, faced with a flatlining economy, is trapped in an impossible dilemma – come the Budget she’ll have to break her election promises or break her fiscal rules, warns John Rentoul

Events

4 h. ago Douglas Alexander says Labour MPs 'despondent' after firing of Lord Mandelson over Jeffrey Epstein links

The new Scottish Secretary also said he felt "revulsion” after reading the emails between Mandelson and Epstein.

Politics

5 h. ago Douglas Alexander warns John Swinney 'not to play politics' with Scotch whisky industry

The Scottish Secretary said "if we have divisions at home, we will be less influential abroad" as the UK seeks to renegotiate its trade deal with the US.

Events

6 h. ago Douglas Alexander accuses John Swinney of 'playing politics' over whisky with Donald Trump meeting

The Scottish Secretary said the First Minister had misrepresented his own role

Politics

7 h. ago PM would not have appointed Mandelson if he had known ‘extent of Epstein link’

Lord Mandelson was sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the US on Thursday.

Politics

8 h. ago Peter Mandelson was picked as UK's Trump whisperer as White House is 'uncoventional'

Sacked US Ambassador Peter Mandelson was selected because of the 'unconventional' White House, Labour minister Douglas Alexander said

Politics

8 h. ago Trade deal on Scotch whisky ‘very high’ on UK Government agenda – Alexander

US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in the UK for a state visit next week.

Politics

29 h. ago Big pharma will stop investing in UK, warns eminent scientist Sir John Bell

Warning follows news of US drugmaker Merck’s decision to scrap planned £1bn London research centreSir John Bell, a prominent scientist who brought business and government together during the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, has warned that other big pharmaceutical companies will stop investing in the UK, after Merck’s decision to scrap its planned £1bn London research centre.Bell, a former regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, told the BBC’s Today programme that he had spoken to several chief executives of large companies in the past six months “and they’re all in the same space, and that is, they’re not going to do any more investing in the UK”. Continue reading...

Events

29 h. ago Big pharma will stop investing in UK, top scientist warns after Merck’s £1bn exit

Comments by former professor of medicine at Oxford follow scrapping of planned London research centre Sir John Bell, a prominent scientist who brought business and government together during the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, has warned that other big pharmaceutical companies will stop investing in the UK, after Merck’s decision to scrap its planned £1bn London research centre.Bell, a former regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, told Today on BBC Radio 4 that he had spoken to several chief executives of large companies in the past six months “and they’re all in the same space, and that is, they’re not going to do any more investing in the UK”. Continue reading...

Events

48 h. ago John Swinney warns Donald Trump whisky tariffs are cutting jobs in birthplace of President's mother

The First Minister met with the Republican leader in the Oval Office for around 50 minutes on Tuesday where the future of the Scotch Whisky industry was discussed.

Events

49 h. ago Swinney says there is a ‘real chance’ for a better deal on tariffs for Scotch

The Scottish First Minister spoke after discussing the issue with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Tuesday.

Economics

3 d. ago Ian Murray and Douglas Alexander to do 'show of unity' days after brutal sacking

EXCLUSIVE: The pair are expected to address a meeting of Scottish Labour MPs today.

Politics

3 d. ago John Swinney 'pressing the case' for Scotch whisky in battle against Donald Trump tariffs

The First Minister has jetted off to Washington DC as part of a trade mission pushing for a better deal for Scotland's most famous export.

Politics

3 d. ago Scots Labour MP brands Douglas Alexander a 'wee p***k' after Ian Murray sacking

EXCLUSIVE - The parliamentarian was scathing about the appointment of Alexander to the role of Scottish Secretary: “If I had a pound for everyone who liked Douglas, I would have 50p.”

Politics

4 d. ago Alexander hails ‘defence dividend’ for Scotland from new UK Government strategy

The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy will provide a ‘real boost’ for Scotland’s economy, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said.

Politics

5 d. ago Douglas Alexander ‘looking forward to being Scotland’s voice’

The new Scottish Secretary formally takes up the role on Monday.

Events

5 d. ago Douglas Alexander: Labour can disprove critics and stage fightback in Scotland

The new Scottish Secretary made the comments after his predecessor, Ian Murray, was sacked on Friday

Politics

5 d. ago Douglas Alexander says Anas Sarwar is 'nobody's branch office manager' as he plots Labour fightback in Scotland

The new Scottish Secretary insisted Labour would make a political comeback next year despite trailing the SNP in the polls.

Society

5 d. ago Douglas Alexander: Scottish Labour branch office claims are 'nonsense'

The new Scottish Secretary made the comments after his predecessor, Ian Murray, was sacked on Friday

Politics

6 d. ago Labour veteran Alexander says return to Scotland Office a ‘real honour’

Douglas Alexander replaces the sacked Ian Murray as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Politics