5 d. ago John Swinney accused of 'abandoning' fireworks clampdown ahead of Bonfire Night 'war zone'

The SNP has ditched a planned licensing regime which would have meant Scots needed a permit to buy the pyrotechnics.

Events

8 d. ago Labour minister accuses John Swinney of 'deliberate misinformation' over Petrofac administration

Petrofac includes around 2,000 employees from its UK base in Aberdeen

Politics

2 w. ago Boris Johnson says DfE failed to plan for school closures during Covid crisis

Former PM tells inquiry that children ‘were paying a huge, huge price to protect the rest of society’Boris Johnson laid blame on the Department for Education (DfE) over its lack of preparation for school closures at the outbreak of the pandemic, telling the Covid-19 inquiry that he assumed detailed planning was going on behind the scenes.“We were focused on trying to delay the peak of the pandemic and we thought that the closure of schools, if it had to be used at all, would be a measure of last resort,” the former prime minister said. He added: “It was my impression that the work was being done. I certainly, let me put it this way, I certainly assumed that the work was being done.” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Boris Johnson denies UK failed to plan for Covid school closures

Former prime minister defends government’s response to pandemic but admits children paid ‘huge, huge price’

Politics

2 w. ago Boris Johnson says children paid a 'huge price' when schools were closed during Covid but officials DID plan ahead of 'nightmare' decision

The former PM told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that it was 'obvious' there would need to be 'consideration of closing schools' and he believed education bosses were making a plan.

Politics

2 w. ago UK did plan for mass school closures after onset of Covid, says Boris Johnson

Former prime minister gives evidence to official inquiry and defends his government’s response to pandemic

Politics

2 w. ago Johnson insists there had been planning for Covid school closures

The former prime minister is giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Politics

3 w. ago Covid plan rushed as decision to close all schools drafted overnight, says Williamson

Sir Gavin Williamson said blunders were made when making massive decisions like closing all schools during the covid pandemic as the inquiry into 2020 lockdown continues

Politics

3 w. ago Sir Gavin Williamson: ‘Many mistakes made’ with Covid school closures

The former education secretary told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry things should have been done differently.

Politics

3 w. ago John Swinney accused of lacking 'urgency' over need to close schools when Covid

Swinney, who was serving as Education Secretary in 2020, told the UK Covid Inquiry that shuttering schools was "not our preferred scenario".

Politics

3 w. ago John Swinney accused of 'dangerous dishonesty' as SNP leader insists Scotland 'on path to independence'

John Swinney has claimed that “Scotland is on a pathway to independence”.

Politics

3 w. ago Hundreds of drug dealers 'walking free' across Scotland over claims of court delays

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused John Swinney of being unable to "run a court system that sends drug dealers to prison".

Events

4 w. ago ‘Dereliction of duty’ not to plan for Covid school closures – academy boss

Former DfE director general for schools Sir Jon Coles said his trust got on planning for school closures in March 2020 before receiving direction

Politics