James Walker

2 days ago | thenational.scot | James Walker

On Monday, the Prime Minister set out plans to significantly reduce net migration as Labour seeks to head off the electoral threat from Reform UK. Under the White Paper proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship, but so-called “high-contributing” individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system. Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

3 days ago | thenational.scot | James Walker

In a Downing Street speech, the Prime Minister said the Labour Government would “take back control of our borders” and close the book on a “squalid chapter” for politics and the economy. Ministers are looking to bring down net migration figures, which stood at 728,000 in the year to mid-2024. Starmer said on Monday he wanted levels to have fallen significantly by the end of the Parliament, without setting a numerical target.

3 days ago | thenational.scot | James Walker

The Scottish Labour leader told The Daily Record that he was concerned the Bill doesn’t include "sufficient safeguards”. Last week, First Minister John Swinney also came out against assisted dying, saying that he had closely considered the bill but was concerned that society’s most vulnerable “may feel undue pressure to end their life prematurely”.

3 days ago | thenational.scot | James Walker

The research found it could even outstrip the peak of the North Sea oil and gas era. The report only looked at 251 large-scale projects and does not include analysis of the economic impacts on the wider supply chain – including industries such as tourism and food and drink, as well as public-sector spending. Stuart Black, the chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said the region could become the “engine room” for growing the Scottish economy.

3 days ago | thenational.scot | James Walker

He said the ride was going “full pelt” when their car separated (Image: Kevin McNulty) A FATHER has told how he saw a car on a fairground waltzer ride break off the track and crash with his children inside. Kevin McNulty’s children – aged 13, 12 and seven – were in a car on the ride at the Galactic Carnival fairground in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, when the incident took place on Saturday evening.