Louise Wilson

Edinburgh, Glasgow

Political Editor and Sketch Writer at Holyrood

Political Editor, sketch writer and generally nosy person, for @HolyroodDaily 📨 [email protected] She/her

Articles

John Swinney defends government record on cancer waits

2 days ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

First Minister John Swinney had defended his government over cancer waiting times after the latest figures showed they were the worst on record. He said the NHS was treating a higher number of patients with cancer on time than six years ago, before the coronavirus pandemic, but accepted the failure to meet the 62-day target was “not acceptable”.
Devolved parliaments hit out at ‘inadequate consultation’ on welfare reforms amid growing Labour rebellion

3 days ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The three devolved parliaments have jointly criticised the “inadequate consultation and engagement” from the UK Government over its planned changes to disability benefits. The conveners of Holyrood’s social security committee, the Welsh Senedd’s equality committee and the Northern Ireland Assembly’s communities committee have written a letter to Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, over the reforms.
'Is this for real?' Russell Findlay asks John Swinney over school violence guidance

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has hit out at Scottish Government guidance on tackling violence in schools. Dubbing the document published this week "tedious, hand-wringing nonsense", Findlay called on ministers to "empower teachers" to take a stricter line on violent and disruptive behaviour. First Minister John Swinney said Findlay's description of the guidance was incorrect and defended its contents.
Grooming gang inquiry must be extended to Scotland, Scottish Tories say

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The Scottish Conservatives have urged the UK Government to extend its inquiry into grooming gangs to Scotland. Home secretary Yvette Cooper announced the probe on Monday as a report on the scale and nature of child sexual abuse in England and Wales was published. The report, put together by Baroness Louise Casey, concluded the ethnicity of people involved in grooming gangs had been “shied away from”, with ethnicity only recorded for around a third of perpetrators.
What next for national parks now the Galloway plan has been scrapped?

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Liz Hitschmann and Denise Findlay are frantic but thrilled when I call them less than an hour after it is confirmed that Galloway will not become Scotland’s third national park. “I haven’t taken it on board yet to be honest, because there’s just been so much going on,” Hitschmann says, gesturing to her phone which continues pinging throughout our chat. “Obviously we’re highly delighted. We couldn’t hope for more, really, it’s a better result than we could have hoped for.
Winter fuel payment: ‘No pensioner in Scotland will receive less’ than English counterparts

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The Scottish Government will match the UK Government’s offer to pensioners receiving the winter fuel payment, the first minister has confirmed. Chancellor Rachel Reeves partially U-turned on scrapping the payment last week, with a new scheme set to be put in place for next winter to ensure those with an annual income of £35,000 or less receive the cash. The benefit was removed last year for all pensioners except those in receipt of pension credit, a widely unpopular move.
Hamilton gives Anas Sarwar some hope - but there is still a mountain to climb

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

In the days running up to the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, Scottish Labour was quietly confident. Internal data suggested support for the party was ever so slightly ahead of the SNP, and victory was in touching distance so long as it managed to convince those minded to back candidate Davy Russell to actually go out and vote for him.
Sketch: Neil Bibby foreshadows a win

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Thursday 5 June 2025. Race day. Politicians assemble at the start line. Waiting for the firing gun. Hungry for the win. No, not a metaphor for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. An actual sprint race organised at the Scottish Parliament to highlight Cerebra’s Relay Your Way event championing inclusive sport. Bill Kidd – a one-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee – has persuaded politicians to put down their arms for a half hour to take part in the event.
Alexander Dennis job losses ‘another SNP failure’ says Anas Sarwar

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The potential closure of bus maker Alexander Dennis is “another result of SNP failure”, Anas Sarwar has said. Accusing ministers of not doing enough to protect Scottish manufacturing, the Scottish Labour leader highlighted Manchester mayor Andy Burnham “has bought almost four times as many buses” from the company than the government. First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” about the proposed closure of the two factories in Falkirk and Larbert.
Mairi McAllan becomes housing secretary in minor government reshuffle

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Mairi McAllan has become the new housing secretary as John Swinney undertakes a slight reshuffle of his ministerial team. Gillian Martin has taken on McAllan’s previous role as energy secretary, which she has been covering for the last year as McAllan was on maternity leave. The new minister for drugs and alcohol policy is Maree Todd, who will also retain responsibility for sport. That vacancy was created following the death of Christina McKelvie in March.