Ruaraidh Gilmour

Edinburgh

Reporter at Holyrood

Journalist @HolyroodDaily [email protected]

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Articles

John Swinney to launch programme for government early

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

John Swinney has announced he will bring forward his programme for government (PfG) to May. Speaking to the media at Bute House this morning, the first minister said launching his government’s intentions on 6 May will allow it 12 months to deliver ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections next year. Swinney said the PfG “will be laser-focused on delivery” in the face of “anxiety” caused by US tariffs.
Scottish Government could face £2bn ‘black hole’ from Labour cuts

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

The Scottish Government faces a £2bn “black hole” in public finances after recent cuts announced by the Labour-led UK Government, according to new data from the Scottish Conservatives. Analysing estimates by the Fraser of Allander Institute on the impact of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement on the block grant Scotland receives from the UK Government, the Scottish Conservatives estimate the deficit in welfare spending will increase from £1.7bn to £2.1bn by 2030.
HMP Barlinnie remains in ‘wretchedly poor state’, according to report

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

HMP Barlinnie remains in a “wretchedly poor state”, according to a new report by Scotland’s prisons inspectorate. Five years on from HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland’s (HMIPS) last report into Scotland’s largest prison, which identified Letham Hall, a building within the facility, as in a state of disrepair, it found despite some refurbishments it is in a similarly poor state.
Anna Dominiczak: Health innovation requires the NHS, academia and the life sciences industry

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

St Andrew’s House, home to Scotland’s army of civil servants, acts as a metaphor for the transition Scotland has undergone during the last century. The turreted Governor’s House, the only remaining building from the old Calton Jail that stood on the ground before the government building was constructed, signifies a shift to permanent administration and governance from Edinburgh in the late 1930s, with it being the first purpose-built headquarters of the Scottish Office in Scotland.
Finding a healthier relationship with alcohol

3 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

I’ve recently taken some time off booze – 12 weeks to be exact. Not that I am counting. I’ll be honest, it was a very merry Christmas, and by Hogmanay I was fed up. The build-up to the festive break was filled with events, mostly involving too much alcohol, and by the end of the month, which was capped off in pubs I hadn’t been to since I left school and with friends that I tend only to see around that odd period between Boxing Day and Hogmanay, I was feeling worse for wear.
University of Dundee cuts to be ‘worse than expected’

3 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

The number of staff potentially affected by job cuts at the University of Dundee could be as high as 700. It was previously reported that job losses would be 632, however, the university’s interim principal Shane O’Neill confirmed the figure related to full-time-equivalent roles, and the number of staff affected would be higher. In a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s education committee, he provided further details as to how the university will try to bridge its £35m deficit.
Shona Robison says Anas Sarwar ‘in hiding’ after welfare cuts announced

1 month ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

Shona Robison said Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was “in hiding” as she accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of introducing a new wave of austerity. Analysis by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that around three million families will lose out as a result of the benefit changes announced in today’s spring statement. Robison, the Scottish Government finance secretary, criticised the plan set out by Reeves, describing it as “austerity on stilts”.
Jackie Baillie says Keir Starmer ‘not a liability’ in run-up to Scottish election

1 month ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

Keir Stamer will not undermine Scottish Labour’s election chances, Jackie Baillie has said. Asked whether the prime minister was an asset or a liability, the Scottish Labour deputy leader said: “Keir Starmer is not a liability.” Baillie was appearing on a panel at Holyrood’s Connections 2025 event in Edinburgh alongside Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain and Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Rachael Hamilton.
Health experts warn ‘people will die’ from government cuts

1 month ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

Public health experts are warning that “people will die” as a consequence of reported cuts to social security by the chancellor. Writing in the British Medical Journal, they say life expectancy has already worsened in the UK’s most disadvantaged areas over the last 15 years as a result of austerity measures. The warning comes on the eve of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, where she will likely announce a wave of spending cuts.
Public health: Eyes back on the ball

1 month ago | holyrood.com | Ruaraidh Gilmour

It’s almost five years to the day since Boris Johnson addressed the nation as Covid infections surged across most of the world. The then prime minister described the virus as “the biggest threat this country has faced for decades” and announced a nationwide lockdown, restricting people’s movement to essential travel for the first time. Scotland spent more than 200 days in lockdown and further days under partial restrictions were much higher, particularly in the most populated local authorities.