Calls for Renfrewshire churches to reopen in time for Easter

Scottish Labour leader called on the Scottish Government to do more on mental health at a time of rising stress for many.

Perthshire dog rescue charity has backed the Scottish SPCA’s calls to introduce a national register to detail those who have been cruel to animals.The move for a National Animal Offenders Register would help stop the breach of bans on keeping animals to prevent those with relevant convictions getting a licence to breed or sell pets.Such a register would also help link animal cruelty with other offences such as domestic violence and record and monitor notices relating to the Control of Dogs

have been shut since October while many stores were forced to pull down their shutters on Christmas Eve as the country entered another tough period of normal life being suspended.Since then the average number of covid cases being reported each day has plummeted while hospitalisations related to the virus have also been drastically reduced.

Johnson said that for Scots to go through another divisive referendum campaign in the midst of rebuilding after covid was “the last thing they need right now.”The PM said he found it “incredible then that the SNP would choose this moment to again push their campaign for separation”.He called on Tory activists to make the SNP listen to voters’ priorities.He told the conference: “They are intent on pushing for a referendum, regardless of the cost to Scotland and the whole of the UK."So that means

Ayrshire home.Officers were called to a property in Shavian Terrace in Kilwinning yesterday morning, it has been confirmed today.Cops say that the death is currently being treated as "unexplained" but isn't considered to be suspicious. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We received a report shortly after 11.05am on Wednesday, March 10 relating to the sudden death of a man at a property on Shavian Terrace in Kilwinning.

East Kilbride has a bright future – if investment in its economy is at the heart of the recovery from the COVID pandemic.Speaking exclusively to the East Kilbride News, Douglas Ross MP said far more needs to be done to protect jobs and offer people in the town hope for the future.“We need to focus on getting through the health emergency, but Parliament needs to secure people’s jobs and support businesses who have been through a difficult 12 months,” he said.“And there are more difficult times

The Killers have rescheduled their ‘Imploding the Mirage’ tour to 2022 - but confirmed a new Scotland date.The band were due to perform across the UK and Ireland in May this year but these plans were scuppered due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on live events.The Mr Brightside hitmakers have now postponed all dates until next year, while adding an extra show in Falkirk on June 7, 2022.In a statement, The Killers said: "UK and Ireland friends… We’re sorry, but there’s no way around

iOS and Android.Council leader Douglas Reid (SNP) said: "We are one of the first in Scotland to do the local gift card – we have 140 local businesses signed up to that."He said young people will spend the money with businesses based in the area and can even get a haircut as barbers are signed up.The Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse politician said it was a huge hit over Christmas and traders reported a boost.The family gift card award was signed off today along with a number of new schemes as part

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The Bishop of Paisley is backing a call for congregation caps to be lifted from parish churches.The rule of a maximum 20 people allowed inside whether it’s a vast cathedral or rural chapel has left John Keenan “frustrated”.The bishop has branded the rule arbitrary, rather than being based on a system.He’s among three Scottish bishops being touted as the new Archbishop of Glasgow.There are 34 parishes within

is giving evidence today to a Holyrood committee investigating how the Scottish Government managed to botch its own internal complaints process - a mistake which ended up costing the taxpayer more than £500,000.

Barnett bugleAn extra £1.2 bllion for Scottish government to decide what to spend on. This is on top of £9.7 billion extra in the past year for pandemic support.Going green in AberdeenA £27 million investment in the oil industry to fund a renewables strategy to potentially create of almost 13,000 jobs in the north east.

school after the Easter holidays.In a statement to MSPs the First Minister said all primary school children will be back in the classroom in two weeks time by March 15.The resumption of face-to-face learning is dependent on the state of the virus in Scotland.Last week kids from primary one to three were allowed back to the classroom after restrictions were lifted slightly.The SNP leader said all primary school pupils will be able to return to childcare as well in the coming weeks.Sturgeon told

Child Benefit for their care.This number helps identify you on UK and Scottish Government systems, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland.However, a worrying new scam involving National Insurance numbers has resulted in a surge of more than 1,000 calls to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.Victims have reported receiving an automated telephone call, during which they are told their

East Kilbride store will not reopen to clear stock, the retail giant has announced.Nearly 650 Scottish staff are to be made redundant in the latest blow to retail.It comes after the department store folded and a £55million takeover by online retailer Boohoo in January saved the iconic name - but not the shops.While stores in stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will re-open for a short period to complete its stock liquidation process when the relaxation of restrictions allow, the same

BBC Scotland presenter has been slammed after calling herself a 'midget' during an autocue blunder.Viewers raged at Sally Magnusson after she said she had to 'become a midget' to bend down and see her script during Reporting Scotland last night.She had lost her place live on air after it appeared the autocue had accidentally showed the wrong story leaving her to think on her feet.But the awkward moment left some viewers furious at her 'cruel' choice of words.'Midget' is often used as an

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A Johnstone community has emerged as one of the worst Covid-19 hotspots in Scotland, despite efforts to contain the virus.Johnstone South East, which flanks Elderslie, has seen the rate soar to the equivalent of nearly 500 cases per 100,000 people.It’s the only area in Renfrewshire that makes it into the highest outbreak level of above 400 cases.The cases were almost double the prevalence of number two on

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