SNP under pressure as Holyrood votes to extend newspaper rates relief

David Linden has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to make the Universal Credit uplift permanent as part of a wider post-covid recovery programme.The Glasgow East MP said axing the uplift - worth £1040 a year to claimants - at a time of rising unemployment would be "unconscionable".Linden, the Nationalists' spokesman on work and pensions, spoke out as the Tory Chancellor prepares to deliver a Budget like no other in recent history.The UK Government says it will set out "the next phase of the plan

social security payments.Glasgow South West MP said: “We are in the middle of a health and economic crisis, and the uplift in Universal Credit has provided a lifeline for many struggling families and households during these unprecedented and challenging times.

The SNP would fail to win a Yes vote in the wake of the Alex Salmond inquiry, a new poll has revealed.A bombshell survey found that the majority of people in Scotland no longer want to break away from the rest of the United Kingdom.It is clear evidence that the feud between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her former mentor now threatens to destroy their political dream.The Survation survey for the Sunday Mail revealed support for independence has dropped from 58 per cent in October to a 50/50

the cross-party inquiry this afternoon, with the session expected to last around four hours. Salmond had been due to appear on Wednesday but later cancelled as a result of the Scottish Parliament executive body's decision to censor some of previously submitted evidence.

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neglecting general practice while the party "obsesses about how to break up the UK".There were 928 practices across Scotland in 2020 according to a recent report from Public Health Scotland, down from 1,025 in 2008.The average number of patients registered at a GP practice has also risen by 13% in that time to 6,234 - but there is a huge variation across the country.The average practice size in Aberdeen as high as 9,074, compared to 8,065 in Edinburgh, 7,360 in Dundee and 5,158 in

budget.Party strategists hailed the “fantastic news” as Scots prepare for an election in May.But the Tory opposition leader warned the focus is a damaging distraction during the pandemic and financial crisis.There is no date for a second referendum and Prime Minister Boris Johnson opposes all calls for another vote.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested one in the next parliamentary session, assuming an SNP victory in May.

disunity among nationalists, Kenny MacAskill said many potential voters "are neither in a party nor want to be".The MP for East Lothian called for other pro-independence organisations to be "respected not directed" if a second referendum was eventually to take place.Nationalists are split over both the timing and the best way to secure a legally-binding vote on the constitution.

Scottish Government’s children’s minister, after apparently swearing at her during a Holyrood meeting.

budget update for the year ahead.The measures were announced after it became clear how much money Holyrood would get from additional spending by the UK Government.Three months of rate relief had been outlined in the annual budget, leading to calls for an extension and for the same support to be given to the media.Tories said it was a welcome “U-turn”.Forbes said: “When I presented our budget last month I guaranteed to extend non-domestic rates relief further if I was given the necessary

link!Representative for East Kilbride Central North, Councillor Fagain said the budget failed to meet the needs of local government. He told the News : “It doesn’t even come close.

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link!“While council leaders from other parts of Scotland have been pressing ministers on funding, the SNP here have been silent. They have a responsibility to shield communities from austerity, but they’d rather shield Nicola Sturgeon from the blame.“If they won’t stand up for local people now, they never will.“With an absence of political leadership at the SNP council, it falls to Labour to expose the scandal of South Lanarkshire’s missing millions.

Yes vote ahead, but the gap with unionists has tightened. The Savanta ComRes poll, published by The Scotsman, put support for independence at 47%, compared with 42% for staying in the UK and 10% undecided.

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Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

independence even further.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Shamed politician Derek Mackay has been savaged by the woman who hopes to win his seat exactly one year on from his spectacular fall.Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Julie Pirone branded it “shameful and disgraceful” that Mackay has clung onto his job.It was a year ago on Saturday that he was forced to resign as SNP Finance Secretary.Details of his inappropriate messages to a 16-year-old boy

will be deployed to help administer jabs across the country's health boards. The additional personnel will make up a Vaccine Quick Reaction Force which will see five teams of 10 able to be sent across Scotland at short notice to assist NHS staff in delivering the vaccine.