Politics
FollowScotRail to Permanently Scrap Peak Fares from September
ScotRail has confirmed that peak-time train fares in Scotland will be abolished permanently from 1 September 2025.
News Desk · 2 min readMP demands action over 'Insurance Lottery' following devastating Perth fire
Pete Wishart MP has written to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, demanding urgent government action to address what he describes as systemic failures and unethical practices within the insurance industry.
News Desk · 2 min readJim Fairlie MSP highlights progress in tackling child poverty under SNP government
Jim Fairlie MSP has welcomed new figures that show significant progress in reducing child poverty in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland, crediting the Scottish Government's commitment to social welfare under First Minister John Swinney’s leadership.
News Desk · 2 min readMurdo Fraser slams "sustained neglect" of policing in Tayside
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has criticised the SNP for what he describes as their “sustained neglect” of policing in Tayside.
News Desk · 1 min readCouncillors call for Conservation Area Reform
Conservative Councillors Noah Khogali and Angus Forbes call for Conservation Area Reform.
News Desk · 3 min read2,890 Families in Perth and Kinross to receive child payment increase
The Scottish Child Payment has been increased from £20 to £25 per week per child, meaning 2890 families in Perth and Kinross are set to receive a boost to their household incomes from the Scottish Government.
News Desk · 1 min read10,600 families in Perthshire will receive cost of living payments this year
Over 8 million households in the UK will get a cash payment from July 2022 to ease cost of living pressures.
News Desk · 1 min readFirst minister proposes second independence referendum vote next October
The Scottish Government is planning up an independence bill ready for October 2023, people living in Scotland will vote once again.
News Desk · 1 min readJohn Swinney meets with Ukraine volunteers
Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has visited a donation site to meet with volunteers organising a local Ukraine humanitarian effort.
News Desk · 2 min readScottish Conservatives calls for harsher fly-tipping penalties
Murdo Fraser wants to increase the current fixed penalty imposed from its current threshold of £200.
News Desk · 2 min readMurdo Fraser MSP urges SNP Government to clarify the completion date of the A9 dualling scheme between Perth and Inverness
Murdo Fraser MSP has expressed his frustration with the SNP Government due to them failing to provide any clarity on when the A9 dualling scheme between Perth and Inverness will be completed.
News Desk · 3 min readUpgrades to North Inch Golf Course completed
Golfers on one of Scotland’s oldest courses will benefit from a raft of new infrastructure improvements made as part of its ongoing regeneration.
News Desk · 2 min readSNP MP Margaret Ferrier suspended after breaching Covid-19 restrictions
The Rutherglen MP, who previously called for Dominic Cummings to resign over his Barnard Castle visit has been suspended after breaching covid-19 restrictions.
News Desk · 1 min readMSP Roseanna Cunningham to stand down from parliament at the 2021 election
MSP Roseanna Cunningham has announced she will stand down from parliament at the next election in 2021.
News Desk · 2 min readSNP Government's job start payment goes live
Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Perthshire South & Kinross-shire constituency, has welcomed a new Scottish benefit which starts this week and will help 16 to 24-year olds into work if they have been unemployed for over six months.
News Desk · 1 min read#ThankYouNicola trends on Twitter
Over 23,000 tweets have been posted on Twitter today, 21st of May after many of thousands show their appreciation to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
News Desk · 1 min readDisappointment over Tay Cities Deal budget
The Chancellor, Philip Hammond MP, confirmed in yesterday's Budget that the UK Government would commit £150m to the Tay Cities Deal – significantly less than the £200m pledged last week by the Scottish Government.
News Desk · 3 min readNew collaboration between young people in Malawi and Scotland to support action on climate change
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced funding for a new collaboration between young people in Malawi and Scotland to support action on climate change.
News Desk · 1 min readIndependent councillor Xander McDade kicked off two committees
Independent Councillor for Highland Perthshire, Xander McDade has been kicked off two committees.
News Desk · 1 min readInterview: Pete Wishart MP for Perth and North Perthshire
Pete Wishart MP for Perth and North Perthshire answered questions from Political Reporter Marco Douglas to discuss current issues, Brexit and local council budget for 2018/19.
News Desk · 1 min readInterview: Luke Graham MP for Ochil and South Perthshire
Luke Graham MP for Ochil and South Perthshire answered questions from our Political Reporter Marco Douglas to discuss current issues, Brexit and local council budget for 2018/19.
News Desk · 1 min readScotland's Council Funding Crisis
For my first article, I am looking at the ongoing funding crisis that is currently affecting all local authorities in Scotland.
News Desk · 3 min readLocal MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh publishes first annual report
Ochil and South Perthshire MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh this week published her first Annual Report following her election to Parliament in May 2015.
News Desk · 2 min readLegal highs set to be banned
The Queen announced in her speech today legal highs are to be banned in the UK.
News Desk · 1 min readGullible MSP Ruth Davidson left red faced over scaremongering tweet
MSP Ruth Davidson has been left red faced over embarrassing tweet, today 7th of May, 2015.
News Desk · 1 min readOvernight count - General Election 2015
PG showing all the best commentary throughout the night during the General Election 2015, count.
News Desk · 1 min readFinance Secretary confirms continued investment for Perth and Kinross
Thursday’s budget delivered on the ask of the Scottish people for a fairer and more prosperous Scotland Finance Secretary John Swinney said today.
News Desk · 3 min readA Budget for a prosperous and fairer Scotland
Today’s budget will deliver on the aspirations of the people of Scotland for a more prosperous and fairer Scotland, Finance Secretary John Swinney said.
News Desk · 4 min readFinance Secretary John Swinney will today set out the Draft Scottish Budget 2015/16.
Mr Swinney is expected to focus on polices which will help to make Scotland a more prosperous country, tackle inequality and protect public services.
News Desk · 1 min readYouth Parliament to Campaign to Tackle Child and Youth Poverty
The Scottish Youth Parliament’s (SYP) new national campaign will aim to tackle child and youth poverty.
News Desk · 1 min readPoll Tax arrears collection to be scrapped
The Scottish Government plans a new law to stop councils pursuing people for historic Poll Tax debts, First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed today.
News Desk · 2 min readYouth democracy descends on Perth
This weekend, the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) will host its 55th National Sitting in Perth.
News Desk · 2 min readAlex Salmond quits as Scotland says no to Independence
First Minister of Scotland is stepping down as Scotland rejects Independence to remain part of the United Kingdom.
News Desk · 3 min readFunding to develop innovative learning spaces announced
Support will be made available to create innovative learning environments, the Scottish Government announced today.
News Desk · 2 min readEuropean Parliamentary Elections voting closes on Tuesday
Residents of Perth and Kinross have only a few days left to make sure they are registered to vote in this year's European Parliamentary Elections.
News Desk · 1 min readMEP Nick Griffin's Twitter Account Hacked
It has emerged British National Party Leader Nick Griffin's social media account has been hacked by professionals.
News Desk · 1 min readNigel Farage to decide on election fight
The UKIP leader Nigel Farage has said he will decide in the next 24 hours whether to stand in the by-election.
News Desk · 1 min read78,000 Scots getting free personal care benefits
New figures published today showing 78,000 people in Scotland are benefiting from free personal and nursing care shows the benefits of decisions being made in Scotland, an SNP MSP has said.
News Desk · 1 min readNo camp 'complete fiction' on education criticised
Another Project Fear scare story has fallen apart after a senior academic described the No camp’s claims on higher education as based on “hyperbole and complete fiction”.
News Desk · 1 min readScottish Councils officials jet off to Riviera funded by the taxpayers
Scottish councils including Perth & Kinross Council are set to jet off to Riviera due to a conference.
News Desk · 1 min readDavid Cameron again rejects Salmond TV debate challenge
David Cameron has again refused to take part in a televised debate with Alex Salmond ahead of the referendum on Scottish independence. It came after the Scottish first minister said the prime minister had a "democratic responsibility" to defend his views in open debate. Mr Salmond said Mr Cameron's reluctance to do so was "partly arrogance and partly fear". But Mr Cameron said the debate should be between people in Scotland. Carry on reading by clicking here.
News Desk · 1 min readAmbulance speeding tickets prompt call for exemption
Emergency vehicles should be exempt from speed cameras, according to the Scottish Conservatives. The call comes after figures showed the Scottish Ambulance Service has been issued with more than 2,200 speeding tickets in less than two years. In order to avoid a fine, ambulance staff must fill out a form to prove they were attending an emergency at the time the vehicle was caught speeding. The Tories want that process simplified. Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Sc
News Desk · 1 min readFOI confirms Mark Wright was paid £7K for light switch on appearance
Information has emerged which has been obtained by The Courier that Mark Wright was paid £7,000 plus VAT. It's understood that Mark Wright was paid for his 1 hour appearance held in Perth. An FOI which was requested by The Courier claims Mark Wright was paid £7,000 plus VAT. Eric Faulkner’s Bay City Rollers received a payment of £2,995 plus VAT and the Luminites from Britain's Got Talent received a fee of £5,000 plus VAT.
News Desk · 1 min readScottish Independence - White Paper
Watch the Scotland White Paper talk on BBC Two and follow our live blog for interactions and opinions. Alex Salmond's blueprint for Scottish independence runs to 650 pages and is packed with facts, figures, policies, assertions and arguments. Interact with our live blog and send in your opinions on our Twitter at @PerthGazette - This live blog will refresh automatically.
News Desk · 1 min readPerth Dewars Centre Chosen For 2014 Winter Olympic Games
£500,000 has been invested into the project which Dewars will have a part in Winter Olympics Games in 2014. The investment of £500k has came from Sports Scotland. Speaking to The Courier Gary Watson of Live Active Leisure added: “It is a huge privilege for Dewars Centre to be selected to as a partner for the Olympic Teams. “We look forward to working with the athletes not only on the ice, but also throughout our facilities.” Dewars Centre will have a part in the games which will provide the cont
News Desk · 1 min readKarnival Nightclub Hits News Once Again
Perth City Centre Conservative councillor Heather Stewart expresses concerns over the new nightclub in Perth. Councillor Heather Stewart speaking to The Courier said “Discount promotion flies in the face of Government and licensing policy regarding binge drinking as it is well documented that this leads to anti-social behaviour,” "Charging 99p for any drink for a whole evening, and minimal entry fee of £1 until 11 o’clock and £2 for students, can be a recipe for disaster. It can also trigger a p
News Desk · 1 min readAngry Locals Furious Over Celebrity Payout By Council
IT is a task that usually falls to a local personality or bright-eyed schoolchild and signals the start of the festive period. But one Scottish council has come under fire for spending thousands of pounds to hire an English reality TV personality to switch on its Christmas lights. People living in Perth have described the decision to pay former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright for the switch-on "bewildering and scandalous" after it emerged he will receive £5000 for an appearance which will
News Desk · 3 min read