The fallout from last week’s Programme for Government and fiscal statement heralds trouble for the upcoming Scottish budget. In scaling back its ambitions for key green priorities, the government seems to have alienated its former coalition partners. Speaking on BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show, the Scottish Greens’ co-leader Lorna Slater implied that her party would seek to vote down the budget, due to be delivered on 4 December.
This leaves John Swinney and Shona Robison in an unenviable position, as it the SNP may be forced to seek support from elsewhere in the chamber. Should the budget fail to pass, this would trigger an election at Holyrood, followed shortly by another in 2026, in line with the standard parliamentary timetable.
We suspect that there is little enthusiasm – or cash reserves – for this outcome across the parties at Holyrood.
Divisions between erstwhile colleagues is a thread running throughout this week. John Swinney has purportedly revealed that he tried to dissuade Nicola Sturgeon from seeking a second independence referendum after the 2016 Brexit vote. Swinney made the comments during an interview for a BBC Scotland documentary on the relationship between Nicola Sturgeon and former first minister Alex Salmond, which is set to air in two parts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, controversy has engulfed the Scottish Tory leadership race after Meghan Gallacher claimed that shadow Scottish secretary John Lamont had threatened to end her career during a tense phone call over the weekend. Gallacher is understood to have made a formal complaint to the Scottish Conservatives’ central office. For his part, Lamont denied the claims and threatened to sue Gallacher, who is also deputy leader of the party’s Holyrood group.
Finally, US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to go head-to-head in their first – and perhaps only - debate on Tuesday night.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
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The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is toasting to its success in a Texas court this weekend after it reached a settlement against an alcohol-free drinks brand for its use of a “Scottish whisky” label (£). The case is the latest example of the trade body’s efforts to protect the drink’s cultural integrity. The product, produced by US company Arkay Beverages, contained ingredients not seen in traditional Scotch, such as xanthan gum and potassium sorbate, and, crucially, is distilled in Mexico.
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Analysis published over the weekend showed that the average house price in Scotland rose by £5,366 between July 2023 and June of this year (£), higher than both England and Wales over the same period. Meanwhile, new research from academics at the University of Glasgow blames an “increasing legislative burden” (£) in Scotland for a decline in the number of rural rental homes.
- Newly released data shows that Scotland’s colleges spent over £37m on voluntary redundancy packages over the past five years (£). In response, the lecturers’ union warned of the impact of the losses, adding that shortages were “piling more pressure” on remaining staff.
- BBC Scotland announced plans to cut 30 editorial and production jobs amid funding pressures. The broadcaster recently axed news show The Nine, as part of an effort to make savings.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
Monday
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In the Holyrood committee rooms
- The Finance and Public Administration Committee will undertake pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26, looking at managing Scotland’s public finances
- The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will take evidence on the Climate Change (Emission Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill
- The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee will consider delegated powers provisions on the Climate Change (Emission Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1
- The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will take evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1
- SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, carrying EU navigation satellites
Tuesday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party debate: transport
- In the Holyrood committee rooms
- The Economy and Fair Work Committee will undertake pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26
- Opposition day debate – adjournment: dynamic ticket pricing
- Westminster Hall debate: winter fuel payment
- In the Westminster chamber
- First part of BBC Scotland documentary, Salmond and Sturgeon: a Troubled Union, set to air at 10pm
- Kamala Harris and Donald Trump take part in their first presidential TV debate
- Early prisoner release scheme to begin
- Parliamentary elections to take place in Jordan
Wednesday
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In the Westminster chamber
- Prime minister’s question time
- General debate: building safety and resilience
- Westminster Hall debate: depopulation in rural areas
- Second part of BBC Scotland documentary, Salmond and Sturgeon: a Troubled Union, set to air at 10pm
- Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack
Thursday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Ministerial statement: national mission to reduce deaths and improve lives of people affected by drugs and alcohol
- Scottish Government debate – Programme for Government – growing Scotland’s green economy
- Expected publication of the Scottish Government’s energy strategy
- National tax equality day in the UK
- London fashion week to begin
Friday
- Bank of England/Ipsos Inflation Attitudes survey published. The survey will outline the public’s expectations of inflation and interest rates
- Nato Military Committee conference commences in the Czech Republic
- Sir Keir Starmer to visit the White House for bilateral meetings
Saturday
- Liberal Democrat autumn conference kicks off in Brighton
Sunday
- Emmy Awards take place in New York