Having only just returned from summer recess, MPs have already packed up and left Westminster again, this time for party conference season.
Labour’s conference gets underway on Sunday, but the Liberal Democrats have already gathered and Sir Ed Davey’s arrival in Brighton via jet ski was a fitting metaphor for his party’s recent success – making a splash and riding high on the wave of their election performance.
Davey called for a “budget for the NHS” next month, arguing that the NHS requires an additional £3.7 billion annually in day-to-day spending and an extra £1.1 billion for investment. While the real challenge for the LibDems at their conference will be distinguishing themselves from Labour and the Conservatives, Wendy Chamberlain, chief whip, had her eyes on Scotland. Accusing the SNP of taking Scottish voters for granted, Chamberlain claimed her party would have the chance to “kick the SNP out of power” at the 2026 Holyrood election.
Talking of major national polls, a decade has passed since Scots cast their votes in that “once in a generation” independence referendum, yet the country remains deeply divided. Speaking ahead of the 10th anniversary on Wednesday, first minister John Swinney has said he was “heartbroken” by the 2014 result but is “very optimistic about Scotland’s future.” Swinney will participate in several events later this week to commemorate the occasion.
Across the water, the FBI is investigating another apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, just two months after a gunman wounded the presidential candidate in Pennsylvania. While Trump is reported to be safe, this adds another layer of intensity to an already taut race.
Kamala Harris has maintained a slim lead over Donald Trump on economic issues, although it is a stronger advantage among those who tuned in for the presidential debate last week. The latest FT-Michigan Ross poll shows Harris has a slight edge over Trump, with 44% of registered voters trusting her more on economic management compared to 42% for Trump. Among those who watched the debate, 48% favour Harris on the economy, compared with 41% for Trump.
Leaving politics aside, this week is also pivotal for central banks, as the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England are expected to announce their interest date decisions. While markets predict the Bank of England will hold the UK rate, there remains a possibility of a rate cut following last Tuesday’s GDP report for July.
Finally, in case you missed it, in last week’s View from the Street Phoebe O’Carroll-Moran explores Donald Trump’s “weave” rhetoric technique, which we are implored to believe is the most brilliant thing some English professors have ever seen. Unbeweavable? You decide.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
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BBC Scotland understands the Scottish Government is close to finalising an agreement for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Health secretary Neil Gray is set to hold talks with Commonwealth Games Australia this morning following a commitment from the scheduled hosts to provide a "a multi-million-pound investment" to support Glasgow’s bid to save the multi-sport event.
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Last week, Scotland hosted its largest-ever space industry event. Latest figures reveal that the space sector grew by 25% last year, with a 65% rise in combined income. By 2030, the global market is expected to reach $1 trillion annually, and according to The Herald (£), Scotland aims to secure a £4 billion share.
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The Scotsman reports that, according to the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Government has spent £16 million in under four years on design and investment work on the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ section of the A83 in Argyll and Bute, with no clear end to traffic disruptions in sight.
- Daily Business reports that Redical Holdings is the leading contender to buy a stake in Edinburgh St James Quarter, following Nuveen listing its 25% share for sale in June, along with the freehold of the 244-room W Edinburgh Hotel. Plans for a new £25 million waterfront area in Glasgow’s city centre, partially built over the River Clyde, are moving forward. According to Insider, a public consultation is set to take place to help reconnect the city centre and the waterfront.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
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In a piece for The Sunday Times (£), Alex Massie considers the escalating challenges facing the SNP, including policy failures, leadership struggles, and declining public influence. Massie argues that the situation is expected to worsen, further eroding the SNP’s once dominant position in Scottish politics.
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Following the Princess of Wales’ A Message from Catherine, Camilla Long in The Sunday Times (£) critiques “cancer influencers” for glamorising the illness on social media. Long questions what kind of influence these posts have, given that cancer is a harsh and difficult reality.
- Kenan Malik argues in The Guardian that Donald Trump’s Haitian pet-eating claims exemplifies the ongoing “memeification” of politics, where politicians prioritise symbols, signals and performative actions over substance. He highlights how outrage and conspiracy theories are used to manipulate public sentiment, with a growing emphasis on spectacle rather than meaningful governance.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
Please note that Westminster is in recess until 7 October.
Monday
- UN Security Council will discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza
- UK: Rightmove house price index
- EU: foreign trade statistics
Tuesday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Stage 1 Debate: Scottish Languages Bill
- Members’ Business: Audrey Nicoll – Celebrating the Federation of Small Businesses’ 50th Anniversary
- In the Holyrood committee rooms
- The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill. It will take evidence on the Bill at stage 1 and consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting
- The Finance and Public Administration Committee will undertake pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26, looking at managing Scotland’s public finances
- The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will take and consider evidence on the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People. The Committee will also consider a draft report on healthcare in remote and rural areas
- The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee will take and consider evidence on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill
- Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee will take evidence on the Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill
- School Healthy Living Survey Statistics, 2024
- Scottish government data
- UK: New Labour General Secretary announced
- UK: Ofgem CEO to address Energy UK Annual Conference
- US: Retail sales
Wednesday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Scottish Government Debate: Creating a Modern, Diverse, Dynamic Scotland
- Members’ Business: Lorna Slater – Ten Years since Scotland’s Independence Referendum
- In the Holyrood committee rooms
- The Education Committee will take and consider evidence on the Education (Scotland) Bill at stage 1
- The Economy and Fair Work Committee will take evidence on Just Transition
- Scotland: Ten years ago, Scottish independence referendum
- UK: Oxfam report on UK’s biggest polluters
- UK: producer price inflation
- UK: monthly inflation figures
- UK: house price index
- Private rents and house prices
- EU: inflation rate
Thursday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- First Minister’s Questions
- Members’ Business: Sharon Dowey – Addressing Retail Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
- Ministerial Statement: Scottish Government Response to the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment
- Stage 1 Debate: Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill
- UK: BoE rate decision
- UK: first OBR forecast round for Budget
- UK: annual savings statistics
- UK: business insights and impact on the UK economy statistics
- EU and Chinese officials meet on EV tariffs
Friday
- UK: monthly retail sales results
- UK: OBR public finance release
- UK: Reform Party conference commences
- US: First early in-person voting begins in US election
Saturday
- Sri Lanka: presidential election
- World Alzheimer’s day
Sunday
- UK: Labour Party conference commences