The Edinburgh Union will host its inaugural debate on Monday 22 September, with a panel of senior Scottish politicians debating the motion: This House Believes Scotland Should Be Independent.
The debate will feature Fergus Ewing MSP and Ben Macpherson MSP, representing the case for independence, opposite Baroness Annabel Goldie, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Daniel Johnson MSP, representing the case against.
Adding to the politicians, two student speakers will join the debate, taking opposing sides on the motion, and bringing the perspectives of Edinburgh’s student body directly into the discussion.
The debate, taking place just months ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections, promises to be a lively and timely discussion on one of the most contested questions in Scottish politics.
Founded in 2025, the Edinburgh Union, which is part of the Edinburgh Political Union, is the University of Edinburgh’s newest debating society.
It seeks to provide an apolitical platform dedicated to debate and open dialogue. With political and social conversations growing increasingly polarised, the Union’s mission is to develop an environment where ideas can be challenged constructively and where participants from all backgrounds feel empowered to engage in discussion.
This semester, the Union will host fortnightly debates in Edinburgh’s iconic Rainy Hall at New College, bringing together speakers from across the political spectrum. Upcoming motions include This House Welcomes the Legalisation of Assisted Dying and This House Believes Traditional Masculinity is Damaging to Men and Society.
Each debate will offer audience members, comprising students and academics from across Edinburgh with the opportunity to debate and challenge guest speakers from across the political spectrum.
President Finn Tyson said: ““The Edinburgh Union seeks to spark open dialogue in the capital, in a way that is not seen anywhere else in Scotland.
“We want to give students and staff the chance to engage in-person with big ideas, challenge perspectives, and form their own views through reasoned debate – all in away that reflects the diversity and voice of Scotland’s student population.
“More than a decade after the Better Together campaign’s victory in 2014, public opinion on Scottish independence remains deeply divided. That’s why we’re bringing in outstanding speakers from across the political spectrum to debate the issue – and to give our students the chance to question them directly.”
Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has published a new manifesto, calling on Scotland’s political parties to prioritise good animal health and welfare and support veterinary education by including a number of key asks in their party manifestos.
The manifesto calls on Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to ensure that veterinary education is properly funded and supported by removing financial barriers for universities and students, so that more homegrown talent, particularly from rural areas, can enter the profession.
The organisation is also urging the new Scottish Government to implement legislation on vital animal welfare issues, such as a complete ban on the sale and use of electric shock collars for dogs and cats and improving the welfare of farmed fish.
Launching the manifesto, BVA Scottish Branch President Vivienne Mackinnon said:“We know that there is already strong political and public backing for many of the welfare priorities we’ve set out — including a complete ban on aversive training devices like shock collars.
“The removal of financial barriers for universities and students to encourage more homegrown talent to enter the veterinary profession is vital to address the current shortage of vets in Scotland. We’re eager to work with all parties on these important issues and are urging candidates to speak with vets in their constituencies to gain a better understanding of veterinary workforce and animal welfare issues.
“Vets play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, protecting both animals and the public from disease, and ensuring high standards across the food supply chain. Our manifesto highlights the key animal welfare and workforce issues that matter most to our members across the Scottish veterinary community and calls for cross-party commitments to take meaningful action”
BVA is urging the veterinary community in Scotland to read the manifesto, share it with their networks, and engage their local MSP on veterinary education funding, shock collar ban, and five other key calls to action:
Improve the welfare of farmed fish- Implement legislation based upon the principles of humane slaughter of farmed fish as set out by the Animal Welfare Committee. As an interim measure, we welcome the new statutory guidance issued by the Government under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Teach children about animal welfare- Make animal welfare and sentience part of the national curriculum. Children should learn about animals’ needs, duty of care, and the meaning of sentience so they grow up treating animals and people with compassion and respect.
Support the veterinary workforce– Streamline the visa/sponsorship process for international vets to attract and support veterinary talent from overseas and sustain the vital roles they contribute to in Scotland, including public health.
Tighten the regulation of fireworks- Implement the recommendations of the Fireworks Review Group as soon as possible and ensure effective application of Firework Control Zones across the country.
Champion the veterinary voice in farming policy- The veterinary profession should be recognised as a key partner in shaping agricultural policy. The new Government must commit to maintaining the current level of resource spent on the scanning surveillance network to safeguard both animal and public health.
BVA is the leading body representing vets in the UK, with around 19,000 members, including nearly 2,500 in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is consulting on proposals to modernise the law on compulsory purchase, to make it easier and simpler to improve land and buildings.
The proposals would update laws dating back almost two centuries, making them more useful for public bodies, while also being fairer to property owners.
Compulsory Purchase Orders help deliver essential projects to meet local and national needs. They can support the transformation of disused or dilapidated land and buildings which blight communities. And they can contribute to tackling the housing emergency by accelerating the delivery of new homes and bringing empty properties back into use.
Views are being sought on how the current rules – which are widely recognised as confusing and outdated – should be changed. The Scottish Government is also exploring whether powers to require disused property to be sold or leased would be helpful.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee will launched the consultation on a visit in Glasgow to a neglected property which was acquired under a Compulsory Purchase Order and which will now be returned to use as a family home.
He was accompanied by Roseanna Cunningham, co-chair of the Compulsory Purchase Reform Practitioner Advisory Group.
Public Finance Minister @Ivan_McKee has published a consultation on proposals to modernise the law on compulsory purchase. @Scotgov aims to update outdated laws to make it simpler to improve land and buildings, and make the system fairer. Read more: ▶️https://t.co/ppctULKpespic.twitter.com/MXXSjjklaD
— Scottish Government Finance and Economy (@scotgoveconomy) September 19, 2025
Mr McKee said: ““Compulsory purchase can make an important contribution to improving public spaces and regenerating communities. We need every tool available to play its part in tackling the housing emergency – making it easier and simpler for councils and other public bodies to take ownership of derelict property will help.
“We are consulting on changes that would streamline procedures, modernise compensation arrangements and promote better early engagement between authorities and the owners of land that is needed for important public projects.
“This is a substantial package of measures, learning from changes that have been made elsewhere and following extensive engagement with the Practitioner Advisory Group and a wide variety of others with interest in compulsory purchase.”
Ms Cunningham said: “Much of the compulsory purchase legislation in Scotland dates back 180 years and can be difficult to understand for both property owners and public bodies. This can delay important developments creating uncertainty for everyone involved.
“We need a system that is simpler and quicker for public bodies, while also being fairer for property owners. I welcome the Scottish Government’s consultation paper as an important step towards that.”
The consultation opened yesterday on 19th September and will run for 3 months, closing on 19th December
Programme aims to improve patient experience and reduce admissions
The Scottish Government will extend a successful programme run by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), enabling its Palliative and End of Life Care team to continue its vital work this year.
This £417,000 investment will enable the dedicated SAS team to continue transforming care for patients nearing the end of life, enhancing dignity, comfort, and choice while reducing pressure on emergency services.
The team has developed 30 alternative care pathways to Emergency Departments, including direct referrals to hospices and cancer support helplines. These pathways ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time—often in the comfort of their own homes.
This approach helps improve their quality of life in the final stages, allowing clinicians to provide more compassionate care tailored to each person’s specific needs.
In 2023-24 alone, it led to a:
A reduction of 1,600 patients conveyed to hospital.
1,451 fewer ambulance attendances in 2023/24 compared to the previous year.
4000 staff trained in palliative care support.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “”The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who needs it can access high-quality, timely, and well-coordinated palliative care.
“The work of the Palliative and End of Life Care Team is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership working, and I am pleased that we are able to provide this funding to extend their vital work.”
Michael Dickson OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We welcome this funding, which will help us build on the success of previous work and will further develop our specialist capability to support patients with palliative and end-of-life needs across Scotland.
“The funding will expand training, deepen our partnership working with health and social care partners and further improve patient experience, dignity, and choice at the end of life.”
‘Palliative Care Matters for All’, published this month by the Scottish Government, is a five-year strategy produced in partnership with NHS Scotland, charities, health and social care professionals, and people with experience of palliative care services.
Children can better recognise and manage their emotions following an NSPCC programme delivered to hundreds of primary school pupils in Govan, researchers have found.
The Emotional Resilience programme was created by NSPCC’s Together for Childhood (TfC) Govan project after teachers told them that children were struggling with their ‘big feelings’ when they returned to classrooms after the Covid-19 lockdowns.
The sessions, which include mindfulness, fun games and songs, are designed to increase children’s confidence in recognising and managing their emotions – to improve their wellbeing, behaviour and emotional development.
The programme was delivered by the TfC team in seven Govan primary schools from 2021 to 2024, reaching approximately 799 pupils. Since the evaluation of the programme, sessions for early learning and childcare settings – co-created with Kirktonholme Nursery – have been delivered to three nurseries in Govan.
The Emotional Resilience resources are now being rolled out to schools in Govan so that teachers can continue to deliver the programme.
A deeper dive into the results of the programme by staff in the NSPCC’s research and evidence team revealed that children who took part have benefitted by being emotionally supported.
The findings, summarised in a report1, showed that children learned how to identify different feelings and gained a better ability to recognise the emotions of others and empathise with them. Many children had learned and practiced self-care techniques to manage their emotions, and some had even shared what they had been taught with members of their families. They were also able to name trusted adults and felt more confident to seek support.
Prajapa Seneviratne, Research and Evaluation Officer with TfC Govan, said: “We found that The Emotional Resilience programme has clear benefits for children and schools.
“It has helped children to feel nurtured in their learning environment, giving them confidence to form trusting relationships that can aid them to learn and achieve.
“The findings show that there is a need for emotional resilience programmes in primary and nursery schools in Govan, and more widely across Scotland, as the benefits of the programme align with the Health and Wellbeing goals of the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.
“Improving children’s awareness of and skills in emotional resilience at the earliest point, in a supportive school environment, can lay a strong foundation upon which they can achieve and thrive.”
The evaluation of the programme’s results also revealed that teachers had improved connection with pupils and understanding of their lives, helping them to better support the children and respond promptly to safeguarding concerns.
Kirsty Aitken, Assistant Director NSPCC Scotland, said: “This report powerfully underscores the importance of nurturing emotional resilience in children from the earliest stages of life.
“Emotional resilience is crucial to a child’s development and ability to cope, adapt and thrive as they grow up – even in the face of adversity. It is key for managing stress, coping with change and transitions, and maintaining healthy mental wellbeing throughout life.
“By fostering confidence in recognising and expressing ‘big feelings’ we lay the groundwork for stronger wellbeing and resilience as children navigate the complexities of growing up.
“The report’s findings offer clear, compelling insights into what children need to thrive emotionally. It is imperative that we create intentional space to truly listen to their voices – and respond with care and commitment.”
A facilitator’s guide for the programme has been given to all primary schools in Govan. Teachers have said they plan to use the session plans with their ‘nurture classes’ and with children who need additional support with ‘big feelings’.
A guide for early years education settings in Scotland is also being developed, following a successful pilot of an adapted version of the programme delivered by early learning and childcare staff.
For a copy of either facilitator guide or more information, please email: Scotland1@nspcc.org.uk
Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or go to www.childline.org.uk about any worries or concerns they may have.
Parenting advice and support is available by contacting the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk or visit the NSPCC website.
This project was made possible by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, and we would like to thank National Lottery players for their support.
We would also like to thank Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government, our local partner, Govan HELP, and everyone else who has supported this project.
British sculptor Martin Jennings has been appointed to create the sculpture of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the UK’s national memorial in St James’s Park
Renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings has been selected to create the new statue of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The St James’ Park sculpture will be a key element of the UK’s national memorial for The late Queen, located on the Mall at Marlborough Gate.
Jennings will work with the design team led by Foster + Partners to develop final design proposals for His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister.
British sculptor Martin Jennings has been appointed to create the sculpture of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the UK’s national memorial in St James’s Park in London.
Millions of Brits will already have seen Jennings’ work, as he’s celebrated for creating a bust of the Queen Mother in St Paul’s Cathedral and the first crowned coinage portrait of King Charles III.
He has also crafted statues of Philip Larkin in Hull, Mary Seacole in London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, and the ‘Women of Steel’ in Sheffield.
The sculptor, appointed by Foster + Partners in consultation with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, is tasked with creating an enduring national landmark that commemorates the UK’s longest-reigning monarch.
A recommendation for the final design will be put to His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister next year, alongside proposals for the wider memorial site.
Committee Chair Robin Janvrin said: “On behalf of the Committee I am delighted that we have selected Martin Jennings to create the Queen Elizabeth sculpture.
“We felt he had a very sensitive understanding of the significance of this unique commission and we were impressed by Martin’s previous work and his ability to capture the essence of character in public works of art.
“We look forward to working with Martin and the Foster + Partners team in the months ahead.”
Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, Norman Foster, said: “I am pleased to welcome Martin Jennings to the Queen Elizabeth Memorial team.
“His work has a sensitivity and humanity that align well with the fundamental spirit of the project, and I look forward to working together with Martin and the rest of the team in the coming months.”
Martin Jennings said: “I am elated to have been invited to make the sculpture of Queen Elizabeth. She was loved and admired across the globe for her steadfast devotion to duty, borne with grace, decency and restraint.
“The monument must not only reflect the grandeur of its setting but be an object of delight to its countless visitors in years to come. I look forward to working with Foster + Partners and the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee so that we can achieve this together.”
The appointment of Martin Jennings follows previous decisions to award Foster + Partners the project and to locate the memorial in St James’s Park, a site chosen for its rich Royal history and its personal connection to The late Queen.
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee will continue to work closely with Martin Jennings and Foster + Partners to develop the final design recommendations.
Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn has tendered his resignation from government and the First Minister has accepted.
Mr Hepburn joined the Scottish Government in 2014 as Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health. He was appointed Minister for Employability and Training in 2016, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills in 2018, Minister for Independence in 2023, before being appointed as Minister for Parliamentary Business in May 2024.
Changes to the ministerial team will be announced in due course.
See full text of the letters from Mr Hepburn and the First Minister below:
Letter from Mr Hepburn:
Dear First Minister,
Over the course of yesterday evening and today I have been reflecting on the incident that has been widely reported in the media in the last two days and discussing it with my family. I have come to conclude that I want to offer my resignation as your Minister for Parliamentary Business.
I understand that that a complaint has been made to you with a suggestion that I be referred to the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code.
Irrespective of whether or not the Ministerial Code has been breached, even if there had been no complaint made, I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice. This decision is one that I feel is for the best in these circumstances and the one that for my own part feel is the appropriate course of action.
I hope it would be felt by most, and not least you, that in my personal and professional undertakings I have always tried to act courteously in interacting with colleagues, either of our own party or others. There is no denying that my interaction with Douglas Ross fell well short of that standard.
Despite whatever annoyance I felt at that particular moment, there is a manner in which that might have been conveyed, or indeed shouldn’t have been conveyed. That is not in utilising the language that I did. I hope it is recognised on your part and others that this behaviour was quite out of character on my part.
I do not want to cause any distraction for you or the Government, or indeed to that of the primary position of responsibility I have as the constituency representative for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. I believe my continued presence as one of your Ministers would do so. In such circumstances I believe it is best that I stand down with immediate effect.
With no sense of personal pity, having served continuously in Government for almost eleven years it is a source of regret that my tenure in Ministerial office comes to an end in this fashion.
In the immediate period it will be the greater part of what is reported out of my time in office, but I hope it is felt that I have made a positive contribution across the various roles I have held serving in your government and that of your two predecessors. Others will of course be the judge of that.
I am grateful to you for the support you have shown me during my time as a Minister and you can be assured of my ongoing support for you and the Government in this critical period.
Yours sincerely
Jamie Hepburn
Letter from the First Minister:
Dear Jamie,
It is with much personal regret that I accept your letter of resignation as Minister for Parliamentary Business.
I am deeply grateful for your efforts on behalf of the Government, where you have always worked across Parliament in accommodating the requests and views of other parties over the matters that should command the time and attention of the chamber. I know there will be no one more frustrated than you, over this one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all.
I know that my predecessors also valued the contributions that you made in their governments. Your work in delivering the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 while a Health Minister has made a real difference in the lives of carers, and the people they care for. While Business Minister you championed support for consumers and were instrumental in the establishment of Consumer Scotland.
As we progress toward independence, I appreciate the work that you carried out as Minister for Independence to make the case for a better future for our nation. And during the Covid pandemic, I recall our work together in supporting the business sector and your efforts to support the recovery in higher and further education during your time in the Education portfolio.
Your efforts as a Minister have benefited the people of Scotland in myriad walks of life. Despite your decision to step down, you will continue to play an important role in our Party and in public life, as well as continuing to be a vocal advocate for the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
You leave office with my warmest thanks and my appreciation for the constant support that you have given to me.
SNP GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS OVER 30,000 VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN EDINBURGH
The SNP Government is supporting 31,810 disabled people in Edinburgh through the Adult Disability Payment, according to new figures from Social Security Scotland.
As of July 2025, 17,865,375 Adult Disability Payments had been made across Scotland, including 1,122,265 in Edinburgh. A total of 484,055 people are receiving support this way.
The Payment, distributed by Social Security Scotland, goes to those with a long-term disability or health condition that impacts their everyday life. It can amount to up to £110 a week.
Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “In government, the SNP has built a social security system rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
“This had made an enormous difference to people across Edinburgh, with 1,122,265 payments issued and 31,810 vulnerable adults supported to live fulfilled lives.
“Every person who needs support should be able to access it, and the SNP will keep delivering that.
“I encourage everyone in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency and the wider city who thinks they could be eligible to check and ensure they get the support they are entitled to.”
**Calling All Volunteers young and old!** 
**Where?** The Arena Basketball Court, Ferry Road Drive
**When?** Monday 22nd September
**Time?** 4:30PM – 6:30PM (Clean-Up)
6:30PM – 7:30PM (Refreshments at PYCP – come relax and chat!)
**Free refreshments afterwards** at PYCP – everyone welcome!
**Tag a friend, share this post, and let’s build a cleaner, greener, more welcoming community together!**
