Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address the Commons this afternoon as questions mount over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Oppostion leaders have all called for his resignation and there is growing disquiet among his own backbenchers over Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson – a man who had previously been forced to resign TWICE for dishonesty and whose links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were in the public domain.
Despite Mandelson’s controversial background, Starmer appointed the lobbyist to a senior diplomatic post only to dismiss him in September when more Epstein revelations came to light.
Starmer is now claiming he was unaware that Mandelson failed security vetting and that, had he known, he would not have appointed the disgraced peer. The vetting process actually took place after the announcement of Mandelson’s appointment.
Exactly what Starmer knew, and when, may just become a little clearer this afternoon. ‘Furious’ Starmer will doubtless come out fighting, and Cabinet colleagues have been circling the wagons to protect their leader, but whether Westminster will believe the Prime Minister’s version of events is another matter.
The Mandelson affair is another self-inflicted wound, and an unwelcome distraction for a government facing elections across the country in just three weeks time.
The Foreign Affairs Committee has written to Sir Olly Robbins, former Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, to request he give evidence next Tuesday (21 April) on the vetting of Lord Mandelson.
Following recent reporting by The Guardian exposing Lord Mandelson’s failure to pass developed vetting and the decision of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to overrule this, Sir Olly resigned as Permanent-Under Secretary at the FCDO.
Correspondence: Foreign Affairs Committee Chair to Sir Olly Robbins
A leading coalition of children’s services providers has challenged political parties to “stop talking and start delivering” after a dramatic surge in additional support needs (ASN) conditions among Scotland’s pupils.
New analysis of Scottish Government data reveals a sharp rise in complex needs over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025:
Mental health problems have surged by 526%
Communication support needs have risen by 296%
Autism diagnoses have increased by 252%
Interrupted learning has jumped by 497%
Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties are up 144%
Physical health problems have grown by 142%
Dyslexia has increased by 129%
Substance misuse has increased by 245%
Overall, the number of pupils identified with ASN has almost doubled—from 153,143 to 299,445—now accounting for 43% of all pupils, experiencing an increased complexity of need.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education for vulnerable children and young people, has warned that rising need is being met with falling support.
Despite the sharp increase in demand:
Specialist ASN teachers have droppedfrom 3,038 in 2015 to 2,864 in 2025.3
Educational psychologist numbers have barely shifted, rising only from 370 to 396.4
The SCSC notes that the gap between need and provision is being driven by a combination of improved diagnosis, the lasting impact of Covid-19, social media pressures, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Associated with this, we are witnessing increasing levels of classroom disruption, a key cause of this being the increase in the number of those with ASN, who are not receiving the support they are entitled to.
The SCSC has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of mainstreaming—where pupils are educated in mainstream classrooms unless exceptional circumstances apply—warning that without adequate support, it is failing many children.
An SCSC spokesperson said:“Scotland’s politicians must stop talking and start delivering. The scale of this increase in need is staggering—but the support simply isn’t keeping pace.
“Too many children with ASN are being left without the help they are entitled to. That is failing them, their classmates, their teachers and support staff.
“Mainstreaming can work—but not without the resources to back it up. Right now, that support just isn’t there, and we are seeing the consequences in rising classroom disruption and unmet need.
“The next Scottish Government must act decisively, providing adequate support for children and young people with ASN, who disproportionately come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Reasons for support for pupils with ASN (pupils may have more than one reason for additional support).
Town Hall Rich List 2026 findsthat a record 4,733 council employees received over £100,000 remuneration in 2024-25, with 1,255 receiving over £150,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25, another record.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) provides a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals. A regional breakdown is available in this press release.
Click herefor frequently asked questions about the Town Hall Rich List.
In the wake of the largest council tax increase since 2004, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) launches its Town Hall Rich List 2026 (THRL), the 20th edition of the project. THRL is the only comprehensive list of its kind with a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals.
The number of council bosses receiving more than £100,000 in 2024-25 stood at 4,733, the highest level since this dataset was first published in 2007 and 827 more than last year’s edition. This is an increase of over 21 per cent on last year, as council wage bills continue to grow.
In contrast, the Yorkshire and the Humber region saw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000, rising by 2 per cent from 204 to 209.
The number of staff receiving over £150,000 has also hit a record high of 1,255. This is a 14.9 per cent increase from last year and almost twenty times more than in the first edition of THRL when Tony Blair was prime minister. The THRL reveals there were 320 council employees who received a higher salary than the prime minister was entitled to in 2024-25.
The highest remunerated council employee in 2024-25 was from Staffordshire council, who received around £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed, though they were a council employee and not teaching staff.
Councils have routinely increased council tax by 4.99 per cent each year, the maximum before a local referendum is mandatory in England, often citing stretched budgets and increased demands.
Despite budget shortfalls, councils have been able to consistently find ever-increasing amounts to pay senior staff. Local councils employed more than double the number of senior managers as the NHS did the year before.
Six councils that issued Section 114 bankruptcy notices since 2020 had 124 council employees receiving over £100,000.
Some increases in the figures are partially driven by an increase in the number of councils that have published accounts compared to the 2025 edition of this list.
In a positive move towards more transparency, the number who failed to publish accounts in time for this year fell from 15 to five.
In 2024-25, there were at least 4,733 council employees receiving £100,000 or more in total remuneration. This is a 21.2 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 827 more people and compared to 2005-06, there were eight times more people in this category. Of these, 1,255 council employees had total remuneration of at least £150,000 in 2024-25, which represents a 14.9 per cent increase or 163 more people from 2023-24. Compared to 2005-06, there were almost twenty times more people in this category.
At least 366 local authority employees had total remuneration of at least £200,000 in 2024-25. This is a 39.7 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 104 people. In 2005-06, there were five people in this category.
The prime minister had a salary entitlement of £172,153 in 2024. 320 council employees received a higher salary than this in 2024-25, as opposed to total remuneration. This is a third more than in 2023-24.
A total of five councils did not provide accounts for 2024-25. This is lower than previous years, with 15 not producing 2023-24 accounts in time for last year’s note, which was significantly down from 59 in 2022-23.
In 2024-25, the highest remunerated council employee was from Staffordshire council, who received £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed.
The council employee with the largest compensation for loss of office payment in 2024-25 was the unnamed assistant chief executive at Cambridge council, who received £222,559 in compensation and £330,101 in total remuneration.
Elaine Allergretti, strategic director, children and adults at Barking and Dagenham council, received the largest bonus payment in 2024-25, at £34,161, with total remuneration of £232,923.
Westminster council was the local authority with the most staff receiving over £100,000 in 2024-25. The council had 92 such individuals, 19 more than 2023-24. This is a twelve-fold increase from 2005-06, when the council had seven council employees receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration.
Yorkshire and the Humbersaw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000 total remuneration from 2023-24 to 2024-25, rising by two per cent from 204 to 209.
Six councils have issued section 114 notices since 2020, effectively declaring bankruptcy. There were 124 employees in these councils receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25. Of these, Claire Demmel, interim executive director of place at Thurrock council, had the largest total remuneration in 2024-25, at £283,844.
From 2005-06 to 2024-25, band D council tax has risen by 120 per cent in Wales, 79 per cent in England and 30 per cent in Scotland.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:“Taxpayers are caught in a pincer movement with a record-breaking tax burden on one side and a bloated public sector feathering its nest on the other.
“Our latest Town Hall Rich List exposes a surging class of council bosses enjoying six-figure packages, even as they plead poverty, slash frontline services, and hike council tax bills far beyond inflation.
“Residents can see exactly how many local bureaucrats are receiving plush packages and judge for themselves whether they’re getting value for money.”
In Scotland:
Scotland had 369 council employees who received at least £100,000 in 2024-25, which is 24 more than the previous year.
The highest remunerated council employee was Katrina Hassell, chief officer (business and digital) of North Lanarkshire council, who received £281,680.
With only one week left to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, the Electoral Commission is urging people to register before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday 20 April.
Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote.
Electoral Commission research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered to vote. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.
Those who do not have a fixed address, whether due to homelessness, being a part of the Gypsy or Traveller community, or because they are, or have been, in care, can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection.
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “On Thursday 7 May, people across Scotland will head to the polls to have their say on the issues important to their daily lives. If you’ve recently moved, or you’re a student living away from home, it’s especially important to check you’re registered and you can do that quickly and easily at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
“If you do not have a fixed address to register to vote at, you can still take part by registering through a declaration of local connection.
For this election, eligibility for care experienced young people has been extended up to the age of 21, from 16, so we’d encourage those who need to make use of this option to do so.
“Importantly, voter ID is not required for the Scottish Parliament election. If you’re to vote, all you need to do on the day is turn up and have your say.”
Prime Minister travels to Middle East to meet allies and support ceasefire
The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.
The Prime Minister will travel to the Gulf this week to meet leaders of countries who have been in the front line, and will set out his full support for the newly agreed ceasefire
In meetings with regional leaders, he will reiterate unwavering UK support and need for a long-term diplomatic resolution to make sure the ceasefire leads to a lasting agreement
He will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the United Kingdom continuing to lead international efforts
The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.
On the visit, the Prime Minister will make clear his government’s commitment to de-escalation, and hold further talks on practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz following promising progress reported as a result of the ceasefire. As announced by the Prime Minister last week, the United Kingdom is continuing to lead the international effort, convening allies from across the world to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
He will also see in person the defensive support the UK has provided in the collective self-defence of our allies in the region and thank UK personnel for their brave service.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.
“Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Prime Minster’s travel follows the UK-convened meeting last week of more than 40 countries to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz when the fighting subsides, and subsequent military planning meeting hosted by the UK on Tuesday to further advance this work.
Work will now continue at pace in light of the ceasefire and the Prime Minister is expected to discuss this further in meetings with leaders in the region.
The Prime Minister’s first stop will be to thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the RAF have conducted more than 1600 hours of defensive operations.
The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the work of our partners in the Gulf, whose armed forces have protected the hundreds of thousands of UK nationals living in the region in the face of Iran’s brutal aggression.
IRAN’S BRUTAL AGGRESSION? You couldnae make it up! – Ed.
John Swinney has called on FIFA to end dynamic pricing for World Cup tickets after supporters were hit with eye-watering costs to follow Scotland this summer.
The First Minister has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging him to introduce a fairer ticketing model, warning that too many members of the Tartan Army risk being priced out of Scotland’s first men’s World Cup since 1998.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Tartan Army are the greatest supporters in the world, and have waited almost 30 years for the World Cup.They should not be priced out by dynamic ticket pricing.
“I’ve written to FIFA to urge fairer and more affordable prices. Football should be about fans, not finances.”
Full letter from the First Minister to FIFA President Gianni Infantino:
Dear Gianni Infantino,
As you will know, this summer Scotland will return to the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Our victory against Denmark led to the most remarkable scenes as people across Scotland celebrated one of the proudest moments in our recent sporting memory.
Steve Clarke and the team have instilled a sense of confidence and pride in our country that only our national game can bring.
That incredible moment for our nation will live long in the memory and in just a few months’ time thousands will embark on a trip to America to follow Scotland in our games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil and, with a bit of magic from the boys, beyond that too.
Our Tartan Army has the chance to see our men’s national team at a World Cup for the first time in decades, but our historic return has been marred by FIFA’s dynamic pricing model that has made the trip simply unaffordable for so many loyal supporters.
This model has made this the most expensive World Cup in history and it is the opposite of what football, and indeed the biggest sporting occasion on the planet, should be about.
Scotland fans, travelling across the globe, are entirely justified in calling for you to put an end to this pricing model, particularly during a cost of living crisis when people are really struggling. I am urging you to act to introduce a fair, affordable ticketing model for fans going forward.
Scotland gave birth to our beautiful game and its management has been entrusted to you. But as you know football belongs to fans. It is now imperative you take responsibility to ensure that remains the case.
NSPCC reveals nine in 10 adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse – as charity calls on political parties to prioritise children’s safety
87% adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse and neglect
Yet 86% think child abuse and neglect can be prevented
NSPCC calling for all political parties in next Scottish Government to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect
Almost nine in 10 adults (87%) in Scotland are concerned about the risk of abuse and neglect facing children but 86% of those who expressed an opinion believe it can be prevented, a new NSPCC survey has revealed.
The Savanta poll of over 1,000 adults in Scotland also found that the majority (54%) believe the risk to children is greater than when they were growing up.
When asked to select the greatest risk facing children, over a third (34%) named online harms and more than one in four (27%) cited poverty and lack of basic resources.
NSPCC Scotland is publishing this data as part of its call to all political parties to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect to improve the lives of babies, children and families in Scotland ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May.
The NSPCC recognises that Scotland has long aspired to give all children the best possible start in life. Yet too often child protection is only prioritised in response to distressing revelations of abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation and death.
The charity believes that children are being failed by fragmented early years policy, overstretched social work services, rising online harms and inconsistent access to healthy relationships education.
In the charity’s recent survey, respondents’ views on how best to address child abuse and neglect included, improve coordination between police, schools, health services and social care in protecting children, and the following:
Better public awareness to help educate adults about the signs of child abuse and how to report it
Better education for children on identifying abuse and knowing how to get help
Improve training for teachers, health-workers and other frontline professionals in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse
Joanne Smith, NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager, said: “All children have the right to a safe, happy, and healthy childhood.
“Scotland has long aspired to take a preventative approach, but we haven’t made the sustained investment or put in place the strong, lasting governance that’s needed to lead and coordinate this work and turn our shared ambition for children into reality.
“We now have the opportunity to change that. We need to build systems that identify risk early, support families before crisis, and protect children both online and offline.
“Our 5‑Point Plan for Prevention offers a roadmap that the next government can implement from day one. Preventing child abuse and neglect should be a national priority, and long-term commitment, that we invest in.
“We cannot afford to fail another generation of children.”
The charity’s 5‑Point Plan for Prevention calls for the next Scottish Government to:
Invest in babies and very young children to ensure every baby receives consistent, universal services, with early identification of families who need additional specialist support, re-establish early years as a cross-party priority, with a clear focus on parent–infant relationships.
Strengthen the child protection system to improve support for families who are carrying the heaviest load and listen to frontline social workers to understand gaps and pressures. Develop specialist, multi-disciplinary, preventative child protection teams in every area, and introduce a national digital ‘single unique identifier’ to track decisions and progress and ensure continuity and accountability across services. Also, deliver a National Social Work Agency that gives social workers the time, space, tools and confidence to offer early support to vulnerable families with very young children.
Prevent child sexual abuse by taking a public health approachby improving data on the scale and nature of sexual abuse and exploitation against children in Scotland, urgently address the downward trend in recorded concerns about child sexual abuse within social work statistics and design and resource a child protection system that can identify and respond to child sexual abuse.
Keep children safe onlineby ensuring early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement work together with clear leadership from the next Scottish Government on prevention and recovery efforts. Consult with children and use this to design online safety policy. Set up a Strategic AI Advisory Group to provide expert advice to Ministers to ensure child safety and equality in all national activity related to AI.
Make healthy relationships education mandatory – as it is an opportunity to make sure that all children and young people know that they have a right to be treated, and responsibility to treat others, with dignity and respect. It can help pupils recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviour, and it helps protect children and young people from abuse.
NSPCC Scotland is urging any adult that has concerns about a child to contact the charity’s helpline or reach out to the relevant local authorities. Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
