Chris McCall

Nicola Sturgeon pledge to eliminate attainment gap between pupils 'in tatters' The former SNP leader pledged in 2015 "to close the attainment gap completely" but latest exam results show it remains at 17 per cent.

School performance was not helped by repeated covid lockdowns, which closed classrooms, and the SQA results fiasco that followed.

School attendance has also dropped.

Regardless, next year could see a landmark Sturgeon-era policy turn to dust.

The attainment gap between the richest and poorest Scots pupils is supposed to be eliminated by next year - a key SNP pledge made in 2016 by Nicola Sturgeon, and endorsed by her then education secretary, John Swinney.

There now appears to be zero chance that will happen.

Jackie Baillie: "It cannot have escaped the notice of voters that many of the SNP's former rising stars are abandoning the stage, often to be replaced by defeated names of yesteryears and anonymous party apparatchiks"

It's fair to say the SNP still hasn't fully gotten over the incredibly bitter leadership contest of 2023.

Where are the three leadership contenders now?

Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are quitting as MSPs, while Ash Regan left to join Alba.

Kate Forbes to quit Scottish Parliament at next election Forbes was viewed by many in the SNP as a future leader of the party.

Big Holyrood news this morning: Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, is quitting the Scottish Parliament

Librarian cuts at Glasgow schools will 'rob kids of opportunities' EXCLUSIVE: Labour warned library cuts on Scotland's largest local authority risked worsening the country's "shameful attainment gap".

Scotland's largest local authority is so skint it's now proposing to remove librarians from schools.

Alexander Dennis puts Falkirk factory site up for sale EXCLUSIVE: The bus manufacturer is inviting bids for its 15 acre in site in Camelon as uncertainty surrounds the company's commitment to Scotland.

The agent marketing the sale estimates 174 houses could be built if the factory is closed.

EXCL: Alexander Dennis has put its bus factory in Camelon up for sale.

The 14 acre site, which has been in operation since 1958, is described as an "excellent housing opportunity".

Story follows.

John Swinney approves huge offshore wind farm after Donald Trump leaves Scotland The US President repeatedly criticised offshore wind developments during his long weekend in Scotland.

Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian - could be one of the largest developments of its kind in the world.

With Donald Trump safely back in the US, the SNP Government has today announced planning approval for a massive new offshore windfarm.

The US President repeatedly tore into wind power during his Scottish trip.

John Swinney independence plan branded 'high risk' by former Yes campaign chief EXCLUSIVE: A former senior figure in the 2014 independence campaign said any future referendum could only succeed on a cross-party basis.

John Swinney's plan to achieve a second referendum on Scottish independence has been branded "high risk" by a former Yes campaign chief.

Donald Trump blasts Nicola Sturgeon as 'terrible' First Minister The US President was full of praise for the current First Minister but had less positive things to say about a previous incumbent of Bute House.

Sturgeon, in an Instagram post, said the "feeling was mutual, Donnie" before sharing another plug for her book.

Donald Trump on Nicola Sturgeon: "I thought she was terrible as a first minister of Scotland. But I think John is doing a very good job as first minister."

Donald Trump suggests he could become Scotland's next First Minister The US President said Scotland offered a "very good way of life" as they don't have "big crime" like in the United States.

Trump added that Scotland offered a "very good way of life" as they don't have "big crime" like in the United States.

Would he consider a run for First Minister?

"I might be eligible, I could be within six months or something"

Donald Trump dropping some incredible Scottish takes on a new podcast interview.

"The Scottish people are really amazing, and they're great fighters too... that's why England had a hard time, they couldn't quite tame 'em.

"You don't have crime, you don't have muggings..."

Donald Trump declares North Sea oil is a 'treasure chest' for UK The US President said the UK could make a "vast fortune" if companies were given more incentives to drill in the North Sea.

Donald Trump has declared the North Sea is a "treasure chest" for the UK as he attacked Westminster's tax regime for oil and gas firms.

Donald Trump thanks Sean Connery as he opens his latest golf course in Scotland The US President praised First Minister John Swinney as a "terrific guy" after they met at dinner last night.

Story:

It's not the first time Donald Trump has claimed Sean Connery helped him overcome planning objections to open his first golf course in Aberdeenshire.

One neighbour of the Menie Estate previously described the suggestion as "utter bollocks".

Donald Trump in Scotland LIVE as US President set to meet John Swinney The US President will formally open a second golf course at his Menie Estate following a rambling 90 minute press conference at Turnberry yesterday.

Donald Trump has described North Sea oil as a "treasure chest for the United Kingdom" in his latest broadside against renewables

Donald Trump speaks on Scottish independence after SNP reveals referendum plan Keir Starmer said "I think the UK is always stronger as four nations" after John Swinney used his Daily Record column to announce his IndyRef2 strategy.

Story:

Keir Starmer describes calls for a second referendum on independence as the "politics of yesteryear".

"I think the First Minister should probably focus more on his delivery in Scotland than on his constitutional issues, and we might have a better health service in Scotland"

Donald Trump says "I don't want to get involved in your politics" when asked about John Swinney's plan for an IndyRef2 - a story broken by the Record today.

The US President has previously claimed Scottish independence would be "terrible".

Donald Trump on John Swinney: "I don't know the First Minister, but I hear great things about him, and I'll be meeting him later today"

Donald Trump describes Aberdeen as an "amazing place".

Donald Trump on whisky tariffs: "We’ll talk about that, I didn’t know whisky was a problem.

"I’m not a big whisky drinker but maybe I should be"

I wonder what Donald Trump thinks of John Swinney's independence strategy.

John Swinney announces £180,000 of public money will help stage a golf tournament at Donald Trump’s Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

The First Minister meets the US President next week.

Rachel Reeves insists Labour can still win 2026 Holyrood election The UK Chancellor said Labour would stand on its record of investing in Scotland since it returned to power at Westminster last year.

It comes after one trade union boss warned Labour "can't win in Scotland" due to its opposition to new North Sea oil and gas licenses.

A claim brushed aside by the Chancellor today.

Rachel Reeves tells me Labour can "absolutely" still win next year's Holyrood election.

On a visit to Scotland today, she also took aim at SNP opposition to defence spending - an industry she said was bringing "prosperity" to the country.

Mhairi Black quits SNP in protest at party's 'capitulation on trans rights' Black became the youngest MP of the modern era when she defeated Labour veteran Douglas Alexander in the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat.

Mhairi Black has quit the SNP in protest at the party's "capitulation on trans rights".