Welcome to The Courier’s morning politics briefing — everything you need to know about politics in your region and across the country, before you start your day.
Top stories
- Finance Secretary Kate Forbes claimed parts of the country risk losing out in a row over major infrastructure spending in Scotland.
- Boris Johnson’s proposal to raise national insurance to fund social care in England has been branded a “poll tax” on low-earning families in Scotland – and sparked a backlash among Conservatives.
- North-east Green MSP Maggie Chapman says she is “angry and sad” at the amount of racist and anti-immigrant abuse she receives.
- Scotland Calling: Helping Afghan refugees, Pakistan travel, meat to Mexico, and a Dutch family’s Dundee quest.
What’s on today?
- Nicola Sturgeon will reveal the Scottish Government’s programme for government today, outlining her policy plans for the next year.
In case you missed it:
- The new political partnership between the SNP and Scottish Greens puts them in a power-sharing deal for the first time. It’s sparked a frenzied backlash from their political opponents – but what’s the reality of Greens in government?
- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has thanked Scotland’s Jewish community for their “sacrifices” during the coronavirus pandemic to mark the start of Rosh Hashanah.
- Police Scotland have confirmed they’re looking into a complaint about death threats and racist abuse targeted at Health Secretary Humza Yousaf.
- Scots traveling to European countries could face problems getting into bars, restaurants, sports events and tourist attractions after it was revealed that Covid vaccine QR codes, launched by Nicola Sturgeon this week, aren’t compatible with major EU digital apps.