The SNP government will take the first step this week towards abolishing the council tax. The plan is part of an economic strategy to make every household in Scotland £10,000 better off within 10 years and follows last week's announcement that the government was close to striking a deal with council bosses to freeze the unpopular property-based tax.

Run-down Dalmarnock will be the hub of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, but locals harbour both hopes and fears over the community’s future.

Wendy Alexander is under pressure to reveal the identity of backers who helped fund her campaign to win leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland.
Every donation to Alexander's campain was under the £1000 limit that would trigger identification of the donor.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered to meet the mother of the soldier Gordon Gentle, who was killed in Iraq after being sent into action without vital equipment.

Labour's chief whip has threatened to quit Holyrood's equality watchdog if it pushes ahead with plans for an inquiry into Catholic schools. Michael McMahon, the member for Hamilton North, said that he would "consider his position" if MSPs agreed to look at discrimination in faith schools.