An exclusive TNS System Three poll has found that 41 per cent of Scots want the SNP government to negotiate an independence settlement , compared to 40 per cent who are opposed to breaking up the UK.

Scotland had only 148 police officers on the beat at any one time until recently , despite its biggest city suffering from the highest murder rates in Europe per head of the population, new research reveals.

Ministers are scrapping physical education targets - after councils claimed that giving children more exercise does not make them fitter.

Ministers must put the environment at the heart of their policy on food by seeking to support local food , minimise food miles and cut pollution, say the government's green advisers.

The Scottish government has had talks with its biggest donor about giving heroin addicts neuro-electric therapy.