John Swinney officially scraps ‘named person’ plan
"The mandatory named person scheme for every child – underpinned by law – will now not happen," Swinney told Scottish Parliament
Illegal to refuse tattoos to people with HIV
Five leading HIV organisations have said that refusing people who live with HIV a tattoo, piercing or beauty treatment is illegal under the Equality Act.
Ancient universities better able to cope with financial pressures than newer ones
Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews more resilient faced with funding cuts and rising costs, says public spending watchdog
Getting to know you: Kirsty Rafferty
The Scottish Parliament's barista in chief takes a break to chat to Holyrood about what she's picked up over 15 years at Kirsty's coffee bar
On the world stage: an overview of the year in Culture, Tourism and External Affairs
Brexit has made the contrast between the Scottish and UK Governments’ international agendas clearer than ever before
Social security Q&A with Shirley-Anne Somerville
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People reflects on the political year
Sketch: All across the UK, people are waking up to discover they have become Lib Dems
The Lib Dem conference raised serious questions about the rise of centrist extremism
Jeane Freeman: striking the balance
How the Scottish Government and COSLA are leading a major programme of public health reform
Associate feature: Why social work is integral to good health
Our lifestyle, environment and relationships are as important to good health as doctors and medicine
Associate feature: A compassionate Scotland needs everyone
Katy Hetherington, organisational lead at NHS Health Scotland, on how a ‘whole society’ response is necessary to tackle childhood adversity
The Conservatives' contempt will come back to haunt them
As the countdown to the threatened Halloween Brexit ticks away, the Tories will be haunted by the events of the last few days, writes Laura Kelly
Associate feature: Primary care services from your local community pharmacy
Matt Barclay, Director of Operations at Community Pharmacy Scotland, on new services available through the Minor Ailment Service and the Pharmacy First Service
Outsourced IT typically more efficient, finds Institute for Government
In a review of the government’s outsourcing policy, the think tank called for an enhanced role for permanent secretaries in boosting government skills to agree outsourcing deals
The year in local government: the struggle for power
Councils have been pushing for powers to see through their own agendas and not simply deliver government policy
John Swinney officially scraps ‘named person’ plan
"The mandatory named person scheme for every child – underpinned by law – will now not happen," Swinney told Scottish Parliament
Ancient universities better able to cope with financial pressures than newer ones
Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews more resilient faced with funding cuts and rising costs, says public spending watchdog
Scottish Government announces public inquiry into Queen Elizabeth and Sick Kids hospitals
The inquiry will look at how defects in ventilation systems occurred and what steps can be taken to prevent these problems in future
Meeting Mr Wright: NHS Scotland’s new boss on a lifetime in the health service
Scotland’s new Director General for Health and Social Care Malcolm Wright discusses how a lifetime of experience in the health service has made him the right man to tackle its challenges
Scottish Parliament should be given powers to scrutinise future referendum questions, committee says
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee said that there should be legislation for referendum questions on issues of national importance
Claim that Scottish judges are biased against Brexit sparks Tory row
Downing Street had to confirm its confidence in the judiciary after a source suggested MPs “chose the Scottish courts for a reason”
Fork in the road: an overview of the year in the Transport portfolio
Dealing with the perennial challenges in transport in the context of a climate emergency
Q&A: Fergus Ewing on Brexit, forestry and the Good Food Nation Bill
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity takes a look back at a busy year
Conservatives should have ‘ripped the plaster off’ and made more cuts, David Cameron says
The former prime minister said the Tory austerity programme should have gone further despite “hysterical” critics
Q&A: Fergus Ewing on Brexit, forestry and the Good Food Nation Bill
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity takes a look back at a busy year