Holyrood 562 / 25 May 2026

Class of ‘26: seventh session, six parties, five years to deliver

3 Editor’s note
John Swinney’s decision to exclude Reform UK is undemocratic

6 Opinion
Louise Wilson
Kirsteen Paterson

8 Housing: The Huddle
Is multiple home ownership exacerbating the housing emergency?

10 Opinion
Ruaraidh Gilmour
Chris Marshall

12 Spotlight: Labour leadership
The return of Andy Burnham is a dangerous moment for the PM

16 Spotlight: Scottish Parliament
What do the post-election changes mean for delivery at Holyrood?

20 Energy: North Sea Oil
The Iran war has reopened the debate about oil and gas

26 Skills: Apprenticeships
All parties want to boost skills, but the pathway looks unclear

30 Economy: Pubs
Scotland’s pubs are facing unprecedented pressures

34 Economy: Food price cap
Price war as Scottish and UK governments try to lower bills

37 Connect: Transport
AI and other new tech can deliver public transport improvements

40 Interview: Paul Higgins
He’s done The Thick of It and Line of Duty, so what’s next?

46 Getting to Know You
David Green, Lib Dem MSP for Caithness, Sutherland & Ross

48 Diary
Ross Greer and Morgan McSweeney: Separated at birth

49 Political Spin
Stephen Gethins MSP presses play

50 Last Word: Sketch
Keir Starmer’s cabinet sharpens its knives