Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves promises to unlock Scotland’s economic potential during visit to Edinburgh

Labour’s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has committed to revitalising the UK economy, pledging that a Labour government would “pick it back up” and focus on unleashing Scotland’s economic strength.

Ahead of a visit to Edinburgh, where she will campaign alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Reeves outlined plans to revitalise Scotland’s financial services sector, an industry she sees as one of the UK’s greatest assets. She is set to meet with leaders from financial services firms in the Scottish capital, with a goal of driving growth and creating jobs in the region.

Reeves stated: “Scotland’s financial services industry supports thousands of jobs and attracts billions of pounds in investment, making it a key contributor to the UK economy. That is why I was proud to launch our review of financial services in Edinburgh last year and why I can announce that we will deliver on it.”

She continued, “When Scotland succeeds, we all succeed. The SNP in Holyrood and the Conservatives in Westminster have let Scotland’s economy down, so it is up to Labour to help pick it back up and deliver the change needed.”

Her remarks come as part of Labour’s wider economic strategy, which promises to drive jobs and growth throughout Scotland, ensuring that local success translates to national prosperity.

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, echoed Reeves’ sentiments, criticising the Conservative government for what he called 14 years of “chaos” that had “hollowed out the economy” and left Scotland poorer. He said, “Labour will unlock the full potential of Scotland’s financial services industry to create jobs and drive growth, offering a clear alternative to the turmoil created by the Tories.”

However, the Conservatives have strongly criticised Labour’s approach, with Scottish Tory finance spokeswoman Liz Smith accusing Labour of undermining Scotland’s economy with their opposition to new oil and gas projects in the North Sea. She also highlighted Labour’s support for SNP tax hikes, which she claimed have stunted growth.

Meanwhile, SNP economy spokesperson Drew Hendry dismissed Reeves’ comments as “empty words,” accusing Labour of hypocrisy. He argued that the party’s support for Brexit and its alignment with Conservative economic policies were responsible for the damage to Scotland’s economy. Hendry urged voters to support the SNP as the only party genuinely putting Scotland’s economic interests first.

With the Scottish elections on July 4, the debate over Labour’s economic proposals is heating up, with each party vying for control over Scotland’s future economic direction.

Greens promise £8 billion investment, scrapping tuition fees, and improving student well-being through various initiatives

The Green Party has unveiled an ambitious £8 billion education plan, pledging to abolish Ofsted and SATs testing in favour of continuous assessment. As part of their wider educational reform, the Greens also propose to eliminate tuition fees, introduce free school meals for all children, and ensure every school and college has a qualified counsellor.

Co-leader Carla Denyer described the Green Party’s proposals as an “A-star offering” that is “fully inclusive and costed,” aimed at relieving pressures in the education system while improving student and teacher well-being.

“Greens want to replace high-stakes SATs testing with a system of continuous assessment, and abolish Ofsted to reduce stress in schools,” Denyer explained. “This approach will provide a more supportive, holistic education for all children, treating arts and vocational subjects equally alongside traditional academic subjects.”

In addition, the Greens plan to tackle child poverty by scrapping the two-child benefit cap, increasing Universal Credit by £40 a week, and providing free school meals for every child, ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial barriers.

The proposal also includes significant investment in special needs provision, with a £5 billion boost to help children with special educational needs and disabilities. The party wants to increase funding for schools, especially those needing urgent repairs such as those with Raac concrete, to the tune of £2.5 billion.

On post-16 education, Denyer said the Green Party would restore the education maintenance allowance and end the marketisation of universities, which they argue has led to financial crises and left students burdened with debts. The Greens propose a major overhaul, including the scrapping of tuition fees and the reintroduction of maintenance grants.

“By reforming the tax system to be fairer and greener, we can generate the necessary funding for these initiatives,” Denyer said, emphasising the importance of a long-term, sustainable solution.

The Green Party’s plan aims to address the systemic issues facing education in the UK, putting a greater focus on inclusion, well-being, and sustainability. Denyer concluded by calling on Labour to consider the Green Party’s ideas for more adequately funded support for both students and teachers.

Scottish First Minister Faces Pressure Over Energy Strategy as Tensions Rise within SNP

Scottish Labour has called on First Minister John Swinney to clarify his stance on oil and gas exploration, following uncertainty surrounding the Scottish Government’s energy strategy.

The Scottish Government’s draft energy strategy includes a presumption against new oil and gas licences, which would restrict new exploration in the North Sea unless specific conditions are met. However, the First Minister has yet to commit to the policy’s inclusion in the final strategy document.

Swinney acknowledged the need to transition to net zero but stressed the importance of managing this transition in a way that supports the oil and gas sector. He stated: “We’ve got to make the transition to net zero, but what I want to ensure is that we manage that transition in a way that supports the oil and gas sector and is compatible with our long-term vision.”

While Swinney’s comments suggested a balancing act, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn indicated earlier in the day that the presumption against new licences could be revised or shelved altogether.

Flynn told BBC Radio Scotland: “We need to recognise, irrespective of where you are, the importance of the oil and gas sector to Scotland’s economy. Those 100,000 individuals working in the sector are crucial to our journey to net zero.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie criticised the lack of clarity, accusing the SNP of sending mixed messages. She said: “The SNP is saying one thing to the North East and another to the rest of Scotland. This issue is too important to be used as an internal political tool. We need to know whether John Swinney backs the current position of the government or whether he’s been overruled by Westminster’s Stephen Flynn.”

While Labour has faced challenges in the North East over their oil and gas stance, with Sir Keir Starmer previously pledging to end new exploration, Flynn responded to the criticism, accusing Labour of undermining Scotland’s economic potential.

He added: “Labour’s plans will deter up to £30 billion of investment in Scotland. Rather than standing up to Keir Starmer, they deflect to the SNP. A vote for the SNP is a vote to protect Scottish jobs and energy investment.”

Flynn also reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to reinvesting Scotland’s energy wealth locally, rather than allowing it to be spent on projects in England, as suggested by Labour’s energy policies.

Cross-Party Group Calls for Bold Action from Next Government to Address Funding Crisis

A cross-party coalition of the largest local authorities in England has called on the next government to urgently provide long-term funding alongside sweeping reforms to prevent local services from reaching breaking point.

The County Councils Network (CCN), which represents councils serving half of England’s population, issued a stark warning, stating that even well-managed councils are at risk of failure due to “extremely precarious” finances. The group emphasised that additional funding alone would not guarantee sustainability for local government services.

With a projected £2 billion funding shortfall over the next two years, the CCN is urging the next government to implement a “bold and brave” reform package targeting services under the greatest pressure, including adult social care, children’s services, and special educational needs.

Currently, 68% of the average council budget is consumed by these services, and the potential squeeze on unprotected government departments after the General Election could exacerbate the risk to local services.

In a joint statement, CCN leaders warned that without adequate funding and structural reforms, vital local services could reach a breaking point, affecting the lives of millions. “The next government must urgently set out how it will fund councils and adopt our ambitious agenda for reform,” they said.

The CCN has also published a manifesto outlining proposed reforms, including the introduction of price caps in the children’s residential care market to curb excessive costs, and the rebalancing of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

Additionally, the group called for greater economic devolution, allowing councils more control over local taxes and key sectors such as skills, planning, and employment support. The manifesto stresses that services can only become sustainable through deep reforms and empowered local authorities.

Labour has expressed its commitment to deepen devolution, promising to provide councils with more powers to boost economic growth, while the Conservative Party has yet to comment.

Scottish Tory Leader Launches Campaign Targeting Key SNP Seats

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has asserted that a loss at the upcoming General Election could significantly derail the SNP’s quest for Scottish independence. As Ross prepares to launch his party’s campaign on Tuesday in Perth, he aims to challenge First Minister John Swinney in his Perthshire North constituency.

Addressing supporters, Ross emphasised the stakes of the election, positioning it as a key opportunity for voters to reject the SNP’s independence agenda. “We’re here in John Swinney’s own constituency to make it clear that the Scottish Conservatives are determined to challenge the SNP’s hold on seats like this one,” he stated. He characterised the election as a pivotal moment to “finally end” the independence push that has persisted since the 2014 referendum.

Ross contended that the SNP’s continued focus on independence detracts from crucial issues such as job creation, NHS wait times, and public service improvements. “By defeating the SNP, we can redirect attention to improving lives across Scotland,” he declared, urging voters to back the Scottish Conservatives in key contests throughout the nation.

Meanwhile, SNP MP and Perth and Kinross-Shire candidate Pete Wishart argued that voting SNP is the most effective route to removing the Tory Government. Wishart highlighted the impact of Westminster-driven policies such as austerity, Brexit, and the cost-of-living crisis on Scotland’s economy and public services.

“The SNP in government has demonstrated that Scotland benefits when decisions are made here, from supporting households during economic crises to leading on healthcare performance,” Wishart said. He encouraged Scots to unite by voting SNP to ensure a future shaped by decisions made “in Scotland, for Scotland.”