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Neil Pooran

Neil Pooran is a Scottish Political Correpondent at PA Media, covering the Scottish Parliament and news north of the border. In this role, Neil has covered the pandemic, elections, Holyrood committees and criminal cases. Neil is particularly interested in politics and policy affecting Scotland, as well as defence and environmental issues.

Humza Yousaf wrote to the current First Minister to confirm his decision (PA)
UK

Former first minister Humza Yousaf to stand down as MSP in 2026

A rebel offensive toppled Bashar Assad’s government at the weekend (Leo Correa/AP)
UK

Expert warns of ‘massive’ risk from unexploded ordnance in Syria

A report examined wind power (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Improve consenting process to meet wind power targets, report suggests

Shona Robison set out her Budget proposals last week (Robert Perry/PA)
Business

Two-child benefit cap mitigation could start in early 2026, says Robison

Daniel Johnson said the Budget failed to tackle low growth (Lesley Martin/PA)
UK

Budget fails to tackle slow economic growth, says Labour

High winds and rain have battered the coastline (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Travel disruption as Storm Darragh lashes Scotland with wind and rain

There are fears for hundreds of jobs at Grangemouth (PA)
UK

Swinney raises union’s plan to save Grangemouth with Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney will attend the summit (Andy Buchanan/PA)
UK

Leaders to discuss climate change finance at British-Irish Council summit

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said Rhoda Grant had raised ‘a completely reasonable question’ (Robert Perry/PA)
UK Politics

Swinney to probe concerns for money invested in paused Sutherland Spaceport

Finance Secretary Shona Robison (Robert Perry/PA)
UK

No more emergency Budget revisions due to pay awards, Shona Robison promises

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she is ‘investing £768 million in affordable homes’ (PA)
UK

Campaigners welcome £768m for affordable housing but warn far more required

First Minister John Swinney spoke during a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Support for ‘vital and precious’ NHS at heart of Scottish Budget – Swinney

Liam McArhur’s Bill is going through Holyrood (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

MSP behind Scottish assisted dying Bill ‘delighted’ at Commons vote

UK

MSP behind Scottish assisted dying Bill ‘delighted’ at Commons vote

Liam McArhur’s Bill is going through Holyrood (Jane Barlow/PA)
Alex Salmond died aged 69 last month (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Proclaimers to perform at Alex Salmond memorial service

Scottish Financial Enterprise said rates should be brought more closely in line with those south of the border (Nick Ansell/PA)
UK

Scottish income tax policy not working, financial services body claims

Shona Robison will publish the Scottish Budget on December 4 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Robison advised to ‘bank’ some of Budget spending boost ahead of tough choices

Maria Eagle opened the new office in Glasgow on Friday (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Minister opens new office ‘critical’ to Aukus submarine programme

Maria Eagle opened the new office in Glasgow on Friday (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Minister opens new office ‘critical’ to Aukus submarine programme

Defence minister Maria Eagle during a visit to Glasgow to officially open Rolls-Royce Submarines office (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Office for specialists working on Aukus submarine programme opening in Glasgow

John Swinney was speaking as he visited a primary school in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Swinney says ‘we’ve all moved on’ after Eric Trump criticises support for Harris

OEUK’s annual offshore decommissioning report said only 126 wells were decommissioned in 2023 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Less offshore decommissioning work carried out in 2023 despite higher spend

There are fears for hundreds of jobs at Grangemouth (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Business

Grangemouth could switch to sustainable fuel ‘relatively easily’, says union

The First Minister laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Swinney pays tribute to war hero uncle as nation pauses on Remembrance Sunday

Police installed a black barrier around the protesters (Neil Pooran/PA)
UK

Climate activists clamp themselves to Scottish Parliament building

The next Scottish Budget will be published in December (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

MSPs ‘deeply concerned’ about Government’s lack of strategic financial approach

Tributes to Alex Salmond have been left outside the Scottish Parliament building (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Salmond left indelible mark on Scotland, Holyrood told as ex-leader remembered

Police installed a black barrier around the protesters (Neil Pooran/PA)
UK

Climate activists clamp themselves to Scottish Parliament building

The next Scottish Budget will be published in December (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

MSPs ‘deeply concerned’ about Government’s lack of strategic financial approach

Tributes to Alex Salmond have been left outside the Scottish Parliament building (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Salmond left indelible mark on Scotland, Holyrood told as ex-leader remembered

The Saltire-draped coffin bearing Alex Salmond’s body was repatriated from Macedonia (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Alex Salmond’s funeral to take place near his Aberdeenshire home

UK

Alex Salmond’s funeral to take place near his Aberdeenshire home

The Saltire-draped coffin bearing Alex Salmond’s body was repatriated from Macedonia (Jane Barlow/PA)
Kirsty Blackman said Labour is failing to tackle rising bills (Michal Wachucik/PA)
UK

Chancellor must take action to bring down energy bills, says SNP

Crime

Self-proclaimed ‘evil Jesus’ paid hitman £5,000 to kill prosecutor

Research examined the impact of welfare policies (PA)
UK

Matching Scottish child payment would lift 563,000 out of poverty – SNP

Unison has rejected the pay offer (PA)
UK

Union to ballot 90,000 local government workers in pay dispute

Unison has rejected the pay offer (PA)
UK

Union to ballot 90,000 local government workers in pay dispute

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said on Monday that a new senior investigating officer has been appointed in the case (PA)
UK

Chief constable’s response in Nairn murder case fell below expectations – Ross

Israel has launched an intense series of air strikes (Hussein Malla/AP/PA)
UK

Escalation in Israel-Hezbollah war ‘deeply troubling’, Swinney says

Alistair Wilson was shot on his doorstep almost 20 years ago (Family handout)
UK

Chief constable does not plan on meeting murdered banker’s family

The party is holding its first conference in government for 14 years (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
UK

Labour will move beyond ‘teething problems’ over gifts, says minister

The issue of Scottish independence is not resolved, an expert has said (Yui Mok/PA)
UK

Foolish to assume independence is ‘over and done’ despite SNP troubles – expert

Glasgow last hosted the games in 2014 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Talks made it ‘more likely’ Commonwealth Games will return to Glasgow – Gray

The winter fuel payment will now only be made to the poorest pensioners (PA)
UK

Starmer must U-turn on ‘damaging’ winter fuel payment cut – Flynn

John Swinney spoke candidly about the SNP’s strategy (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Swinney reveals reservations about Sturgeon’s post-Brexit indyref strategy

Meghan Gallacher is one of the three MSPs vying to succeed Douglas Ross (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Scottish Conservatives leader candidate says MP ‘threatened her career’

Khasha Smith was last seen in October (Police Scotland/PA)
UK

Man charged over death of mother last seen almost a year ago

A memorial to the late Queen will be built in London (Steve Parsons/PA)
UK

Committee will consider Scottish memorial project for late Queen, says Swinney

UK

Committee will consider Scottish memorial project for late Queen, says Swinney

A memorial to the late Queen will be built in London (Steve Parsons/PA)
Police Scotland have presented prosecutors with evidence related to former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Police ‘awaiting direction’ after sending report on SNP probe to Crown Office

John Swinney announced the review in the Programme for Government (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Arts body Creative Scotland’s remit will be reviewed, says Swinney

Orbex hopes to make its first test launch from the site in Sutherland next year (Orbex/PA)
Science

Spaceport’s ‘floating road’ over peat bog nearly finished ahead of test launch

Shona Robison will update MSPs on proposed Scottish Government spending cuts (Lesley Martin/PA)
UK

Robison blames Westminster for ‘austerity era’ ahead of spending cuts update

Shona Robison will update MSPs on proposed Scottish Government spending cuts (Lesley Martin/PA)
UK

Robison blames Westminster for ‘austerity era’ ahead of spending cuts update

John Swinney addressed the SNP conference at the weekend (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Scottish Government budget decisions are not ‘SNP austerity’ – Swinney

Biffy Clyro are among the bands to have signed the letter (Andrew MilliganPA)
UK

Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and other stars warn Swinney of ‘cultural catastrophe’

Russell Findlay said the poll was ‘deeply worrying’ (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Poll suggesting Reform breakthrough at Holyrood ‘deeply concerning’ – Findlay

Tents are crammed together as displaced Palestinians camp on the beach (Abdel Kareen Hana/AP)
UK

Nurse tells of treating war-injured patients during Gaza Strip deployment

Either Russell Findlay,right, Murdo Fraser or Meghan Gallacher will be the next Scottish Tory leader (PA)
UK

Scottish Tory hopefuls pitch plans to change party at first hustings

The test took place at SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst (SaxaVord/PA)
Science

‘Very unusual’ fire caused rocket explosion, delaying first space launch bid

The three candidates will take questions from Tory members at the first hustings event (PA)
UK

Scottish Tory leadership candidates to take part in first hustings

Either Russell Findlay,right, Murdo Fraser or Meghan Gallacher will be the next Scottish Tory leader (PA)
UK

Who is vying for the Scottish Conservative leadership?

Shona Robison will update MSPs in early September (Jane Barlow/PA)
Business

More spending cuts needed amid ‘very challenging environment’ – Robison

Mobile masts were placed in rural areas (Gareth Fuller/PA)
UK

4G project boosted connectivity in rural and island communities, report finds

Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla spoke about the difficulties their relatives are facing (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Humza Yousaf relatives forced to flee homes in Gaza Strip again, former FM says

UK

Humza Yousaf relatives forced to flee homes in Gaza Strip again, former FM says

Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla spoke about the difficulties their relatives are facing (Jane Barlow/PA)
John Swinney discussed the situation in Gaza (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

John Swinney has virtual meeting with head of UK Palestinian mission

A pro-Palestine activist disrupting a talk event with John Swinney and Mark Drakeford, held at the Edinburgh International Book festival (Neil Pooran/PA)
UK

Pro-Palestinian heckler interrupts festival event with Swinney and Drakeford

A pro-Palestine activist disrupting a talk event with John Swinney and Mark Drakeford, held at the Edinburgh International Book festival (Neil Pooran/PA)
UK

Pro-Palestinian heckler interrupts festival event with Swinney and Drakeford

RFA’s rocket exploded on the launch pad during a test (Rocket Factory Augsburg)
Science

What next for space launch bids after rocket engine explosion in Shetland?

RFA’s rocket exploded on the launch pad during a test (Rocket Factory Augsburg)
Science

What next for space launch bids after rocket engine explosion in Shetland?

John Mason said he had not expected to lose the whip but that it had been necessary to do the ‘right thing’ (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

MSP ‘completely stands by’ Gaza comments after SNP whip removed

Angus Robertson apologised after holding a meeting with an Israeli diplomat (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Scottish cabinet secretary apologises after meeting with Israeli diplomat

Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservatives’ justice spokesman, has said the party will not ‘turn inwards’ if he wins the leadership (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA)
UK

Findlay says Tories must not ‘turn inwards’ as he makes party unity pitch

Meghan Gallacher has entered the Scottish Conservative leadership race (Andrew Milligan/PA)
UK

Deputy leader Meghan Gallacher confirms Scots Tory leadership bid

Sir Keir Starmer said GB Energy will help ensure ‘clean energy by 2030, cheaper bills, and good jobs across the country’ (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
UK

Scotland will lead energy revolution, says Starmer as GB Energy Bill introduced

Long curly hair could prove an impediment in the 100 metres and long jump, research has suggested (Alamy/PA)
Science

Long, curly hair and loose clothing could cost athletes gold medal – research

Mhairi Black said the SNP needs to ‘get its house in order’ (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Forbes’ views on gay marriage are extreme and archaic, says ex-MP Black

The SNP wrote to Foreign Secretary David Lammy (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
UK

SNP calls for suspension of Israel arms sales in letter to Foreign Secretary

Stephen Flynn called for immediate action from the UK Government to tackle child poverty (PA)
UK

Four-nation summit needed now to tackle child poverty, says Flynn

Labour says GB Energy will help to reduce energy bills (PA)
UK

Labour rolling up our sleeves, says Murray, as GB Energy Bill confirmed

Stephen Flynn discussed his party’s amendment (Michal Wachucik/PA)
UK

Flynn ‘hopes and expects’ some Labour MPs will back amendment on benefit cap

PwC said activity in the financial services sector is flattening out (Jane Barlow/PA)
UK

Economy forecast to grow at faster rate but outlook remains subdued, says report

Beach-goers were told to stay out of the water (Jane Barlow/PA)
News

Government ‘missing in action’ on Edinburgh beach pollution incident, MP claims

Advice against swimming and paddling were removed (Jane Barlow/PA)
News

Warnings lifted as Edinburgh beach water quality back at safe levels, Sepa says

Ed Miliband took part in a joint meeting (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Business

Miliband vows ‘no stone unturned’ in finding green future for Grangemouth

Beaumont’s ruse incoporated the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (PA)
Crime

Man jailed after false ‘Chernobyl radiation test’ assaults on students

Advice against swimming and paddling were removed (Jane Barlow/PA)
News

Warnings lifted as Edinburgh beach water quality back at safe levels, Sepa says

Ed Miliband took part in a joint meeting (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Business

Miliband vows ‘no stone unturned’ in finding green future for Grangemouth

Beaumont’s ruse incoporated the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (PA)
Crime

Man jailed after false ‘Chernobyl radiation test’ assaults on students

Warnings remain in place at Portobello beach (Jane Barlow/PA)
News

Warnings still in place amid probe into Edinburgh beach bacteria pollution

Charles Kennedy died in 2015 (Chris Ison/PA)
UK

Charles Kennedy’s family ‘extremely pleased’ at Lib Dem win, new MP says

The union Unison is sending out ballots for potential strike action (PA)
Business

Unison to ballot thousands of school staff for strike action in pay dispute

Lady Smith’s inquiry is in its eighth phase (Nick Mailer/PA)
UK

Children’s secure unit was ‘hellhole’ with frequent violence, inquiry told

Parliament returned on Tuesday with Labour ministers on the Government frontbench for the first time in more than a decade (PA)
UK

Scotland’s new MPs sworn in at House of Commons after Labour gains

Jamie Greene has said the Scottish Tories face political extinction (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA)
UK

Scottish Tories face ‘political extinction’ without debate on future, says MSP

Owner Petroineos announced the oil refinery at Grangemouth would be shut after spring next year (Jane Barlow/PA)
Business

Grangemouth should be home to energy industries of future, says Scottish Labour

The Aberdeen South MP was reflecting on the General Election results (Michal Wachucik/PA)
UK

SNP’s ‘internal difficulties’ led to loss of trust with voters – Stephen Flynn

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