Forecast gains for Scotland and Wales nationalists come even as no grouping has immediate roadmap for breaking away
Plus, Labour prepares for another go at reforming sickness benefits
Figures reopen debate about country’s economic future ahead of elections for Scottish parliament in 2026
Keir Starmer risks losing strategy focus if he loses seats to Plaid Cymru and the SNP in 2026 elections
There is no reason why the four countries can’t share information to see which approach is working
SNP administration sets out record healthcare spending as it seeks to double down on policy priorities
Plus: public transport and the productivity gap
Northern Ireland and Scotland have to push back programmes for government and other important fiscal and energy plans
Political pragmatists are finding that delivery is what matters to city electorates
There is a fundamentally different policy consensus north of the border — and different rules apply
Prime minister on visit to Belfast says local people are not interested in constitutional change
Executive issues blunt message to UK prime minister, who is visiting the region after restoration of Stormont
Sinn Féin first minister says she is ‘a republican’ but will govern ‘for all’
Outgoing first minister says devolution ‘tide only going in one direction’
Tight deadline of February 8 set by London for Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party to restore executive
Public sector workers demand pay rises in line with British counterparts
Despite limited powers, the sheer number of directly elected mayors has the potential to be disruptive
They should give up abstentionism and try persuasion instead
Holyrood fails in attempt to get London’s veto struck down
First and deputy first minister posts should be rebranded as ‘joint first minister’, Westminster committee recommends
Plus, reviews of green schemes show devolution plays second fiddle to political self-interest at national level
Politicians are nervous to admit taxes will go up — fiscal devolution might ease the process
Humza Yousaf seeks to reverse population decline and address shortage of workers
Environmentalists hail ‘world-leading’ curbs on new highway projects as angry locals worry about economic impact and increased pollution
Projected £1bn deficit has put region’s funding in the spotlight and threatens irreparable damage to public services
