Scottish news bulletin: 1st April 2009
- Reform Scotland
- 1 April 2009
All newspaper references refer to Scottish editions.
Economy
G20 Summit: There is discussion of the plans which are to be announced by various world leaders on how the current economic crisis must be tackled. French and German leaders, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, will stage a joint press conference later today in order to call for global regulation of banks. This is seen as a challenge to US President Obama who, along with Gordon Brown, will be speaking at a conference this morning. Meanwhile Mexican President, Felipe Calderon, who is also in the UK for the summit and aims to strengthen ties between the UK and Mexico, has been visiting the BP offices in Aberdeen.(The Guardian page 1 & page 9, Simon Hoggart in The Guardian, The Herald page 1, The Scotsman page 1, The Sun pages 8 & 9, Daily Express page 7, The Times page 1 & page 8, The Daily Mail page 1, pages 6 & 7, Daily Mirror page 1, Daily Telegraph page 1, Daily Record pages 4 & 5, The Courier & Advertiser page 1 & page 8, The P & J page 5 & page 7, FT Page 1 & page 6)
Property scheme: The Scottish Government is extending a scheme which assists home-buyers by lending them a proportion of the property cost in order that they may reduce the amount borrowed through a mortgage. The programme had existed in some council areas already but will now be available throughout Scotland at a cost of £60million. (The Herald page 12)
New jobs: It is hoped that 2000 new jobs, 1000 of which will be permanent, will be created if planning permission is granted to the development of a centre for storing computer data in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway. (The Herald page 9, The Scotsman page 8)
Crime
Human Trafficking: A report published today highlights the failure of police in Scotland to bring human traffickers to justice and pointed out that, unlike in England and Wales, no-one has ever been convicted of this offence in Scotland. (The Scotsman page 1)
Community terror plans: The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) wants to use local profiles which compile local information on landmarks and individual areas of concern in order to improve security in case of a terror attack. (The Herald page 1)
Transport
Glasgow bus station: Consultants have suggested that a second bus station in Glasgow city centre could ease the flow of traffic around the existing Buchanan Street station. SPT has consequently agreed to look at the feasibility of the project which could take place on land near the St Enoch shopping centre if adopted. (The Herald page 9)
Edinburgh trams: Despite recent troubles, the Edinburgh tram works are set to expand with the creation of a line throughout the east of the city. (The Scotsman page 8)
Local Government
Glasgow Housing conflict: Glasgow City Council has called upon Scotland’s Housing Regulator to begin an investigation into a conflict between Glasgow Housing Association, City Building and contractor Connaught, over a £20million pensions bond. (The Herald page 1)
Education
Numeracy slump: Scottish Government research has shown that only 30% of S2 pupils have reached the expected standards in numeracy, while this is reached by at least 85% of those in P3. (The Herald page 8, The Scotsman page 15, The Sun page 2, The Times page 15, Daily Telegraph page 12, The Courier & Advertiser page 3)
Politics
Pay freeze: Scottish Ministers have announced that they will voluntarily not be included in the 2.33% wage rise which they and MSPs would have received from today, after an invitation to do so from First Minister Alex Salmond. (The Herald page 6, The Sun page 2, Daily Express page 4, Daily Mail page 1, Daily Record page 6, The P&J page 1)
Carbon emissions assessment: An assessment of the impact of transport policies on the environment has been delayed by Scottish ministers until 2010 despite its original due date passing last year. (The Herald page 10)