Sophie Taylor, senior associate, looks at the top stories for the week ahead.
Israel and Iran continue to trade blows after Israel launched “pre-emptive strikes” against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure on Friday, with international leaders calling on both countries to de-escalate. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, said the attack - called operation “Rising Lion” - was to “roll back” the Iranian threat to Israel.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said during his trip to Canada for the G7 summit, which continues until tomorrow, that RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East “for contingency support”. Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Sky News this is a “precautionary move” and that the UK has “not been involved” in any strikes or the conflict so far.
After the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history, the suspect in the shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses has been arrested. On Saturday, former House speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot, and senator John Hoffman and his wife injured, in what Minnesota governor Tim Walz called “politically motivated” violence.
The big ticket items in the Scottish political calendar this week will be two keynote speeches from the first minister. Addressing those in the health, local government, education, justice and third sectors today, and speaking at the Scotland 2050 Conference tomorrow, John Swinney will set out his vision for national renewal over the next three decades. Achieving independence will be front and centre (£).
The first minister will pass the crystal ball to Rachel Reeves as she unveils a 10-year strategy this week aimed at ensuring infrastructure is “delivered faster, more efficiently, and with greater impact”. The strategy will likely be less contentious than Labour’s welfare reform bill, which is also set to be published this week and has already sparked significant backlash from backbenchers.
Across the pond, the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to divest from the platform or have a US ban imposed (again) lands on Thursday. The US president Donald Trump has, however, said he’d like to extend the deadline a third time if a deal isn’t reached.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
Think tank Centre for Cities warns Glasgow needs a metro mayor and devolved powers focusing on transport, housing, skills and economic development. Otherwise, it risks being left behind cities like Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. It is claimed Scotland’s GDP would be 4.6% larger if Glasgow’s economy performed in line with the average for cities its size.
Industry leaders and academics will work with government ministers in a new Scottish Technology Council, chaired by minister for business and employment Richard Lochhead. The council will help to maximise the economic benefits of Scotland’s technology sector by shaping policy, providing a link between businesses and government and promoting domestic companies internationally. The first meeting will take place tomorrow, 17 June.
The National Library of Scotland is planning a major transformation of its George IV Bridge building to "open it up" to the public and host large-scale events (£). Looking to the New York Public Library for inspiration, the project would involve changes to the architecture to create more natural light. More details are expected to be revealed in the library’s five-year strategic plan, which will be published in September.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is planning a major transport summit with mayors of some of the UK’s biggest cities to discuss how to protect domestic manufacturers. The summit, scheduled for this summer, comes after bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis announced it is preparing to move operations down south.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
“Scottish politics isn’t nearly as bitter and divided as it can seem”, writes Alexander Brown as he reflects on politicians’ relationships behind the scenes (£) in his last piece for The Scotsman. Remembering snooker games and political collaboration between rivals, Brown assures readers that Scottish political relations are not as tribal as we might assume.
Through his simplistic, emotionally charged messaging and use of social media,Reform’s Nigel Farage is exploiting today’s rules of engagement in a way our governing politicians have failed to do. John Harris explores this political communication case study in The Guardian, arguing that from his clothes to his sharp diagnosis of people’s problems, Farage is dominating British populist politics.
As he unveils his latest art exhibition, Windswept & Interesting, one of our national treasures, Billy Connolly, delved into his inspirations, his love of Glasgow, and why modern kids should put the phones down (£) in The Sunday Times. Warning: It is impossible to read this without hearing Connolly’s voice.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
Monday
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Westminster
- Commons, motion on behalf of the Committee of Selection: Scottish Affairs Committee
- UK: Louise Casey grooming gang audit expected to be published; announcements begin for 10-year infrastructure strategy
- Canada: G7 continues until Tuesday
- Denmark: International Conference on the Science of Science and Innovation begins in Copenhagen
- Reports: UK Rightmove June house price index
Tuesday
- Scotland 2050 Conference in Edinburgh
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Ministerial Statement: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan - Annual Progress Report 2024-2025
- Ministerial Statement: Delivering Reform and Renewal for Health and Social Care
- Stage 3 Proceedings: Scottish Languages Bill
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In the Holyrood committee rooms
- Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee will take evidence on the British Sign Language Inquiry
- Finance and Public Administration Committee will take evidence on the cost-effectiveness of Scottish public inquiries
- Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will take evidence on welfare and sustainability in Scottish youth football
- Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will take evidence on the National Planning Framework 4 Annual Review
- Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will consider the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill up to Part 2, Chapter 2, at Stage 2 (Day 3)
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Scottish Government data
- Follow-up Destinations of all School Leavers, 2025 Edition
- Council Tax Collection Statistics, Scotland, 2024-25
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Westminster
- Westminster Hall debate: Hydrogen powered aviation
- European Affairs Committee: The UK-EU reset
- Economic Affairs Committee: Preparing for an Ageing Society
- Home Affairs Committee, oral evidence: Tackling violence against women and girls
- UK: Defence secretary John Healey addresses RUSI Land Warfare conference
- Philippines: Circular Economy Forum 2025
- Reports: US industrial production figures
Wednesday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Finance
- Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Economy
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In the Holyrood committee rooms
- Economy and Fair Work Committee will take evidence on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1
- Rural Affairs and Islands Committee will take evidence on the EU-UK co-operation agreement
- Education, Children and Young People Committee will take evidence on the financial stability of Scotland’s colleges
- Public Audit Committee will take evidence on General Practice: Process since the 2018 General Medical Service contract
- Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will consider the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill up to Part 2, Chapter 2, at Stage 2 (Day 4)
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Scottish Government data
- UK House Price Index Scotland: April 2025
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Westminster
- Prime Minister’s Question Time
- Scottish Affairs Committee, oral evidence: Industrial transition in Scotland
- Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, oral evidence: Building support for the energy transition
- UK: Transport secretary expected to set out HS2 reset
- Russia: Vladimir Putin welcomes attendees to the tWhree-day 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum
- Reports: UK consumer price index and PPI inflation rate data; US interest rate decision; EU harmonised indices of consumer prices inflation rate data
Thursday
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In the Holyrood chamber
- First Minister’s Questions
- Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions
- Ministerial Statement: A Public Services Reform Strategy for Scotland
- Scottish Government Debate: Progress NACWG Recommendations on Equality
- UK: Chatham House’s 10th London conference
- US: Deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok; Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Reports: UK interest rate decision
Friday
- UK: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill expected to return
- EU: European Central Bank Economic Bulletin
- France: Paris Air Show opens to the public, running until Sunday
- Luxembourg: Economic and Financial Affairs Council meets to discuss expansion of the euro area and the EU’s response to the Ukraine conflict among other items
- Reports: UK public sector finance data and retail sales figures; China interest rate announcement
Saturday
- UK: London Climate Action Week kicks off