Finlay Whiteford, researcher, looks at the stories for the week ahead.
“A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”
That’s how Keir Starmer described his government’s action yesterday, in tandem with Australia and Canada, to recognise a Palestinian state. In a recorded video speech, he stressed the UK’s recognition was not a reward for Hamas but instead a step to “revive the hope of peace” in the region. France is set to follow suit today in a fringe conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
John Swinney has made a shift in his flock following a seagull-inspired row that led to the resignation of parliamentary business minister, Jamie Hepburn, last Friday. He will be replaced by Graeme Dey (£), whose current role of minister for higher and further education is to be filled by Ben Macpherson, bringing him back into government after more than two years on the backbenches, where he was relegated after declined a role in Humza Yousaf’s government.
The SNP also made a swift appointment to replace its CEO, Carol Beattie, following her resignation, which cited personal health-related concerns. Former MP, Callum McCaig, will replace her and be the party’s third chief executive since Peter Murrell’s resignation in March 2023.
And while McCaig’s former workplace, the House of Commons, enters its autumn recess, its third-largest party kicked off its annual conference with a marching band in Bournemouth. The Liberal Democrat’s deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, proposed a windfall tax on major banks to fund loans for households and small businesses, enabling them to purchase items to boost energy efficiency.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
Energy secretary Ed Miliband is poised to quietly reverse Labour’s flagship ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences (£) ahead of the Holyrood election next year and Labour’s annual conference. The GMB union and industry leaders welcome the move.
HMRC issued fines worth £5.5million for late tax returns in Scotland in a 12-month period, according to data obtained by Advice Direct Scotland. Twenty thousand Scots were penalised for missing the government’s deadline for the 2022/23 tax year, affecting those who are self-employed or who qualify for capital gains tax.
Bernard Gray reports on Centrica and X-Energy’s plans to build 12 small-scale nuclear reactors in Hartlepool in a newly-announced £10bn UK investment. But given a deficit in equity investment, it is possible the scheme could be funded by additions to consumer energy bills over a number of years.
Plans to move Gatwick Airport's second runway have been approved by the UK government, which could add around 190 flights to its capacity. A decision on the plans by the transport secretary had been expected by February but was delayed on environmental grounds. The Chancellor believes airport expansion is critical in securing economic growth.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
On BBC Radio 4’s Currently podcast, Nick Eardley explores how Scotland’s relationship to immigration has changed in the wake of mass protests in recent weeks. Eardley traces historical narratives of Scotland’s cosmopolitanism before discussing the impacts of migration on Scottish businesses and local economies.
In his Sunday Times column (£), Robert Colville argues that the most powerful visitor to the UK last week wasn’t Donald Trump but instead the “AI barons” – Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman and Jensen Huang – who are set to dominate our future and tie UK fate to US businesses. We’re in for a period of “convulsive change”, he worries, as the AI arms race is imported to Britain.
Writing in The Herald this morning, Colin Borland of the FSB urges politicians to get on with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the economy rather than political scandal. Ahead of Scottish and UK budgets this winter, he argues the focus should be on unlocking economic potential instead of squeezing more tax from small businesses.
The week ahead – fill your diary with key events
Monday
- Emmanuel Macron due to announce France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood at a UN summit on a two-state solution
- London Fashion Week closes
Tuesday
-
In the Holyrood chamber
- Stage three proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill
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In the Holyrood committee rooms
- Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will take evidence as part of pre-budget scrutiny. The committee will also consider a draft report of the national Good Food Nation Plan
- Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee will consider the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill and the UK Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, and a range of other regulations
- Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to take evidence on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and consider the Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025
- Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will take evidence on the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill and consider a draft report of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025
- Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee will take evidence on a draft report on the Operation of the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland
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Scottish government data
- Alcohol-specific deaths, annual release (2024)
- High-level general debate begins at the UN General Assembly; Donald Trump to address the debate
- Liberal Democrat conference ends in Bournemouth
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Statistical releases:
- CBI Industrial Trends survey
- OECD Interim Economic Outlook report
- S&P Global manufacturing and services PMI data
- Kingfisher half-year results
Wednesday
-
In the Holyrood chamber
- Stage three debate: Housing (Scotland) Bill
-
In the Holyrood committee rooms
- Education, Children and Young People Committee will take evidence on the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill
- Rural Affairs and Islands Committee will take evidence on the Free-Range Poultry Meat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, and the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage one
- Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will take evidence on healthcare issues and a range of continued petitions
- Economy and Fair Work Committee will take evidence from the Scottish National Investment Bank as part of pre-budget scrutiny
- Public Audit Committee will take evidence on the governance of NHS Scotland
- Criminal Justice Committee will take evidence on Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (Characteristic of Sex) Amendment Regulations 2026
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Scottish Government data
- Labour productivity (2024) including estimates of GVA per hour
- Oil and gas production statistics annual update (1998-2024)
- UN: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian to address the General Assembly
Thursday
-
In the Holyrood chamber
- First Minister’s Questions
- Stage one debate: Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
- Scottish Government data
- Energy trends (Q2 2025 data)
- Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services in Scotland, biennial statistics
- Home Office to challenge Palestine Action’s appeal against proscription as a terrorist organisation
- Two-day World Bank/ODI conference on global finance begins in London
- World Climate and Biodiversity Summit begins in New York
- BP’s annual Energy Outlook
- Q2 GDP estimate (US)
- Co-operative Group and STV half-year results
- Releases:
Friday
- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Donald Trump at the White House
- Wigtown Book Festival begins
Saturday
- Deadline for the UK, France and Germany to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran for its disputed nuclear programme
Sunday
- Labour’s annual conference begins in Liverpool