National Focus: Stories from Scotland

74-year-old protester arrested at anti-abortion protest in Glasgow clinic

Police arrested a 74-year-old woman for breaching an exclusion zone around an abortion clinic in Glasgow. The Scottish government’s 2024 Abortion Services Act prohibits protests within 200 metres of clinics offering abortion services. This arrest follows recent statements by US Vice President JD Vance inaccurately claiming that people who live within these safe access zones have been sent letters banning them from praying at home by the Scottish Government. Vance’s comments, made at the Munich Security Conference, sparked a wave of protests planned by anti-abortion group ‘40 Days for Life’. The group, funded by a Texas-based organisation, intends to hold daily demonstrations outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow from next month, despite the ban. MSP Gillian Mackay condemned the misinformation, stressing the importance of protecting reproductive rights. Police Scotland confirmed the woman’s arrest on 19 February for violating the exclusion zone, making her the first person to be arrested and charged under this law.

Council tax rise across Scotland confirmed

Five Scottish local authorities are confirming the largest council tax increases in twenty years. An eight per cent increase is expected in both Fife and Edinburgh. The Scottish Borders Council has voted for a ten per cent rise, while Glasgow will implement a 7.5 per cent hike, with part of the increase designated for street cleaning. Funding for councils primarily comes from the Scottish Government, with council tax and business rates contributing smaller portions of the budget. Councils argue that higher taxes are needed due to years of limited funding, despite increased Scottish Government support. These increases come after a freeze that ends in April, with the Government providing an extra £1 billion for councils in 2025-26. While reforms to council tax are promised, changes are unlikely before the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Scottish Labour grapples with tough odds for Holyrood elections

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, acknowledged that his party faces a significant challenge ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections after a drop in support, particularly among over-55s. Recent polls show a surge in support for Reform UK and the Scottish Greens, and suggest that the SNP would comfortably win the election in May of next year, which would be its fifth win in a row since 2007. Sarwar emphasised the need for a strong conference speech and a shift towards better public services, especially for younger people. Despite polling behind the SNP, Labour remains focused on making the NHS more efficient and confronting issues that have led to dissatisfaction with mainstream politics. Sarwar also rejected any potential cooperation with Reform UK, vowing to tackle the root causes of voter disillusionment and champion intergenerational equity.

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