Survivors of abuse at a residential find out they should be allowed access to a compensation scheme.

Fri 26 Jul, 6.00 pm

How long a sentence should be handed down to convicted rapists?



The Scottish Sentencing Council - the body which provides guidelines for criminal penalties in the courts - is asking the public for their views.



It has published a draft on what judges should take into consideration when sentencing, and hopes to make the process more transparent and consistent.



One rape survivor has told STV News she was "devastated" to learn her attacker could be released from jail, just a few years after being convicted.

Political Reporter

Laura Alderman

Campaigners have welcomed the consultation but have raised concerns.

Public consultation opens on rape sentencing guidelines

Charities are warning the number of families relying on so-called "baby banks" for essentials is on the rise.



The newly formed Baby Bank Alliance says its members have helped more than 15,000 children in Scotland.

Oliver Wright

The Baby Bank Alliance says there are more than 250,000 children living in poverty in Scotland.

Charities warns ‘baby bank’ use is on the rise in Scotland

A free exhibition of painting, sculpture and sound is set to open at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art this weekend.



At the heart of the installation is a sculpture comprised entirely of donated synthesizers.

Caitlin Hutchison

Scott Myles’s Head in a Bell exhibition is free and runs until February 2025.

Sculpture made of donated synthesisers centrepiece at GOMA

Visitors to the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh are getting the chance to get a real-time view of their own brainwaves while they look at the art pieces on display.



The technology is touring the UK for the very first time and gives visitors the chance to see how art impacts our brains and emotions.

Lewis Michie

The technology offers visitors the chance to see their own brainwaves while they look at artwork. 

Technology shows visitors their own brainwaves at National Gallery

What do you get when you mix 900 scouts with a historic castle in Highland Perthshire?



The answer? The 39th Blair Atholl Jamborette.



STV News went along to meet the teenagers who've travelled to Scotland from around the world for the event.

Lynne Rankin

900 Scouts from around the world have set up camp in the shadows of Blair Castle.



Hundreds of Scots in Perthshire for 39th Blair Atholl Jamborette

A gymnastics club which trains athletes across the Highlands fears its future may be at risk.



Fyrish Gymnastics Club rents a building that's owned by telecom giant BT, who want to sell it.

Nicola McAlley

The site is being sold by owners BT for £400,000.

Gymnastics club fears for future as building to be sold

Scotland will lead the 'clean energy revolution' across the UK but the Prime Minister warns it'll take time to 'reap the benefits' that'll help lower bills.



Keir Starmer gave more details around the plans to create a publicly-owned energy company, which will operate and invest in green technology.



And while the industry has welcomed the plans, the Conservatives say it will end up costing families.

Steven Brown

Great British Energy has become a flagship policy for Labour.

Starmer: Scotland will lead the ‘clean energy revolution’

Scotland's greatest-ever sportsperson - Andy Murray says it would be a "fairy tale ending" to his career - if he leaves the Paris Olympics with a medal.



Speaking for the first-time on-camera since announcing his retirement, the former world number one also said its the right-time to call it a day.

Fraser Nicoll

As well as personal successes, Andy Murray has been part of a golden generation for Team GB.

Olympic gold would be ‘fairy tale ending’ says Murray

The family of a man who died in police custody at an Edinburgh prison is suing the prison service, Police Scotland and the Crown Office.



A fatal accident inquiry previously found Allan Marshall's death, where he was restrained face down on the floor by up to 17 officers, was "entirely preventable".

Allan Marshall was 30 years old when he died in 2015 at HMP Edinburgh

Family of man who died in custody to sue prison service

Keir Starmer has been forced to defend his strategy on child poverty facing his first Prime Minister's Questions since Labour's general election victory.



He suspended seven Labour MPs last night after they rebelled, backing an SNP amendment calling for the two child cap on benefits to be scrapped.

Westminster Correspondent

Paris Gourtsoyannis

Overall, it was a display of the different, calmer politics that Starmer says he wants.

Kier Starmer defends two-child benefit cap at first PMQs

Council leaders are calling on the Scottish Government to intervene to stop cleansing workers from striking next month.



Unions have rejected a 3.2% offer from local authorities.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

Unions have a mandate for strike action in 25 of Scotland's 32 council areas.

Councils call for Government intervention to stop bin strikes

Scotland’s consumer watchdog is launching an investigation into the green home-heating market, amid concern about “misleading claims, rogue traders and scams”.



Demand for products like heat pumps, solar panels and insulation is rising as part of the country’s transition to net zero - but some are exploiting a lack of understanding amongst potential buyers.

Reporter

Olly Dickinson

Solar panels, better insulation and heat pumps are all being pushed as the future.


Watchdog warns against ‘rogue traders’ in green market

A war veteran from Edinburgh has marked his 100th birthday with some sage advice for the younger generation.



Douglas Seale was a spitfire pilot during the Second World War - and says cycling every day and telling the odd lie here and there are key to a long and happy life.

Laura Piper

Douglas Seale received a card from the King and Queen to mark the milestone

Edinburgh war veteran marks 100th birthday

As bus services across the country are axed, one community is working together to buck the trend.



After Glenfarg's 55 service was cut it left rural villages isolated, but the community stepped up to save it.



Now they've claimed the title of Scotland's best, at the Scottish Transport Awards.



Running between Perth and Kinross, the vital service has been transporting thousands of people every month.

Saul Sievwright

Around 1,000 people use the service every week.

Community bus route claims title of Scotland’s best

It's one of the last of its kind in Scottish hospitals.



Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's sewing room saves thousands of pounds by repairing textiles from across the site.



And now it's been recognised with a green award.

Anne Smith

Kitting out NHS staff is no mean feat.


One of last hospital sewing rooms recognised with green award

Pilots are trialling the use of drones to deliver vital medical equipment to better deal with Scotland's rural landscape.



Experimental flights are taking off this week - and could see items such as defibrillators dispatched in an emergency.

But more testing is needed to get the scheme off the ground.

Drone trials under way delivering medical supplies in rural areas

Support agencies say too many families of people with complex learning disabilities continue to feel powerless in a system that's supposed to be helping them get their loved ones out of hospital.



Despite ambitious pledges and improvements in monitoring, groups claim real change has not happened, stripping those stuck in inappropriate care of their human rights and of what matters to them.



The Scottish Government says tackling the difficult challenge is a priority.

Sharon Frew

One mother calling for greater urgency has been sharing her son's story.

Families call for change as complex needs adults ‘trapped’ in hospital

Keepers at Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirlingshire have created an enrichment programme, within its one-of-a-kind “Chimp Island”.



The changes are designed to optimise the physical and mental welfare of the chimps and encourage important species to specific natural behaviours.



And when STV News went along for a rare look, we found ourselves in the middle of a monkey birthday bash - and of course, things did not go exactly to plan.

Vanessa Kennedy

The hope is that more chimps will join the island, but for now this troop are going bananas.

Keepers create ‘Chimp Island’ at Blair Drummond Safari Park

A community action group says time is running out to save Anstruther's historic lifeboat station from demolition.



Plans for a new multi-million pounds facility were approved in 2020.



But it will also see the current building bulldozed, unless a viable plan to keep it is submitted to Fife Council.

Fife Council says it's committed to working with those interested in keeping the existing shed

Community group in bid to save historic lifeboat station

With just under a year to go before the Tall Ships race stops in Aberdeen, more young people are being sought to crew the vessels taking part.



Some of the boats due to set sail next year have been holding taster sessions to recruit new sailors.

Haley Bouma

There are places left to take part in next year's race - but organisers warn they'll go quickly.



Youngsters take part in taster sessions for Tall Ships race

A block of flats in Aberdeen is the first in the country to have dangerous cladding removed and replaced.



Buildings across the country are having similar materials removed after it caused fire to spread during the Grenfell Tower disaster seven years ago.

But there's concern that progress has been slow.

Aberdeen flats first to have flammable cladding removed

The heartbroken family of a Glasgow man who was found dead in a canal, five years ago today, have issued an emotional plea for witnesses to come forward and help confirm what happened to their loved one.



Johnny Connelly was found with severe injuries in Spiers Wharf - it's unknown if three men, seen in the area on CCTV, have ever been identified.

Police say enquiries have been completed, but any new information would be investigated.

Family appeal for information five years after death of son

Residents on an Edinburgh street, where a man was killed in a gas explosion last December, say they've been hounded over energy bills for their homes - despite not being able to return to their properties since the incident on Baberton Mains Avenue.



One couple has told STV News it adds "insult to injury" after their house was incorrectly sent bills, reminders and threats of escalation, even after they informed Scottish Power they weren't living there.

Mary and Sam Porteous had to leave the home after a gas explosion on their street.

Couple ‘hounded’ for electric bill for abandoned house

The Scottish Conservatives justice spokesman Russell Findlay has launched his leadership bid saying he embraces the challenge of turning his party's fortunes around.



Douglas Ross, the current leader, announced during this summer's election he would be stepping down.

The MSP has become the first person to enter the race to succeed Douglas Ross.

Russell Findlay launches Scottish Conservatives leadership bid

A £6.5m cycle lane connecting the Southside of Glasgow and the city centre has fully opened after years of construction.



The two-mile "South City Way" means cycling from Queen’s Park to Trongate should now only take 12 minutes.

The route has seen 3.9m cyclists use it in the past three years.

Final phase of Queen’s Park to Trongate cycle path opens

A not-for-profit social enterprise which provides a vital service to hundreds of families in West Lothian has been forced to close its Bathgate hub for the last seven weeks.



It's due to a spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.



The team behind Kidzeco are hoping to be back up and running again soon, but fear the issues will just continue.

Amie Flett

Kidzeco offers affordable children's clothing, parenting classes and support.

Anti-social behaviour causes social enterprise to close site

Only 1% of the UK population works in agriculture, but farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in Scotland.



People who live and work on farms are being urged to stop, think and be aware of the risks, as part of a national drive to make the sector safer.

35 deaths were recorded on farms across the UK last year - seven of them in Scotland.

Farmers urged to be cautious in national sector safety drive

The First Minister has announced £2m worth of funding to develop a carbon capture and storage site in Aberdeenshire.



John Swinney has been to visit the Acorn project at the St Fergus gas terminal, which hopes to store carbon under the North Sea.



But the plans have been criticised by climate campaigners who say it won't reduce carbon emissions.

Climate campaigners say carbon capture isn't proven to work.

Swinney announces £2m funding for carbon capture project

Thousands of passengers flying in or out of Edinburgh Airport have been met with significant delays or cancellations, after it was severely hit by a global computer outage.



The airport's own systems, as well as those of several airlines, were badly affected - but Scotland seems to have escaped the worst of the problems which elsewhere involved banks, retailers and the health service.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

An update from the anti-virus company Crowdstrike meant Windows machines were failing.

Airport chaos amid global computer software outage

A "warzone" of litter. That's how one union has described the scale of the cleansing and rubbish problem in Glasgow.



It comes as national strike action could paralyze bin collections during August, targeting big events across the country - like the Edinburgh Fringe.



The body representing local authorities, COSLA, has presented a new offer of 3.2% but unions warn it's not enough to stop strike action.

Vanessa Taaffe

There are fears Edinburgh could suffer another summer of rubbish piled high during the Fringe.



Cleansing staff headed for strike as pay offer rejected

Thousands headed to Oban this weekend as the World Clipper Race sets off on its final leg.



It's hoped the spectators - and the eleven race crews taking part - will prove an economic boost to the town and become a regular feature on the sailing calendar.

It's the first time the race has been in Scotland in it's 28-year history.

Thousands descend on Oban as World Clipper Race arrives

Instead of being a time for families to rest, play and have fun together, the summer holidays leave many parents worrying about how to pay for it all.



The cost of holiday camps is two-and-a-half times more expensive than after-school clubs during term time – and can add up to more than £1,000 per child over the six-week break.

Summer food programmes are helping ease the pressure.

Parents facing budget squeeze during school holidays

A new Edinburgh-based development programme for Scottish filmmakers, in honour of the legendary Sir Sean Connery, could help spark the careers of dozens of writers, producers and cinematographers.



That's the hope from the talent lab which has officially welcomed its cohort for 2024.

A key part of the scheme is the chance for making new connections.

Sean Connery filmmaking programme welcomes 2024 cohort

Residents of the Fife village of Balmullo have formed a campaign group to fight plans to extend a quarry they'd thought would close in the next couple of years.



Proposals would see extraction spread to other parts of Lucklawhill, extending the life of the quarry by at least 20 years and raising fears about one of Fife's most scenic spots.

The site extracts aggregate used in road and rail construction and for garden gravel.

Village residents campaign against quarry expansion

The Royal College of Nursing is warning patient safety is being put at risk after a rise in the number of people leaving the profession.



Despite latest figures showing an increase in registered nurses in Scotland, the union claims there's an upward trend in those resigning.

A survey found burnout and poor health are leading factors.

Patient safety at risk due to nurse drop-outs, warns Royal College of Nursing

The Highland Council region is the worst local authority area in Scotland when it comes to public services such as roads and education, according to a new survey.



The study, by The Sunday Times, looked at 29 of Scotland's councils and highlighted performance in areas such as pupil literacy and recycling.



Highland Council has been approached for comment but has not responded.

Highland Council ranked bottom out of 29 local authorities on average.

Highland Council rated worst for public services, survey finds

A stark warning has been issued that unless lessons are learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the more than 17,000 people who lost their lives could have died in vain.



That message forms part of a damning report from the Covid 19 Inquiry. It lays bare the failures of planning at the heart of the UK and Scottish Governments approach to the pandemic and found the UK “prepared for the wrong pandemic" back in 2020.



Emergency planning generally failed to account for how vulnerable people would be looked after.



There were “fatal strategic flaws” in the assessment of the risks facing the UK.



And planning for a "no deal Brexit" drew resources away from planning for a pandemic.

Baroness Hallet presented her first report from the UK Covid inquiry on Thursday. 



Lessons must be learned from Covid response, warns inquiry

The ongoing woes of the lower Clyde's last shipbuilder - Ferguson's - were again under the spotlight.



As they struggle to finish those long-delayed new CalMac ships - and face the prospect of an empty order book, the latest man tasked with "turning things around" has hit out at what he calls unfair competition in a bidding process to build new "small vessels" for CalMac.



The yard confirmed it will try to win the order - but there's no guarantee of success.

The tender process is expected to take around eight months.

Ferguson’s confirms intention to bid for new ferry contracts

Workers at Scotland's only oil refinery say its vital the plant is granted a reprieve from closure, so skills can be retained in the area for future net zero projects.



A report from the Just Transition Commission warns there's not yet an adequate plan for the site's evolution to a greener future.

Operators Petro-Ineos want to shut the site down next year.

‘Vital’ Grangemouth plant is granted reprieve from closure, say workers

The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh has launched an intensive training course to equip surgeons with the skills to assist in disaster zones.



Hostile Environment Surgical Training brings together UK-based surgeons and those from war-torn regions to teach them how to operate in catastrophic situations abroad.

The hope is that this intensive course will mean more surgeons will be able to travel to conflicts.

New training course for surgeons working in disaster zones

An under threat service for dementia sufferers in Angus has secured a six figure investment to save it from closure.



Arbroath Connections helps those living with the condition to socialise and offers respite to their families.

Callum Clark

Arbroath Connections has now secured charity status and a new home.

Dementia service saved from closure after six-figure investment

Pig farmers are calling for greater assurances that border checks on meat coming in from the EU are being properly screened.



Farmers say African Swine Fever would devastate their herds here, and that the new Labour Government must ensure controls are enforced.

It comes as the number of African Swine Fever cases reaches a ten-year high.

Farmers call for greater assurances on meat import border checks

A multi-million-pound investment is set to transform a world-renowned visitor centre in the Western Isles.



Callanish Visitor Centre, home to the iconic Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis, has secured more than £10m in funding.

Gráinne Ní Ghréacháin

The Scottish Government says the visitor centre will drive growth in the area.

Callanish Standing Stones visitor centre receives £10m funding boost

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised "national renewal" as Labour's programme for government was unveiled in the King's Speech at Westminster.



A new publicly-owned Great British Energy company headquartered in Scotland was among the headline announcements, but a row is brewing over calls to scrap the two-child cap on benefits.

The SNP said Labour should have used the speech to scrap the two-child cap on benefits.


Starmer promises ‘renewal’ as agenda set in King’s Speech

Scottish ministers are coming under pressure to protect nature and the impact it has on all our lives.



STV News has been to a conservation project to find out more.

Maintaining peat bogs is one area which is being looked at.

Scottish ministers under pressure to protect nature spots

A project is capturing the stories behind young people's lives in Scotland.



See Me is focusing on the hobbies, interests, and journeys of 18 participants - all from black and ethnic minorities.



Organisers say they want to change a negative narrative, with the exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery giving audiences a glimpse of "who they are."

Journalist

Tara Fitzpatrick

Young photographers will have their work displayed at Kelvingrove Art Gallery until July 17.

Photography exhibition examines lives of young Scots from diverse backgrounds

A programme developed by an East Lothian charity which works with care-experienced children has seen dozens of potentially life-saving kits for pets donated to fire crews across Scotland.



Animal heroes is inspired by a young aspiring vet who died in a car crash eight years ago.

The kits have been gifted by care experienced children who have attended animal heroes workshops.

Charity donates pet oxygen masks to Scottish fire stations

A Dundee University research centre has secured a £8m funding boost after spiralling construction costs threatened to scale down the project.



The new innovation hub which will focus on life sciences is set to open next year.

It is hoped the centre will create 800 jobs over the next three decades.

University research centre secures £8m funding boost as costs spiral

An Aberdeen charity helping those living with addiction has said a new funding boost will significantly change their services for the better.



The organisation has seen an increase in those needing their support, and plans to use the cash to expand their recovery and rehabilitation programmes.

Alcohol and Drugs Action help around 4,000 people every year.

Addiction charity says funding boost will improve services

Charity bosses say the number of women having to travel to England from Scotland for abortion care is at its highest level since before the pandemic.



The legal limit for an abortion in the UK is 24 weeks, but the procedure is now only carried out up to 20 weeks north of the border.



That's left some to make a journey to England that has been described by one woman as "traumatic".

Women in Scotland only have access to care until 20 weeks due to a lack of provision.

‘Shocking’ number of women travelling to England for abortion care

A police obsessed six-year-old from Fife is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity by touring each of Scotland's 13 divisions - and more than 50 individual stations.



Anthony Green is well-known around his local headquarters in Fife, which he visits with dad William every Friday to give a wave and a smile to those on shift.



Staff always make sure to speak with the youngster and take time to show him around.



That kindness inspired Anthony to do something for his heroes.

Anthony Green is visiting all 12 of Scotland's police divisions in aid of the Scottish Police Benevolent fund.

Police-obsessed schoolboy hopes to raise thousands for charity

More than 900 business leaders have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, calling for him to headquarter GB Energy in Aberdeen.



Labour have said they will base the new publicly-owned firm in Scotland, but have yet to decide exactly where.



But other regions, including the Highlands, have stepped in to claim they are the best place for the site.

Clean energy has already become a focal point for the new UK Government.

Hundreds sign letter calling for GB Energy HQ to be situated in Aberdeen

More than 1,000 Scots are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year - but a new campaign hopes to help find a cure for the most aggressive form of the cancer.



Brain Tumour Research and the Beatson Cancer Charity are working together to fund a new Research Centre of Excellence in Scotland, where world-leading brain cancer experts will work in labs at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The five years of research comes with a funding price-tag of around £2.3m.

Scots institutions to work together on brain cancer cure

Demolition work is set to begin on 51 blocks of derelict council homes in Paisley, which have become a hotspot for fly-tipping and fire-raising.



The Tannahill houses were once among the most popular in Ferguslie Park - but have fallen into disrepair.



It's a big step in the ongoing community-led regeneration of the area, after Renfrewshire Council supported former residents into new modern homes.

In 2016 it was named the most deprived area in Scotland.

Demolition begins on derelict Ferguslie Park homes

An Edinburgh-based helpline that assists people all over the UK when they feel unsafe walking alone at night is expanding its service, as demand continues to grow.



Strut Safe was founded three years ago in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder and is now hoping to offer support during weekdays while also partnering up with festivals and events.

Originally based in Edinburgh, Strut Safe quickly became a UK-wide service.

Scots helpline helping people walk home safe to expand services

More than 2,000 fines were issued in the first month of Dundee's Low Emission Zone.



Enforcement began on May 30, preventing certain diesel and petrol vehicles from entering the city centre.



The council says almost £30,000 has been gathered in fines.



The local authority says it's monitoring the situation, as businesses report reduced footfall.

Dundee City Council said £29,280 has been raised following the enforcement of the zone. 


Over 2,000 fines issued in first month of Dundee LEZ

The creation of a new hydrogen hub could help cement Aberdeen as the net-zero capital of Europe, as it looks to capitalise on the energy transition by investing millions in the new venture.



For decades, Aberdeen has focused on oil and gas, but hundreds of jobs could be created in the city if it becomes a leader in hydrogen.



Construction is due to start before the end of the year on a new hub, that eventually could see the gas exported from the city.

STV News - Edinburgh