COUNCILS: Scotland‘s local authorities need a significant financial settlement in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report said yesterday.

Research by the Accounts Commission found that the most vulnerable, minority groups and women were worst affected by changes brought about by the virus crisis.

Experts warned that the funding situation looks uncertain and said it was vital for councils to have longer-term financial security.

FOOD INDUSTRY: An action group involving trade unions and other stakeholders has met to discuss the future for workers at the under-threat McVitie’s biscuit factory in Glasgow.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes co-chaired the meeting of union and industry experts on how to prevent the loss of up to 468 jobs.

Unite’s Pat McIlvogue welcomed Ms Forbes’s involvement, adding that there was agreement that all options “must be on the table” to keep workers employed.

LABOUR PARTY: A Scottish Labour candidate who was deselected ahead of May’s Holyrood election has been chosen as chairwoman of her local party.

Hollie Cameron will co-chair Scottish Labour’s Glasgow Kelvin branch, following her removal as a candidate for backing Scotland’s right to choose when constitutional referendums take place. 

Secretary Vince Mills said the CLP must move on from the “selection debacle,” adding: “We need to unite and fight.”

BY-ELECTION: Voters in Batley and Spen will go to the polls on July 1, with the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox hoping to retain the seat for Labour.

Kim Leadbeater has been selected as the Labour candidate in the West Yorkshire constituency previously represented by her sister.

The by-election was triggered when Tracy Brabin resigned her Westminster seat after winning election as the first mayor of West Yorkshire.