Scottish Government

News Releases:

Tuesday 31/05/2005

Census Test to be held across Scotland [People and Society]

Test designed to help decide exactly how the 2011 Census will be carried out.

Children at heart of family law [Law, Order and Public Safety]

Minister says children cannot be forgotten when relationships break down.

Latest figures show drop in house prices [Housing]

Average price for a residential property in has dropped by 2.4% in the last quarter and is now £115,283.

Revised Code of Guidance on homelessness [People and Society]

Code has been updated to reflect recent changes in legislation and provides practical advice on how these should be implemented.

WHO expert praises Scottish progress [Health and Community Care]

World Health Organisation acknowledges Scotland as international leader in infection control.

Friday 27/05/2005

Deputy Chair appointed to Scottish Natural Heritage [Environment]

Keith Geddes has been appointed as Deputy Chair of SNH following the retirement of Michael Scott in April.

First applications under crofting right to buy [Agriculture]

Executive receives first applications to buy croft land under Part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

GP Quality Indicators [Health and Community Care]

Information on performance of GP surgeries published for the first time.

Thursday 26/05/2005

Cornton Vale Prison report published [Law, Order and Public Safety]

New building work key to improvements at Cornton Vale says Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Future looks bright for Edinburgh [Economy]

Edinburgh can compete with the best cities in Europe, conference told.

Greater flexibility for student teachers [Education and Training]

Flexible access, using part-time and distance learning courses, is on the cards for trainee teachers in Scotland.

Measures to combat illegal fishing [Marine and Fisheries]

New registration scheme to catch unscrupulous fish merchants.

New figures show drop in waiting times [Health and Community Care]

Number of people waiting over six months for inpatient/day case treatment has dropped by 73 per cent over previous quarter.

Support for Scottish medics wanting to volunteer in Malawi [People and Society]

Scots who decide to work in Malawi as VSO volunteers will get financial backing from the Executive.

Wednesday 25/05/2005

Cooking up a Scottish storm [Rural Development]

Scottish gastronomic delights on show as UK takes on EU presidency.

First land secured under community buy-out legislation [Rural Development]

Crossgates Community Woodland has raised £150,000 to buy the Taft, a 15 hectare site near the village.

Framework for the future of the NHS [Health and Community Care]

New report recommends how the health service could be shaped over the coming decades.

New warning system on Scotland's beaches [Environment]

State-of-the-art system warns bathers when water quality dips.

Research into geography of deprivation [Environment]

Research investigates links between deprivation and environmental quality.

Scotland to help Malawi teach its children [Education and Training]

Scotland will support Malawi in its drive to train more teachers - First Minister.