Daily briefing: The most financially viable places to live in Scotland | The freebies and donations to our 58 MPs revealed

Oct 21, 2020

Good morning,

Welcome to the halfway point of the week.

The cash behind our MPs

We start to today with part one of our investigation into the money given to Scotland's 58 MPs.

Our politics reporter Conor Matchett (well worth a follow if you use Twitter) has found Scottish MPs have received free event tickets, trips to far-flung countries, as well as thousands in donations since their elections.

We will examine the foreign trips, freebies, outside work and donations to see who is contributing to the people you elect to represent you. There will be four parts of this series, the next three over the following three days which you'll find on our homepage.

Transparency in our democracy only makes it stronger.

The most financially viable places to live in Scotland

New analysis has revealed which areas in Scotland are the best for financial stability.

Each local authority area was given a score based on how well it performs across six financial indicators: rent prices, house prices, employment rate, living wage, annual pay and Gross Disposable Household Income per head (GDHI).
These were the Scottish areas that were deemed the most financially stable and viable to live in.

Boris Johnson insists Scottish independence issue is ‘settled’

Boris Johnson has insisted independence was “settled” after a leaked memo revealed the UK Government’s plans to prevent the end of the union, reports Alexander Brown.

Do you agree with this bold claim or think the PM is off the mark? Have your say in the comments section of the article here.

And finally...

Seeking some a little bit different for your next 'staycation' in Scotland? Somewhere to relax and find some tranquility?

Our travel writers found eight wigwams and yurts you can stay in across the nation for your trip away. We feel calmer just looking at the pictures.

If you can, consider supporting our reporters, feature writers, reviewers, editors, photographers, videographers and production staff. It's easy to do. A digital subscription starts at just £3 per month for the first two month. Try us today here.

More headlines below.

Stay safe,

Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk


	The most financially viable places to live in Scotland - ranked from best to worst

	New analysis from vehicle finance lender Moneybarn has revealed which areas in Scotland are the best for financial stability.

The cash behind our MPs: All the foreign trips, freebies and donations given to Scotland's 58 MPs - Part One

Scottish MPs have received free event tickets, trips to far-flung countries, as well as thousands in donations since their elections

Coronavirus in Scotland: Five residents die following Covid-19 outbreak at Dumfries care home

Five residents of a care home in Dumfries have died following an outbreak of Covid-19.

Boris Johnson insists independence issue is ‘settled’ as leaked memo reveals UK Government plans to stop another vote

Boris Johnson has insisted independence was “settled” after a leaked memo revealed the UK Government’s plans to prevent the end of the union.

Nicola Sturgeon to update the nation on Scotland's latest temporary coronavirus restrictions

Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an update on Scotland’s temporary coronavirus restrictions later on Wednesday following a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.

Why Nicola Sturgeon is no Jacinda Ardern (no matter what some SNP supporters think) – Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP

The tsunami on which Jacinda Ardern was returned to power in New Zealand on Saturday caused quite a stir.

Humza Yousaf confirms Hate Crime Bill amendments

Scotland’s justice secretary Humza Yousaf has confirmed his U-turn on the controversial Hate Crime Bill by outlining changes he wants to make to the proposed legislation.

New 44 Scotland Street Chapter 53: Lobster à la Édimbourg

Bruce Anderson, property surveyor, alumnus of Morrison’s Academy in Crieff, where the girls voted him, three years in succession, the Best-Looking Guy in Perthshire – with virtually no dissent, apart from those few whose hearts he had broken; sole user in Edinburgh of a proprietary clove-scented hair gel; owner of a desirable three-bedroom flat in Abercromby Place in the Georgian New Town; close follower of Scottish rugby; this same Bruce Anderson now stood in his kitchen and dipped his brand new red silica ladle into the lobster bisque he was preparing for his dinner guest.

This is why we celebrate Halloween - and the the origins of our favourite traditions

Some of our favourites spooky traditions date back to ancient times, and Halloween as we know it has been influence by cultures from all over the world

Rumour Mill: Celtic get boost from transfer target, Rangers-linked player 'trains in park', Hearts star in Hibs warning

Transfer interest continues to dominate the back pages with Celtic and Rangers both targets covered in great depth.

BT Murrayfield to host British & Irish Lions v Japan Test match in huge boost for Scottish rugby

A Test match between the British and Irish Lions and Japan will be played at BT Murrayfield next summer as a curtain-raiser for the Lions’ tour of South Africa.

Celtic v Rangers is not the crown jewels, we must discuss free-to-air coverage of the game that undoubtedly is

It was interesting hearing Neil Doncaster refer to the Old Firm fixture as Scottish football’s “crown jewels” last week. If the chief executive of the SPFL paused to reflect on this for a moment, he might realise it was a misguided phrase to use.

Why Celtic need to play it just right to get Odsonne Edouard to fire them to ten-in-a-row

Yesterday it was reported Celtic turned down a low-ball offer for star striker Odsonne Edouard. While it was undoubtedly the right decision on their part, it does raise some interesting questions about the striker’s short and long-term future at Celtic, as Craig Fowler explains...

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