Shirley-Anne Somerville

COMMENT

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Human RIghts Bill won't be brought forward before the 2026 Holyrood elections

2

Broken promise on human rights bill is devastating but it’s not too late to listen

Shirley-Anne Somerville responded to pro-Palestine demonstrations at SNP conference

Shirley-Anne Somerville responded to pro-Palestine demonstrations at SNP conference

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

10

'We need to regain trust with pro-Palestine campaigners', says Cabinet Secretary

The UK Government's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales is set to be replicated in Scotland

The UK Government's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales is set to be replicated in Scotland

60

Scottish Government 'left with no choice' but to end universal fuel payments

Maggie Chapman has urged the Scottish Government to provide a timeline for the introduction of the human rights bill

Maggie Chapman has urged the Scottish Government to provide a timeline for the introduction of the human rights bill

6

Greens call for clarity from Scottish Government on future of human rights bill

The Scottish Government is set to declare a housing emergency

The Scottish Government is set to declare a housing emergency

8

Scottish Government set to formally declare housing emergency

Shirley-Anne Somerville said colleagues should take heed of calls for unity within the SNP

Shirley-Anne Somerville said colleagues should take heed of calls for unity within the SNP

14

Minister warns SNP insiders against giving 'secret wee quotes' to the media

The new disability payment is set to be rolled out across the entirety of Scotland by the end of 2025

The new disability payment is set to be rolled out across the entirety of Scotland by the end of 2025

3

New pension age disability payment to be piloted in five Scottish council areas

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne-Somerville has issued a furious response to claims by the Home Secretary over housing of asylum seekers in Scotland

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne-Somerville has issued a furious response to claims by the Home Secretary over housing of asylum seekers in Scotland

5

‘Misleading’: Minister in furious response to Home Secretary over asylum claims

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville with Minister for Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick and Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville with Minister for Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick and Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn

1

Holyrood to debate Scotland's future social security system

One senior Tory has floated the return of the graduate endowment for Scottish students

One senior Tory has floated the return of the graduate endowment for Scottish students

2

'Complete chaos': Call for clarity over Scottish Tories' free tuition fee stance

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville views the Tartan Exhibition at the V&A Dundee

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville views the Tartan Exhibition at the V&A Dundee

Cost of living crisis

2

Scotland to see 'record investment' in social security despite UK cuts, says minister

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said Fife Council had questions to answer

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said Fife Council had questions to answer

4

Questions as Scottish Labour council 'warns of cuts then confirms £10m underspend'

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville suggested the money from nuclear weapons could be used to fund benefit reform

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville suggested the money from nuclear weapons could be used to fund benefit reform

Nuclear weapons

2

Money spent on Trident could be used on social security after independence

The Social Justice Secretary will launch the publication later this week

The Social Justice Secretary will launch the publication later this week

Scottish independence

17

Scotland could transform social security with independence, says new paper

Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to the DWP

Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to the DWP

9

Scottish minister writes to UK Government over 'concerning' benefits rules change

Shirley-Anne Somerville is looking to improve bus services in her constituency

Shirley-Anne Somerville is looking to improve bus services in her constituency

Shirley-Anne Somerville in bid to improve Dunfermline bus network

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government will continue work to alleviate poverty

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government will continue work to alleviate poverty

1

One in 10 people in Scotland living in ‘very deep poverty’, report finds

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the UK Government law officers response was 'suboptimal'

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the UK Government law officers response was 'suboptimal'

Attorney General's Office

6

UK Government offers 'suboptimal' response as blocked Scottish rights bill returns

An uplift could help lift more children out of poverty, say campaigners

An uplift could help lift more children out of poverty, say campaigners

Scottish Child Payment

Increase to Scottish Child Payment to be 'seriously' considered by ministers

The BBC did not mention an update from the Scottish Government on its flagship morning news show

The BBC did not mention an update from the Scottish Government on its flagship morning news show

10

BBC defends failure to include Scottish Government update on Raac in news show

Humza Yousaf has created a new ministerial group to tackle child poverty levels

Humza Yousaf has created a new ministerial group to tackle child poverty levels

7

Humza Yousaf creates new group to tackle child poverty levels

Both Emma Roddick and Shirley Anne-Somerville slammed Jackie Baillie's comments

Both Emma Roddick and Shirley Anne-Somerville slammed Jackie Baillie's comments

16

SNP ministers hit back at Jackie Baillie over 'Scottish tourist spots' jibe

A meeting between Suella Braverman and Shirley-Anne Somerville was described as fiery by the Home Office

A meeting between Suella Braverman and Shirley-Anne Somerville was described as fiery by the Home Office

33

‘Fiery’ meeting between Scottish and UK ministers over drug decriminalisation plans

Lord Frost pitched the idea of reversing devolution while Dominic Raab hung up his boots following a bullying probe

Lord Frost pitched the idea of reversing devolution while Dominic Raab hung up his boots following a bullying probe

4

Tory peer in 'devo reverse' and 'aggressive' Dominic Raab

Social Justice Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville before making a statement in the main chamber of the Scottish Parliament

Social Justice Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville before making a statement in the main chamber of the Scottish Parliament

16

Legal case claims Alister Jack's concerns around gender reform are 'irrational'

Education and Skills Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Education and Skills Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville.

1

'Sensitive approach' to grading announced for this year’s exams

The Education Secretary said proposals to guarantee the number of teaching hours would give parents greater certainty

The Education Secretary said proposals to guarantee the number of teaching hours would give parents greater certainty

Schools in Scotland could provide guaranteed number of teaching hours under new plans

Teachers from the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association union (SSTA) on the picket line at Smithycroft Secondary School in Glasgow

Teachers from the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association union (SSTA) on the picket line at Smithycroft Secondary School in Glasgow

Shirley-Anne Somerville

3

Teaching union postpones strike action following fresh pay deal offer

Teacher strikes are underway in the constituencies of key politicians, including Shirley-Anne Somerville's

Teacher strikes are underway in the constituencies of key politicians, including Shirley-Anne Somerville's

6

Teachers in Scotland begin targeted strikes in key constituencies

Scotland's largest teaching union has rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and Cosla

Scotland's largest teaching union has rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and Cosla

5

Teacher strikes to go ahead after union rejects latest pay offer

Teachers across Scotland are to be made a new pay offer

Teachers across Scotland are to be made a new pay offer

Scotland’s teachers offered new pay deal in bid to stop strikes

Somerville said it was up to rebels if they wanted to resign at the next election, but should question whether being in the party is 'comfortable'

Somerville said it was up to rebels if they wanted to resign at the next election, but should question whether being in the party is 'comfortable'

Gender Recognition Reform Bill

23

SNP rebels should 'question' whether they want to stay in party, says minister

Shirley-Anne Somerville has said it is up to trade unions to ensure exam season is not disturbed by strikes

Shirley-Anne Somerville has said it is up to trade unions to ensure exam season is not disturbed by strikes

Scottish school strikes 2023

1

Unions and government 'some way apart' as strikes threaten to disrupt exams

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her Scottish Government will act to stop councils reducing the number of teachers

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her Scottish Government will act to stop councils reducing the number of teachers

6

Scottish councils 'seek legal advice' after Nicola Sturgeon's teachers intervention

The Scottish Government are reportedly considering options to prevent councils slashing education budgets

The Scottish Government are reportedly considering options to prevent councils slashing education budgets

Scottish Government to 'intervene' to stop councils cutting teacher numbers

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is continuing to negotiate with teaching unions for a fair pay deal

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is continuing to negotiate with teaching unions for a fair pay deal

3

Nicola Sturgeon attacks 'staggering hypocrisy' of Tories over teacher strikes

Members of the EIS are taking industrial action across Scotland

Members of the EIS are taking industrial action across Scotland

Scottish schools shut as wave of rolling strike action begins

Last-ditch talks are to take place to try and prevent this week's teacher strikes

Last-ditch talks are to take place to try and prevent this week's teacher strikes

Last-ditch talks to take place in bid to prevent teacher strikes

Billy Burke, a former maths teacher and head of Renfrew High School

Billy Burke, a former maths teacher and head of Renfrew High School

Conservative Party

7

Rishi Sunak’s maths plan ‘does not fit Scots’ direction of travel’

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said there was ‘no time for complacency’

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said there was ‘no time for complacency’

1

Attainment gap figures show ‘real recovery from the pandemic’, minister says

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still being felt in Scottish schools despite a record increase in literacy and numeracy levels overall

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still being felt in Scottish schools despite a record increase in literacy and numeracy levels overall

Record narrowing of attainment gap in Scots schools but pandemic impact still felt

Teachers in two trade unions across Scotland are on their second day of strike action

Teachers in two trade unions across Scotland are on their second day of strike action

Scottish teachers on second day of strike action in pay dispute

The SSTA and NASUWT unions are the latest unions to take industrial action following action by the EIS in late November

The SSTA and NASUWT unions are the latest unions to take industrial action following action by the EIS in late November

Primary Schools

5

Teachers across Scotland begin two days of strike action

Nicola Sturgeon has defended the latest pay offer put to teachers

Nicola Sturgeon has defended the latest pay offer put to teachers

2

Nicola Sturgeon: Pay offer to teachers was fair and on par with other council workers

The Educational Institute of Scotland wants a 10% pay rise for teachers

The Educational Institute of Scotland wants a 10% pay rise for teachers

Scottish Government

12

Teaching unions react with fury to Scottish Government’s latest pay offer

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said such a pay rise for teachers could have a negative knock-on effect on the rest of the budget

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said such a pay rise for teachers could have a negative knock-on effect on the rest of the budget

3

Teachers’ 10 per cent pay claim unaffordable, says Education Secretary

Members of a secondary school teachers' union have voted in favour of strike action

Members of a secondary school teachers' union have voted in favour of strike action

Scottish Government

Secondary school teachers vote to strike in push for improved pay offer

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government is 'absolutely determined' to find alternative funding for the teacher pay deal

Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government is 'absolutely determined' to find alternative funding for the teacher pay deal

1

Teacher strikes not inevitable says minister as enhanced pay offer indicated

A union has urged Shirley-Anne Somerville to intervene in teacher pay talks

A union has urged Shirley-Anne Somerville to intervene in teacher pay talks

Scottish Government

Union urges Education Secretary to intervene in teacher pay talks

Scotland’s largest teaching union said free school meals should be extended to all pupils in primary and secondary schools

Scotland’s largest teaching union said free school meals should be extended to all pupils in primary and secondary schools

Scottish Government told to extend free school meals to all pupils urgently

The number of schools in a

The number of schools in a

Primary Schools

Number of schools in 'good' or 'satisfactory' condition in Scotland reaches record high

Unite has warned student appeals will be

Unite has warned student appeals will be

Scottish Government

6

Exam appeals to be 'severely delayed' as SQA members vote to take strike action

Pupils across Scotland received their exam results on Tuesday

Pupils across Scotland received their exam results on Tuesday

Exam results are one of the 'strongest ever' sets, says Shirley-Anne Somerville

Rishi Sunak's higher education plans have been panned by the Scottish Education Secretary

Rishi Sunak's higher education plans have been panned by the Scottish Education Secretary

Conservative Party

8

Education Secretary slams Rishi Sunak's 'cynical' plan to ban certain degrees