New first minister axes cabinet independence role

Swinney targets eradicating child poverty in Scotland

John Swinney has targeted eradicating child poverty in Scotland and ensuring that wealth is "shared more equally amongst us". The Scottish first minister adds, "if we prioritise it, if we make it our goal, then together we can make real progress towards achieving it". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

UK’s first drug consumption room to open in Glasgow

It’s been four years since then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon called Scotland’s drug deaths problem a public health emergency. Today, the current first minister John Swinney arrived at The Thistle drug consumption room in Glasgow. When it opens on Monday, it will be the first and only place in the UK where people will be able to take drugs without fear of arrest. The Scottish Government hopes it will help drug users access wider support, as well as reduce the risk of viruses such as HIV. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

John Swinney visits UK's first drug consumption room

Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken visit the Thistle Centre Safer Drugs Consumption Facility in Glasgow, the UK's first safer drug consumption room, ahead of its opening on Monday. While drugs remain illegal in Scotland, users inside the facility can access clean needles and NHS staff support to reduce harm and improve safety. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govts share desire to end child poverty

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden held a press conference during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh, where Pat McFadden defended Labour's record on reducing child poverty. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM attends the BIC plenary meeting

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Taoiseach Simon Harris, sit down with leaders from the Council's eight Member Administrations for the plenary meeting during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh. Formed in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, this will be the 42nd meeting of the intergovernmental forum. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn