🔴 John Swinney warns voting down SNP Budget risks 'feeding forces of anti-politics'

Good morning Voornaam

We realise it may be a struggle this morning if you're back at work for the first time in 2025. But have no fear - if you're not quite feeling top of the morning, grab a coffee and we'll bring you up to speed with what's been happening in Scotland, around the UK and the rest of the world.

First up, our Political Editor Alistair Grant brings you a preview of John Swinney's first major speech for the year, taking place this morning. The First Minister is set to warn his political opponents that voting down the Scottish Budget will risk "feeding the forces of anti-politics and of populism".

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Scotland's leading charity for older people has also said it is “very worried” for hundreds of thousands of pensioners enduring the current freezing temperatures and icy conditions without being able to rely on winter fuel payments. The warning comes with a yellow weather warning in place for ice and snow in much of Scotland this morning.