Katrine Bussey

Oxfam Scotland and other climate campaigners are urging the Scottish Government to introduce its private jet tax in April 2027 rather than 2028 and set it at a punishingly high level. Oxfam estimates that a tax ten times the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty could raise almost £122 million by 2031, while a 30-times rate proposed by Possible could raise about £392 million, assuming current flight levels continue. Patriotic Millionaires vice-chair Stephen Prince, who sold his own jet over environmental concerns, argues that private travellers should pay for the harm they cause. The Scottish Government says the tax will begin in April 2028 but has not committed to an earlier date or specified its rate.

Brian Eno and 211 musicians and artists, including Bobbie Gillespie, Robert Smith and Thom Yorke, have signed an open letter urging Andy Burnham to reject the Rosebank oil field, the UK’s largest untapped oil field, located northwest of Shetland. They argue that most of its oil would be exported rather than lowering UK energy bills and warn that fossil-fuel expansion will worsen climate change and threaten live events through extreme weather. The campaign comes as Burnham and his Government consider whether to approve drilling after a consultation closed. Campaigners say Burnham’s previous support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty should lead him to oppose Rosebank, while the UK Government maintains that North Sea oil and gas remain important for jobs, growth and energy security during the transition to clean power.

The Law Society of Scotland urged ministers to launch a comprehensive public consultation on whether the Lord Advocate’s dual function as the government’s chief legal adviser and head of the independent prosecution service should continue. The call follows criticism of former Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain over briefing First Minister John Swinney on charges involving former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell before they became public. Society president Serena Sutherland argued that constitutional principles, not political agendas, should guide any reform, stressing the complexity of potential changes. Newly appointed Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris welcomed informed discussion while emphasizing her duty to fulfil the responsibilities of the current role.

Campaigners are urging the public to submit objections before a July 2 deadline for two proposed hyperscale data centres in Larbert and Auchtertool, which they argue would impose overwhelming energy demands and environmental impacts. Action to Protect Rural Scotland warns the combined 900‑megawatt requirement represents a major strain on Scotland’s grid, calling for a national moratorium until governance catches up with rapid AI‑driven expansion. Local community groups in both areas report thousands of objections and extensive grassroots mobilisation. The Scottish Government has declined to suspend new projects but will consider whether decisions of this scale should remain with local councils.