Martin Williams

Ferguson Marine is preparing a voluntary redundancy programme affecting about 70 workers, nearly a quarter of its workforce, as the delayed Glen Rosa nears completion and the Port Glasgow yard faces a gap without confirmed replacement orders. Unions warn that the cuts could drain skilled workers, while the company says reducing staff is necessary to remain viable. The Scottish Government has promised potential direct awards for four vessels, but due diligence is incomplete. The yard's uncertainty is compounded by losses of £3.105 million in 2024/25, nearly £6 million over three years, and almost £270 million in public funding. The report also highlights that CMAL has awarded more than £500 million in ferry contracts to overseas shipbuilders, with procurement rules allegedly disadvantaging Ferguson Marine. The shipyard's future therefore depends on whether ministers confirm new work before its remaining major construction programme ends.

Idlewild delivered a powerful, four-star performance at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Bandstand, mixing newer material with songs from across its three-decade career. The concert impressed with crowd-friendly anthems, strong guitar work and Roddy Woomble’s commanding presence, including a birthday celebration for his 50th birthday. The review acknowledges the band’s polished maturity and evolving sound but argues that its early, chaotic energy remains more thrilling. Performances of “A Film for the Future” and “The Remote Part / Scottish Fiction” ultimately demonstrated both the raw origins and mature strengths of Idlewild.

A Court of Session judge questioned whether the Standards Commission for Scotland can fairly assess Glasgow councillor Fiona Higgins's Article 10 free-speech defence after excluding emails and budget documents central to her social media criticisms of council officials and proposed education cuts. Higgins is seeking to halt the commission's misconduct hearing, while the commission argues it lawfully decided the documents were unnecessary and that judicial review is premature. Lord Sandison repeatedly challenged the consistency and rationality of excluding some evidence while admitting related material, and reserved his decision.

The closure of the Grangemouth refinery left Scotland dependent on imported fuel, heightening exposure to global price shocks. Industry evidence to the Competition and Markets Authority highlighted reduced supply resilience as heating oil costs surged. The refinery, historically central to Scotland’s oil sector and operated by INEOS and PetroChina, ended refining in April 2025 amid falling demand. Efforts by unions and politicians to save the facility included proposals for nationalisation and studies into transitioning the site to sustainable fuels. Both Scottish and UK governments supported feasibility work, but the UK Government stated the operation was already too far progressed toward closure. The site has now been converted into an import terminal, resulting in over 400 job losses and significant economic and political repercussions for the region.

Heating oil prices in Scotland rose faster than anywhere else in Britain after conflict in the Middle East disrupted global supplies, with average costs increasing by 44p per litre to 113p. A Competition and Markets Authority investigation found Scotland particularly exposed due to the closure of the Grangemouth refinery, reliance on imports, and limited fuel infrastructure. Distributors face higher costs from longer delivery routes and reduced pricing arrangements, leaving rural and older communities most affected. The Scottish Government plans to consider a price‑checker tool and called for stronger consumer protections as market volatility persists.