'Urgent action' needed against school asbestos

'No room for error' on backbench committee

The shadow leader of the House has said that MPs have "just 15 or so days" to put in place new rules to create a backbench business committee.

• MPs rock band launch new charity album
• A quarter of MPs wish they had never gone into politics
• Tory MPs attack Speaker's performance

MPs condemn 'uniquely risky' FCO currency gamble

The foreign office has been forced to seek a £90m cash advance from the Treasury, according to MPs.

• FCO reshuffle sees European role downgraded
• Public service workers 'demoralised'
• NAO criticises public body accounts

Scots to get 'alcohol interventions'

The Scottish health minister has announced that there will be 60,000 alcohol brief interventions in the coming year.

• Middle-aged targeted in health campaign
• Former Labour MP cleared of harassment
• Government slammed over health 'policy failures'

Speech in full: Nicola Sturgeon

SNP deputy leader and deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon's address to the party's spring conference in Aviemore.

• PM praises Calman plan for Scotland
• Scots local income tax costs disputed
• Swinney hails small firm rate cut

SNP calls on Darling to protect Scotland from cuts

The chancellor has one last chance to deliver a budget that benefits Scotland, the country's finance minister has said.

• Cheese meeting surrenders money
• Brown announces Budget date
• Osborne lays out economic benchmarks

Scottish consultation into double jeopardy announced

A centuries-old law in Scotland that prevents a person being tried twice for the same offence is to be reviewed.

• Warming up for Highland fling
• Brown hints at Scottish finance powers
• PM vows to defend Union

'Metropolitan politicians' accused over fuel duty

Delegates at the SNP conference in Aviemore have backed plans for a freeze in fuel duty and the introduction of a road fuel regulator.

• Ministers urged not to 'give in' to Murdoch
• Natural England 'must do more' on conservation sites
• Budget predictions are 'hopelessly optimistic'

Hung parliament a 'real opportunity' for Scotland

A parliament "balanced on Scottish and Welsh votes" could mean concessions to the nationalist parties, Alex Salmond has said.

• 'No room for error' on backbench committee
• MPs rock band launch new charity album
• A quarter of MPs wish they had never gone into politics

Speech in full: Alex Salmond

SNP leader Alex Salmond's address to the party's spring conference in Aviemore.

• Fisher becomes 145th MP to stand down
• Parties report £17m in donations
• Labour to unveil election slogan

Salmond attacks Tory and Labour 'phoney war'

The leader of the Scottish National Party has said the people of Scotland will be heard at the next election.

• MP to quit ultra-marginal seat
• Fisher becomes 145th MP to stand down
• Opening up government data 'will deliver £6bn boost'

Westminster parties 'ignore rural Scotland'

The Scottish rural affairs minister has said UK governments of both parties did not understand the needs of Scotland's rural communities.

• Ministers urged not to 'give in' to Murdoch
• Lord Higgins: Improving the transportation of horses
• Question time briefing: Environment, food and rural affairs

Speech in full: Richard Lochhead

Scotland's rural affairs minister's address to the SNP spring conference in Aviemore this morning.

• Gove's carpet lured moths, claims Allen
• Bill Bryson angry about litter indifference
• Growth remains elusive as GDP falls

SNP claim 'seismic shift' since 2005

The Scottish National Party has said new research shows that voters have backed them "in increasing numbers" since the 2005 election.

• MP to quit ultra-marginal seat
• Fisher becomes 145th MP to stand down
• Opening up government data 'will deliver £6bn boost'