Holyrood 541 13 Jan 2025

eXpletives
The Transatlantic war of words consuming British politics

3. Editor’s note
Elon Musk’s outrage has nothing to do with the scandal that working-class white girls endured

5. Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7. Talking Point
2025 is shaping up to be the year of the insufferable tech bro

8. In Context
Glasgow’s safer drug consumption room

9. Spotlight: Controlling the Narrative
Have Elon Musk’s interventions in UK politics set the tone for 2025 and what can politicians do about it?

12. Economy overview: Growth Mindset
The government has put economic growth at the top of its priorities, but achieving it will be easier said than done

16. Interview: Kate Forbes
The deputy first minister on bringing down the barriers to economic growth

23. Third sector: Charities in Crisis
The third sector is near breaking point amid increasing financial pressures

26. Covid: Long Haul
Disbelieved, unrecognised and badly supported – Long Covid sufferers have been forgotten about

30. CONNECT: Cryptocurrency
Does Donald Trump’s pledge to rule the crypto world mean it’s the end of ‘real’ money?

32. Interview: Angus MacDonald
Angus MacDonald wants to see the Highlands become more equitable, and he has ideas to make that happen

35. Event spotlight
Public Service Awards

37. Getting to Know You
Melanie Ward on the piece of advice David Miliband gave her

39. Local Politics
West Dunbartonshire’s Jonathan McColl takes us to his Lomond ward

40. Comment
Keir Starmer is a dead man walking, says Joan McAlpine

41. Political Spin
Finlay Carson MSP on campaigning to David Guetta’s music

42. Diary
Think women have it tough? Don’t forget the Battle of the Somme, says Lee Anderson

43. Last Word
Sketch: John Swinney anticipates the warmth of spring

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