Holyrood 542 / 27 Jan 2025

Rebuilding lives from the bottom up
As the invasion of Ukraine reaches its third anniversary, refugees of the war find a home in North Lanarkshire

3 Editor’s note
If John Swinney is only ‘Full-on John’ now, it begs the question of what he was before

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point
There is a growing malaise about the size of our problems and how we solve them

8 In Context
The two-child cap

10 Spotlight: Fever Pitch
As the row over Neil Gray’s football trips continues, the real contest is over the future of the NHS

13 Trade overview: Scotland’s larder
The threat of US trade tariffs looms large over the food and drink sector in 2025

16 Interview: Douglas Alexander
The Labour MP on how his years out of politics made him appreciate the job even more

22 Trade: Selling Scotland
Scotland has the chance to diversify its exports and grow its economy

25 Connect: Gene Editing
Climate targets, food security and research are all on the line unless the Scottish Government has a change of heart

28 Feature: Rebuilding Lives
The council project helping Ukrainian families start again

32 Interview: Rachael Hamilton
The Scottish Conservative deputy leader on challenging the consensus in Scottish politics

36 Getting to Know You
Labour MP Euan Stainbank on his love for Falkirk FC

38 Event spotlight
Holyrood’s Westminster drinks reception

39 Local Politics
SNP councillor Cher Cassini

40 Comment
Let’s hear it for the party activists, says James Mitchell

41 Political Spin
Social care minister Maree Todd on having Edwyn Collins serenade her

42 Diary
Be kind or f*** off, says Nicola Sturgeon’s sister

43 Last Word
Sketch: Angus Robertson celebrates the success of Angus Robertson

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