Richard Lochhead: Last News

Scotland's longstanding reputation as a must-visit destination is getting stronger, according to new research.

Hundreds of homes across the Stewartry are set to benefit from faster broadband speeds.

Ukrainians settling in Scotland after fleeing the Russian invasion are being given a helping hand by an employment support service, based in Ayrshire.

ScotRail's reduced timetable got underway today, with more than 700 services cut across the country in what could cause "travel misery" to commuters.

Around 65 new jobs are to be created in Ayrshire as part of a major announcement from communications giant Openreach.

A Scottish Government minister is isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 two days after speaking at COP26.

A West Lothian company is one of just four Scottish companies to scoop an Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of its commitment to tackling environmental impacts and reducing carbon emissions.

immigration chiefs ordered him to leave the UK.The Home Office had demanded Matthew Jun Fei Freeman, who lives in Lossiemouth, Moray, return to his native China after 17 years here.Matt has been instrumental in helping with local mental health issues and was a former director of the Moray Wellbeing Hub.In January, the Home Office told Matt, an engineer with a PhD, to return to China immediately, removed his right to appeal and warned him that failure to comply could see him jailed.Matt was born in Hunan province and raised in Gansu province and both his parents have been dead for more than 20 years.Desperate appeals were made on his behalf from local MSP Richard Lochhead and MP Douglas Ross.Now Matt has revealed that the Home Office have

Scottish Government is making an additional £5 million available to students who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. From January, students across Scotland can apply to their college or university’s Discretionary Fund for help if they are struggling to meet accommodation and other costs.

Scottish Government will today reveal details on how students will be able to safely return home at Christmas. Higher education minister Richard Lochhead is expected to announce a mass testing regime for undergraduates to allow them to leave halls of residence without spreading Covid in the wider community.It could see students tested for coronavirus twice, five days apart, with two negative results required before they are allowed to head home.

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Shorter visits are allowed for reasons such as a bereavement or family emergency, but if no such reason exists that will be classed as an “offence”.Education Minister Richard Lochhead says he does not expect a “mass exodus” of students returning home following the new guidance.

emergency trips home. The SNP government's Richard Lochhead was responding to days of anger after young people were told to isolate in shared accommodation while infections soared on campuses.

Government issued new guidance for students urging them to remain in isolation where possible - however they can return home on a long-term basis. Richard Lochhead, the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, has addressed university principals and  student  accommodation chiefs with new measures.

Government  has issued new guidance for students this evening urging them to remain in isolation where possible - however they can return home on a long-term basis.Richard Lochhead, the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, has addressed university principals and student accommodation chiefs with new guidance on measures.The guidance still encourages students to remain on campus if they are able to do so.

Strict rules which forbid students already living in university accommodation from returning to their parents' house may be amended, an SNP minister has hinted. The Scottish Government has faced a backlash after more than 1,000 people were forced to self-isolate on campuses across the country following a spate of Covid outbreaks.

university tuition for EU students will end. Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said the funding, which comes to around £100m a year, would end as a result of Brexit.

Students are being told to “stay where they are” and not attempt to travel back to family homes.

Scotland's colleges and universities are preparing for a phased return of students to campuses in September.