Investigations

Exclusive

Council officers wrongly claimed that documents could be withheld under Section 33 of the FOI (Scotland) Act 2002.

Council admits FOI error over gift shops' rates arrears — but will not release emails

The Herald appealed a decision to block the release of correspondence between the council, Criterion Capital and tenants at the Princes Street fire site.

The interior view up through the floors in the west side of Glasgow School of Art's fire-damaged Mackintosh Building.

The interior view up through the floors in the west side of Glasgow School of Art's fire-damaged Mackintosh Building.

Glasgow School of Art

Campaigners call for Glasgow School of Art to give up ownership of 'The Mack'

The NRS is proposing to move away from annual recording.

The NRS is proposing to move away from annual recording.

Homeless deaths data faces cut as Scotland battles housing emergency

EFI is located in the old Royal Infirmary building on Lauriston Place.

EFI is located in the old Royal Infirmary building on Lauriston Place.

Edinburgh University

More programmes to close at Edinburgh University in latest wave of cuts

Teachers are facing rising levels of violence.

Teachers are facing rising levels of violence.

Secondary school

Attacks on Edinburgh secondary school teachers more than double in four years

Princes Street was closed for seven weeks as a result of the fire.

Princes Street was closed for seven weeks as a result of the fire.

Council vowed to block hotel construction over unauthorised Princes Street gift shops

A report on a Scottish citizens' jury showed strong support for retaining free tuition for higher education and investing more in colleges, although opinions were split over the necessary steps to take.

A report on a Scottish citizens' jury showed strong support for retaining free tuition for higher education and investing more in colleges, although opinions were split over the necessary steps to take.

Citizens’ jury says higher education funding should be 'reprioritised'

Flags on Edinburgh's Calder Road were taken down under the cover of darkness.

Flags on Edinburgh's Calder Road were taken down under the cover of darkness.

City of Edinburgh Council

Inside the top-secret operation to remove anti-migrant flags under cover of darkness

Many colleges and universities are in deficit, and more are expected to be in the future. But their names are being withheld.

Many colleges and universities are in deficit, and more are expected to be in the future. But their names are being withheld.

The State of Scotland's Colleges

I can't name the 27 colleges and universities forecasting deficits – here is why

Scottish colleges and universities face growing financial risks according to the latest annual sustainability reports.

Scottish colleges and universities face growing financial risks according to the latest annual sustainability reports.

Two-thirds of Scottish colleges and universities forecast deficits

More than 1,000 households were in unsuitable accommodation earlier this year.

More than 1,000 households were in unsuitable accommodation earlier this year.

More than 1,000 homeless households in capital trapped in unsuitable accommodation

Last week, it was confirmed that Edinburgh University would close several Scottish literature courses.

Last week, it was confirmed that Edinburgh University would close several Scottish literature courses.

Edinburgh University

What does closure of Edinburgh University's Scottish Lit programmes actually mean?

Scotland's Housing Emergency

Record 10,715 Scots children trapped in homes for homeless — enough to fill Stranraer

The fire at 109-112 Princes Street broke out overnight on July 9.

The fire at 109-112 Princes Street broke out overnight on July 9.

Increased scrunity of tax recovery efforts approved following Herald investigations

Holyrood's wealthiest MSPs have significant property and business interests.

Holyrood's wealthiest MSPs have significant property and business interests.

Who are Scotland's richest MSPs? Inside their property and business fortunes

A string of gift shops at the former Debenhams on Princes Street building has become a symbol of the city's struggle with non-domestic rate payers.

A string of gift shops at the former Debenhams on Princes Street building has become a symbol of the city's struggle with non-domestic rate payers.

Council secures 23,000 warrants to recover unpaid rates from capital's businesses

The council refused to provide documents outlining how it attempted to recover non-domestic rates from the building's tenants.

The council refused to provide documents outlining how it attempted to recover non-domestic rates from the building's tenants.

Fire site gift shops excluded from FOI response over harm to 'commercial interests'

Around 3,000 businesses have not paid their non-domestic rates.

Around 3,000 businesses have not paid their non-domestic rates.

Thousands of capital's firms fail to pay full business rates, council confirms

Princes Street was closed for seven weeks this summer due to the July blaze.

Princes Street was closed for seven weeks this summer due to the July blaze.

Overdue accounts for London-based firm behind Princes Street fire gift shops

Thousands of people in Edinburgh do not have a permanent home. Some have been waiting for years.

Thousands of people in Edinburgh do not have a permanent home. Some have been waiting for years.

Affordable housing

36 months and counting: 1300 households still in temporary housing after three years

Part of the Scottish Government's £5m grant could go toward legal costs.

Part of the Scottish Government's £5m grant could go toward legal costs.

Part of £5m Edinburgh fire fund earmarked for 'likelihood' of legal challenge

A new report on the state of Scotland's colleges repeats many of the problems flagged a year ago, most of which have gotten worse.

A new report on the state of Scotland's colleges repeats many of the problems flagged a year ago, most of which have gotten worse.

Further Education

Analysis: More money, more problems for Scotland’s colleges

The Roseburn Path decision is looming.

The Roseburn Path decision is looming.

Dominic Cummings

Inside the London-based think tank lobbying councillors to back Roseburn Path trams

Polling shows support for prioritising vocational education, but that does not necessarily mean prioritising colleges over universities.

Polling shows support for prioritising vocational education, but that does not necessarily mean prioritising colleges over universities.

Vocational education gains ground as universities face funding pressure

The row of gift shops as pictured in August last year.

The row of gift shops as pictured in August last year.

Gift shops at Princes Street fire site liable for £300k in non-domestic rates

The interior view up through the floors in the west side of Glasgow School of Art's fire-damaged Mackintosh Building.

The interior view up through the floors in the west side of Glasgow School of Art's fire-damaged Mackintosh Building.

Glasgow School of Art

Scottish Government to kickstart 'critical' drive to bring back Mackintosh Building

Lisa Kerr, principal of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. says since the introduction of VAT on school fees pupil numbers in Edinburgh have fallen by 11%

Lisa Kerr, principal of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. says since the introduction of VAT on school fees pupil numbers in Edinburgh have fallen by 11%

Private schools

Shadow hangs over future of Edinburgh private schools as 'tipping point' reached

Much of Edinburgh has had a 20 mph speed limit for ten years.

Much of Edinburgh has had a 20 mph speed limit for ten years.

Fewer than two dozen fines for speeding in 20mph zones in capital since 2022

The Herald asked for data relating to George Street businesses.

The Herald asked for data relating to George Street businesses.

Council refuses to name tax-avoiding firms trading on capital's retail streets

Shops that had not paid their non-domestic rates were operating at the site of the Princes Street fire.

Shops that had not paid their non-domestic rates were operating at the site of the Princes Street fire.

No criminal charges against capital's alleged business rates dodgers since 2024

Concerns have been raised about the future of build-to-rent properties amid low construction numbers.

Concerns have been raised about the future of build-to-rent properties amid low construction numbers.

Scotland's Housing Emergency

Scotland's housing crisis deepens with the largest slump in build-to-rent across UK

Shettleston Housing Association

Shettleston Housing Association

Immigration tensions leave social housing staff facing ‘unacceptable’ threats

More than 60,000 bullying incidents were reported in Scottish schools since 2020.

More than 60,000 bullying incidents were reported in Scottish schools since 2020.

Thousands of violent incidents reported in Edinburgh schools in just one year

Princes Street has been shut for three weeks because of the blaze.

Princes Street has been shut for three weeks because of the blaze.

Gas cylinders removed from Princes Street construction site before blaze

Firefighters at the scene of a blaze at a building on Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Firefighters at the scene of a blaze at a building on Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Owner of Princes Street fire site will not commit to paying for council safety works

The Glasgow School of Art's Mack Building was ravaged by fires in 2014 and 2018

The Glasgow School of Art's Mack Building was ravaged by fires in 2014 and 2018

Glasgow School of Art

Scottish Government must lead effort to rebuild Mackintosh says architect

The shops at the site of the blaze did not apply for building warrants until a year after they opened.

The shops at the site of the blaze did not apply for building warrants until a year after they opened.

Tax-evading shops at site of Princes Street fire operated without building warrants

The payment was made despite a large operating loss.

The payment was made despite a large operating loss.

Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh Trams paid out £327k 'golden goodbye' despite £9m operating loss last year

The Ibis London Wembley.

The Ibis London Wembley.

Firm linked to billionaire Asif Aziz ordered to replace 'fire risk' cladding at hotel

We can't expect to build the future when we're so obsessed with rebuilding the past

We can't expect to build the future when we're so obsessed with rebuilding the past

Glasgow School of Art Fires

Does the Mack need to be faithfully rebuilt or are we just scared of our own future?

Firefighters survey the damage to the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building

Firefighters survey the damage to the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art is 'gone forever' says architect

The scaffolding on the Mack seen by the Reid building

The scaffolding on the Mack seen by the Reid building

Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art settles long running dispute with insurers over Mack fire

Ann Priest, Chair of the Board of Governors, The Glasgow School of Art

Ann Priest, Chair of the Board of Governors, The Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art

Mackintosh Building can never be exact replica of original, GSA chair says

Fire rips through the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building in 2018

Fire rips through the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building in 2018

Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art cannot afford to rebuild world-renowned Mackintosh Building

More than 12,000 children are severely absent from Scottish schools.

More than 12,000 children are severely absent from Scottish schools.

Rebecca McCurdy

Getting it right for every child? Not with 12,000 severely absent from school

The row of shops were not paying non-domestic rates, according to City of Edinburgh Council.

The row of shops were not paying non-domestic rates, according to City of Edinburgh Council.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

The web of secrecy behind the tax-evading tat shops tangled up in Princes Street fire

The blaze ripped through the B-listed building in the early hours of the morning.

The blaze ripped through the B-listed building in the early hours of the morning.

Fire service defends lack of safety checks at Princes Street site prior to blaze

Edinburgh University students.

Edinburgh University students.

Edinburgh University

'Damn the consequences': Ancient university accused of breaching governance rules

The fire resulted in Princes Street being shut to traffic.

The fire resulted in Princes Street being shut to traffic.

City of Edinburgh Council

Shops at site of Princes Street fire raided over unpaid business rates prior to blaze

Highland Council has the highest proportion of children missing half of the school year.

Highland Council has the highest proportion of children missing half of the school year.

From Highlands to Glasgow: How absences and reduced timetables impacts education

A co-founder of the Prison Expert Group warns the system is on the brink of ‘eruption’ because

A co-founder of the Prison Expert Group warns the system is on the brink of ‘eruption’ because

For Women Scotland

SPS refuses to say if trans women still allowed in female prison estate

Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit In told of working class struggle - but what of the actors and production staff who make theatre in Scotland today?

Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit In told of working class struggle - but what of the actors and production staff who make theatre in Scotland today?

How much do Scottish actors really earn?

This year's college pay agreement gives breathing room to work on one of the sector's biggest projects in decades.

This year's college pay agreement gives breathing room to work on one of the sector's biggest projects in decades.

A long-term college pay deal is especially good news this year

The pay of senior councillors has been revealed.

The pay of senior councillors has been revealed.

What Edinburgh's £32m budget underspend reveals about the capital's financial health