A fast-track method of allowing minor offenders to pay fines in order to avoid a court appearance is being introduced today as part of sweeping reforms of Scotland’s summary justice system.

TWO children are facing court appearances following a disturbance at a secure unit, it emerged last night.

PUBLIC sector workers in Scotland are taking more than five million sick days a year, costing the economy an estimated £1.1bn in lost wages and output.

A NEW team of nurses – dubbed “cut-price midwives” by critics – are about to start work in Scotland’s maternity wards in a controversial bid to reduce staffing shortages.

A LAST-MINUTE deal has been struck to ensure a Lothian care home will stay open until the end of next month – in a move set to ensure elderly residents only face being moved once.