Scotland's papers: Labour rules out SNP pact and budget 'black hole'

5 July

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The Metro leads with Anas Sarwar's announcement that Labour is not prepared to do any deals with SNP after the next general election, even if it needs the support of another party to form a majority government. The Scottish Labour leader said there would be absolutely no pact or coalition because Labour's aim was to win an outright majority.

The same story leads The Scotsman, which quotes Mr Sarwar as saying it should be a "legal duty" to make the UK and Scottish governments co-operate. He said that "co-operation , not conflict" should be at the heart of government as he accused the SNP and Conservatives as stoking "bitterness, division and anger".

The party's UK leader Sir Keir Starmer makes the lead in The Daily Telegraph after promising there would be no return to the single market for the UK. The paper says Sir Keir is facing a revolt after a speech in which he pledged to "make Brexit work".

"Scotland's £2bn black hole" is the Daily Record's front page. The paper claims that leaked documents have revealed huge pressures on Scottish public finances. The report claims one option suggested by civil servants is to scrap a planned £5 rise in child poverty payments - but the Scottish government says it has no intention of doing so.

In the Herald, a defence expert warns that any re-entry to the European Union for an independent Scotland could be blocked if the country removed the Trident nuclear deterrent before the UK government finds a new home for the nuclear missile system. However, Prof Malcolm Chalmers also suggests a longer timetable for the weapons' removal would give Scotland considerable bargaining power.

Boris Johnson is "blasted" on the front of the National after making comments about independence. The PM told MPs a yes vote would be "utterly tragic for the whole world".

The i newspaper claims ministers and aides are unhappy at being asked to defend Boris Johnson over his handling of the Chris Pincher allegations. The paper says it has been told No 10 is managing "a breakdown in collective discipline" and that there is "exasperation" among ministers after Downing Street admitted Mr Johnson was aware of accusations against the MP when he gave him a government job.

The Scottish Daily Mail pictures MP Patrick Grady with a story claiming the SNP staff member who complained about the MP's sexual advances refused to co-operate with a police investigation because of fears of a backlash over his job. The paper says the worker feared the impact it would have on his "already intolerable working environment".

In The Times, police are encouraged to take a "zero-tolerance approach" to fuel campaigners using go-slow protests to cause disruption. The report says Home Secretary Priti Patel's tough stance was backed by Downing Street. It quotes a senior government source saying they were looking to the police to use the powers they have been given by the government to deal with these protests.

Fuel protests also make the front of The Scottish Daily Express which reports a number of main roads were blocked in Scotland on Monday as protesters joined a UK-wide demonstration against fuel prices. The paper hints at more action, saying this is "only the start".

The Scottish Sun splashed with an emotional tribute from Ally McCoist to his Rangers friend and teammate Andy Goram after he died at the weekend from cancer. The paper reveals the former striker was at the bedside of the goalkeeper as he lost his battle aged 58. McCoist pays tribute to his "remarkable bravery".

A clampdown on "green lairds" makes the front of the P&J which says Scotland's land reform minister is looking at a radical new plan to prevent what are described as new Highland clearances. A consultation has been launched by Mairi McAllan to address long-standing ownership concerns.

Dundee's Evening Telegraph reports on a council care worker accused of breaching GDPR rules to access personal information on an ex-partner and her family.

Another court story makes the front of the Evening Express - this time an incident where millions of litres of raw sewage ended up being dumped into the sea.

A St Johnstone fan who was part of a crowd who caused disruption after the club's Scottish Cup Final victory has escaped a ban from future games, according to the Courier. Lindsay Williamson-Bayley was fined £270 instead of being issued with a banning order after chaotic scenes outside McDiarmid park in May 2021.

A tale involving frozen steaks and washing up liquid stolen from an Iceland store in Glasgow makes the front page of the Glasgow Times on Tuesday.

The Edinburgh Evening News claims pensioners and people with mobility issues are being forced to tackle hilly routes into the city for doctor's appointments after vital bus routes were cancelled.

And the Daily Star of Scotland runs with the headline "Puff doody" as it explains "hard-up smokers" are turning to fake cigarettes which it claims are filled with insect eggs, fungi and faeces.

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