The Latest Breaking News from Kirsteen Sullivan

The basic rate of Universal Credit no longer covers essential bills says local food bank and depute leader of council as they back national campaign for more support for growing numbers of vulnerable

West Lothian has faced huge pressures on its housing supply and a Holyrood scheme to address homelessness has struggled with poor government support and legislative changes which had presented councils with more problems than solutions

Council officers say partial demolition and rebuild of St Kentigern's the cheapest and fastest way to solve dangerous roof problems. It's the biggest bill the council will have faced since the faulty building material was found in council buildings in 2021

Protests were held at a meeting of West Lothian Council’s executive committee on Tuesday

Council and Leisure trust under fire over planned cuts to pools, gyms and theatre. No consensus among politicians of best way to solve funding crisis

They admitted the scale of the problem was not fully known

Long a staple of TV shows, the risks to the lives of vulnerable people whose homes are stuffed with rubbish are recognised as a mental health and public safety issue by the council and emergency services

The project had aimed to promote well-being through music and arts.

Bathgate third sector groups had bid to take over the former social work offices to create a music venue but a rejection over a lack of solid plans has led to a row over the way transfer of assets to community groups is run.