From our archives

5 years ago

Almost 1,500 workers have gone on strike over the management of the introduction of the new universal credit benefit, according to a union. Staff at service centres in Glasgow and Bolton – where more than half of all universal credit staff are employed – walked out yesterday and will strike again today. The Public and Commercial Services union said the action is over “increasingly oppressive working conditions” within the Government’s flagship social security programm.

10 years ago

Barack Obama, pictured, has called for all the facts to be made public about the release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing as he piled more pressure on the Scottish Government by describing its decision to free Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi as heartbreaking for the victims’ families. The US President told a White House press conference: “All of us here in the US were surprised, disappointed and angry about the release of the Lockerbie bomber.”

22 years ago

After more than 10 years, Radio Clyde has lost the rights to broadcast live Scottish League football on a Saturday afternoon. Arch-rivals Scot FM yesterday announced a deal for the Bell’s League Championship and the Coca-cola Cup during the forthcoming season. The deal, which will not affect BBC Radio Scotland’s live football coverage, cost the fledgling station little more than £150,000 a season for the next two years. It is regarded as a cornerstone of Scot FM’S fight for improved listening figures.

50 years ago

The campaign against alcoholism in Scotland is to be stepped up shortly, Mr Gordon Campbell, Secretary of State for Scotland, announced yesterday. Well-known people will be asked to help in getting the message across. He said the Scottish Health Education Unit campaign would shortly be heightened and its emphasis altered towards informing the families of alcoholics that the disease can be arrested. It will also advise where treatment can be obtained.

100 years ago

Five families have been rendered homeless by an alarming outbreak of fire which occurred on a threestorey tenement dwelling at 1 and 2 Mill Place, Paisley, yesterday morning. The alarm was raised by a school janitor, who noticed smoke issuing from the roof of the building. The Paisley Fire Brigade were summoned, but before their arrival the flames had a firm hold of the building. The tenants, who had become greatly excited by the conflagration, were however successful in making their escape.