Latest news with #Ayrshire-born
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots billionaire calls for ministers to get paid ‘millions' in wage rise
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MINISTERS should be handed million-pound salaries in a bid to attract better leaders, Scotland's top entrepreneur has claimed. Sir Tom Hunter also slammed the SNP's record — insisting they must slash taxes to reverse 'managed decline' and save the 'lacklustre' economy. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Sir Tom Hunter wants our leaders to earn top salaries to attract the best talent Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 2 John Swinney earns a fraction of the salary paid to Singapore's president The ex-Sports Division tycoon reckoned Scotland could become the Signapore of the UK through low-tax, pro-business policies. But he said that huge pay hikes were first needed to attract the top political talent to Holyrood. Sir Tom compared First Minister John Swinney's salary of £135,605 to the $2.2million earned by the wealthy Asian city-state's president Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In a apparent swipe at Cabinet ministers like Nats leader Mr Swinney and Health Secretary Neil Gray, Sir Tom added: 'We need to encourage better people into politics. "The hardest job in this country is running the country. 'Can we get the best people doing it? The second hardest job is running the NHS. "Can we get the best people doing this?' The First Minister is entitled to earn £182,438 a year but receives less due to a 16-year ministerial pay freeze — which he has partially lifted to hand colleagues £19,126 hikes. Asked it the best talent is running the country, Sir Tom — Scotland's first home-grown billionaire and one of its richest men — said: 'I would say we could do better.' The Ayrshire-born business boss also blasted the state of public services under the SNP. SNP balsted by opposition over MORE FERRY FIASCO delays Sir Tom said: 'Our education standards are falling, our health service is struggling, and we have a lacklustre economy.' He called on Nats to drastically cut taxes for higher earners and firms to 'welcome entrepreneurs and wealth creators' and boost jobs. A research paper for his Hunter Foundation pointed out how the 48 per cent top rate of income tax — imposed by former First Minister Humza Yousaf at Nats' December 2023 Budget — was exactly double Signapore's 24 per cent. But Sir Tom stopped short of saying Scotland should quit the UK. He said: 'I don't think the economic argument for independence is there yet. 'If it's independence, just more of the same, then the whole of Scotland will be poorer.' Last night Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser siezed on Sir Tom's 'utterly damning' takedown of the Conservative's rivals. He hit out: 'He says their policies have been anti-business and anti-growth, that they have ignored Scottish companies, and that Scots' incomes and essential services have been badly damaged as a result.' But Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers welcomed the findings of Sir Tom's philanthropy body. She explained: 'There will be some areas where we will disagree. 'But I'm sure within this report — which I haven't had the opportunity to read in full as yet — there will be areas that we can agree on. 'What Sir Tom does raise is there is something inherently challenging in the system that Scotland finds itself in at the moment and we need to rise to that occasion.'
Glasgow Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow restaurants visited by beloved Two Doors Down star
The beloved star, who played Alan in the hit BBC sitcom Two Doors Down, has dined at multiple top eateries across the city. The Ayrshire-born lad is also known for appearing in several other TV programmes such as Scot Squad, World of Sport Wrestling, and Scotland's Greatest Escape. On top of that, he is also known for hosting a podcast, titled A Pint and Two Shots, alongside Stephen Purdon and Chris Toal. READ MORE: Two Doors Down stars reunited in Glasgow to support 'icon' READ MORE: Two Doors Down star pictured with famous pal at event Here are all the Glasgow food joints the well-known actor has visited over the years: Amalfi (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: Two Doors Down star praises 'five-star' meal during visit to Glasgow restaurant One of the Glasgow eateries, Grado, real name Graeme Stevely, has visited in the past is Amalfi on West Nile Street. The 36-year-old star dined at the city centre venue in December 2023. During it, the wrestler took to social media to share a short video of his experience at the Italian restaurant, which he praised as being 'five-star'. Celino's (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: Two Doors Down star spotted at popular Glasgow restaurant READ MORE: Two Doors Down star praises 'unreal' dish at popular Glasgow restaurant Another food spot the talented star has visited in the city is Celino's in Partick. The sitcom actor stopped by the Italian restaurant for a cup of coffee in March 2024. (Image: Instagram) It's not the first time Grado has visited the much-loved eatery in the West End, however. In August 2023, the funnyman dined at the venue and enjoyed a calamari as a starter and a tasty-looking plate of seafood paste. Seoul Korean BBQ READ MORE: 'Best scoff': Two Doors Down star raves about Glasgow restaurant Another eatery Grado has visited in Glasgow is Seoul Korean BBQ on Cambridge Street. The Scot Squad actor shared a snap of his experience at the authentic Korean eatery in the city centre on Instagram. In the post, the Stevenston-born actor claimed the restaurant was the "best scoff" he had in ages. Grado claimed: "Best scoff I've had in a long time. You need to try this." Gost (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: 'Monday club': Two Doors Down stars reunite at swanky Glasgow steak restaurant Another restaurant the professional wrestler has been spotted at is Gost on Bothwell Street in the city centre. Grado was pictured at the swanky steak restaurant alongside Jonathan Watson, who plays Colin in Two Doors Down. The pair were pictured at the plush venue with sports commentator Chick Young, Tam Cowan and Phil Differ. In the image, the group looked chuffed.
STV News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Celtic's most decorated players as James Forrest now stands alone at top
Celtic clinched their 55th league title with a 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday. The triumph was veteran winger James Forrest's 26th major trophy with the Hoops in a glittering career at Parkhead. Since marking his debut with a goal as a fresh-faced teenager away back in 2009 he has played through a golden-era of success for the club. The 33-year-old came off the bench to help Brendan Rodgers' side wrap up their latest championship in what was his 13th league title. That puts him one ahead of legendary Lisbon Lion forward Bobby Lennox to stand alone as the most decorated in the clubs long history. Here, we look at the Hoops legends with the most trophy wins with the Parkhead club. SNS Group Forrest has now won 26 major honours at the Hoops. The winger has now won 13 league titles since making his Celtic debut in May 2010. Forrest can win his eighth Scottish Cup next month and also has six League Cup winners' medals to his name after being involved in a nine-in-a-row and quadruple treble run. His Parkhead career looked in doubt last January when a move away from the club was mooted, but he stayed around and got himself back in the team to play a big part in last season's title win. The 33-year-old could have had even more medals to his name if it wasn't for a series of injuries that meant he missed out on three final victories. SNS Group Lennox won 25 medals at Celtic and is also the club's second top scorer of all time. Forrest surpassed a fellow Ayrshire-born nine-in-a-row winning forward with this season's league title. Legendary Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox was one of the team who brought the European Cup to Britain for the first time. He won the big one in 1967, 11 league titles, eight Scottish Cups and five League Cup winners' medals. After a brief spell in the United States, Lennox, now 81, returned to Celtic and won a league and cup double in 1980 in his final full season. He is also sandwiched between Jimmy McGrory and Henrik Larsson as the club's second top goal scorer. SNS Group At two years younger, McGregor could surpass Forrest in the coming years. Celtic captain Callum McGregor is not far behind long-term teammate Forrest. The 31-year-old, who has two years on the winger, is a good bet to surpass his medal haul in the coming years. The midfielder epitomises the winning mentality that has been instilled in the team during one of the club's golden periods. SNS Group The legendary captain has a statue outside Celtic Park. The Lisbon Lions captain endured some difficult years for Celtic after joining in 1957 before the arrival of Jock Stein saw them quickly become Scotland's dominant club and the best in Europe in 1967. He captained Celtic to another European Cup three after Lisbon in 1970 and hung up his boots in 1975, a year after leading Celtic to nine consecutive titles. McNeill, who has a statue outside Celtic Park, also won seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups. The late Scotland defender was not finished with the silverware though – he won eight more major trophies with Celtic during two spells as manager. SNS Group Brown captained Celtic to nine-in-a-row and a quadruple treble. McGregor's predecessor as captain drove Celtic forward for years after joining from Hibernian in 2007. Scott Brown joined from Hibernian for £4.5m and captained the Hoops to nine-in-a-row and a historic quadruple treble before departing for Aberdeen in 2021. In all, he won 10 titles and six winners' medals in both domestic cup competitions. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
