The SNP has stepped up calls for Scotland to secure broadcasting powers after the BBC’s former Trustee for Scotland said the country was poorly served by the corporation.

Quoted in the Scotsman, Jeremy Peat said the “case for more production out of London remains and the pressure for increased devolution of programming must continue”.

Commenting on the story in the Scottish Sun that the BBC’s Chief Political Adviser in London cancelled an arranged appearance by First Minister Alex Salmond on BBC network’s build-up coverage for the Scotland-England Calcutta Cup rugby match, because of “the nature of political debate around Scotland’s future and the proximity of local government election”, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertso

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP has expressed concern at the publication of plans by the UK Government to introduce Contracts for Difference as part of electricity market reforms – Mr Weir described the proposal, which will provide a guaranteed price, as “yet another sop to nuclear generators”.

Commenting Mr Weir said:

The Russian Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov which is currently moored 20-30 miles off the Moray Firth coast has been dumping waste into the sea. Westminster SNP leader and Defence spokesman has condemned the ‘marine fly-tipping’ and is asking the UK Government what it has done about the incident.

Responding to news that 2,000 rural post offices will close from next summer due to a “revamp”, SNP MSP Paul Wheelhouse and SNP MP Mike Weir have condemned it as “devastating”.

Post Office Ltd is to convert branches into PO Locals offering downgraded services within other commercial sites from next summer.

Scotland could earn £2bn a year and become a world leader in new-energy technologies but will only unlock its full potential if energy policy is fully devolved.

The SNP has called for ‘total transparency’ from the Ministry of Defence after it emerged that radium pollution had been identified at three further locations in Scotland, in addition to Dalgety Bay in Fife.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has demanded that the UK Government take immediate action to detail their plans and resolve the radioactive particle pollution hazard at Dalgety Bay.