Former US President Donald Trump's golf courses claimed over $4 million in the furlough money of the UK government.

The turnover of his resorts in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire was reduced by 50 per cent of what they used to earn.

In 2020 alone, Trump's leisure business in Balmedie reported a setback of $1.7 million.

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Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd (TIGCS), which owns and operates the Trump International Scotland course, said forced the closure of the courses for part of the year and limited guest numbers due to social distancing rules and curfews.

Its report states "The UK government furlough scheme was helpful to retain as many jobs as possible, and the majority of employees were reinstated over the course of the year."&nbsp;

Trump, after decades of buying properties with debt, spent more than $300 million in cash purchasing and developing the Scottish courses, neither of which has turned a profit.

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The Scottish parliament had rejected a call for the government to investigate how Donald Trump funded his purchase of two golf courses in Scotland.

Avaaz, a global human rights group, has filed a petition in Scotland’s highest civil court seeking a judicial review of the government's decision.

Britain introduced "unexplained wealth order"&nbsp;in 2018 to help authorities target the illicit wealth of foreign officials suspected of corruption and those involved in serious crimes.

However, they merely compel an individual to explain the source of their wealth but can pave the way for authorities to seize assets.

In 2006, Trump bought 1,000 acres in Aberdeenshire for more than $10 million. Since then, he’s spent another $60 million building a golf course, a small hotel, and a handful of holiday cottages, according to company filings with the UK corporate registry.

The Trump Organisation has said in public statements and filings that it has spent a total of more than $140 million on the development.

Trump, an avid golfer whose mother was Scottish, made a bigger investment in Turnberry, a seaside course that has four times hosted The Open - Europe's only golf major.&nbsp;

In 2014, he bought Turnberry’s course and resort for $60 million. Company filings in the UK show that Trump’s company spent another $100 million on course upgrades and other expenses.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US President Donald Trump's golf courses claimed over $4 million in the furlough money of the UK government. The turnover of his resorts in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire was reduced by 50 per cent of what they used to earn.

Former US President Donald Trump's golf courses claimed over $4 million in the furlough money of the UK government. The turnover of his resorts in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire was reduced by 50 per cent of what they used to earn. In 2020 alone, Trump's leisure business in Balmedie reported a setback of $1.7 million. Also read | Donald Trump asks SC to block release of documents relating to Capitol riot probe Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd (TIGCS), which owns and operates the Trump International Scotland course, said forced the closure of the courses for part of the year and limited guest numbers due to social distancing rules and curfews. Its report states "The UK government furlough scheme was helpful to retain as many jobs as possible, and the majority of employees were reinstated over the course of the year." Trump, after decades of buying properties with debt, spent more than $300 million in cash purchasing and developing the Scottish courses, neither of which has turned a profit. Also read | Trump heckled by supporters in Texas after revealing he took Covid booster dose The Scottish parliament had rejected a call for the government to investigate how Donald Trump funded his purchase of two golf courses in Scotland. Avaaz, a global human rights group, has filed a petition in Scotland’s highest civil court seeking a judicial review of the government's decision. Britain introduced "unexplained wealth order" in 2018 to help authorities target the illicit wealth of foreign officials suspected of corruption and those involved in serious crimes. However, they merely compel an individual to explain the source of their wealth but can pave the way for authorities to seize assets. In 2006, Trump bought 1,000 acres in Aberdeenshire for more than $10 million. Since then, he’s spent another $60 million building a golf course, a small hotel, and a handful of holiday cottages, according to company filings with the UK corporate registry. The Trump Organisation has said in public statements and filings that it has spent a total of more than $140 million on the development. Trump, an avid golfer whose mother was Scottish, made a bigger investment in Turnberry, a seaside course that has four times hosted The Open - Europe's only golf major. In 2014, he bought Turnberry’s course and resort for $60 million. Company filings in the UK show that Trump’s company spent another $100 million on course upgrades and other expenses. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump's golf courses claimed over $4 million in UK government's furlough money

British Queen Elizabeth officially marked the start of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The queen was joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camila. Both of them are known as Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they are in Scotland.

The queen extended her "warmest and good wishes" to the members of Scottish Parliament.

Several Members of the Scottish Parliament did not applaud to the queen's speech. &nbsp;Many in Scotland want to leave the United Kingdom to be an independent country and rejoin the European Union.

Following the opening ceremony, the Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay were expected to attend a reception in the Main Hall.

There, the royals were expected to meet individuals from across Scotland, who have been recognised by MSPs for their contribution to their communities during the pandemic.

The three royals were also expected to sign the visitor's book before departing the Scottish Parliament.

(With inputs from agencies)

British Queen Elizabeth officially marked the start of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday. The queen was joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camila.

British Queen Elizabeth officially marked the start of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday. The queen was joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camila. Both of them are known as Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they are in Scotland. The queen extended her "warmest and good wishes" to the members of Scottish Parliament. Several Members of the Scottish Parliament did not applaud to the queen's speech. Many in Scotland want to leave the United Kingdom to be an independent country and rejoin the European Union. Following the opening ceremony, the Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay were expected to attend a reception in the Main Hall. There, the royals were expected to meet individuals from across Scotland, who have been recognised by MSPs for their contribution to their communities during the pandemic. The three royals were also expected to sign the visitor's book before departing the Scottish Parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Queen Elizabeth marks start of Scottish Parliament session

Scotland is all set to become the first nation to make tampons and sanitary pads free.

The Scottish parliament advanced legislation on Tuesday that would ensure free universal access to tampons, pads and other menstrual products, in a huge stride for the global movement against period poverty.

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Its champion is Monica Lennon, a Scottish Parliament member who has led a years-long campaign to build support for the measure.

She first proposed the bill in 2017.

"This is an amazing victory for everyone who has campaigned for free universal access to period products and who has convinced the Scottish Government to back this ground-breaking Bill," Lennon said.

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The&nbsp;Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill&nbsp;passed through the first stage with 112 votes in favour and one abstention.

The bill now moves to the second stage, where members of the Scottish parliament can propose amendments before it is given final consideration in stage three.

It aims to tackle&nbsp;period poverty, the stigma around menstruation and the impact that periods have on education.

During the debate, it's propounder Lennon said, "women and girls are too often left behind in the political process, this is a chance to put them first and do something that is truly groundbreaking on gender equality."

"Menstruation is normal and free universal access to tampons, pads and reusable options should be normal too," she added.

The Scottish government has made other efforts to tackle period poverty in the last few years.

In 2019, it allocated&nbsp;£4 million to make period products available for free in&nbsp;libraries and recreational centres.

In 2018, the government had announced that&nbsp;students in schools, colleges and universities across the countries would be able to access sanitary products for free, through a £5.2 million investment.

Scotland is all set to become the first nation to make tampons and sanitary pads free. The Scottish parliament advanced legislation on Tuesday that would ensure free universal access to tampons, pads and other menstrual products, in a huge stride for the global movement against period poverty.

Scotland is all set to become the first nation to make tampons and sanitary pads free. The Scottish parliament advanced legislation on Tuesday that would ensure free universal access to tampons, pads and other menstrual products, in a huge stride for the global movement against period poverty. Also read: Government exempts tax on sanitary napkins Its champion is Monica Lennon, a Scottish Parliament member who has led a years-long campaign to build support for the measure. She first proposed the bill in 2017. "This is an amazing victory for everyone who has campaigned for free universal access to period products and who has convinced the Scottish Government to back this ground-breaking Bill," Lennon said. Also read: Smashing Taboos, Western Railway installs sanitary napkin dispensers for its women employees The Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill passed through the first stage with 112 votes in favour and one abstention. The bill now moves to the second stage, where members of the Scottish parliament can propose amendments before it is given final consideration in stage three. It aims to tackle period poverty, the stigma around menstruation and the impact that periods have on education. During the debate, it's propounder Lennon said, "women and girls are too often left behind in the political process, this is a chance to put them first and do something that is truly groundbreaking on gender equality." "Menstruation is normal and free universal access to tampons, pads and reusable options should be normal too," she added. The Scottish government has made other efforts to tackle period poverty in the last few years. In 2019, it allocated £4 million to make period products available for free in libraries and recreational centres. In 2018, the government had announced that students in schools, colleges and universities across the countries would be able to access sanitary products for free, through a £5.2 million investment.

Scotland can become first nation to offer free sanitary napkins and tampons

Scotland`s first minister said on Tuesday that the devolved Scottish parliament would not consent to legislation necessary to keep Britain`s Brexit plans on track, presenting another thorny issue for the government to surmount.

Prime Minister Theresa May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union.

The United Kingdom`s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process.

&quot;I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built,&quot; Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said.

Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations` capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union.

But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week.

The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain`s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK`s ties to the EU and &quot;copy and paste&quot; EU legislation into British law.

May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland

Scotland`s first minister said on Tuesday that the devolved Scottish parliament would not consent to legislation necessary to keep Britain`s Brexit plans on track, presenting another thorny issue for the government to surmount. Prime Minister Theresa May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union. The United Kingdom`s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process. "I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built," Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said. Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations` capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union. But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week. The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain`s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK`s ties to the EU and "copy and paste" EU legislation into British law.

Scotland says won't consent to Brexit bill after latest UK offer

Scotland has published legal documents to be sent to the British high court asking for a separate vote for Britain&#39;s withdrawal from the European Union, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

In its 58-page legal submissions, Scotland has argued that any parliamentary vote on Brexit will have a major impact on Scotland&#39;s devolution arrangements and will hamper Scotland&#39;s access to the European Union&#39;s single market.

In its legal publications, Scotland has asked the court that it be allowed to vote for its consent before British Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50 to initiate the legal process of Brexit.&nbsp;

&quot;A bill brought before the UK Parliament to withdraw the UK from the EU would engage the constitutional convention in terms of which that Parliament does not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament,&quot; the document said, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the high court had specified that the government must seek the approval of the British parliament before official proceedings are made for Brexit.&nbsp;The British government is appealing the&nbsp;judgement in the Supreme Court.

The case of the Scottish parliament will be heard in early December, said Reuters.&nbsp;

Although 52 per cent of Britons voted to leave the bloc during a referendum in June, 62 per cent of Scots voted to stay in the EU.&nbsp;

Single Market Status&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and &nbsp;Carwyn Jones today met with&nbsp;in the Welsh capital to hold discussions over maintaining an &ldquo;unfettered access to the EU&#39;s single market&rdquo;, where Sturgeon warned that she will bid for a second referendum to sever ties with Britain, if Brexit deal is not suitable for Scotland.&nbsp;

EU&#39;s single market refers to the bloc&nbsp;as one territory without any internal borders or other regulatory obstacles for the free movement of goods and services&nbsp;

&quot;Both Scotland and Wales have spoken loud and clear -- Single Market status is simply the only way to protect the economy not only of Scotland and Wales respectively, but the UK as a whole. Anything else risks us falling off a hard-Brexit cliff edge, and we are united in our call to ensure the UK government does all it can to ensure that happens,&quot;&nbsp;Sturgeon asserted.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Scotland's 58-page legal document argued that Brexit should require a separate vote in its own devolved parliament

Scotland has published legal documents to be sent to the British high court asking for a separate vote for Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, Reuters reported. In its 58-page legal submissions, Scotland has argued that any parliamentary vote on Brexit will have a major impact on Scotland's devolution arrangements and will hamper Scotland's access to the European Union's single market. In its legal publications, Scotland has asked the court that it be allowed to vote for its consent before British Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50 to initiate the legal process of Brexit. "A bill brought before the UK Parliament to withdraw the UK from the EU would engage the constitutional convention in terms of which that Parliament does not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament," the document said, Reuters reported. Earlier this month, the high court had specified that the government must seek the approval of the British parliament before official proceedings are made for Brexit. The British government is appealing the judgement in the Supreme Court. The case of the Scottish parliament will be heard in early December, said Reuters. Although 52 per cent of Britons voted to leave the bloc during a referendum in June, 62 per cent of Scots voted to stay in the EU. Single Market Status Meanwhile, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones today met with in the Welsh capital to hold discussions over maintaining an “unfettered access to the EU's single market”, where Sturgeon warned that she will bid for a second referendum to sever ties with Britain, if Brexit deal is not suitable for Scotland. EU's single market refers to the bloc as one territory without any internal borders or other regulatory obstacles for the free movement of goods and services "Both Scotland and Wales have spoken loud and clear -- Single Market status is simply the only way to protect the economy not only of Scotland and Wales respectively, but the UK as a whole. Anything else risks us falling off a hard-Brexit cliff edge, and we are united in our call to ensure the UK government does all it can to ensure that happens," Sturgeon asserted. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Scotland lays out legal documents to have say on Brexit trigger