Scotland's papers: Temporary teachers 'crisis' and by-election fallout
It's a mixed bag on the front pages of Scotland's papers on Saturday - from council staffing issues to the impact of three by-elections and what it means for the next general election. The Scotsman leads with claims that Scottish schools face a staffing "merry-go-round" as requests for probationary teachers soar. The paper reports that local authorities are struggling to offer full-time contracts to qualified teaching staff.
The Herald gives its main focus to the apparent rise in separating couples taking legal action over which partner retains low-cost mortgage agreements in the wake of rising interest rates and the continuing cost of living crisis.
The Daily Record leads on an office manager who stole over £900,000 from her bosses to fund a luxury lifestyle - including a £40,000 Halloween party in a castle.
The Scottish Sun devotes much of its front page to the court case of two men who admitted being involved in an attempted murder shooting which saw an innocent dog walker struck and her pet killed.
The National has an interview with outgoing SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford who has warned independence supporters they must be "bothered" to vote at the next general election so the future UK government is sent a "strong message" from Scotland.
Elsewhere, the fallout from three English by-elections - which saw the Conservatives lose two traditionally safe seats and cling on to another - makes several front pages. The i says the defeats leave Prime Minister Rishi Sunak exposed, with some Tory sources now believing the party could lose up to 150 MPs in next year's general election.
The Daily Telegraph focuses on the result of the by-election in Uxbridge. The Tories are being credited with holding the seat because voters there were strongly opposed to plans by London's Labour mayor to impose a charge on highly polluting vehicles. The paper says ministers are now examining other green "wedge issues" to peel voters away from Labour. The Telegraph is also joins several papers in featuring a picture of US singer Tony Bennet who died on Friday, aged 96.
"All isn't lost!" declares the Daily Express in the wake of the by-election results. It quotes the prime minister saying on Friday that the next election is "not a done deal".
The Times goes with the same Sunak line, saying he plans a more aggressive political campaign to challenge Labour on immigration, trans rights and crime.
The Courier says residents in Kirriemuir in Angus have hit out at "ignorant" dirty campers who dumped tents and rubbish at a local beauty spot.
The Press and Journal has an interview with a woman who has survived six brain tumours despite being given just 12 weeks to live two years ago.
The Glasgow Times leads with the family of a man from the city's Milton district launching a fresh appeal for information four years after his death.
The Edinburgh Evening News focuses on the ongoing row over property letting rules in the capital. It says businesses are angry about the use of city-owned luxury flats despite plans to regulate Airbnb.
The Evening Express says the body Sport Aberdeen is urging the public to back its venues to help it "beat budget cuts".
Dundee's Weekend Telegraph has a report on a dog being put down after a series of attacks.
