Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere. 

Front pages

The Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, business correspondent Margaret Taylor speaks to Gordon Jackson QC, the country’s most senior lawyer, who says independence would allow Scots lawyers to take back commercial work currently lost to the English court system. 

“Doctor will see you now - on his webcam” is the headline in the Mail, as the paper reports on new NHS plans to cut the number of hospital appointments by 400,000 by treating patients at home. 

The Herald: In the Evening Times, Vivienne Nicoll reports on moves to tackle rogue landlords. 

The National wishes its readers Happy St Andrew’s Day with a report on the “new alliance” between Ireland and the Scottish Government following FM Nicola Sturgeon’s visit. 

The Times has a poll saying support for independence has slipped to 44% - one per cent below the figure achieved in the 2014 referendum. 

The Telegraph says German chancellor Angela Merkel has blocked a deal that would have given EU workers here, and British workers abroad, the same rights to stay. 

The FT reports that Theresa May’s plans for binding votes on executive pay might only apply to some companies, in what the paper says is a watering down of the reforms. 

The Record highlights a National Audit Office report saying the benefits sanctions system is costing £285 million a year but saving just £132 million, leaving a net loss of £153 million. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? Film director Ken Loach has given his backing to SNP MP Mhairi Black’s private members bill on benefits sanctions. 

Why Loach, why now? The Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill has its second reading in the Commons this Friday.  Loach, a veteran of the left, deals with the effects of sanctions in his latest film, I, Daniel Blake. The story of a carpenter forced out of work due to a heart problem, the film has been cited in the Commons and elsewhere as a timely expose of how the benefits system treats the most vulnerable. There is even a petition (at change.org) to have the film shown on primetime BBC1.

What would Black’s bill do? It would bring in a code of conduct requiring Jobcentre staff to consider a person’s circumstances before withdrawing their benefits. At the moment, says Black, staff are simply applying what Black calls “strict and ludicrous” rules. One example she cites is a person having their benefits withdrawn because they missed a Jobcentre appointment due to being at a child’s sickbed. 

What does Black say? “My bill will introduce a process of assessing a person’s circumstances such as their caring commitments, whether they are at risk of homelessness or whether they suffer from a mental ill-health condition that could be exacerbated by a sanction.”

Does the bill stand a chance of passing? It is a rare private member’s bill which makes it into law. The publicity a bill attracts, however, can bring attention to a matter that might otherwise go unnoticed. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley throws his mortar board in the air at the news that St Andrews aims to widen access to poorer students. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"We understand - acutely understand - none of what lies ahead is easy, but nothing about Brexit is going to be easy.”

FM Nicola Sturgeon addresses the Seanad in Dublin, the first serving head of government to do so. Gary O'Neill/PA Wire

From BuzzFeed's Jamie Ross

The Herald: Jackson Carlaw, MSP

"There is a difference between representing our distinctive voice and the vacuous parade of European capitals that [Mike] Russell and Scotland's own Evita - the First Minister - have indulged themselves in with seemingly no tangible benefit of any material kind since June.”

Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw is unimpressed by the Scottish Government’s post-Brexit vote diplomatic efforts.

The Herald:

“People will have to scrape the windows on their cars again.”

Met Office spokeswoman Emma Sillitoe as a north-south divide develops in the weather. For once, the north is warmer, with temperatures in London expected to hit minus two. Will a state of emergency be declared? Above, a robin in West Sussex. Clive Gee/PA Wire

The Herald:

"Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!”

President-elect Donald Trump takes to Twitter to set out his views on flag burning. According to a Supreme Court ruling in 1989, flag-burning is protected by the First Amendment. Rahman Roslan/Getty Images

Tennis star Martina Navratilova returns the Trump serve.

In need of some good news? NBC's Seth Myers is on the case. Sort of. 

Business is booming on Broadway despite Donald Trump's condemnation of the cast of Hamilton for delivering a plea for tolerance to visiting VP-elect Mike Pence.

The Herald:

"She's wonderful. It's the best thing that's happened to us in a long time.”

Singer Kate Bush on Theresa May. Maclean's magazine. Oli Scarff/Getty Images.

Will there be a party, one wonders? 

Meet the dogs of Downing Street. Their human: Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat