SNP share in polls growing steadily as May 7th looms
In the last 10 polls going back to February 2026, the average SNP share has been – 36.5% In the previous 10 polls it was only 34.4 and in the previous 4 sets of 10, dating back to early February 2025 – 34.4, 33.9, 33.6 and 34.6, clearly stuck around 34 and short of a level that might win an outright majority. So, in the last ten polls, a clear sign of a significant increase to average 36.5, much closer to an overall win. Also, in the last three, a 39 and a 41, the highest share since September 2023. Continue reading SNP share in polls growing steadily as May 7th looms
At every level, including the key entry level, nurses in Scotland are paid significantly more than their equivalents in England or Wales
The above, from What are nursing staff paid in each of the UK countries in 2026-27? in Nursing Standard was posted on 3 April 2026 and to my knowledge ignored by the media operating in Scotland. Comparison of the three reveals this one important difference – at every level, including the key entry level, nurses in Scotland are paid significantly more than their equivalents in England or Wales, Source: https://rcni.com/nursing-standard/newsroom/analysis/nhs-pay-rise-2026-27-rates-for-nursing-staff-across-uk-221881?utm_campaign=WEEKLY%20BRIEFING%2013.04.26%20-%20REG%20A%20%28ALL%20USER%20DATA%29%20LOW&utm_content=ZONE%201%20LINK%201%20NEWS%20NHS%20pay%20rise%202026-27%3A%20the%20rates%20for%20nursing%20staff%20across%20the%20UK&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra Continue reading At every level, including the key entry level, nurses in Scotland are paid significantly more than their equivalents in England or Wales
Research – NHS spending on private sector in Scotland only half that proportionally, in England
In the Guardian today: Private firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals. The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels. The £1.6bn in profits made in 2023-24 and 2024-25 would have been enough to pay for 9,178 doctors or 19,428 nurses during that time, according to the Centre for Health and the Public Interest. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/13/private-companies-nhs-services-profit-chpi-research The … Continue reading Research – NHS spending on private sector in Scotland only half that proportionally, in England
Oxford researchers write thousands of words but fail to mention that significantly fewer ‘austerity children’ were ‘scarred by poverty’ here after nearly two decades of the SNP
In the Guardian today: More than a fifth of all “austerity generation” British children have been scarred by poverty for at least half their childhood, a direct legacy of the welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals. The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship surged after ministers froze working age benefits levels and imposed policies such as the two-child limit, it found. Austerity policies, which drastically shrank annual welfare spending by tens of billions a year and took thousands of pounds … Continue reading Oxford researchers write thousands of words but fail to mention that significantly fewer ‘austerity children’ were ‘scarred by poverty’ here after nearly two decades of the SNP
‘Dramatic, 5 to 10-fold, increases in biodiversity’ in Scotland in last five years
From Scotland: The Big Picture, 9 March 2026: New research from sites across the Northwoods Rewilding Network, coordinated by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, shows that rewilding has led to dramatic increases in biodiversity. On rewilded land, the amount of suitable space and habitat for birds increased more than fivefold, while the numbers of bumblebees and butterflies rose by over tenfold. Separate analysis of the network suggested these rewilded landscapes support an estimated 2.5 million pollinating insects. The findings highlight the critical role that long-term nature recovery can play in reversing biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystem resilience in Scotland. … Continue reading ‘Dramatic, 5 to 10-fold, increases in biodiversity’ in Scotland in last five years
Short video – NHS Scotland trains nearly TWICE as many nurses, per capita, as NHS England every year yet the Royal College of Nursing is only campaigning against the SNP in Scotland in an election run-up
Sources at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/04/12/nhs-scotland-trains-nearly-twice-as-many-nurses-per-capita-as-nhs-england-every-year-yet-the-royal-college-of-nursing-is-only-campaigning-against-the-snp-in-scotland-in-an-election-run-up/ Continue reading Short video – NHS Scotland trains nearly TWICE as many nurses, per capita, as NHS England every year yet the Royal College of Nursing is only campaigning against the SNP in Scotland in an election run-up
As the Daily Record again today campaigns for Labour with one case and without these facts:
Toronto replaces iodide tablets to protect those living near nuclear power stations. Responsible Conservative and Labour UK governments have never bothered
From Toronto University’s On the Record 10 April 2026: As of February 2026, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) began the process of sending out replacement potassium iodide pills to people living within 10 kilometres of the two major nuclear generating stations located within the Durham Region, the Pickering and Darlington stations. While living near these stations can raise concerns for some residents, municipal governments and provincial agencies maintain emergency preparedness measures aimed at protecting communities, including replacing the expired set of pills they sent out in 2015. This seems to have come as a surprise to some residents because awareness of these public safety programs and … Continue reading Toronto replaces iodide tablets to protect those living near nuclear power stations. Responsible Conservative and Labour UK governments have never bothered
Arran ferry cancellations due to mechanical faults plummet by factor of SEVEN in only three years, to only 2% and half the number due to weather
The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald which reports locally on the Arran ferries has a strange wee piece based on a freedom of information request by an unnamed source, headed and followed with: Hundreds of CalMac Ardrossan-Arran ferry cancellations since 2020 – NEW figures released by the Scottish Government show the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry service was cancelled more than 800 times over the last five years due to mechanical faults. https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/26008574.hundreds-calmac-ardrossan-arran-ferry-cancellations-since-2020/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=354ea167-01f6-4a9e-89a8-7c62593b2364&utm_source=inyourarea.co.uk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dnl&utm_keyword=dailynewsletter&utm_content=dnl_discover_news_article_referral_small_1 but then, artlessly, they tell us, since the pandemic dip in sailings, there have been: So, first, cancelled sailings due to mechanical problems have plummeted in the last three … Continue reading Arran ferry cancellations due to mechanical faults plummet by factor of SEVEN in only three years, to only 2% and half the number due to weather
Talking-up Scotland 