Scots to pay for a steel works, a national care service, an illegal dumps clear-up, and homelessness reduction in England, all out of a reduced block grant
Read evidence at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=pay+for From the Scottish Government today at 3.45pm, 90 mins ago, but no mention on BBC Scotland website. Increased drug deaths typically takes them 15 mins to get up: The Deputy First Minister also confirmed that the Scottish Government will ensure that households in Scotland benefit from the £100 payment for energy bills support. Jenny Gilruth said that while any measures to bring down the cost of energy bills are welcome, the steps confirmed by the Chancellor today fall far short of what is required and do not meet the promises on which the UK Government came … Continue reading Scots to pay for a steel works, a national care service, an illegal dumps clear-up, and homelessness reduction in England, all out of a reduced block grant
English babies and young children failed amid surging poverty and inadequate protection legislation compared with Scotland
Featured in BBC Breakfast this morning and in Glasgow Live, today the above, with a tasteless image, and: A charity has claimed that babies and young children in the Scottish care system are being failed by delays in decisions on their permanent homes. NSPCC Scotland and the Parent Infant Foundation have organised the National Summit on Permanence for Babies and Young Children amid ‘serious concerns’ about the length of time youngsters wait to be placed in a long-term home. The charity says that kids wait more than two years on average for decisions or recommendations, with many then waiting months … Continue reading English babies and young children failed amid surging poverty and inadequate protection legislation compared with Scotland
Desperate stuff from BBC Scotland as alcohol deaths fall, among women too
From BBC Scotland, today, the above and: The number of women who died last year in Scotland from alcohol-related illnesses was up by 3% on the year before, official figures show., external Overall, the total number of people who died from alcohol-related conditions fell slightly, to the lowest rate since the pandemic. There were 1,152 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland, a decrease of 3% compared with 2024. The Scottish government said the drop amounted to progress and that it would invest £160m this year on alcohol and drugs programmes. But one mother from Aberdeen whose daughter died alone after decades … Continue reading Desperate stuff from BBC Scotland as alcohol deaths fall, among women too
Not one police officer injury at Bonfire Night last year and only one the year before so English and Welsh officers are coming for something else, not us
From BBC Scotland, today, the above and: Scotland’s biggest police operation since the visit of President Donald Trump last year is to take place on Bonfire Night, in the face of a “unique” combination of safety concerns. As many as 1,700 officers could be deployed on and around 5 November to deal with fireworks-related disorder, a European football match involving Celtic and potential protests in Glasgow. Additional public order vehicles and drivers are being brought in from 18 English and Welsh police forces under mutual aid arrangements. The force has already vowed that anyone caught up in disorder around Halloween … Continue reading Not one police officer injury at Bonfire Night last year and only one the year before so English and Welsh officers are coming for something else, not us
Massive, almost 50% fall in opioid dependency among 15-34 year-olds
From: Estimated numbers of people prescribed opioid substitution therapy in Scotland2025/2026 published yesterday, the above and: It is estimated that a minimum of 26,851 people in Scotland were prescribed an opioid agonist therapy (OAT) medication for the treatment of opioid dependence. This was a 4%decrease compared to 2024/25 (28,015). https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/prescribing-for-opioid-dependence-in-scotland/prescribing-for-opioid-dependence-in-scotland-2025-to-2026/ Public Health Scotland’s multi-parameter estimates show that in the 15-34 age group, dependence fell from about 17,000 in 2014/15 to 9,100 in 2023/24—a reduction of 7,900. That is approximately a 46% drop in the estimated number of people aged 15–34 with opioid dependence between 2014/15 and 2023/24. Publichealthscotland 2024-2026 data … Continue reading Massive, almost 50% fall in opioid dependency among 15-34 year-olds
After 20 years Scotland has almost 50% more social housing per head with an extra 30 000 in last 5 years
From Excel Tables: Social housing stock, published today, the above and: These figures provide the total number of social housing stock in Scotland. They are updated each year using information from Housing Statistics Annual Returns and stock figures from the Scottish Housing Regulator. https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-social-housing-stock/ Comparisons with England Per capita: Scotland has 45–50% more social housing relative to population (115 vs 78 per 1,000 people). Ownership split: Scotland’s local authorities still hold a slight majority of social stock (52%). In England, private registered providers hold the large majority (65%). Recent trends: Scotland’s total social stock has been relatively stable to gently … Continue reading After 20 years Scotland has almost 50% more social housing per head with an extra 30 000 in last 5 years
Homicide in Scotland trend still significantly down, 37% in last 5 years, 60% since last Labour government and only 25% among the young of that 20 years ago
From Homicide in Scotland 2025-26 published yesterday: In 2025-26, 56 victims of homicide were recorded, 19% (or nine victims) more than the 47 victims recorded in 2024-25 (Table 1). This is the fourth lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable records began in 1976. Over the latest 10 year period from 2016-17 to 2025-26, the number of victims fell by 14% (or nine victims) from 65 to 56. Over the latest 20 year period from 2006-07 to 2025-26, the number of homicide victims in Scotland fell by 54% (or 65 victims) from 121 to 56. The greatest reduction in … Continue reading Homicide in Scotland trend still significantly down, 37% in last 5 years, 60% since last Labour government and only 25% among the young of that 20 years ago
Just a few of those interviewed by Scottish media to attack SNP or Scottish Government who are then revealed to be opposition party activists or candidates
Toni Dawson, Largs shop-owner, interviewed by STV after flood damage just the latests of thes. Professor June Andrews (multiple appearances, 2024–2026): A dementia specialist and former nurse (often billed by expertise and OBE) appeared on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland supporting means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment (comments later used to challenge an SNP minister) and on Scotcast in an NHS debate. She was a Scottish Labour activist who campaigned for Labour candidates and stood (unsuccessfully) as a Labour candidate in a 2025 West Lothian local by-election. The BBC issued corrections in both cases, acknowledging the political links should … Continue reading Just a few of those interviewed by Scottish media to attack SNP or Scottish Government who are then revealed to be opposition party activists or candidates
From Gimmicks to Everyday Fixes
By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 Hold on just a wee minute here. When John Swinney announced a proposal to make food more affordable for Scottish families — by capping the prices of essential food items in large supermarket chains — what was the reaction from opposition parties at Holyrood? A “political stunt”. A “snoozefest”. “Implausible freebies”. And what was the media headline? “Retailers criticise SNP’s ‘gimmick’ food price cap promise.” Then along comes the UK Government, proposing to remove import tariffs on essential food items to help ease the cost of living. What’s the headline now? Labour to introduce “everyday … Continue reading From Gimmicks to Everyday Fixes
BBC Scotland could be misleading you on likely police officer numbers with journalism at lowest level since SNP surge 20 years ago
From BBC Scotland, the above and: Police Scotland will have to cut officer numbers to their lowest level in 23 years if it gets a “devastating” flat cash funding settlement, an oversight body has warned. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) says recruitment would have to stop, taking officer numbers down to 15,600 – the lowest figure since 2003-04. Police Scotland is currently in line to receive a standstill budget allocation for next year from the Scottish government, but is asking for a £110m increase to maintain current staffing levels and respond to an increasing workload. The government said it delivered … Continue reading BBC Scotland could be misleading you on likely police officer numbers with journalism at lowest level since SNP surge 20 years ago
