Once more NHS Scotland is resourced to carry out 98% of planned operations in a 5 year trend of ‘generally increasing numbers since March 2021’
From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 31 August 2026 published today, the above graph and: There were 25,253 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 1% more (+247) than the number planned in August 2025 (25,006). Over the course of the last 12 months, from September 2025 to August 2026 (308,558), there was a 5.9% increase (+17,320) compared to the previous 12 months (291,238). This is consistent with the trend of generally increasing numbers of planned operations since March 2021. In NHS Scotland, 8.4% (2,112) of planned operations were cancelled the day before or on the day … Continue reading Once more NHS Scotland is resourced to carry out 98% of planned operations in a 5 year trend of ‘generally increasing numbers since March 2021’
Scots spend 90% of last six months of life at home or in a community setting, longer than during pandemic
From Percentage of end of life spent at home or in a community setting Financial years ending 31 March 2017 to 2026 published yesterday, the above graph and: In 2025/26, there were 57,913 deaths in Scotland. This includes people who died after a fall but excludes deaths from other external causes such as accidents (see excel tables for more information on the exclusions). These individuals spent on average 89.8% of their last six months of life at home or in a community setting, with the remaining 10.2% spent in hospital. This is equivalent to an average of 19 days in hospital … Continue reading Scots spend 90% of last six months of life at home or in a community setting, longer than during pandemic
Police Scotland clear-up rate for ‘revenge porn’ is TEN times that in England & Wales
In the Guardian today, the above and: Police forces are routinely failing to investigate complaints about the circulation of image-based abuse, previously known as “revenge pornography”, according to research that has triggered a super-complaint over the way such crimes are handled. Lawyers have gathered evidence from 100 people who reported intimate images being shared online without their consent. Their research suggests that image-based abuse is still frequently dismissed or not recognised as criminal offending, despite being described by the former prime minister Keir Starmer as a national emergency. Referrals to the Revenge Porn helpline, the charity that helps victims get … Continue reading Police Scotland clear-up rate for ‘revenge porn’ is TEN times that in England & Wales
Labour Education Secretary gets mixed up and sets scene for English schools to fall further behind Scotland
The above impending financial, then inevitably, educational chaos comes on the heels of research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies revealing how just far behind Scotland, in terms of the crucial funding of resources and staffing, England’s schools are. From Scottish school spending, teachers and pupil numbers Luke Sibieta Darcey Snape Published on 14 February 2025: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/scottish-school-spending-teachers-and-pupil-numbers Here are the Key Findings: Total spending on schools and early years education in Scotland increased by £1.7 billion or 27% in real terms between 2015–16 and 2023–24. Current plans for 2024–25 imply an effective real-terms freeze in total spending of just over £7.8 … Continue reading Labour Education Secretary gets mixed up and sets scene for English schools to fall further behind Scotland
The triple lock on the state pension will go by 2030, ‘to help pay for a new national care service FOR ENGLAND.’ John Swinney says we’ll lose out and here’s why he’s correct
BBC Scotland yesterday, trying desperately to distract from the main issue by getting FM John Swinney in bother with this: Will Swinney face a Holyrood probe? Let’s not be distracted. Here are the facts again: He says the triple lock on the state pension will go by 2030, ‘to help pay for a new national care service FOR ENGLAND.’ Will you support that, Scottish pensioners? ‘Barnett! Do you trust that? On Newsnight, 30 September 2026, the above was clear with the implication that Scottish pensioners will be impoverished to pay a new national care service in England. Scotland got a … Continue reading The triple lock on the state pension will go by 2030, ‘to help pay for a new national care service FOR ENGLAND.’ John Swinney says we’ll lose out and here’s why he’s correct
Is 70% big when it’s only 26 and really should be 0.2%? Shameful abuse of statistics by STV to demonise police officers
This was a shameful abuse of statistics by STV yesterday: Nearly 70% of Police Scotland officers currently suspended while under criminal investigation are accused of offences relating to violence against women, according to figures obtained by STV News. The allegations include domestic abuse, sexual offences and stalking. The figures show that, out of 53 suspended officers facing criminal investigation, 26 officers are accused of domestic abuse-related offences, nine are accused of sexual offences and two are accused of stalking. https://news.stv.tv/scotland/nearly-70-of-suspended-police-scotland-officers-facing-criminal-investigation-accused-of-offences-linked-to-violence-against-women There are currently 16 402 FTE police officers in Scotland, 11 036 male. 26 of them, 0.2% are suspended facing … Continue reading Is 70% big when it’s only 26 and really should be 0.2%? Shameful abuse of statistics by STV to demonise police officers
As attendance soars at GP walk-in clinics, Jackie Baillie rides the Scotsman off a readership cliff
In the Ailing Scotsman today, Jackie Baillie turns up to lie about walk-in clinics. The facts: From the Scottish Government 26 August 2026: First Minister John Swinney has announced 24 more areas will benefit from new GP-led walk-in services across Scotland, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40. Work is underway with health boards to establish new walk-in services for communities including Angus, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ayrshire, Paisley, Shotts, Tweeddale and West Lothian. Many will be able to open within a year. Proposals are also in development for walk-in services … Continue reading As attendance soars at GP walk-in clinics, Jackie Baillie rides the Scotsman off a readership cliff
Scotland is not having England’s maternity-litigation crisis – AI dismisses Scotsman’s crisis invention
In the Scotsman yesterday, the above and: A long-awaited review aimed at identifying “systemic changes” to Scotland’s crisis-hit maternity services has begun. The nine month-long nationwide review will examine how care can be improved for women, babies, and families across the country. Many believe AI will tell you what you want to hear but that is only true on subjective matters relating to your life experience and choices. I often ask about stories like the one above and too often AI will uncritically accept the MSM framing and at first agree with the Scotsman that there is a crisis in … Continue reading Scotland is not having England’s maternity-litigation crisis – AI dismisses Scotsman’s crisis invention
Child poverty – One picture that dramatically reveals how very different Scotland already is on the path to ‘Work as if you live in the early days of a better world’
From UK research – Children in relative poverty before housing costs This indicator shows the percentage of children aged under 16 living in relative low income families Before Housing Costs (BHC), in the UK, for financial years ending 2022 to 2025. Data source: Department for Work and Pensions published 26 March 2026: https://www.ons.gov.uk/explore-local-statistics/indicators/children-in-relative-poverty-before-housing#map It also reveals the shocking contrast between Scotland after nearly two decades of determined efforts by the SNP in government in Scotland to resist Tory and Labour austerity policies, despite limited powers, and to Work as if you live in the early days of a better world. … Continue reading Child poverty – One picture that dramatically reveals how very different Scotland already is on the path to ‘Work as if you live in the early days of a better world’
Hard facts on maternity care: Patient satisfaction at ‘Good’ or Excellent’ stable after 7 years at 90% in Scotland and far more getting care ‘when they needed it’ than in NHS England
From Maternity Care Survey 2025: national report published today, the above and: Between 2018 and 2025, the percentage of women rating their overall care as “good” or “excellent” has remained stable for all stages of care except care during labour and birth where it has decreased slightly. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/maternity-care-survey-2025-national-results/ This is the public service which the Scotsman has tried to say is in crisis. Comparisons with England are not straightforward as they ask different questions but there is one key aspect which may reflect the lower staffing levels in NHS England – only 57% were always able to get staff … Continue reading Hard facts on maternity care: Patient satisfaction at ‘Good’ or Excellent’ stable after 7 years at 90% in Scotland and far more getting care ‘when they needed it’ than in NHS England
