Fantastic but hidden news as drug-related hospital admissions plummet to lowest level since records began after treatment service meets 90% target for last 15 years and world-first opioid overdose reversal programme enters 8th year
From Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report July 2026 published today, the above revealing that Drug-related hospital admissions have dropped to around 75 in the last quarter. This is down from the previous lows of just over 100 and barely half of the March figures in 2024 and 2025. What has caused this very objective measure of Scotland’s drug problems, more reliable as a measure of the problem than either set of drug deaths? Continue reading Fantastic but hidden news as drug-related hospital admissions plummet to lowest level since records began after treatment service meets 90% target for last 15 years and world-first opioid overdose reversal programme enters 8th year
Why there are four hundred thousand more waiting unnecessarily on NHS England waiting list – short video
Facts – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/28/two-years-of-labour-zero-strikes-in-scotland-and-nhs-england-waiting-list-is-now-7-longer-with-400-000-still-waiting-who-would-not-be-if-government-oversight-was-as-good-as-in-scotland/ Facts 2 – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/07/for-the-fiftieth-time-snp-government-works-respectfully-with-a-health-union-to-avert-strike-action-and-loss-of-life-setting-it-apart-from-other-uk-nations/ Continue reading Why there are four hundred thousand more waiting unnecessarily on NHS England waiting list – short video
Two years of Labour, zero strikes in Scotland and NHS England waiting list is now 7% longer with 400 000 still waiting who would not be if government oversight was as good as in Scotland
From Public Health Scotland – Stage of treatment waiting times New outpatients, inpatients and day cases published 28 July 2026 (Latest release), the above showing dramatic improvement in the last year, and: At 30 June 2026, there were an estimated 580,545 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list. This is equivalent to around 1 in 10 of Scotland’s population (mid-2024 estimates). Within this total, 450,998 individuals were estimated to be waiting for a new outpatient appointment, and 151,548 for an inpatient or day case admission. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/stage-of-treatment-waiting-times/stage-of-treatment-waiting-times-new-outpatients-inpatients-and-day-cases-28-july-2026 NHS England seem only to have an estimate of … Continue reading Two years of Labour, zero strikes in Scotland and NHS England waiting list is now 7% longer with 400 000 still waiting who would not be if government oversight was as good as in Scotland
The Canary in the Coalmine warning – Teenage pregnancies in Scotland significantly lower than in England
From Teenage pregnancies Year of conception, ending 31 December 2024 Published 28 July 2026 (Latest release), the above and: The teenage pregnancy rate in Scotland decreased slightly from 25.8 per 1,000 women in 2023 to 25.6 in 2024. This is equivalent to 3,833 teenage pregnancies in 2024. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/teenage-pregnancies/teenage-pregnancies-year-of-conception-ending-31-december-2024/ The equivalent figure for England, in 2023 (2024 not yet posted) is 28 per 1 000. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/conceptionandfertilityrates/bulletins/conceptionstatistics/2023 This 2.2 per 1000 difference refers to around 40 000 teenage pregnancies in England. Why is this statistic important? In short, the statistic is not just a number—it serves as a proxy for how well society … Continue reading The Canary in the Coalmine warning – Teenage pregnancies in Scotland significantly lower than in England
Shocking 4 times as many waiting for care in England
Public Health Scotland today has: The number of people in Scotland (All Areas Submitted) waiting on a social care assessment for a package of care was 6,600 on 6 July 2026. The number of people in Scotland (All Areas Submitted) assessed and waiting for a care at home package was 3,001 on 6 July 2026. This is a decrease of just over 3% compared to the number of people waiting for a care at home package this time last year (3,096 on 7 July 2025). https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/people-requiring-a-social-care-assessment-and-care-at-home-services/people-requiring-a-social-care-assessment-and-care-at-home-services-28-july-2026/ This gives a total waiting of 9 601. All things being equal, you’d expect … Continue reading Shocking 4 times as many waiting for care in England
Scotland’s fairer system means they have less reason to ‘tussle over inheritance’
In The Economist, this week, the above, and: When there’s a will, there’s a war. Or so they say in the courts of England and Wales, which are growing busier with fights over the dead’s estates. The number of probate claims listed at the High Court has grown by over 400% over the past decade, according to Solomonic, a legal-analytics company. https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/07/23/britons-are-increasingly-tussling-over-inheritance If you’re a regular here, you will have spotted the problem above with ‘Britons’ and ‘England and Wales.’ Not for the first time, Scotland has been disappeared. Reader Derek Scott alerted us yesterday to this and noted: An article … Continue reading Scotland’s fairer system means they have less reason to ‘tussle over inheritance’
UK Government is now dishonestly claiming a ‘central’ and ‘instrumental’ role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.
By stewartb The UK government and especially the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander have been commenting on their role in having the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow: ‘a central role’; ‘instrumental’; ‘huge supporters of the Games’ etc. From the UK government in a press release dated July 24, 2026: ‘Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow with UK Government backing’: ‘The UK Government is proud to have played a central role in bringing the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and securing the future of the competition.’ (my emphasis) Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander is quoted in the press statement: “I am … Continue reading UK Government is now dishonestly claiming a ‘central’ and ‘instrumental’ role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.
As Cairngorm burned and Ireland’s two helicopters ‘pounded’ a wildfire, the RAF’s only two firefighting helicopters were in Cyprus ‘In defence of the UK’s strategic interests’
Thanks to rtpscott for alerting us to this. From RAF Odiham News on 21 May 2026, the above image and: Across the training period, crews have been practising the full firefighting cycle – dipping the suspended bucket into open water before delivering controlled drops over designated areas. This essential training ensures crews are prepared to support wildfire response efforts as the season begins, protecting lives, infrastructure, and the environment. In July 2025, the Flight played a vital role in supporting Cypriot authorities during the island’s largest wildfires since 1974, operating intensively over two days to help contain the fires. As … Continue reading As Cairngorm burned and Ireland’s two helicopters ‘pounded’ a wildfire, the RAF’s only two firefighting helicopters were in Cyprus ‘In defence of the UK’s strategic interests’
Burnham needs to copy SNP policies to reduce massive gap in youth unemployment, 55% higher ‘across the UK’ than in Scotland
BBC Home today reporting on the new PM’s latest announcement: Secondary school pupils in England will be able to study subjects like manufacturing and AI in addition to core academic learning under reforms outlined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The government said the courses, which would be available from Year 10, would be linked to local industries and designed to give children a clearer pathway into work. Data published this year showed more than one million young people across the UK were not in education, employment or training, the highest level in more than 12 years. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4k2djd5qpo This follows on … Continue reading Burnham needs to copy SNP policies to reduce massive gap in youth unemployment, 55% higher ‘across the UK’ than in Scotland
Scottish Government accused of being too late to plan for soaring house prices after extreme August rainfall in Cairngorms
Happened upon this forecast for rainfall in August, beginning next week and couldn’t help seeing that dark blue blob and wider dark green area encompassing the Cairngorms and Nethy Bridge which suggests significantly higher-than-average rainfall there. What are the locals, well just three of the 670, the local Tory MP and the media going to do now? Suggestions wanted in the comments section below for the August headlines along the lines of: Scottish Government too slow to ensure adequate supply of gumboots for residents more familiar with weather in Essex! Scottish Government accused of wasting money on a helicopter like … Continue reading Scottish Government accused of being too late to plan for soaring house prices after extreme August rainfall in Cairngorms
The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland 