By Professor John Robertson
The headline is correct but the report is missing something. This, from the Scottish Government in February 2024:
Victims in rape and serious sexual assault cases in Scotland will be the first in the UK to have access to transcripts from their court cases free of charge.
The year-long pilot, commencing this week (01/03), will see complainers whose cases are heard in the High Court be eligible to apply for transcripts of what was said in court.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said:
“We want to support victims and ensure we have a trauma-informed justice system. We have heard from victims of serious sexual assaults that the whole court process can be very traumatic and it can be difficult to take in what is said in court at the time. Being able to obtain transcripts, where victims can go over exactly what was said in court in their own time, can help their recovery.
Some folk must be getting heartily sick of these endless SNP initiatives to make the lives of the vulnerable and the hurt just that wee bit better and enable the rest of us to feel better about the fact that we do that kind of thing here.
It’s just a one-of? We’re no different?
Here’s something newsworthy though little reported at the time:
In September 2019:
The safety of vulnerable mothers and newborn babies [in England] is being put at risk by NHS fees that deter undocumented migrant women from accessing care, a new report from Maternity Action backed by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned. NHS packages for overseas pregnant women start at £7,000 for antenatal, pregnancy and postnatal care, but can rise to thousands of pounds if the mother or child experience complications.
In December 2019:
Tory measures to stop “health tourism” on the NHS have been linked to the deaths of three pregnant women [in England] in a major report that was delayed until after the election. The women all died after delays in seeking help because they mistakenly believed that they would have to pay for care under the government’s strict charging regime. They sought help in hospitals too late and died as a result of complications.
The situation in Scotland according to the BMJ in May 2019:
Of course, care does not have to be restricted in this way. In Scotland and in Wales, a different approach is being taken. There, “refused” asylum seekers and migrants whose status is deemed “irregular” have the same rights and entitlements to health care as the general population. A recent systematic review reported that policies restricting welfare entitlements increased the likelihood of poor self-rated health and mortality. We propose that, in the absence of such data, approaches in Scotland and Wales demonstrate that the provision of healthcare can be separated from migration policy and align with the principles of ensuring universal healthcare coverage for all. This should not only be welcomed, but strongly encouraged.
Might things have changed in England?
In June 2022:
New mothers are being charged up to £14,000 to give birth in England, according to a report on the experiences of migrant women who have been billed for NHS maternity services.
The report, published on Thursday by the healthcare charity Doctors of the World (DOTW), reveals that more than a third (37.8%) of the mothers surveyed – who include undocumented, refugee and asylum-seeking women – received a bill for maternity care after their babies were delivered, ranging from £296 to £14,000. Of that group, half were charged £7,000 or more.https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jun/09/migrant-women-charged-up-to-14000-for-nhs-maternity-services-in-england
Just a two-of then?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Women who co habit, the majority, do not have equal rights. They have to put in a claim within a year 1/3. It can cost £thousands and take years. There is little legal aid. Women have to stay in unsafe, abusive places because they do not have equal rights. Or they lose the roof over their heads.
In England the Law has been changed so abused women get legal aid without losing the roof over their heads. Legal aid has to be paid back in any case.
Letting agencies, illegally, demand 6 months upfront rent + deposit. Even from people with good credit. Leading to more homelessness and abuse.
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