| By Brenda Robb |  | ||
Some of you hardier souls might remember Radio Scotland’s focus on childcare a couple of weeks ago. They were asking why Scotland wasn’t offering the same as England, inviting parents to share how disappointed/let down/betrayed they felt and even organised a Better Call Kaye phone-in to amplify the above messaging. This was of course backed up by the following article on the BBC Scotland webpage (www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7nyxvy50ro) and we also had an attempt at a UK wide comparison of provision here (www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-62036045). The comparison article jumps between what England currently provides and what it hopes to do, nods to the devolved nations, talks about Britain and then England & Wales, painting a confused picture for all.
It was widely understood that the Tory plan to extend provision to 9 month olds (for working parents only) was unlikely to succeed as they had committed neither the funding nor the preparation needed to make this happen. The Scottish Govt has worked for years to develop universal, sustainable services for 3-5 yr olds, a well trained workforce, and targeted provision for disadvantaged 2 yr olds. It is not always made clear that some of the existing funding in England applies only to working parents, leaving children in non-working families missing out on early years care and education with a subsequent widening of the attainment gap. This report from 2 days ago sets out in some detail the mistakes the Tory government has made and the consequent failure to meet their pledges.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/09/england-poorest-families-miss-out-childcare-report
Labour have committed to delivering the Tory pledge to extend provision for certain groups and have at least allocated additional funding although spokespeople for the early years profession have pointed out this funding will not meet the costs. Many reporting on these issues have no understanding of the field and believe it just takes a room and some staff to be provided. Little consideration is given to the actual needs of these very young children, the requirement for more staff and space per child for the younger age groups, sleep rooms, outdoor areas, toys and resources, weaning, toilet training, behaviour & developmental needs, staff training etc…I could go on. Following Labour’s successful Sure Start programme from their last term in government the party should at least understand the challenges involved in trying to reestablish a better system. However, in Scotland childcare provision has gradually developed over many years and much of what is needed is already in place. Since Keir Starmer has stated he wants to improve things across all areas of the UK and despite this being a devolved issue, Labour now need to downplay what Scotland has so they can then claim responsibility for paying for any future improvements. The Scottish system is by no means perfect and, like all public services, it sees core costs increasing year by year with central funding not matching the increases, but the SNP have done a lot to establish a model that works for all families. It certainly didn’t happen overnight though and I’m not sure Labour will be able to avoid a lot of negative press as they try to reintroduce something like their original Sure Start set up on a very tight budget. It will however be fun watching BBC Scotland’s attempts to hide SNP achievements while praising Labour ambitions.
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In the run-up to the Holyrood elctions in 2026 clearly BBC Scotland will be keen to step up their continued deception/distortions with the new 7pm format to satisfy the cravings of all those staunch Unionists for yet more SNP baaad stories. I really don’t know how these people can sleep at night spewing out this drivel almost daily now with this on their conscience. It is only through your continuing hardwork John and all at TUS to expose them that keeps us sane and we are very grateful for that. Please keep it going and I’m sure all TUS followers will join me in wishing you a Happy Xmas and New Year.
Robbo
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It’s more than drivel Robbo. After the shock of 2014, we, Scotland, must never be allowed to even come close to becoming an Independent nation, never mind electing M.S.Ps who have that belief. So, the propaganda, brainwashing and downright lies will continue unabated from the B.B.C, and their media allies. And fully expect it to increase substantially in the run up to the 2026 G.E. As someone who hasn’t watched, listened, or indeed read any of their lies since 2014, I’m grateful to all who do, and who keep me informed of their tactics.
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Sorry, Alex Beveridge.
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100% endorsement!
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Sorry I meant B***shit.
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In the media a Labour ambition to provide a service in England /UK usually leaves out that the SNP actually has already introduced this service in Scotland.
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Child benefit allowance, nursery care. Uni support. The two child restriction abolished. Scotland is far ahead in child benefit.
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“BBC Scotland’s attempts to hide SNP achievements while praising Labour ambitions”
Indeed excellent and well written post by Brenda Robb.
The sooner more people realise that their real enemy is the media that exists in the UK aka Britain then the sooner they , as voters, will be far better informed and so then make far better choices when they vote in elections in Scotland. (and elsewhere in the UK too).
They , as a British media, try to gaslight us in Scotland into believing their fake news which involves them promoting political parties that they support as a media while also suppressing certain facts or indeed completely omitting actual truths that are linked to other parties that they oppose as a media. (as in the SNP).
The BBC will do this for all parties and all of their party leaders who are in opposition to the SNP.
The BBC, like all other British media, are far far too compromised by their support for all things British to then ever be seen as those who, as a media within Scotland , are willing to only then broadcast or promote news that is balanced, honest, impartial and so credible in Scotland for Scotland.
Scotland desperately needs an honest Scottish media and not that which we currently have to endure, which is a British media imposing their British version of the news where we are, which bears no resemblance to either truth or reality but instead is no more than British Nationalist propaganda.
I think more of the public in Scotland are now far more aware of what and who Labour really are as a party and also what and who they really represent , based on their poor performance as a UK government with the decisions that they have made so far , but also what is really evident is the distinct lack of positive “change” for us as a public since they came to power in July of this year.
It has been more a case of them, as a UK government, representing the few (wealthy) and not the many (less wealthy) , as just like the Tories they, Labour, are reluctant to raise the taxes and benefits of the wealthy within the UK but they have no qualms in taking money and benefits away from those within the UK who are far less wealthy.
Now that as a fact is something that the BBC here may be unable to continue to obscure from the public in Scotland , as more within Scotland may start to see the lack of real change that they, Labour, promised us prior to the GE, which will then greatly impact the votes for Labour in Scotland in 2026.
One lives in hope that more in Scotland become enlightened to political reality and also towards the British Broadcasting Corporation within Scotland as well.
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* reluctant to raise the taxes and benefits of the wealthy
I meant “reluctant to raise the taxes of those who are more wealthy and also stop some of the benefits many of them get within the UK , such as , for example , capping Bankers bonuses.
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Thanks for your kind words 🙂
You say “Scotland desperately needs an honest Scottish media and not that which we currently have to endure, which is a British media imposing their British version of the news where we are, which bears no resemblance to either truth or reality but instead is no more than British Nationalist propaganda”
I think we are well on our way to achieving our own honest media. We have newspapers, tv and radio channels, blogs and podcasts and a thriving community on Bluesky. Between these all our reach is far wider than it was back in 2014 and, while not perfect or without challenges, they give us an alternative to British focused media. It can be a struggle to support so many financially but hopefully enough of us are able to subscribe to a couple and between us all keep them going. The other thing we can do is to share their links, quote what they say, respond in the comments section or even invite your book loving unionist chums onto bluesky in the hope a few indy posts might catch their eye.
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You are welcome, well deserved.
🙂
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