Year: 2025

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UK Governments slammed for cutting British Transport Police staffing and allowing surge of sex offences on Scotland’s trains in excess of those elsewhere

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by over 70% in the last decade, according to figures obtained by BBC Scotland news. There were 98 assaults reported last year, compared to 58 ten years ago – more than a quarter of those cases were closed without a suspect being identified. 24 victims were under 18 years of age. The Scottish Government said they’ve discussed these crimes with the Chief Constable but noted this area is reserved to the UK Government. Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Reporting Scotland‘s insert in BBC Breakfast today has the above story which is not being covered anywhere else. They haven’t reminded us … Continue reading UK Governments slammed for cutting British Transport Police staffing and allowing surge of sex offences on Scotland’s trains in excess of those elsewhere

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A ‘new honesty’ over child poverty sought – and found!

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Eluned Morgan, Labour FM in Wales: ‘the levers of power to make a difference to the number of children living in poverty in Wales lie with the UK Government.’  By stewartb The Herald had this headline on September 9: ‘Leading charity demands ‘new honesty’ over child poverty’. The plea came from the CEO of the Aberlour Trust in Scotland. Let’s see what can be done to help further this worthy objective. From Labour List (September 30, 2025), there is an article entitled: ’Bringing emotion and reality to the debate on child poverty.’ It’s written by a Labour Party conference attendee, … Continue reading A ‘new honesty’ over child poverty sought – and found!

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Scottish doctors’ branch union organiser lies about there being fewer GPs and ignores Scotland having 25% more of them to staff new SNP drop-in services

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Professor John Robertson OBA From the Scottish Government today: A network of walk-in GP clinics will open as part of work to improve access to primary care. The clinics, which would be staffed by GPs, nurses and support staff, will be open seven days a week, 12:00-20:00, in addition to existing primary care services. They will provide a range of same-day assessments, diagnostics and treatment. Fifteen clinics in sites across Scotland will proceed initially to test the benefits for patients. https://www.gov.scot/news/improving-access-to-primary-care/ Typically for BBC Scotland but contrary to practice in BBC England or Wales, their reaction was: A leading doctor has … Continue reading Scottish doctors’ branch union organiser lies about there being fewer GPs and ignores Scotland having 25% more of them to staff new SNP drop-in services

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Could there be a simple positive reason for the reduction in the number of people accessing specialist alcohol and drugs treatment in Scotland – years of success in treatment programmes and Scot Gov success in initiatives on minimum pricing and opioid reversal kits?

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Professor John Robertson OBA, former opioid painkiller addict and ‘steady drinker‘ to this day From Public Health Scotland today: In Phase One of this investigation PHS conducted internal exploratory analysis to validate and describe changes in the numbers and characteristics of people accessing Tier 3 and 4 services between 2011/12 and 2021/22, using data from the Drug and Alcohol Information System (DAISy) and its predecessor, the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times (DATWT) database. In Phase Two of this investigation, Public Health Scotland presents a national-level examination of the same data sources. This quantitative analysis presents national data shared with … Continue reading Could there be a simple positive reason for the reduction in the number of people accessing specialist alcohol and drugs treatment in Scotland – years of success in treatment programmes and Scot Gov success in initiatives on minimum pricing and opioid reversal kits?

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More school leavers taking part in assessment and more getting the qualifications they need to progress than 10 years ago

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Professor John Robertson OBA, former Associate Dean (QA) Faculty of Education UWS From Attainment of school leavers by SCQF level and stage of leaving published today, the above graph and: Once you get past your surprise at the unusual labelling of the years, eg 1415 for 2014/2015, you can see several things here. First, around 3 500 more school leavers, 18%, are taking part in the certificated assessment of their attainment – good news for their employability, progression and self esteem. Second, at three of the levels, there has been recovery to pre-pandemic levels or better, significantly at levels 7 … Continue reading More school leavers taking part in assessment and more getting the qualifications they need to progress than 10 years ago

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Not one Scottish town named as likely to be abandoned due to floods though one of my six home towns might be the only candidate

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Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today, the above maps showing only two wee bits of Scotland with a 25% risk and the Highland and Borders moving up to 15%, of serious flooding by 2080. You’ll see that a huge part of England will be in deep water by then. Nevertheless, the Guardian manages to claim: Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation finds Millions more homes in England, Scotland and … Continue reading Not one Scottish town named as likely to be abandoned due to floods though one of my six home towns might be the only candidate

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As Labour MPs call on Rachel Reeves to scrap council tax in England how the lowest Band D council tax rate in British Labour Wales is higher than the highest in SNP Scotland

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Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today: More than a dozen Labour MPs have written to Rachel Reeves calling on her to scrap council tax, as the chancellor faces mounting pressure to overhaul Great Britain’s property taxes in next month’s budget. Thirteen MPs, mainly from seats in northern England, wrote to Reeves last month asking her to abolish the tax and replace it with another system that better accounts for the steep rise in house prices in London and the south-east over the last 35 years. The chancellor is looking for ways to close what could be a £30bn shortfall in the … Continue reading As Labour MPs call on Rachel Reeves to scrap council tax in England how the lowest Band D council tax rate in British Labour Wales is higher than the highest in SNP Scotland

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Latest figures further highlight the shocking contrast between levels of domestic abuse of children and adults in England and Scotland

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Professor John Robertson OBA Back around 2014, Frankie Boyle joked that if Scotland was to become an Islamic republic, it would have to start treating its women better. It was already a joke well past its time then and would be plain daft today. By several measures, even 20 years ago, under the last Labour/Lib Dem administration, Scotland was the most violent part of the UK and especially so for women. Things have changed. The Guardian today has: Nearly 90% of cases before the family courts in England and Wales show evidence of domestic abuse, a watchdog has disclosed. Physical, … Continue reading Latest figures further highlight the shocking contrast between levels of domestic abuse of children and adults in England and Scotland

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If only the Chinese are prepared to help us actually manufacture the wind turbines all over our land and in our seas, I have little problem with that

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Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to rtpscott for this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2zjmk586lo and comment: This link is about the Chinese company wanting to invest in Scotland but according to Fraser of BBC Scotland it could be blocked by the UK Gov. Now here is the thing if the Super Chinese Embassy in London gets the go ahead and the one in Scotland is blocked would we be surprised and what would we Dougie’s excuse be. Just a thought. In the BBC report: But a Conservative MP has previously questioned the wisdom of letting the company invest in the UK. Last November, … Continue reading If only the Chinese are prepared to help us actually manufacture the wind turbines all over our land and in our seas, I have little problem with that

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The Herald is all at sea on ferry contracts

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Professor John Robertson OBA So, in March 2025, the Herald says give Ferguson Marine work without the need for competitive tender. Two days later another Herald writer agrees. By July, they’re still on that side but by October, below, they flip: Wait, two days later, they flip back again! I’m getting ferry sick. You can support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method – Bernadette/John Robertson, Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421 Continue reading The Herald is all at sea on ferry contracts