Author: johnrobertson834
Retired Professor of Media Politics
Not-for-profit independent political analysis
Now this Suffolk wildfire only 3 miles away, across a tinder-dry nature reserve already alight, and upwind of a nuclear power station could really be apocalyptic but no one is using that word other than in BBC Scotland’s fire frenzy
The wildfire at Dunwich Heath is in an area of coastal lowland just south of the village of Dunwich in Suffolk. It is about 25 miles (40km) north-east from the county town of Ipswich but less than 3 miles from Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station. The sites are separated by the Minsmere nature reserve area, with Sizewell B (and the adjacent Sizewell A/C sites) to the south. The Minismere area was in drought conditions and is being evacuated as the fire has already spread to it. Winds are currently coming from the north-west. Does ‘apocalyptic’ seem a reasonable description for … Continue reading Now this Suffolk wildfire only 3 miles away, across a tinder-dry nature reserve already alight, and upwind of a nuclear power station could really be apocalyptic but no one is using that word other than in BBC Scotland’s fire frenzy
How the ‘SNP’s £22m tax blunder’ is not certain but PM Andy Burnham’s up to £48bn tax avoidance is
From reader derekscott1953, the above, and: A rounding error, possibly, if people bother to read the Dan Neidle report. An earlier Dan Neidle report drew attention to the billions (not a mere £22m) being lost annually to the UK through tax evasion. From How Andy Burnham could raise £15bn – without a tax rise, published 1 July 2026: It’s the UK’s biggest and least discussed tax problem. There’s between £30bn and £48bn missing from each year’s small business tax bills. It’s been getting worse – and nobody knows why. There’s no other issue where so much money is at stake but so … Continue reading How the ‘SNP’s £22m tax blunder’ is not certain but PM Andy Burnham’s up to £48bn tax avoidance is
Reposted as gutter press in Scotland feed on dubious research suggesting ‘£22m tax blunder’
Reposted as gutter press in Scotland feed on dubious research suggesting ‘£22m tax blunder’
27% more officers help Police Scotland cope with fewer, far smaller and far less violent anti-immigration protests than in England
is placing significant pressure on its officers. Another one of these stories that only appear in Reporting Scotland broadcasts and are not fully presented with evidence on the website – different editors? This one is based entirely on the opinion of a trade union leader. Anyhow, while not wishing to understate the importance and the pressures involved in dealing with anti-immigration protests in Scotland, there are some facts our taxpayer-funded public service broadcaster should be telling us. First, Scotland has the highest ratio of police officers per 100 000 population – 295. England and Wales forces have a lower combined ratio 235–241. … Continue reading 27% more officers help Police Scotland cope with fewer, far smaller and far less violent anti-immigration protests than in England
Andy Burnham fails to put out Manchester wildfire after two weeks but luckily, unlike the one the Cairngorms, it’s neither ‘apocalyptic’, the fault of any government nor is it due to the absence of helicopters
For a reader in Scotland there are quite a few things missing in the above BBC Manchester report two days ago: Wildfires across Greater Manchester are still burning a fortnight after they first started, the fire service has said. More than 100 firefighters and volunteers have been tackling the blaze on two fronts at Dove Stone, after the fire in Saddleworth merged with a fire at Tintwistle, and at Swineshaw. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said specialists from across the UK had been drafted in to control any remaining hotspots. The fires in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire have burned … Continue reading Andy Burnham fails to put out Manchester wildfire after two weeks but luckily, unlike the one the Cairngorms, it’s neither ‘apocalyptic’, the fault of any government nor is it due to the absence of helicopters
The BBC should be shut down solely on the basis of its TV licence enforcement policy
By a friend of Talking-up Scotland who received the above letter. Dear Louise, Thank you for your (redacted) letter above which will be recognised by millions around the UK, proportionately more so in Scotland. Thank you also for at least one preceding email which I noted deploys a surreptitious tracking pixel leading to my blocking any further emails from tv licensing (without prejudice to my wish to be compensated for every instance). TV licensing’s use of tracking pixels without informed consent is a clear breach of (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations) PECR Regulation 6 and I trust that many of those reading this … Continue reading The BBC should be shut down solely on the basis of its TV licence enforcement policy
Isle of Man ferry fiasco has not driven-off islanders it seems or encouraged BBC to blame Manx Parliament
By Liz S BBC website headline on main UK page: “Main ferry out of action until late September” “The Isle of Man main ferry will be out of action until late September for repairs, the operator has confirmed“. “The Manxman has been in drydock since 13 July, with back-up passenger vessel the Ben-my-Chree carrying out sailings between the island and Lancashire” “**The government-owned ferry operator ** said inspections of the affected components – which could only take place once disassembly process was underway – had enabled engineers to work out what needed to be done and how long it would take” … Continue reading Isle of Man ferry fiasco has not driven-off islanders it seems or encouraged BBC to blame Manx Parliament
Scottish Government to end risks to vulnerable by requiring social workers from other parts of the UK to be fully registered in Scotland before working here.
From Community Care yesterday: Scottish Government proposals would end provision allowing social workers registered with other UK regulators to practise in Scotland, while it also is seeking views on whether social work assistants should be required to register. The Scottish Government proposal would end provisions allowing social workers practising in the country to be registered with another UK regulator, but not SSSC. Under section 52 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, no one may call themselves a social worker or work as one in Scotland without being registered as one with the SSSC or with Social Work England, Social Care … Continue reading Scottish Government to end risks to vulnerable by requiring social workers from other parts of the UK to be fully registered in Scotland before working here.
The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland 