Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Covid Inquiry returns today – The Scottish Government took a significantly different approach to achieve the lowest death rate in the UK ‘in spite of the relatively high levels of poverty-related ill health in Scotland, which might have been expected to result in a higher Age-standardised Mortality’

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BBC England and Wales are headlining this but BBC Scotland is not. Perhaps this is why. – excess deaths during the worst of the pandemic, March 2020 to February 2022, were nearly twice as high in England and 20% higher in Wales, revealed in the above archived document for excess deaths and in this on the overall death rate: The Scottish Government took a significantly different approach to extending NPIs in September and October 2020 at a time when it is suggested that there was a delay in the UK Government acting. 12. In this context, a key question that … Continue reading Covid Inquiry returns today – The Scottish Government took a significantly different approach to achieve the lowest death rate in the UK ‘in spite of the relatively high levels of poverty-related ill health in Scotland, which might have been expected to result in a higher Age-standardised Mortality’

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Major ‘gold standard’ research reveals Scots are significantly less worried about all forms of violent crime, especially personal attacks, in the SNP era

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From the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2024/25: Main findings published yesterday, see the above striking images. From the first year of SNP-rule until their 18th in 2023/2024, worry about all forms of violent crime, based on what people say themselves and not the often under-reported police figures, has fallen, in the case of physical violence of a personal nature, by around just under half. Imagine the media coverage if these trends went the opposite way. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) is a large scale social survey which asks people about their experiences and perceptions of crime and … Continue reading Major ‘gold standard’ research reveals Scots are significantly less worried about all forms of violent crime, especially personal attacks, in the SNP era

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Violent crime as experienced by people, beyond police reporting, reveals huge 37% fall and more than 100 000 fewer affected per year, in SNP era, revealed by ‘gold standard’ research

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From the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2024/25: Main findings published yesterday, see the above striking figures. From the first year of SNP-rule until their 18th in 2023/2024, violent crime, based on what people say themselves and not the often under-reported police figures – a 37% fall and 118 000 fewer victims per year! Imagine the media coverage if these trends went the opposite way. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) is a large scale social survey which asks people about their experiences and perceptions of crime and the justice system. The survey is conducted in person, within respondents’ … Continue reading Violent crime as experienced by people, beyond police reporting, reveals huge 37% fall and more than 100 000 fewer affected per year, in SNP era, revealed by ‘gold standard’ research

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Suspected drug deaths static but official figures point to greater optimism

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Suspected (left) and official drug deaths (right) in Scotland From Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: October to December 2025, published today, the above, and: There were 248 suspected drug deaths recorded during the period October to December 2025. This was 15% (43) fewer than the previous quarter (July to September 2025, 291 deaths), and 7% (16) more than the same calendar quarter in the previous year (October to December 2024, 232 deaths). This is the lowest quarterly total of suspected drug deaths recorded in 2025. https://www.gov.scot/publications/suspected-drug-deaths-scotland-october-december-2025/pages/3/ The data in this report is operational information from Police Scotland who compile figures … Continue reading Suspected drug deaths static but official figures point to greater optimism

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Labour’s crisis in social care disappears when the figures come in

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In December 2025, Jackie Baillie, Labour Party Health spokesperson said: That the Parliament believes that the Scottish Government’s failure to prioritise social care has fuelled a crisis, harming some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people, and calls on the Scottish Ministers to work to close the funding gap facing health and social care partnerships and value Scotland’s care workforce. In response, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: As an amendment to motion S6M-19977 in the name of Jackie Baillie (Crisis in Social Care), leave out from “Scottish Government’s” to end and insert “UK Government must reverse its hostile and damaging migration policies, … Continue reading Labour’s crisis in social care disappears when the figures come in

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New Zealand Green Party Warns Of ‘Perfect Storm’ As Ferry Breakdowns Disrupt Travel And Freight

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From SCOOP on 14th March 2026: The Green Party is warning that New Zealand is facing a “perfect storm” of transport disruption after the latest ferry breakdowns and cancellations left travellers stranded and freight operators scrambling to move goods between the North and South Islands. The Interislander’s Kaiārahi has been out of service since Tuesday night because of a technical fault. An Interislander staff member has gone overseas to collect crucial components to fix the stricken ferry. Meanwhile, a technical fault meant that Bluebridge’s Connemara ferry was also cancelled on Thursday and Friday. Its Picton-Wellington service was scheduled to return to service … Continue reading New Zealand Green Party Warns Of ‘Perfect Storm’ As Ferry Breakdowns Disrupt Travel And Freight