Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
4 Comments

‘The SNP won the 2011 Scottish election on an anti- austerity platform focused on tackling child poverty, reducing inequality, and building a more inclusive and universal approach to welfare’

johnrobertson834

By stewartb Views on the economic and social policy context that Scotland in Union experiences can pop up in unexpected places. In this example, it’s in a report from the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London (UCL) on the implementation of free school meals in different countries. It’s co-authored by the Institute’s founding director, Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value. The latter has a notably high reputation in the UK and internationally, including for work on various aspects of political economy and government policy development. This is the source document: Macfarlane and … Continue reading ‘The SNP won the 2011 Scottish election on an anti- austerity platform focused on tackling child poverty, reducing inequality, and building a more inclusive and universal approach to welfare’

1 Comment

Herald writer’s suggestion of a ‘risk to life in 10 buildings as ScotGov post-Grenfell repairs stall’ is frankly stupid, dishonest and irresponsible tabloid scare mongering as…

johnrobertson834

In the Herald today, Martin Williams has: 10 buildings in Scotland have had emergency safety measures put in place after being judged an “immediate risk to human life” — yet not a single block has been declared fully repaired under the national cladding programme, nearly nine years after the Grenfell Tower Fire. The intervention means some residents are relying on temporary protections such as additional fire safety systems, on-site monitoring and changes to evacuation plans while ‘dangerous’ cladding remains on their homes. What official, responsible, qualified body has ‘judged’ these 10 buildings to be ‘an immediate risk to human life?’ … Continue reading Herald writer’s suggestion of a ‘risk to life in 10 buildings as ScotGov post-Grenfell repairs stall’ is frankly stupid, dishonest and irresponsible tabloid scare mongering as…

2 Comments

That BBC Scotland journalists ‘did not cover the referendum in the way they would have liked because of commands coming from London’ is untrue. It was because of this guy and others like him

johnrobertson834

In the often excellent analysis by Prof Happer in the Herald yesterday, because it correctly identifies the bias in BBC Scotland as, for most staff, ‘structural’, ‘cultural‘ I’d say, I’d have to disagree with this: Happer, who speaks extensively to BBC Scotland staff, said: “BBC Scotland journalists felt they couldn’t cover the referendum in the way they would have liked because of commands coming from London” That’s a clear excuse, rewriting history. In 2014, I was approached by two younger staff at BBC Scotland News and neither mentioned commands from London. They did both say that the then Head of … Continue reading That BBC Scotland journalists ‘did not cover the referendum in the way they would have liked because of commands coming from London’ is untrue. It was because of this guy and others like him

3 Comments

As Labour approaches second anniversary in power, their auditors say 50% of England’s schools are ‘unfit for purpose’ while SNP Government has built or refurbished 1 150 schools since 2007 to reach 92% fit for purpose

johnrobertson834

In the Guardian today: Half of headteachers say parts of their school are either out of use or unfit for purpose due to leaks, damp, mould, asbestos, ageing boilers and malfunctioning fire doors, according to a new survey by the National Association of Head Teachers(NAHT). Among those who say their schools are suffering, almost three-quarters (73%) say they have toilet blocks that are either closed (8%) or not fit for purpose (65%). https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/apr/28/ngland-schools-unfit-leaks-mould-unusable-toilets How are things in Scotland? According to the Scottish Government’s School Estate Statistics 2025, 92.0% of schools were rated in good or satisfactory condition (up slightly from … Continue reading As Labour approaches second anniversary in power, their auditors say 50% of England’s schools are ‘unfit for purpose’ while SNP Government has built or refurbished 1 150 schools since 2007 to reach 92% fit for purpose

3 Comments

Poverty – Given the Labour Party’s track record in government in Cardiff over decades, what credibility can it have now in Scotland?

johnrobertson834

By stewartb In its news report of the JRF’s statement on the election manifestos of political parties in Scotland regarding poverty, The National newspaper quotes the social justice spokesperson for the British Labour Party in Scotland. This demonstrates yet again the party’s political hypocrisy. On poverty reduction, Claire Baker states: “The SNP’s shameful lack of progress over the last two decades has made this all the more challenging and all the more urgent.” And: “Scottish Labour is determined to tackle poverty at its root, support the next generation and make life more affordable.” Fortunately we can assess the Labour Party’s … Continue reading Poverty – Given the Labour Party’s track record in government in Cardiff over decades, what credibility can it have now in Scotland?

1 Comment

Four years after top Swedish health officer praises hospital safety programme now 15 years in place NHS Scotland pays out less than one sixth of the amount per head in malpractice claims compared to NHS England

johnrobertson834

The Herald still desperately stoking the fires of supposed discontent with NHS Scotland which they hope might help save Anas Sarwar from a near extinction event on May 7/8. There is far bigger news on this issue. In 2023/2024 (latest) NHS Scotland payed out £47.3m for health-related complaints.1 All things being equal with ten times the population, you might expect the NHS England to be around £480m. It was £3.1bn! 2 More than 6 times as high, per head of population. Why such a difference? Scotland’s hospitals are safer. See this from 2022: Dr Pelle Gustafson, chief medical officer, of … Continue reading Four years after top Swedish health officer praises hospital safety programme now 15 years in place NHS Scotland pays out less than one sixth of the amount per head in malpractice claims compared to NHS England

1 Comment

UK Labour’s new Renters’ Rights nearly ten years behind SNP and still not as strong

johnrobertson834

From BBC England yesterday: Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, a new law giving tenants more rights was formally approved at the end of October. The government has now confirmed that the main changes will come into force from 1 May 2026. The new rules will affect more than 11 million people. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwqp72y7ro No mention of Scotland is being made. Why should it be? The Renters’ Rights Act will bring the English private rented sector much closer to the system Scotland has had since 2017 under Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs), but some meaningful … Continue reading UK Labour’s new Renters’ Rights nearly ten years behind SNP and still not as strong