Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Deadly measles being held at bay by NHS Scotland’s vaccination levels

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By Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland, today: There were 19 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in the first three quarters of 2024: six cases in the first quarter, eight cases in the second quarter, and five cases in the third quarter. Of these 19 cases, ten are thought to have been imported and related to travel outwith the UK, and one further (secondary) case was related to one of these imported cases. Of the remaining eight cases, three cases had history of recent travel in England and may have acquired measles there; the other five cases had no history … Continue reading Deadly measles being held at bay by NHS Scotland’s vaccination levels

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Disgraceful journalism to exploit homelessness and rough-sleeping in the country with by far the least

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The Herald today has this nasty, exploitative image to misrepresent the nature of homelessness for children in Scotland. A child sleeping rough or begging on the streets would be picked up and taken to a safe place. Some facts about homelessness in the UK they don’t want you to know: 1 Core Homelessness lowest in Scotland ‘Core homelessness’ – a concept which captures the most severe and immediate forms of homelessness – is estimated to have stood at 14,250 households on a given night in Scotland in 2019, having been relatively stable over the preceding seven years. Rates of core homelessness are substantially lower in Scotland (0.57% of households) than in England (0.94%) … Continue reading Disgraceful journalism to exploit homelessness and rough-sleeping in the country with by far the least

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The nearly 2 000 saved from Covid death in Scotland that BBC will not tell you about

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The above table from the UK Covid Inquiry report, posted today by https://x.com/ammacj makes clear that Scotland had a 14% lower Covid death rate than UK and a 36% lower excess death rate than UK. The second table, above, make clear the scale of loss not at first apparent in percentages. Had Scotland’s pandemic response strategy been managed by the UK Tory government, 14%, 1 867, more might have died, but BBC Scotland’s view: As the UK Covid inquiry turns its attention to Scotland, what do the statistics tell us about how many people died in different countries? Our best … Continue reading The nearly 2 000 saved from Covid death in Scotland that BBC will not tell you about

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SNP economic competence saved 20 000 Scottish firms during pandemic but get no credit for it

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The above comparison from the always worth reading Ruth Henderson at: https://x.com/RuthHen05786097 is just like those simple comparisons the Unionist media love to trot out, except this time, they don’t. Now, if the rate of collapse had been the same, per head, in the UK generally, then only around 220 000 firms (11 times 20 000) would have disappeared but it was 400 000 nearly twice as many. Imagine it was the other way round, who would be to blame? You know, the SNP. So who now gets the credit? Well, there’s none. From the above BBC Scotland report: Karen … Continue reading SNP economic competence saved 20 000 Scottish firms during pandemic but get no credit for it

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NHS Scotland’s stunning 98% completion rate as operations return steadily to pre-pandemic levels less than two years after the end of the ‘Greatest test since World War Two’

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By Professor John Robertson OBA Less than 2 years after the World Health Organisation declared an end to the Covid-19 pandemic on May 5 2023, and the ‘Greatest test since World War Two’ according to the United Nations Secretary General, with global economic collapse and longer-term health damage to millions, and Scotland’s Auditor General seems to have ignored the evidence to deny that NHS Scotland can and will survive while holding to the principles we all value deeply. The evidence which is easily available, making you wonder at his political agenda here, includes this: From Public Health Scotland, the above graph … Continue reading NHS Scotland’s stunning 98% completion rate as operations return steadily to pre-pandemic levels less than two years after the end of the ‘Greatest test since World War Two’

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Cap on UK political donations to limit foreign influence would help SNP limit ‘foreign’ influence too

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From the Guardian today: Caps on political donations are being considered by ministers as part of sweeping reforms to the UK electoral system. Labour is examining proposals to limit how much individuals and companies can donate to political parties as part of an effort to tighten the rules around money in UK politics. In a report to be published in the coming weeks, the Institute for Public Policy Research will recommend that ministers limit individual and corporate donations to political parties to £100,000 a year. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/02/government-may-cap-uk-political-donations-to-limit-foreign-influence If implemented, the above move would be driven by Labour, Con and Lib Dem anxiety … Continue reading Cap on UK political donations to limit foreign influence would help SNP limit ‘foreign’ influence too

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New ferry built in Finland arrives in Scotland for $24 million berth more than two years before new terminal in Tasmania is ready for it

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In an astonishing ferry fiasco, the Government of Tasmania has delayed new harbour building for so long that a new ferry just completed in Finland must now spend up to two years either berthed in Leith because of icing problems over-winter in Finland or leased out on temporary basis to some other country. The two new Tasmanian vessels, though twice the size of the new CalMac boats, have less complex engines, but are still expected to cost almost $1 bn in total. The two CalMac vessels look like costing just over £400m in total. Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-02/spirit-of-tasmania-iv-travels-from-finland-to-scotland/104671806 Continue reading New ferry built in Finland arrives in Scotland for $24 million berth more than two years before new terminal in Tasmania is ready for it

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Prepare yourself for Audit Scotland picking grudgingly and context-free at the best NHS in the UK on Reporting Scotland Down tomorrow

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To read in full click on: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=Audit To read in full click on: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=Audit To read in full click on: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=Audit Continue reading Prepare yourself for Audit Scotland picking grudgingly and context-free at the best NHS in the UK on Reporting Scotland Down tomorrow

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Police Scotland Freedom of Information request regarding the unthinkable reveals no cases of it

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I monitor Police Scotland’s Disclosure Log daily for anything that might be of interest. At first, I thought it best to pass this one by, but then wondered why indulge in the same censorship as BBC Scotland who, of course, will not be reporting this. From Reference: 24-2764 – Crime stats – Female Genital Mutilation – 2000 TD, published yesterday: A search of our crime recording system for Female Genital Mutilation offences shows there was 1 recorded offence in 2019, 2 recorded and 2 detected offences in 2020 and 1 recorded offence in 2022. All statistics are provisional and should … Continue reading Police Scotland Freedom of Information request regarding the unthinkable reveals no cases of it

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Are Diarrhoea, Vomiting and Nausea spreading all over Scotland or is it just BBC Scotland making us feel that way?

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Still a big item for BBC Scotland after 4 days: NHS Grampian has suspended visiting to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin after an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting. The health board said three wards had been closed to new admissions and only essential visitors would be allowed at the Moray hospital. The report does not refer to Norovirus but those are the big symptoms and it tends to strike in winter in hospitals. What’s the wider picture BBC Scotland? Should we be concerned? You can’t tell us? Editor says no? Oh well, from Public Health Scotland on 24 November: See … Continue reading Are Diarrhoea, Vomiting and Nausea spreading all over Scotland or is it just BBC Scotland making us feel that way?