Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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NHS England deliberately lying about longer A&E waits to conceal massive crisis, FIVE times greater, and prevent comparison with Scotland, missed by Sky News

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By Professor John Robertson OBA From Sky News two days ago, the above and: The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England last month was the third-highest ever. Some 49,592 had to endure the long wait – up from 38,880 in September – as experts warned of patients “languishing on trolleys” in corridors. https://news.sky.com/story/long-aande-waits-rise-amid-warning-of-corridor-care-disaster-and-very-difficult-winter-13254197?s=03 It’s worse, probably far worse than that. Had Sky looked at the NHS England data, they’d see: Number of patients spending >12 hours from decision to admit to admission https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ In Scotland, the A&E clock starts when you walk in the door … Continue reading NHS England deliberately lying about longer A&E waits to conceal massive crisis, FIVE times greater, and prevent comparison with Scotland, missed by Sky News

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Shock as some heart ops no longer possible in NHS Wales but Health Secretary not questioned

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By Professor John Robertson OBA From BBC Wales, yesterday: Some major vascular operations will no longer be going ahead in north Wales, a health board has announced. Betsi Cadwaladr health board said it was pausing its provision of planned and emergency open abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) surgery to help improve its other care. The health board confirmed there had been an “incident”, but said the decision was not based solely on this and other vascular care would continue as normal. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gp58z7pr2o Wow! Dramatic news. The Health Secretary will be challenged? Nope Opposition politicians call it a scandal? Nope, not a word. How … Continue reading Shock as some heart ops no longer possible in NHS Wales but Health Secretary not questioned

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Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze

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By Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Breakfast this morning looked at the increasing cost of living, in particular council tax increases. They didn’t compare costs across the UK. In March 2024: While Labour, Tory and LibDem councils tried to impose big council tax hikes, it was an SNP government which has protected family budgets during this cost-of-living crisis. As well as showing a clear difference between the SNP and the Westminster parties, it also stands as an example to show voters how decisions made in Scotland prove better for the people of Scotland. It was the SNP that delivered a policy to protect people during … Continue reading Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze

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As the poor struggle to pay more for less in England, Scotland’s cheaper, cleaner drinking water

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Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method – Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421 Professor John Robertson OBA On BBC Breakfast today, we see an extended report on high and increasing water bills and hardship for the less well off, across England. From Policy Mogul, AI assisted fact checker, on 3 November 2024: Scottish taxpayers pay less for their water than their English counterparts, thanks to public ownership, with the average water bill in Scotland around £438 a year – £35 a year cheaper than the average bill of … Continue reading As the poor struggle to pay more for less in England, Scotland’s cheaper, cleaner drinking water

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Council leader pleads pleads not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour but is not SNP so there’s no need to mention the Labour Party, it seems

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BBC Scotland has only one report on this: Council leader charged over ‘domestic assault’ Even the National takes time to mention the party: THE leader of Inverclyde Council has stepped down from his role after appearing in court earlier today. Councillor Stephen McCabe pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour at Greenock Sheriff Court. The council has confirmed that McCabe’s Labour colleague, Natasha McGuire, will deputise until a new leader is appointed.  Try searching for BBC SNP councillor? Just this year: Former council co-leader quits SNP over bus gates Three Aberdeenshire SNP councillors to step down an … Continue reading Council leader pleads pleads not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour but is not SNP so there’s no need to mention the Labour Party, it seems

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Statistical uncertainty, sparse data and the absence of up to date evidence – I give you the Institute for Fiscal Studies

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By stewartb Candidly, this is an unworthy report from the IFS, an organisation that should stand or fall based on the rigour of its quantitative analysis and its evidence based policy pronouncements. The piece is replete with references to statistical uncertainty, sparse data and absence of up to date statistical evidence. It also makes reference to an HMRC study which found ‘an increase in net migration to Scotland during the period since tax policy started to diverge, including among the higher-income taxpayers whose taxes have increased in Scotland.’ And also reports: ‘these data do suggest that any migration response to Scotland’s … Continue reading Statistical uncertainty, sparse data and the absence of up to date evidence – I give you the Institute for Fiscal Studies

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Productivity, measured as GVA per hour worked, is lower in Labour-run Wales than in other UK countries and regions in England

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By stewartb In the House of Commons this week (PMQs November 13) the leadership of the British Labour Party was at it again, denigrating Scotland and its government. Hansard records the response of the PM to a question from the SNP’s Brendan O’Hara on the ending of the winter fuel payment. The PM finished his answer with this: ‘I will take no lectures from his party about running the economy; the SNP’s record in Scotland is terrible.’ This rivals the false claim from Labour’s Chancellor recently that Scotland has the worst performing NHS in the UK. How to counter such … Continue reading Productivity, measured as GVA per hour worked, is lower in Labour-run Wales than in other UK countries and regions in England

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Bank of England Governor says Brexit has damaged the economy yet Scottish Labour is allowed to hide

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By Professor John Robertson OBA The above from Huffington Post but BBC avoids being so direct. Has Scottish Labour leader and ‘Party Spokesperson on Brexit’, Anas Sarwar responded? Nope. Has BBC Scotland asked him? Nope. Why should they? This: Continue reading Bank of England Governor says Brexit has damaged the economy yet Scottish Labour is allowed to hide

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Scotland’s infant mortality rate falls to well below rising UK rate after 14 years of Tory austerity and as Labour go on to attack the poor

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By Professor John Robertson OBA From the Guardian today: Infant mortality has risen for the third year in a row in England, with the risk of death for babies born in deprived areas almost three times higher than those from wealthier postcodes, figures show. The rate of deaths for children under one year old increased from 3.8 to 3.9 per 1,000 births last year, although the overall number of infant deaths decreased by 2% because of a lower birthrate. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/14/infant-mortality-rises-for-third-year-in-a-row-with-risk-tripling-in-deprived-areas From the National Records of Scotland in March 2024: The infant death rate was 3.4 per 1,000 live births. This is lower than … Continue reading Scotland’s infant mortality rate falls to well below rising UK rate after 14 years of Tory austerity and as Labour go on to attack the poor

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Scotland’s progressive taxes – as ‘taxpayers choose Scotland’, today’s IFS ‘warning’ comes with another warning but BBC Scotland don’t want you to know about that one

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already have reduced revenue from those affected, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It’s analysis of the Scottish budget over recent years comes with a warning for for this year’s budget against further divergence from income tax rates in the rest of the UK. By Professor John Robertson OBA There’s something missing. This: The increases in Scotland’s top rate of income tax may have reduced revenues – although significant uncertainty remains. Scotland’s income tax rises have likely increased tax avoidance and migration – but the size of the effects is uncertain. https://ifs.org.uk/articles/increases-scotlands-top-rate-income-tax-may-have-reduced-revenues-although-significant You don’t have to be an economist to see … Continue reading Scotland’s progressive taxes – as ‘taxpayers choose Scotland’, today’s IFS ‘warning’ comes with another warning but BBC Scotland don’t want you to know about that one