Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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BBC Scotland and ‘County Lines’ drug gangs – now 5 years of silence to protect the Union

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I have an alert for ‘County Lines’ and every day I see reports from BBC UK, BBC England and from BBC regions across the country – BBC Devon (today), BBC Cumbria (last week). I never, ever, see anything from BBC Scotland despite regular reports in the ‘Scottish’ tabloids and on regional news media websites. In October 2019, pushing 5 years ago, BBC Scotland’s Connor Gillies reported under the explicit headline ‘County lines’: Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Highlands targeted by drugs gangs, this: Rural communities in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire are being targeted by gangs using school children to sell class … Continue reading BBC Scotland and ‘County Lines’ drug gangs – now 5 years of silence to protect the Union

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BBC Scotland announce UK Labour to re-nationalise the railways….even though they’re already re-nationalised here

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the railways is expected. BBC Scotland this morning, tell us that around half of the draft bills in the King’s Speech will apply ‘here in some shape or form’ including re-nationalising the railways (mibbe). What, again, like you told us more than two years ago? They remember that all too well but are hoping you don’t so that they can suggest UK Labour will be doing this good thing for you. How’s that earlier re-nationalisation going in Scotland? Not so strangely, BBC Scotland don’t seem to have this: SCOTRAIL is one of the UK’s most reliable train operators, a new … Continue reading BBC Scotland announce UK Labour to re-nationalise the railways….even though they’re already re-nationalised here

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Every water firm in England and Wales, one Scottish caravan site and one guy in Muir of Ord under investigation over sewage spills

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Thanks once more to Dottie’s Phone for alerting me to this. From the Guardian today: The water regulator is taking action against four more water companies, including Severn Trent and United Utilities, meaning every wastewater company in England and Wales is under investigation over sewage spills. Ofwat said it had served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent and United Utilities, asking them to provide evidence for its investigation into companies’ wastewater management in England and Wales. The regulator has looked at the companies’ environmental performance and data about how often they spill from storm overflows. It said this had … Continue reading Every water firm in England and Wales, one Scottish caravan site and one guy in Muir of Ord under investigation over sewage spills

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Less than 1 in 4 Scots want to reduce tax and oppose redistribution of wealth

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From the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey core module 2023, published today: Almost half (47%) of respondents thought the government should increase taxes and spend more on health, education, and social benefits. Half of people (50%) agreed that Government should redistribute income from the better-off to those who are less well-off, while just under a quarter (23%) disagreed. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-survey-2023-attitudes-government-economy-health-service/ Continue reading Less than 1 in 4 Scots want to reduce tax and oppose redistribution of wealth

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Scottish Government trusted by more than twice as many as the UK Government and thought to be listening three by times as many

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From the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey core module 2023, published today: In 2023, 47% of people trusted the Scottish Government to work in Scotland’s best interests.  21% of people said they trusted the UK Government to work in Scotland’s best long-term interests.  Just over a third of people (35%) thought that the Scottish Government was good at listening to people’s views before taking decisions.  12% of people thought that the UK Government was good at listening to people’s views before taking decisions. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-survey-2023-attitudes-government-economy-health-service/ Continue reading Scottish Government trusted by more than twice as many as the UK Government and thought to be listening three by times as many

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Repeat interruption and misuse of statistics – Fiona Bruce’s masterclass in media bias

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Professor John Robertson On June 13, 2024, BBC Question Times’s chair, Fiona Bruce, interrupted the SNP MSP Kate Forbes to such an extent, hundreds put in formal complaints to the BBC but, regardless, a week later to she did the same to the SNP leader, John Swinney. The extent of that bias had been helpfully measured by @OfOxter a month earlier when Bruce had interrupted SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, 21 times compared to only 5 times for Labour leader, Anas Sarwar and 3 times and only once for the other party leaders. The most extreme example, in recent times, … Continue reading Repeat interruption and misuse of statistics – Fiona Bruce’s masterclass in media bias

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Practices of the mainstream media in Scotland – ‘grooming’ for the Union?

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By stewartb Motivating much of the work of TuS is a recognition that the mainstream news and current affairs media that supposedly ‘serve’ Scotland’s polity do nothing of the sort: they do NOT serve our democracy well when judged in terms of delivering balance and objectivity. Even the UK’s (and Scotland’s) prime public service broadcaster, the BBC – the organisation which promotes itself endlessly both domestically and internationally as a beacon of journalistic quality and integrity (or whatever other gushing self-aggrandisement it favours) – falls very far short within and towards Scotland. It fails to inform on relevant context; it … Continue reading Practices of the mainstream media in Scotland – ‘grooming’ for the Union?

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Diagnostic tests waiting list in NHS England soars after strikes to 15% longer as it falls in Scotland thanks to Humza settling dispute

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From the Guardian today: The waiting lists for diagnostic tests, including cancer scans, is at a record high in NHS England, with doctors warning of a “staggering shortfall” of clinical radiologists. Figures published on Thursday reveal the diagnostic waiting list stands at 1,658,221 – twice what it was 10 years ago.  https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/14/staggering-shortfall-of-nhs-staff-as-record-number-of-patients-wait-for-tests From Public Health Scotland, on 27 February 2024: The total waiting list size (number of ongoing waits) for the eight key tests combined was 144,234. This represents a 5% (-7,417) reduction from the previous quarter-end when there were 151,651 ongoing waits, and is the lowest figure observed since quarter-ending … Continue reading Diagnostic tests waiting list in NHS England soars after strikes to 15% longer as it falls in Scotland thanks to Humza settling dispute

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Anger as Herald lies about inward investment double UK average in ‘SNP’ Scotland

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In the Herald today, Brian Donnelly writes the above and: A senior housing industry figure has claimed Scotland has become a “no-go zone” for investors. He warns the SNP over housing laws that include rent controls will keep housebuilding in years of stagnation and Labour over its potential capping plans. Some facts: According to EY’s annual independent analysis of inward investment, 142 FDI projects were secured last year, an increase of 12.7% on 2022 and double the rate of growth experienced across the UK. Scotland’s share of UK FDI projects increased for a fifth year in a row to 14.4%. Investor perception of Scotland also … Continue reading Anger as Herald lies about inward investment double UK average in ‘SNP’ Scotland

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England and Wales releasing prisoners early at nearly TWICE the rate of Scotland

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By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian today, the above and: Rishi Sunak’s government released more than 10,000 prisoners up to 70 days early, figures reveal, as the new justice secretary prepares to announce further emergency measures to ease another overcrowding crisis in jails. Ministry of Justice figures show that 10,083 prisoners were allowed to walk free under the end of custody supervised licence (ECSL) scheme between October 2023 and June 2024 in England and Wales. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/12/over-10000-prisoners-freed-70-days-early-sunak-government There is no mention of criticism by opposition parties nor any estimate of how many the new Labour Government might now release. From BBC Scotland … Continue reading England and Wales releasing prisoners early at nearly TWICE the rate of Scotland