Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Polly Toynbee tries to include Scotland in the UK’s climbing infant deaths as they fall here

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By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian on Friday, that supposedly leftist, denier of Scotland’s right to independence, Polly Toynbee, had: The long-term trend in infant deaths has been downwards, as you would expect. But not recently in the UK. The Nuffield Foundation reported in 2021 that Britain’s rate of infant deaths was 30% above the median across EU countries. According to OECD data, the UK ranks 30th out of 48 countries for infant deaths.  The facts for England: There were 3.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, and 10 child deaths per 100,000 population; higher than in 2021 (3.7 and 8, respectively). The … Continue reading Polly Toynbee tries to include Scotland in the UK’s climbing infant deaths as they fall here

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As social rent homes in England fall by more than quarter of a million in a decade, Scotland builds 6 times as many

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By Professor John Robertson ‘Affordable’ rent can, be at a rate up to 80% of the market rent for the same property and so, in some places, is far from affordable. ‘Social rent’ is linked to local incomes and thus is truly affordable. In the Guardian, today: More than a quarter of a million social rent homes in England have been lost in the last decade, according to analysis of government statistics. Between April 2013 and April 2023, the number of social housing homes owned by local authorities and housing associations in England fell by 260,464 units, according to the … Continue reading As social rent homes in England fall by more than quarter of a million in a decade, Scotland builds 6 times as many

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Bradford drugs gang ‘recruited an 11 year-old to deal’ in Ayrshire town

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The Metro today is reporting a survey of all UK police forces to find out how many under 16’s have been recruited to deal drugs by the County Lines gangs operating out of large cities in England and, in several cases, in small Scottish towns. They also asked about the age of the youngest child being exploited in this way and identified three 10 year-olds and numerous 11 year-olds – Primary School pupils. 1 Police Scotland did not respond to the Metro survey, but from social media comments by locals in Auchinleck and Cumnock (East Ayrshire) last November, it was … Continue reading Bradford drugs gang ‘recruited an 11 year-old to deal’ in Ayrshire town

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Labour in Starmer’s various speeches morph from the country being England…to Britain….to Wales….to Scotland….

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By NMRN So today I just got some election bumf through my door , in an envelope, addressed to me from the Labour party…..this is about the 5th piece of propaganda I have had from them. My area is the SNP Tommy Sheppard’s constituency Edinburgh East & Musselburgh and this is one of the seats that I think Labour are targeting really hard to win…..also I have had three sets of Labour canvassers at my door……so far……… that is…….. At the top of the letter was their empty slogan “Change” with a red background but neither a Union jack border nor … Continue reading Labour in Starmer’s various speeches morph from the country being England…to Britain….to Wales….to Scotland….

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Scottish Government invests to reap benefits of Hospital at Home for older people

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From the Scottish Government, today: The Scottish Government is continuing to invest in Hospital at Home for Older People with £3.6 million allocated for 2024/25, bringing total funding allocation for the initiative to over £15 million since 2020. Recent statistics released by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) show that last year the Hospital at Home service for Older People, which provides a safe, alternative to being admitted to an acute hospital, exceeded targets in several key areas between April 2023 and March 2024, including: total bed numbers have increased by over 57%, ahead of the Scottish Government’s 50% target 14,467 patients … Continue reading Scottish Government invests to reap benefits of Hospital at Home for older people

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Child poverty – Loughborough researchers being used by Scottish media to misinform audiences

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In the Guardian today: Local child poverty rates across the UK correlate very strongly with the percentage of families affected by the two-child benefit cap, research has found, indicating that the controversial policy is a key factor behind children growing up in deprivation. The study, carried out by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, will heap pressure on Labour over the party’s refusal to abolish the cap, which limits universal credit and child tax credit to a family’s first two children, if they come into power. The limit can cost families more than £3,000 a year for each additional child, with … Continue reading Child poverty – Loughborough researchers being used by Scottish media to misinform audiences

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How independence adds up, simply

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According to the London Economic in March 2024, Scotland contributes £73.3 billion per year to the UK Treasury, a 24% increase in the last ten years of SNP leadership. Scotland now accounts to 8% of the total UK contributions, the same percentage as our population share. So, that looks like we pay our way, contrary to what some commentators say about Scotland being subsidised by England. Unfortunately for us, we don’t get anything like that 8% back. According to research by the House of Commons Library, we only get 3.5% of the UK Government’s spending, back. Where does the rest … Continue reading How independence adds up, simply

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Real democracy as one party only is not beholden to any rich donors

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As Labour wallow in donations from Israel-supporters and private health operators, adjusting its manifesto to suit, and as the Conservatives drown in cash from misogynists and racists who already like what they see, only one major party is utterly free to do politics on behalf on the people – the SNP. The corporate media are today gloating over the news that the SNP has received not one donation over £500 in 2024, thinking it demonstrates disillusion with the party’s track record and forgetting that it has the largest membership by some way in Scotland, paying what it can in membership … Continue reading Real democracy as one party only is not beholden to any rich donors

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Sir Keir Starmer u-turns on his mum’s love of freedom

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In 2023, Starmer wrote: This year, I braved the British summer and holidayed at home in the Lake District. I’ve always felt it’s the perfect place for a family holiday and so it proved. From boating on Windermere to scrambling up the crags of the Langdale Pikes, lakeside fish and chips or simply drinks in the beer garden — soggy or sunny, there really is something there for everyone. Taking my kids to the Lakes provided a special rush of nostalgia, because I went there every summer as a child. My mum adored it, she thrived in the open air … Continue reading Sir Keir Starmer u-turns on his mum’s love of freedom

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Herald misrepresents stillbirth research to scare in country with lowest rate in UK?

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I could wrong here but isn’t the above claim by the Herald back to front? Are they saying that ICU admission makes any mother more likely to have a stillbirth? Could it be that those most likely to have a stillbirth are then more likely to be admitted to ICU to save the baby and them? Well, down the page: So, the headline and opening statements by the Herald are misleading at best? Missing, of course, from the Herald report, the stillbirth rate in Northern Ireland is 4.5 per 1 000 live births, 3.7 in England & Wales, 3.5 in … Continue reading Herald misrepresents stillbirth research to scare in country with lowest rate in UK?