Legal aid for abused women – available in all UK nations but most generous in Scotland and strictest means-testing in England

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 The above comment pops up regularly and I’ve never thought to check. I have now: Do abused women get legal aid in England but not in Scotland? No. Abused women (and other victims of domestic abuse) can get legal aid in both England/Wales and Scotland, but the rules, evidence requirements, financial tests, and practical access differ because the two jurisdictions have separate legal aid systems. https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid/print England – You normally need specified evidence (police reports, court orders, letters from support services, health professionals, etc.), … Continue reading Legal aid for abused women – available in all UK nations but most generous in Scotland and strictest means-testing in England

World’s Largest Global Law Firm says Scotland’s right to roam ‘more extensive than that in England’ but ‘should not be unduly burdensome on landowners’

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From Dentons (‘World’s Largest Global Law Firm’) yesterday: On the one hand, the right to roam is hugely significant for those exploring Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, including visitors undertaking the iconic North Coast 500 route. On the other hand, reports of irresponsible visitors and antisocial behaviour have attracted headlines and prompted some to question the breadth of public access rights in Scotland. However, the right is not unlimited. Its statutory exclusions, limits on responsible exercise and restrictions on geographical scope all help to reduce … Continue reading World’s Largest Global Law Firm says Scotland’s right to roam ‘more extensive than that in England’ but ‘should not be unduly burdensome on landowners’

How Scottish Government caution on rental schemes has prevented e-bike/scooter chaos, injury and death

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From the Guardian today: Thousands of ebikes seized by London councils as anger rises over blocked paths – Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said the rise in abandoned ebikes was overwhelming blind and partially sighted people, as well as elderly people and wheelchair users. “People are having collisions and injuries due to bikes left on the pavement, and the problem is getting worse,” he said. “There are blind people who tell us they do not go out … Continue reading How Scottish Government caution on rental schemes has prevented e-bike/scooter chaos, injury and death

Your Right to Decide – BBC Scotland defends Burnham’s retrenched position fully against a referendum

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From the Scottish Government today: FM writes to PM on Scotland’s right to decide has had limited coverage. STV did a fair job in https://news.stv.tv/politics/john-swinney-writes-to-prime-minister-andy-burnham-in-bid-to-legally-launch-independence-vote reproducing Swinney’s letter in full with only a wee tail-ender from the Scottish Cons, more concerned to attack Butnham than Swinney. The letter: Dear Andy I am writing with regards to your comments at Prime Ministers Question’s in response to my colleague Chris Law MP’s question. Earlier today, you said; “on that question of a border poll, it is to … Continue reading Your Right to Decide – BBC Scotland defends Burnham’s retrenched position fully against a referendum

SNP Government to create 10 times more jobs in North-East than Labour’s GB Energy has

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From the Scottish Government yesterday: More than 500 jobs will be created and supported by 22 new projects funded through the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund. The First Minister officially opened the 2026 funding round, worth £17.5 million, during a visit to Hydrasun, a North East manufacturing firm receiving £1.9 million in support. Seven commercial projects will receive support, with a further 15 community projects funded through a new dedicated stream, focused on tackling fuel and child poverty, building climate resilience and restoring nature. … Continue reading SNP Government to create 10 times more jobs in North-East than Labour’s GB Energy has

Scottish Labour leader – ‘Hardest job in British (sic) Politics’ is also least important job it seems

By Liz S I am quite amazed that the Supposed ‘Scottish’ pages of the BBC website have been so very subdued in their reporting of the Labour leadership contest happening in Scotland (or indeed other media) , which as yet , as a leadership contest, has not been concluded. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Yet given the circumstances that brought about this contest then it makes perfect sense really. What with Sarwar’s abject failure as the previous Labour leader here in Scotland together with him failing to win the Scottish election … Continue reading Scottish Labour leader – ‘Hardest job in British (sic) Politics’ is also least important job it seems

Vacant and derelict land falls by a fifth in Scotland after SNP Government initiatives compared with an increase under Labour in Scotland to 2007 and in England from 2019

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2025 published yesterday, the above and: Total land – The amount of derelict and urban vacant land fell by 3% (267 hectares) from 8,858 hectares in 2024 to in 8,591 hectares in 2025. This continued the downward trend. The amount has fallen by more than a fifth (22%) since 2019. Previous uses – More than a fifth (22% or 1,793 hectares) of derelict land had previously been used for manufacturing followed by mineral activity (22% or 1,775 hectares). Sites … Continue reading Vacant and derelict land falls by a fifth in Scotland after SNP Government initiatives compared with an increase under Labour in Scotland to 2007 and in England from 2019

Massive increases in completed and started affordable housing as private sector alone is responsible for the ‘crisis’ that media direct at SNP Government

Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply to end March 2026 The private sector built 13,494 new homes and started 11,018 new builds in 2025-26. Completions were down 8% (-1,217) and starts down 12% (-1,483) from 2024-25. The social sector built 3,774 new homes and started 3,937 new builds in 2025-26. Completions were down 16% (-697) and starts were up 25% (790) from 2024-25. Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) approvals and starts in 2025-26 increased compared with 2024-25: approvals … Continue reading Massive increases in completed and started affordable housing as private sector alone is responsible for the ‘crisis’ that media direct at SNP Government

Almost 50% more full-time students in England have to work due to cost-of-living than in Scotland

BBC Scotland News, once more building a story around a survey from England with no Scottish breakdown. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Official labour-market estimates for full-time tertiary students in Scotland suggests a figure of only 46% in 2024: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/re4bvg3o/economy-people-and-skills-march-2026.pdf Given the key difference offered by free tuition, this makes sense of a kind BBC Scotland hate. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Continue reading Almost 50% more full-time students in England have to work due to cost-of-living than in Scotland

How the SNP is dragging Scots bairns out of the ruination of a deeply unequal society perpetuated by the fee-paying schools of Cameron Wylie

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Cameron Wylie is a retired private-school head. He taught English at Daniel Stewart’s and Melville College, then spent decades at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh, finishing as Principal (head) of that independent school. He retired in 2017 after nearly 40 years in fee-paying schools. He is a long-term critic, from that fee-paying world, of the SNP’s education policies after a period of SNP support and once declaring that he had voted Tory to help Ruth Davidson. He has written in the media, especially in … Continue reading How the SNP is dragging Scots bairns out of the ruination of a deeply unequal society perpetuated by the fee-paying schools of Cameron Wylie