Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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1.6% of Scotland’s addresses ‘too dangerous’ for ambulances without police escort, maybe

johnrobertson834

..too dangerous for ambulance crews to attend without police back-up…the Scottish Police Federation (trade union) is warning that budget constraints mean it will be physically impossible to respond to every call for assistance. The GMB Union, which represents ambulance workers, says the loss of police backup is a huger concern. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcone 07:30 5/12/23 Context from a taxpayer-funded public service broadcaster with a charter requiring it to inform? None. Here is some: First, there are around 2.7 million domestic addresses in Scotland. That 4 500 is 01.6%. Apparently, the figure for the whole of England, is only 1 400 for 10 … Continue reading 1.6% of Scotland’s addresses ‘too dangerous’ for ambulances without police escort, maybe

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US ferry service to extend lives of six ferries to 55 years!

johnrobertson834

From the Island Sounder, today: Washington ferries awarded $4.8 million to extend lifespan of six aging vessels by up to a decade. Washington State Ferries (WSF) has received $4.8 million in federal funding to refurbish passenger areas on six aging boats in its ferry fleet. The grant will pay for upgrades on all six of WSF’s Issaquah Class Vessels, originally constructed between 1979 and 1982 and currently serve travellers in Fauntleroy, Vashon, Southworth, Mukilteo, Clinton, Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. https://www.islandssounder.com/life/ferries-awarded-4-8-million-to-extend-lifespan-vessels/ The Washington State Ferries, Issaquah class are 328 feet long and 2 477 tons and serve 90 mile … Continue reading US ferry service to extend lives of six ferries to 55 years!

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Scotland subordinated in Starmer’s ‘New Jerusalem’?

johnrobertson834

By stewartb Commentary on the recent Telegraph article written by Sir Keir Starmer has been extensive in the UK press. That it proved controversial is an understatement. However among its questionable elements, there are ones that merit additional attention when viewed from a Scotland perspective. (Review of Starmer’s article: https://archive.ph/dyz6e ) Starmer states: “A century ago, Clement Attlee wrote that Labour must be a party of duty and patriotism, not abstract theory. To build a ‘New Jerusalem’ meant first casting off the mind-forged manacles. That lesson is as true today as it was then.” Of all that could be said … Continue reading Scotland subordinated in Starmer’s ‘New Jerusalem’?

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BBC reporting is ‘creative’ at best

johnrobertson834

Try asking any BBC editor how often they have made a Freedom of Information request of, for example, the Scottish Government and you’ll get a revealing response like this: Please note that the information you have requested is excluded from the Act because it is held for the purposes of ‘journalism, art or literature.’ Part VI of Schedule 1 to the Act provides that information held by the BBC and the other public service broadcasters is only covered by the Act if it is held for ‘purposes other than those of journalism, art or literature” 1. The BBC is not … Continue reading BBC reporting is ‘creative’ at best

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No point in devoting effort to changing perceptions of the BBC in Scotland?

johnrobertson834

Scotland’s different relationship with the BBC – evidence from the Corporation’s own data By stewartb The National Audit Office (NAO) has recently published an assessment of a BBC corporate initiative called ‘Across the UK’. The NAO’s report explains (with my emphasis): ‘In March 2021, the BBC published The BBC Across the UK (ATUK), setting out its ambitions to strengthen its delivery for the whole of the UK, particularly in areas where perception of the BBC’s relevance are relatively low, and to ensure that every household gets value from the BBC. It plans to do this by cumulatively spending at least … Continue reading No point in devoting effort to changing perceptions of the BBC in Scotland?

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SNP Housing Minister makes strong impression on sector

johnrobertson834

Here’s a game. Tell me if you spot this story in the MSM. From Inside Housing on 30 November: “The best housing minister we’ve had for 20 years.” That is the verdict of one Scottish social housing source when asked by Inside Housing to describe Paul McLennan. It is remarkable praise for anyone to receive, but particularly impressive for a minister who has been in the role for only eight months, and an MSP for two years. Inside Housing caught up with the minister via video call to find out more about how his new brief is going, what his aims are and … Continue reading SNP Housing Minister makes strong impression on sector

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Scotland’s drug deaths – handy summary on the real facts – Westminster responsibility, falling fast, Scottish Government acts

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Westminster is ultimately responsible for Scotland’s drug deaths Drug deaths fall by 21% in only one year as SNP policies begin to reverse long-term effects of decades of Tory/New Labour neglect Evidence emerges that significant drug deaths fall is largely due to Scottish Government programme first in world Drug deaths in England & Wales significantly under-reported according to UK Civil Service Significant falls in drug deaths among the young after 16 years of SNP rule Continue reading Scotland’s drug deaths – handy summary on the real facts – Westminster responsibility, falling fast, Scottish Government acts

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BBC Scotland woman journalists betray their own kind just to protect UK minister responsible for mass deaths!

johnrobertson834

On the left, how BBC Scotland want you to remember Nicola Sturgeon’s much-praised performance in the pandemic with, on the right, the reality most of us should remember. The BBC Scotland report is unattributed but there are lots of senior women at Pacific Quay who might have selected a better headline had they a shred of decency in them. The report does go on, at the very end of course, to let a spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon to tell it like it was but the damage is done by then. Before that, we get line after line of Hancock’s vague, … Continue reading BBC Scotland woman journalists betray their own kind just to protect UK minister responsible for mass deaths!

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Isle of Wight ferries so bad government transport priorities report fails to mention them at at all

johnrobertson834

From the Isle of Wight Observer today: A major new report issued by the body that “speaks with a single voice about strategic transport priorities for the south-east” and the Department for Transpor has regard to when developing government policy, doesn’t even mention ferries. Transport for the South East (TfSE) was established in 2017 and yesterday published its first ‘State of the Region’ report. While it covers ‘affordability of transport’ for both buses and rail and the Isle of Wight’s rental e-bike trial, there is no mention of the Island’s unique dependence on cross-Solent services in its 58 pages. What … Continue reading Isle of Wight ferries so bad government transport priorities report fails to mention them at at all

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Hospital ‘Highest Alert’ over ‘extreme pressures’ does not require Labour Government explanation

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From BBC Wales this morning: More than 80 people are waiting for beds at a hospital which has declared the highest alert level. Morriston Hospital in Swansea said it was under “extreme pressure” in its emergency and unscheduled care services. The hospital said the number of “acutely unwell” emergency patients waiting for beds was “extremely high”. People have been urged to avoid going to the A&E department unless they are seriously ill or badly injured. Swansea Bay health board said a business continuity incident – the highest level of alert – had been declared. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67569780 There is no mention in … Continue reading Hospital ‘Highest Alert’ over ‘extreme pressures’ does not require Labour Government explanation