Editor – When I said ‘anything about ferries is good’ I didn’t mean GOOD news about them!

Appearing only, as far as I can see, in some local newspapers and the Morning Star: The Scottish Government has confirmed that the ferry scheme for young people will be extended to all island residents under the age of 22. The scheme offers four free single (two return) ferry journeys a year to the mainland. At present it covers 16-18 year olds and eligible full time volunteers up to the age of 26. More people will be able to access ferry vouchers as a result of this change. Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Ferries are an essential part of … Continue reading Editor – When I said ‘anything about ferries is good’ I didn’t mean GOOD news about them!

You won’t hear this in the ‘Scottish’ media – Scottish Government expand world-first drug death prevention scheme which saved around 300 lives in 2022

To, of course, silence from ‘our’ media, the Scottish Government has announced a major expansion of the naxolone opioid overdose -reversal programme which will have played a major part in the first significant 21% fall in drug deaths in 2022: Access to potentially life-saving naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is being expanded to community pharmacies across Scotland. All community pharmacies will now hold at least two naloxone kits – either a nasal spray or injectable.   The Emergency Access Naloxone Scheme, which is backed by £300,000 of Scottish Government funding, begins today (Mon). Drugs and Alcohol … Continue reading You won’t hear this in the ‘Scottish’ media – Scottish Government expand world-first drug death prevention scheme which saved around 300 lives in 2022

50+1% ‘is not good enough’ – They’re at it again folks

By Alasdair Galloway Regular readers of the Herald Letters Page will be familiar with a letter (often from Peter Russell, but not only him) arguing one of the following That a mere 50% +1 is not good enough to change Scotland’s current constitutional arrangements If you point out it was good enough for Brexit, unless they are Brexit supporters (Russell isn’t, though is a member of a party committed to “making Brexit work”) the response will be “exactly, we need protection against making the same shambles all over again. Either way, there are a range of supermajorities extending all the … Continue reading 50+1% ‘is not good enough’ – They’re at it again folks

Former Jack McConnell aide tells massive lie on care home deaths

In the Edinburgh News today, carefully placed under the ‘YOUR VIEWS’ banner, former Jack McConnell aide, Susan Dalgety, tells this massive lie: What are these ‘reports?’ I’m confident that all of the reliable reports tell a very different story: The charitable MHA with a presence in Scotland did research into its own homes and discovered this: Large numbers of staff could have been unknowingly spreading coronavirus through care homes, according to the UK’s largest charitable care home provider. Data from MHA shows 42% of its staff members who recently tested positive were not displaying symptoms. Nearly 45% of residents who had … Continue reading Former Jack McConnell aide tells massive lie on care home deaths

Jackie Baillie neglects to mention Scotland’s far better NHS staffing and performance than anywhere else in UK including crisis-ridden Labour Wales

Scottish Labour only really has drug deaths to use for comparisons with other parts of the UK. Health is a minefield for them so they carefully tip-toe around the facts. We’re not going to let them do that, are we? No. The facts you might need, to consider the chances of recovery: First, staffing: NHS Scotland has 181 000 staff, 1 for every 30 members of the population of 5.44 million. NHS England has 1.4 million staff, 1 for every 40 members of the population of 56 million. NHS Wales has 90 000 million staff, 1 for every 35 members … Continue reading Jackie Baillie neglects to mention Scotland’s far better NHS staffing and performance than anywhere else in UK including crisis-ridden Labour Wales

Labour’s hypocrisy over deleting electronic messaging

Today Anas Sarwar writes: This appears to be a deliberate act to destroy evidence. Shameful. referring to SNP leaders deleting WhatsApp messages, in line with UK Cabinet practice and prior to any instructions not to do so, in 2022. He forgets perhaps this in 2019: Labour’s general secretary deleted emails about how the party handles anti-semitism complaints, according to a BBC investigation. The Panorama probe uncovered messages Jennie Formby sent to Jeremy Corbyn, his top spin doctor Seumas Milne and chief of staff Karie Murphy. They related to her concerns about the make-up of Labour’s National Constitution Committee, which considers disciplinary matters … Continue reading Labour’s hypocrisy over deleting electronic messaging

Could BBC Scotland cut the crap by copying BBC Wales?

BBC Wales once more revealing it’s adherence to journalistic standards long lost in Scotland, above, with a story full of praise for what the SNP in government in Scotland has achieved. Did they ask their colleagues in Scotland for help with compiling this evidence? Don’t be daft. Here’s BBC Scotland today with three SNP ‘crisis’ stories instead. There’s a long history of BBC Wales outclassing BBC Scotland. See: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=BBC+Wales Continue reading Could BBC Scotland cut the crap by copying BBC Wales?

SNP blood lust cult exposed in leaked WhatsApp messages as perv prof who criticised us bites victim before journey on troubled ferry

Professor John Robertson (2000BCE) of the SNP has been revealed as a bloody vampire after years of bold investigations by BBC Disclosure led to the leaking of WhatsApp messages, with images of the perverted prof sinking his fangs into the necks of young SNP workers, at a party for the troubled ferry operator CalMac, last night. Labour’s Jackie Baillie has angrily called on the First Minister to investigate the extent of this cult within the SNP. The Cons GP Shadow Health Secretary, Sandesh Gulhane, was not available for comment after fainting when he heard the report. He can’t stand the … Continue reading SNP blood lust cult exposed in leaked WhatsApp messages as perv prof who criticised us bites victim before journey on troubled ferry

NHS England cheating again on waiting times to reveal Scotland’s A&E departments far ahead

I’ve been correctly criticised in the past for not using the full consultant-led emergency department (ED) data in comparisons with the NHS in the other parts of the UK but am now scrupulously careful. So, on September 26, I could write: NHS Scotland full emergency departments 14% faster in August than NHS England equivalents In Scotland in August 2023, 67.3% seen in full emergency departments (ED), within 4 hours. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/data-and-intelligence/ae-activity/#section-3-2 In England, in August 2023, 59.1% seen in full emergency departments (Type 1), within 4 hours. https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ NHS Scotland is thus 13.8% faster. Thousands more treated within target time than … Continue reading NHS England cheating again on waiting times to reveal Scotland’s A&E departments far ahead

Editor shocked as ferries are favourite with readers!

TuS stats from yesterday surprised the editor with Channel Islanders ‘furious’ as brand new Dutch-built ‘troubled’ ferry, repaired in Spain but pulled after only three days top story with readers. Why? Folk are always telling me to give up on ferries, that I’m getting addicted to them and that no one is that interested any more. The stats for the year confirm that view, with no ferry stories at the top: So, what was it about that headline? Let me know. And, for any ferry addicts out there, we have more much more at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=ferr All aboard! Continue reading Editor shocked as ferries are favourite with readers!