In the BBC report you won’t find a single reference to the fact that Network Rail is an “arm’s length” public body of the Department for Transport with no shareholders or that the Minister responsible at the time was Grant Shapps. Indeed you won’t find this information in any of the MSM reports. Nor, will you see this from 2020: The horrifying train wreck near Stonehaven, Scotland, last week, was the result of the dilapidated condition of Britain’s rail infrastructure. Starved for decades of essential maintenance funding, the railways have been transformed by successive governments into state-subsidised cash cows for private corporations. Network Rail’s … Continue reading High Court Latest – Buck stops with Grant Shapps – Tory maintenance cuts directly to blame for Stonehaven rail deaths

From SNP Media today: Marking four weeks until polling day in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, SNP candidate Katy Loudon has said that “only the SNP will stand against Labour weakness and Tory cuts at Westminster.” On a visit to the Blantyre Thistle Credit Union to speak to staff and customers about the impact of Westminster’s cost of living crisis, Katy Loudon praised the First Minister’s actions to tackle poverty, but warned with both Labour and the Tories committed to imposing austerity and a damaging Brexit upon Scotland, neither can be trusted to stand up for communities in Scotland. Commenting, SNP … Continue reading Rutherglen & Hamilton West candidate points to Labour weakness in protecting locals

Listen to the above to see clear evidence that the Scottish First Minister was alert to the threat being loudly forecast by the World Health Organisation in the first few weeks of 2020 and that the UK Tories, no doubted backed by the Scottish Tories, were reluctant to listen. What could/did the Scottish Government have done on its own? It did close schools quicker than in England. Police Scotland did use emergency powers to close licensed premises earlier. It could not close events like football or rugby matches. It could not, of course, close the border. It could not, on … Continue reading Covid deaths – The Scottish Government wanted to act quicker and did avoid nearly 2 000 more deaths

In a 360 word report, BBC Scotland finds no space to tell you that Network Rail is responsible to the UK Government only, for ‘national security reasons’ like ports and airports. Network Rail is an “arm’s length” public body of the Department for Transport with no shareholders, which reinvests its income in the railways. Network Rail’s main customers are the private train operating companies (TOCs), [such as Scotrail] responsible for passenger transport, and freight operating companies (FOCs), who provide train services on the infrastructure that the company owns and maintains.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Rail The deaths are NOT due to any action or inaction by ScotRail or the Scottish Government. Why … Continue reading Stonehaven deaths are the responsibility only of the UK Government-run Network Rail and cost-cutting but you’d never know

From Redfield and Winton for 2-4 September: SNP – 39% Con – 16% Lab – 30 SNP lead 9% https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_Scottish_Parliament_election The SNP figure is up from 33% and 36% in the previous two R&W polls in early July and early August and the lead over Labour has increased from 3% and 4%. Labour is down from 32% in the previous poll and static compared to the July poll’s 30%. Con support is down from 19% and 21%. Conclusions: Labour is going nowhere and unlikely to make much progress by 2026 as Yousaf recovers and grows in reputation with range of … Continue reading SNP pulling away from Labour on Holyrood opinion polling

The Herald’s Martin Williams self-described ‘leading journalist on the issue‘ of ferry reliability even has his own newsletter dedicated to fuelling the fake ferry fiasco but when you click on the links you get under the heading SCOTLAND’s FERRIES, one story on bicycles, one on 20 minute neighbourhoods and a fight in Falkirk, one story on trains and two on air travel. Impressive start, eh? Anyhow, it’s all about the ‘breakdowns of its ageing fleet.’ There’s a problem or two here. They’re not ageing nor are they breaking down much compared to other comparable fleets. Ageing first: In terms of … Continue reading The myth of Scotland’s aging ferries and ‘Scotland’s leading you up the creek journalist on the issue’

Percentage of children in poverty, 2021/22, by country: UK – 29% Wales – 28% England – 31% Scotland – 24% Northern Ireland – 22% https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/where-is-child-poverty-increasing-in-the-uk/ The Scottish Child Payment – a benefit unique to Scotland that sees every child under 16 given £25 a week in support – is making a “real difference” to food bank use in the country, a leading charity has said. The Trussell Trust, which provides emergency food parcels across the UK, said its data suggested that the payment was having a positive impact on children’s poverty rates. In England, the number of children forced to … Continue reading Anas, right now in Wales far more children are in poverty and homeless on Labour’s watch than in Scotland on the SNP’s watch

My cover letter: I wish to apply for the post of Senior Journalist (8049) Rationale: BBC Scotland News is in steep decline and requires someone with a bit of brainpower, basic honesty, and some ethical standards to save it. I look forward to meeting you. Professor John W Robertson, PhD, MEd, Dip Ed, PCCE Teaching, PGC Media Education, father of 4, dog and cat owner. Will keep readers up to date. Continue reading Senior Reporter at BBC Scotland – have just applied

The Scotsman manages to get this today: Yousaf’s vow on poverty a ‘timid step’ say charities You have to wonder who their charities are given this: The Trussell Trust Scotland: “We’re delighted to hear @HumzaYousaf urge the UK Govt to deliver an Essentials Guarantee. Our social security system should always provide enough money for people to afford #OurEssentials #PfG. By endorsing the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee, the Scottish Government has shown the ambition for ending the need for food banks that we want to see replicated in Westminster”  Living Rent: “After 7 years Scot gov has finally committed to … Continue reading Poverty – First Minister’s Programme for Government has been welcomed by key stakeholders other than the one in the Scotsman