Author: johnrobertson834

Retired Professor of Media Politics Not-for-profit independent political analysis
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Scotland’s pharmacy scheme ‘the model for England’ may reduce shortages problems

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In the Guardian today: Britons [sic] are facing some of the “most severe” shortages of NHS medicines on record including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT, health leaders have warned, even forcing some patients with impaired digestive systems to skip meals. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a “serious risk to patient safety”. The Royal College of GPs has also raised concerns about the impact medicine shortages have on patients, GPs and pharmacists. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/18/nhs-patients-face-worst-drug-shortages-on-record-say-pharmacists-and-gps BBC Breakfast 29 May 2026 told us the Scottish Government has long put in place a better model for pharmacies, repeatedly covered here but never in the … Continue reading Scotland’s pharmacy scheme ‘the model for England’ may reduce shortages problems

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TORY OIL AND GAS PROMISES IN ABERDEEN SOUTH: EMPTY RHETORIC FROM A PARTY OF WASTE

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By JimMennie As Aberdeen South goes to the polls today, Tories are still attempting to pitch themselves as the saviours of North Sea jobs. Their candidate and national figures claim they alone will “get Britain drilling” and reverse decline. The reality is starker. The long-term drop in oil and gas employment has been driven primarily by global markets, a maturing North Sea basin with smaller, costlier fields, and the inevitable energy transition — factors no Westminster government fully controls. Their own record of squandering billions in public money makes these promises ring hollow for voters who have lived through the … Continue reading TORY OIL AND GAS PROMISES IN ABERDEEN SOUTH: EMPTY RHETORIC FROM A PARTY OF WASTE

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UK Labour deny England’s under-22’s the ‘transformative benefit’ of Scotland’s free bus scheme as it hits more than 300 million journeys

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From Transport Scotland yesterday, the above and: Children and young people in Scotland have now made over 300 million free bus journeys since the Scottish Government introduced free travel for under-22s. Since January 2022, the scheme continues to transform how young people are traveling by bus, saving people money, supporting greener travel, and boosting the economy by opening up access to education, jobs, and leisure. Over 80% of eligible young people have access to the scheme through a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card. Source: https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/over-300-million-free-bus-trips-made-by-young-people-across-scotland/ What’s happening in England, Sir Keir? Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to … Continue reading UK Labour deny England’s under-22’s the ‘transformative benefit’ of Scotland’s free bus scheme as it hits more than 300 million journeys

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Calls for a public inquiry as Scottish Labour spend 60% more for Anas to lose the seat than the SNP did for Zen to win it

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In the Herald today, clearly now giving up entirely on Anas: Labour ploughed thousands into Anas Sarwar’s doomed bid to win a constituency seat, according to receipts filed with the Returning Officer in Glasgow. Despite the cash boost, the party leader still lost heavily to the SNP’s Zen Ghani. and: So, £3.36 is £1.25 more than £2.11, 59.24%. We need a public inquiry into Scottish Labour embezzling their members in this way. Continue reading Calls for a public inquiry as Scottish Labour spend 60% more for Anas to lose the seat than the SNP did for Zen to win it

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After two decades of SNP Government far fewer per head young Scots are not in employment, education or training (Neets)

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BBC Breakfast today had the above headline story of 1 012 000 16 to 24 year-olds not in employment, education and training. All things being equal, with 8% of the population, you’d expect the figure in Scotland to be around 81 000. Scotland does not publish a single official NEET figure for the full 16–24 age group using the same definition as the UK-wide Labour Force Survey (LFS). Instead, it focuses on a more comprehensive Annual Participation Measure (APM) for ages 16–19 and the figure for that is around 9 000. https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/2y3ex4it/2025-annual-participation-measure-statistics.pdf On the basis of the above, the Scottish … Continue reading After two decades of SNP Government far fewer per head young Scots are not in employment, education or training (Neets)

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On by-election day BBC Scotland ask Scottish Government to comment on a survey of Scottish radiology heads’ opinions despite hard evidence of diagnostic waits plummeting and to far below those in NHS England

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for patients across Scotland, according to the Royal College of Radiologists. 60% of cancer centre and radiology department leaders who responded to their report said that staff shortages are causing patients’ conditions to worsen. The president of the Royal College said the findings should be causing alarm bells. The above story is another direct feed to Reporting Scotland, not being covered in greater detail elsewhere, not even on the BBC Scotland website. The Health Secretary is contacted and expected to respond to what is a partial, self-selecting, survey of opinion and not actual performance statistics. Here are some facts: 1. … Continue reading On by-election day BBC Scotland ask Scottish Government to comment on a survey of Scottish radiology heads’ opinions despite hard evidence of diagnostic waits plummeting and to far below those in NHS England

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Survey reveals nearly three times more Scots trust the SNP Government than trust Westminster and more than 80% support SNP’s progressive taxation policies

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From the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2025: Core module published today: In 2025, 46% of people trusted the Scottish Government to work in Scotland’s best interests, in line with the 47% reported in 2023. Over the last ten years this has declined from 72% in 2015. Trust in the UK Government to act in Scotland’s best long-term interest remains lower than this at 18%, in line with 21% in 2023. Is 18% ‘in line’ with 21%? 54% of respondents said that the Scottish Parliament gives Scotland a stronger voice in the UK (7% a weaker voice, 37% making no difference). 49% reported that the … Continue reading Survey reveals nearly three times more Scots trust the SNP Government than trust Westminster and more than 80% support SNP’s progressive taxation policies

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Scotland’s road deaths plummet by 16% in one year and 55% in the SNP era

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From Transport Scotland yesterday: Provisional road casualty figures released today by Transport Scotland show a decrease in road fatalities between 2024 and 2025, and a reduction in overall casualties over the same period. In 2025 there were 134 road fatalities, a decrease [16.25%] of 26 from 160 in 2024. There were 1,906 serious casualties in 2025, a reduction of 4% from the 1,978 recorded in 2024. Slight casualties decreased by 3% (from 3,594 to 3,495), meaning that total casualties also reduced by 3% (from 5,732 to 5,535). Road casualties were higher than in 2020 and 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions led … Continue reading Scotland’s road deaths plummet by 16% in one year and 55% in the SNP era

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Scotland has 33% more specialist learning-disability nurses

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In the Guardian today: The specialist learning-disability nurse workforce is in “absolute crisis” with the number of specialist nurses falling by a third across the UK since 2009, leaving many vulnerable adults with inadequate care, according to a report by the largest nursing union. The Royal College of Nursing review revealed that the number of learning-disability nurses employed by the NHS has fallen from 7,083 in 2009 to 4,768 in 2026.1 All things being equally bad in Scotland, you’d expect there would be around 480, one tenth, but there are 633, around 33% more.2 I feel sure that there are not enough … Continue reading Scotland has 33% more specialist learning-disability nurses

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Milking blood to keep from running out – ‘The teen knife death massacre’ – Does the Daily Record actually have a ‘new low’ as violence, stabbing and murder by ‘our kids’ (only) plummet

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The Daily Record, today and on May 8th 2026, sickeningly milking and distorting Scotland’s supposed youth murder by knife problem. Why do I say ‘supposed?’ Details at: Continue reading Milking blood to keep from running out – ‘The teen knife death massacre’ – Does the Daily Record actually have a ‘new low’ as violence, stabbing and murder by ‘our kids’ (only) plummet