From BBC England today: Whistleblowers at one of England’s worst performing hospital trusts have said a climate of fear among staff is putting patients at risk. Former and current clinicians at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust allege they were punished by management for raising safety concerns, a BBC Newsnight investigation found. One insider said the trust was “a bit like the mafia”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-63827648 In an extended report, there is no mention of the English Health Secretary and no opposition politician accuses him of anything. In a far less dramatic story of bullying in NHS Highland, in 2019, BBC Scotland … Continue reading Demonising SNP leaders: Only in Scotland is NHS bullying blamed on government

In the Guardian today: Ofwat is refusing to limit the soaring debts run up by water companies as research reveals the firms have outstanding borrowing of almost £54bn accrued since privatisation. Customers are paying on average £80 or 20% of their water bill towards servicing debt and rewarding shareholders, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/01/water-companies-debts-since-privatisation-ofwat-refuses-impose-limits What’s the situation in Scotland? In February 2022: Scotland’s Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said “Our average water charges remain lower than the average in other parts of the UK. In 2021-22 the average charge in Scotland is £375, compared to £408 in England … Continue reading SNP Government holds water bill levels as they soar in England due to debt incurred to reward managers and shareholders

Neil Mackay thrives on the scare story. From apparently surging sectarianism to increasing homophobia, his reports don’t survive a collision with the evidence. Today, Father Ted-like, we’re all racists it seems. The evidence? In May this year, I could write: There were 3 285 charges relating to race reported in Scotland in 2020/21 and I’m sure many more incidents not reported. There is racism in Scotland, I’m ashamed to say. There is probably some institutional racism in, for example, parts of the police force but none of that makes Scotland an essentially racist country. A ‘racist country’ surely is one … Continue reading Scotland can be racist but is 32% less so than it was and far less so than it is elsewhere

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_on_Scottish_independence For some reason, Wikipedia has not listed the Channel 4 poll on November 23rd with a massive 18 point lead. Take out the don’t knows/cares and it was 60% for YES. Continue reading Three in a row for Yes

As more than 10 000 ambulance workers vote to strike in England and Wales, there are concerns about the consequences: Ambulance response times will be “incredibly stretched” when thousands of 999 call handlers, paramedics and other staff go on strike, an NHS leader has said. Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said NHS trusts would do all they could to mitigate risks to patients but the health service was already experiencing a challenging time. Unison announced on Tuesday that thousands of 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services in the North East, … Continue reading Scottish Health Secretary’s efforts have saved lives as 10 000 ambulance staff in England and Wales only vote to strike

In the Guardian today: Foreign investment firms, private equity, pension funds and businesses lodged in tax havens own more than 70% of the water industry in England, according to research by the Guardian. The complex web of ownership is revealed as the public and some politicians increasingly call for the industry to be held to account for sewage dumping, leaks and water shortages. Six water companies are under investigation for potentially illegal activities as pressure grows on the industry to put more money into replacing and restoring crumbling infrastructure to protect both the environment and public health. More than three … Continue reading SNP Government keeps 90% of UK water supply in the UK as Tories let the other 10% leak into foreign ownership

South Ayrshire Council has a Conservative minority administration, enabled by independents and by Scottish Labour, presumably on orders from Sarwar, sitting on their hands to keep the largest party, the SNP, out. The town has an SNP MSP and MP but the council works hard to suggest that the List (not really elected) MSP, wife of the Council leader, is the main political representative of the people of the town. At the very least this is deceitful and may actually be illegal but, for me, it’s also deeply disgusting to suggest that a Tory politician is a leading light in … Continue reading Why is Conservative-run South Ayrshire Council promoting the leader’s wife as a caring face?

Alasdair Galloway In this morning’s Herald (30/11) there is a letter from my old chum Peter A Russell (often wonder what the A is for – any suggestions beyond the obvious?) in reply to Gavin Weir’s the day before. Gavin’s letter, to save you looking it up, goes like this: Rules must be the same for all NICE of Mark Smith (“Anti-democratic Scots? You talking to me, First Minister?”, November 28) to give us his personal opinion on the constitution, but if there are “rules” then they must be the same rules for all, and 50+1 is the norm. I … Continue reading Of supermajorities and double majorities: In every referendum in the UK a majority of votes has been fine