For two weeks now, data from the UK Government coronavirus dashboard have had the infection rate in Scotland below that in England but higher than that in Wales and Northern Ireland. For that time, BBC Scotland, the Herald and the Scotsman have preferred the ONS estimates keeping the infection level still higher in Scotland. Now the ONS too put the infection rate in Scotland at the lowest in the UK after a surge in the other three nations. Where is the media coverage? See it? Bottom right? Highest in England? See it? Nope. Not in the public interest clearly. In … Continue reading Covid infection rate in Scotland lowest in UK

Today, we see: Glasgow centre is aimed at transforming support for women in custody. A new community custodial unit is set to open in Glasgow, which will change the way women in the justice system are supported in their reintegration back to communities. The Lilias Centre will house up to 24 women and continues Scottish Government’s vision of managing female offenders in a way that better supports their rehabilitation.   The centre marks an ambitious departure from long-standing practice by stepping away from the traditional image of prison, to focus on ‘custody in the community’. Women will be encouraged to … Continue reading Women prisoners: Scotland’s very different approach

In a dramatic poll by People Polling for GB News, with 1 158 respondents on 12 October, it was 42% for Labour and only 13% for the Cons across the UK. The sub-poll of 105 Scots over 18, is the 7th now suggesting no surge for Scottish Labour, with the SNP at 48%, Labour at 19% and the Cons at 12%. Interestingly when you take out the don’t and prefer not to says, the Labour and Con support stays exactly the same but the SNP figure goes up to 63% Source: https://peoplepolling.org/tables/202210_GBN_W41_full.pdf#subsection*.12 Sub-polls have small samples, between 1 and 200, … Continue reading 7th sub-poll has Scottish Labour stuck and SNP at 63%

The Herald’s Health Correspondent tells us: NHS Tayside had the second highest stillbirth rate in the UK during the first year of the pandemic, according to a report which found growing variations in performance between similar maternity units. The annual MBRRACE (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries) surveillance report on perinatal mortality – neonatal deaths and stillbirths combined – is the most comprehensive evaluation of trends in birth outcomes across the UK. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23045550.tayside-uks-second-highest-stillbirth-rate-2020/ She doesn’t tell us: However, it is important to note that the Vital Events figures for, say, a small area or a small sub-group of … Continue reading Tayside deaths – cherry-picking the news

The Covid 19 mortality rate in Scotland is currently 226.8 deaths per 100K, compared to 298.4 per 100K, 24% lower, than in England. What explains this gap – a better vaccine rollout, better staffed, less infected hospitals, better and more consistent government messaging leading to higher compliance? It’s a doubly remarkable achievement when you consider Scotland’s generally worse health outcomes. At the beginning of April, the gap was narrower, between 255.4 deaths per 100K in England and 210.6 deaths per 100K in Scotland, a gap of 17.5%. Why has the gap widened? I’m not too sure but abandonment of face … Continue reading Four nations Covid 19 mortality gap widens dramatically

On September 29, Scotland’s Covid 19 infection rate fell below that of the UK (essentially the same as the rate in England) and has remained lower for two weeks now. In the period when Scotland’s rate was higher, it was big news for our MSM but, in the last two weeks, they have lost interest. Lisa Summers waits, cobra-like, for the happy day when they rise above the UK level again. Continue reading Scotland’s Covid 19 infection rate below UK for two weeks now

Why is BBC news coverage so different in Scotland? – the revealing case of A&E waiting times performance By stewartb I was in two minds about writing this. After all, the release of NHS A&E waiting time statistics is a regular occurrence – weekly in Scotland, monthly in England. And don’t we know about the weekly releases from NHS Scotland – especially those alert to BBC Scotland’s news! However, 13 October sees the release of the latest A&E performance statistics for NHS England (for the month of September) and they are record breaking – for the wrong reasons! Newsworthy? I’ll … Continue reading NHS England: “Lowest reported performance since collection began”

In September, NHS England’s A&E departments saw only 56.9% of patients in 4 hours. In Barking, Havering And Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, only 31.8% were seen in 4 hours. This is third-world performance. The September monthly figure for NHS Scotland has not been published yet but, from the weekly data, it is 65% seen within 4 hours. No Scottish board fell below 55%. 65% is 14.23% better than 56.9%. 14% is a significant difference. Several someones are doing something better. Sources: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/nhs-performs-weekly-update-of-emergency-department-activity-and-waiting-time-statistics/nhs-performs-weekly-update-of-emergency-department-activity-and-waiting-time-statistics-week-ending-2-october-2022/ https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2022-23/ Continue reading NHS Scotland emergency services 14% better than NHS England

Today BBC Scotland, reports: Scotland generates record amount of renewable electricity https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63229402 They tell us how much – “7,358 gigawatt hours (GWh)” – was produced in just April, May and June 2022, but don’t tell us what percentage of total demand was met by that 3 month figure. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63229402 Back in 2020, they told us: Renewables met 97% of Scotland’s electricity demand in 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56530424 As you can see they did tell us the percentage of demand met over the whole year but didn’t mention how many GWh. For the same 2nd quarter in 2020, it was: 5 789 GWh … Continue reading Scotland meets 123% of its own demand and 32% of UK demand from renewable electricity

Back in September 2022, BBC Scotland was broadcasting on behalf of the landlords to undermine the SNP rent freeze plan. Notice the lack of inverted commas around ‘headline-grabbing ploy?’ At the time, the Guardian had a better perspective: Selling up and raising rents: how landlords are cashing in and exacerbating the cost of living crisis https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/31/britain-tenants-renters-landlords-profit So how big is the sell-up? Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, has  given evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee of the Scottish Parliament warning of the impact of proposed legislation to limit rent increases and evictions on the … Continue reading Rent freeze is not causing the accommodation problems as landlords fail to sell