‘… it should be local authorities that are in the lead’ and ‘the decision making is with UK Government Ministers’! By stewartb – a long read We’ve had another assessment of actions by the Tory government in Westminster impacting adversely on Scotland. It reveals what is being done to Scotland with no democratic mandate from Scotland. The assessment is by the cross-party House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts in a report entitled ‘Local economic growth’ (published 8 June 2022). See: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/22483/documents/165800/default/ It’s worth noting that the Committee has 16 members, including just one from Scotland (the redoubtable SNP MP … Continue reading Holyrood usurped – economic development in Scotland post-BREXIT

NOTE: In the spirit of open debate, I’ve posted this. The ideas are entirely those of Alasdair. I have my own dissenting views on, for example, NATO and the Monarchy, but as a party member choose to keep them for a later date. By Alasdair Galloway Richard Murphy, as so often, is well worth a read in the National (https://www.thenational.scot/politics/20199448.snp-must-drop-disastrous-policy-currency-scottish-independence/) He concludes his most recent piece with this – “The SNP really do need to drop the idea of sterlingisation, because it would be a disaster”. I fully agree with him. In fact, I felt the “sharing the pound” argument … Continue reading Tim Rideout, Currency, Suspensions and the role of Leadership

For cancer waiting times, in the period from 1 October to 31 December 2021: There were 6,388 eligible referrals within the 31-day standard, an increase of 0.9% from the previous quarter, and 11.8% increase compared with quarter ending 31 December 2020. 97.1% of patients started treatment within the 31-day standard, compared to 97% in the previous quarter and 98.6% for quarter ending 31 December 2020. The 31-day standard was met by all boards except NHS Grampian and NHS Highland. https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-waiting-times/cancer-waiting-times-1-october-to-31-december-2021/ Radiologist staffing under the SNP. This from 2019, so needing updating: Continue reading 97.1% treated within target time due to major increase in radiologist staffing under SNP

and there aren’t enough GPs in Scotland. The BBC Scotland claim, to be repeated many times today, is not of course evaluated and, then is repeated by a GP. Maybe there is a shortage in Dumfries. Maybe its Tory politics and flood of demanding middle-class English immigrants is distorting the national picture BBC Scotland knows all too well because they published this in 2019: In 2022, I’d suggest the gap is greater. The supply in Scotland has increased: The headcount of GPs in Scotland as of September 2021 is 5,195. This is a rise of 74 GPs compared to last … Continue reading There ARE enough GP’s ‘in Scotland’

From stewartb To draw attention to an example of a carefully crafted headline – an example of BBC Scotland’s public service! The problems on Scotland’s railways caused by ASLEF’s dispute with Scotrail will affect fans attending the international match at Hampden this evening. Scotrail has issued a statement on its website which provides information and clarity over what services it can and cannot provide. Its Head of Customer Operations has said: “We’re adding extra carriages to services to help customers get to the game; however, trains are expected to be very busy, so we’d encourage people to travel to the … Continue reading BBC Scotland headline is simply untrue!

and epilepsy, face long delays for diagnosis and treatment, according to a group of health charities. The Neurological Alliance also claims there’s a crisis in mental health support. The evidence for the above comes from a UK-wide survey, promoted by the Neurological Alliance, a campaigning charity, developed to confirm what it already believes to be the case. They admit that they ‘promoted’ the survey to those they wanted to complete it. This is simply a pile of anecdotes and not reliable research findings any government agency might use to inform policy. This is a UK-wide survey with no Scottish breakdown … Continue reading A pile of anecdotes

of the Covid pandemic according to a new report. The report show the impact of caring on their own physical and mental health has topped carers’ concerns closely followed by money worries. Carers Scotland, on of the charities behind the report, says more needs to be done to support the growing numbers of unpaid carers. Right off, let me say that of course unpaid carers deserve far more support but this kind of coverage also needs a bit of context so that viewers can put the issue into a meaningful context. First, the report is based on interviews with 22 … Continue reading Scotland’s unpaid carers supported a bit better?

Last week, the Herald trumpeted thousands of beds cut in Scotland and, as today, forgot this, so a quick reminder: So, Scotland has approaching twice as many beds available for patients than England or Northern Ireland and around 15% more than Wales does. And, this ‘left waiting in A&E?’ I’ve been in an A&E bed for hours before transfer to a ward. The bed and the staff were at least as good as those in the ward. That headline kind of implies left on trolleys but there is no evidence of that in Scotland’s hospitals. There was in NHS England, … Continue reading ‘Left waiting?’ Yes, on good beds with great staff

The biggest most disruptive rail strike in a generation gets the above coverage. You won’t find a picture of the PM or the Transport Minister anywhere. The Mail even sticks to the old 70’s practice of blaming the Unions. Scotland’s biggest ‘intelligent’ newspaper used to adopt the same approach but, since the arrival of an SNP Government in Scotland, has had a very different approach: Simply, demonisation of the First Minister. Continue reading Rail strikes in England and Scotland blamed on very different targets