In the last 10 polls going back to February 2026, the average SNP share has been – 36.5% In the previous 10 polls it was only 34.4 and in the previous 4 sets of 10, dating back to early February 2025 – 34.4, 33.9, 33.6 and 34.6, clearly stuck around 34 and short of a level that might win an outright majority. So, in the last ten polls, a clear sign of a significant increase to average 36.5, much closer to an overall win. Also, in the last three, a 39 and a 41, the highest share since September 2023. Continue reading SNP share in polls growing steadily as May 7th looms

The above, from What are nursing staff paid in each of the UK countries in 2026-27? in Nursing Standard was posted on 3 April 2026 and to my knowledge ignored by the media operating in Scotland. Comparison of the three reveals this one important difference – at every level, including the key entry level, nurses in Scotland are paid significantly more than their equivalents in England or Wales, Source: https://rcni.com/nursing-standard/newsroom/analysis/nhs-pay-rise-2026-27-rates-for-nursing-staff-across-uk-221881?utm_campaign=WEEKLY%20BRIEFING%2013.04.26%20-%20REG%20A%20%28ALL%20USER%20DATA%29%20LOW&utm_content=ZONE%201%20LINK%201%20NEWS%20NHS%20pay%20rise%202026-27%3A%20the%20rates%20for%20nursing%20staff%20across%20the%20UK&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra Continue reading At every level, including the key entry level, nurses in Scotland are paid significantly more than their equivalents in England or Wales

In the Guardian today: Private firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals. The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels. The £1.6bn in profits made in 2023-24 and 2024-25 would have been enough to pay for 9,178 doctors or 19,428 nurses during that time, according to the Centre for Health and the Public Interest. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/13/private-companies-nhs-services-profit-chpi-research The … Continue reading Research – NHS spending on private sector in Scotland only half that proportionally, in England

From Scotland: The Big Picture, 9 March 2026: New research from sites across the Northwoods Rewilding Network, coordinated by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, shows that rewilding has led to dramatic increases in biodiversity. On rewilded land, the amount of suitable space and habitat for birds increased more than fivefold, while the numbers of bumblebees and butterflies rose by over tenfold. Separate analysis of the network suggested these rewilded landscapes support an estimated 2.5 million pollinating insects. The findings highlight the critical role that long-term nature recovery can play in reversing biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystem resilience in Scotland. … Continue reading ‘Dramatic, 5 to 10-fold, increases in biodiversity’ in Scotland in last five years

The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald which reports locally on the Arran ferries has a strange wee piece based on a freedom of information request by an unnamed source, headed and followed with: Hundreds of CalMac Ardrossan-Arran ferry cancellations since 2020 – NEW figures released by the Scottish Government show the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry service was cancelled more than 800 times over the last five years due to mechanical faults. https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/26008574.hundreds-calmac-ardrossan-arran-ferry-cancellations-since-2020/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=354ea167-01f6-4a9e-89a8-7c62593b2364&utm_source=inyourarea.co.uk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dnl&utm_keyword=dailynewsletter&utm_content=dnl_discover_news_article_referral_small_1 but then, artlessly, they tell us, since the pandemic dip in sailings, there have been: So, first, cancelled sailings due to mechanical problems have plummeted in the last three … Continue reading Arran ferry cancellations due to mechanical faults plummet by factor of SEVEN in only three years, to only 2% and half the number due to weather