My latest column in Scots Independent: Lesley Riddoch in her early April 2026 podcast said on the ferries crisis (literally) I’ve got to say personally, I’m sick of hearing people on the mainland ‘attack islanders’ for simply expecting that they can be connected. Just to remind you we all live on an island, and it would be a bit like saying Scotland’s a bit too expensive to include in UK national systems so let’s just charge them more. We wouldnae, would we?’ Who are those ‘people’ attacking islanders then? Turns out it’s me! ‘I’m probably gonna lose some friends on … Continue reading The Great Scottish Ferry Inconvenience Media War

From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: Total income from farming is the official measure of the profit (output minus costs) of the agricultural industry in Scotland. Initial estimates for 2025 predict record high total income from farming around £1.5 billion. Higher output and stable costs compared to 2024 drove a higher profit margin in 2025. Continued high commodity prices, including increases cattle, milk and potato prices drove a rise in the value of agricultural output by 8% to £5.1 billion. Total costs are estimated at around £4.1 billion. While many costs continued to fall from … Continue reading Rise in the value of agricultural output in Scotland by 8% to record high of £5.1 billion is not apprently news

From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: There were 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in 2023-24, an increase of 3% on 2022-23. In 2023-24, 38% of all incidents recorded by the police included the recording of at least one crime or offence. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-march-2026/pages/statistics-on-crime-in-general/ Note: Multiple factors lie behind the long term increase in recorded domestic abuse-related crime including for example – historical reporting, more online offending and the impact of new legislation. The latest available data from the SCJS, for 2018-20 (2018-19 & 2019-20 combined) estimated that 3.6% of … Continue reading Level of domestic abuse incidents in Scotland unchanged since 2008 but now 114 0000, 16% more common in England & Wales

From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: The clear up rate for all recorded crimes was 56.0% in 2024-25, up from 54.1% in 2023-24. Crimes against society (93.8%), non-sexual crimes of violence (68.4%) and sexual crimes (56.9%) continued to have higher clear up rates in 2024-25 than crimes of dishonesty (35.1%) and damage and reckless behaviour (31.0%). Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-march-2026/pages/statistics-on-crime-in-general/ In England & Wales? According to the Home Office’s Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2024 to 2025 bulletin the Charge/summons rate was only 6.3% for victim-based offences and 12.45 for non-victim-based offenses, overall, 7% … Continue reading Increase in crime clear up rate to 56% in Scotland far higher than in England & Wales