An actual 97% resident doctor vote to call off strike action is not news yet last year when they might hopefully in the future do so, it was

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Four hours ago on the Scottish Government‘s latest news site, surely followed by all political editors: Resident Doctors have voted to accept a revised pay and contract reform offer and call off strike action. The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed that its members have accepted an offer of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27 – a deal that matches one recently accepted by nurses and other health care staff. The agreement, which will see a cumulative 8.16% uplift over two years, also includes a separate package of contractual reform over … Continue reading An actual 97% resident doctor vote to call off strike action is not news yet last year when they might hopefully in the future do so, it was

First new GP walk-in service opens but is also not news for BBC Scotland

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. On STV News and in the Herald but, again, hidden by BBC Scotland: Patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment as the First Minister opens the first of a new network of walk-in services. The new services will make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals. The Scottish Government is investing £36 million into a pilot programme which will see a further 14 services established across Scotland. First Minister John Swinney will open … Continue reading First new GP walk-in service opens but is also not news for BBC Scotland

Young Phineas fogs the truth but after two decades away from London party oversight, building standards and regulations in Scotland are generally more strict or demanding than those in England in several key areas

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the Guardian today: Even multimillionaires can’t escape Britain’s cowboy builders, it seems. Last week, residents of One Hyde Park, the UK’s most expensive flats, won a £35m court case against the contractor that built their homes. The high court ordered the construction company Laing O’Rourke to fix defective pipework that was discovered to be causing problems in 2014, only three years after the luxury development was completed. At the other end of the economy, tens of thousands of families are facing damp and mould issues also caused by botched building works. A National Audit … Continue reading Young Phineas fogs the truth but after two decades away from London party oversight, building standards and regulations in Scotland are generally more strict or demanding than those in England in several key areas

Scottish Labour – Not just friends of paedophiles but by far the most actual convicted sex offenders, including 5 paedophiles, convicted since 2007

To be fair, she’s in the top position, though we’ll soon see how long she lasts there and you’ll note they’ve kept the ‘sex offender‘ bit small and the ‘paedophile‘ bit invisible. In an extended piece by Andrew Kerr, there’s complete avoidance of the word ‘paedophile‘ and absolutely no historical context of the kind we always get with the SNP. Here it is: Two Scottish Labour MSP, Anas Sarwar and Pam Duncan Glancy, both long-term friends of known paedophiles, but the problems run far deeper at Scottish Labour. Based on extensive searches [100 web pages and posts] across web sources … Continue reading Scottish Labour – Not just friends of paedophiles but by far the most actual convicted sex offenders, including 5 paedophiles, convicted since 2007

Reports of pupils carrying knives in Scottish schools fall by more than three-quarters to a level only one-twelfth of that in England & Wales

No tasteless exploitative images here. Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC London this morning: Police are continuing to question a 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, as counter terrorism officers lead an investigation into the stabbing of two boys at a school in north-west London. Officers were called to Kingsbury High School in Brent, at 12:40 GMT on Tuesday, to find a 13-year-old and and a 12-year-old had been attacked. Only three months ago, BBC Scotland had this: ‘Our kids … Continue reading Reports of pupils carrying knives in Scottish schools fall by more than three-quarters to a level only one-twelfth of that in England & Wales

95% of Scotland’s schools in good condition up from only 62% under Labour and they struggle to do anything about it in England after 19 months in government

and need refurbishing or even replacing, according to a group of MPs in a report that’s out this morning. Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. That’s the message on BBC Breakfast this morning. What’s the situation in Scotland? This but you won’t be hearing it elsewhere: By stewartb School estate statistics 2024 provides statistics for context and perspective. It follows a BBC Scotland article on the corporation’s News website on 12 October headlined: ‘Child safety fears as ‘repaired’ ceiling falls at neglected school’. Now don’t get me wrong, no one should have a piece of wood or plasterboard … Continue reading 95% of Scotland’s schools in good condition up from only 62% under Labour and they struggle to do anything about it in England after 19 months in government

A Tale of Two Queen Elisabeth hospitals – stay away from the one in Norfolk

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. From Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMR) October 2024 to September 2025 published today, we can see below, that the regularly but unfairly criticised Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, is not just as safe as any other in Scotland but is, in fact, safer than the average with a 3.7% mortality rate and 182 fewer deaths than anticipated, giving it a 0.94 hospital standardised mortality ratio. It’s also much safer than its namesake in England. This won’t be reported but you can be sure if it was different, a higher than average … Continue reading A Tale of Two Queen Elisabeth hospitals – stay away from the one in Norfolk

Research reveals Scotland’s free bus travel has positive impacts on health and mental wellbeing beyond schemes in the rest of the UK but it’s not getting media attention

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. From Why buses matter for health and reducing transport poverty, research published today: Bus use has positive impacts on health and mental wellbeing through access to services, physical activity and social inclusion. Bus passengers may be exposed to air pollution, noise and injuries but these impacts also affect other road users. Some bus users, particularly women, may experience or fear harassment on buses or at bus stops. Bus drivers may experience adverse health impacts from diesel exposure, shift work, ergonomic issues and interactions with abusive passengers. The lack of bus services to … Continue reading Research reveals Scotland’s free bus travel has positive impacts on health and mental wellbeing beyond schemes in the rest of the UK but it’s not getting media attention

Today Scottish Government commits firmly to free higher education tuition for all but not one mainstream media outlet covers this important news because…..it shines in reducing financial barriers and debt-related harms, fostering broader participation and a societal ethos of education as a right

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Times Higher Education, read only by some academics, has this below but as you can see above this important news is being hidden from the electorate: ‘We’re looking at all parts of the system – except tuition fees’ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/were-looking-all-parts-system-except-tuition-fees The THE article by Helen Packer is actually not at all supportive of the Scottish Government, foregrounding the views of critics so, even hear the SNP election campaign is being questioned. How does Scotland’s free university tuition system compare with other systems charging students thousands in fees in terms of wider societal … Continue reading Today Scottish Government commits firmly to free higher education tuition for all but not one mainstream media outlet covers this important news because…..it shines in reducing financial barriers and debt-related harms, fostering broader participation and a societal ethos of education as a right