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To ‘address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing’ in Scotland, might accent recognition be more useful than facial recognition

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“My advice to the Scottish Parliament continues to be that Police Scotland should have proportionate and equitable access to such technologies in the future.” He added: “This will be important in responding to the threats posed by serious and organised crime groups, for counterterrorism purposes, to address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing, and as part of a strategic policing response to the national emergency of male violence towards women and girls in Scotland. https://futurescot.com/scotlands-biometrics-commissioner-renews-call-for-legislation-to-govern-use-of-live-facial-recognition-tech/  Given the known origins of County Lines enforcers operating in Scotland – Newcastle, West Midlands, London, Liverpool, Yorkshire, I feel sure their accents … Continue reading To ‘address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing’ in Scotland, might accent recognition be more useful than facial recognition

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Healthy food – If they try to tell you it’s just the same in English schools, here’s your answer

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As Glasgow Live and BBC Scotland announce the above, they will not be telling you this: Shocking healthy school food breaches in 3 out of 4 schools in England but Scotland’s schools stick to rules after legal ruling and integrated inspections In the Guardian 24 August 2026, the above and: Three-quarters of secondary schools in England are breaking the rules on food offered to pupils by serving chips, burgers and hash browns too often – and sweets and crisps at breakfast time, according to a report. “Shocking” breaches of school food standards have been exposed on Monday, in a new analysis of the food … Continue reading Healthy food – If they try to tell you it’s just the same in English schools, here’s your answer

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When they tell you there’s no evidence for Swinney’s radical plan to merge Scotland’s health boards, here’s what to say

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On BBC Scotland, today, the above headline claim and: Leading doctors are calling on the Scottish government to withdraw its plans to drastically reduce the number of health boards. The new chairwoman of BMA Scotland, Dr Nora Murray-Cavanagh, said the proposal to cut the number from 14 to just two would be costly and time consuming – and that there was no clear evidence it would benefit patients. So, the BMA Scotland branch is a very part-time GP and union organiser heavily distracted by politics, who, with the best will in the world, will be hard-pushed to top any committed … Continue reading When they tell you there’s no evidence for Swinney’s radical plan to merge Scotland’s health boards, here’s what to say

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If they tell you there’s ‘sheer terror’ in Scotland too, here’s your answer

johnrobertson834

Across the BBC in the UK today, the above warnings but all quiet in the media operating in Scotland. So, if someone tells you it’ll be just the same in Scotland or if, as is common, they think the above covers Scotland two, tell them: First, more than ten times as many, per head, early release prisoners were being recalled in England & Wales due to half the ‘probation officer’ staffing in Scotland From the Guardian in February 2026: Record numbers of offenders are being recalled to prison in England and Wales with union officials claiming that some are deliberately breaking the terms … Continue reading If they tell you there’s ‘sheer terror’ in Scotland too, here’s your answer

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Crowdfunder thanks

johnrobertson834

Talking-up Scotland Crowdfunder September 2026 I’ll leave the crowdfunder open but, with some considerable personal relief, I won’t be pushing it in your faces again, in blog or social media posts, until next February. I’m really grateful to the 260 or so who have helped and, in particular, for the many kind, heart-warming and morale-boosting comments. I know that many of the 15 000 or so who follow are in difficult times financially. Please do not feel bad. I understand. Finally, I must thank the many other readers who chose not to support for their refreshingly sober assessment of the … Continue reading Crowdfunder thanks

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Next time you’re told the Scottish Government is failing to replace inflammable cladding here’s the evidence, six times for emphasis, why it’s not necessary in Scotland

johnrobertson834

In the National today, the above, and a report based entirely on events in England with no mention of the somewhat obvious fact that there have never been towering infernos in Scotland despite 6 tower-block fires in the years since Grenfell. What might they have mentioned? This kind of thing: In the Herald 28 April 2026, Martin Williams has: 10 buildings in Scotland have had emergency safety measures put in place after being judged an “immediate risk to human life” — yet not a single block has been declared fully repaired under the national cladding programme, nearly nine years after … Continue reading Next time you’re told the Scottish Government is failing to replace inflammable cladding here’s the evidence, six times for emphasis, why it’s not necessary in Scotland

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For 69 years, a nuclear plant ‘spewed radiation’ over nearby Preston Lancashire and over the border into Scotland but unlike in the USA no one compensated for higher rates of brain, lung, and other cancers

johnrobertson834

Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 The main points: Solstice Advanced Materials agreed to pay $80 million to settle lawsuits alleging that its Metropolis, Illinois uranium-conversion plant released radioactive material for decades, contaminating properties and contributing to cancers.⁠ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe The plant and the claims The Metropolis Works facility, built in the 1950s, is the only U.S. plant that converts milled uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), the feedstock for nuclear fuel.⁠https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe Residents, the City of Metropolis, and Massac … Continue reading For 69 years, a nuclear plant ‘spewed radiation’ over nearby Preston Lancashire and over the border into Scotland but unlike in the USA no one compensated for higher rates of brain, lung, and other cancers

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UK Labour promises a tiny 2.2% increase in tree planting in a sad effort to catch John Swinney’s 35 million tree lead

johnrobertson834

Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 In the Guardian today: Half a million trees will be planted across England in the next three years to protect against extreme weather, the environment secretary, Angela Eagle, will pledge on Wednesday morning. Mayors, local authorities, charities and grassroots groups will be given new funding and responsibilities for restoring natural landscapes such as wetlands, river edges and meadows, which can provide natural flood management and reduce the damage done by droughts. The … Continue reading UK Labour promises a tiny 2.2% increase in tree planting in a sad effort to catch John Swinney’s 35 million tree lead

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Far more Scots using pre-school childcare and far more satisfied with it

johnrobertson834

Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 From the Scottish Household Survey childcare results published two days ago: Results published today from the Scottish Household Survey 2025 show that 83% of households with a two to five year old child (not yet at school) used at least one form of childcare, similar to previous years. The most common forms of childcare used were local authority nurseries and private nurseries, used by 43% and 27% of households respectively. Around 4% … Continue reading Far more Scots using pre-school childcare and far more satisfied with it

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GB Grid ? Well if it pans out to be anything like Labour’s GB Energy, then we should not hold our breath

johnrobertson834

Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 By Liz S TuS yesterday: “Scotland heading for massive increase in renewables electricity generation in 2026 to generate 4 times more per head than England”. Burnham in his speech stated that “One of the biggest barriers to growth in the UK is the cost of energy. British businesses and billpayers pay some of the highest energy costs in Europe”. What about Scottish billpayers paying higher standing charges than the rest of … Continue reading GB Grid ? Well if it pans out to be anything like Labour’s GB Energy, then we should not hold our breath