Thanks once more to Frances McKie for alerting us to this In the Times yesterday, the above and these key points: The article (paywalled on The Times) critiques the Sizewell C nuclear project’s financing as a high-risk “terrible deal” for UK taxpayers and consumers, drawing on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report Under the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, consumers start paying via bill levies during construction. The government holds a 44.9% stake. Private investors are EDF 12.5%, Centrica 15%, La Caisse 20%, Amber Infrastructure 7.6% hold the majority equity. Most debt comes from government borrowing/loans, with … Continue reading House of Commons Public Accounts Committee condemns Sizewell C Nuclear project high-risk “terrible deal” for UK taxpayers and consumers in addition to breast cancer risks identified by independent researchers

From Scottish Household Survey 2025 findings: Cultural Engagement published today: In 2025, cultural engagement is high. Nine in ten respondents (90%) were culturally engaged through attendance at a cultural event or place, participation in a cultural activity, or both. This has increased from 88% in 2023. Cinema is the most commonly attended cultural event or place (53%). Reading books, poetry and graphic novels or comics for pleasure is the most common cultural activity (64%) to participate in. Libraries and museums recorded the largest increases in attendance between 2023 and 2025 (both around six percentage points), followed by live music events, … Continue reading Record 90% of Scots attend cultural events in 2025 but UK under Labour saw a fall to 85%

From Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2025 Published 29 October 2026 Scottish vessels landed 479 thousand tonnes of sea fish and shellfish in 2025. A decrease of 10 per cent compared to 2024 but an increase of nine per cent compared to 2021. Scottish vessels landed £885 million of sea fish and shellfish in 2025. Adjusted to 2025 prices, this is an increase of 16 per cent compared to 2024, and of 28 percent compared to 2021. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-sea-fisheries-statistics-2025/ Double the good news? 16% more income for 10% less product? Well done lads! Other good news: The Scottish fleet is dominated by … Continue reading Scottish vessels made £885m in 2025, up 16% even though they landed 10% fewer sea fish and shellfish – good business?

From Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report October 2026, the above and: Of particular interest: 82% of cases were aged 35 years and over. The most common age categories were 45 to 54 years (32%), followed by 35 to 44 years (26%) and 55 to 64 years (20%). Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report-october-2026/harm-indicators/suspected-drug-deaths/ From the BMJ in 2026: Scotland saw a spike in deaths related to drug use last year—with a fifth of deaths linked to a group of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Drug use deaths in Scotland rose by 11% (116 deaths) to 1133 in 2025, figures … Continue reading Suspected drug deaths plummet despite pressure of Nitazines thanks to treatment rates at 90% plus and Naloxone kit distribution

From Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly ​report, published today, the above and: Between April and June 2026, there were 1,901 drug-related hospital admissions (weekly average 146). The total number of admissions during this time was: 5% lower* than the previous quarter (2,007; weekly average 154) 16% lower* than the same period in 2024 (2,272; weekly average 175) 17% lower* than the same period in 2025 (2,286; weekly average 176) https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report-october-2026/harm-indicators/drug-related-acute-hospital-admissions/ This weekly average of 146 compares with the August 2020 peak of 280: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report/rapid-action-drug-alerts-and-response-radar-quarterly-report-january-2023/#section-5-3 Surely this trend is having an impact on pressure in Scottish hospitals. Is … Continue reading Drug-related hospital admissions fall by 50% from peak in August 2020

From Excel Tables: Housing for older people and people with disabilities Last updated 27 October 2026 In the 5 last years of the Labour Government at Holyrood (2002 to 2006) there were on average 256 houses for older people/very sheltered. In the last 5 years (2022 to 2026), under the SNP, the equivalent figure is 807, THREE times as many. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-housing-for-older-people-and-people-with-disabilities/ This housing receives significant Scottish Government support, especially capital funding for new specialist homes and direct adaptation grants to housing associations plus broader funding to councils. Direct funding last year for adaptions to existing housing was around £21 … Continue reading SNP Government builds THREE times as many houses for older people and people with disabilities as did last Labour Government in Scotland

From Housing statistics: Scottish Landlord Register data Published 27 October 2026 the above show a decline in the number of landlords but an increase in the number of properties available to rent. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-landlord-register-data/ How has this been reported in ‘out’ media? Funny that, owner associations claim they have fewer properties to let yet official figures say they have more. What could they and their media chums be up to? Continue reading Nearly 11 000 more properties to rent in private sector in last five years