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Total meltdown as new Scilly Islands ferry service launch is delayed for second time

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From Cornwall News today: Another delay for new Isles of Scilly ferry service launch as boss quits. It looks like a total meltdown as it’s the second time the start up of the new company’s new crossings have been postponed within only a few hours. A planned new ferry service to the Isles of Scilly has hit choppy waters as its boss quit and it has now postponed its launch by over a week. The first Scilly Ferries crossing from Penzance was due to take place on Monday (July 22) but, as reported by CornwallLive was earlier today postponed to the … Continue reading Total meltdown as new Scilly Islands ferry service launch is delayed for second time

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Do statements by leading Labour politicians in Scotland require Talking down Wales?

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By stewartb The Herald had this headline on 19 July 2024: ‘Scots ‘failed’ by a lack of planning for a pandemic by SNP or Tories.’ Within the article there is this: See https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-herald-1130/20240719/281672555180089 . Before commenting further, note the sleekit attempt at casting doubt on ‘transparency’ and ‘honesty’. It’s as if Wales was NOT also judged to be just as ill-prepared by the Covid-19 Inquiry: it’s as if the Labour spokesperson in Scotland has erased the fact of her party being in government in Wales throughout the period of devolution; it’s as if Labour in Scotland really do hold firm … Continue reading Do statements by leading Labour politicians in Scotland require Talking down Wales?

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418 ‘unnatural, unexpected deaths’ but Wes Streeting has no worries

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The day after the Health Service Journal (HSJ) shockingly reports, Review finds 418 ‘unnatural, unexpected deaths’ linked to troubled trust, BBC Norfolk, above, have no interest. In an extended report, the HSJ does not mention any politician, far less the Health Secretary. Only the Trust is blamed. BBC Health, equally show no interest. Imagine this was in Scotland with even just one, not 418 deaths? or no deaths at all, just a delay? or this? or this? Continue reading 418 ‘unnatural, unexpected deaths’ but Wes Streeting has no worries

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Knowing the neighbour  – insights from high profile English patriots

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By stewartb The profile of English patriotism has been heightened by two notable endorsements recently. Many may recall the open letter – to ‘Dear England’ – written by the England men’s football team manager, Gareth Southgate before the European Championship in 2021. This gained such a status that in advance of the England team’s appearance in the recent final of the same competition, the flagship BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ programme had the letter read out to the ‘nation’ once again. The full text of the letter can be found here: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/dear-england-gareth-southgate-euros-soccer The other high profile statement on English patriotism came … Continue reading Knowing the neighbour  – insights from high profile English patriots

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Understanding ‘patriotism’  – insights from the Labour Party

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By stewartb – a long read In early July this year and following elections to the European Parliament, we learned of the formation of a new alliance of far-right MEPs. The group chose for its name ‘Patriots for Europe’. (See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9vre72wpdo) ‘Patriotism’ has become a much favoured characteristic recently. In April this year, Keir Starmer (20 April 2024) wrote a piece for The Telegraph – long known as the Conservatives’ de facto house journal – below the headline: ‘Labour is now the true party of English patriotism’. Are we all ‘patriots’ now? It’s notable how much attention Labour Party-supporting organisations … Continue reading Understanding ‘patriotism’  – insights from the Labour Party

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England’s national debt is 885 times Scotland’s borrowing limit

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The Herald today reports: UK public sector borrowing came in higher than expected in June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Borrowing was £14.5 billion in June, £3.2 billion less than June last year, but well above the £11.6 billion forecast by the Government’s spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Scotland can borrow a bit, contrary to some claims. From the Ferret: Under the fiscal framework, Scotland’s borrowing powers are limited. However, they do have some ability to borrow within the fiscal rules.  The Scottish Government is able to borrow for both resource and capital spending, but does not … Continue reading England’s national debt is 885 times Scotland’s borrowing limit

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BBC Good Mourning Scotland reports ‘high’ cost of full child care in Scotland as costs in England soar well above it

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Many thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. BBC Radio Good Mourning Scotland this morning, about the allegedly high cost of full nursery care in Scotland, put it at £167 per week. As ever no context such as the Guardian report today: Parents can expect to spend more than £1,000 per child for care over the school summer holidays, according to research. A survey by the children’s charity Coram found that British families will be paying, on average, £1,049 for summer childcare for children aged from four to 14 – £635 more than they would pay for six weeks … Continue reading BBC Good Mourning Scotland reports ‘high’ cost of full child care in Scotland as costs in England soar well above it

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Wheesht –  don’t report this! Proportion of IVF cycles funded by NHS:  Scotland (53%), Wales (34%), England (24%)

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By stewartb The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos, has just (July 18) published this report: ‘Fertility treatment 2022: preliminary trends and figures – preliminary UK statistics for IVF and DI treatment, storage, and donation.’ (https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publications/research-and-data/fertility-treatment-2022-preliminary-trends-and-figures/ ) The findings were the subject of a BBC Radio 4 Today programme item and they are covered in an article on the BBC News website under the headline ‘Fall in proportion of IVF cycles funded by NHS’. Both the Today programme and the BBC News website focus on the UK statistics … Continue reading Wheesht –  don’t report this! Proportion of IVF cycles funded by NHS:  Scotland (53%), Wales (34%), England (24%)

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Pandemic management in the 4 nations – only Scotland’s is weaponized by BBC

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Thanks to Brenda Robb for alerting me to this. In Scotland, where pandemic strategy was only devolved to the Scottish Government on 31 March 2020, two months after the WHO alert followed by weeks of neglect by Boris Johnson, BBC Scotland make it the headline story in an effort to harm their reputation with misinformation. BBC England? Not relevant it seems. Wales? Minor interest? Northern Ireland? The official report has much to say about the three devolved governments and the UK government but only BBC Scotland weaponize it. Not in the report, this after more than a year of varying … Continue reading Pandemic management in the 4 nations – only Scotland’s is weaponized by BBC

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Second independent fact checker (not TuS) confirms NHS Scotland has far shorter A&E and cancer waiting times and better GP access

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I’ve been comparing the performance of the NHS in Scotland, England and Wales for years now to illustrate the superior performance across many targets, of the former. From FULLFACT on 15 July 2024, corroboration of some of the above but reservations about the comparability of some where data collection methods differ. I agree with that reservation and often point to such but where the gaps are large, perhaps that matters less and, in terms of media coverage, the MSM will gaily compare the incomparable in, say, drug deaths. So, first on cancer care, this: Between October and December 2023, Scotland … Continue reading Second independent fact checker (not TuS) confirms NHS Scotland has far shorter A&E and cancer waiting times and better GP access