From the National Statistics for Scotland today: In 2022-23, 52 victims of homicide were recorded, 2% (or one victim) fewer than the 53 victims recorded in 2021-22 (Table 1). This is the lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable records began in 1976. From the Office of National Statistics for year ending March 2022 (latest release): Homicide returned to pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels, with 696 victims in the latest year; this is 130 more (a 23% increase) than the year ending March 2021 when government restrictions meant there was less social contact. From the House of Commons Library in … Continue reading ‘No mean country’ after 16 years of SNP-rule as Scotland’s murder rate continues to fall and remains significantly lower than that elsewhere in the UK

From the Seattle Times yesterday: Washington’s ferry system hit a low point over the weekend as yet another boat had to be taken out of service, leaving the fleet with just 14 working ships out of 21 owned by the state. As Monday arrived, agency officials continued their struggle to piece together workable schedules on every route, a challenge they’ll likely wrestle with through the week and beyond. There are no shortcuts to fixing the fleet. Simply, the state needs more boats. Just nine of the 21 are in good shape, although the Chimacum was built in 2017, proof that … Continue reading Anger as 7 out of 21 state-owned ferries out of service and no new builds until 2027 or later…in Washington State

Appearing only, as far as I can see, in some local newspapers and the Morning Star: The Scottish Government has confirmed that the ferry scheme for young people will be extended to all island residents under the age of 22. The scheme offers four free single (two return) ferry journeys a year to the mainland. At present it covers 16-18 year olds and eligible full time volunteers up to the age of 26. More people will be able to access ferry vouchers as a result of this change. Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Ferries are an essential part of … Continue reading Editor – When I said ‘anything about ferries is good’ I didn’t mean GOOD news about them!

By Alasdair Galloway Regular readers of the Herald Letters Page will be familiar with a letter (often from Peter Russell, but not only him) arguing one of the following That a mere 50% +1 is not good enough to change Scotland’s current constitutional arrangements If you point out it was good enough for Brexit, unless they are Brexit supporters (Russell isn’t, though is a member of a party committed to “making Brexit work”) the response will be “exactly, we need protection against making the same shambles all over again. Either way, there are a range of supermajorities extending all the … Continue reading 50+1% ‘is not good enough’ – They’re at it again folks

In the Edinburgh News today, carefully placed under the ‘YOUR VIEWS’ banner, former Jack McConnell aide, Susan Dalgety, tells this massive lie: What are these ‘reports?’ I’m confident that all of the reliable reports tell a very different story: The charitable MHA with a presence in Scotland did research into its own homes and discovered this: Large numbers of staff could have been unknowingly spreading coronavirus through care homes, according to the UK’s largest charitable care home provider. Data from MHA shows 42% of its staff members who recently tested positive were not displaying symptoms. Nearly 45% of residents who had … Continue reading Former Jack McConnell aide tells massive lie on care home deaths

Scottish Labour only really has drug deaths to use for comparisons with other parts of the UK. Health is a minefield for them so they carefully tip-toe around the facts. We’re not going to let them do that, are we? No. The facts you might need, to consider the chances of recovery: First, staffing: NHS Scotland has 181 000 staff, 1 for every 30 members of the population of 5.44 million. NHS England has 1.4 million staff, 1 for every 40 members of the population of 56 million. NHS Wales has 90 000 million staff, 1 for every 35 members … Continue reading Jackie Baillie neglects to mention Scotland’s far better NHS staffing and performance than anywhere else in UK including crisis-ridden Labour Wales

Today Anas Sarwar writes: This appears to be a deliberate act to destroy evidence. Shameful. referring to SNP leaders deleting WhatsApp messages, in line with UK Cabinet practice and prior to any instructions not to do so, in 2022. He forgets perhaps this in 2019: Labour’s general secretary deleted emails about how the party handles anti-semitism complaints, according to a BBC investigation. The Panorama probe uncovered messages Jennie Formby sent to Jeremy Corbyn, his top spin doctor Seumas Milne and chief of staff Karie Murphy. They related to her concerns about the make-up of Labour’s National Constitution Committee, which considers disciplinary matters … Continue reading Labour’s hypocrisy over deleting electronic messaging

BBC Wales once more revealing it’s adherence to journalistic standards long lost in Scotland, above, with a story full of praise for what the SNP in government in Scotland has achieved. Did they ask their colleagues in Scotland for help with compiling this evidence? Don’t be daft. Here’s BBC Scotland today with three SNP ‘crisis’ stories instead. There’s a long history of BBC Wales outclassing BBC Scotland. See: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=BBC+Wales Continue reading Could BBC Scotland cut the crap by copying BBC Wales?