Category: Uncategorized

3 Comments

More than one year later Great British Energy has recruited 13 of the 10 000 employees planned by 2030

johnrobertson834

Thanks to rtpscott for this From Business Green today: Publicly-owned clean energy investor and developer confirms first major solar-thermal investment will create up to 140 jobs. Great British Energy has today announced £7.5m investment in Crawley-headquartered tech firm Naked Energy to fund a new UK manufacturing facility and create up to 140 jobs. https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4534032/great-british-energy-invests-75m-naked-energy The Great British Energy Act 2025 received royal assent on 15 May 2025.  According to Great British Energy’s first Strategic Plan (published around December 2025), its investments and funded projects aim to directly support at least 10,000 jobs by 2030. This focuses on areas historically dependent on oil … Continue reading More than one year later Great British Energy has recruited 13 of the 10 000 employees planned by 2030

3 Comments

In England 0% of estuaries and coastal waters score ‘high’ for ecological condition compared to 100% in Scotland

johnrobertson834

From BBC Climate today, the above and: England’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters remain in a challenging state with only around one in seven classed as being in good ecological condition, according to the first comprehensive assessment of their health in six years. Data from the Environment Agency shows that while 15% of rivers are classed as good, fewer than 7% of lakes reached that level. No single waterway passed a separate test for chemical pollution. Despite a record £22bn earmarked for water company environmental improvements by 2030, the overall picture has changed little since 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6d0y5e3mjo Scotland’s rivers, lakes … Continue reading In England 0% of estuaries and coastal waters score ‘high’ for ecological condition compared to 100% in Scotland

1 Comment

Giving greater weight in public contract awards to tackle youth unemployment crisis in UK – Labour Government copies Scotland but only after 12 years!

johnrobertson834

From Catch22 yesterday, the above and: Catch22 has long recommended that government should invest more, without additional costs, into tackling youth unemployment through revising the social value model applied when it buys goods and services. We therefore welcome today’s Cabinet Office announcement of new measures for using public procurement to create jobs and address skills development. The new measures will mean that, when awarding contracts, the government will give more weighting to how its potential suppliers will generate additional social value outcomes for local growth, tackling skills shortages, and apprenticeships and work placements opportunities. We are particularly pleased that this new … Continue reading Giving greater weight in public contract awards to tackle youth unemployment crisis in UK – Labour Government copies Scotland but only after 12 years!

8 Comments

‘The Multiplier Effect’ – Stunning US study in 2025 made clear the enormous wider benefits of building the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa ferries on the Clyde and points confidently to a future there

johnrobertson834

From the Washington State, USA, based Lynwood Times 28 May 2025 A new independent study by Pennsylvania-based Martin Associates confirms the economic value of building the new Washington State Ferries hybrid fleet in-state, showing that each ferry constructed in the state would generate 1,298 jobs and $31.9 million in state and local taxes. Washington State Ferries, which operates the largest ferry system in the nation, solicited bids this spring to build five new hybrid ferries over a six- to eight-year period with a budget of $1.3 billion. The new hybrid electric ferries have 160-car capacity to support growing rider demand and reduce … Continue reading ‘The Multiplier Effect’ – Stunning US study in 2025 made clear the enormous wider benefits of building the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa ferries on the Clyde and points confidently to a future there

1 Comment

For the West Coast of Scotland’s island routes, mono hull ferries are still generally better suited due to their stability in rough seas, higher capacity for passengers and freight

johnrobertson834

I fully support Liberation Scotland‘s UN mission to have Scotland recognised as a colony. Who ever thought it wasn’t? However, their other agenda to abuse the SNP and everything it has achieved in government, is risible and divisive. Here’s the latest – bloody catamarans again! By no measure, based on evidence globally, is Scotland’s ferry system failing. It’s the best in the World. https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/03/06/tory-mp-with-worst-local-ferry-service-in-the-uk-feeds-labour-opportunity-to-lie-about-best-ferry-service-in-the-uk/ https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/12/23/calmac-youngest-ferries-best-funding-and-most-staff/ Simlarly, catamarans are not the answer. Here’s the answer: Throughout much of 2024, the Herald worked with opposition politicians in a campaign aimed at undermining CalMac and, by association, the SNP’s competence in government. We, at TuS found several … Continue reading For the West Coast of Scotland’s island routes, mono hull ferries are still generally better suited due to their stability in rough seas, higher capacity for passengers and freight

2 Comments

In the time wealthy Washington State waits for just one new ferry, Scotland builds TEN despite having only one third of the economy

johnrobertson834

Washington State Ferries operating in an island archipelago around Seattle, Washington State USA, has not received a new ferry since 2015, 11 years ago. Today, according to Kiro Seattle: After years of ferry delays and an aging fleet, Washington is taking a major step toward restoring service. Governor Bob Ferguson announced construction is underway on the state’s first new ferry in 11 years, stating a third hybrid-electric vessel has now been added to the order. And the new ferries can’t come soon enough for Washington. The state lost four ferries between 2015 and 2025, shrinking its fleet from 25 ferries … Continue reading In the time wealthy Washington State waits for just one new ferry, Scotland builds TEN despite having only one third of the economy

6 Comments

More than 400 000 apprenticeships funded by Scottish Government since 2008

johnrobertson834

A bit tired at end of day, I’ve just reposted this comment and must leave you to use the link at the bottom to see the sources. Thanks, John By Legerwood Apprenticeships in Scotland. Since the formation of the national skills agency in 2008, more than 400,000 apprenticeship jobs have been supported and funded by the Scottish Government. [1, 2] Annual funding targets support tens of thousands of participants across three main pathways: Modern Apprenticeships: Aimed at those over 16, with around 25,000 to 25,500 new starts funded annually. Foundation Apprenticeships: Designed for school pupils, providing around 2,500 to 5,000 starts per year. Graduate Apprenticeships: Allowing … Continue reading More than 400 000 apprenticeships funded by Scottish Government since 2008

1 Comment

‘Vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics’ but England has lost 45% of its health visitors

johnrobertson834

By stewartb To follow up on the vaccination topic, the BBC News article also has this: ‘… all of the public health experts who spoke to the BBC said that whilst anti-vax social media sentiment plays its part, they don’t think it’s the main reason immunisation rates have slipped. Instead, they point to something more mundane: they think that parents of young children simply have fewer face-to-face contacts with medical professionals than they did 10 or 15 years ago.’ (my emphasis) From one researcher: ‘vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics, who can remind them to get their … Continue reading ‘Vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics’ but England has lost 45% of its health visitors

5 Comments

Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’

johnrobertson834

By Liz S Talking of healthcare I saw this online from Rupert Lowe in a post on ‘X’ dated 5 August: “Under a Restore Britain Government, private healthcare costs will become tax-deductible. Care will be come far more affordable for millions of Brits. Our plans will hugely ease pressure on the NHS, and save you thousands of pounds. Private healthcare is not our enemy”. “Care will be come far more affordable” ? More affordable than now , via the NHS , which is FREE AT THE POINT OF DELIVERY ? “For millions of Brits” ? How many million ? What level of service will those “millions” get via private healthcare, that … Continue reading Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’