Not featuring in the Scottish news anywhere, as far as I can see, BBC Health offers us this today under the headline: Scores of local pharmacies closing across England: Scotland scheme ‘more patient-focused’ Pharmacists in England look to Scotland, where a scheme called Pharmacy First includes a contract between the sector and the Scottish government setting out what services are expected, with payment for every consultation. These cover minor ailments and illnesses, some of which might once have been dealt with at GP practices. In England there is a less formal arrangement, with some consultations by pharmacists not remunerated. There is also … Continue reading BBC UK and top pharmacist praises Scottish Government as pharmacies close across England

In the Guardian, today: Scotland’s pioneering community custody units – hailed as a UK first in supporting female inmates – have been left half-empty more than six months after they were opened, the Guardian can reveal. Campaigners have been left frustrated by the costly, state-of-the-art units not being filled to capacity after opening last year as part of the Scottish Prison Service’s trauma-informed strategy for women. Responding to the occupancy figures, Katy Clark, the Scottish Labour community safety spokesperson, suggested the prison service needed to “urgently review” criteria for accessing the centres. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/08/scotland-pioneering-custody-units-for-women-left-half-empty Not in the Guardian, a likely explanation, … Continue reading Women in custody in Scotland – The actual news is that it’s falling fast and nearly 50% more common in England & Wales

In the Telegraph on 6 May: Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace gets no mention as the MoD officials are to blame. The PM? Don’t be daft! Why should they? Well, in Scotland: Propaganda clearly revealed. Continue reading Ben Wallace not accused of disgraceful incompetence in frigate fiasco scandal as 96% of steel used is ‘foreign!’

On BBC Scotland at 06:30am: Humza Yousaf has been accused of negligence after it was revealed a key pledge to recruit an additional 1 000 mental health specialists has been delayed, Ministers confirmed to Scottish Labour the key promise that every GP practice would have access to a mental health and well-being service by 2026 has not yet commenced due to difficult decision set out in November’s emergency budget review. This is another of these reports that appears on Reporting Scotland, Good Morning Scotland and on Drivetime but does not feature on the BBC Scotland website nor on the front … Continue reading Humza Yousaf accused of nothing at all by Labour in BBC Scotland deception

In the Herald today, Neil Mackay’s ‘big read’ exclusive on the breakup of the far-right group Patriotic Union (PA), leads with this claim: Today, The Herald on Sunday’s exclusive investigation carried out by our Writer At Large exposes extremists linked to the Scottish Conservatives and SNP https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23505742.uk-far-right-extremists-shattered-scottish-rebellion/ What is the evidence for these links? See this in the Herald article: Taking the second case first, a former Conservative candidate attends PA rallies – fair enough, a link. First, though, a PA member ‘works as a cameraman’ at SNP conferences and Cop26? Really? Is that all you have Neil? Is the … Continue reading Far right extremists ‘linked to the SNP?’ – Neil Mackay’s outrageous lie!

Not satisfied with 14 vans and a big tent parked on Nicola’s lawn, stealing a ‘his or hers’ leg razor, a wheelbarrow and no doubt his or hers underwear drawers to check for DNA, Police Scotland have invited or had foisted upon them the UK’s ‘FBI’. The National Crime Agency well get right into whether or not some dosh was vired from one budget head to another in the way that every other organisation has, such as themselves, has felt free to do since time began. I’m reminded of the time in 2016 when Labour-run Falkirk Council vired £1 145 … Continue reading Remember when Labour-run Falkirk Council gave £ 1 145 to Police Scotland via the Orange Order?

BBC Wales today with 5 smaller positive Royals stories. BBC Northern Ireland with only 3 positive Royals stories. BBC England with 4 positive and 2 negative Royals stories. BBC Scotland with 7 positive Royals stories including the headline report. Why is this interesting? ONLY around one-third of people in Scotland support the monarchy, by far the lowest of the nations of the United Kingdom, a new poll has found. The research, conducted for ITV News, found that Wales has the strongest support for the royals in the UK, with 56% of people backing the monarchy. But in Scotland that support … Continue reading The part which wants the Royals the least is given them the most by BBC Scotland

Seriously, I’ve been trying to stay out this for some time now but has Joanna Cherry just thanked Susan Dalgety and quoted Madeleine Albright? Sheesh, ok, Madeleine First: In that now-iconic interview, veteran journalist Lesley Stahl questioned Albright – then the US ambassador to the United Nations – on the catastrophic effect the rigorous US sanctions imposed after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait had on the Iraqi population. “We have heard that half a million [Iraqi] children have died. I mean, that is more children than died in Hiroshima,” asked Stahl, “And, you know, is the price worth it?” “I think … Continue reading Joanna Cherry – I been staying out of this but Susan Dalgety, Madeleine Albright? FFS!!

Above, the Herald early this afternoon. The estimate – 15 -20 000. Maybe Chafer was in Govan? Or in Edinburgh? Continue reading Today’s crowds: The Herald cringe by Luke Chafer