stewartb Of course – regardless of what the quoted Lib Dem spokesperson in Herald article might claim – special advisors are engaged in matters mostly, and usually quite different from, ‘spinning’. According to the Institute for Government commenting on SpADs in Westminster (probably the same pertains in Holyrood): ‘What do special advisers do?‘The Special Adviser Code lists the kinds of activities SpAds will undertake for ministers:* give assistance on any aspect of departmental business, and give advice (including expert advice as a specialist in a particular field)* undertake long-term policy thinking and contribute to policy planning within the department* write … Continue reading Tom Gordon’s spads are spinning!

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine research report on long waits and excess deaths, in February 2023, missed my eyes and those of all MSM reporters in Scotland it seems. Did the researchers for Lisa Summers tell her about this? I’m grateful to reader Robert for alerting us to this shocking data. From the RCEM release: Emergency care services face an unparalleled crisis. More patients than ever before are experiencing extremely long waiting times in our Emergency Departments (EDs), associated with patient harm and excess deaths. https://rcem.ac.uk/data-show-1-65-million-patients-in-england-faced-12-hour-waits-from-time-of-arrival-in-aes-in-2022/#:~:text=A%20new%20briefing%20by%20the,arrival%20in%20an%20Emergency%20Department. The RCEM has no interest in comparisons across the four nations but we … Continue reading Deaths due to 12-hour waits – Research shows Scotland’s superior A&E saved 1 500 lives in 2022!

After weeks of breathlessly warning anxious Scots that a junior doctor vote on strike action was underway, hoping for Scotland’s first health worker strike, BBC Scotland cannot conceal their joy at the 97% support for action. Further down the report, we see that only 71% voted so that’s maybe just 69% of the members in favour. Further, further down, for those still reading, we see: The union said it would begin preparations for a 72-hour walkout if the Scottish government did not put forward a credible offer. Dates for the strike have not been confirmed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65498856 What does this mean? … Continue reading BBC Scotland working hard to support Conservative Shadowy Health Spokesperson as he hopes for Scotland’s first health worker strike

From the ever pungent Tom Gordon today: £2 million eh, to be the actual political leader of a country? Alister Jack with only a fraction of the functions and responsibilities, spent £1.5 million in just two years. In 2015, David Cameron spent £10 million. During the pandemic, the UK Government spent £300 million. In wee NZ, Labour spent $300 million on spin doctors. Tom Gordon needs an adviser? Yup! Continue reading Factcheck: Sturgeon spent far less than most on spin doctors

In the summer of 2007, the SNP formed its first government. Social and affordable house building completions in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 can be attributed to the efforts of the Labour/Lib Dem Government and those of largely Labour local councils. There were 11 891. In 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, completions can be attributed to the efforts of the SNP in national and increasingly at local levels. Despite more than a decade of Tory austerity cuts to funding, there were 16 138, 36% more. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/affordable-housing-supply-programme-completions-updates/ Continue reading SNP build far more social and affordable homes

Headlining in the Herald today: Scottish ministers have been urged to follow through on a pledge to ban the burning of waste after new statistics revealed the capacity to do so has increased sevenfold since the SNP came to power. https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23501078.burning-waste-increased-seven-fold-since-snp-came-power/ Here’s a thought – why are councils incinerating more. Is it something to do with reducing landfill? “There are a number of reasons why incinerating waste is preferred by many nations around the world, including (but not limited to) the following: Energy. Some countries, such as those in Scandinavia, have poured significant resources into determining the value of waste materials as … Continue reading Rubbish – SNP massively reduces polluting landfill!

In the period 1 October to 31 December 2022 (latest figures), under SNP government, 71.7% or 3 056 of the 4 262 eligible patients were seen within the 62-day standard. In the same period in Wales, under Labour government, the figure was only 52.9%. Had NHS Scotland been overseen by Labour in the last decade or so, only 2255 would have been seen within the target, 801 fewer! Sources: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-waiting-times/cancer-waiting-times-1-october-to-31-december-2022/ https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-02-23/nhs-waiting-times-improve-in-wales-but-situation-remains-volatile Continue reading More than 800 patients would have missed Cancer treatment target times under Labour

Thanks to reader Scott for alerting us to this: Moray Council needs to take a decision on what to do with unused temporary classrooms as a matter of urgency. The cabins were bought for almost £235,000 and were to house children attending Aberlour Primary nursery to allow refurbishment of the building. But the two units will not be used for that purpose. It reveals as advanced payment of £117,430 was made for the cabins without the knowledge of the chief financial officer, breaking procedure. Also, at times auditors were unable to evidence a proper document trail for the nursery project. Refurbishment work has yet to … Continue reading Tory council hides £1 million secret deal from auditors but MI5 tell Police Scotland ‘leave it!’

Thanks to reader cuckooshoe for alerting us to this: In a weirdly titled ‘Promotional material: Dounreay 2023‘ published 3 April 2023’: Decommissioning The objective of decommissioning is to reduce and remove the radiological, chemical and industrial hazards and leave the site in a condition that is safe for future generations. Decommissioning generates a variety of radioactive, chemical and industrial wastes and these must be stored or disposed of in a way that protects future generations from harm, too. The first site-wide decommissioning plan published in 2000 envisaged a 60-year programme of work. Innovation, new technology and experience made it possible … Continue reading UK Government happy to ‘endure’ another 300 years of nuclear contamination in Scotland

Regulars have already guessed which union or unions. It’s the GMB, isn’t it? Indeed: Quickly, before we deal with the GMB, the STUC congress backed the GMB motion? Try taking that one to your members lads! First, nuclear power is far more expensive and unreliable. See: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2023/05/03/scotland-to-miss-out-on-new-wave-of-nuclear-power-waste-and-danger/ Second, the GMB is closely allied with the right-wing imperialist element in the Labour Party. Third, we know their SNP bad stuff well, here: Full text at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=GMB Continue reading The GMB – More like rooted in Starmer’s ‘Great White Britain’