Scotland is less reliant on high-carbon employment
From the UK 2070 Commission, an independent inquiry into the deep–rooted spatial inequalities within the United Kingdom. Click to access UK2070-FINAL-REPORT.pdf Without having explored this further, it looks optimistic but Reporting Scotland? ‘ Continue reading Scotland is less reliant on high-carbon employment
Fine performance by Scottish Government!
Ludo Thierry Further evidence of SNP Scottish Government good governance illustrated in the high (and rising – over a 3 year period) level of successful collection of Court Fines. Link and snippet from Scottish Legal site below: https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/fines-collection-rates-rise-as-offenders-forced-to-pay-up The value of fines and penalties collected in the last three years has risen in all categories, reflecting consistently strong collection rates, the new Quarterly Fines Report from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service reveals. The 43rd Quarterly Fines Report shows that the value of Sheriff Court fines imposed during the three-year period between 2016/17 and 2019/20, and now either paid or … Continue reading Fine performance by Scottish Government!
Oxford Professor: ‘More babies died at a higher rate in England. They didn’t in Scotland’. BBC Scotland…?
Link sent to me by reader Scott: Tonight on BBC 4’s Beyond 100 days: ‘Infant mortality began to rise after 2015. More babies died at a higher rate each year in England. They didn’t in Scotland. And in Scotland they actually decided to spend more on infants and babies and there they have reduced the infant mortality rate.’ The presenters’ faces a second after he said that: They didn’t have a follow-up question on the Scottish situation but went quickly on to talk about how their US viewers might think about this. Dorling then referred to the lower life expectancy … Continue reading Oxford Professor: ‘More babies died at a higher rate in England. They didn’t in Scotland’. BBC Scotland…?
95% target for drug treatment is hit
Legerwood The quarterly trend for Scotland as a whole since data collection began shows little change in performance. Of the 11,229 people who started their first treatment in the most recent quarter, 95.0% waited three weeks or less. For the 5,894 people seeking alcohol treatment, 94.9% waited three weeks or less. For the 5,335 people seeking drug treatment, 95.0% waited three weeks or less. 11 out of the 14 NHS Boards met the standard. NHS Boards that did not meet the standard were NHS Highland, NHS Lothian, and NHS Shetland. In prisons, 1006 people started their first drug or alcohol … Continue reading 95% target for drug treatment is hit
BBC Complaints take nearly 3 months on Andrew Neil lie because they have ‘recently been receiving unprecedented volumes of complaints’
On the 4th December, 2019, I wrote: ‘Neil said: ‘Children are dying in a new Glasgow hospital BECAUSE the water’s contaminated perhaps by pigeon droppings.’ Children ARE dying in Glasgow hospitals, but NONE have had their deaths caused by water-born infections. They have died sadly BECAUSE OF prematurity, cancer and other conditions. No competent medic has claimed otherwise.’ This appalling lie will no doubt have triggered more than a few complaints at the time. After several apologies for the delay [two weeks is their own target], they wrote: ‘Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting back to … Continue reading BBC Complaints take nearly 3 months on Andrew Neil lie because they have ‘recently been receiving unprecedented volumes of complaints’
What ‘devolved’ Scotland is already achieving in reducing drug problems
Ludo Thierry This is what ‘devolved’ Scotland is already achieving by ‘smart’ application of our existing powers – Imagine how ‘smart’ application of the full ‘Independent’ panoply of drug policy might achieve (as per Portugal). Where we sit right now – I suppose our best application of effort is to ‘shame’ Westminster into passing drug policy to Holyrood – If they refuse – then finding ways to make that a decision with heavy political costs for Westminster. Link and snippet below: https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/justice-gets-smart-as-drug-prosecutions-fall Drugs prosecutions in Scotland have plummeted following a change in policy. Figures show that cases have halved in … Continue reading What ‘devolved’ Scotland is already achieving in reducing drug problems
Is this real research or just a commercial activity?
In the Herald this morning: ‘SCOTTISH children are no longer the best at reading across the UK and Ireland – after being knocked off the top spot in a “stinging blow” to education leaders. The largest literacy study ever conducted in the UK, written by Professor Keith Topping from the University of Dundee, has revealed that Scottish pupils are now joint second in terms of their level of reading comprehension – on a par with England and behind Northern Ireland.’ https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18264090.scottish-pupils-no-longer-best-uk-reading-comprehension/ I can find no sign of ‘proper’ peer-reviewed research, published in a credible journal, but only this press release on the … Continue reading Is this real research or just a commercial activity?
Memo from the editor
Some like it hot! I really do but I’m getting worried about whether I can cope with the flow. We’re getting more than 5 000 views per day. More contributors are posting useful stuff as comments below or emailing me at one or more addresses. I’m bound to miss something. I’m bound to hurt someone’s feelings. SO: Please send reminders to talkingupreminders@gmail.com if you’ve posted something biggish and serious with links to evidence. IF you’ve posted something and you’re too modest to claim it should be a new post for max attention you might have to accept the odd bit … Continue reading Memo from the editor
If current UK drug policy is sufficient why this variability across England?
stewartb I note that with the drugs conferences in Glasgow this week various media organisations are again reporting on the drug death statistics in Scotland. These are indeed very concerning; they do seem to have an explanation (but I’m no expert); and it is the subject of action by the SG, its agencies, third sector bodies etc. [ For action already underway see: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/02/26/nhs-greater-glasgow-clyde-taking-steps-now-to-reduce-drug-deaths/%5D Although the figures for Scotland on drugs deaths are appalling and worse that those in England (although calculated a bit differently,) it is notable that even within England alone the actual figures are strikingly different across … Continue reading If current UK drug policy is sufficient why this variability across England?
Will BBC Scotland be able to stay interested and focused as Glasgow health board begins action against contractor?
Story sent to us by Brian McGowan: ‘NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has served a summons on Multiplex, Capita Property and Infrastructure Ltd and Currie and Brown UK Limited for losses and damages incurred due to a number of technical issues within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children.’ Click to access 2020-01-22-qeuh-finalised-summons.pdf BBC Scotland have covered this story but have peppered their report with reminders of the ill-informed attacks they made on the board and, of course on both the Health Secretary and the First Minister. As expected, they have also taken the opportunity to … Continue reading Will BBC Scotland be able to stay interested and focused as Glasgow health board begins action against contractor?
