Ludo Thierry: Thanks to TaxResearch UK blog for directing me to some interesting stats put together by the High Pay Centre. This uses EU data to identify the UK regions with below 75% of average EU GDP. Of the 7 areas identified in the UK one is located in Scotland – it is the South of Scotland region. Who has been representing this South of Scotland area in Westminster? Both Fluffy Mundell and Alistair ‘Union’ Jack draw handsome salaries for ‘representing ‘ the South of Scotland at Westminster. ‘Union’ Jack is a dyed in the wool brexiteer. Fluffy swore to … Continue reading South of Scotland Tories serve their constituents badly

More than three years ago, I wrote this. Looking back, we can see steps toward Johnson’s Tory putsch: Though BBC Scotland are sheltering them, the Scottish Tories need to reject some of their nasty English pals to avoid sharing the Nazi comparisons Image: heraldscotland.com October 10th 2016 ‘The Conservative Party’s conference has unleashed ugly and downright scary rhetoric that I was brought up to believe was to be left in the past. I am not exaggerating when I say that the policies being brought forward are reminiscent of early 1930s Nazi Germany.’ These are the words of SNP MP Mhairi Black, … Continue reading Something wicked this way comes. Run Scotland run and don’t look back!

TuS Health Correspondent: Brian McGowan From NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde yesterday: Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) has celebrated its 225th birthday with the unveiling of a commemorative mural documenting its rich history and positive impact on healthcare.The hospital has been serving the public since 1794 and today symbolises one of the busiest and best equipped healthcare facilities in the country, serving a catchment area of more than 320,000 people.BBC Scotland, obsessed with infection and dead babies, had no time for this earlier in the year: The GRI was recognised by Newsweek as one of the top 100 hospitals in the … Continue reading 225th birthday of one of best hospitals in the world and it’s in Glasgow but BBC Scotland ignore it again

Nicola Sturgeon said: “75% of Scotland’s electricity comes from renewables.” Reality Check: This is true, but only one part of the picture. Other parts of the picture are the selected facts that heating and transport use much less renewable energy and that the WWF has criticised SG policies for not ‘being enough to meet Scotland’s future climate targets.’ It’s grudging but, hey, as long as they apply the same kind of approach ot the others this might be fair. Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said: “Now as we come out of austerity with the best growth rate, one of the best … Continue reading BBC Scotland leaders fact-check with one rule for the SNP and different ones for the others

At the beginning of a report heavy with hammy acted indignation from the opposition parties, Reporting Scotland made a deliberate intervention in the election by arbitrarily choosing a fact from many that could have been chosen. To suit the agenda, it was the only one which could be used to imply a failure of some kind and then to remind the viewer/voter that it was the responsibility not of the Scottish Government but of the SNP: The number of teachers in Scotland is at a ten-year high. The number topped 52 000. That’s up nearly 300 on the last year’s … Continue reading Reporting Scotland INTERVENE in the election to blame SNP for ‘teacher reductions’ but forget to tell us that pupil-teacher ratio is 34% better than in England

Ludo Thierry Some further encouraging stats regarding Scotland’s schools (and Early Learning) released today. Good to see the SNP Scottish Govt and YES majority Scottish Parlt ignore the desperate Britnat hype and just keep focusing on shaping a School education which delivers for ALL Scotland’s young people. It’s called Doing The Day Job – and doing it rather well. Link and snippets below: https://news.gov.scot/news/teacher-numbers-rise Primary school teacher numbers are at their highest level since 1980 and total teacher numbers have risen by 288, new statistics have shown. The overall number of teachers rose to 52,247, an increase of 1,530 since … Continue reading Talking-up Scotland’s Schools

In week-ending 1st December, 81.2% of attendances at NHS Scotland A&E services were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/2019-12-10/Summary-Weekly/index.asp In NHS England the figure was 67.89% https://inews.co.uk/news/health/nhs-england-covering-up-true-scale-of-12-hour-hospital-waits-1335856 These are RCEM figures released to the media. NHS England has not yet openly published data for November, never mind December. The Scottish figure 81.2% is thus 19.6% better than 67.89%. The gap may be even greater as NHS England restart the clock once the patient has been admitted whereas NHS Scotland count from arrival in A&E. https://inews.co.uk/news/health/nhs-england-covering-up-true-scale-of-12-hour-hospital-waits-1335856 Continue reading NHS Scotland A&E at least 20% better than NHS England

Scotland has more small businesses than at any time in the last ten years and the number is growing with 396 today compared to 357 in 2010, a 10.9% increase under SNP administration. https://www.fsb.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/figures-released-ahead-of-small-business-saturday-show-more-scottish-firms-per-capita Might the Small Business Bonus Scheme since 2008 have helped? Thanks to a pariamentary question yesterday, we can put some figures on the debate: The total overall savings to businesses as a result of the Small Business Bonus Scheme covering the period 2008-09 – 2018-19 are £1.79 billion. The estimated savings for 2019-20 will add a further £272 million. 120,420 properties received Small Business Bonus Scheme … Continue reading Why Scotland has 11% more small businesses?

Rennie and Cole-Hamilton being ‘goosed’ while campaigning hard. Rennie’s well-known irresistible appeal to sheeple? In a response to a FOISA request last week, we heard: http://www.sps.gov.uk/FreedomofInformation/FOI-6784.aspx We know from sources that most FOISA requests to the Scottish Prison Service come from the Lib Dems, as they seek muck that they can spread in the Reporting Scotland studios, so we can be fairly sure that they are behind this attempt to undermine the therapetic service based on dogs. Dogs as any owner will know, can detect a bad yin straight-off. Continue reading Are Zoophobic Scottish Lib Dems trying to undermine prison therapetic regimes?

https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2019/11/12/trainee-radiologist-numbers-in-scotland-up-75-in-only-5-years-to-meet-demand/ https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2019/12/06/norovirus-infection-rates-have-soared-across-the-uk-except-in-scotland-so-first-minister-why-have-you-not-been-able-to-increase-norovirus-infection-levels-after-12-years-in-power/ Note: The above was read by 5 401! Our biggest hit for some time. Why? I’ve no idea. https://renews.biz/56880/ssen-submits-scots-grid-masterplan/#.Xe9Kw8zix44.twitter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50543903 Doesn’t the above deserve and bit of debate more than some of the other posts here? I’m disappointed. AND THE MOST POPULAR TWEET TOPIC: BBC Scotland! Continue reading Trainee radiologists, NoNorovirushere, free electricity, hospital car parking….today’s tweets