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Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Lost External Power Twice, Raising Nuclear Safety Risks – The final reason why Scotland should avoid nuclear energy – war

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From Wikipedia: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in southeastern Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world. It has been under Russian control since 2022. It was built by the Soviet Union near the city of Enerhodar, on the southern shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper river. From 1996 to 2022, it was operated by Energoatom, which operates the other three nuclear power stations in Ukraine. The plant has six VVER-1000 pressurized light water nuclear reactors (PWR), each fueled with 235U (LEU)[2] and generating 950 MWe, for a total power output of 5,700 MWe.[3] The first five were successively brought online between 1985 and 1989, and the sixth was added in 1995. In 2020, the plant generated … Continue reading Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Lost External Power Twice, Raising Nuclear Safety Risks – The final reason why Scotland should avoid nuclear energy – war

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Talking-up Scotland editor denies Sturgeon to take his job and calls for her to come out for him

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At last! Free of the reins of power and responsibility, former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has said just what we’ve been saying here at Talking-up Scotland, for so many times. How many times, is that now? So, 1 381 posts rebutting lies or revealing positive facts, just this year alone so far, around 200 a month, 6-7 a day, since 2014 and increasing our output in recent years, we’d need a younger editor than her. At 75, I’m staying in the chair. Is that enough effort, Nicola? No senior SNP figure has ever openly praised Talking-up Scotland. I understand. The … Continue reading Talking-up Scotland editor denies Sturgeon to take his job and calls for her to come out for him

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Nearly 20 years since ending Thatcher’s right-to-buy, Scotland has built nearly three times as many really affordable houses as Andy Burnham might promise for 2030

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Thanks to Derek Scott for alerting us to this. Lewis is, of course, correct in outlining an emerging housing crisis across the UK but way out on the last near 20 years. In February 2026, aspiring Labour PM, Andy Burnham had this ambition for the UK: Significantly, it is social rent, rather than affordable homes, that Burnham appears keen on building. In February of this year, speaking at the Resolution Foundation conference, he said he would like to see the government commit to building 500,000 such homes by the end of the decade (2030). https://www.bdonline.co.uk/briefing/what-would-prime-minister-burnham-look-like-for-housing-and-construction/5142820.article Blissfully unaware, the Daily Mail in April … Continue reading Nearly 20 years since ending Thatcher’s right-to-buy, Scotland has built nearly three times as many really affordable houses as Andy Burnham might promise for 2030

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Scotland has already begun to tackle wasted medicine problem

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In the Guardian today, the above and: The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in one year could fill 75 swimming pools, according to a pharmacy group. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024-25. The organisation, which analysed data from regional health bodies, also estimated that the problem costs the NHS at least £480m annually. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/08/wasted-medicine-in-england-could-fill-75-swimming-pools-a-year-pharmacy-group-says Has the Scottish Government done anything to prevent or reduce this? Yes, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland have taken multiple steps focused on preventing and reducing medicines waste, through policy guidance, medication … Continue reading Scotland has already begun to tackle wasted medicine problem

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Does Michael Marra still think Andy Burnham should ‘shut up?’

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By Liz S Daily Record 28 September 2025. “A senior Labour MSP has told wannabe party leader Andy Burnham to “shut up” amid speculation he plans to launch a bid to topple Keir Starmer” Guess who the ‘senior’ Labour MSP was? None other than one of the contenders for the Labour Branch office manager’s post i.e. Michael Marra. Embarrassing now is it not . That is , it would be embarrassing for any decent politician . However for a Labour politician , who now stands in the (supposed) ‘leadership’ contest for Labour in Scotland, it will be be no more than yet another self … Continue reading Does Michael Marra still think Andy Burnham should ‘shut up?’

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NHS England plans further cuts to mental health care for children to further widen the gap with ‘substantially’ better NHS Scotland but no media report it

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From the Guardian today, the above, and: Millions of adults and children in England face being forced to wait longer for mental health care, with more than two-thirds of NHS providers planning to cut services and half expected to axe jobs, the Guardian can reveal. With mental health services already under extraordinary pressure amid soaring demand for support, experts warned the proposed cuts – drawn up by trusts to plug holes in their finances – would also have “significant” consequences for the wider NHS, the economy and public services. Key services such as child and adolescent mental health care, talking therapies, addiction support, … Continue reading NHS England plans further cuts to mental health care for children to further widen the gap with ‘substantially’ better NHS Scotland but no media report it

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‘Destroyer Disaster’ as Royal Navy destroyer still not in service after 23 years, takes three times as long as as Scotland’s ‘Fiasco Ferries’

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HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer’s mission was to replace the aging Type 42 destroyers after lessons learned during the Falklands War. She was laid down in the BAE Systems yard on the Clyde , 28 March 2003, launched in 2006, commissioned in 2009 and entered active service in 2010 – 7 years later. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Daring_(D32) Leaving aside the 21-year delay between the Falklands war ‘lessons’ of 1982 and the laying down in 2003, those 7 years did not lead to a ship that could do what she was designed to do because, take a breath, her engines failed in warmer … Continue reading ‘Destroyer Disaster’ as Royal Navy destroyer still not in service after 23 years, takes three times as long as as Scotland’s ‘Fiasco Ferries’