Giving greater weight in public contract awards to tackle youth unemployment crisis in UK – Labour Government copies Scotland but only after 12 years!
From Catch22 yesterday, the above and: Catch22 has long recommended that government should invest more, without additional costs, into tackling youth unemployment through revising the social value model applied when it buys goods and services. We therefore welcome today’s Cabinet Office announcement of new measures for using public procurement to create jobs and address skills development. The new measures will mean that, when awarding contracts, the government will give more weighting to how its potential suppliers will generate additional social value outcomes for local growth, tackling skills shortages, and apprenticeships and work placements opportunities. We are particularly pleased that this new … Continue reading Giving greater weight in public contract awards to tackle youth unemployment crisis in UK – Labour Government copies Scotland but only after 12 years!
‘The Multiplier Effect’ – Stunning US study in 2025 made clear the enormous wider benefits of building the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa ferries on the Clyde and points confidently to a future there
From the Washington State, USA, based Lynwood Times 28 May 2025 A new independent study by Pennsylvania-based Martin Associates confirms the economic value of building the new Washington State Ferries hybrid fleet in-state, showing that each ferry constructed in the state would generate 1,298 jobs and $31.9 million in state and local taxes. Washington State Ferries, which operates the largest ferry system in the nation, solicited bids this spring to build five new hybrid ferries over a six- to eight-year period with a budget of $1.3 billion. The new hybrid electric ferries have 160-car capacity to support growing rider demand and reduce … Continue reading ‘The Multiplier Effect’ – Stunning US study in 2025 made clear the enormous wider benefits of building the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa ferries on the Clyde and points confidently to a future there
For the West Coast of Scotland’s island routes, mono hull ferries are still generally better suited due to their stability in rough seas, higher capacity for passengers and freight
I fully support Liberation Scotland‘s UN mission to have Scotland recognised as a colony. Who ever thought it wasn’t? However, their other agenda to abuse the SNP and everything it has achieved in government, is risible and divisive. Here’s the latest – bloody catamarans again! By no measure, based on evidence globally, is Scotland’s ferry system failing. It’s the best in the World. https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/03/06/tory-mp-with-worst-local-ferry-service-in-the-uk-feeds-labour-opportunity-to-lie-about-best-ferry-service-in-the-uk/ https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/12/23/calmac-youngest-ferries-best-funding-and-most-staff/ Simlarly, catamarans are not the answer. Here’s the answer: Throughout much of 2024, the Herald worked with opposition politicians in a campaign aimed at undermining CalMac and, by association, the SNP’s competence in government. We, at TuS found several … Continue reading For the West Coast of Scotland’s island routes, mono hull ferries are still generally better suited due to their stability in rough seas, higher capacity for passengers and freight
In the time wealthy Washington State waits for just one new ferry, Scotland builds TEN despite having only one third of the economy
Washington State Ferries operating in an island archipelago around Seattle, Washington State USA, has not received a new ferry since 2015, 11 years ago. Today, according to Kiro Seattle: After years of ferry delays and an aging fleet, Washington is taking a major step toward restoring service. Governor Bob Ferguson announced construction is underway on the state’s first new ferry in 11 years, stating a third hybrid-electric vessel has now been added to the order. And the new ferries can’t come soon enough for Washington. The state lost four ferries between 2015 and 2025, shrinking its fleet from 25 ferries … Continue reading In the time wealthy Washington State waits for just one new ferry, Scotland builds TEN despite having only one third of the economy
More than 400 000 apprenticeships funded by Scottish Government since 2008
A bit tired at end of day, I’ve just reposted this comment and must leave you to use the link at the bottom to see the sources. Thanks, John By Legerwood Apprenticeships in Scotland. Since the formation of the national skills agency in 2008, more than 400,000 apprenticeship jobs have been supported and funded by the Scottish Government. [1, 2] Annual funding targets support tens of thousands of participants across three main pathways: In total, ongoing investments of approximately £198 million support around 39,000 to 40,000+ apprentices actively in training at any given time. You can explore these statistics further on the Scottish Apprenticeships portal. … Continue reading More than 400 000 apprenticeships funded by Scottish Government since 2008
‘Vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics’ but England has lost 45% of its health visitors
By stewartb To follow up on the vaccination topic, the BBC News article also has this: ‘… all of the public health experts who spoke to the BBC said that whilst anti-vax social media sentiment plays its part, they don’t think it’s the main reason immunisation rates have slipped. Instead, they point to something more mundane: they think that parents of young children simply have fewer face-to-face contacts with medical professionals than they did 10 or 15 years ago.’ (my emphasis) From one researcher: ‘vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics, who can remind them to get their … Continue reading ‘Vaccination rates are highest when parents regularly interact with medics’ but England has lost 45% of its health visitors
Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’
By Liz S Talking of healthcare I saw this online from Rupert Lowe in a post on ‘X’ dated 5 August: “Under a Restore Britain Government, private healthcare costs will become tax-deductible. Care will be come far more affordable for millions of Brits. Our plans will hugely ease pressure on the NHS, and save you thousands of pounds. Private healthcare is not our enemy”. “Care will be come far more affordable” ? More affordable than now , via the NHS , which is FREE AT THE POINT OF DELIVERY ? “For millions of Brits” ? How many million ? What level of service will those “millions” get via private healthcare, that … Continue reading Rupert Lowe and the NHS in a badly ‘Restored Britain’
Glasgow misses Scottish Government target but still has massive, 135 times more, genuinely affordable social rent homes than Manchester
From BBC Scotland yesterday: Targets for the delivery of new affordable homes in Glasgow were missed last year, with construction hampered by rising costs. The Scottish government provided £127.75m for the city’s affordable housing supply programme but although all the money was spent, only 448 homes were recorded as complete against a target of 633. Other targets for approvals and site starts were also missed in 2025/26 for the city, which declared a housing emergency in 2023. However, a report to the council’s city administration committee said Glasgow had managed to deliver significantly more new-build affordable homes compared with other cities within … Continue reading Glasgow misses Scottish Government target but still has massive, 135 times more, genuinely affordable social rent homes than Manchester
CalMac’s future lies in restoring and growing the Clyde shipyards again
Perhaps thinking that any bad news on CalMac ferries serves the same purpose, to damage the reputation of the SNP Government, the Scotsman serves ours well – to make a case for the Cyde. From BBC Scotland 1 July 2026: CalMac’s newest ship – the Turkish-built MV Isle of Islay – is to be withdrawn from service for repairs later this month, just 15 weeks after carrying its first passengers. The roll-on roll-off ferry entered service on 31 March, but six weeks later a hinge problem with its bow doors meant it has had to operate “single ended” ever since. The issue … Continue reading CalMac’s future lies in restoring and growing the Clyde shipyards again
Inexperienced patient safety commissioner sides with tabloid’s anecdotal evidence against the reliable factual evidence of NHS Scotland’s superior maternity services
In the Herald today: Scotland’s patient safety watchdog privately urged ministers to scrap their maternity taskforce over concerns it was failing to act with sufficient urgency, The Herald can reveal. Karen Titchener, the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland, wrote to Health Secretary Angela Constance in June recommending the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce be discontinued and replaced with an independent, nationwide assessment of services. and these unfounded claims: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26431969.watchdog-urged-ministers-axe-scotland-maternity-taskforce/?ref=ebln&nid=1220&block=article_block_a&u=54f15f1382a35160f5f9fbd9de82faff&date=050826 Kitchener’s previous experience was in the US and in England. Her one peer-reviewed research paper is co-authored with 7 others in Utah and North Carolina, 10 years ago. Her claim that … Continue reading Inexperienced patient safety commissioner sides with tabloid’s anecdotal evidence against the reliable factual evidence of NHS Scotland’s superior maternity services
Talking-up Scotland 