Senior Reporter at BBC Scotland – have just applied
My cover letter: I wish to apply for the post of Senior Journalist (8049) Rationale: BBC Scotland News is in steep decline and requires someone with a bit of brainpower, basic honesty, and some ethical standards to save it. I look forward to meeting you. Professor John W Robertson, PhD, MEd, Dip Ed, PCCE Teaching, PGC Media Education, father of 4, dog and cat owner. Will keep readers up to date. Continue reading Senior Reporter at BBC Scotland – have just applied
Poverty – First Minister’s Programme for Government has been welcomed by key stakeholders other than the one in the Scotsman
The Scotsman manages to get this today: Yousaf’s vow on poverty a ‘timid step’ say charities You have to wonder who their charities are given this: The Trussell Trust Scotland: “We’re delighted to hear @HumzaYousaf urge the UK Govt to deliver an Essentials Guarantee. Our social security system should always provide enough money for people to afford #OurEssentials #PfG. By endorsing the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee, the Scottish Government has shown the ambition for ending the need for food banks that we want to see replicated in Westminster” Living Rent: “After 7 years Scot gov has finally committed to … Continue reading Poverty – First Minister’s Programme for Government has been welcomed by key stakeholders other than the one in the Scotsman
Only STV report Police Scotland officers accept 7% deal
Nowhere at all among the 40 plus reports featured on the BBC Scotland website and absent from the newspaper front pages: Angela Constance, the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs said, thanked those involved in negotiations for working to achieve the deal “Our police officers perform an essential role keeping Scotland’s communities safe and this fair pay deal recognises the hard work and valuable contribution they make daily as well as this Government’s commitment to investing in policing,” she said. “Police Scotland is a vital service, which is why, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government … Continue reading Only STV report Police Scotland officers accept 7% deal
‘Now you don’t talk so loud, now you don’t seem so proud’
In the Guardian today: Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years over US Capitol attack Sentencing of Enrique Tarrio caps one of the most significant prosecutions in the investigation into the January 6 attack The former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Tuesday for his part in the failed plot to keep Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election. More than 1,100 people have been charged in relation to the Capitol attack. More than 600 have been sentenced, more than half receiving prison terms. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/05/enrique-tarrio-proud-boys-sentenced-jan-6-attack There’s much to be concerned about regarding the … Continue reading ‘Now you don’t talk so loud, now you don’t seem so proud’
LATEST: English drug gangs terrorising Scotland
In Dundee, a drug dealer claimed he had been forced to deal heroin by a heavily armed Birmingham gang in a practice known as ‘being cuckooed.’ After claiming he had been scared and had tried numerous times to contact the police, he has been curfewed This is an extremely minor punishment for heroin dealing suggesting his story has been believed. Dundee heroin peddler on curfew for dealing ‘after being cuckooed’ We’ve known for some times that the above practice employed by large English ‘County Lines’ drug gangs has spread across Scotland and is being studiously ignored by the BBC. From … Continue reading LATEST: English drug gangs terrorising Scotland
‘Bodies appeared to have been tipped into ground, all jumbled together and without signs of ceremony’
From BBC Tyne & Wear four days ago but nowhere on the BBC Scotland site: Skeletons found near Durham Cathedral were those of 17th Century Scottish prisoners of war, tests have revealed. Between 17 and 29 sets of remains were found in a mass grave in 2013 during work on a university library. The bodies appeared to have been tipped into ground, all jumbled together and without signs of ceremony. Following detailed study, experts from the university have dated them to 1650, and believe them to be soldiers captured during the Battle of Dunbar. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-34116842 Reading this, I was reminded … Continue reading ‘Bodies appeared to have been tipped into ground, all jumbled together and without signs of ceremony’
Rutherglen and Hamilton West polls – Labour lead slashed
From Polling Report on 5 September above, and below, from Electoral Calculus for the same seat on 28 August: SNP 35.7% Labour 47.9% Con 6.9% LD 2.9% https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?postcode=g733AE Only 8 days apart but in that time repeated slaps for Scottish Labour from their leaders, on the two child benefit cap, on a wealth tax, on workers rights, on gender reform, and on rent controls. Also, an increasing awareness that the child benefit and free tuition might be at risk under Labour? Hopefully, it’s sinking in and it’s now all to fight for. Continue reading Rutherglen and Hamilton West polls – Labour lead slashed
Thousands in Rutherglen and Hamilton West will be protected by new SNP rent controls that Labour will not support and that BBC Scotland hide from them
Headed Humza Yousaf announces new childcare, poverty and housing plans (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-66710264/page/3), in more than 40 short reports over three online pages, BBC Scotland misses out this one entirely: Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Humza Yousaf said his government would introduce a major new housing bill to introduce new regulations for landlords as well as cash for housebuilding. The First Minister said the bill would include rent controls and create new rights for tenants. Aditi Jehangir, secretary of tenants’ union Living Rent, welcomed the move and urged the Government to “make sure this legislation delivers for tenants”. She said: … Continue reading Thousands in Rutherglen and Hamilton West will be protected by new SNP rent controls that Labour will not support and that BBC Scotland hide from them
NHS Scotland staffed and equipped for nearly 99% of ops as planned despite increasing demand and NHS England has 74% more cancellations
From Public Health Scotland today: During July 2023, there were 21,919 operations planned to take place across NHSScotland. This represents a decrease of 10.3% compared to the 24,435 planned for June 2023 but is 11.3% higher than the number planned a year previously in July 2022 (19,685). Of all planned operations during July 2023, for NHSScotland, 653 (3.0%) were cancelled by the hospital based on clinical reasons, 678 (3.1%) were cancelled by the patient, 317 (1.4%) were cancelled by the hospital due to capacity or non-clinical reasons, and 84 (0.4%) were cancelled due to other reasons. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancelled-planned-operations/cancelled-planned-operations-month-ending-31-july-2023 So planned operations … Continue reading NHS Scotland staffed and equipped for nearly 99% of ops as planned despite increasing demand and NHS England has 74% more cancellations
LEZ is much more popular than this suspect survey suggests
The Herald is trumpeting: Only one in four in Glasgow back LEZ as hotspot pollution rises Those are surprising figures but may just be the result of dodgy research methods. See that ‘of those asked in Glasgow?’ Just how many were asked? A handful, way below statistical reliability? I can’t see the TLF Research. Their website denies ever having researched ULEZ or Glasgow. Equally DriveElectric’s site has nothing. Why are the findings surprising. From a credible YouGov poll on an even more radical scheme, on 30 August: More Londoners support the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone to the whole … Continue reading LEZ is much more popular than this suspect survey suggests
