School violence – Scotsman headlines Lib Dem candidate and not erudite former Head Teacher
So, the ‘expert’ above is: The Scotsman don’t tell us that, nor in 2016 did ‘in a video interview published by millionaire-funded hardcore nutter Yoon collective Scotland In Union‘ (WoS 2016): Back to the thesis, ‘Axing exams will make school violence worse.’ Nearly 40 years in education and that’s a new one on me. I searched. Found one! Oh, sorry it’s the Scotsman story again. What is the alternative to exams, being proposed? More continuous assessment by familiar empathetic teachers in familiar settings. I used to know that continuous assessment, in contrast with exams, can increase learner engagement and wider educational … Continue reading School violence – Scotsman headlines Lib Dem candidate and not erudite former Head Teacher
IVF – 325 patients, 100% within target but this one £50 000 fast car-driving woman is ‘the news’ for BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland never report this: During the quarter ending 31 March 2023: the 90% standard was met, with 99.7% of patients attending a screening appointment within 52 weeks of referral. One patient waited more than 52 weeks to be screened. 325 patients were screened across the 4 IVF Centres, an increase of 14% compared to the previous quarter (285 patients). https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/ivf-waiting-times-in-scotland/ivf-waiting-times-in-scotland-quarter-ending-31-march-2023/ Today they find time in the few minutes they get in BBC Breakfast broadcasts and online for this: A woman who was born without a womb has described current fertility treatment guidelines as “full of inequality and discrimination” after … Continue reading IVF – 325 patients, 100% within target but this one £50 000 fast car-driving woman is ‘the news’ for BBC Scotland
Alcohol deaths ‘might’ go up tomorrow- did you know Scotland’s drug deaths are ‘still the highest in Europe?’
Days after Scotland’s drug deaths fell by 21% in one year, BBC Scotland think they have a new toy – alcohol deaths: Call for emergency response to alcohol deaths. New figures out on Tuesday could show that the number of alcohol-specific deaths is higher than drug deaths. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66615583 It’s not in the online report above but, in the seconds available to them in their BBC Breakfast insert on alcohol deaths, Reporting Scotland found space to remind us that drug deaths remain the highest in Europe! Hopefully, higher than drugs deaths? How handy is that? Scotland’s media have something to live … Continue reading Alcohol deaths ‘might’ go up tomorrow- did you know Scotland’s drug deaths are ‘still the highest in Europe?’
Ferry cancellations surge by shocking 36%….in Canada
As Scotland’s media report a 20% fall in non-weather related cancellations and an unspecified overall fall, by Scotland’s CalMac ferries, in 2022/2023, BC Ferries in affluent Canada’s British Columbia, operating in lower latitudes, warmer and less windy seas, report a 36.5% increase in all cancellations from April – June 2023 compared with the same period in 2022. Just as cancellations soared so did profits, by 10%, for the shareholders of BC Ferries. CalMac ferries make no profits and are generously subsidised for the often small populations in Scotland’s islands. The rest of us, including the folk of the not-so-comfortable Rutherglen … Continue reading Ferry cancellations surge by shocking 36%….in Canada
Rutherglen and Hamilton West Labour candidate must surely be squirming when he sees this man campaigning for him
George Islay MacNeill Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, above, an Islay man like Glenn Campbell of BBC Scotland, at the heart of the Empire. Robertson campaigning last Saturday for a Modern Studies teacher who surely knows what sort of thinker he, Robertson, is: The former secretary general of Nato has said that Scottish independence would be cataclysmic for the West in an era of international turmoil. Speaking in the US, Lord Robertson said a “debilitating divorce” after a “Yes” vote in September would threaten the stability of the wider world. He said he believed the US administration was worried … Continue reading Rutherglen and Hamilton West Labour candidate must surely be squirming when he sees this man campaigning for him
Scotland’s full emergency departments 15% faster in July
Scotland’s July figures are not yet published but can now be compiled from the weekly data. In July 2023 Scottish ED (full emergency departments) treated within 4 hours: 30th 69% 23rd 71.8% 16th 69.6% 9th 68.9% Average – 69.8% NHS England Type 1 (full emergency department) treated within 4 hours: 60.9% NHS Scotland thus 14.6% better Sources: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/data-and-intelligence/ae-activity/#section-3-2 https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2023-24/ Continue reading Scotland’s full emergency departments 15% faster in July
CalMac cancellations are ‘spiralling’ but downwards and threaten no lifelines
The Herald’s Martin Williams should know the difference between ‘news’ and history. Today he has: CalMac defends record in wake of ‘spiralling’ ferry cancellations. Ferry operator CalMac has defended its record after new figures revealed “spiralling” cancellations impacting lifeline ferry services to island communities. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23750458.calmac-defends-record-wake-spiralling-ferry-cancellations/?ref=ebln&nid=1220&u=54f15f1382a35160f5f9fbd9de82faff&date=280823 Non-weather related cancellations fell from a peak of 5,805 in 2021-22, to 4,620 in 2022-23. If Williams were reporting last year at this time he might reasonably point to an increase. That would be ‘the news’ last year but it’s not now because ‘the news’ is that they’re fallen by more than 20%. Also, ‘the … Continue reading CalMac cancellations are ‘spiralling’ but downwards and threaten no lifelines
Ferry cancellations fall by massive 20% in one year to offer 97.2% reliability for islanders
Labour’s attempt to deflect from their inner crisis has prompted a Freedom of Information request to scrape the bottom of the Clyde estuary for something anything they can chuck via the media in Scotland. Reporting Scotland gleefully added the story last night but don’t seem to have it written-up, sorry, copied and pasted into their website yet. Why the Morning Star should be helping the Labour campaign escapes me. Key points covered: Non-weather related cancellations rose from 1,371 in 2017-18 to a peak of 5,805 in 2021-22, before dropping last year. There were 4,620 sailings axed for reasons not related … Continue reading Ferry cancellations fall by massive 20% in one year to offer 97.2% reliability for islanders
Numbers Prof says ‘Stable 60% Yes majority by 2030s!’
Prof Lindsay Paterson is in the Sunday National today with research presumably rejected by his usual chums at the Herald, Scotsman or Times but reported by Judith Duffy. Scottish independence ‘not going away’ according to major analysis It’s good, really really good and most encouraging for the Yes movement. With Alasdair Galloway (below) I read it with a confused mind. Regulars will know I have debunked Paterson’s always critical analysis of educational affairs such as attainment data and gaps therein. His reading of the data is always very gloomy and blames SNP ministers for that. He’s a numbers guy who … Continue reading Numbers Prof says ‘Stable 60% Yes majority by 2030s!’
Airbnb – Scottish Government acts to protect lives and create space, peace and quiet for locals
In March 2023: Montreal’s mayor vowed Monday to tighten regulation of Airbnb as a search continued for six people missing after a fire swept through a building that included Airbnb units https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-airbnb-fire-body-found-b2304644.html To my knowledge there have been no incidents like this in Scotland but I also did not know about this: The Scottish Government’s new licensing scheme requires hosts of these properties to display energy performance ratings on listings, have adequate buildings and public liability insurance, as well as various fire and gas safety precautions. https://www.insider.co.uk/news/edinburgh-could-see-80-reduction-30765958 Really? People from other parts arrive in Edinburgh to live in flats without the above … Continue reading Airbnb – Scottish Government acts to protect lives and create space, peace and quiet for locals
