BBC Scotland’s dishonest reporting of Kate Forbes to undermine First Minister
The above report and headline was posted today (19 April) based on comments made by Forbes in March, three weeks ago or more ago, ‘in March‘, before the First Minister announced his priority policies for action which have been described as ‘bold’ and ‘progressive’ (see link below). The above fact is entirely concealed from the reader with only the misleading indication that it will be broadcast tonight (19 April). Forbes has today criticised the BBC but to no avail: https://twitter.com/KateForbes/status/1648612320585695232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1648612320585695232%7Ctwgr%5Ef28616d5455345db7c2917b58a81ec1457a43365%7Ctwcon%5Es1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.scot%2Fnews%2F23465478.snps-kate-forbes-lays-important-caveat-bbc-interview%2F Continue reading BBC Scotland’s dishonest reporting of Kate Forbes to undermine First Minister
Not so ‘Poor Humza’ as multiple groups welcome his prospectus
From SNP Media today: The First Minister’s Scottish Government’s new policy prospectus has been welcomed by key stakeholders including: Scottish Empty Homes Partnership: This makes the First Minister’s announcement…a positive step to help to address the housing emergency by freeing up more housing stock” and “It is to be welcomed that proposals are being brought forward that recognise how empty homes can be part of solutions, rather than simply being seen as problems, for communities. Reform Scotland: A welcomed policy change which the Commission on School Reform has long called for & was included in our recent report setting our priorities for the next First Minister. … Continue reading Not so ‘Poor Humza’ as multiple groups welcome his prospectus
Homeless deaths fall?
With their usual approach to statistics, the Herald adds ups up the figures from a new experimental approach to estimation, to get more than 520 homeless deaths over three years. In the middle, we see: There’s some determined wee effort there, with the 18 month period rather than the usual year, to get a increase of some kind, then the admission that the trend is downward. Also, ONS (England & Wales) not NRS (Scotland) numbers? Does the Museum of Homelessness (MoH) know where they are? I’ve had a quick look at the ONS but see no sign of Scottish figures. Continue reading Homeless deaths fall?
Scottish TUC praise Humza Yousaf but it’s ignored by all media
From the Fire Brigades Union two days ago but studiously ignored by all mainstream media: Speaking at today’s Scottish TUC Congress in Dundee, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf promised not to issue work notices under the Westminster Government’s proposed new anti-union laws. Humza Yousaf said: “Be in no doubt, the Scottish Government will never issue or enforce a single work notice, we will continue to do everything we can to oppose this disgraceful legislation.” The Minimum Service Levels Bill could force workers in six sectors (Health, Fire, Transport, Education, Border Security and Nuclear Decommissioning) to work on strike days despite … Continue reading Scottish TUC praise Humza Yousaf but it’s ignored by all media
Alcohol treatment services treating 89% within the waiting time target
….few years…There’s just not the capacity in the system for these people. Above, how Reporting Scotland, and other ‘Scottish’ media are reporting this. First, the facts on that ‘diminishing‘, from Public Health Scotland in December 2022: The Scottish Government set a Standard that 90% of people referred for help with problematic drug or alcohol use will wait no longer than three weeks for specialist treatment that supports their recovery. Nationally, the Standard was met for referrals to community-based services starting treatment for co-dependency (94%), and problematic use of drugs (93%). The Standard was not met for those starting treatment for alcohol (89%). … Continue reading Alcohol treatment services treating 89% within the waiting time target
How old is the ‘SNP fraud’ lead investigator?
According to BBC Scotland: Police Scotland launched its Operation Branchfoot investigation into the SNP’s finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65309791 Try searching for Branchfoot and get this: About Branchfoot is a brown tabby cat with yellow eyes. Beyond The Stars In Beyond The Stars, Branchfoot is Twinklegaze’s brother. He, like Twinklegaze and Oceansong, is a kit in the prologue. Branchfoot was the youngest of Skystar’s kits and always envied his older sisters. He killed Twinklegaze’s mate, Silverthorn, and framed her for the murder. With Twinklegaze banished, Branchfoot didn’t feel unimportant anymore, but he had betrayed his sister and his … Continue reading How old is the ‘SNP fraud’ lead investigator?
Scotland just a bit closer to being a racially just society?
Sadly, all-too-common, the Guardian lumps Scotland in with it’s reading of a research report which reveals that there is much to be done to reduce racism and ethnic inequality in ‘Britain’. While racism is, of course, still a serious problem in Scotland, there are significant differences emerging in terms of, for example, falling hate crime, increasing identification by minority ethnicities with Scotland, and enlightened political leadership in sharp contrast with UK Cons or Labour. The researchers I contacted, tell me that they have smaller number of respondents in Scotland and Wales, which means we cannot confidently make detailed interethnic comparisons. … Continue reading Scotland just a bit closer to being a racially just society?
No other political party has ever had its finances so forensically examined
From Malachi Malagrowther The weekend saw the climax of a fortnight’s feeding frenzy by the unionist media amplified by the BBC. The insinuations and smears from the SNP’s political opponents have largely gone unanswered and it seems to be forgotten that no one has been charged with any crime and no other political party has ever had its finances so forensically examined and everything blown out of proportion. The two-year-old “explosive” video was no more than Nicola Sturgeon correctly advising members of the SNP’s National Executive Committee that loose talk costs donors in the run up to elections. Her statement … Continue reading No other political party has ever had its finances so forensically examined
Scottish Conservatives support SNP/Green and now Labour fishing ban
stewartb Whilst on the subject of cross party support for establishing HPMAs in Scotland, the main blog post added the Labour Party in Scotland to the SNP and the Scottish Greens. To these we can add the Tories in Scotland! From the 2021 Tory manifesto for the Holyrood elections (with my emphasis): ‘One in nine species in Scotland are threatened by extinction. To prevent this, the Scottish Conservatives would bring forward an ambitious Nature Bill to strengthen environmental protections on land and sea for Scottish species and their habitats. ‘OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE AND GROW WHILE WE BETTER PROTECT … Continue reading Scottish Conservatives support SNP/Green and now Labour fishing ban
Misinformation – Deep poverty is due to Conservative austerity policies and the new FM is powerless to change that
on the First Minister to tackle poverty. A study suggests the number of people living in what it calls ‘deep poverty’ has risen in the last 20 years. The above is from Reporting Scotland today and all day no doubt. I’m not doubting the importance of tackling deep poverty in Scotland and across the UK, but this call for the new FM to tackle it, headlined by Reporting Scotland, hides the key fact that the ability to do so lies almost entirely with the UK Government. Deep poverty does not apply to the many working poor for whom Scotland’s more … Continue reading Misinformation – Deep poverty is due to Conservative austerity policies and the new FM is powerless to change that
