NHS England is 10 times more privatised than NHS Scotland and patients there will pay for that not just in cash
Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian, yesterday, the above and: There are other threats to the delivery of NHS services too. The privatisation of the NHS is happening in plain sight. Last month, the government proudly announced that “A total of 6.15 million appointments, tests and operations were delivered by independent providers for NHS patients this year”, an almost 500,000 increase on last year, which it says is “helping to cut waiting times [and] free up NHS capacity”. How can this be so? There’s a finite number of doctors, nurses and surgeons in the country. If medical staff increase their work … Continue reading NHS England is 10 times more privatised than NHS Scotland and patients there will pay for that not just in cash
More than £10 000 per year better off, lower electricity bills, 40 000 fewer poor children, Brexit losses reversed and an end to Westminster vetoes – get this spread!
Professor John Robertson OBA Today, I asked Grok AI (x) How might an independent Scotland benefit? You have to know a bit of the world, of history, of politics, local, national and global, before you ask AI questions. I know from comments that Tus readers are safe but I really worry about youngsters. I used to argue, well-supported by the evidence from research, that Media Studies should be core in schools but subject-based tribalism and ill-informed snobbery kept it out. With Google it became vital and with AI it becomes the most valuable thing we could do. I know that … Continue reading More than £10 000 per year better off, lower electricity bills, 40 000 fewer poor children, Brexit losses reversed and an end to Westminster vetoes – get this spread!
London financier Eoin Treacy says it is better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital – at least he’s an honest f………inancier
Professor John Robertson OBA From inkl in October 2024 and based on a National article: Scotland ‘subsidises’ London energy bills, according to financial analyst – Scottish billpayers “subsidise” those in London, according to a financial analyst. Households in Scotland are paying higher energy bills than they ought to keep prices down south of the Border, according to experts at the Fuller Treacy Money investment strategy firm. In a newsletter arguing against zonal pricing, the firm’s owner Eoin Treacy says it is better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital. Zonal pricing, which has been … Continue reading London financier Eoin Treacy says it is better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital – at least he’s an honest f………inancier
Only with independence Scotland would go from the most expensive electricity in Europe to the cheapest
Professor John Robertson OBA The above video excerpt is already out these across social media. I’m just giving another wee push and, importantly reminding folk that location pricing is never, ever, going to happen until Scotland is a fully independent country. The evidence? First, as energy bills are set to rise again a reminder of the English financier who said ‘Scotland subsidises London energy bills’ and it’s ‘better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital’ From inkl in October 2024: You have to respect the transparent, if callous, honesty in this. Further down but clearly … Continue reading Only with independence Scotland would go from the most expensive electricity in Europe to the cheapest
Future Queen of England and Scotland calls for dignity for carers but ignores what only the Scottish Government has already done to that end
Professor John Robertson OBA From BBC UK two days ago: The Princess of Wales has called for more dignity for carers and a greater respect for values such as “tenderness” in business, in her first public speech in two years. At an event in the City of London, Catherine called on 80 top business leaders to play their part in ensuring employees can have healthy family lives, including caring responsibilities. “I believe in restoring the dignity to the quiet, often invisible work of caring, of loving well, as we look to build a happier, healthier society,” the princess told the … Continue reading Future Queen of England and Scotland calls for dignity for carers but ignores what only the Scottish Government has already done to that end
Not in the Covid Inquiry reporting today – How First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Scottish Government kept excess mortality here at just over half the UK average despite the delay in devolving responsibility and Johnson’s callous inertia – saving thousands of lives
Professor John Robertson OBA I’m grateful to @amaccj for reminding me of this and for the link to the source. When the final assessment is made, we need to set the scene with these facts: Two years later, in February 2022, as the pandemic receded, the simple consequences in terms of mortality in different parts of the UK can be see in this table from the September 2023, UK Covid 19 Inquiry report6: Other than the isolated South-west of England, Scotland had the lowest mortality rate of the 4 nations, even lower than Northern Ireland sheltered by its sea gap. 15% more … Continue reading Not in the Covid Inquiry reporting today – How First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Scottish Government kept excess mortality here at just over half the UK average despite the delay in devolving responsibility and Johnson’s callous inertia – saving thousands of lives
Looking for a song-writing collaborator
I’m looking for a song-writing collaborator. I’d do lyrics on mostly political, social, historical themes. Ideally looking for someone already singing, pubs, small clubs, covering other songwriters or traditional who might add music and perform. Probably folk, Country, maybe rock? Have a think and if any one fits ask them to get in touch. John jupitergreen61@gmail.com Thanks Continue reading Looking for a song-writing collaborator
300 000 patients should not be on Scottish Labour’s ‘1 in 6’ double or triple counted waiting list claim now exposed as fake news
Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland on 26 August 2025 (latest figures): There was estimated to be 639,579 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list at 30 June 2025. This equates to 1 in 9 of Scotland’s population (mid-2024 population estimates Scotland).1 On the 27th May, from the same source, we heard: This equates to 1 in 9 of Scotland’s population. Why do I reveal the 27th May official figure? The next day, the Daily Record and Jackie Baillie told us: SNP promise to reduce NHS waiting lists rings hollow for 1 … Continue reading 300 000 patients should not be on Scottish Labour’s ‘1 in 6’ double or triple counted waiting list claim now exposed as fake news
Factcheck – 20 000 NOT ON NHS waiting list in Scotland because they DO live in Scotland and 200 000 ON NHS waiting list in England because they DO NOT live in Scotland
Professor John Robertson OBA From Public health Scotland: As of the month ending 31 August 2025 (based on the most recent Public Health Scotland monthly data release on 28 October 2025, which includes historical figures up to August), the total number of ongoing waits for elective care in Scotland—encompassing new outpatient appointments, inpatient admissions, and day case treatments—stands at 717,974 clinical pathways.1 All things being equal, with 10 times the population, the NHS England figure should be around 7.2m but according to the Guardian2 today is 7.4m, 2.7% longer but that means 200 000 patients in England on the waiting … Continue reading Factcheck – 20 000 NOT ON NHS waiting list in Scotland because they DO live in Scotland and 200 000 ON NHS waiting list in England because they DO NOT live in Scotland
People attracted to Scotland after 18 years but repulsed by England after just one year of Sir Keir and in fear of Nazty Nigel
Professor John Robertson OBA The Telegraph, still loyal to the Cons, suggests 257 000 Brits fled the threat of higher Labour taxes , in 2024. Unionist politicians and media commentators have argue the same will happen to Scotland after SNP taxation changes. Has it so far? From the National Records of Scotland in August 2025: Main Points Source: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/migration-flows-mid-2024/ So net migration into Scotland was 56 000 and net migration out of the UK was 257 000? What might be the reasons for this difference? Continue reading People attracted to Scotland after 18 years but repulsed by England after just one year of Sir Keir and in fear of Nazty Nigel
Talking-up Scotland 