Prof Mark Woolhouse speaks in Edinburgh to warn us of a third wave which might cause the ‘NHS to buckle’ and that the first lockdown ‘in Scotland’ failed to protect the most vulnerable. First, parts of NHS England did buckle under the strain of rampant infection. Many Covid-19 patients had to be transferred as far as from London to Northumbria. Nothing like that happened here. Indeed, across the country capacity was always well above demand with the overflow facilities unused. Over the period of the pandemic, the infection level was only just over half per head of population of that … Continue reading The English expert flies in to warn us of impending doom with his knowledge of NHS England’s weakness

I’ve been saving the above Conservative reporting from the Buckingham Herald for the next opinion poll. How are the Greens doing? What effect has Harvie’s less servile tribute to all of our dead, had? Well, a bit like the effects of the MSM reporting on SNP support, SFA or maybe even the opposite of what they hoped for. After 5 polls putting the Greens at 1, 2, 2, 0, and 0, in the constituency vote, the latest from Panelbase has them at 4%. On the regional vote, Panelbase has them at a healthy 9%, unchanged from their average over the … Continue reading Voters liked Patrick Harvie’s honest comments on the Duke

After telling us that: A report is calling for mandatory notice periods for shift workers to avoid rotas being changed at the last minute. The study of 2 000 adults by the Living Wage Foundation, suggests that more than 60% of people whose job involves variable hours or shifts, have been given less than a week’s notice of their schedules. While it argues that short notice periods are a problem right across Britain, the practice is less common in Scotland. According to the study, Short notice periods are particularly common in London, 48% of all workers received less than a week’s notice of work schedules. In … Continue reading BBC Scotland’s ‘less common’ short notice shift rotas in Scotland means 37% less common

From SNP Media yesterday: A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has shown that the SNP policies on tax and benefits have created a fairer, more progressive system than is in place in the rest of the UK. The report explains that low-income households across Scotland gain much more from the SNP’s progressive tax and benefit reforms, including a top-up to the carer’s allowance, more generous housing benefit, and extra payments for families with young children.  Taken together, these measures will boost the incomes of the poorest fifth of Scottish households by an average of almost 1.5% this … Continue reading SNP has ensured Scotland has fairest, most progressive income tax in the UK

In the Herald last night: Key differences between Nicola Sturgeon’s and Boris Johnson’s administrations during the pandemic has contributed to more trust in Covid guidelines in Scotland than in England, according to an expert adviser. Professor Linda Bauld of Edinburgh University said consistency in messaging from the Scottish Government has meant increased confidence. Professor Bauld has been saying this kind of thing for some time now but always holds back from stating the obvious – If consistent messaging led to more trust then that will have led in turn to more compliance with lockdown measures and then too fewer infections and, inevitably, fewer deaths. … Continue reading Scottish Government’s consistent messaging led to fewer deaths

From SNP Media yesterday: Douglas Ross has been accused of being culpable in the demise of Scotland’s fishing industry after admitting during the STV Leaders’ Debate that the Tories had ‘not done enough’ for the sector. The Scottish Tory leader is being urged to issue a full apology to Scotland’s seafood industry after he voted for the rotten Brexit deal that has left it struggling to export produce to mainland Europe. Since Scotland was dragged out of the EU against its will, Scotland’s fishermen have reported sky-rocketing costs, increased red tape and reduced catch sizes. The cost of Brexit has … Continue reading Douglas Ross accused of being culpable in demise of Scotland’s fishing industry

From SNP Media yesterday: Ian Blackford MP has accused Boris Johnson of “robbing children of their rights” as the UK government plans to take the Scottish Parliament to court over the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.   The SNP Westminster Leader called on Boris Johnson to withdraw the UK government’s legal challenge, describing it as wrong and morally repugnant.  Commenting, Ian Blackford MP said:  “Every party in the Scottish Parliament supported the legislation incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – even the Scottish Tories. “This is a tale … Continue reading Tory Government accused of robbing children of their rights

From SNP Media yesterday: The SNP has today announced an ambitious package of measures to reform Scotland’s land in a green, fair and responsible way. Mairi McAllan, the SNP’s candidate for Clydesdale and climate action champion, set out five steps the SNP will take if re-elected: Increase our tree-planting targets by 50% – from 12,000 hectares up to 18,000 hectares by 2025 Invest £250m to support the restoration of 250,000 hectares of Scottish peatland by the end of the decade Address biodiversity loss and protect at least 30% of our land by 2030 with an investment of £500m Introduce a … Continue reading Measures to reform Scotland’s land in a green, fair and responsible way

From SNP Media today:  New figures released should be a “stark warning” to voters, the SNP has said, as the damage of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal continues to be revealed. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that exports of goods from the EU have fallen by £2 billion since Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit deal was agreed – confirming that the so-called ‘teething problems’ of Brexit are here to stay.  The report also highlighted that the overall value of food exports, including Scottish seafood, is lower now than in any month of 2020 – having dropped by £300 million … Continue reading Scottish exports hammered by Brexit

From SNP Media this morning: Nicola Sturgeon will today (Wednesday) set out a revolution in Scotland’s childcare system with wrap-around childcare available all year round and free early years education extended to all 1 and 2 year olds. She will announce that a re-elected SNP Government will extend childcare to before and after-school, all year-round, with those on the lowest incomes paying nothing – allowing more people to afford to return to work, raising family incomes. Speaking while campaigning in Glasgow, the SNP Leader will highlight the huge investment the SNP government is making in Early Years, including the expansion … Continue reading SNP promise ‘wrap-around childcare’