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US ferry system in a State with nearly three times Scotland’s GDP is ‘fragile’ due to lack of Government-funding

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From AOL yesterday: SEATTLE – Gov. Bob Ferguson is intensifying his call for federal support to stabilize Washington State Ferries, warning that while the system has returned to full service levels for the first time since 2019, that progress remains “fragile.” During a briefing at the Seattle Ferry Terminal, Ferguson emphasized that the nation’s largest ferry system cannot sustain its recent gains without a significant increase in investment from Washington, D.C. The governor highlighted a stark disparity in how the system is funded. Currently, federal dollars account for: State leaders argue these figures must rise to keep the system afloat. The … Continue reading US ferry system in a State with nearly three times Scotland’s GDP is ‘fragile’ due to lack of Government-funding

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The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ’Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey share a close and longstanding trade relationship, and industries on both sides welcome the First Minister’s leadership on this issue’.

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By stewartb I’m pleased that independent whisky distillers in Scotland will benefit from the removal of trade tariffs on their exports to the USA.  (As someone who greatly enjoys a single malt, I’ve long since shunned for the most part the brands of the big corporates in favour of Scotland’s burgeoning independent sector.) The role of FM Swinney in achieving this change in US policy seems to be ‘triggering’ Unionist politicians. Mr Swinney’s release of the text of the message he received from the US President is not going to help Unionist blood pressure! Here is some additional, background information … Continue reading The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ’Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey share a close and longstanding trade relationship, and industries on both sides welcome the First Minister’s leadership on this issue’.

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‘British government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building entire infrastructure’ So next time any unionist has the temerity to mention the word ‘ferry’ you know what to do…

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I’ve lifted this excellent piece from Eve Robertson Armstrong on Facebook who lifted it from Josh Hunt on twitter (X). I’m guessing a Josh Hunt wrote it but can’t trace him. The British Government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building their entire infrastructure. After hearing about the cancellation of the Stonehenge Tunnel project, yet it still racking up £179 million in cost, I wanted to look at other projects and costs to see what the picture looks like this century. Every number here comes from official reports, the National Audit Office, parliamentary committees, and … Continue reading ‘British government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building entire infrastructure’ So next time any unionist has the temerity to mention the word ‘ferry’ you know what to do…

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Scotland remains a progressive outlier with only half the level of concern about immigration and no chance of Reform UK winning even one constituency – Libby Brookes must improve

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YouGov, no friend of the SNP sees no sign of Reform UK coming first anywhere. Reform UK in Westminster polls – ahead consistently with up to a third of the voters. Reform UK in Scotland – well behind consistently, often third and with less than a fifth of the voters. In the Guardian today, the consistently confused or just too lazy to do research, Libby Brooks, has: How Reform is exposing the reality of Scotland’s views on immigration and identity – Once a progressive outlier, Scotland is facing a political reckoning as Reform benefits from growing social division. But Reform … Continue reading Scotland remains a progressive outlier with only half the level of concern about immigration and no chance of Reform UK winning even one constituency – Libby Brookes must improve

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UK unemployment to worsen from 40% higher than in Scotland but Scotland’s far lower unemployment level still a secret as election looms

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Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON The Guardian today, has: Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless. OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK’s growth prospects for 2026 – while also warning of war uncertainty There’s no mention of Scotland and ‘Scotland’s media is offering no such detail. Here’s why: The unemployment rate in Scotland at the end of 2025, was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in 2024.  In crude terms 5.1 is 1.4 greater than 3.7 but … Continue reading UK unemployment to worsen from 40% higher than in Scotland but Scotland’s far lower unemployment level still a secret as election looms

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UK unemployment 40% higher, youth unemployment 40% higher than in Scotland, BBC Scotland ‘disappear’ the good news again

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Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. BBC Breakfast this morning with an extended piece on unemployment not being mirrored by BBC Scotland. The unemployment rate in Scotland at the end of 2025, was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in 2024.  In crude terms 5.1 is 1.4 greater than 3.7 but as a percentage, to take account of the millions of people being referred to, unemployment in England is 37.8% higher. There are about 1.8m unemployed in the UK so if the rate was the same in the UK as it is in Scotland, hundreds of thousands of those would be … Continue reading UK unemployment 40% higher, youth unemployment 40% higher than in Scotland, BBC Scotland ‘disappear’ the good news again

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Starmer’s China whisky deal will benefit Scotland by SFA!

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Support Talking-up Scotland to keep rebutting the lies almost every day of the year, at https://t.co/xFcIcegHTy From BBC Scotland, 30 January 2026: A cut in tariffs on Scottish whisky exports to China will come into force on Monday, the prime minister has told the BBC. As a result of a new deal agreed during Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to China, import taxes on whisky will be cut from 10% to 5% – a deal the UK government said would be worth £250m to the UK’s economy over the next five years. Scotch whisky is a key export for Britain’s drinks … Continue reading Starmer’s China whisky deal will benefit Scotland by SFA!

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How a London-based think-tank is more trustworthy than a Glasgow one with a bias against the SNP

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By stewartb It’s been interesting to compare and contrast how two economic think tanks chose to comment upon the Scottish Government’s recent budget statement and Spending Review. Let’s take the Glasgow-based Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) on the Budget first: FAI (January 13) ‘A Budget where the silences were loudest.’ The up front framing made a good start! And on what the Cabinet Secretary did say, it’s tough to find anything remotely positive in the commentary. The FAI offers this further characterisation of the Budget: ‘Another case of delaying adjustment into the future’. Such a remark emphasises where the FAI ‘s own … Continue reading How a London-based think-tank is more trustworthy than a Glasgow one with a bias against the SNP

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This Ayr SNP MSP candidate makes ex-Labour minister look tired and visionless but most of all ignorant of the reasons why ‘visionary’ budgets are simply denied us

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Above right, Siobhian Brown SNP candidate for the Ayr constituency, out leafleting, responds to the accusations from Scottish Labour that the SNP, after 19 years, is ‘tired & visionless.’ Full video at: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17tX9kcQs6/ I feel sure they know how much the devolution settlements firmly denies the Scottish Government the ability to be visionary and their attack, for that reason, is visionless. If Scotland was independent what could the Scottish Government’s budget feature that it cannot at the moment If Scotland were independent, its government’s budget could include a range of powers, policies, and fiscal tools that are currently unavailable or … Continue reading This Ayr SNP MSP candidate makes ex-Labour minister look tired and visionless but most of all ignorant of the reasons why ‘visionary’ budgets are simply denied us

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Senior BBC staff most upset by threat to their council tax bills and less fussy about the others

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There are around 3 million taxpayers in Scotland. 55% of them (1.65m) will pay less income tax than in the rest of the UK but BBC Scotland chose to highlight the ‘Mansion Tax’ which will affect 11 330 – Anas Sarwar and few of their senior staff. Here’s a better report, from the AI assisted Policy Mogul: Changes to the basic and intermediate rate income tax thresholds will protect lower-income households in 2026-27, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has announced. The Finance Secretary also confirmed there would be no changes to rates or the number of tax bands in the coming … Continue reading Senior BBC staff most upset by threat to their council tax bills and less fussy about the others