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Pandemic Inquiry – ‘Disinterested in working with, or hearing the concerns of the Devolved Administrations’

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By stewartb The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has just published its latest report, on Module 5: Procurement. (see https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/09094028/E03444965_Covid-Inquiry-M5-Inquiry_Web-Accessible.pdf ) The Inquiry’s overarching conclusions for this module focus on: (i) the UK’s unpreparedness in terms of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other clinical supplies for a pandemic, including below-target volumes and expired equipment in national pandemic stockpiles; and (ii) huge levels of waste amongst the PPE procured. A search of the document for references specific to ‘Scotland’ yields no especially or uniquely damning findings to ‘excite’ committed opponents of the SNP and the Scottish Government. Nevertheless, the search did throw up some references worthy … Continue reading Pandemic Inquiry – ‘Disinterested in working with, or hearing the concerns of the Devolved Administrations’

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Baroness Hallett confused about difference between croneyism, corruption and connections to government

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By Liz S Talking of PPE and on the BBC website but currently hidden under the ‘Health’ section. Covid Inquiry reported by the BBC on 14 July this year stated this: Headline “Covid inquiry PPE report – key findings” “The VIP lane system was introduced in April 2020 in England“ The policy was sharply criticised by (Baroness) Hallett who described it as a “misguided attempt at prioritisation” that “embedded unfairness in emergency procurement”. “Sharply criticised” , “misguided attempt at prioritisation” and also “unfairness” wow that’s reprimanding them………not. “While she said there was “no evidence of cronyism or corruption” by ministers or officials when awarding contracts, the system was “inherently biased towards those with … Continue reading Baroness Hallett confused about difference between croneyism, corruption and connections to government

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How Nick Hancock ordered PPE manufacturers not to send supplies to Scottish care homes for the elderly in 2020 – The pandemic exposed the Union for what it is

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Yesterday, BBC Health had: The lives of NHS staff and patients were put at risk in the pandemic because of a lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), with almost £10bn of taxpayers’ money wasted in a scramble to buy more, the Covid inquiry has said. The chair Baroness Hallett criticised the “vast” waste in procurement, put at £9.9bn – two-thirds of the £14.9bn the government spent on PPE. The UK entered the pandemic with its stockpile of masks, gowns and gloves in a perilous state and was unprepared for the global race to secure supplies, she added. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrxrlydyzzo BBC … Continue reading How Nick Hancock ordered PPE manufacturers not to send supplies to Scottish care homes for the elderly in 2020 – The pandemic exposed the Union for what it is

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Boris Johnson’s government failed to anticipate and to react to pandemic threat but Nicola Sturgeon’s government made up for his incompetence

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This from last year has popped up across social media, where it’s being seen in greater numbers than the Herald does, these days. So, it needs rebutting. First, How Boris Johnson’s top civil servant credited Nicola Sturgeon for showing them how to do it One more reason to be utterly disgusted by the current witch-hunt: From the National in May 2024: NICOLA Sturgeon was showing the Tory government “how to do it” during the Covid pandemic, according to WhatsApp messages sent by the UK’s most senior civil servant. Simon Case, who as cabinet secretary oversees the work of the UK’s entire civil … Continue reading Boris Johnson’s government failed to anticipate and to react to pandemic threat but Nicola Sturgeon’s government made up for his incompetence

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Burnham’s Manchester is the worst for homelessness in the north west

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By stewartb Ah but what about the supposed economic miracle that is Manchester? From the Manchester Evening News (December 11, 2025): ‘Manchester is the worst for homelessness in the north west – One in every 61 people in Manchester are homeless, according to the latest data. There are 4,678 children and a total of 9,589 people without a home in the Manchester city council area – the most out of any other area in the north west.’ Homelessness across Greater Manchester by borough: Manchester – 9,589 (one in every 61 people) Salford – 2,327 (one in every 126 people) Oldham – 1,347 (One … Continue reading Burnham’s Manchester is the worst for homelessness in the north west

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Protecting politicians – do the Widdecombe lessons not apply to Nicola Sturgeon too?

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By Liz S In Talking-up Scotland yesterday? BBC Scotland today, surprisingly, given the Widdicombe murder obsession of all the press… However on the BBC website headline today is this: “Investigation into Widdecombe’s death rekindles debate over how to protect politicians” Also today on the BBC website is this headline: “Sturgeon’s police statement on SNP finances won’t be released, says lawyer” This is a long article that also includes “How the Peter Murrell case unfolded” which includes a timeline and a breakdown of yet another regurgitated BBC report on this past case , that as a criminal case has now been concluded , as the … Continue reading Protecting politicians – do the Widdecombe lessons not apply to Nicola Sturgeon too?

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Disability benefits – Burnham only has to ask as Scotland already offers a large majority of what is proposed for a ‘truly progressive system’

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In the Guardian today, once more, complete Anglocentrism as a writer does not think to ask if any other part of the UK has already done what she wants Andy Burnham to do. There’s not a mention of Scotland in the above but to what extent does the Scottish system already offer what is suggested? Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment (ADP) system already delivers a substantial portion of what the article advocates, particularly in shifting away from the most criticised elements of the current PIP system in England and Wales. It provides a more humane, less intrusive process and greater security … Continue reading Disability benefits – Burnham only has to ask as Scotland already offers a large majority of what is proposed for a ‘truly progressive system’

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A more than 3 000 extra violent crimes surge in Scotland’s once low crime areas is more in the public interest than going to a murder pub in Spain over 84 ‘offences’ in Scotland

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BBC Scotland today, surprisingly, given the Widdicombe murder obsession of all the press, has headlined: Gang feud ended with ‘resolution of differences’ between rivals – police – Ross McGill (centre), the former head of Rangers Football Club’s ultras fan group the Union Bears, was a key figure in the feud – Police have revealed that a violent gangland feud spanning six months came to an end through dozens of arrests and a “resolution of differences” between rival groups. The trouble began in Edinburgh last March and led to a series of fire-raisings and attempted murders across the central belt, totalling … Continue reading A more than 3 000 extra violent crimes surge in Scotland’s once low crime areas is more in the public interest than going to a murder pub in Spain over 84 ‘offences’ in Scotland

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SNP buy Prestwick Airport for just £1, make £14 million profit and create 5 000 jobs in only 4 years while its sister airport in Kent goes out of business in only 6 months to become just a lorry park

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From Ian McConnell, the Herald‘s token unbiased, intelligent and ethical journalist but clearly not in control of the headlines, today, has the above and: Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26268301.prestwick-airports-flights-success-financial-results-revealed/?ref=ebbn&nid=1388&u=54f15f1382a35160f5f9fbd9de82faff&date=130726 We can add that £3.9m and 200 jobs to the figures I had last November. The Ayrshire Daily New’s Doug Maclean, has a fine piece of journalism serving the information needs of the community. Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Robert Martin for alerting me to this. Both Prestwick airport and its sister airport at Manston in Kent were available for sale in 2013. Both were losing money and the company that owned them were not able or prepared to … Continue reading SNP buy Prestwick Airport for just £1, make £14 million profit and create 5 000 jobs in only 4 years while its sister airport in Kent goes out of business in only 6 months to become just a lorry park

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As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald’s most inaccurate, misleading and unethical piece of clickbait ever?

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I know, I’ve already sorted the Herald‘s front page in an earlier report this morning but this email alert version above takes their dishonesty to a new level with the suggestion that ‘new data‘ from schools, on possession, exposes a rise in actual youth violence. It’s utterly untrue, a disgraceful lie aimed at clickbait at the expense of our mental health. So, to repeat: That claim of a rise in actual youth violence – What is the long-term youth violence trend in Scotland? Youth violence in Scotland involving individuals under 18 as victims, perpetrators, or both. Data come from sources … Continue reading As youth violence and murder by minors plummet is this the Herald’s most inaccurate, misleading and unethical piece of clickbait ever?