Tag: news

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Latest research – Crime down 53% since first SNP Government began but police numbers slightly up on last Labour Government!

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By Professor John Robertson From the Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : July 2024 edition, today: Crime has fallen by 53% since 2008-09. Results from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) show that around 1 in 10 adults were victims of crime in 2021-22 (10.0%) compared to 1 in 5 in 2008-09 (20.4%). The estimated number of crimes fell by 53% over the same period, and by 18% since 2017-18.  https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-justice-statistics-monthly-data-report-july-2024-edition/pages/3/#page-top IMPORTANT – This is not based on police reporting which is known to understate the actual level of crime but on The Scottish Crime and Justice … Continue reading Latest research – Crime down 53% since first SNP Government began but police numbers slightly up on last Labour Government!

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A lesson for any tempted to vote Labour in Holyrood 2026 – Researchers reveal the policy supported by Scottish Labour causes children to go hungry

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Labour’s Westminster House Jock and North British branches celebrate English Labour’s election victory under their shared flag, before going on to vote to keep the Dead Conservative’s two-child benefit cap, shown by the IFS to increase child poverty levels. Not only has the Institute for Fiscal Studies proved that the two-child benefit cap is the main cause of child poverty in the UK but today, we read in the Guardian: Families hit by the two-child benefit cap are much more likely to go hungry, skip meals or be unable to afford to eat healthily, according to new data which shows … Continue reading A lesson for any tempted to vote Labour in Holyrood 2026 – Researchers reveal the policy supported by Scottish Labour causes children to go hungry

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New Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Labour MP betrays all she claims to stand for and votes to keep the cruel two child benefit cap and her £91K job

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Before the 2024 General Election in the local Ayrshire newspapers: Elaine Stewart, Labour candidate said: “As someone who works daily with children and young people in some of the affected communities, I can assure you that reason I am standing is to ensure that the child poverty is high on the agenda on a daily basis. “I run food banks and, to be perfectly honest, children and young people should not be eating from this form of support on a daily basis. “Addressing child poverty in Scotland requires a sustained, collaborative effort across various sectors and levels of government, with … Continue reading New Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Labour MP betrays all she claims to stand for and votes to keep the cruel two child benefit cap and her £91K job

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BBC Scotland’s avoidance of the County Lines gang plague – formal BBC complaint

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I’ve made the following complaint to the BBC. How will they deal with it this time? I’ll let you know. County Lines gangs, based in large English cities have been responsible for a spreading plague of extreme violence, more accessible and cheaper illegal drug supplies, child abuse, prostitution, people trafficking and the exploitation (cuckooing) of vulnerable adults in small-town UK, into places previously less affected by crime. Recent data reveal a surge in knife crime in rural and small-town areas in England and a recent surge in violent crime in similar areas in Scotland. Police Scotland estimates more than 50 … Continue reading BBC Scotland’s avoidance of the County Lines gang plague – formal BBC complaint

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Labour must give up on nuclear power in Scotland as Torness with 46 reactor cracks is to operate till 2028 yet its troubled French owners are required to investigate plant in France with only 1!

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By Professor John Robertson Many thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. From the Ferret today: The number of cracks in the core of an ageing nuclear reactor at Torness in East Lothian has risen to 46, prompting warnings that prolonging its operation would be “gambling with public safety”. The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) told The Ferret that the cracks were detected in April 2024 and were “at the upper end of expectations”. The first three cracks were discovered at Torness in February 2022. EDF, however, insisted that the cracks did not affect normal operations or the ability to shut down … Continue reading Labour must give up on nuclear power in Scotland as Torness with 46 reactor cracks is to operate till 2028 yet its troubled French owners are required to investigate plant in France with only 1!

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County Lines drug gangs from cities in England fuel major surge in violent crime in Scotland’s smaller towns

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In the Express yesterday, we read: Knife crime epidemic rising faster in market towns after spread of county lines drug gangs. Knife crime is rising more rapidly in rural counties and market towns than in cities, a study has found. Although most of the police forces in the top 10 included large inner city areas, the study found offences were soaring at an alarming rate outside of urban regions. According to Police Scotland, there are more than 50 County Lines drug and child-abusing groups active in Scotland, first identified in 2019, commonly in smaller towns where there is no existing … Continue reading County Lines drug gangs from cities in England fuel major surge in violent crime in Scotland’s smaller towns

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How the SNP might compensate the WASPI women and win the next election(s)

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By Professor John Robertson I came up with this idea several months ago and sent it to the new FM John Swinney but have had no response. It has been warmly welcomed by most SNP members I’ve spoken to and by leading local WASPI leaders. One or two, understandably, have rejected it on the grounds that the UK Government should pay the bill. I understand that but doing at least something before more WASPI women die and, of course, defeating Labour seemed and still seems a bit of a priority for us. Proposal: That the Scottish Government introduce a scheme, … Continue reading How the SNP might compensate the WASPI women and win the next election(s)

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Do statements by leading Labour politicians in Scotland require Talking down Wales?

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By stewartb The Herald had this headline on 19 July 2024: ‘Scots ‘failed’ by a lack of planning for a pandemic by SNP or Tories.’ Within the article there is this: See https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-herald-1130/20240719/281672555180089 . Before commenting further, note the sleekit attempt at casting doubt on ‘transparency’ and ‘honesty’. It’s as if Wales was NOT also judged to be just as ill-prepared by the Covid-19 Inquiry: it’s as if the Labour spokesperson in Scotland has erased the fact of her party being in government in Wales throughout the period of devolution; it’s as if Labour in Scotland really do hold firm … Continue reading Do statements by leading Labour politicians in Scotland require Talking down Wales?

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England’s national debt is 885 times Scotland’s borrowing limit

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The Herald today reports: UK public sector borrowing came in higher than expected in June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Borrowing was £14.5 billion in June, £3.2 billion less than June last year, but well above the £11.6 billion forecast by the Government’s spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Scotland can borrow a bit, contrary to some claims. From the Ferret: Under the fiscal framework, Scotland’s borrowing powers are limited. However, they do have some ability to borrow within the fiscal rules.  The Scottish Government is able to borrow for both resource and capital spending, but does not … Continue reading England’s national debt is 885 times Scotland’s borrowing limit

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BBC Good Mourning Scotland reports ‘high’ cost of full child care in Scotland as costs in England soar well above it

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Many thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. BBC Radio Good Mourning Scotland this morning, about the allegedly high cost of full nursery care in Scotland, put it at £167 per week. As ever no context such as the Guardian report today: Parents can expect to spend more than £1,000 per child for care over the school summer holidays, according to research. A survey by the children’s charity Coram found that British families will be paying, on average, £1,049 for summer childcare for children aged from four to 14 – £635 more than they would pay for six weeks … Continue reading BBC Good Mourning Scotland reports ‘high’ cost of full child care in Scotland as costs in England soar well above it