Tag: news

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If it wasn’t the school or the photographers then the Tory council approved photos ‘erasing’ ASN pupils – where is the Council Leader?

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Yesterday, I suggested: If it wasn’t the Aberdeenshire school it was the Tory council that instructed or allowed the photographers to offer parents ‘selective’ class photos Today BBC Scotland has this: A photography firm has apologised after parents were offered a choice of whether they wanted class photos with or without pupils with complex needs. Parents at Aboyne Primary School in Aberdeenshire complained after being sent a link from Tempest Photography. The company said it deeply regretted any upset it had caused and “sincerely apologised” to affected families. It said it was “not standard procedure” and it was taking the … Continue reading If it wasn’t the school or the photographers then the Tory council approved photos ‘erasing’ ASN pupils – where is the Council Leader?

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Teachers in England may strike over 36% higher pupil workload than in Scotland

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BBC Breakfast, as with the junior doctors strikes, is NOT shielding the Conservative Government from criticism, but allowing union reps free reign to attack. Today’s threat of teacher strikes is headlining there but is nowhere on the BBC News websites. BBC Scotland? School photos scandal. A significant factor for the NASUWT is this: Class sizes, pupil teacher ratios, have gotten worse not better over the last decade. Strangely, neither the NASUWT nor the Government state the actual pupil/teacher ratio. Here they are, helpfully from gov.uk, across the 4 nations: Pupil to teacher ratios in maintained schools were lowest in Scotland … Continue reading Teachers in England may strike over 36% higher pupil workload than in Scotland

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Women in West Dunbartonshire must wonder what difference having a leading Labour in Scotland politician’s ‘support’ makes?

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BY stewartb Labour’s Jackie Baillie has made much of her support for the WASPI women. The official website of Labour in Scotland’s Deputy Leader still has this from 7 November 2018: ‘MP AND MSP CALL FOR WOMEN AFFECTED BY STATE PENSION CHANGES TO GET INVOLVED IN WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE WASPI GROUP’. ‘Jackie said: “I am delighted that local women are willing to take the WASPI campaign forward, to raise awareness and gather more support locally. WASPI women have been badly affected by the DWP’s State Pension Changes, they have been given little or no notice and no time to plan for … Continue reading Women in West Dunbartonshire must wonder what difference having a leading Labour in Scotland politician’s ‘support’ makes?

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Someone pass the sick bucket

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By NMRN 28 March Sir keir Starmer’s speech at launch of campaign for English local elections (snippets) Podium stated “Britain’s Future” speech launched in Dudley, England (also known as Britain…start of Labour’s campaign in English local elections) Starmer “A changed Labour Party ready to serve the interests of working people, or a Conservative Party that has forgotten how to serve anything other than itself”. So…… (Indeed the Labour party has ‘Changed’ so much tis bearably recognisable from the Labour party which were once assumed to be a left wing party) Starmer “Their (Tories) failure is visible in every community in Britain. The sewage in our rivers. The ambulances that don’t … Continue reading Someone pass the sick bucket

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If it wasn’t the Aberdeenshire school it was the Tory council that instructed or allowed the photographers to offer parents ‘selective’ class photos

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The Aboyne school where class photos could be had selected for with or without children with ‘complex needs’ is all over media including wider UK media today. There’s not a word from the council leader (above) nor any mention of which parties run Aberdeenshire. From the council in June 2023: Cllr Gillian Owen has been appointed as the Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, by her fellow councillors. The Council Administration comprises Scottish Conservatives & Unionists, Liberal Democrats and Independent councillors who adopt a collective approach to leadership. An amendment by the SNP, seconded by the Democratic Independent Group, to appoint Cllr Gwyneth … Continue reading If it wasn’t the Aberdeenshire school it was the Tory council that instructed or allowed the photographers to offer parents ‘selective’ class photos

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Betraying WASPI women – BBC Reporting Scotland protecting Scottish Labour from scrutiny

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Thanks to Andrew for alerting me to this: A UK minister has refused to confirm whether the government will pay compensation to women hit by the rise in the state pension age. An ombudsman has recommended that those affected receive an apology and pay-outs between one nearly three thousand pounds. What does Scottish Labour have to say, we wonder: Two weeks ago, they were right behind compensation and turning up at WASPI events. Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, has removed all traces of his earlier support from his social media. Why? Anas Sarwar’s party have received instructions from the UK leadership … Continue reading Betraying WASPI women – BBC Reporting Scotland protecting Scottish Labour from scrutiny

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Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze.

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All the rebel authorities have backed down to allow all of their constituents to benefit. While Labour, Tory and LibDem councils tried to impose big council tax hikes, it was an SNP government which has protected family budgets during this cost-of-living crisis. As well as showing a clear difference between the SNP and the Westminster parties, it also stands as an example to show voters how decisions made in Scotland prove better for the people of Scotland. It was the SNP that delivered a policy to protect people during a cost-of-living crisis. The above is from SNP Media. Progressive? Surely not? In December … Continue reading Everyone in Scotland now benefits from the progressive SNP national council tax freeze.

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Is the Labour-supporting GMB the dirtiest and most dangerous trade union in Scotland?

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Only last week, the GMB union leader was exposed as a bully and misogynist, after having campaigned to become leader, promising to eradicate the bullying and misogyny at the heart of the union. Today, in the Herald: The GMB has warned MSPs against the planned hike in minimum unit pricing (MUP) saying it will hurt lowest earning Scots hardest. The trade union, representing many drink industry workers, said ministers had “been too quick to accept the untested assurances of advisors and lobby groups.” So that’s a culture of bullying and misogyny plus promoting alcohol consumption? There’s a dangerous cocktail. Might we call it … Continue reading Is the Labour-supporting GMB the dirtiest and most dangerous trade union in Scotland?

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Scots drug gang are ‘Scots’ drug gangs but English drug gangs are never ‘English’ drug gangs

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In the Daily Mail on 11 December 2023: Sophisticated Scottish cocaine-smuggling gang face jail  and in the Sun on 21 March 2024: I was groomed by a major Scots crime gang – I was at their mercy out of fears of being murdered In February 2024, the Mail reported: The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal at least 55 gangs have been identified operating north of the Border – more than double the number in 2020. County lines is the phenomenon whereby drug dealers from cities expand their operation by crossing county borders into smaller towns and rural areas. Gangs … Continue reading Scots drug gang are ‘Scots’ drug gangs but English drug gangs are never ‘English’ drug gangs

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GMB – Scottish Labour’s favourite union is institutionally sexist

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By NMRN “Staff at one of Britain’s biggest trade unions, the GMB, have voted to strike over claims the organisation has failed to act on a report which branded it “institutionally sexist”. “Karon Monaghan KC was called in to investigate sexual harassment in the GMB in 2020”. “Employees in the North East say promised reforms have not materialised”. “The Monaghan investigation began after the abrupt resignation of the then-General Secretary Tim Roache”. “She concluded that “bullying, misogyny, cronyism, and sexual harassment were endemic” in the union. Her report found there was a “bully-boy atmosphere”, describing the union as a “hostile environment” … Continue reading GMB – Scottish Labour’s favourite union is institutionally sexist