Tag: news

2 Comments

Former head teacher says ‘PISA has very little statistical rigour and offers nothing in the way of improving educational practice’

johnrobertson834

By Alasdair Macdonald The issue is with PISA. It has very little statistical rigour and offers nothing in the way of improving educational practice. I was a secondary school head teacher at the time it and other ‘measures’ were introduced in education in Scotland in other places. I and my colleagues argued against it. Educational provision, like everything else, ought to be continuously evaluated, partly to get evidence on whether it is achieving the aims set out for it and partly to get information on areas which require attention. However, there are, literally, hundreds of aspects to be measured and … Continue reading Former head teacher says ‘PISA has very little statistical rigour and offers nothing in the way of improving educational practice’

1 Comment

How SNP minister tried to show minister the way to reduced child poverty

johnrobertson834

By stewartb On 4 March 2024 the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP wrote to the Secretary of State for Work, the Rt Hon Mel Stride MP on the subject of child poverty and support for the most vulnerable. What follows are extracts from her letter. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/child-poverty-support-vulnerable-letter-uk-government/ ‘Ahead of the Spring Budget, I am writing to set out key actions which we are calling on the UK Government to take to tackle child poverty and support the most vulnerable in our society. In Scotland, we are doing everything within the scope of our powers and limited … Continue reading How SNP minister tried to show minister the way to reduced child poverty

12 Comments

New SNP, Green rates relief cut is fair and yet another progressive move to the left of Labour

johnrobertson834

You have to laugh at these two Herald headlines (above and below) today: SNP, Green government rates grab will ‘penalise’ Scots and this opening text: Owners of historic and business properties and even vacant land are facing a new rates bombshell with relief on empty buildings and development land about to be axed overnight. The first many will know about it will be the “heavy sound of the rates invoice on the mat” and the move threatens growth and investment as business owners with empty buildings and vacant land who currently don’t pay anything will face a bill of many thousands of … Continue reading New SNP, Green rates relief cut is fair and yet another progressive move to the left of Labour

2 Comments

SNP policies continue to push worst form of poverty downward despite UK trends

johnrobertson834

From the Scottish Government yesterday, but getting no MSM coverage: Between 2018 and 2022, 10% of people in Scotland were in persistent poverty after housing costs. These rates have changed very little over time. Persistent poverty identifies individuals who live in relative poverty for three or more of the last survey periods. It therefore identifies people who have been living in poverty for a significant period of time, which is more damaging than brief periods spent with a low income. The impacts can affect an individual throughout their lifetime. Persistent poverty in both Wales, after forever Labour control, and in England, … Continue reading SNP policies continue to push worst form of poverty downward despite UK trends

6 Comments

Scotland’s extraordinary fiscal contribution to UK economy revealed and that’s before Oil and gas revenue!

johnrobertson834

Many thanks to Andrew for spotting this From The London Economic yesterday but largely ignored elsewhere: Scotland’s annual tax contributions to the UK have increased by £14.2 billion over the last decade, with income tax, capital gains tax and taxes on productions such as environmental levies driving this increased contribution. New analysis shows that the Scottish public sector generated an annual revenue of £73.3 billion during the last financial year, a 24 per cent increase versus a decade ago, equating to an increased contribution of £14.2 billion to the UK economy. As a result, Scotland now accounts for 8 per … Continue reading Scotland’s extraordinary fiscal contribution to UK economy revealed and that’s before Oil and gas revenue!

10 Comments

Beauty treatment – BBC ecstatic to report ‘Scotland worst in Europe’ again as Fife woman dies in Türkiye

johnrobertson834

beauticians providing customers with cosmetic injections, according to healthcare professionals. Close thing there with that claim. Türkiye is in the Eurovision Song Contest and many go there for cosmetic surgery. BBC Scotland, first thing and throughout the day has another ‘expert’ to damn the Scottish Government for lack of action. Yesterday, it was a London-based climate change rep. The ‘healthcare professionals?’ Frances Turner Traill of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses. The evidence? From the longer website report: Jackie Partridge of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses said: “Colleagues across the rest of the world are shocked and in disbelief … Continue reading Beauty treatment – BBC ecstatic to report ‘Scotland worst in Europe’ again as Fife woman dies in Türkiye

6 Comments

Climate change – ‘Why don’t they do it as well as the Scots?’

johnrobertson834

there is a target that can’t be met, so it is a shame we have to give that message to the Scottish Government but what is behind it is behind it is a lack of progress all round. The above comments follow on from the opening headline claim by BBC Scotland that: Climate experts say a target for a 75% emissions cut by 2030 is out of reach and make much of its ‘legally-binding’ nature. Chris Stark above is the Chief Executive of the CCC, just about to leave them, so must be well-informed of progress or otherwise made by … Continue reading Climate change – ‘Why don’t they do it as well as the Scots?’

2 Comments

‘Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standard, research finds’….plus Scotland

johnrobertson834

According to the Guardian today, Scotland is not a country and by implication falls with the UK into the failed group. The latest WHO level for the deadly PM2.5 particles is 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Though no Scottish average seems available, you can, I find, go to the IQAir site and find the level of PM2.5 where you live. How about Glasgow High Street? 3.1, well under the WHO level. https://www.iqair.com/gb/uk/scotland/glasgow/glasgow-high-street To my surprise the partly-pedestrianised Ayr High Street – 5.7, just over. Aberdeen Anderson Drive – 4.5 Edinburgh Tower Street – 1.5! Busy Queensferry Road – 1.9 Bainsford … Continue reading ‘Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standard, research finds’….plus Scotland

19 Comments

Why does only Scotland need to hear of national grid problems it does not actually have?

johnrobertson834

Included in Reporting Scotland’s very short insert in BBC Breakfast and the main story on the BBC Scotland website (below), ‘The National Grid’ and its need for massive investment to make sure it can provide the flow of electricity to ‘homes and businesses’, makes no mention of the key fact that Scotland does not ‘need’ this at all; the rest of the UK does. Scotland is currently transferring 1.69TWh of electricity per month to England, more than 20TWh in 2023 and on some days (above graph) pushing 30TWh. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-customers-surpass-1-terawatt-of-energy-savings-through-my-home-energy-report-program 1TWh would sell globally for about $120 000 per hour, so … Continue reading Why does only Scotland need to hear of national grid problems it does not actually have?

2 Comments

Hospitals are cynically burying evidence about poor care in a “cover-up culture” but UK Conservative Government not to blame apparently

johnrobertson834

In the Guardian today but completely absent from BBC websites including amazingly BBC Health, the above shocking scandal: Hospitals are cynically burying evidence about poor care in a “cover-up culture” that leads to avoidable deaths, and families being denied the truth about their loved ones, the NHS ombudsman has warned. Ministers, NHS leaders and hospital boards are doing too little to end the health service’s deeply ingrained “cover-up culture” and victimisation of staff who turn whistleblower, he added. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/17/nhs-ombudsman-warns-hospitals-cynically-burying-evidence-poor-care Even the Guardian article names no government minister nor does it platform the Labour opposition to attack this very real health … Continue reading Hospitals are cynically burying evidence about poor care in a “cover-up culture” but UK Conservative Government not to blame apparently