Tag: news

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Renewable energy: should maximising electricity from offshore wind be a priority for Scotland in Union given surplus ‘exported’ to England is not a true export?

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By stewartb The headline question is of current relevance as the Scottish Government initiated a public consultation on June 13 (closing August 13) to inform the updating of policy on offshore wind energy. Here are the consultation questions: ‘1) Does “up to 40GW of new offshore wind by 2035-2040” demonstrate an appropriate level of ambition for the Scottish Government?’ ‘2) What additional actions do you believe should be taken by the Scottish Government, UK Government and agencies in order to realise the full potential of Scotland’s offshore wind sector?’ Source: Scottish Government (June 18, 2025) Offshore wind policy statement 2020 … Continue reading Renewable energy: should maximising electricity from offshore wind be a priority for Scotland in Union given surplus ‘exported’ to England is not a true export?

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News you won’t see – Scottish Government funding for playparks to promote children’s health and development surges by FIVE times in only five years

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Professor John Robertson OBA From: Funding to upgrade children’s playparks: FOI release Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 published yesterday: Question 1 – How much of this money has been allocated (not to be confused with the £25,000,000 announced recently)? The Scottish Government has allocated and committed the following sums since May 2021: The Scottish Government announced recently that in 2025/26 the final funding instalment of £25 million will be provided to the local authorities, which is delivering on the 2021 Programme for Government commitment of funding £60 million for play parks renewal. https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500467583/ … Continue reading News you won’t see – Scottish Government funding for playparks to promote children’s health and development surges by FIVE times in only five years

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‘No current investigations in Scotland involving offences against children which would mirror the investigations [in England] described in Baroness Casey’s audit as being perpetrated by “grooming gangs”

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Professor John Robertson OBA Readers will be aware no doubt of new Labour MP Joani Reid’s shameless u-turn on national inquiries into grooming gangs – no in England where they are many, to save her boss a red face, but yes in Scotland, where there are none, proving that as Jimmy Reid’s granddaughter, the apple can fall pretty far from the tree at times. Reid also wrote to FM Swinney, demanding an inquiry here but his response published on 4th July 2025 has had no MSM coverage. You can see why: However, in order for any action to be effective, … Continue reading ‘No current investigations in Scotland involving offences against children which would mirror the investigations [in England] described in Baroness Casey’s audit as being perpetrated by “grooming gangs”

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‘How much difference does it make to the results of political opinion polling in Scotland if the polling company does or does not apply a 2014 weighting to its survey findings?’

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stewartb The ease of asking questions of these AI tools is ‘interesting’! My question: ‘How much difference does it make to the results of political opinion polling in Scotland if the polling company does or does not apply a 2014 weighting to its survey findings?’ ChatGPT said:‘Applying or not applying a 2014 independence referendum weighting to political opinion polls in Scotland can significantly affect the reported results, especially when measuring support for Scottish independence.’ Here’s a breakdown of what this weighting does and why it matWhat is the 2014 weighting?This weighting adjusts the results of a poll to reflect how respondents say they … Continue reading ‘How much difference does it make to the results of political opinion polling in Scotland if the polling company does or does not apply a 2014 weighting to its survey findings?’

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‘When a polling company reports a survey of political opinion in Scotland weighted to 2014 what does it mean?’ Intelligence response

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stewartb: I asked the question of Chat GPT (for free) as a place to start – other AI tools are available. From Chat GPT – (see https://chatgpt.com ) My question: ‘When a polling company reports a survey of political opinion in Scotland weighted to 2014 what does it mean?‘ ChatGPT said in response: ‘When a polling company reports a survey of political opinion in Scotland “weighted to 2014,” it usually refers to weighting the data based on how people voted in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. I’n Detail: In Scotland, “2014” almost always refers to the independence referendum, held on 18 September … Continue reading ‘When a polling company reports a survey of political opinion in Scotland weighted to 2014 what does it mean?’ Intelligence response

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Dear England, we can help you see through the media spin distorting your reality

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Brenda Robb Today the media are full of articles, opinion pieces and comments on UK Labour’s plan to transform the NHS. We in Scotland would like to check if you are happy with what is being said because we have considerable experience of political & media spin distorting the real issues. Wes Streeting is offering a 3 pronged approach. Let’s start with the digital app, the doctor in your pocket. This promises several things – unprecedented control over your care, instant access to health advice, organising appointments made easier. It all sounds good doesn’t it? But take the health advice, … Continue reading Dear England, we can help you see through the media spin distorting your reality

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Those urging sympathy for Rachel Reeves would do well to remember how the BBC treated Nicola Sturgeon when she shed tears at the Covid Inquiry

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By Liz S Rachel Reeves in tears in the debating chamber in the HOC. “personal matter” apparently. However why then was she in the chamber if the “personal matter” was so upsetting for her that she could not hold back her tears while knowing she was within a public forum. Also it , as a public forum, was being televised and based on yet another major U Turn by her leader then her also knowing that that she would most likely be targeted by the opposition as the current UK Chancellor for failing to find money elsewhere. Empathy and support … Continue reading Those urging sympathy for Rachel Reeves would do well to remember how the BBC treated Nicola Sturgeon when she shed tears at the Covid Inquiry

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Despite media desperation to prove otherwise and suggest the SNP is ‘soft on crime’, Scotland’s ‘fatal stabbings by knife epidemic’ is not just, not real, it’s the very opposite of that

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Professor John Robertson OBA The Daily Record, above yesterday, was desperately digging to try to keep this disgusting and reality-distorting sequence below going, even if it means using sickly blood transfusions from England to do so: Though as we will see, not real, the media narrative seems to be having an effect. From a Police Scotland FoI request – 25-1604 – Crime stats – Murder by Knife – Age 10-20 – 3 yrs. Stop Search Stats – Knife – age 10-20 – 3 yrs, published today: Your recent request for information is replicated below, together with our response. Over the … Continue reading Despite media desperation to prove otherwise and suggest the SNP is ‘soft on crime’, Scotland’s ‘fatal stabbings by knife epidemic’ is not just, not real, it’s the very opposite of that

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Impartial intelligence confirms that Labour’s Small Nuclear Reactor strategy is based on none in operation in the West, no concrete order and two already cancelled in France and the US due to soaring costs

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By Anonymous When I questioned Small Modular Reactors, DeepSeek said You’re absolutely right to question the readiness of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—while they are often touted as a potential solution for clean energy, they remain largely unproven at scale, with significant uncertainties around cost, deployment timelines, and real-world performance. Key Issues with SMRs Today1. Limited Real-World Deployment 2. Unclear Cost Competitiveness 3. Regulatory & Supply Chain Hurdles 4. Still Produce Nuclear Waste Should Scotland Wait for SMRs? Conclusion SMRs are not yet a proven solution—Scotland would be wiser to invest in tidal expansion, storage, and grid flexibility while monitoring SMR developments. If SMRs eventually prove cost-effective … Continue reading Impartial intelligence confirms that Labour’s Small Nuclear Reactor strategy is based on none in operation in the West, no concrete order and two already cancelled in France and the US due to soaring costs

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NHS Scotland’s emergency stroke treatment saving thousands but the service remains in crisis in England after a year of Labour

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Professor John Robertson OBA Many thanks to Brenda Robb for both alerting me to this and for research assistance. In the Guardian today, the above, and: The NHS has repeatedly failed in its diagnosis and care of stroke patients, England’s health ombudsman has said. According to the World Stroke Association, more than 12 million people worldwide will have their first stroke this year and 6.5 million will die as a result. Strokes are one of the UK’s biggest killers, causing about 34,000 deaths a year, and the single biggest cause of severe disability. The NHS Fast campaign aims to raise awareness of the most common symptoms of … Continue reading NHS Scotland’s emergency stroke treatment saving thousands but the service remains in crisis in England after a year of Labour