Tag: politics

8 Comments

Four times as many, per head, waiting for a social care assessment or package in England than in Scotland yet the latter is ‘struggling?’

johnrobertson834

the amount of funding for struggling social care services. Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Scotland in their BBC Breakfast insert this morning has the above, essentially just councils doing what they do, ask for more money from central government. Context? Nope and certainly not this: From People requiring a social care assessment and care at home services published today by Public Health Scotland: The number of people estimated to be waiting on a social care assessment for a package of care to enable them to live independently at home or in the community was 6,461 on 7 April 2025. The estimated number of people assessed … Continue reading Four times as many, per head, waiting for a social care assessment or package in England than in Scotland yet the latter is ‘struggling?’

2 Comments

There is now no distracting from Labour’s record

johnrobertson834

By Liz S Talking of Labour….and another scandal and disgrace……re their HQ’s unfair, undignified and undemocratic position relating to Scotland. Keir Starmer was recently quoted as saying that: “We’re not having an independence referendum. It is a distraction. It won’t happen. It is a distraction from the record of the SNP.” The context of this statement from Starmer was in relation to the SNP achieving a majority in next years Scottish elections, that would then be seen as a a mandate for a second independence referendum. “It is a distraction from the record of the SNP.”….. Ironic when there exists so many “distractions” from much of the … Continue reading There is now no distracting from Labour’s record

3 Comments

As Colin Smyth, Labour MSP comes to court should Anas Sarwar be asked what he thinks of having now at least six known child sex offenders in his ranks?

johnrobertson834

Professor John Robertson OBA As he is filmed entering court, there’s not a word on Smyth’s long membership and representation of the Labour Party nor any suggestion that his leader Anas Sarwar might be asked how he feels about another sex offender in his ranks. How many Scottish Labour MSPs MPs or councillors have been accused of sex offences against children? Scottish Labour MSPs Scottish Labour Councillors Three distinct individuals were identified: Other cases (e.g., Ewan Dillon, Sean Morton) involved indecent images but were not explicitly tied to Scottish Labour in reports; they appear to have been independents or from … Continue reading As Colin Smyth, Labour MSP comes to court should Anas Sarwar be asked what he thinks of having now at least six known child sex offenders in his ranks?

7 Comments

Around 600 County Lines in operation in Scotland, 200 children exploited and 75% violence

johnrobertson834

Professor John Robertson OBA From the National Police Chiefs Council published yesterday: An annual review of the threat posed by County Lines to UK communities has today been published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC). Covering the period from April 2024 to March 2025, the latest County Lines Strategic Threat Assessment found that there are over 6,500 County Lines in operation across England, Scotland and Wales. However, the rise in internal lines (drug lines operating exclusively in one county) that was evident the previous year, has now stabilised, as has the number of County Lines … Continue reading Around 600 County Lines in operation in Scotland, 200 children exploited and 75% violence

1 Comment

As number of schools in England facing structural building failure surges, 92% in Scotland are safe – rated good or satisfactory – after inspection, up from only 62% under Labour

johnrobertson834

By stewartb Evidence of Westminster governments allowing England’s deterioration, this time its school buildings. What follows comes in a report from the National Audit Office (NAO) published today, 21 October: ‘Departmental overview: Department for Education 2024-25’ (See https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Department-for-Education-Overview-2024-25.pdf ) It reports, in the ‘matter of fact style’ that is characteristic of the NAO, that: ‘DfE has reported the risk of school building failure resulting from structural safety issues as one of its top risks since 2021-22. Our 2025 report ‘Maintaining public service facilities’ identified a £13.8 billion maintenance backlog in schools – 28% of the government backlog. Cabinet Office estimated that deferring work to … Continue reading As number of schools in England facing structural building failure surges, 92% in Scotland are safe – rated good or satisfactory – after inspection, up from only 62% under Labour

1 Comment

British university in Scotland with only tiny number of working-class Scottish students or Scottish staff accused of ‘penny-pinching’ over free period products

johnrobertson834

From BBC Scotland, yesterday: Edinburgh University has been accused of “penny-pinching” after it reduced the availability of free period products at one of its busiest sites. The university has removed free sanitary products from a number of toilets at its main library on George Square, where they have been replaced with signs pointing users to places where they are available. The items are now available in toilets on just three of the building’s eight floors, whereas previously they were available on at least six. The university said it would remain in line with Scottish government guidelines, upholding its commitment to “equality, … Continue reading British university in Scotland with only tiny number of working-class Scottish students or Scottish staff accused of ‘penny-pinching’ over free period products

1 Comment

Despite already having far more affordable housing per head than England, Scotland plans to build more than three times as many new ones

johnrobertson834

Professor John Robertson OBA According to the Herald today: A new report published today by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has calculated that £8.2bn would be needed to build the required number of homes to address the crisis. Yet it states ministers have only set aside £4.9bn failing to take account of the number of homes needed, the impact on inflation on building costs and new cost relating to standards it is introducing for the sector. The report comes just weeks after Ms McAllan, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, has announced a four-year £4.9bn plan for the affordable … Continue reading Despite already having far more affordable housing per head than England, Scotland plans to build more than three times as many new ones

5 Comments

69 000 GB Energy jobs – Michael Shanks is literally lying when he says no such pledge was ever made. He should publicly apologise

johnrobertson834

By Liz S Since we have an election coming up next year….how about some fairness that we now finally see some of the media here in Scotland casting their attention upon Anas Sarwar’s role in promoting his Labour HQ’s flagship policy last year in the Labour GE campaign………. MSM Monitor posted a reminder of what Sarwar said in the STV’s Leader’s debate in Scotland last year prior to the UK GE. “During the general election campaign Anas Sarwar repeatedly pledged that GB Energy would created 69,000 jobs in Scotland. So far it has created 13“. MSM Monitor also included a video that confirmed the figure Sarwar quoted on jobs … Continue reading 69 000 GB Energy jobs – Michael Shanks is literally lying when he says no such pledge was ever made. He should publicly apologise

3 Comments

Scottish fishing fleet has double the catching capacity of English fleet, lands more fish and generates more income but only 7% of UK development funding comes to Scotland

johnrobertson834

Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Dottie, once more, for alerting us to this. In the National, yesterday: Scottish Government hits out over ‘totally unacceptable’ fishing deal – MAIRI Gougeon has hit out at the UK Government for short-changing Scotland’s fishing industry over “totally unacceptable” funding allocation.  https://www.thenational.scot/news/25558212.scottish-government-hits-totally-unacceptable-fishing-deal/ According to the National report, Scotland, despite having 70% of the catch and generating 58% of the UK revenue, will only receive £28 million out of the total £360 million of investment through the new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, 7%. Wales and N Ireland get even less, £18m and £10m. So, £304 million, … Continue reading Scottish fishing fleet has double the catching capacity of English fleet, lands more fish and generates more income but only 7% of UK development funding comes to Scotland

3 Comments

Child abuse – Labour and Conservative’s history of neglect, even sickening collusion, ‘Scottish’ Labour MPs call for a pointless grooming inquiry here and how the SNP’s Named Person Scheme could have saved thousands in England

johnrobertson834

Professor John Robertson OBA From BBC Bradford today: Two abuse survivors have resigned from their role in the national [sic] inquiry into grooming gangs, the government has confirmed. Fiona Goddard, who was abused by gangs while living in a Bradford children’s home, quit the victims’ liaison panel over concerns about the inquiry’s shortlisted chairs, one of whom is reportedly a former police chief and the other a social worker. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5qkq7zex3o This may trigger another attempt by Scottish Labour in a massive Scottish cringe move, to have a comparable inquiry here. They will of course not remind us of their dark past in … Continue reading Child abuse – Labour and Conservative’s history of neglect, even sickening collusion, ‘Scottish’ Labour MPs call for a pointless grooming inquiry here and how the SNP’s Named Person Scheme could have saved thousands in England