Tag: politics

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Unless Labour further attack the poor, Scotland could hit its 2030 child poverty target in a unique demonstration of compassion and understanding of why child poverty must be eradicated, in the interests of all of us

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By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS The above prediction, from Achieving the 2030 Child Poverty Target published today by the IPPR Scotland, suggests that with the Scottish Child Payment and with compensation for the UK Universal Benefit, two child limit, Scotland could hit its fist child poverty target of 18%. The authors however, make clear that this might be sabotaged by wider UK Government economic policies including benefit cuts, increasing poverty across the UK. Why, need I remind you, does this matter to all of us? Here’s why: From Turning the tide What it will take to reduce child … Continue reading Unless Labour further attack the poor, Scotland could hit its 2030 child poverty target in a unique demonstration of compassion and understanding of why child poverty must be eradicated, in the interests of all of us

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Taxation – It’s also almost as if Labour HQ do not know what they are doing

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By Liz S Talking of Business…… Scottish Labour tweeted this on 21 February this year as stated by Anas Sarwar: “I will act to reinvigorate our high streets and town centres by making online giants pay their fair share. To do that a Scottish Labour government will introduce an Amazon Tax, delivering equality between our high streets and the online giants.” However it is now being reported that Keir Starmer is considering cutting the levy that Amazon pays in tax in the UK . (and also for other large tech companies too). MSM Monitor tweeted this yesterday : “Keir Starmer is planning … Continue reading Taxation – It’s also almost as if Labour HQ do not know what they are doing

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Ripping-off the poor is a Sarwar family tradition in Scotland too

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Professor John Robertson OBA In the Sunday National today, the above, and: The German Doner Kebab empire – which has family links to Anas Sarwar – has been advertising jobs at below the minimum wage, the Sunday National can reveal. In April 2024, before the full horror of Labour’s betrayal would be exposed, I wrote: I fear Labour in Scotland are going to campaign as if they’re kind of leftist. The media are going to cover the tracks between them and their London HQ and some voters are going to swallow it. I don’t think I’ve seen words so detached … Continue reading Ripping-off the poor is a Sarwar family tradition in Scotland too

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A sustainable pharmacy network that increases patient access to essential NHS care – Now that is a news story that will never be touched

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By Liz S Brexit has had many negative impacts in the UK. Unfortunately the two main UK parties were and still are more focused on trying to out Brexit each other to care about it’s damaging consequences, hence why Reeves, Kendall, Starmer are currently punishing the “many” to protect the “few”. “Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for England’s future“ Now that is a news story that will never be touched by the BBC Reporting Scotland news team as they are way too consumed in trying to convince us that Scotland should follow England, in everything, especially all of the … Continue reading A sustainable pharmacy network that increases patient access to essential NHS care – Now that is a news story that will never be touched

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A Professor, 11 years after BBC Scotland told Deacon Blue his research was ‘poor quality’, supposed CalMac supporters say his work is ‘not to be taken seriously’ but when challenged cannot offer any evidence

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Professor John Robertson OBA, former teacher, education lecturer, Associate Dean for Quality Assurance and Faculty Research Ethics Chair – why the F would I lie about anything when I don’t need to? First They Ignore You, Then They Laugh at You, Then They Attack You, Then….. In 2014, BBC Scotland accused me of bringing my employer, the University of the West of Scotland, AND the BBC, into disrepute. They copied in my boss, the Principal and vice Chancellor. For two weeks I feared for my job and if I’d worked in an ‘ancient’ university, might well have been reprimanded, even … Continue reading A Professor, 11 years after BBC Scotland told Deacon Blue his research was ‘poor quality’, supposed CalMac supporters say his work is ‘not to be taken seriously’ but when challenged cannot offer any evidence

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Many are glad of this:  the Scottish Government ‘directly boosting the incomes of parents claiming means-tested benefits’ and ‘pursuing a different social security agenda’ from Westminster

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By stewartb – a long read As the British Labour Party government in Westminster targets the Department for Work and Pensions for budget cuts, a London-based think-tank with a high media profile has acknowledged the positive impact on levels of child poverty of actions and financial commitments of the Scottish Government, by necessity through use of its devolved powers. The Resolution Foundation describes its mission as ‘improving the living standards of those on low-to-middle incomes.’ It claims to be ‘the leading UK authority on securing widely-shared economic growth.’ Its previous CEO, Torsten Bell  (2015-24) is now the Labour MP for … Continue reading Many are glad of this:  the Scottish Government ‘directly boosting the incomes of parents claiming means-tested benefits’ and ‘pursuing a different social security agenda’ from Westminster

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How BBC England exposes the threat to GP surgeries of Labour’s National Insurance hike but BBC Scotland hides it and tries to blame Scottish Government instead

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Professor John Robertson OBA BBC England, quite clear about the major threat to GP surgeries, in their headline above, and: GP practices could be pushed “over the edge” by a planned rise in the National Insurance (NI) rate for employers, a doctor has said. The government has said the NHS and the rest of the public sector would be shielded from the rise but that does not cover GP practices, many of which are run as small businesses. Dr Andrew Purbrick, who represents 300 GP practices across the south of England, said many would be forced to cut back on … Continue reading How BBC England exposes the threat to GP surgeries of Labour’s National Insurance hike but BBC Scotland hides it and tries to blame Scottish Government instead

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From the ‘Murder Capital’ of Europe to the safest place in the UK in less than 20 years but clearly too quickly for journalists, writers or comedians to adapt to

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That should read ‘treat’. How an otherwise excellent comedian continued to get laughs out an outdated image of the country with the lowest domestic violence levels in the UK. Professor John Robertson OBA This was first published in Scots Independent in February 2025 In 2005, only 20 years ago, according to the United Nations, Glasgow had the highest murder rate in the UK, higher than in Albania or Romania and was referred to in the media as the ‘Murder Capital of Europe.’ Scotland had a murder rate three times higher than in other parts of the UK. In sharp contrast … Continue reading From the ‘Murder Capital’ of Europe to the safest place in the UK in less than 20 years but clearly too quickly for journalists, writers or comedians to adapt to

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Drug deaths – this is not whataboutery but the means of calling out political hypocrisy and media bias

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By stewartb It could be deemed ‘unseemly’ to make btl comment on something as tragic as drug deaths. Of course the real topic – the real motivation – is political and mainstream media practices amongst those opposed to the Scottish Government. Fundamentally, this is not whataboutery but the means of calling out political hypocrisy and media bias! Many parts of the UK are experiencing, to a worrying degree, the harms and worse of drug misuse. Trend data strongly suggest that present UK drugs policy and associated interventions are proving inadequate. At least in Scotland the mortality rate, whilst still far too … Continue reading Drug deaths – this is not whataboutery but the means of calling out political hypocrisy and media bias

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Kaye Adams the latest BBC Scotland presenter to deliberately mislead the public by conflating the Dundee University ‘Wendy’ jobs scandal with SNP free tuition

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By Liz S Saw this online via a Blue Sky account: “Kaye Adams is the latest BBC Scotland presenter to deliberately mislead the public by conflating the Dundee University scandal with free tuition. The Dundee University funding issue was caused by financial mismanagement. It has nothing to do with free tuition. More BBC propaganda” Strangely enough I also heard this via the new additional BBC propaganda programme, which is now a part of the BBC in Scotland , as in the podcast called Scotcast,. As they were also debating this yesterday prompted by the Dundee University funding issue, but with … Continue reading Kaye Adams the latest BBC Scotland presenter to deliberately mislead the public by conflating the Dundee University ‘Wendy’ jobs scandal with SNP free tuition