Tag: scotland

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How NHS Scotland will not be ‘decimated’ by private equity because the SNP oversight ‘of devolved, generous funding enables a “collectivist” approach with less private penetration.’

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Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks once more to Dottie for alerting us to this. From The Lowdown, 2 September 2025, the above and: In late August the release of a report by US senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) on the destruction of hospitals in his home state of Connecticut, and across the US by private equity companies highlights once again the negative effect of this form of investment.  The report documented what happened when three Connecticut hospitals—Waterbury Hospital, Rockville General, and Manchester Memorial—were bought by Prospect Medical Holdings, a company that since 2010 had been owned by private equity firm Leonard Green & … Continue reading How NHS Scotland will not be ‘decimated’ by private equity because the SNP oversight ‘of devolved, generous funding enables a “collectivist” approach with less private penetration.’

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Credible research, ie not from Jack McConnell’s ‘think-tank’, also suggests NHS Scotland has highest satisfaction levels in UK and they’re not falling significantly

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now than it was 10 years ago. Think-tank Enlighten has released findings ahead of a major doctors conference today. Professor John Robertson OBA We have good reason to doubt the above ‘research‘ given what we know about this think tank and their badly under-qualified research director. Enlighten are of course the formerly named Reform Scotland, changed now for obvious reasons and headed up by these two. They seem to be hiding details of their staff now but you may remember their research director, Alison Payne, was a Conservative Party activist and spad, Guide leader and just a mum for BBC … Continue reading Credible research, ie not from Jack McConnell’s ‘think-tank’, also suggests NHS Scotland has highest satisfaction levels in UK and they’re not falling significantly

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Scottish Government’s one-year 26% increase in funding for affordable (70% social) housing is not dramatic enough to mention it seems

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political parties to commit to urgent housing justice ahead of next years Holyrood election. A joint manifesto from the Everyone Home group will be launched at Scotland’s Annual Homelessness conference, which begins in Pert today…….calling for a dramatic increase in social housing. Professor John Robertson OBA Not mentioned, in the above BBC Scotland broadcast today: The Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) budget will increase by 26% in real terms to £768 million in 2025-26. This will support the delivery of at least 8,000 new affordable homes including for social rent, mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership. nor This will support … Continue reading Scottish Government’s one-year 26% increase in funding for affordable (70% social) housing is not dramatic enough to mention it seems

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Glasgow’s miles better and ‘Fast car Phil’ needs to learn from it

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Professor John Robertson OBA The Times on 23 October 2025, has the above. Before I respond to the ridiculous headline claim, who is Rodney? From the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Philip practised as a lawyer for more than 40 years, latterly as chair of Burness Paull. He also previously chaired the Senior Lawyers Committee of the International Bar Association and the board of governors of the Glasgow School of Art and was a governor of Hutchesons’ Educational Trust. Philip currently sits on the board of Dunedin Consort, as well as being a Senior Adviser to Saxton Bampfylde Ltd and has … Continue reading Glasgow’s miles better and ‘Fast car Phil’ needs to learn from it

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Bairns lead the way with most Scottish squad players, best stadium name change and are first to cap ticket prices

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Professor John Robertson OBA (Open Bairns Admirer) OK, first my apologies to Gordon Gibson, for this. Motherwell deserved better. Second, I declare my uncontrolled bias and thus must rate my researcher reliability score to be SFA. I see today that Falkirk FC, ‘The Bairns‘ of the Bairnabeu Stadium in the Bog, Falkirk, have been first in the league, to cap their ticket prices at £25, in the wake of bumper crowds this year. Also, source-free, I feel sure I’ve seen a proposal to rename the Falkirk Stadium (yawn) the St Jimmy Bairnabeu Stadium, after Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in … Continue reading Bairns lead the way with most Scottish squad players, best stadium name change and are first to cap ticket prices

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The case for developing a shipbuilding industry on the Clyde learning valuable skills from the two hybrids – as four cheap-build island ‘lifeline’, Turkey-built ferries are delayed again and again despite cheap and dangerous practice

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By Professor John Robertson OBA From the Scotsman in March 2025: A fleet of ferries being built in Turkey have been hit by a further setback, with their completion date pushed back by at least another three months due to labour shortages. The Isle of Islay – the first of four vessels being built at the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard at Yalova – will now not be completed until at least June. The delay, which was blamed on the impact of “global geopolitical events”, was confirmed in a letter from Scottish Government ferry-buying firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal), sent to a key Scottish Parliament committee … Continue reading The case for developing a shipbuilding industry on the Clyde learning valuable skills from the two hybrids – as four cheap-build island ‘lifeline’, Turkey-built ferries are delayed again and again despite cheap and dangerous practice

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Health Secretary need not apologise over Glasgow drug room briefing

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Professor John Robertson OBA In the Herald today, the above and: Health Secretary Neil Gray is under pressure to apologise after an official briefing prepared for him included claims that residents in Glasgow’s East End have spread misinformation about the city’s drug consumption room. The internal paper — released under Freedom of Information laws to the Scottish Conservatives — was drawn up by Scottish Government officials ahead of Mr Gray’s appearance before the Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee in June, as part of its inquiry into “Problem Drug Use in Scotland” and the Thistle pilot facility in Calton. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25566391.neil-gray-urged-apologise-glasgow-drug-room-briefing/ Who is urging the apology? You won’t be surprised: What … Continue reading Health Secretary need not apologise over Glasgow drug room briefing

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A ferry service funded by all of us to run even at only 20% capacity, cannot stand a 7% reduction in service without risking its ‘lifeline’ status? Bollards!

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Professor John Robertson OBA, Island Cycling Correspondent of the Year In the Herald today: Residents of Cumbrae have reacted to plans by state-owned operator CalMac which they say will “further damage fragile island communities”. The Cumbrae Ferry Committee, which represents residents in Millport – the only town on Cumbrae – say CalMac’s proposal to introduce scheduled maintenance windows during normal working hours of the Cumbrae ferry — either six hours each week or a full 24-hour period each month – would reduce vital lifeline services that the island depends on. CalMac‘s Largs to Cumbrae (pop 1 500) and back service, 52 crossings, peak, and 33 off peak, … Continue reading A ferry service funded by all of us to run even at only 20% capacity, cannot stand a 7% reduction in service without risking its ‘lifeline’ status? Bollards!

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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?

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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?

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‘Devastating damage to vehicles’ aboard North Link’s Orkney ferry after ‘cargo shift’ in wind speeds that have never troubled CalMac

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Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Dottie again for alerting us to this: Off Stromness, wind speeds this morning varied between 24.5 and 40.1 mph with gusts up to 42.4 mph1according to the Inverness Courier: ‘Devastating’ damage to vehicles aboard Scrabster ferry after ‘cargo shift’ – A “full review” is under way after vehicles were damaged while the ferry Hamnavoe was crossing the Pentland Firth [from Stromness] this morning. The ferry operator, Serco NorthLink Ferries, said there had been a “cargo shift” as the vessel was on its way from Stromness to Scrabster. No-one was injured. Managing director Stuart Garrett … Continue reading ‘Devastating damage to vehicles’ aboard North Link’s Orkney ferry after ‘cargo shift’ in wind speeds that have never troubled CalMac