Tag: scotland

4 Comments

Scotsman blames SNP for balancing books on teacher numbers but still keeping best conditions in world and best staffing level in the UK as pupils numbers plummet

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson, OBA Every year, the Scottish Government monitors the number of teachers and pupils in the system, predicts future demand and adjusts teacher training place numbers to take account of this, with a view to not having too many teachers or overspending in one area of its fixed budget. Sensible? Last year, they were able to say: In Scotland, the number of primary school pupils peaked in 2017 at around 400,000 pupils before decreasing to around 390,000 in 2021. Estimates using 2018-based population projections show a continued decrease each year to around 355,000 in 2027. 1 and have … Continue reading Scotsman blames SNP for balancing books on teacher numbers but still keeping best conditions in world and best staffing level in the UK as pupils numbers plummet

2 Comments

BBC Highland opens up – ‘Drug gangs now targeting Inverness originate in English cities’

johnrobertson834

The above statement is from the comments of a local policeman in Episode 2, Series 2 of Highland Cops, produced by a private company for BBC Scotland, at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024s8q/highland-cops-series-2-episode-2 BBC Reporting Scotland, BBC Scotland News of any form, last mentioned these gangs in 2021, only once before in 2019, but has never mentioned where they originate and has never used the word ‘English.’ You can watch this episode at 9pm tonight. Unlike a BBC Scotland Disclosure episode, a Highland Cops episode has never been used as a story in Reporting Scotland. This episode, and the series as a whole, is … Continue reading BBC Highland opens up – ‘Drug gangs now targeting Inverness originate in English cities’

5 Comments

Scotland’s slowing drug death rate fall linked to flood of cross-border low-cost, high strength drugs and inadequate police resources in England and Wales

johnrobertson834

In the run-up to the July General Election, Labour promised to add 3 000 new officers1 to the current 240 000 in England and Wales2 – a 01.25% increase. This promise was, in part, in response to steadily climbing drug deaths: The rate of drug-poisoning deaths in 2023 (93.0 deaths per million) was double the rate in 2012 (46.5 deaths per million). The rate has increased every year since 2012.3 Why are drug deaths climbing steadily and even accelerating in England & Wales since around 2017? The National Crime Agency first reported on County Lines Drug gangs in 2015 and … Continue reading Scotland’s slowing drug death rate fall linked to flood of cross-border low-cost, high strength drugs and inadequate police resources in England and Wales

5 Comments

County Lines gangs from cities in England ‘swamping’ police forces and linked to Scotland’s high drug death rates 

johnrobertson834

From the Press & Journal, three days ago: Cops say Inverness flooded with ‘endless supply of drug foot soldiers’ from Birmingham, Liverpool and London – Police are battling with drug gangs “every week” – and that trying to chase them is like a game of “whack-a-mole”. Detective Constable Duncan Birse laid out the extent of the problem. He said: “Being born and bred in the Highlands I assume most folk associate Inverness with the Loch Ness Monster and whisky. “Probably most folk are unaware that actually we have a massive issue here with county lines drug dealing gangs. “We are … Continue reading County Lines gangs from cities in England ‘swamping’ police forces and linked to Scotland’s high drug death rates 

4 Comments

Winter Fuel Allowance – Unite Union legal action against UK Government is kept on BBC Scotland website to misinform

johnrobertson834

By Anonymous BBC Website Scotland Business page. Headline article on this page “Unite union may bring legal action over winter fuel payments” it is 6th article on this Scotland Business page. Click on the article then it shows it to be in UK Politics page ? But not on the Scotland Politics page but the UK Politics page. However if you click on UK Politics page this story is not on there ????? The article’s content is clearly relating to the UK government as it refers to Rachel Reeves and Labour , however the first paragraph is ambiguous as to which government it is that Unite Union are considering legal action against at it … Continue reading Winter Fuel Allowance – Unite Union legal action against UK Government is kept on BBC Scotland website to misinform

4 Comments

Rachel Reeves’ barefaced lie about NHS Scotland and the Daily Record’s campaign to make Anas Sarwar your First Minister

johnrobertson834

As the Daily Record amplifies the British Labour Party Chancellor’s lie about NHS Scotland, how often will it leave readers misinformed in order to support the Party? By stewartb The campaigning strategy of the British Labour Party to win the 2026 Holyrood election is becoming clearer. The performance of NHS Scotland will figure prominently. Politicisation and negative messaging about healthcare in Scotland has been pursued relentlessly by the Labour leadership for years: meanwhile the greater woes of NHS Wales under a Labour government in Cardiff are never acknowledged by Labour politicians whether in Holyrood or Westminster. It remains important to … Continue reading Rachel Reeves’ barefaced lie about NHS Scotland and the Daily Record’s campaign to make Anas Sarwar your First Minister

10 Comments

British Labour Party is well advanced in inserting its attack lines for the 2026 Holyrood election in public consciousness via our, sorry their, media

johnrobertson834

By stewartb ‘Neither Dr Kennedy nor the Guardian writer wished to put their comments into perspective’. Context and perspective when it comes to matters concerning the Scottish Government/NHS Scotland are no go areas also for BBC Scotland, STV, The Herald, The Scotsman, the Daily Record, even Channel 4 News etc. and that’s before we look at the sources these media outlets rely on in the British Labour Party. the Tories and the Lib Dems in Holyrood. No context, no perspective, endless, repeated negativity and bias by omission – a rich and powerful brew! Amongst all this, the British Labour Party … Continue reading British Labour Party is well advanced in inserting its attack lines for the 2026 Holyrood election in public consciousness via our, sorry their, media

4 Comments

Even with a 10% fare increase for the Arran crossing, the nearest equivalent crossing in England, to the Isle of Wight, is still 45% more, for half the journey, to pay shareholder dividends

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson, UK Ferry Correspondent From the Largs & Millport Weekly News, yesterday: COUNCILLORS are attempting to freeze fares on both the Arran and Cumbrae ferry routes and prevent a price hike. At tomorrow’s North Ayrshire Council meeting, a motion is being put forward by Councillor Cameron Inglis calling for the local authority to write to cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, opposing the current proposal. The latest move comes after the Scottish Government’s decision to impose a 10 per cent increase in ferry fares for 2025-26, which has been lambasted by West Scotland Labour MSP Katy Clark and her Conservative counterpart Jamie … Continue reading Even with a 10% fare increase for the Arran crossing, the nearest equivalent crossing in England, to the Isle of Wight, is still 45% more, for half the journey, to pay shareholder dividends

5 Comments

Why is BMA Scotland silent when Labour is a threat to Highland and Island practices?

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to MSM Monitor for pointing this out. From BBC Highlands and Islands yesterday but conspicuously absent from BBC Reporting Scotland or Good Morning Scotland: Doctors in the Highlands fear increased National Insurance (NI) costs could close some practices, a senior Scottish figure in the British Medical Association (BMA) has said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her Budget last week payments from employers – including medical practices – would go up next April. Dr Al Miles, deputy chairman of the BMA‘s Scottish GPs committee, said Highland doctors had contacted him worried about thousands of pounds of increased costs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6l91prnqeo … Continue reading Why is BMA Scotland silent when Labour is a threat to Highland and Island practices?

1 Comment

Fireworks Night a ‘damp squib’ as offences plummet except in Pacific Quay

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson OBA The BBC Scotland report on last night’s fireworks events is one of the simplest best examples of media bias and you could use it with 11 year-olds. It’s so naked and simple, you might force a wee ironic snigger. It opens with Firefighters attacked on Bonfire Night as crews take 1,000 calls and goes on with 32 (count them) paragraphs describing incidents, interspersed with images, including those of masked hooded youths with big fireworks. Then and only then from paragraphs 33 to 36, we hear: Overall, the force said the incidents of serious disorder had fallen this … Continue reading Fireworks Night a ‘damp squib’ as offences plummet except in Pacific Quay