Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Monday, October 17, 2022
Monday, October 10, 2022
Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Independence ‘Makes the Case for Optimism’
THE GUARDIAN: First minister uses SNP conference to promise steady hand compared with Westminster mayhem
Nicola Sturgeon giving her keynote speech on day three of the Scottish National party conference in Aberdeen. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish National party’s annual conference that independence makes the “case for optimism” in troubled times, and promised Scotland “a steady and compassionate hand on the tiller”.
The first minister spoke of the “massive responsibility of me and my government” to help Scots through the cost of living crisis, as she spoke to delegates in Aberdeen at the party’s first in-person conference since the pandemic.
Contrasting the UK government’s plans to “bundle [asylum seekers] on to planes like unwanted cargo”, Sturgeon emphasised Scotland’s international responsibility to stand with those in Iran, Afghanistan, Russian [sic], Belarus and Ukraine.
Sturgeon’s blunt assertion that she “detests” the Tories, made on the Laura Kuennsberg TV show on Sunday morning, attracted criticism from opponents and dominated Monday’s front pages, but she did not baulk at describing the tax cutting package announced by the UK government as “unconscionable”. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Monday, October 10, 2022
Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish National party’s annual conference that independence makes the “case for optimism” in troubled times, and promised Scotland “a steady and compassionate hand on the tiller”.
The first minister spoke of the “massive responsibility of me and my government” to help Scots through the cost of living crisis, as she spoke to delegates in Aberdeen at the party’s first in-person conference since the pandemic.
Contrasting the UK government’s plans to “bundle [asylum seekers] on to planes like unwanted cargo”, Sturgeon emphasised Scotland’s international responsibility to stand with those in Iran, Afghanistan, Russian [sic], Belarus and Ukraine.
Sturgeon’s blunt assertion that she “detests” the Tories, made on the Laura Kuennsberg TV show on Sunday morning, attracted criticism from opponents and dominated Monday’s front pages, but she did not baulk at describing the tax cutting package announced by the UK government as “unconscionable”. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Monday, October 10, 2022
Saturday, October 08, 2022
SNP's Ian Blackford Speaks at Party Conference
Westminster no longer speaks for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Maybe it is high time for the Celtic fringe to take matters into its own hands and re-join the European Union. This obsession with Brexit is largely an obsession born in England; so let England go it alone. Maybe, if the English get lucky, the Americans might want to make England the 51st state of the US of A. – © Mark Alexander
Friday, October 07, 2022
Nicola Sturgeon Says Decisions Taken by PM on UK Economy Have Been "Catastrophic"
Monday, September 12, 2022
Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of The Queen
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Queen's Coffin Carried into the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Thousands Wave Goodbye to the Queen as Her Coffin Travels from Balmoral to Edinburgh
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Scotland Makes Period Products Free
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The country is the first to offer tampons, sanitary pads and other menstrual products free of charge.
Period products are now free to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament approved a landmark piece of legislation.
The initiative makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” — or a lack of access to tampons or sanitary pads because of prohibitively high costs.
Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland might be “the first but won’t be the last” country to provide free period products.
“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.” » | Remy Tumin | Monday, August 15, 2022
Period products are now free to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament approved a landmark piece of legislation.
The initiative makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” — or a lack of access to tampons or sanitary pads because of prohibitively high costs.
Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland might be “the first but won’t be the last” country to provide free period products.
“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.” » | Remy Tumin | Monday, August 15, 2022
Saturday, July 16, 2022
DW Food : Haggis - The Most Scottish Thing You Can Eat
May 8, 2022 For non-locals, this dish might sound a bit out-there, but in its homeland of Scotland, haggis is an absolute classic. Haggis is inexpensive, tasty, and very nourishing. The savory pudding is prepared with minced sheep's pluck, oatmeal and spices. In Scotland it was once a typical rural meal, but these days haggis is often served up with no small ceremony – even to bagpipe accompaniment! – particularly on Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year. We took a closer look at the ingredients, how it's served, and the myths surrounding it.
Credits:
Report: Dina Osinski
Camera: Scott Johnson
Edit: Steffie Prietzsch
Credits:
Report: Dina Osinski
Camera: Scott Johnson
Edit: Steffie Prietzsch
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
A Smiling Queen Makes Public Appearance in Scotland
Jun 27, 2022 • The Queen has made a trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week, her first public appearance since her Platinum Jubilee weekend.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is due to outline her bid for a second independence vote this week, and it is thought that this could preoccupy discussions during the visit.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is due to outline her bid for a second independence vote this week, and it is thought that this could preoccupy discussions during the visit.
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
'Stop the World, Scotland Wants to Get On'
Verwandt.
Tuesday, June 07, 2022
Minimum Alcohol Price ‘Causes Poorest to Cut Back on Food’ in Scotland
THE GUARDIAN: Some problem drinkers also reducing heating to afford rising alcohol costs, according to Public Health Scotland
Alcohol for sale in an Edinburgh off-licence. The minimum pricing policy came into force in May 2018. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA
Scotland’s minimum alcohol pricing policy has not encouraged problem drinkers to consume less but has prompted some to cut back on food or heating in order to afford rising costs, according to the first evaluation of its impact on those who drink alcohol at harmful levels.
The Scottish National party’s flagship policy, championed by Nicola Sturgeon when she was health minister and introduced after successive court challenges by the Scotch Whisky Association, came into force in May 2018. It introduced a legally enforced minimum price for all alcoholic drinks of 50p a unit and aimed to tackle chronic alcohol abuse by targeting low-cost, high-strength drinks.
But the latest evaluation of minimum unit pricing (MUP), published on Tuesday by Public Health Scotland, found those who suffer the worst affects of alcoholism did not change their habits after the policy was introduced, with the poorest among them experiencing “increased financial strain” as price rises meant they were spending more on drink, causing them to cut back on other expenditure such as food and utility bills. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Surprise! Surprise! These politicians don’t have a bloody clue! They keep on distorting the market by introducing stupid, useless laws, the consequences of which should be clear and easy for an intelligent person to anticipate.
Many politicians need to study Economics 101! Most seem to be law graduates; they know not a thing about economics! When I studied economics back in the day, one of the first things I remember learning was that political interference in prices of goods in the marketplace lead to market distortions, which often leads to undesirable and unintended consequences. This problem in Scotland is one such example. With the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products sky high in this country, I feel absolutely certain that a similar story could also be told about those products.
Many politicians these days extol the virtues of the free market, yet they don’t allow the free market to determine prices. Go figure! Instead, they slap high taxes on goods they deem undesirable, hoping to change people’s behaviour and habits. They always fail. And always will. And when they don’t fail totally, they cause those people to take up other habits, many of which are worse than the original habit they were hoping to stamp out.
If politicians really want to change people’s habits, taxing products to the hilt is not the way to do it. Education and infomercials are a far better way forward. The results might not be as fast, but they will be longer-lasting. Furthermore, people won’t get the feeling that their rights are being trampled upon.
And there’s something else politicians need to learn: Utopia will never be achieved anyway. And in any case, regardless of class and means, everyone needs to be able to get some enjoyment in life, even if the source of that enjoyment might at times be deemed unhealthy. For God’s sake, stop the social engineering! – © Mark Alexander
Scotland’s minimum alcohol pricing policy has not encouraged problem drinkers to consume less but has prompted some to cut back on food or heating in order to afford rising costs, according to the first evaluation of its impact on those who drink alcohol at harmful levels.
The Scottish National party’s flagship policy, championed by Nicola Sturgeon when she was health minister and introduced after successive court challenges by the Scotch Whisky Association, came into force in May 2018. It introduced a legally enforced minimum price for all alcoholic drinks of 50p a unit and aimed to tackle chronic alcohol abuse by targeting low-cost, high-strength drinks.
But the latest evaluation of minimum unit pricing (MUP), published on Tuesday by Public Health Scotland, found those who suffer the worst affects of alcoholism did not change their habits after the policy was introduced, with the poorest among them experiencing “increased financial strain” as price rises meant they were spending more on drink, causing them to cut back on other expenditure such as food and utility bills. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Surprise! Surprise! These politicians don’t have a bloody clue! They keep on distorting the market by introducing stupid, useless laws, the consequences of which should be clear and easy for an intelligent person to anticipate.
Many politicians need to study Economics 101! Most seem to be law graduates; they know not a thing about economics! When I studied economics back in the day, one of the first things I remember learning was that political interference in prices of goods in the marketplace lead to market distortions, which often leads to undesirable and unintended consequences. This problem in Scotland is one such example. With the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products sky high in this country, I feel absolutely certain that a similar story could also be told about those products.
Many politicians these days extol the virtues of the free market, yet they don’t allow the free market to determine prices. Go figure! Instead, they slap high taxes on goods they deem undesirable, hoping to change people’s behaviour and habits. They always fail. And always will. And when they don’t fail totally, they cause those people to take up other habits, many of which are worse than the original habit they were hoping to stamp out.
If politicians really want to change people’s habits, taxing products to the hilt is not the way to do it. Education and infomercials are a far better way forward. The results might not be as fast, but they will be longer-lasting. Furthermore, people won’t get the feeling that their rights are being trampled upon.
And there’s something else politicians need to learn: Utopia will never be achieved anyway. And in any case, regardless of class and means, everyone needs to be able to get some enjoyment in life, even if the source of that enjoyment might at times be deemed unhealthy. For God’s sake, stop the social engineering! – © Mark Alexander
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Life in Scotland Is Getting Worse, Say Young LGBT+ People
THE GUARDIAN: Concerns about bullying, homophobia and hate crime revealed in latest five-yearly report
Life for LGBT+ young people in Scotland is “worse now than it has been for a long time”, according to a report which highlights growing concerns about homophobia in public spaces, bullying in schools and transphobic media coverage.
The five-yearly report from the campaigning and advocacy group LGBT Youth Scotland found a sharp decrease in respondents who believe that Scotland is a good place for LGBTI young people to live, falling from 81% in 2017 to 65% in 2022 and the first drop in the figure for 15 years.
There was also a significant increase in those who believe that homophobia and transphobia is a “big problem” in Scotland since the last survey was undertaken in 2017 – rising from 11% to 25% and 49% to 69% respectively. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Life for LGBT+ young people in Scotland is “worse now than it has been for a long time”, according to a report which highlights growing concerns about homophobia in public spaces, bullying in schools and transphobic media coverage.
The five-yearly report from the campaigning and advocacy group LGBT Youth Scotland found a sharp decrease in respondents who believe that Scotland is a good place for LGBTI young people to live, falling from 81% in 2017 to 65% in 2022 and the first drop in the figure for 15 years.
There was also a significant increase in those who believe that homophobia and transphobia is a “big problem” in Scotland since the last survey was undertaken in 2017 – rising from 11% to 25% and 49% to 69% respectively. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Sunday, April 03, 2022
Wales and Scotland Vow to Press Ahead with Trans-inclusive Conversion Therapy Bans
PINK NEWS: The devolved governments in Wales and Scotland have expressed their commitment to banning “draconian” conversion therapy in all forms, in spite of Boris Johnson.
Johnson was widely condemned after first U-turning on plans to ban conversion therapy, before changing tack and promising that a ban would be forthcoming – though reportedly, it will now not include trans conversion therapy.
After initially stating that the government would pursue non-legislative measures against conversion therapy, a spokesperson told PinkNews on Friday (1 April): “The government has a proud record on LGBT rights, and the prime minister is committed to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy.
“The content, scope and timing of the proposed bill will be confirmed in due course.” Representatives for Wales and Scotland have both released official statements affirming their commitments to banning conversion therapy in the wake of the two U-turns.
Though Scotland is not affected by Boris Johnson’s plans – the UK government had already said its ban would be for England and Wales only – a minister said in a statement that the practice has “no place in our society”.
Christina McKelvie, minister for equalities and older people, said: “Conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. » | Emily Chudy | Friday, April 1, 2022
Thursday, February 17, 2022
BBC’s Sarah Smith Relieved to Escape Scottish ‘Bile and Hatred’
THE GUARDIAN: Former Scotland editor says she repeatedly experienced gendered abuse while doing her job
Sarah Smith was recently appointed as North America editor for BBC News. Photograph: Alan Peebles/BBC
Sarah Smith, the BBC’s former Scotland editor, has said she feels relieved to have left the country after enduring years of misogynistic “bile and hatred” while covering Scottish politics.
Smith, the recently appointed North America editor for BBC News, said she repeatedly experienced gendered abuse while doing her job, which led her to significantly reduce her use of Twitter and to fear she had become a visible target.
Born and educated in Edinburgh, she said she believed much of the abuse came from nationalists because her father was John Smith, the UK Labour party leader who died in 1994. He was a notable critic of Scottish independence.
In remarks published by the Reuters Institute, Smith said: “He was a very well known politician, he was a unionist, people like to therefore assume that my politics must be the same as my father’s, despite me being, one, a different person, and him having been dead for 27 years.” » | Severin Carrell, Scotland editor | Thursday, February 17, 2022
Sarah Smith, the BBC’s former Scotland editor, has said she feels relieved to have left the country after enduring years of misogynistic “bile and hatred” while covering Scottish politics.
Smith, the recently appointed North America editor for BBC News, said she repeatedly experienced gendered abuse while doing her job, which led her to significantly reduce her use of Twitter and to fear she had become a visible target.
Born and educated in Edinburgh, she said she believed much of the abuse came from nationalists because her father was John Smith, the UK Labour party leader who died in 1994. He was a notable critic of Scottish independence.
In remarks published by the Reuters Institute, Smith said: “He was a very well known politician, he was a unionist, people like to therefore assume that my politics must be the same as my father’s, despite me being, one, a different person, and him having been dead for 27 years.” » | Severin Carrell, Scotland editor | Thursday, February 17, 2022
Monday, January 31, 2022
Scottish and Welsh Ministers Criticise ‘Cack-handed’ Plans to Scrap EU Rules
THE GUARDIAN: UK government accused of not properly consulting devolved parliaments over ‘Brexit freedom bill’
The proposed bill will have a significant impact on hundreds of areas controlled by devolved governments. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA
Senior ministers in the Welsh and Scottish governments have furiously criticised “last-minute and cack-handed” plans from the Conservatives to scrap or amend thousands of EU rules.
The move – nicknamed the “Brexit freedoms bill” – has also raised alarm from constitutional experts who said it would make it easier for ministers to bulldoze through important parliamentary scrutiny.
Senior sources in the devolved governments have accused the UK government of failing to properly consult ministers in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Stormont, even though the proposals, released on Monday by No 10, will have a significant impact on hundreds of areas controlled by devolved governments.
One source said the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish parliaments first learned an announcement was imminent when they were invited at 1.51pm last Friday to an unexpected meeting on Saturday with Suella Braverman, the attorney general.
It involved ministers from all three devolved administrations and the cabinet ministers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. » | Severin Carrell and Jessica Elgot | Monday, January 31, 2022
Senior ministers in the Welsh and Scottish governments have furiously criticised “last-minute and cack-handed” plans from the Conservatives to scrap or amend thousands of EU rules.
The move – nicknamed the “Brexit freedoms bill” – has also raised alarm from constitutional experts who said it would make it easier for ministers to bulldoze through important parliamentary scrutiny.
Senior sources in the devolved governments have accused the UK government of failing to properly consult ministers in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Stormont, even though the proposals, released on Monday by No 10, will have a significant impact on hundreds of areas controlled by devolved governments.
One source said the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish parliaments first learned an announcement was imminent when they were invited at 1.51pm last Friday to an unexpected meeting on Saturday with Suella Braverman, the attorney general.
It involved ministers from all three devolved administrations and the cabinet ministers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. » | Severin Carrell and Jessica Elgot | Monday, January 31, 2022
Thursday, January 13, 2022
What Does Tory Rift Mean for Scotland and the Union?
THE TIMES: Tory prime ministers are used to friendly fire from Scottish Conservatives. Elected Tories north of the border tend to be more liberal and centrist certainly than the present cabinet but also many of their predecessors.
However, the past 24 hours have seen an unprecedented escalation of hostilities, and not only because Douglas Ross became the first leader of the Scottish party to call for a sitting Conservative to quit Downing Street.
It is the venom with which allies of Boris Johnson have pushed back that has shocked senior politicians and strategists in Edinburgh.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, called Ross a “lightweight” and sent spasms of anger through the Scottish Tory hierarchy. References have been made to Rees-Mogg’s first … » | Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor | Thursday, January 13, 2022 [£]
Saturday, September 11, 2021
A Scottish Gay Wedding
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