Hertsscot

I had that a few years back. I had kidney stones and they removed a stent. Not as bad as I feared!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-68207051 Article on BBC website about impact of PFI on school budgets in England. I'm presuming these are similar to the contracts in Scotland. I don't know too much (anything) about business contracts but use of NDAs seems wrong when public money is involved. When Labour bleat about lack of money for councils surely these type of contracts contribute to that.

From today's BBC website: Cancer waiting times for 2023 in England were the worst on record, a BBC News analysis has revealed. Only 64.1% of patients started treatment within 62 days of cancer being suspected, meaning nearly 100,000 waited longer than they should for life-saving care. The waits have worsened every year for the past 11. Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Gemma Peters called the figures "shocking".

...in a few marginal constituencies.

I know that Sunak's comments yesterday were crass and insensitive given that Brianna Ghey's mum was going to be present in HoC but his comments were spot on regarding Starmer and u-turns.

I'm no economist but I doubt you can promote growth simply through tax, tax, tax. However over the last 40 odd years there has been a massive growing gulf between the haves and have nots, we are one of the most unequal societies in Europe. Would you not agree that for a cohesive and content society that this ever increasing economic disparity needs to be addressed? 'Progressive' taxation is one obvious way this can be done. The rich had far higher taxation under Thatcher, I'm not suggesting that we go back to those rates but I don't see anything wrong with upping them and those who have benefitted paying a bit more.

And next time you hear SLab criticising the Scottish Government and telling them to get on with the day job https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68211110

Precisely. Round Brexit, N.Ireland was really an afterthought. And then it's suddenly panic as they begin to realise that getting their deal done might not be so easy after all.

Some really interesting thoughts, that may well be the English reaction but I wonder what the Loyalist reaction would be in the face of such a sell out by any UK Government.

I think it's great that someone who obviously respects, and is enthusiastic about Scottish football has got the Aberdeen job. He'll be conscious of following in Fergie's footsteps. Hopefully he can make a difference to the Dons in the short term. Anything which promotes the Scottish game beyond the Old Firm is welcome.

It's horrible and possibly breaches ministerial rules. It might have been better if Morgan had bet him £1000 if he'd still be PM by the end of the year.

Think I'm agreeing with Malcolm on this one.

These guys were S2. Only had two lessons. First lesson they were bit negative, second lesson they were more engaged. None of that necessarily surprised me, politics is old people discussing stuff that affects old people - until you point out just how it affects young people as well!

Strange game. I suspect that in spite of the win, players might have felt a bit deflated. In the long term a result like that may not be the worst. A talented French team will be licking their wounds, so given the second half performance, Scotland shouldn't be complacent and will know they have work to do.

It was apparently Democracy Week last week at school. I taught a couple of lessons. Made the point that if you vote, the people you vote for won't necessarily win. Even if they do, they won't always do (or be able to do) what you want. But if you don't vote, then you may well get who you definitely don't want!

Didn't Coventry pay £6 million odd for Ellis Simms? Miovski's a lot better.

Never in doubt!

Rugby not going well. We could be on the wrong side of a great come back. How typical.

Who would you like?

Interesting times in Spain, Bellingham allegedly called Greenwood a rapist when they played against one another.

Too often we're looking for other people to do things. For many people in Scotland indy exists as a nice dream or aspiration but that's it. They're not prepared to do anything, go on a march, sign a petition, staff a stall, knock on doors etc. They'd like to be independent but can't be arsed.

I share your concern but hope that Devine does well in his loan spell.

Probably mine 🤦‍♂️

Thanks for posting that. It sums up the whole charade. I don't expect to see shrill headlines about 'Union' Jack in tomorrows Express or Mail.

The way things are going, you might be the only one left voting for them in the whole of the UK 😃.