Heating oil prices have hit rural households hard in Stirling & Strathallan, so I welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to extra support.
I am continuing to monitor the situation and will be pressing the Scottish Government to set out their plans for the funding.
The PM listed 5 things they'll do to "protect the cost of living". Most just reiteratedexisting situation, the new thing, as expected was £53m to help vulnerable with home heating oil costs. We'll starting digging into that ASAP. Will update here when I know more.
Companies House has put out a statement confirming that, for five months, every company in the UK was vulnerable to the simple exploit we identified on Friday.
It enabled anyone in the world to view and change their company details.
My medical college was neutral but is now against
In part because of the inadequate protection against coercion partly because of the lack of an opt out
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, says she has reduced her alcohol consumption since her cancer diagnosis.
Hopefully this will help increase awareness that alcohol causes at least 7 types of cancer.
But how does it cause cancer? Watch our film: youtu.be/NAJ88YJixrQ
🚨 Can Keir Starmer avoid the UK being drawn into the US-Iran war? – latest podcast with me and @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Tourism is vital to Scotland’s economy
As Minister responsible for the registers of Scotland i got approval to fund them to digitise births deaths marriages & the sassine [ land & property register]
I did so because I saw the added benefit in genealogical tourism. It has increased x5 since 2002.
Officials stated that making apartments available for hire may encourage tourists to travel long distances to Scotland, with further claims, branded "absurd", that washing the bedsheets and the extra cleaning involved could also add to the country's carbon footprint. The decision is linked to 2023 planning rules introduced by SNP ministers that state: "When considering all development proposals, significant weight will be given to the global climate and nature crises."
The SNP has introduced planning rules penalising applications which could encourage tourism. Sounds like a joke, but apparently isn’t.
It is not possible to give the choice that a small number seek about the end of their life without putting a much larger vulnerable group in harm’s way.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists & many others agree.
That’s why I hope MSP colleagues will reject the dangerous assisted dying bill tomorrow
Tuesday’s @theguardian.com front page: PM vows UK will resist US pressure to join Iran war www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
I hope it is defeated.
First [if ever] palliative and terminal care must be gold star funded
Could it be Thanks to a campaign led by Labour MSP Monica Lennon which created the fist free periods supplies in Scotland
EXC: SNP Health Secretary accused of 'shameful' NHS failures in his own backyard. NHS Lanarkshire is:
- bottom of the league on GP numbers per 10,000 people
- worst on patient satisfaction on GP services
- miles behind on A+E waits
Can Mandelson be prosecuted?
We’ve discussed the law and the evidence with leading lawyers. The bottom line: "misconduct in public office" is the only viable route.
The law is messy and proving intent is hard - but we believe there is a realistic prospect of conviction.
🧵:
Can the Scottish Government explain why John Swinney lied about having reduced public sector headcount? No. It cannot. Remarkably, it effectively disowns remarks Swinney made during on interview on BBC Radio Scotland.
I'm getting used to using this
Job Alert 📢 Please share - We are looking for a creative, confident, and experienced individual to join our team as a Fundraiser.
Please see more information below and do get in touch with us if you have any queries.
www.familiesoutside.org.uk/about-us/recruitment/
The @ipprscotland.bsky.social report - More than a Safety Net - is published today.
Is the welfare state a brake on economic development?
No, countries with high levels of social spending are among the most dynamic, productive and innovative economies in the world
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
🚨 BREAKING: Jewish activists heckle Nigel Farage during the launch of Reform UK's Jewish alliance
"My grandmother fled Germany, you would deport her!"
Jes Staley - former senior exec at JPM and CEO of Barclays - told the FCA he and Epstein were not friends.
Let's break that rule that we can't call rich/famous people "liars".
Thread:
Taken together with the offshore wind auction last month we have secured the most clean, homegrown power in British history.
We’re on track to deliver our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In our latest blog, Jem Roberts and Dr Peter Rice unpack the panic about pub closures - and show why much of it is misleading 🍺
What’s actually happening?
⬇️ Pub numbers have fallen for over a century - this isn’t new
⬆️ Employment in pubs has stayed stable...
www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/10/i...
Farage wants to bring cryptocurrency in from the cold. Tell that to the bond markets.
Two obvious (simplified) reasons (not exclusive):
1) Because the people who own/fund him are business partners/associates with the people who wield most influence the media
AND/OR
2) Promoting right wing ideas is profitable and is far easier/more cost effective than proper journalism.
Another one gone, and another reason for Jo Monk to quit.
Councillor quits Reform over council 10% tax rise
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News, "Greater Manchester Police are investigating a report that Reform UK broke electoral law in the Gorton & Denton by-election"
"It's been reported that the party sent a letter to voters that didn't include an imprint identifying the promoter of the material"
