David Bol

@davidbol.bsky.social

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✍️Journalist - Deputy Political Editor 📰The Scotsman @scotsman.com 🌍Climate & energy nerd 🔵Falkirk FC fan 📍Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Reform UK's proposal to ban Gaelic and any other language other than English or Welsh from election material.
An amendment to a Holyrood debate on climate change by Reform UK MSP Duncan Massey. It says: "As an amendment to S7M-00434 in the name of Gillian Martin (Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change), leave out from "recognises” to end and insert “believes that there are significant risks to the economy from over-reacting and declaring an imminent emergency which is not underpinned by scientific data; notes that Scotland is facing an economic growth challenge and that current net zero policies are contributing to unsustainable cost increases and expensive energy, which are in turn contributing to deindustrialisation, the loss of jobs and an increase to the cost of living; agrees that Scotland needs pragmatic, sensible and proportionate policies that balance the economy and achieve cheap and abundant energy with long-term reduction of emissions, and resolves that Scotland must maximise its North Sea oil and gas resources in the short to medium term, whilst planning for the long term by investing in reliable, large-scale solutions such as nuclear power, with renewables continuing to play an important but complementary role."
SNP climate action secretary Gillian Martin accused by Reform UK MSP of not treating them with 'courtesy' after after calling them out for climate denial.
The front page of The Scotsman newspaper with the headline Guilty: Murrell behind bars
SNP MSP Stephen Flynn being sworn in at Holyrood
John Swinney speaking in Glasgow
Falkirk knocking Hearts out of the Scottish Cup
An extract of a Scottish Government press release, as follow. The First Minister’s Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code have concluded their investigation into the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance. The Advisers concluded that Ms Constance unintentionally breached two provisions of the Ministerial Code. They conclude that: “…the two breaches were inadvertent without any deliberation or intention to mislead.” As part of their role, the Advisers can provide advice on any sanction that the First Minster should impose. In this case their advice on sanctions states that this is: “…at the lower end of the spectrum provided for in the Code and therefore does not call for anything beyond a reprove which should be formal and in writing accompanied by a statement to Parliament by Ms Constance…” First Minister John Swinney has accepted the conclusions and recommendations in full. In line with the terms of reference of the Independent Advisers, the report has been published by the Scottish Government. Ms Constance will make a statement to Parliament today.
SNP leader John Swinney delivering a speech in Glasgow
A statement from Shona Robison. Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement, Ms Robison said: “This Budget has been absolute chaos from start to finish. Westminster has been consumed with leaks, briefings and out and out incompetence - with Scotland left as an afterthought and families left to pay the price. “We needed a step change from the UK Government with investment in public services, support for jobs and industry in Scotland and serious action on energy bills. Instead, we got a chaotic mess and the increase in funding for the Scottish Government will not even cover half the cost of the employer’s national insurance contributions brought in this year. "With UK energy bills £340 higher than the Prime Minister promised even after today’s announcement, the UK Government are not even trying to deliver on the their promises. It is insulting to see the UK Government stand up and trumpet a proposed reduction that does not even cover the increase since they came to office. “It does not come close to meeting the Prime Minister’s pledge on energy bills - they have not even attempted to keep their promises. “The electric vehicle tax is the wrong decision for motorists, the climate and for Scotland given its disproportionate impact on rural drivers. “And there is no serious support for jobs and industry in Scotland. The Energy Profits Levy is to remain in place - risking thousands of jobs in Scotland and in the North East in particular. Yet again, Scotland is an afterthought. “And while the moves on the two child cap are welcome, they are long overdue and the UK Government has been forced into this position by the Scottish Government and other campaigners. And without a simultaneous change to the benefit cap it falls well short of the bold anti-poverty measures we have been calling for from the UK Government.
An excerpt of Scottish Labour MSP Zubir Ahmed, incorrectly claiming asylum policy is devolved to Holyrood in an article in The Times
A Scottish Conservative debate motion at the Scottish Parliament to 'stop illegal immigration and recognising its impact on housing'.
John Swinney delivering a speech on child poverty
A rainbow at the Falkirk Stadium after some hefty rain.
A screengrab from The Simpsons of a newspaper cutting of Abe Simpson yelling at a cloud with the headline 'old man yells at cloud' after Scottish Conservative leader was asked by a journalist if this was now him.
The Smashing Pumpkins playing Tonight, Tonight at the Piece Hall, Halifax
Bothwell Street in Glasgow dressed for the set of Spiderman 4
An extract from the Scotsman's live blog of an NHS Fife employment tribunal
An update from NHS Fife While NHS Fife recognises the clear public interest in the tribunal, and of scrutinising NHS Fife’s actions as a public body, it remains important to be mindful of the privacy of all those giving evidence in the case. There has been significant and very polarised debate on social media regarding the case and associated issues, throughout. In some cases, however, what began as debate has evolved into much more worrying behaviour, including a threat of physical harm and sexual violence, which has required the involvement of Police Scotland. To be clear NHS Fife is not seeking to suggest that anyone involved with Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned above.
An update from NHS Fife While the claimant raised concerns about a trans woman’s use of a locker room, this was not the reason that NHS Fife’s internal investigation was initiated. As made clear during tribunal proceedings, the disciplinary process was initiated due to concerns raised about interactions with a colleague and patient care. The Health Board has a responsibility to fully investigate where concerns are raised about the conduct of any of its employees, in accordance with established policies and procedures. The act of investigating a concern does not assume any wrongdoing. An internal disciplinary investigation is not of itself punitive in nature and exists to fairly assess concerns raised by establishing facts. At the stage legal action via an employment tribunal was taken by the claimant in this case, NHS Fife had not reached any final conclusions on its internal investigation although, as widely reported, this has since been completed. NHS Fife believes its internal disciplinary process in this matter has been fair and impartial.
Anas Sarwar campaigning for Labour in Hamilton
A screenshot of an exert from a Guardian article on concerns raised about the EHRC's interim advice following the Supreme Court ruling of the definition of a woman in the Equality Act.
The front page of Thr Scotsman leads on thr assisted dying debate and vote
SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll's statement she has problems with the Assisted Dying Bill but will support the legislation at the stage one vote so it can proceed.
John Swinney speaking in Edinburgh