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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why is the BBC not talking about Scottish concerns?
Welcome to this week's Media Watch! Remember you can get this newsletter for free in your inbox every week by clicking the banner above. Earlier this month, an Ipsos poll for STV showed that for Scots, immigration was not on their top 10 list of things which sway them at the ballot box. So in the newsroom on Friday when we were discussing ideas for the day, it seemed mighty curious the UK-France deal aimed at tackling small boat crossings across the Channel had been high up in the BBC Radio Scotland morning news agenda almost every day last week. Listening back, we found the build-up to the visit by French president Emmanuel Macron and the agreement itself had been in the Good Morning Scotland bulletin every day from Tuesday to Friday, and on two of those days it was considered the top story. In the Ipsos survey earlier this month, Scots had considered all sorts of subjects to be more important to them than this. Healthcare, education, crime, poverty, cost of living and housing were all of bigger concern. In focusing largely on whether the new 'one in, one out' deal would act as an effective deterrent, SNP MP Pete Wishart accused the BBC of presenting a 'skewed debate' on immigration to Scots which is contrary to their interests. READ MORE: 'When we get into the realms of a debate and discussion about immigration, what tends to come out the UK-led debate about this is absolutely totally contrary to Scotland's interests,' he said. 'All we hear about is curbing migration, what we can do to make life as difficult as possible for the poor souls that make it here, whereas Scotland, just to keep our population up – which is already at crisis levels – we are totally dependent on immigration. 'What the BBC are serving us is a debate which is skewed to be against the Scottish interests." The 'one in, one out' deal will see asylum seekers who arrive in England by small boats sent back to France, while allowing some in France to be sent to Britain if they have ties to the UK. On Friday's Good Morning Scotland programme, the focus was on critics who believe it will not be enough of a deterrent, with a clip of shadow home secretary Chris Philp (below) being played during the 8am bulletin where he called the scheme a 'gimmick'. (Image: Lucy North) That was followed by a five-minute interview with an expert in British and French immigration politics. She was asked about who will be selected to be returned, how big a deterrent 'this could actually be' and what action could be taken to reduce the 'pull factor' of the UK. The way this story was pushed by BBC Scotland seemed even stranger after speaking to Emile Chabal, a professor of contemporary history at Edinburgh University who has published widely on the politics of immigration. He told The National there is a 'stark difference' between how Scotland and England view the issue of immigration. READ MORE: 'From all the policy and research work we have over the last 10 to 20 years, we know that immigration is just a less salient issue for Scots in general,' he said. 'We know that the Scottish Government has a different approach to the question of immigration, which is often characterised as either pro-immigration or pro-certain kinds of immigration. There's certainly an idea that Scotland doesn't have enough people and therefore having more is not necessarily a problem. 'Both at a kind of popular and policy level, Scotland is different to England.' He went on: 'It seems clear to me that most Scots feel that immigration would be a positive thing for the Scottish economy and they feel it would be beneficial demographically for Scotland. This is especially true in perhaps rural areas in a way that it isn't in England where rural areas are often places which have a high degree of anti-immigrant sentiment.' Tom Chivers and Tom Mills – of the Media Reform Coalition – both said the way in which the small boats issue was focused on by BBC Radio Scotland was an example of the corporation 'reflecting the agenda of Westminster politicians' instead of honing in on what is important to its audiences. Mills, chair of the Media Reform Coalition and author of The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, said: 'Looking at news in Scotland is revealing I think because it shows the extent to which BBC news reflects the agenda of Westminster politicians and the right-wing national press, rather than the priorities of its audiences. 'In the end the BBC is accountable to politicians, not to its audiences. That's the root of the problem and it needs to change." News is news, of course, and the issue of immigration is clearly important to many people across the UK. But the BBC surely has regional radio stations for a reason, and the way this story was thrust on people driving to work – who are likely more interested in how much their food is costing or whether they can get a doctor's appointment – certainly does seem very telling about where the broadcaster's priorities lie.
The National
7 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Russell Findlay under fire as £150k taxpayer cash given to ex-staff
The SNP have said it is at best an 'embarrassment' but at worst has the 'makings of a scandal'. The Sunday National first reported on the story yesterday, which found that the Scottish Tories had spent £154,700 on media training in just two years – between March 2022 and March 2024. An analysis of the Scottish Parliament's expenses register showed that Gen Comms Limited, which is run by former Tory director of media Ramsay Jones, raked in £118,200 from training the 31 Scottish Tory MSPs, including both 'individual' and 'group' broadcast training. Meanwhile Shorthand PR, run by the Scottish Tories' former head of media Adam Morris, pocketed £26,000. READ MORE: Police to breathalyse passengers arriving at Scottish airport in pilot scheme This funding was raised through contributions from Scottish Tory MSPs' support budgets, which are given to every MSP to help them carry out their official duties. Meanwhile, Scottish Tory MSP Edward Mountain also paid Shorthand PR a separate total of £10,500 in three separate payments spanning January to March 2024 for 'consultancy fees for communications'. Now, the SNP have said that party leader Russell Findlay has questions to answer. The party's MSP for Paisley, George Adam, has called on Findlay to set out: What due diligence was undertaken to ensure that the companies run by two former Tory spin-doctors represented value for money? What other firms were considered and what was the price difference for their services? What consideration did he give to how handing public money to former colleagues would be perceived? It comes as Findlay has recently pushed for Scotland to have its very own Department for Government Efficiency (Doge). In February this year, Findlay pledged to set up his own version of Elon Musk's powerful cost-cutting US government department. The Scottish Conservative leader said the Scottish version of Doge would be tasked with 'cutting waste, identifying savings and delivering better value for taxpayers'. 'Russell Findlay has serious questions to answer – he needs to explain how he ensured the two firms which just happen to be run by former Tory spin doctors represented the best deal for the taxpayer,' Adam said. 'Did he even consider any other companies to carry out this work?' He added: 'Unfortunately, the Tories have allowed there to be a perception that they are passing public money on to their pals and Russell Findlay needs to set out exactly what has happened here. 'This is starting to look like a classic case of jobs for the boys.' The Scottish Tories have been approached for comment.
The National
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
John Lamont branded 'morally repugnant' over mass deportation call
John Lamont, former shadow Scottish secretary, backed a House of Commons motion calling on the UK Government to 'identify, detain, and deport all individuals found to be residing in the United Kingdom illegally'. It adds that the UK Government should ensure this is backed up by 'the necessary legislative, diplomatic, logistical and financial resources to restore confidence in the rule of law and the security of our borders'. The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP, and former Scotland Office minister under Alister Jack, signed the motion, which was tabled on April 24, on May 8. READ MORE: Protest announced for Donald Trump's UK state visit Lamont was one of 16 MPs to sign the early day motion, including former Reform members Rupert Lowe and James McMurdock, DUP MP Jim Shannon and fellow Tory Gavin Williamson. SNP MSP Rona Mackay, who serves on Holyrood's criminal justice committee, said MPs supporting mass deportations 'should be ashamed'. 'This language and approach are not only morally repugnant but dangerously inflammatory. It ignores the complexities of asylum and immigration and demonises vulnerable people seeking safety and a better life,' she said. 'The SNP stands firmly against this inhumane rhetoric.' Ross Greer, who announced his bid for co-leader of the Scottish Greens last week, accused the Scottish Tories of attempting to 'mimic the cruelty and chaos of Trump's America'. 'This anti-migrant crusade by right-wing politicians like Lamont has already done irreparable damage to Scotland's public services, economy and communities,' Greer said. 'We can thank their cruel policies every time a care package can't be delivered or an NHS post can't be filled because willing and qualified staff weren't even allowed into the UK. READ MORE: Russell Findlay under fire over £150k taxpayer cash given to ex-staff 'It is time for Scotland to have powers over our own immigration policies, so that we can build a system that welcomes and respects the people who want to move here and which supports rather than undermines our public services and economy.' 'People in Britain illegally shouldn't be here. They need to be removed,' Lamont told The Times. 'People have had enough. We need to take back control of our borders, for good.'
The National
8 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Russell Findlay under fire over £150k taxpayer cash given to ex-staff
The SNP have said it is at best an 'embarrassment' but at worst has the 'makings of a scandal'. The Sunday National first reported on the story yesterday, which found that the Scottish Tories had spent a total of £154,700 on media training in just two years – between March 2022 and March 2024. An analysis of the Scottish Parliament's expenses register showed that Gen Comms Limited, which is run by former Tory director of media Ramsay Jones, raked in £118,200 from training the 31 Scottish Tory MSPs, including both 'individual' and 'group' broadcast training. Meanwhile Shorthand PR, run by the Scottish Tories' former head of media Adam Morris, pocketed £26,000. READ MORE: Police to breathalyse passengers arriving at Scottish airport in pilot scheme This funding was raised through contributions from Scottish Tory MSPs' support budgets, which are given to every MSP to help them carry out their official duties. Meanwhile, Scottish Tory MSP Edward Mountain also paid Shorthand PR a separate total of £10,500 in three separate payments spanning January to March 2024 for 'consultancy fees for communications'. Now, the SNP have said that party leader Russell Findlay has questions to answer. The party's MSP for Paisley George Adam has called on Findlay to set out: What due diligence was undertaken to ensure that the companies run by two former Tory spin-doctors represented value for money? What other firms were considered and what was the price difference for their services? What consideration did he give to how handing public money to former colleagues would be perceived? It comes as Findlay has recently pushed – to much fanfare – for Scotland to have its very own Department for Government Efficiency (Doge). In February this year, Findlay pledged to set up his own version of Elon Musk's powerful cost-cutting US government department. The Scottish Conservative leader said the Scottish version of Doge would be tasked with 'cutting waste, identifying savings and delivering better value for taxpayers'. 'Russell Findlay has serious questions to answer – he needs to explain how he ensured the two firms which just happen to be run by former Tory spin doctors represented the best deal for the taxpayer,' Adam said. 'Did he even consider any other companies to carry out this work?' He added: 'Unfortunately, the Tories have allowed there to be a perception that they are passing public money on to their pals and Russell Findlay needs to set out exactly what has happened here. 'This is starting to look like a classic case of jobs for the boys.' The Scottish Tories have been approached for comment.
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Labour, SNP and Reform by-election campaign spend revealed
Reform UK, who claimed a close third in the vote on Wednesday June 4, spent significantly less at £56,661. More than £22,000 of which went on a controversial Facebook advert. READ MORE Scottish Labour's Davy Russell won the seat, which was vacated following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie. He received 8,559 votes, just 602 more than the SNP's Katy Loudon, who took 7,957. Reform UK's Ross Lambie was close behind on 7,088. Labour's campaign was staff-heavy, with £29,810 spent on personnel. The party also spent more than £40,000 on election materials. The SNP likewise invested heavily in staffing, reporting £32,445 in personnel costs, including £2,000 for a digital content provider. Reform UK's campaign was dominated by online advertising, spending £22,104 on a social media video. The clip, posted on Facebook and Instagram, used edited footage from a 2022 speech in which Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for greater South Asian representation in politics. Reform UK added captions suggesting Mr Sarwar had pledged to 'prioritise' the Pakistani community — a phrase he did not use. According to Meta invoices filed by Reform with South Lanarkshire Council, the advert was viewed 1,047,658 times. The party also paid to bring in supporters from England, including a coach from Knutsford and a Reform-branded campaign bus. Receipts show they also spent £38.96 on Union Jack-themed items, including an apron, tablecloth and bunting. Mr Farage defended the advert during the campaign, saying it was Mr Sarwar "that introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics, making it perfectly clear his priority was to a certain section of the community." Responding to the advert, Mr Sarwar said: "Nigel Farage is a poisonous, pathetic and toxic little man that doesn't understand this community or our country. "He and his cronies in Reform have spent thousands of pounds spreading bile, misinformation and racial slurs. Scotland is my home. I was born here. I am raising my children here. And I was proud to work in Scotland's NHS, serving one of our most deprived communities." READ MORE Meanwhile, the Conservatives spent £17,645 during the campaign, while the LibDems spent £3,051. UKIP reported £845. The Scottish Socialist Party and the Scottish Green candidate Ann McGuinness also submitted returns, spending £2,222 and £1,914 respectively. The Greens' modest campaign spending may frustrate SNP supporters, some of whom have suggested Ms McGuinness's 695 votes would have gone to Ms Loudon, handing the SNP a narrow win. The by-election was triggered by the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March. She was 57 and had been on leave following a stage two breast cancer diagnosis. In 2021, Ms McKelvie won the seat with 46% of the vote and a majority of 4,582. Labour's by-election victory was narrow — they took 31% of the vote, compared to the SNP's 29.4%. Reform UK came a close third, with 26.2%.
