Together we can make Scotland better.

Bob Doris MSP has welcomed a drop in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) which highlights the improving standards of cleanliness in hospitals in Scotland.

A report by the Chief Inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) found that the number of requirements and recommendations issued to health boards as a result of inspections reduced significantly last year.

Welcoming the publication by the Scottish Government of its paper outlining the transition to independence, SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said that the detail being provided by the Scottish Government stood in stark contrast to the complete lack of detail from the ‘No’ campaign, which she said was a key factor in the fall in support for a No vote since the New year.

Commenting on the news UK banks will be broken up if they fail to follow new rules to ring-fence risky investment, SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

“I welcome the ring-fencing of potentially risky investment banking from high street retail banking.

The SNP is today welcoming a Scottish Government investment of £3.4 billion into capital spending projects in 2013/14 which will help boost the economy, enhance growth and support 40,000 jobs in Scotland.

Schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure projects will be financed by the Scottish Government boost.

The UK government’s plans for new nuclear power production have been further discredited with the news that Centrica – who own British Gas - has withdrawn from the UK's nuclear re-building programme because of increasing costs and delays.
 

The anti-independence No campaign has suffered a blow as clear signs emerge today (Sunday) that they are losing the economic arguments on an independent Scotland.

The Westminster system has made clear their disinterest in even considering the merits of nuclear disarmament in MoD spending figures released last week.

“In response to a parliamentary question on nuclear disarmament-related research spending, it was revealed that last year only £2.125 million (0.005%) of the MoD budget was directed toward developing expertise on non-nuclear alternatives.

New figures show the damning difference between police pay in Scotland and down south – with new officers starting employment in April onwards in England and Wales being up to £21,730 worse off compared to police officers advancing on the pay scales in Scotland.

Plans by the Tories to heavily water down the UK’s commitment to the EU could be a disaster for women and the vulnerable, a leading MSP has claimed.

Christina McKelvie has slammed a Conservative Party paper which endorses the Westminster government abandoning the EU social chapter – a move which would see Scotland lose key employment protections.

The Labour councillors condemned for misconduct by the OSCR must be removed from all boards and trusts following concerns over the use of public money.

It is reported in today’s Herald (Saturday) that the Big Lottery Fund has serious misgivings about any continued role of Councillor Jim Coleman or Councillor George Redmond in the administration of public funds.