To wish the BBC would make it clear what is happening in Scotland

[Aesopfable]

The BBC keeps announcing things for the ‘UK’ when they only apply to England. For example NHS volunteers. AIBU to expect them to make this clear so we know what applies to Scotland and can (in theory) hold the Scottish Government to account?

For example, is Scotland going to get any of the 10,000 new ventilators from Dyson? Has the Scottish Government arranged to take over private beds or is this only happening in England? Why isn’t the mess that is childcare for key workers in Scotland being reported (only nhs, only a few spaces in large central hubs such as secondary schools even for P1 kids, not enough spaces for all front-line nhs workers who need them)? Why did they report schools as possibly not going until September when Scottish schools go back in August?

Nicola Sturgeon is on BBC Scotland right now

I am willing to bet the BBC are not announcing things as "for the UK" when they are for England and/or England and Wales only. They may not be explicitly stating they are not for the entire UK.

(And if they said "UK," that would exclude the Isle of Man and Channel Isles where the BBC also broadcasts.)

My friends secondary aged DS hasn't been at school for over a week and still has absolutely no work issued, no online lessons, no communication at all.

It will depend very much on the council and the school. Some councils have no facilities for online learning set up, but I’ve been teaching my classes online since Monday. We’re on timetable and completing subject specific, but modified, work. It’s been exhausting. I’d rather be in the classroom.

Agree, am in Scotland and not hearing much here about the ventilators etc. I also went to the NHS website to register as a volunteer, and near the end of the form (helpfully) it said England only.

They are talking about it right now

My friends secondary aged DS hasn't been at school for over a week and still has absolutely no work issued, no online lessons, no communication at all.

I would guess that's an individual school matter. I got an email reminder this morning from my kids' High School (in the Highlands) because one of them was late signing into her Google classroom - she has an oral language exam this afternoon which she is doing via Skype. Obviously some places have got it together and other haven't yet. This isn't a blanket failure.

YABU. It seems impossible to turn on the news without seeing Nicola Sturgeon rabbiting on about something. Try to remember that the number of people in Scotland is a small proportion of the UK as a whole - Scotland gets more coverage per head than the other nations of the UK.

The keyworker care seems to be a mess - a handful of hub schools open with a gaping hole in location meaning parents will have to travel miles to get their kid to school. Council completely ignoring private sector providers offering to help even where they're very well located and flexible.

I think yabu as everything is working well in my local area and surrounds (Scottish) think your anger needs to be towards your local council. BBC are horrendous but can't cover all areas. Scot gov website has lots of info,if not get onto your local councillors.

The Scottish government would also like to blame local councils but they are not issuing guidance to them or telling them what they should do: on the definition of key workers and care of their children John Swinney simply said its is up to local authorities’.

It took until yesterday - yes yesterday - for the Scottish Government to set up their Expert group advising on Covid 19!!

@TheSandman, the more you post the more I like you. And your NHS worker wife. Don't worry, I'm not a mad stalker, just on mn too much right now.

I don't think it's blanket failures, but there does seem to be a serious lack of guidance from the SG which has left councils with rather too much autonomy

@TheSandman

I'm pro indy but this is neither the time nor place to be talking about it, all of our efforts right now should be going into fighting the virus.

Agreed. But afterwards the gloves are off

And maybe this time the whole UK can have the vote so Scotland can definitely be given its independence.

@DivGirl Thu 26-Mar-20 12:46:42
If there's one thing this crisis has shown it's that Scotland is not ready to be an independent nation. England has put so much in place so quickly but all the devolved parts of the infrastructure up here are floundering, and it's not a funding issue. My friends secondary aged DS hasn't been at school for over a week and still has absolutely no work issued, no online lessons, no communication at all. My vulnerable friends have no idea how they're going to get food. It's a nightmare.

Oh Div Girl. My DD is a primary school teacher and they are doing daily lessons, and dinner ladies are there for the kids that need it. There is lots of help for you, just have a look. I'm sure your DS has had lessons issued, have you checked?

Or Wales. I'm not pro-indepence but this exposes the problems with devolution and the disrespect the government gives it. It's irresponsible to go on national TV and 'address the nation' to make announcements that only apply to england.

I still sometimes wonder - why Scotland has not gone for their independence yet

There was a pretty big referendum on this just a few years ago...

Some links for you:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51896052
www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-scotland-700-ventilator-machines-ordered-scottish-government-2451750
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus---school-and-elc-closures-guidance-on-critical-childcare-provision-for-key-workers/
www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-shielding

Definition of key workers has to vary by area because of the very different local circumstances across Scotland and because there is no point in closing schools from a disease point of view if you have above a certain level still attending- for example you may need to prioritise essential utility workers if you have a big power station locally.

I hope the Scottish Government are held to account at the elections next year and I do think the UK wide media doesn't show well enough the problems we have here with this poor, minority government.

@FuckOffCorona I am in Ireland, so I don't have a vote!

I think alot of people in Ireland are in favour of Scotland getting Independence

As usual on mn, the contempt shown for Scotland makes me wonder why so many of you want us to stay?

@unhomme

Comme le référendum l'Union européenne avait pour voir si elle voulait que le Royaume-Uni quitte?

What contempt?

Agreed. But afterwards the gloves are off

Not sure who you are planning on fighting as the only people stopping you from becoming independent are Scottish NO voters who are still polling at approximately 50%

And maybe this time the whole UK can have the vote so Scotland can definitely be given its independence.

Sounds like a good idea. Why not? Would give TheSandman what he wants.

@TheSandman

Doesnt really matter if Europe wanted the UK to stay for leave, tbh.

You'll probably find more support for an independent Scotland in England than in Scotland...