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Billy Briggs

@billybriggs24.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1K following 20 posts

Journalist | Founding director & co-editor @ theferret.scot | www.billybriggs.co.uk | 📷 = Angela Catlin |

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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 22h
A total of 36 boats have been fined £140,000 in the last 10 months for entering Scotland's marine protected areas. But campaigners claim the fines are too small and may not be a sufficient deterrent. Read the story in full: bit.ly/46SD5Pe
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 27/09/2026
Gypsy Travellers have been persecuted for centuries. But despite a Scottish Government apology last June for the Tinker Experiment – which tried to assimilate them into settled culture – some claim their cultural rights are still being denied. shorturl.at/FUXpV
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Niall Harbison @niallharbison.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
⚖️ 7kg or 15.5 lbs lost in 9 weeks 🐕 She is back walking and moving with freedom 🫀Her organs and health are improving. It’s been a mixture of thyroid meds, diet and exercise. Bella’s whole outlook on life has changed. I think you’ll agree she looks terrific ❤️
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 25/09/2026
As Belfast experienced riots this summer, tensions were also rising in Glasgow. The Ferret has investigated the activists, online groups and street patrols connecting anti-immigration movements in Scotland and Northern Ireland
theferret.scot
Revealed: Scotland and Northern Ireland's rapidly expanding anti-immigration network
This summer we revealed that convicted loyalists from Belfast travelled to Glasgow for a far right protest. Further digging has unearthed a rapidly expanding anti-immigration network between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 24/09/2026
Researchers identified at least 75 anti-immigration Facebook pages across Scotland and Northern Ireland. They found groups sharing content and similar tactics, including street patrols and propaganda focused on women’s safety 
theferret.scot
Revealed: Scotland and Northern Ireland's rapidly expanding anti-immigration network
This summer we revealed that convicted loyalists from Belfast travelled to Glasgow for a far right protest. Further digging has unearthed a rapidly expanding anti-immigration network between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
thedetailtv.bsky.social @thedetailtv.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Revealed: the growing anti-migrant networks linking Northern Ireland and Scotland By @billybriggs24.bsky.social
thedetail.tv
From Facebook to street patrols: the growing anti-migrant networks linking Northern Ireland and Scotland
Northern Ireland is becoming a “model for far right activity to be emulated elsewhere”, a human rights charity has warned
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 24/09/2026
After anti-immigration riots left dozens of Belfast households homeless this summer, we travelled to the city to investigate links between Northern Ireland’s anti-immigration movement and groups operating in Scotland. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/p/750961d9-452e-…
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 20/09/2026
🔴 NEW: Rules were tightened after Scottish Limited Partnerships were exploited for financial crime. But Moscow firms and a man accused of facilitating child sex abuse are still selling them for your “financial privacy”. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/p/a36c9a0d-fcd4-…
Photo of a modern Glasgow building with large reflective windows. Headline reads: “The unremarkable Glasgow building where a fake news-peddler sells business schemes beloved by money launderers.”
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 18/09/2026
There are just three days left to apply to join The Ferret as our Income Generation Lead & Business Manager. It’s a part-time role focused on income generation, funding and long-term sustainability. Apply here: goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001ug…
Three smiling people outside The Community Newsroom; overlay text reads "We are hiring! Could you be our next Business Manager?"
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 16/09/2026
There’s less than a week left to apply to join our team! Help us grow and diversify our income, develop new funding opportunities and support the future of independent journalism. The deadline is 21 September: goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001ug…
Three smiling people outside The Community Newsroom; overlay text reads "We are hiring! Could you be our next Business Manager?"
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 15/09/2026
🔴 NEW: The Scottish Government’s green watchdog sent seven letters over three years alleging multiple breaches at a fish farm – and then issued a final warning letter. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/p/45345e93-2a89-…
A scenic Scottish loch surrounded by mountains under a bright blue sky. Headline reads: “Sepa branded ‘toothless’ after salmon farm accused of 15 environmental breaches.”
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 13/09/2026
🔴 NEW: This US-style right-wing political pressure group keeps its funders a secret. Its members have helped man Scotland’s anti-migrant and asylum demonstrations. Find out more: www.theferret.scot/p/a133bcc2-0540-…
Protesters stand behind barriers facing police, with Union Jack, Saltire and Royal Banner of Scotland flags overhead. Headline reads: “‘Dark’ money pressure group helped man Scots anti-asylum protests.”
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 04/09/2026
🔴NEW: Toxic chemicals used to kill fleas on hundreds of thousands of pets have contaminated more than 50 rivers across Scotland at levels that could harm wildlife, according to Scotland's environment watchdog. Read the full story👉 bit.ly/4iKUuQM
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 30/08/2026
More than three quarters of Scottish salmon farms certified as “sustainable” broke the rules of the certifying body last year, but none lost their accreditation. www.theferret.scot/three-quarters-of-sustainable-salmon-farms-broke-environmental-rules-none-lost-their-accreditation
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 28/08/2026
Only a tiny percentage of Scotland’s most fragile natural environments are being monitored by the national agency tasked with protecting them. www.theferret.scot/just-three-per-c…
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 23/08/2026
The developer Apatura said a charter it had drawn up on 'green' data centres could help with policy and planning decisions on the controversial projects. After lobbying by the firm, the Scottish Government considered endorsing it.  Full story:
bit.ly
What makes a data centre 'green'? One major developer has lobbied for its own definition
The Scottish Government has been supportive of controversial green data centres and is liaising with the industry. But critics argue there are environmental considerations and companies must not be allowed to “write the rules”.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 23/08/2026
The Scottish Government has been supportive of green data centres and is liaising with the industry. Critics argue that companies must not be allowed to “write the rules” www.theferret.scot/what-makes-a-dat…
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 21/08/2026
The flag of banned loyalist terrorist groups and a neo-Nazi banner were displayed at a protest in Edinburgh organised by a far right group called the Scottish Defence League.
theferret.scot
Loyalist terrorist and neo-Nazi flags displayed at Edinburgh anti-immigration protest
Loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland murdered hundreds of people during The Troubles. But far right activists flew their flag at an anti-immigration rally despite terror laws banning public support for terrorists.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 18/08/2026
Three Highland salmon farms have been accused of breaching animal welfare law by causing “unnecessary suffering” and allowing fish to suffocate to death. www.theferret.scot/salmon-farms-broke-law-fish-suffer/
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 16/08/2026
Only one in eleven major summer festivals analysed by The Ferret has a 50/50 gender split, with representation across all festivals declining at headline level. theferret.scot/scotlands-music-festivals-headliners-male
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 13/08/2026
A Highland trout abattoir has been accused of animal welfare abuses for the second time in less than a year following covert filming. www.theferret.scot/highland-trout-f…
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
X is a major national security vulnerability that UK government and politicians continue to prop up.
theguardian.com
Most X accounts posting about Belfast and Southampton unrest were based outside UK
Exclusive: Analysis shows 55% of accounts were overseas – and seven of 12 most-read posts came from US
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 09/08/2026
🔴NEW: Those bereaved by suicide have a 65 per cent increased risk of taking their own lives. So why is there not more funding for support after tragedy strikes? Our latest: www.theferret.scot/p/ad39760b-211c-…
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 05/08/2026
ObjectNow says AI can help people navigate lengthy planning documents and submit detailed objections. The Scottish Government says the resulting volume made emailed responses increasingly difficult to manage
theferret.scot
AI flooded the Scottish Government with wind farm objections. So they stopped accepting emails
The Scottish Government says the move was needed to tackle the "burden" caused by the growth in AI-assisted objections to energy projects. Critics say it is a way to mute public opposition.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 04/08/2026
🔴 NEW: The Scottish Government says the move was needed to tackle the "administrative burden" caused by the growth in AI-assisted objections to energy projects. Critics say it is a way to mute public opposition. Our latest: theferret.scot/ai-ban-emailed-objec…
Graphic showing the ChatGPT logo on a phone alongside a wind turbine, with the headline: “AI flooded the Scottish Government with wind farm objections. So they stopped accepting emails.”
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 02/08/2026
China’s government and an investment vehicle based in the Cayman Islands are among a group of foreign owners whose Scottish wind farms have paid out more than £1bn to shareholders in recent years
theferret.scot
Scotland’s wind industry is booming. China and Wall Street are cashing in
An investment vehicle managed by JP Morgan and state-backed firms from France, Norway and China own Scottish wind farms which have paid tens of millions in dividends this decade.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
Luke Butterly @lukejbutterly.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Loyalist killer and a former UVF member attend violent anti-immigration demonstration in Glasgow New by @billybriggs24.bsky.social
thedetail.tv
Loyalist killer and a former UVF member attend violent anti-immigration demonstration in Glasgow
Glen Kane and Mark Sinclair have attended a number of anti-immigration protests in Northern Ireland and beyond
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Billy Briggs @billybriggs24.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
www.theferret.scot/glen-kane-ma...
theferret.scot
Loyalist killer and former Ulster Volunteer Force member attended Glasgow anti-immigration protest
An anti-immigration protest in Glasgow that turned violent last weekend attracted thousands of people. Those attending included loyalists from Northern Ireland with criminal convictions.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 29/07/2026
🔴NEW: Far right group Knights Templar International, whose frontman Jim Dowson has a long history of involvement with far right groups, is now supporting Scotland’s new wave of night patrols. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/jim-dawson-funding-vigilante-scotland/
A man in a suit speaks in front of overlapping Union Jack and red-and-white flags. Text reads: “The ex-BNP ‘Christian patriot’ raising international funding for Scottish ‘vigilante’ night patrols.”
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 28/07/2026
Glasgow properties are ultimately owned by the head of an investment firm behind a Russian shipping hub. Researchers say the port sustains Moscow’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. www.theferret.scot/this-russian-dep…
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 26/07/2026
🔴NEW: Less than a quarter of Scotland’s public forests and woodlands are made up of native trees that scientists say are crucial to protect wildlife and the environment, The Ferret can reveal. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/p/41d293c4-7005-…
Non-native trees dominate Scotland's national woodlands, raising expert concern for indigenous species.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 25/07/2026
Campaign Against Arms Trade criticised the government’s presence at Farnborough, claiming Scotland needed “more than bold progressive statements to the public one day then quiet handshakes and dealings with death merchants the next”
theferret.scot
Scottish Government accused of courting “genocide-profiteers” at Farnborough Airshow
Last September Holyrood voted for sanctions against Israel due to the genocide in Gaza. This week the government was in England promoting arms dealers who sell products to Israel’s military.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 24/07/2026
🔴NEW: Last September Holyrood voted for sanctions against Israel due to the genocide in Gaza. This week the government was in England promoting arms dealers who sell products to Israel’s military
theferret.scot
Scottish Government accused of courting “genocide-profiteers” at Farnborough Airshow
Last September Holyrood voted for sanctions against Israel due to the genocide in Gaza. This week the government was in England promoting arms dealers who sell products to Israel’s military.
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 23/07/2026
🔴NEW: The company that runs Scotland’s ageing nuclear power station wants to weaken safety standards to keep it running for at least four more years. But the nuclear safety watchdog has its doubts. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/torness-bid-crac…
Torness nuclear power station in East Lothian, seen across a grassy field under a blue sky. A red panel across the bottom reads: “Alarm over bid to keep cracked reactors running by cutting nuclear safety margins.” The Ferret logo appears in the top right.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 20/07/2026
Posters appeared on social media purporting to be from the local authority, but they are fake. www.theferret.scot/glasgow-city-cou…
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 16/07/2026
🔴NEW: A disproportionate number of children and young people growing up in care are dying prematurely, prompting calls for preventative action
theferret.scot
Children in care die at twice the rate of others. Why are so few of their deaths reviewed?
A disproportionate number of children and young people growing up in care are dying prematurely, prompting calls for preventative action.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 11/07/2026
Anti-immigration activists from England are due to travel to Glasgow for a protest later this month, according to Unite the Clans Scotland. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/glasgow-immigrat…
Two police in hi‑vis vests before a crowd; headline: anti‑immigration activists from England set to travel to Glasgow.
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Billy Briggs @billybriggs24.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
www.theferret.scot/glasgow-immi...
theferret.scot
Anti-immigration activists from England due to travel to Glasgow for protest, claims "patriot" group
Tensions are high in Glasgow following a series of protests over alleged sex crimes by migrants. Police and anti-racism groups fear extremists could inflame the situation.
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 08/07/2026
Women of colour were rarely quoted, rarely used as expert voices and almost absent from opinion pages during Scotland’s 2026 election campaign, University of Strathclyde research found
theferret.scot
Women of colour marginalised by "male dominated" election coverage
Academics investigated the representation of women of colour in media coverage of the Scottish Parliament election. They said their findings were "incredibly disappointing" given the current hostility towards migrants.
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 08/07/2026
🔴NEW: Academics investigated the representation of women of colour in media coverage of the Scottish Parliament election. They said their findings were "incredibly disappointing" given the current hostility towards migrants. www.theferret.scot/women-colour-sco…
Illustration of two silhouetted politicians standing behind podiums before an audience. Text says women of colour were marginalised by "male dominated" election coverage.
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 06/07/2026
Scotland’s Nature Restoration Fund was set up to “restore nature, safeguard wildlife and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss”. Some councils spent their allocations on vehicles, ICT and maintenance instead
theferret.scot
Councils were given millions to tackle the nature crisis. Some spent it on office costs
The Scottish Government gave local authorities £20m to tackle a "nature emergency". But we found that around £4m of that sum was spent on fixing cars and office equipment, among other non-environmental spending
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 06/07/2026
Every summer, men from Ness travel to Sula Sgeir to harvest young gannets for food. The licensed hunt dates back centuries, but campaigners say it can no longer be justified on animal welfare grounds
theferret.scot
The Guga Hunt: Why a centuries-old Hebridean tradition is facing renewed scrutiny
The Ferret did a deep dive to explain why a bird cull on Lewis dating back centuries is causing outrage amid claims it's a "blood sport"
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 06/07/2026
🟡NEW: Northern gannets are protected wild birds. But on Sula Sgeir, a legal exemption allows young birds to be taken for food each year. We looked at how the guga hunt still happens, and why it is facing renewed criticism: www.theferret.scot/guga-hunt-contro…
Fluffy gannet chick with adult behind; headline about the Guga Hunt and renewed scrutiny of a Hebridean tradition.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 05/07/2026
The Scottish Government gave local authorities £20m to tackle a "nature emergency". But we found that around £4m of that sum was spent on fixing cars and office equipment, among other non-environmental spending. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/environmental-fu…
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 03/07/2026
🔴NEW: A Scottish wind farm has been bought by a company owned by a right-wing US media mogul who has donated to Donald Trump. Find out more: www.theferret.scot/trump-donor-scot…
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 29/06/2026
“Fishermen cannot be expected to work around hazards they are not allowed to see,” said Sheila Keith of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association. She called for transparency on activity affecting safety and fishing grounds. Find out more: theferret.scot/spaceport-shetland-r…
A rocket engine test firing at SaxaVord Spaceport on Shetland during dusk. Bright flames and exhaust emerge from the base of a tall vertical test stand, with the sea and coastline visible behind. Overlaid text reads: “A spaceport plans to dump tonnes of rocket junk into the sea north of Shetland, posing a risk to tourism and fishing.”
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 28/06/2026
🔴NEW: Scotland’s first spaceport on Shetland plans to use the sea as a “dustbin” to dump tonnes of debris from rockets, The Ferret can reveal, prompting claims it could endanger tourism and fishing. Our latest: theferret.scot/spaceport-shetland-r…
A rocket engine test firing at SaxaVord Spaceport on Shetland during dusk. Bright flames and exhaust emerge from the base of a tall vertical test stand, with the sea and coastline visible behind. Overlaid text reads: “A spaceport plans to dump tonnes of rocket junk into the sea north of Shetland, posing a risk to tourism and fishing.”
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 25/06/2026
The full minutes, released after a two-year FOI battle, show Angus Robertson and Daniela Grudsky discussed Israeli technology for NHS Scotland and Israeli tourism. Read the full minutes here: www.theferret.scot/scottish-ministe…
Photo of Scottish Government minister Angus Robertson speaking to a television camera during an interview. He is wearing a dark suit and red striped tie, with blurred people visible in the background. Overlaid headline text reads: “Did Scottish ministers ‘rewrite history’ over Israel meeting?” The Ferret logo appears in the top-left corner.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 25/06/2026
🔴NEW: The Scottish Government changed key parts of the official record of Angus Robertson’s controversial Israel meeting after a backlash, raising questions about government secrecy. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/scottish-ministe…
Photo of Scottish Government minister Angus Robertson speaking to a television camera during an interview. He is wearing a dark suit and red striped tie, with blurred people visible in the background. Overlaid headline text reads: “Did Scottish ministers ‘rewrite history’ over Israel meeting?” The Ferret logo appears in the top-left corner.
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Reposted by Billy Briggs
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 21/06/2026
🔴 NEW: Lives are being lost because people are failing to get mental health support when they most urgently need it, a Ferret investigation has found. Our latest: www.theferret.scot/mental-health-cr…
Three portraits above a red panel stating over 30,000 Scots sought A&E for mental health last year; two-thirds not admitted.
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