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Martin Williams

@martin1williams.bsky.social
552 followers 566 following 684 posts

Personal account of Herald Scotland (& on Sunday) journalist who likes a bit of a deep dive into the issues of public concern. And a laugh. Tweets on @Martin1Williams and tips to martin.williams@theherald.co.uk

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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
'Disaster': Swinney urged to act as the number of street sleepers in Scotland's biggest city triples in a year
heraldscotland.com
Swinney urged to act over 'disastrous' rise in street sleepers
The First Minister has been asked to intervene as the numbers sleeping rough on the streets of Scotland's biggest city while seeking official help…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Calls have been made for reform of the Scottish-Government controlled maritime transport network
heraldscotland.com
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
heraldscotland.com
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
There has been concern over the management of ferries being cocooned inside three levels of Scottish Government-controlled bureaucracy.
heraldscotland.com
Call for rethink over ScotGov control of ferries
Union leaders are calling for a review over the future of ferry owners and operators CalMac and CMAL as concerns remain over the way lifeline island…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
'It is an embarrassment that she has to backtrack on what has turned out to be public misinformation, misleading everyone' Minister forced into climbdown over the scale of ferry chaos. #IslandLife #Holyrood #Hyslop
heraldscotland.com
'Misled': Ferry spin unravels as Scots minister forced into 'embarrassing' climbdown
The Scottish Government has been forced into an 'embarrassing' climbdown over ferry chaos after the transport secretary admitted she got it wrong…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
EXC - 'Embarrassing' Ferry spin collapses as Scots minister forced to correct record due to 'public misinformation'. #Holyrood #Hyslop
heraldscotland.com
'Misled': Ferry spin unravels as Scots minister forced into 'embarrassing' climbdown
The Scottish Government has been forced into an 'embarrassing' climbdown over ferry chaos after the transport secretary admitted she got it wrong…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
'This new research is strong proof that not only is phasing out fossil fuel boilers essential for meeting Scotland’s climate goals, it is also popular with the public.' Poll backs ban on gas boilers by 2035 as Scots ministers drop green heat bill #FuelPoverty #ScotGov
heraldscotland.com
Ban gas boilers in 2035, Scots ministers advised after opinion poll support
Ministers have been told to back a flat-out ban on new gas and oil boilers in nine years after shelving flagship laws meant to green-up Scotland’s…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
EXC - Ministers advised to ban gas boilers by 2035 after poll shows Scots back it #HeatInBuildings #ScotGov #FuelPoverty
heraldscotland.com
Ban gas boilers in 2035, Scots ministers advised after opinion poll support
Ministers have been told to back a flat-out ban on new gas and oil boilers in nine years after shelving flagship laws meant to green-up Scotland’s…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
⚠️"It points to a systemic and repeated issue with the SNP’s handling of public bodies" From CalMac to other public bodies, critics say weak SNP oversight is putting taxpayers at risk. #CalMac #PublicFinance #Scotland
heraldscotland.com
Secret CalMac deal sparks demands to examine SNP handling of public money
Calls have been made for an urgent investigation into 'golden goodbyes' across the public sector after ministers insisted they knew nothing about…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
💸 Ministers say they were kept in the dark over a six figure CalMac severance deal — now scrutiny is turning to SNP oversight of public spending. #CalMac #Accountability #PublicFunds#PublicMoney #SNP
heraldscotland.com
Secret CalMac deal sparks demands to examine SNP handling of public money
Calls have been made for an urgent investigation into 'golden goodbyes' across the public sector after ministers insisted they knew nothing about…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
A watchdog ruling, a secret settlement, and a government refusing to explain. What really happened at CalMac? #CalMac #Transparency #PublicSpending
heraldscotland.com
Golden goodbye row: the questions ministers dodged over 'obscene' CalMac exit deal
Ministers are under growing pressure to explain how the 'fired' chief executive of the publicly funded lifeline ferry operator CalMac received more…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
'The secrecy surrounding this payment, and the fact that neither the government nor Transport Scotland will answer questions on it, suggests they have something to hide.' The CalMac story they wanted to go away. #CalMac #Islands #PublicSpending #ScotGov
heraldscotland.com
Three days' in post, £170k pay: Fury over 'fired' CalMac boss's secret exit package
Ministers face calls to probe CalMac after its sacked chief executive received £175k in pay, raising concerns over secrecy and breaches of public…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Golden goodbye row: the questions ministers dodged over 'obscene' secret CalMac exit deal. Here’s what we know — and what they won’t say. #CalMac #Transparency #FOI #PublicMoney
heraldscotland.com
Golden goodbye row: the questions ministers dodged over 'obscene' CalMac exit deal
Ministers are under growing pressure to explain how the 'fired' chief executive of the publicly funded lifeline ferry operator CalMac received more…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Revealed: 'Fired' CalMac chief executive scooped £170k earnings in a year after completing just three days in post #CalMac #Transparency #ScotGov
heraldscotland.com
Three days' in post, £170k pay: Fury over 'fired' CalMac boss's secret exit package
Ministers have been urged to launch an investigation after it emerged the ‘fired’ chief executive of publicly funded lifeline ferry operator…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
'We can only hope that CalMac under its seemingly closer relationship with the Scottish Government will be far more open, and far more accountable,' Taxpayer-funded ferry firm caught unlawfully hiding severance deal #CalMac #Transparency
heraldscotland.com
CalMac gets court warning after unlawful secrecy over boss pay-off
The publicly funded ferry operator CalMac broke transparency laws by wrongly hiding the full extent of a former chief executive's severance package…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
EXC - CalMac blocking of disclosure of boss's 'golden goodbye' ruled unlawful by anti-secrecy regulator #Transparency #PublicMoney
heraldscotland.com
CalMac gets court warning after unlawful secrecy over boss pay-off
The publicly funded ferry operator CalMac broke transparency laws by wrongly hiding the full extent of a former chief executive's severance package…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
“The growing housing emergency in Scotland is pushing more people into homelessness as the gap between housing benefit and private rent continues to widen." Only 8% of private homes are affordable for Scots in need. #Scotland #HousingEmergency
heraldscotland.com
Revealed: Scotland’s housing safety net fails as families in need are locked out
Scotland’s housing costs safety net is failing with tens of thousands of families in need locked out of homes as support fails to cover soaring…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
'The increase in costs is clearly a result of the failure of the Scottish Government to order new vessels over many years' #CalMac ferry repair costs have doubled in two years. Ministers mount a defence. #CalMac #PublicSpending #Islands
heraldscotland.com
Transport secretary defends 'out of control' £260m spent on CalMac ferry repairs
The transport secretary has defended the burning of more than £260m over 11 years to keep the ageing CalMac ferry fleet afloat, as repair and…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
EXC: Revealed: Housing support does not cover the rent for tens of thousands of the most needy Scots. Just £7.9m of a £97.1m housing support fund is available to help with the shortfalls. #Scotland #HousingEmergency
heraldscotland.com
Revealed: Scotland’s housing safety net fails as families in need are locked out
Scotland’s housing costs safety net is failing with tens of thousands of families in need locked out of homes as support fails to cover soaring…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
EXC: Revealed: Housing support does not cover the rent for tens of thousands of the most needy Scots. Just £7.9m of a £97.1m housing support fund is available to help with the shortfalls. #Scotland #HousingEmergency
heraldscotland.com
Revealed: Scotland’s housing safety net fails as families in need are locked out
Scotland’s housing costs safety net is failing with tens of thousands of families in need locked out of homes as support fails to cover soaring…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Transport secretary grilled as #CalMac ferry upkeep costs soar and vessels keep breaking down. #Holyrood #TransportScotland
heraldscotland.com
Transport secretary defends 'out of control' £260m spent on CalMac ferry repairs
The transport secretary has defended the burning of more than £260m over 11 years to keep the ageing CalMac ferry fleet afloat, as repair and…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
EXC - 'While Yes Minister was satire, I can assure you it has found modern day reality in the shape of the SPPA' Campaigners say the ScotGov pensions agency has mastered paperwork — not payment. #YesMinister #Pensions #Holyrood
heraldscotland.com
‘A Yes Minister farce’: ScotGov pensions body challenged over ‘meaningless’ letters
Holyrood has summoned the boss of the Scottish Government's pensions agency as MSPs remain unconvinced it is treating the £1.7bn retirement age…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
EXC - From satire to reality? #YesMinister invoked over Scotland’s pensions 'meaningless' compensation letters. #PensionsCrisis #Holyrood
heraldscotland.com
‘A Yes Minister farce’: ScotGov pensions body challenged over ‘meaningless’ letters
Holyrood has summoned the boss of the Scottish Government's pensions agency as MSPs remain unconvinced it is treating the £1.7bn retirement age…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
🗣️ “Spiralling out of control.” #Ferry repair costs have doubled in two years as its fiasco vessel remains sidelined #CalMac #FerryFail #ScottishPolitics #PublicMoney
heraldscotland.com
'National disgrace': The spiralling £260m repair costs of Scotland's ferries
Scotland’s state-controlled ferry operator has burned through more than £260 million just keeping its ageing fleet afloat, as repair and…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
EXC 🗣️ “A kick in the teeth for islanders and taxpayers alike.” CalMac repair costs have topped £260m over 11 years as annual bills double and its newest ferry remains out of action #CalMac #FerryCrisis #Scotland #IslandLife #PublicSpending
heraldscotland.com
'National disgrace': The spiralling £260m repair costs of Scotland's ferries
Scotland’s state-controlled ferry operator has burned through more than £260 million just keeping its ageing fleet afloat, as repair and…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah 'Wolf represents want, shame, need, and blood. ' @kathrynjoseph @itslooroll @BarryCantSwim @slow_bones #Gulp #SimonSPX @loraysmusic @CelloSeales @vosrough @samwooddoowmas #Rahul @riannedowney_
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah
This is the second part of our playlist of the essential 100 (or so) tunes to come out of Scotland.
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah #ShagNasty #IonaZajac #Soapbox @mercygirlband @kathrynjoseph @itslooroll @BarryCantSwim @slow_bones #Gulp #SimonSPX @loraysmusic @CelloSeales @vosrough @samwooddoowmas #Rahul @riannedowney_
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah
This is the second part of our playlist of the essential 100 (or so) tunes to come out of Scotland.
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah @Franz_Ferdinand @Johnny_Marr #KaiReesu @BleedFromWithin #Psweatpants @LewisCapaldi #HensBens #JimmySomerville @itsyesandmaybe #Unmaking #ThreePointEnsemble @Eyve #Taahliah #ShagNasty
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Pt 2 (76-51): Jimmy Somerville to Taahliah
This is the second part of our playlist of the essential 100 (or so) tunes to come out of Scotland.
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue 'That’s the song I’m most pleased about - in this recent period..' Ricky Ross, Deacon Blue   @BarryCantSwim @Girobabies @jacobal0n @deaconbluemusic #Majorca @fidaofficial_
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue
2025 saw new releases from some of the best known names in Scottish pop culture from Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, Young Fathers and Franz Ferdinand…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue @lcgmac @joesefjoesef @JusticeElectro @HudMo @lizziereidmusic #Telmo #ZoeGraham @samgellaitry #InVertigo @JWax19 #LoveShaun @mogwaiband @CelloSeales @StarskyRae
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue
2025 saw new releases from some of the best known names in Scottish pop culture from Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, Young Fathers and Franz Ferdinand…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue @thedjangos @ProcFiskal @heavenlycrecs @Franz_Ferdinand @itslooroll @xidontlie @askSupermann On Da Beat @HawkOffical @Sonotto10 @Cathal_Murphy_ @samwooddoowmas
heraldscotland.com
Top 100 Tunes from Scotland in 2025 Part 1 (100-76): Django Django to Deacon Blue
2025 saw new releases from some of the best known names in Scottish pop culture from Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris, Young Fathers and Franz Ferdinand…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
'The board acknowledges that there is material risk and uncertainty relating to going concern' That’s the warning from Scotland’s state-owned ferry shipyard as losses double and future funding remains unclear. #FergusonMarine #Scotland #Audit #Taxpayer
heraldscotland.com
Ferry fiasco firm admits material risk to future despite £270m ScotGov handout
Scotland’s state-owned ferry fiasco shipyard is facing a fresh crisis after its own board admitted uncertainty over future work and Scottish…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Why is nationalised Scots shipyard firm Ferguson Marine in trouble?
heraldscotland.com
Why is nationalised Scots shipyard firm Ferguson Marine in trouble?
What is the current status of Ferguson Marine?
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
EXC - Scotland’s ferry fiasco deepens as Ferguson Marine warns funding doubts threaten its future — despite £270m of public cash. #FergusonMarine #FerryFiasco #ScotGov #PublicSpending
heraldscotland.com
Ferry fiasco firm admits material risk to future despite £270m ScotGov handout
Scotland’s state-owned ferry fiasco shipyard is facing a fresh crisis after its own board admitted uncertainty over future work and Scottish…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
'Meaningful progress requires coordinated intervention and support from the Scottish Government' - ministers warned to act on council homelessness failures or face humiliating court action #HumanRights #ScotlandPolitics #HousingEmergency
heraldscotland.com
Court warning issued to ScotGov over human rights law breaches
Housing secretary Màiri McAllan has been warned to intervene to prevent humiliating court action as councils repeatedly breach the law by denying…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
EXC - Lawyers issue warning of court action to Scots housing secretary if there is no intervention on systemic homeless law breaches #HomelessRights #ScotlandHousing #CourtAction
heraldscotland.com
Court warning issued to ScotGov over human rights law breaches
Housing secretary Màiri McAllan has been warned to intervene to prevent humiliating court action as councils repeatedly breach the law by denying…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
"Senior leadership team needs to be replaced - £1.7bn pensions mess explodes as retirees lose all confidence in SPPA leadership #PensionRights #McCloudRemedy #SPPA #Scotlandhttps://
heraldscotland.com
‘Pathetic Pathirana must go’: Anger erupts over £1.7bn pension scandal apology
The boss of Scotland’s crisis-hit pensions agency is facing calls for his dismissal after a 'shocking' apology over a £1.7bn scandal that has…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
EXC - Campaigners: ‘Pathetic Pathirana must go’ as public apology issued as pension delays stretch into 2027. #ScotPol #Pensions #McCloud #Accountability
heraldscotland.com
‘Pathetic Pathirana must go’: Anger erupts over £1.7bn pension scandal apology
The boss of Scotland’s crisis-hit pensions agency is facing calls for his dismissal after a 'shocking' apology over a £1.7bn scandal that has…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
'I sit here owning the problem, and I need to put it right': Over 100,000 Scots left in limbo as pensions boss apologises and admits remedy years late. #Pensions #ScotPol #McCloudRemedy #PublicSector
heraldscotland.com
ScotGov agency chief 'deeply sorry' over £1.7bn pensions scandal
The chief executive of the Scottish Government's pensions agency has issued a public apology over Scotland's £1.7 billion pensions age…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Pension chief apologises amid fury over massive delays and broken promises. #ScotPol #SPPA #Pensions #McCloudScandal
heraldscotland.com
ScotGov agency chief 'deeply sorry' over £1.7bn pensions scandal
The chief executive of the Scottish Government's pensions agency has issued a public apology over Scotland's £1.7 billion pensions age…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
By far the best option is therefore to phase out private provision completely' - Think tank urges ban on for-profit care as ministers backtrack on pledge to protect children. #SocialCare #ScotGov #ChildrenFirst #ThePromise
heraldscotland.com
‘Shocking’ pay and profits revealed as firms 'cash in' on vulnerable Scots children
Scots private childcare chiefs are pocketing salaries up to twice that of the First Minister while companies rake in huge profits — despite…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Revealed: Scots childcare bosses earning up to double the FM’s salary as firms profit from vulnerable kids. #Scotland #CareCrisis #ThePromise
heraldscotland.com
‘Shocking’ pay and profits revealed as firms 'cash in' on vulnerable Scots children
Scots private childcare chiefs are pocketing salaries up to twice that of the First Minister while companies rake in huge profits — despite…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
🛑 Pensioners fight for privacy rights — but why is Swinney is facing the heat. #PensionsCrisis #PrivacyProbe #SPPA #Scotland
heraldscotland.com
Why is Swinney facing a double crisis over a pensions discrimination scandal?
The First Minister is at the centre of a probe into the mishandling of pensioner complaints in a £1.7 billion age discrimination scandal.
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
EXC: 'You couldn't make it up': 🏴 Swinney under pressure as privacy watchdog steps in over the mishandling of pensioner complaints. #SPPA #PensionsCrisis #ScotlandNews #DataBreach
heraldscotland.com
Privacy regulator probes mishandling of pension scandal complaints to Swinney
The Information Commissioner's Office is looking at concerns over privacy breaches over the handling of pensioner complaints to John Swinney
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
EXC: Scottish government reviews procedures as probe launched into whether Swinney’s government unlawfully shared personal data as pensioners wait years for remedies. #PensionsScandal #ICO #SPPA #PublicSector
heraldscotland.com
Privacy regulator probes mishandling of pension scandal complaints to Swinney
The Information Commissioner's Office is looking at concerns over privacy breaches over the handling of pensioner complaints to John Swinney
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
🔍 What’s Swinney’s link to Scotland’s £1.7bn public sector pension privacy row? #Pensions #SPPA #Scotland #Swinney
heraldscotland.com
Why is Swinney facing a double crisis over a pensions discrimination scandal?
The First Minister is at the centre of a probe into the mishandling of pensioner complaints in a £1.7 billion age discrimination scandal.
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
EXC: 🚨 Privacy storm as regulator probes “unlawful” handling of pensioner complaints to John Swinney in Scotland’s £1.7bn pensions scandal. #PensionsScandal #ICO #SPPA #PublicSector
heraldscotland.com
Privacy regulator probes mishandling of pension scandal complaints to Swinney
The Information Commissioner's Office is looking at concerns over privacy breaches over the handling of pensioner complaints to John Swinney
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
EXC - "There can be no excuse from the Scottish Government for not delivering". McAllan warns UK cuts could choke off funding to meet affordable homes pledge after Scotland hits 12-year low in new starts. #HousingCrisis #ScotPol #AffordableHousing #Homelessness
heraldscotland.com
'No excuses': McAllan warns UK housing shift could derail Scotland’s emergency plan
The Scottish housing secretary has cast doubt over her ability to deliver a pledge to build thousands of affordable homes to stem a homelessness…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
EXC "It is just deluded to believe that there is a 'nothing to see' situation regarding these charters". £50,000 every day on emergency ferries… and it’s the Isle of Man Government bailing us out 🤯 #Scotland #CalMac #FerryFiasco
heraldscotland.com
Scotland paying £50k a day as Isle of Man government ship keeps ferry services afloat
Scottish Government-owned ferry operator CalMac is being bailed out with the help of the Isle of Man Government as it spends £50,000-a-day on…
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Martin Williams @martin1williams.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
EXC - ScotGov housing pledge “at risk” as McAllan sounds alarm over UK cuts. Scotland already 10,000 homes behind target. #HousingCrisis #Scotland #AffordableHomes #Politics
heraldscotland.com
'No excuses': McAllan warns UK housing shift could derail Scotland’s emergency plan
The Scottish housing secretary has cast doubt over her ability to deliver a pledge to build thousands of affordable homes to stem a homelessness…
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