Martin Williams
@martin1williams.bsky.social
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
'Disaster': Swinney urged to act as the number of street sleepers in Scotland's biggest city triples in a year
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…
heraldscotland.com
Calls have been made for reform of the Scottish-Government controlled maritime transport network
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
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?
Why does the Scottish Government control the nation's ferries?
heraldscotland.com
There has been concern over the management of ferries being cocooned inside three levels of Scottish Government-controlled bureaucracy.
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…
heraldscotland.com
'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
'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…
heraldscotland.com
EXC - 'Embarrassing' Ferry spin collapses as Scots minister forced to correct record due to 'public misinformation'. #Holyrood #Hyslop
'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…
heraldscotland.com
'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
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…
heraldscotland.com
EXC - Ministers advised to ban gas boilers by 2035 after poll shows Scots back it #HeatInBuildings #ScotGov #FuelPoverty
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…
heraldscotland.com
⚠️"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
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…
heraldscotland.com
💸 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
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…
heraldscotland.com
A watchdog ruling, a secret settlement, and a government refusing to explain. What really happened at CalMac? #CalMac #Transparency #PublicSpending
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…
heraldscotland.com
'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
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…
heraldscotland.com
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
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…
heraldscotland.com
Revealed: 'Fired' CalMac chief executive scooped £170k earnings in a year after completing just three days in post #CalMac #Transparency #ScotGov
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…
heraldscotland.com
'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
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…
heraldscotland.com
EXC - CalMac blocking of disclosure of boss's 'golden goodbye' ruled unlawful by anti-secrecy regulator #Transparency #PublicMoney
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…
heraldscotland.com
“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
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…
heraldscotland.com
'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
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…
heraldscotland.com
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
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…
heraldscotland.com
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
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…
heraldscotland.com
Transport secretary grilled as #CalMac ferry upkeep costs soar and vessels keep breaking down. #Holyrood #TransportScotland
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…
heraldscotland.com
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
‘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…
heraldscotland.com
EXC - From satire to reality? #YesMinister invoked over Scotland’s pensions 'meaningless' compensation letters. #PensionsCrisis #Holyrood
‘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…
heraldscotland.com
🗣️ “Spiralling out of control.” #Ferry repair costs have doubled in two years as its fiasco vessel remains sidelined #CalMac #FerryFail #ScottishPolitics #PublicMoney
'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…
heraldscotland.com
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
'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…
heraldscotland.com
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_
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.
heraldscotland.com
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_
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.
heraldscotland.com
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
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.
heraldscotland.com
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_
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…
heraldscotland.com
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
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…
heraldscotland.com