The Herald

Spending Hits Gbp19bn but the Schools Gap Widens 60,000 Pupils Left Stranded at Foot of the Exam Ladder

THE gulf between the best and worst performing pupils in Scotland is growing wider despite a raft of government initiatives aimed at closing the gap and GBP19bn spent on education since devolution. A study published today reveals average exam performance of the highest-achieving teenagers has gradually increased in recent years but figures for the lowest 20-per cent have remained constant.

Ming Hints at Hidden Truths in Kennedy Downfall

SIR Menzies Campbell yesterday hinted that the full explanation for what led to Charles Kennedy being toppled had yet to emerge, but rejected any blame for the former LibDem leader's downfall. In an exclusive interview with The Herald to coincide with today's formal launch of his leadership campaign, Sir Menzies made clear he was not prepared to be portrayed as the villain of the leadership debacle.

Forth Road Bridge Toll Rise Scrapped, Says Brown: Wrong, Says Executive

Gordon Brown was last night at odds with Jack McConnell by stating Forth road bridge rises had been scrapped, openly contradicting the Scottish Executive over the politically explosive subject. Ministers yesterday deferred a decision on whether to back the rises, from GBP1 to up to GBP4 per car. The move was widely seen as a short-term political fix to avoid backing higher charges before the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, expected on February 9. However, the chancellor, who holds the ...

Sharp Rise in Complaints Over Carers More Childminders Reported to Watchdog

RISING complaints against childminders and day-care nurseries led the way in a surge in cases which were dealt with by a watchdog. The Care Commission said it investigated 23-per cent more complaints last year than in the previous 12 months.

Curtain Ready to Rise On City's Second Film Festival

THE second Glasgow Film Festival will open with the latest project of Gael Garcia Bernal, one of the film world's most hotly- tipped actors. Bernal, who played the young Che Guevara in 2004's The Motorcycle Diaries, stars in The King, by British filmmaker James Marsh.

'His Coat Was Gone. I Was Horrified'

GILLIAN Bryce had her complaint upheld by the Care Commission after staff at a nursery lost her two-year-old son on an afternoon walk. She only discovered Bryce was missing when she went to collect him from the Daytime Playtime group in Glasgow.

'Archaic' Rules About Critical Illness Insurance Face Review

CONTROVERSIAL laws which hinder policyholders from claiming critical illness insurance because they failed to disclose unrelated medical information look set to be reviewed. The Law Commission yesterday described insurance contract law as "muddled", and launched a consultation.

I, Keano: He Came, He Saw and He's Back to Conquer a Stage Near You Musical Puts Footballer's Career in a Classical Context

YOU will have bought the historic programme and the hooped shirt with his name on the back. Now start saving for a theatre ticket. Talks are under way to bring a musical about Roy Keane to a stage in Scotland.

Man Cleared After Serving Seven Years for Drug Dealing

A MAN who served a sevenyear sentence for drug dealing after evidence about traces of cannabis being found on banknotes in his bedroom has been cleared by appeal judges. They ruled yesterday that John McGinty suffered a miscarriage of justice in 1997 because of forensic evidence led against him, and quashed his conviction.

Pioneers' Story Is Given to Schools

THE story behind the early Scots and Irish settlers in America will be revealed in classrooms across Glasgow, thanks to a lottery grant to the Glasgow Ulster-Scots Society. The full range of the ScotsIrish Chronicles, by Billy Kennedy, will be distributed to all 29 secondary schools in the city, as a result of a GBP2640 Heritage Lottery Fund award.

Warming Accelerates Across Scotland

TEMPERATURES in Scotland have risen more quickly over the past four decades than at any other time since records began. Research released by the Scottish Executive yesterday showed that the country started to become warmer much more quickly in the 1960s than in previous decades.

Msps 'Afraid to Tackle the Problems of Nhs 24' Son Hands in Petition After Father's Death

A MAN who claims incompetence by NHS 24 contributed to his father's death yesterday accused MSPs of being afraid to tackle the helpline's problems. Kevin Herd said it had been "a waste of time" bringing a 3500- signature petition calling for a review of the service to the Scottish Parliament from his home in Buckie, Moray.

Body Found in Hunt for Missing Woman

Canadian Prov Ince Fights for Its Gaelic Heritage Nova Scotia Aims to Record Remaining Native Speakers

FOR more than a century, the Scots Gaelic language has flourished 2500 miles from its homeland. Now it is in danger of dying out altogether. With experts reporting the number of Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia is at an all-time low, a project is being launched to record native speakers of the language there in an attempt to encourage more to speak it.

'We Lost the Freedom of Our Speech' Case Study

PETER MacLean, 92, lives on the shores of the Bras d'Or Lake, so named by the early French settlers on Cape Breton island. But oral tradition always described it as Loch Mor nam Barrach, the Great Lake of the Barra men.

Poverty Trap: But How Do Some Schools Buck Trends? Link to Exam Results Is Confirmed Link to Exam Results Is Confirmed Analysis

FOR generations, the chronic underachievement that has dogged deprived areas of Scotland has been blamed on severe levels of poverty. When challenged over poor exam results, time and again the mantra from local authorities has been to highlight the well-established links between deprivation and attainment.

Academics Become Part of Wealthy Set

A NEW generation of academics has joined the rich ranks as they reap the rewards of commercialising their ideas and inventions. Dozens of multi-millionaire professors have made substantial fortunes through spin-offs, entrepreneurial ventures and inventions. The list includes staff from Edinburgh and Dundee universities.

School Merger Plans Approved by Minister

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to merge 10 schools into five are to go ahead following Scottish Executive approval. Peter Peacock, education minister, announced his decision on the schools in Inverclyde in a letter to Duncan McNeil, the local MSP.

Outrage Over Irish Failure to Halt Net Fishing

THE Irish government has been condemned for ignoring international obligations to stop net fishing - which prevents thousands of salmon returning to Scotland's rivers. The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB) is particularly concerned at Irish exploitation of fish destined for Scotland's west coast rivers.

Mother Accuses Nhs Trust Over Son's Death

A MOTHER yesterday demanded a public inquiry into the death of her suicidal son after he was turned away from a hospital psychiatric ward three times. Hugh O'Neil, 31, had pleaded with staff to admit him to Vale of Leven Hospital, in Dunbartonshire.