tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22214365.post627022837631077979..comments2023-06-10T16:10:14.032+01:00Comments on My Rambling Thoughts: Clashing CalculatorsLouisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08040609999717940606noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22214365.post-9862841376968606452008-04-07T16:09:00.000+01:002008-04-07T16:09:00.000+01:00I wouldn't go conflating the policies already bein...I wouldn't go conflating the policies already being implemented with John Swinney's determination to ensure that Scotland gets every penny that is due to her.<BR/><BR/>John didn't go looking for money to pay for current policies - they're already accounted for in the budget - he went to demand that Scotland gets the resources to which she is entitled.<BR/><BR/>We already know that Scotland's allocation has been cut under this CSR period leading to the tightest spending round that Scotland has ahd - I wonder whether the rewriting to account for a Scottish squeeze was one of the reasons the CSR was delayed - and we know that Westminster will continue to cut into Scotland's resources, so we need a Government that will stand up for Scotland.<BR/><BR/>Should prescription charges be reduced and removed? I think so - there's some evidence that those who are poor but do not qualify for free prescriptions (including pensioners who have a modest works pension, low paid workers and those in periodic employment) sometimes don't take their prescription because it appears a cost too far. Apart from being bad for their health, it often means that they re-present with a more advanced condition and the treatment can be more expensive for the NHS. Add that to the massive administration costs of the current prescription service and there's a damned fine argument for the aboltion of charges and streamlining of the admin.Calum Cashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01059728094634130387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22214365.post-53982646494611393052008-04-01T22:38:00.000+01:002008-04-01T22:38:00.000+01:00Hmm, interesting post. And I guess it's fairly saf...Hmm, interesting post. And I guess it's fairly safe to say you are the type of floating voter that keeps Salmond awake at night.<BR/><BR/>I am pretty sure eye tests are free. Certainly every other optician seems to be offering them.<BR/><BR/>If 92% of subscriptions are already free then I guess this policy won't cost very much is one way of looking at it.<BR/><BR/>But I agree, Salmond can't believe the position he's in. I just hope it's as 'real' as the position of responsibility deserves to be.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com