One week it's a rat-infested, crumbling disgrace - the next it's:

Suddenly everyone had an opinion on matters most of us know nothing about. On one side, it was accusations of more illiberal government; on the other side, any opposition was an assault on the planet. For pity’s sake, let’s debate, not burn witches daily heraldscotland.com/politics/viewp…

Was glad to contribute to Good Morning Scotland's coverage of the family visa changes. Worth emphasising how many people are affected: children who face a lifetime of separation from a parent; British citizens essentially exiled, who may never live near their own parents again

Some diving going on here from Barca

Yesterday, we were all experts in woodburners and biomass fuels.

Today, we are all experts in systemic reviews and research methods in the medical sciences.

Excited to find out what else we're experts in tomorrow.

It’s a mystery why things cost so much to build in the UK latest

Strong positive effects of SureStart on GCSE results for poorer children. More strong evidence that well designed early intervention can be very effective.

Also shows importance of high quality evaluation. Great work by my colleagues.

Policymakers take note.

UK Higher education has a heck of a UK financial services just before Northern Rock keeled over feel to it

Many things can be true at the same time: policy design & implementation which leaves rural/island communities feeling excluded; the existence of some edge cases which need more attention; and a media/political ecosystem which spreads rampant disinformation on everything SG does.

Some responses to this insist the policies are inherently incompetent, flawed and arrogant (I disagree), while others insist the policies and communication are perfect and all critiques are opportunistic disinformation (I also disagree).

Can add polarisation as another problem.

I really am incredulous at today’s furore. It’s *five years* since the statement below appeared. If we can’t do policy and politics better than this then we have no change of getting anywhere near #netzero

We are sad to announce the death of Professor Peter Higgs, who has passed away at the age of 94. edin.ac/43Qslyo

This is becoming a pattern in Scottish policymaking. A well intentioned and overall important govt policy is poorly communicated and leaves islanders/rural folk feeling ignored, while a backlash develops, driven by misinformation/confusion about what the policy actually does.

Don't think implications for the UK state of a fiscal domino effect forcing widespread nationalisation of the higher education sector is adequately engaged with currently.

Often less likely scenarios become inevitable scenarios if policy failure isn't confronted fast enough

Our graduate scheme is back! Got a degree, or are due to complete one by September? We're recruiting graduates for our engineering, HR and commerical teams.

Check out the full details at scotrail.co.uk/careers and apply before 27 April. Good luck!

I see we're about to have a noisy debate about domestic heating reminiscent of the one transport in which is it's always somebody else's responsibility to change behaviour. Yet societal inaction on #climate is increasingly being challenged in the courts... bbc.co.uk/news/science-e…

Total rubbish talked about unis by know-nothings:
*Taxpayer picking up the tab
*STEM subjects benefit the economy most
*Teaching quality clustered at 'the top'
*Blair and Brown had a 50% target they imposed, not an aspiration
*It's ex-polys bringing in international students

Ridiculous argument. The Tories have delivered one gigantic supply side reform. It was called Brexit and it has been an unmitigated disaster, which is a large part of the reason why taxes and spending have had to go up. Pure gaslighting to suggest otherwise.

Ah yes. Reminds me of the time the fifth Baron Bethell explained that he learned to ‘hustle’ after fluffing his A-levels at Harrow. The struggle is real.

1. You’re literally an aristocrat. You’re the descendant of a banking dynasty. Your father is an Eton-educated peer

2. Kids are naturally dejected by poor pay, few prospects and a regionally ruptured country, while all the opportunities are hoovered up by a Bullingdon Club elite