10/09/2013 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland. More controversy over the so called

bedroom tax. You have got a tape measure? This man wins an appeal

against having his benefits cut after a ruling that the size of

spare rooms must be taken into account. Also tonight: An inquiry

into north sea helicopter safety. After a number of accidents MPs will

look at what they call worrying evidence that staff have lost all

confidence in the offshore helicopter fleet.

Calls for those brought up in the care system to be given more support

into their early adulthood. Next stop, Macedonia - Scotland may not

be able to qualify but that hasnt stopped the Tartan Army turning out

in support. And could the way they talk in

Albert Square be rubbing off on the good citizens of Glasgow? Experts

say what we watch could change our accents.

A man has fought and won a legal battle against the bedroom tax.

David Neilson persuaded a tribunal to give him back the housing benefit

the most -- lost, because the room was too small. Jasper the parrot

does not pay the tax. But his owner, David, does. Or at least, he did.

Until a tribunal found in his favour. He owns this three-bedroom

house. But the third bedroom is unoccupied. The council took away

the housing benefit he receives for it. It is unjust. People who work

all their days, never in rent arrears, but in rental deals by the

government because of the bedroom tax. -- put into rent arrears. A

judge agreed with David that the rumour was too small to be

considered a spare bedroom. -- the room. No legislation specifies a

minimum size. But that is legislation in Scotland for purposes

of overcrowding. We successfully argued that this was the flip side

of the same coin. The case could lead to hundreds of other appeals

across the United Kingdom. The Department of work and pensions say

that it is simply unaffordable to pay housing benefit to people with

spear bedrooms. But they say it is up to the landlord, in this case,

the local council, to decide what counts as ace their room. -- spare

room. The council is doing its best to implement policy that it does not

support. It is unjust and should be scrapped. We are lobbying the

government with devolved powers to wait out at a stroke. Fresh protest

at the government building in Holyrood today ahead of the budget.

An inquiry into North Sea helicopter safety is to be carried out by a

committee of MPs. It follows the Super Puma crash off Shetland last

month, in which four offshore workers died. Our reporter Steven

Duff is at Aberdeen airport tonight. What will MPs investigate Steven?

The House of Commons transport select committee will look at the

tragic events of August 23. Four people died when a Super Puma

crashed. That investigation continues. But they will look at for

other serious incidents involving Super Pumas since 2009. -- four

others. The industry body said tonight it is looking forward to

being ask to participate. But the RMT union said the enquiry should

not detract from calls for a full public enquiry.

What do we know about other calls for an enquiry?

At the TUC conference there was an emergency motion, tabled by groups

including the pilots union, for a full enquiry. Are the helicopters

overcapacity? And if there is a itching, are people who are older or

larger at more risk? -- ditching. There is a ground swell of feeling

that what is going on in the Northsea is not matched with similar

problems elsewhere in the world. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme. The derelict hospital

chapel that's been turned into an award winning support centre for

cancer sufferers. In the sport, three changes for the Scotland team

tonight. We are in Macedonia. And dreamy the Olympic gold medallist

forging a new path. -- we meet. The Scottish Parliament has voted to

dock the pay of MSPs who are jailed. It follows the case of the

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker who's been convicted of domestic abuse.

But the measure was only backed after protests that the plan was

being rushed through. Our political editor Brian Taylor is at Holyrood

tonight. This was 105 votes against seven,

with four abstentions. So absolutely clear that this was not much of a

debate, it was short. An emergency debate. It was felt that the bill

Walker situation required a response. Since then he has stepped

down. It provoked an angry response from some MSPs has said this was

being rushed through unnecessarily. Linda Fabiani is from the group here

at Holyrood which runs pay and rations and stressed that this would

cover all MSPs and was not about use of bringing the power of the courts.

-- usurping. Once the courts have exercised a ruling, all of us in the

corporate body believed that the salary scheme should reflect the

impact of any sentence on the performance of a member's

parliamentary functions. We should not do this just to appease the

media. You are being whipped across this chamber. It is wrong. I am

asking members who share model since to vote against the whip, or

abstain. -- who share my reluctance. There will now be an examination

into the impact this may have a point pensions. -- porn. -- upon.

Bill Walker will be sentenced in just over one week's time.

The funeral has taken place of one of Scotland's best known artists,

John Bellany. Much of his work was inspired by his roots in the fishing

village of Port Seton in East Lothian and his cortege paused at

the harbour there before making its way to St Giles Cathedral in

Edinburgh. John Bellany died last month aged 71. His family said he

passed away in his studio with a paint brush in his hand.

Children's charities are calling for young people who've been brought up

in care to be given more support in early adulthood. They're urging MSPs

to provide back up for them until the age of 26.

It just seemed to be one thing after another in my life. Tony Nicol spent

eight years in care as a youngster with behavioural problems. At 16 he

was suddenly left to his own devices and struggled to cope. I was lost.

It took me until I was 23 to get into a rehab centre because my drug

and alcohol use was out of control. The story as a familiar one. 1300

people between the ages of 13 and 18 leave residential care and end up on

their own, more likely to go to prison, " with, and suffer mental

health problems. The government has tried to enable

them to be able to come back and request support from the local

authority after leaving care. We are seeing, do not put the onus on the

local authority, give the young person the opportunity to get proper

support. As part of the argument the charity

attached a price tag to Tony's story. The combined cost came in at

more than £1.4 million. They say that investing in continuing care

would ultimately save money. If there was more support when I was

younger, I would have definitely taken that. But it took me to get

into rehabilitation. The LS in its early stages but Tony hopes that

when the final draft is voted on next year life will become for those

following and has all -- following in his footsteps. Some other stories

from across Scotland: A man reported missing from a North Sea ferry has

been named as Craig Townsley from Shetland. He was last seen early

yesterday travelling to Aberdeen. There has been no trace of him

despite a major search. Detectives investigating an armed robbery and

Aberdeen say they have received phone calls from several witnesses.

A security guard was threatened and a robber made up with a five figure

sum. -- made off. Moray Council has voted to close seven libraries as

part of budget cuts. That is despite a recommendation to keep three of

them to guarantee access for the elderly, young children, and the

disabled. The Scottish government say that progress is being made on

plans to improve the notorious in nine road near Caithness. A £90,000

contract is expected to be awarded later this month. -- A9. Believes

Scottish universities have in truth the positions at the top of an

international league table. 18 British universities made the top

100 of the influential Q S rankings. Edinburgh, 17th, Glasgow

51, Saint Andrews, 83. All three improved on last year. A local

authority and Lochaber had put forward portals to benefit frequent

users of other travellers on the ferry but after public consultation

the council intends to leave the structure as it is. There are more

stories from your area and all the latest news on the website.

Scotland is littered with historic buildings that are crumbling away,

but one former chapel has been saved. It has been turned into a

cancer support centre and is just one -- has just won a national

lottery award for the best Heritage Project in the country. Patients

describe it as a sanctuary, but this former chapel saved itself, this

chapel was a wreck, now it is home to a holistic treatment centre.

Cancer patients say it makes a big difference. I love this building as

it is like a sanctuary for people. But not just the people, their

friends, their family and carers, it provides a wonderful calm, place you

to come and delete your troubles behind. I was left with nerve damage

at the bottom of my spine and coming here for the aromatherapy and mass

urges that make me feel better. It is hard to imagine, but over ten

years, this building lay empty, it was dilapidated. There was dry rot

over there, that war was leaning out and the roof leaked. Built in 1904

by Gigi Burn it as a chapel of the hospital patients, the building fell

out of use. This is what faced the charity when they started work. We

have been able to keep 80% of the original fabric, said the

authenticity of the building is fantastic. We have been able to

retain and repair the stained-glass windows. All of the timber panelling

has been fixed and all of the details that are an integral part of

the building are there. Featuring a peace garden and a meeting space, it

beat off competition from other projects to win the best Heritage

Project at the national lottery awards. We are now supporting over

2000 people across the West of Scotland. People who come here to

get their cancer services. We provide complimentary therapy to

people affected by cancer. The only religious to a personal sanctuary,

new life has been breathed into this old building.

Ronan is here with the sport. The Tartan Army is out in force.

Scotland will kick off against Macedonia in around 45 minutes for

their latest World Cup qualifier. Gordon Strachan's side sit bottom of

Group A, well aware their chances of making it to Brazil next year have

already gone. However, that fact hasn't stopped Scotland fans

travelling in their usual numbers. From Skopje, here's our senior

football reporter Chris McLaughlin. The Macedonian capital is a shrine

to heroes of the past, military men who made the nation proud in days

gone by. Today, an army of a different kind was in the city,

desperate for their own heroes to make them proud with a victory this

evening. A bit of fight. As long as they have the passion. As long as

they have tried. As long as we don't get a good beating. They outplayed

us last time, it was a real struggle, we want a good show

tonight. They look like they are trying and they have made progress,

to be the bottom of the group is an embarrassment. 1000 have travelled

knowing qualification is impossible, it is just pride and point. When you

see the numbers that have turned out, you can see they deserve

something. We want a really good show, but make sure that they are

getting chances, they are capable of winning this one. I would like to

see an all round performance, a good solid defence. Maybe take a couple

of chances. If they do they will not be immortalised in bronze or stone,

but the fans will head home happy. ? Well, the team these fans will be

cheering on was announced a short time ago.

There's a first Scotland start for Ikechi Anya. Barry Bannan comes into

the midfield and Steven Naismith is given the lone striker's role. Chris

McLaughlin caught up with the man who picked that team.

Yes, the fans who have travelled are optimistic and I'm delighted to say

I'm joined by a man who is always an optimist, Gordon Strachan. Gordon,

you have had a look at the pitch, your mates and changes. Let's talk

about your team. What is your thinking? The team was not chosen

because of the pitch, that is the sure, it was chosen because of

injuries and a bit of a change. What is your take? It could be a bit

wobbly, there's nothing wrong with your telly, it is the pitch.

Hoteliers shaking, it is the pitch. We will have to deal with that. You

are quite happy with the performance against Belgium, IU expecting a

similar performance to get you a victory question at -- IU.

Collectively, sometimes you have to take responsibility and say that

you're better than who you're playing against. Speaking to fans,

they say that in terms of the result, they want passion and drive,

I know you are similar to that. I want a win. That is my priority. The

fans want a performance, they want to enjoy themselves, something to

shout about. But we have done that recently, so we'll try our best to

do it again. Thank you for joining us. This is Scotland's ultimate

match -- and ultimate match. There are no excuses of missing

tonight's action. The whole match is live all across BBC Scotland, that's

on radio, television and online. An Olympic gold medallist has chosen to

come to Scotland to launch her new sporting career. Amy Williams found

fame after claiming skeleton gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Now

she's chasing her licence as a co-driver in rallying with the

ambition of competing in the World Rally Championship. She made her

race debut at the Merrick Rally in Wigtonshire. She is still hurtling

down a track, but this time Amy Williams is powered by an engine.

She is more used to ice and gravity feeding her need for speed and in

2010, she won the Olympic gold medal. So why choose rallying? For

me, it is a chance to do something different. To try and get this code

driving licence. The similarities between skeleton and rallying on

many. Getting around the course as fast as possible and ultimately,

you're learning notes and try to learn the track, so that is similar

to skeleton. I'm a bit behind on my notes and calling out directions,

but I think it will come. Hopefully, we will do OK. She and her driver

did better than all right, they won their class in this event at the

Scottish Rally championship. She never missed a note in the last

stage. The faster the stage, the better she got. She I didn't have

two say a word. I felt more confident as each stage went on and

I know have more to learn, but I've started from somewhere and I'm

pleased with it well. The winning team is back together next month at

the Colin McRae stage in Perthshire. Pretty brave to do both of those

sports. It is good to see her on two wheels rather than going down the

ice. And an usual choice. Thank you for that. On the 18th of September,

it will be exactly one year until the voting booths open and the

nation decides on independence. As part of our extensive referendum

coverage, we'll be holding a televised debate, Choosing

Scotland's Future, with a panel of senior politicians in Inverness. If

you'd like to be part of the audience, go to the BBC Scotland

news page, and apply online. Are people in the West of Scotland

losing their accents? Well, it appears that Glaswegian fans of

Eastenders may be picking up the Cockney dialect. Linguists at

Glasgow University carried out a study which they say proved that

actively watching TV could speed up language change. Julie Peacock

reports. You all right girls?Soap operas have often been accused of

affecting how we behave, whether it is attitudes of the amount of time

we spend in front of the telly. But could programmes like Eastenders be

changing the way we speak? We searches in Glasgow say young people

in the city are beginning to sound more cockney. That is something we

decided to put to the test. Here at Saint Ninian 's high school,

rehearsals are under way for the school production of Oliver. Are the

cockney accents making their way off the stage? We searches found words

like think and Bath are being pronounced differently. I don't

think people notice it until they think about it. I think some of the

words are influenced, but not many. Do you say things that you hear on

TV? Yes, some things from TV, but some things from other people. This

professor carried out the study and said our interviews with the cast of

Oliver showed many examples. What we are finding with the changes is that

the children are speaking with a Scottish accent and so it is

specific sounds that are changing. One of the girls says, I think, but

you may not hear it as everything she says sounds Scottish. But the

kinds of things that are changing our changes that are already

happening. Media is accelerating what is happening rather than

planting. Make the most of the evening

sunshine, short lived as it may be. It will feel more like autumn over

the next couple of days. It has been a lovely day for many, and it'll

stage I and bright as evening. -- stay bright. Some more stubborn

cloud over the Aberdeenshire area. That could produce some drizzle

tonight, but otherwise it will be dry with clear spells for the first

part of the night and then we see this front of rain pushing in from

the North West and leaching many parts by morning. Underneath that

cloud and rain, not a cold night, ten or 11 sources and as well as six

Celsius in parts of the Borders where skies remain clear. Tomorrow

morning, where you do start strike, you will see that rain arriving and

it will reach all parts and will be heavy across the northern isles for

a spell. In the afternoon, we begin to see some improvements, not for

everyone in mind you. If you look at 3pm, still very cloudy and damp for

Southern Scotland, into the Borders and a cloudy and damp picture for

much of the Central Belt. We'll start to see thinning cloud and

brightness getting to the Perthshire and the Central Highlands, perhaps

the north-west Highlands, but for the Northern Isles, it'll stay

cloudy with mist and hill fog. It'll be quite fresh over the Western

Isles would lighter winds across the rest of the mainland. Through the

afternoon, the rest of the rain should die away, still quite cloudy

for the rest of the country. As we head into Thursday, we are watching

the West again as another weather front is pushing in off the Atlantic

bringing more rain. The Thursday, eastern Scotland will start dry and

bright with sunshine during the morning, but from the outset will

see cloud and rain across western Scotland and during the day it will

spread to all parts. That frame will be heavy at times and persistent,

especially in the North. -- that rain. Amidst all of that, a very

cool feel, temperatures struggling, 16 Celsius at best. That rain will

clear away on Thursday night and Friday eight bit different. A try

and bright day on Friday with spells of sunshine, but you are going to

notice a cooler feel with temperatures at 15 Celsius and a

similar day on Saturday. That is the forecast.

Britain, France and the United States are to table a motion at the

UN Security Council demanding Syria surrender its chemical weapons.

Michael Le Vell has been found not guilty of 12 rape and child abuse

charges. A five man has fought and won a legal battle against the

so-called bedroom tax. Davie Nelson has raided a tribunal to get him

back to housing benefit he had lost having a spare bedroom as the room

was too small. That is Reporting Scotland, I'll be back with the late

bulletin just after the 10pm news. Until then, from us, have a good

evening. Goodbye.