19/11/2013 Reporting Scotland

Tonight: Building Scotland's economic future. The government set

out financial plans for an independent Scotland. How do three

metres of stolen cable in this electricity substation left hundreds

of homes without power and caused house fires. We have had no heating

and have had to carry water to the bathroom to get washed. I opened the

blinds and adjusts all the fire engines. The size of 1000 football

pitches, Scotland's newest opencast mine is approved.

Australia prepare for Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

And joining me to find out how these small fish could solve a

long-standing problem. An independent Scotland could create

a boom in employment by cutting corporation tax, claims Alex

Salmond. He was launching his economic plans, which he says will

boost growth and tackle inequality of the country opts for

independence. Critics accused him of fantasy economics. When you get a

fitting you want it to love to you. -- tailored. Ministers today claimed

that independence would allow Scotland to create bespoke economic

policy. Other countries would give the right keys for this. Create a

more prosperous society, a blueprint for a better Scotland. The menu

includes improved childcare, encouraging skilled migrants, and

encouraging exports beyond W. Corporation tax would be cut to

attract companies, and renewed incentives for small companies. As

he toured a new life sciences venture at Dundee University, Alex

Salmond said the key driver would be innovation, to boost productivity.

The aim it would be to compete with London. Giving Scotland an inch. But

the first minister encountered some scepticism from an academic

audience. Some wondered if Scotland could match UK funding for research.

He insisted our universities would remain top-class. Elliptical

opponents say he has questions to answer. -- political. Yesterday the

Institute for Fiscal Studies said that an independent Scotland would

face a situation where taxes went up public spending was cut. That raised

serious questions. Today we need the dancers. -- the answers. The White

Paper will arrive when we today. -- one week. Today was the economic

case, next week the White Paper. What is the relationship between

both? This was the menu today. All the

possible powers that could be deployed. The white paper will

narrow down the Ashes. -- dishes. Already controversial, critics are

asking why London would sign up to eight currency union. -- a currency

union. Alex Salmond says it would be in the interests of both Scotland

and the remainder of the UK. It is a fundamental argument that will

continue until the referendum date. And there is a growing row over how

the White Paper will be delivered. The intention of the government is

to have razzmatazz. The opposition are saying, there must be a

statement in Parliament on Tuesday. The compromise will be a question

and answer session on the Tuesday. But that has not been agreed.

A new opencast coal mine which will be about the size of 1000 football

pictures has been given the go-ahead on the land near Penicuik.

Councillors voted in favour despite furious opposition. In a region with

a strong mining past, controversy about the industry's future impact.

The proposal is to turn this stretch of countryside in the Midlothian

Hills into a huge opencast mine. An area equivalent to 1000 football

pitches would see 10 million tonnes of coal extracted over the course of

ten years. But this local resident has concerns. There is no evidence

that there is a market for the call. It is highly likely the project

would be abandoned halfway through. That means that company will want to

walk away from responsibility. Why rush into this moment when we have

not even had the consultation? The Scottish government consultation

was prompted by the collapse of Scottish coal. It left other

councils with ills totalling tens of millions to restore derelict minds.

The model appears to have failed. Communities are left with a

devastated countryside and environment. Despite opposition,

councillors agreed to the plans. The company said it will generate 350

local jobs. They also give assumes was on a phased process of

restoration. The decision is based on guaranteeing there is a legally

binding arrangement in place, a mechanism to secure a guarantee of

estimation. That will be in place before work starts. Agreements are

still to be negotiated at by next year that these sheep may have given

way to beggars. -- diggers. Still to come: We catch up with the

Queen's baton relay. The latest from Norway against

Scotland. And the Australians have come to town for rugby. Do they have

a drinking problem? And this is how it is done as the Scotland coupling

skipper heads for the European title. -- curling.

Salmon farmers on the West Coast have enlisted the help of a natural

ally in the fight against a marine parasite. Small cleaner fish are

being put into salmon cages to target ceilings. -- sea lice.

Feeding time for 50,000 farmed salmon. Reared in nets on the River

Clyde coast. Served up to customers around the world when they are ready

for the markets. With demand growing fast, producers struggle to keep up

with demand. But they face another challenge. Concern about the impact

on the environment. Salmon can fall prey to a parasite. The latch onto

the skin and we can kill the fish. Anglers say that the salmon farms

offer easy pickings. But these little fish could be the answer.

They just love eating sea lice. Thousands are being raised in tanks

to act as guards for farmed salmon. You will see trials that have been

done showing that they preferred sea lice, every time. Next summer, all

these young moved out to salmon farms up and the West Coast. They

report into force. Each one should be able to protect up to 50 salmon.

Another change on the way for a young but growing industry. 40 years

ago we would have been standing next to a wooden cage and feeding. Now we

have a recyclable, automated system, computer-controlled, it helps with

the environment, and it is part of the science. This leading programmer

marks a shift. And the potential for a natural solution to a man-made

challenge. Gordon Brown has led tributes at the

funeral of Helmand the funeral of Helen Eadie. -- the funeral of Helen

Eadie. She died earlier this month at the age of 66. Gordon Brown

described her as a woman of the people, respected by all who knew

her. The waiting is almost over. At 8am

tomorrow morning and even find out if it will be the next UK City of

Culture. -- Dundee. It is the only Scottish contender. The prize would

bring ?18 million to Dundee and create 1000 jobs.

A kaleidoscope of creativity. Images that Dundee hopes will help it when

the city of culture title. From award-winning theatre work to a

singing class held every week. We take a narrow view of culture.

Thinking it is they are and top hats. -- tiaras. But culture is a

wide market. This is the bid document outlining the programme of

events. The contents have been a closely guarded secret for months

but now we know the details. They would be a light show, the football

grounds would host two of Italy's biggest teams, and they would be a

comics Festival. But Dundee faces strong competition from Hull,

Leicester, and Swansea. The winner will be unveiled tomorrow morning.

The man in charge of the attempt believes that the Dundee pitch is

strong. This would change Dundee into place recognised as a great

place to come to, by more people than we could do through our own

resources. Whatever the results, this

transformation work at the waterfront will continue. A new

museum will be a focal point of the development and. Open on the banks

of the river. But the city of culture title be the icing on the

cake. Copper thieves who broke into an

electricity substation in Greenock caused for house files and left

hundreds of homes without power. ScottishPower warned that somebody

could have been killed. A rise in the number of similar theft in

Scotland is in marked contrast to a reduction in England. Around 3am

this morning as substation in Greenock was broken into. Three

metres of cable were stolen. The subsequent surge caused minor fuse

box files in local homes. If they had touched any one of the other

cables, tried to cut one, they were alive, they probably would have been

killed. This house was one of those damaged. A mother and children fast

asleep when smoke started coming from the electricity meter cupboard.

Neighbours were woken by the flashing lights of the fire service.

You could still smell the smoke. 200 native homes lost power. -- 200

native. -- 200 and 80. It is absolutely scandalous. The people

should done this should be ashamed. This footage shows the thieves

hitting a power plant Ellen on in the year. ScottishPower said that

since the new legislation has been implemented in England they have

seen a 70% drop in theft. In Scotland, there has been a 30%

increase. Similar legislation is being planned by the Scottish

parliament. It cannot come quick enough for these families. Are Other

stories from across the country: police are investigating a complaint

about a mural at an Edinburgh primary school which depicts a

collie walk. The scene from Alice in Wonderland

dates back to 1936. A parent has described the image as racist and

offensive. Give assurances that it will

continue its daily links between Inverness and London Gatwick until

easyJet take over the route. The leader of Hyndland Council has

criticised... The Transport Minister Keith Brown

has officially launched Scots and's first scheduled electric bus

service. It runs between the ferry terminals. Local transport

partnership at ?120,000 towards the cost of the vehicle. It helps to

integrate different modes of transport. Secondly, it maintains a

regeneration of Stranraer itself by making connections easier. Thirdly,

it is an environmentally friendly bus which is good for the

environment. Libraries in Buckhead that were earmarked for closure been

saved. Campaigners have been preparing a challenge. Moray Council

said they could not afford a lengthy court battle.

The film has been released to show tourists that there is more to Loch

Ness than just a monster. Coordinated by the two risen group

Destination Loch Ness, the two minute film shows off new developers

and investments that have taken place around the lock over recent

years. As part of the build up to the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Queen's Baton Relay is continuing

its journey visiting all the nations and territories that will be sending

teams to Scotland. Adventurer Mark Beaumont is with the Baton and,

lucky him, stopped off on the Pacific's Solomon Islands, which is

looking at local solutions to global problems.

As the Queen's bat on travels through the Pacific, there is no

escaping the coconut tree. Here the Solomon Islands, they provide more

than just welcome shade. We know you can eat and drink it, but here,

dried flesh the coconut can keep the port in the capital. It comes out as

you can see. Originally from Australia, John has lived here for

18 years. Recently, he has managed to use the country's bountiful

coconuts to strike oil. Is such a higher price that you are running

out and I needed to run my legends. If we harvested every coconut that

was under the tree, we would not be dependent on aid donors and we would

nearly be independent on renewable energy for our power supply. White

. you can only use it at home providing you preheat it. On the

islands, it could be a perfect match. Especially as harvesting

coconut is work that already includes many communities. Do your

family work with the as well? Yes. Can smell it -- can sell is two

small outlets. It was time to put it to the test. The coconut, as big as

it is, can power a beast like this. As production of the fuel goes

mainstream, farmers like Jack can really help drive the economy. We

can then send it on to Singapore to make cooking oil. Now that we have

these factories to make oil, it is easier fast, we just sell them.

. It does include some hard graft. Having travelled through 11 of the

nations with the Queen's Baton Relay, I've seen a reach -- rich for

80. Using the things on people's doorsteps

There's no discipline problem or drinking culture in the Australian

rugby team. So says former captain James Horwill. That's despite five

players being dropped for Saturday's Murrayfield test against Scotland.

No sign of a hangover at training this morning, metaphorical or

literal. Nick Cummings was one of 15 players disciplined for a late-night

drinking session last week. He is one of five banned from facing

Scotland. The Wallabies will also be without Adam Ashley Cooper...

Don't expect to see any Australian players in or around any of

Edinburgh's numerous pubs. The sobering question for the visitors

is this: Is there a discipline problem? I don't think there is a

problem. Guys have made decisions and they have been judged on those

decisions and we want guys making good decisions, as I keep saying,

you're saying there is a culture and discipline problem, this is based on

an individual event that has happened and now we move forward.

Nite out did not stop them beating Ireland and they will be formidable

opponents this week out. Scotland's records against them are good. If

Scotland were left wanting to drown their sorrows after the heavy defeat

by South Africa, it would be quite a tonic if they bounced back with a

win over the Wallabies. We'll start with the latest from

Norway, where Scotland are playing a challenge match. In a pretty

uneventful first forty-five minutes, the home side have had the better of

it. School is nil-nil. This header from Ola Kamara was saved by David

Marshall and the same player was denied again by the Scotland

goalkeeper. Switch to BBC Two at the end of this programme for the second

half. Now, a look at what else is happening across Scottish sport. The

Scotland cricket team is now highly unlikely to qualify for next year's

2020 World Cup. It is their third defeat in the qualifying campaign.

Kenya claimed a comfortable win. Paul De Resta says he is determined

to stay in Formula one. He'll discover if he has a feature with

the Force India, but he has revealed his options out with F1.

Katie Archibald makes the step up to Team GB for the second round of the

track World Cup. As the 20 14th medal hope in press selectors.

It is getting competitive for Scotland's and elite mountain

bikers. Just to make the team the 2014. There is a wealth of talent

and they will have home turf advantage. It is tough competition.

There are only three places. To see more, go to the website.

Scotland's women are the team the rest of Europe want to beat, so says

their Skip Eve Muirhead. The Scotland curling team begin a new

campaign on Saturday in Norway, aiming to add the European title to

their World crown. David McDaid's been to see Muirheads intense

preparations. Mention Scottish curling and Eve

Muirhead gliding on the ice is a familiar image. This though is only

part of the work that goes into becoming world champion.

Come 7am every morning, you will find the Scotland skipper doing this

at the sport Scotland Institute of sport. A lot of people don't know

how important it is to work in the gym when it comes to curling. The

more physically fit I am, the more mentally fit I am. On the ice, one

decision can cost you the game. A lot of it is your stability on the

eyes. And yours is a major part. It is not just physical and technical

training, they also get help with the mental side. We have to pay a

lot of attention to detail. Everyone needs to know exactly to how go

through the simple things. Those things become more complicated and

competition circumstances. This is all for medals. The next challenge

comes over the next week at the European Championships. We are well

champions, that makes it tough. We have a target on our back. We are

known as one of the older teens, everybody is there to beat us. We

love the pressure. -- older teams. I bet she is dilated about that. --

delighted about that. As far as tonight is concerned, we

are looking at some windy weather. The forward edge of that rain is

turning to snow over higher grain. As the rain moves across the

country, it will gradually clear away to the South. It is accompanied

by strong south-westerly winds. They will go into the North West later.

As the rain clears away, the temperatures fall and we are left

with a risk of ice. The Met Office have issued a weather warning. This

is for a good coast of -- a good part of the East Coast. It will kick

in tomorrow morning. Be aware during the rush hour. A cold, bright start

for many parts. Winds were picked up along the west coast. We are looking

at severe gales. Another weather warning, those gales could lead to

travel disruption. The winds are bringing showers across northern

Scotland. Across a good part of the South, we are looking at fine spells

of sunshine. It will feel raw in the sunshine. It would be sunny and on

the whole July. -- on the whole drive. The Wii showers for the

Northern Isles. It will feel bitterly cold in the strong winds.

As we go to the day, the winds will go into the more eastern areas. The

showers for light across much of the country. The good news is as we go

towards Thursday and Friday, we stuck to see high pressure building

in across the country, settling things down. Thursday, we are

looking at White winds across much of the country. There will be

showers in eastern areas. They will turn to snow over higher ground. But

in the West, we should have the best of the sunshine. Temperatures on the

cold side, six or seven Celsius. Friday is looking similar.

An independent Scotland could create a boom in employment by cutting

corporation tax, so claims Alex Salmond. The First Minister was

launching his economic plans which he says will boost growth and tackle

inequality if the country opts for independence. However critics

accused him of fantasy economics. The Chairman of the Co-op Group has

resigned as the scandal surrounding the former chairman of the Co-op

Bank shows no sign of abating. Len Wardle led the board that appointed

Paul Flowers in 2010. Mr Flowers, a Methodist minister, was filmed

allegedly trying to buy cocaine and other illegal drugs.

A new open cast coalmine, which will be about the size of a thousand

football pitches, has been given the go-ahead on land near Penicuik. In

the face of furious local opposition councillors voted in favour after

planning officers said the development was in the national

interest. That is Reporting Scotland. Our next round-up is just

after the 10pm news. Have a good evening, goodbye.