20/08/2014 Reporting Scotland

How much oil is there in the North Sea?

One of the country's leading oil billionaires - Sir Ian Wood -

tells us that Scottish governments predictions are up to sixty per cent

But the SNP say North Sea oil would be a

fantastic asset for an independent Scotland for decades to come.

With less than a month until the referendum vote,

Doctor Who returns this weekend, but the future of TV in Scotland

in the event of a yes vote is also being disputed by both sides today.

I will be live in the Borders at the end of what will be the Borders

railway. Now we know the exact date when trains will run again for the

first time in 40 years. How Edinburgh festival organisers

have managed to cram thousands of And we're in the pouring rain

of Slovenia, as Celtic prepare for their Champions league play-off

first leg against Maribor. Good evening. One of the leading

figures in Scotland's oil industry says much less oil is left in the

North Sea than the Scottish Government claims. Sir Ian Wood

believes up to 16 billion barrels could still be recovered, but

figures in the White Paper suggest 24 billion barrels are left.

Tonight, Scottish ministers said North Sea oil would be a fantastic

asset for an independent Scotland for decades to come. He's a man with

friends in high places but he's also about oil. Sir Ian Wood has advised

both the Scottish and UK governments on the subject but has maintained

silence about independence until now. His view of the economic case

is not good. He says forecasts of ?7 billion from tax annually should

actually be more like 5 billion. The prediction is 60% more than his

reality. He says by 2050 the North Sea will just be producing a sick of

level he is -- they are putting forward today. By 2030 there will be

some real impact on jobs, money available to Scottish exchequer is,

the Scottish economy, by 2050, we have a huge hole to try and fill.

Why is it significant? He is a man who has been at the heart of the

industry since the beginnings. He is well respected by both governments,

and when it comes to oil he is regarded as knowing his stuff. One

question, why are you reluctant to politically state your position? I

am saying it in the statement, the information I have indicates most of

the operators will be more comfortable working in the UK. So

you want to maintain the status quo? All that says is very

common-sense, international companies will work with the biggest

economic unit they work with. The UK is the biggest they can work with.

Sir Ian Wood has made clear he does not think the oil industry is dying.

New discoveries are still being made. Better Together believe the

intervention fatally undermines the case. Not so, say the Nationalists.

Sir Ian Wood's report points out the record of the UK has been bad, and

what counts is the choices made in the future, and our choices are to

maximise recovery, harness innovation, seek the full benefits

for the people of Scotland of the enormous wealth which Sir Ian Wood

acknowledges exist. He insists he wanted his intervention to bring

clarity to the debate, politically it is only likely to raise more

questions. A Whitehall department has denied

that a memo to staff in Scotland was designed to

encourage them to vote No in next The letter - from the permanent

secretary at the Department of Work and Pensions - has been described

by civil service unions The First Minister has called

for an apology, but tonight he's Our political correspondent Tim Reid

joins us now. This was a letter yesterday sent to

all members of staff at the DWP in Scotland, it came from the most

senior civil servant in that department. It accompanied some new

guidance for civil servants agreed by both governments which says what

they can and cannot do over the next 28 days. In it, he said for civil

servants the referendum was different from elections, he said...

That phrase was rightly or wrongly construed by some staff as being

guidance on how they should vote in the referendum. The DWP insists it

is not the case. The union said it was very badly worded and the First

Minister demands an apology. We do not instruct our workers how to vote

and nor should they. They should not give any impression they are giving

instructions to workers who happen to work for the DWP, and quite

rightly, the unions and civil service are furious about what is at

the very least a badly drafted letter. They should withdraw it and

apologise for any information. This is absolutely synthetic outrage from

Alex Salmond, there is nothing in this memo that is not reflected in

the advice already given by the Scottish Government to their civil

servants. We know that Alex Salmond is desperate to talk about anything

other than the question everybody is asking, when it comes to currency,

what is plan B? Another contentious letter has emerged. Highlighted by

Better Together, it was sent by Alex Neil, the Scottish health minister,

to all health service workers, extolling the virtues of public

sector pensions in an independent Scotland. The prounion campaign says

that is in the same vein as the letter sent to the DWP. They said it

highlights the hypocrisy. It shows the mounting sensitivities and the

few Braille atmosphere -- volatile atmosphere.

The future of many of your favourite TV and radio

programmes were also at the heart of the independence debate today.

The Better Together campaign say they fear the break-up of the BBC.

Highlighting its long history as a public service broadcaster -

they claim independence would have devastating consequences

However, campaigners for a Yes vote criticised what they

called these "dismal predictions" and say TV production could

Lord Rees, a Scotsman, son of the manse, the founder of the BBC. An

organisation which involved international institution, covering

the key events of the nation. But for which a nation and for how much

longer? Better Together are warning independence would break up the BBC

and lead to devastating consequences for the industry. The SNP's

proposals on broadcasting where they would take Scotland out of the BBC,

set up another state broadcaster, I don't think works well for jurors

for the industry. -- consumers. We would either get different service

or paid different amounts in licence fee. Writing in the Guardian, Lord

Birt says a yes vote would lead to lose - lose scenario with cuts on

both sides of the border. But the yes campaign said a Scottish

broadcasting service would work closely with the BBC, jointly

commissioning programmes and sharing resources. We know for sure we will

continue to get BBC programmes and services, more programmes will be

produced in Scotland, more jobs, we can take the money invested in

television and use it in the wider creative industries, so we have a

fantastic opportunity for broadcasting in an independent

Scotland. Just like the many faces of the BBC's Doctor Who, there are

different sides to this debate. The Greens favour independence but want

to keep the BBC. The pound in your pocket, your health, know your BBC,

just another part of daily life that is taking centre stage in this

independence debate. Just as you choose your favourite TV programmes,

you will have to choose which argument appeals to you most as we

count down to voting. There is more about that on Scotland

2014. We will continue the debate about what might happen to the BBC

in an independent Scotland. The man who devised the Scottish

Government's broadcasting plans will go head-to-head with the shadow

Secretary of State for Scotland. If you care, Troon into this programme

-- churning. An official report into the first

year of the new qualifications that have replaced standard grades says

there needs to be a cut The first students to study

for National 4 Here's our education

correspondent Jamie McIvor. The exam results they was a relief

for many. The first year of the new national exams completed. The

complete disaster feared by critics, avoided. You needed to do practical

stuff, that was good because sometimes exams can be stressful. It

was difficult when you have seven subjects to try and fit in in one

year. But I enjoyed it. These are the biggest change to qualifications

for a generation. Some teachers had concerns about workload, bureaucracy

and stress. An official report looks at what needs to change. One big

concern was the amount of assessment. I think generally

teachers have worked really hard to make them work. It has not gone as

smoothly as many would like it to go. There have been challenges and

the report published today is designed to try and address those.

Other recommendations include explaining the qualifications better

and let more pupils start their Highers in fourth year. There are

improvements in the pipeline. There is a reduction in the level of SQA

verification, which is a workload. There are welcome signs.

So will the second year proved smoother? Teacher confidence is

beginning to build, and I think that will be much easier in terms of

understanding what it is we need to do with the pupils. Overall, the

report gives them a pass, but some improvements are needed.

The Administrators of Ferguson Shipbuilders on the Clyde

have set a deadline of tomorrow afternoon for would-be

And they say there's been significant interest.

KPMG say they've had discussions with a number

of different groups interested in buying the Clyde shipyard,

which closed last Friday, with the loss of more than seventy jobs.

The first trains will be running to the Scottish Borders by September

The final date was announced this morning, along with news that

the Great Tapestry of Scotland is to be housed in

a new heritage centre at the end of the line at Tweedbank near Melrose.

And that's where our reporter Cameron Buttle is for us tonight.

As they say, I am two miles outside of Melrose, down there, that will be

the end of the Borders railway line. At the other end, Edinburgh

Waverley. Seven stations in between. This is a ?350 million project. Many

deadlines have come and gone. This current construction phase is said

to be on target and under budget. That means they can announce today

the date when James Wilby running down here -- the trains will be

running down. They will be spending money developing the area as much as

possible because they want as much potential out of this line as

possible. It will be very special, very scenic, one of the most used to

rid lines in the UK, because it is so unique. We've got to make sure we

have something to offer those tourists and real benefits in

relation to business development. Another announcement that this is

going to be the home of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, an immensely

popular work of art that has attracted tens of thousands of

visitors wherever it has gone. They will be building a purpose built

heritage centre which they hope will be a boost for tourism in the

Borders. The railway line will be the most important tourist line in

Scotland, and it's wonderful to have a world-class attraction as a

beginning, because we want to do more, we want to get this going,

James coming to the Borders. -- trains. There is a genuine sense of

anticipation and excitement about the line. You're talking about a

potential daily commute for people down here, trips to go shopping,

airport links. Maybe even going to the rugby at Murrayfield. It means a

lot. There is still a year to go but put the date in your diary,

September the 6th 2015. Work to convert the a nine to June

carriageways to start six months earlier than planned. The government

says the project is being rocked forward because of savings made on

the Forth crossing. -- brought forward. It will be complete by

2025. The family of the man behind the creation of the Italian Chapel

has pledged to replace the wooden plaques stolen from the building a

fortnight ago. They were originally a gift. ?20 million is being

invested in Lerwick harbour to attract oil and gas decommissioning

work to Shetland. The Port authority will spend ?12 million extending the

quayside berthing. What we predict that the moment is

the level of investment offshore for new fields and development will be

claiming over the forthcoming years and it will be a move to

decommissioning Summerfield platforms. We need to provide

continuity of work by moving into that area. -- some of the older

platforms. Visit numbers to the Falkirk wheel have topped 5 million

this summer. Visits to the only rotating boat lift were up 30%

compared with last year, with July being the busiest since it opened

its doors. The first baby chimp born in Scotland in 15 years has been

shown off to the public eye Edinburgh zoo. He was born in June

and will live with his mother and 18 other chimps in the enclosure. His

father could be one of two males. A paternity test will now be used to

find out who's the daddy. Edinburgh's Fringe festival draws to

a close this weekend - with ticket sales expected to pass

the two million mark There's also been a record number

of performers - more than twenty thousand of them, from 47 countries

- making it quite a challenge to Our arts correspondent

Pauline McLean reports from one of With 20,000 performers in town, it

is a tight squeeze getting everybody in. This New Zealand company is one

of the biggest, with 26 people to accommodate, but they say bringing

the show has been worth every penny. We have just gone great. We got five

stars. That's fantastic for us. 2.5 weeks here. Showcasing the biggest

show from New Zealand. Rubbing everybody can come and see this

special show. -- we are hoping. Some don't have quite so far to travel

but with thousands of shows at all times of day and night you need

stamina to survive the fringe. It is a nocturnal existence because we

finish at quarter to one, by the time we get out it is quarter past

one. We want to stay out, so we are out till four o'clock. The next day,

you're in your bed until two o'clock, then maybe you go and see a

show. Living together comes naturally to this South African

choir, many of whom are related. When we do festivals it is very

normal. We work together, most of the time, so staying together is not

a problem. We enjoy staying together, we cook together, we

laughed together the, we share jokes together. And of course we sing

together. This is the daily show on their doorstep in this most musical

of neighbourhoods. Back to the referendum, our

correspondent is meeting people along the Caledonian Canal. She is

beside Loch Ness, gauging the impact independence could have on to risen.

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, and in

Scotland it generates ?4.5 billion in the last year. In day trips it is

?6 billion. When it comes to jobs, 200,000 jobs depend on the industry.

The yes campaign said if they had control over Scotland's finances

they could lower air passenger duty, which would make flights a lot

cheaper, but Better Together say brand Scotland benefits from being

part of brand UK. This combination of locks was built to keep the

workforce in the Highlands. Now it attract those looking to get away.

There are some who take the hunt for the Loch Ness monster more seriously

than others. For them, a trip is a dream come true. Very warm water, 13

degrees. For us it is no problem. Willie Cameron's father is one of

the few to spot the ones that. -- spot the monster. The sightings in

this Loch have become legend and brings visitors to Scotland. He says

the challenges the winter months. We would like to see a moratorium on

VAT over that period of time, and a more sympathetic approach from the

banking fraternity as far as continuing overdrafts over a period

of time over the winter period. This area might be good for tourists but

workers in the Highlands are some of the lowest paid in Scotland. Getting

a job and keeping it can be difficult. It is difficult to find a

job for all year. I'm lucky I will be kept on through the winter time,

but there are not many jobs locally that do it. It is all seasonal,

which is great because we are so busy during the season, but in

winter people struggle. Will these issues the opportunities are

challenges for an independent Scotland? That is what voters are

trying to decide. The SNP says if Scotland became independent, they

would increase the cost of the minimum wage along with the cost of

living, but Unionists say that is more promises of jam tomorrow. I've

met people here who live on about ?38 per week, they are looking for

promises of a better life when it comes to the tourism industry.

Now the sport. The Celtic manager Ronny Deila

says at their best his team Tonight they're against NK Maribor

in the first leg of their It's a second chance Celtic didn't

expect following their defeat by Legia Warsaw,

but one they intend to take, our senior football reporter Alasdair

Lamont explains from Slovenia. The Glasgow style leather had the

natives diving for cover, but it takes more than a drop of rain to

dampen the spirits of Celtic, invigorated by the renaissance of

their Champions League dream. The reprieve will only be worthwhile if

they can put on a better showing against the Slovenian champions than

they did against leggy Warsaw. The manager says lessons have been

learnt from those defeats and he hopes it will be evidenced again

tonight's opponents. Very good team. Organised, working hard together,

good at counter attacks. In every leg, we will meet difficult

opponents. We've got to be prepared and get the best out of our team and

then we know we can beat almost everybody. The confidence is in

stark contrast to the despair felt after the previous round. Whilst

Celtic now have the safety net of dropping into the Europa League

should they fall at this hurdle, there is no appetite for further

disappointment. When you get a taste of it, playing against the big boys

in the Champions League, nobody wants to drop down a level. They'll

take it if it's on offer, but they want to get through. They've got a

second chance which is incredible, but they must take it this time.

Saturday's demolition of Dundee United goes some way to showing how

good they can be. More evidence of that is required tonight if they are

to beat the Champions League stages. -- reach. Perth swimmer

Stephen Milne set a new record for the 1500 metres freestyle at the

European swimming Championships. He finished fourth in the final. Ross

Murdoch is through to the final of the 200 metres after winning his

semifinal. It's nothing new to me. I've just got to recover and prepare

for tomorrow night and I will have some time off to recover. I had

quite a few back-to-back breaststroke. I will have time to

recover from that. Maria Lyall from Dunbar has already brought it back,

the 14-year-old with surreal palsy won the gold in the T 35 100 metres

at the Paris sports European Championships. -- cerebrally palsy.

It meant a lot because I've been training all summer holidays for it

and it's good that my hard work has paid off. The home crowd were

released boringly on. Well done. -- sparring beyond. Now the weather.

Good evening. Some sunshine around today but it will all change this

evening and overnight. On the satellite and radar picture this

area of closing in southwards, Jane reaching most parts of the country

tonight. Here is the chart from seven p.m.. You can follow the rain

as it works its way towards the central belt. Cloudy and wet, but

not cold. Not compared with last night. Of course it means tomorrow

will be cloudy and wet. It should improve. On Thursday we lose the

heavy rain in the West, and further east, more showers. With the showers

there will be brighter skies as well. Inland, the wind will be

lighter and the showers slow-moving. Disappointingly cold once again.

Cloudy across the Northeast and that cloud will be fairly stubborn.

Further west, some brighter skies but again, rather cold. For the

Northern Isles, some bright, sunny conditions. Bright breezy down the

West. The showers will easily as we head through tomorrow night. The low

pressure is heading towards Scandinavia. These isobars are

coming down from the North. The cold weather continues on Friday. The

weekend will see high pressure building in, settling things down

further. Some decent bright or sunny skies around. Some showers.

Temperatures around the mid teens. Overnight it could be chilly. That

is the forecast. That is Reporting Scotland. I will be back with the

headlines of before eight p.m..