08/03/2016 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland: Farmers and crofters

who are still waiting for EU farm payments will be given a cash

Twenty years on from the Dunblane massacre we hear from one mother

Hibs prepare for Sunday's league cup final with a training camp

on the Costa del Sol but it's not been a holiday for the players.

And, he's oor Wullie, your Wullie, a'body's Wullie and Dundee's

celebrating, as he turns eighty years young.

Ministers are making up to ?200 million pounds available

Computer problems have delayed EU subsidies this year,

leaving many agricultural businesses struggling to make ends meet.

Our political correspondent, Glenn Campbell, is at Holyrood.

Ministers are saying they have been doing everything possible, but the

night the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has decided to do a lot

more. Farming depends on EU subsidies distributed by the

Scottish Government, but a new company computer system is not

coping. Payments have been delayed and farmers are struggling to pay

bills. At this time we are getting bills for fertiliser and see. We

have got lambing time coming up and we have food bills and these would

be picked up with the single farm payment at this time of the year.

Farmers' concerns have been raised in Parliament. What will it take for

this First Minister to get a grip? We are doing everything we can. Farm

payments have been made to 56% of Scottish farmers, a total of ?109

million has been distributed so far. But ?300 million has still to be

paid. Tonight as the National farmers' union arrived at Parliament

to lobby ministers, the government promised to do more. The IT system

is not working as it should do and we are taking steps to make sure the

payments get to the farmers and crofters. We would sure everybody

gets their payments. This is pressing the panic button, it is

unprecedented. All of a certain he pressing the panic button, it is

has found ?200 million, the same of the cost of the IT system that has

failed. Tonight farmers said the Scottish Government announcement was

encouraging but they want more detail. Just to be clear, the

Scottish Government is effectively bypassing the formal claims system

that will give these cash advances to farmers who have received nothing

by the end of this month and claimed that money back at a later stage

from the European Union. The Conservatives say there needs to be

an independent enquiry into what went wrong. They will press that

case in a Holyrood debate tomorrow. Farmers are expected on Thursday to

protest, although the Scottish Government will hope it will take

some heat out of that. But for an administration that prides itself on

competence this has not been a happy episode.

Almost 20 years ago, 16 children and their teacher

were murdered by a gunman, Thomas Hamilton, at Dunblane Primary

The atrocity led to the introduction of some of the strictest firearms

There are no official plans to mark the anniversary,

but parents of some of those who died have been reflecting

Among them is Isabel Wilson, who lost her five-year-old daughter

She's been speaking to Jackie Bird and began by recalling what happened

when she got to the school that day.

We were taken to the staff room in the primary school and then that was

it, that was the beginning of the longest wait of my life.

I was there for hours and hours. The police would come in and call out

the name and a couple would I made an error of judgment. I

thought the people who were being called out were perhaps the people

for whom the news was worse. I do not think it dawned on me until

later in the process that actually they were calling out the families

of the injured pupils so they could get them to hospital. I think at

that point it began to dawn on me that we were the people who would

have the worst news and they were saving the worst to last. You

learned later she had been taken from the gym hall alive seriously

injured but alive? To the hospital, yes. I was able to speak to the

ambulance, not the ambulance driver, yes. I was able to speak to the

the paramedic who was with her. He was able to reassure me that she was

unconscious that she had suffered a massive head

wound and she was not conscious. I suppose it is a parent's worst

nightmare that your child will be frightened and wanting you with them

and you do not appear. Someone had had the presence of mind

to leave an auxiliary or even a cleaning lady and to ask her to be

with my daughter when she died. That matters. Despite the fact she

was deeply unconscious, it matters the fact that she did not die alone.

I find that in social settings if I allowed myself as the

parent of a Dunblane child, of a settings if I allowed myself as the

murdered Dunblane child, then I feel guilty, I feel

responsible for having spoiled a social occasion, or for having made

someone feel badly about my circumstances. The hardest thing is

when people that you know you are going to have a relationship with,

for example new neighbours or friends or colleagues, and you know

at some point you will have to tell them and you are desperately trying

to think of a way to make it all right for them. The irrationality of

that is staggering, but it is understandable. And a cheat.

Sometimes I have asked people to pass the information on for me and

that smooth it over a bit and that is easier for me.

On the first anniversary of the shooting in Dunblane people all over

Dunblane lit candles and put them in their windows and it was so

beautiful, such a simple gesture of support. So what we do now is we

have a lantern in our back garden and we

like it from dawn to dusk on the 13th. Sometimes the candle burns

right through until the next morning. I like to think that she

can see it, that she knows that I am there. I think of

her as... Something of great value, something of great joy that has been

stolen from me for ever. For me it is desperately important

that they are not And you can see more of that

interview in tonight's Scotland You're watching Reporting

Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on

tonight's programme. Scotland's favourite wee boy,

Oor Wullie, turns 80 years old. And in sport: Cup Final preparations

in the Costa Del Sol. We report from the Hibs camp,

ahead of Sundays League Cup clash Campaigners who oppose the Scottish

government's plans to appoint a "named person" for every child

under the age of 18 have begun a legal challenge

at the Supreme Court. Ministers say it will help families

who need access to services, arithmetic at Kirkcaldy West

primary. There are more than 500 people at the school. The

headteacher and one of his deputies act as the named person for every

child. Fife is one of the first counties to introduce the rule, from

August it will be compulsory. If we can see something is getting

in the way of a child's well-being, we work with social workers,

other agencies to come together to look at a

child's well-being and see what we can do collectively to make a

difference. But some are not happy. In Dundee a support group for

parents of children with special needs is meeting for lunch. The talk

is about imposing a guardian which is wrong.

It is a breach of human rights to do with family life.

Unnamed person, professionals, all this workload being put on them.

I am angry this will be forced upon me whether I like it or not. I do

not want my child's sensitive, personal medical data shared with a

teacher. Today in London, a legal challenge

got under way at the Supreme Court. Opponents say it

breaches human rights and will lead to confidential information being

shared readily. They say it lowered the threshold for state

intervention. For teenagers who are looking for a

safe space to discuss issues, maybe around sexuality, not child

protection issues, then these issues will be shared through this new

threshold of well-being. The Scottish Government insists the

named person policy is about strengthening

relationships and to make it easier for families to access services if

they need them. Twice the courts have ruled in favour of the

legislation and now the Supreme Court will hear the arguments over

the next few days before ruling on the case.

The liquidators of Rangers have been granted permission to appeal

against a recent ruling in the so-called Big Tax Case,

After a hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh this

morning, a panel of three judges granted BDO's request,

on the grounds it could affect similar cases in future.

It has no impact on the current owners of Rangers football club.

Last November, HM Revenue and Customs won a judgement,

that the use of so-called Employee Benefit Trusts

Tomorrow, junior doctors in England will strike

yet again in protest against a new contract which has

But north of the border, the Scottish Government is sticking

The UK government says the new contract's essential

in England to address higher death rates at weekends,

but the Scottish Government says it's unnecessary.

Here's our health correspondent, Eleanor Bradford.

If you go into hospital on a Saturday, are you more likely to

die? That is the central question which has led to strikes in England

and thousands of cancelled operations. Several studies have

suggested the death rate is higher at weekends and UK Health Secretary

Jeremy Hunt has made it his mission at weekends and UK Health Secretary

to address it. Following the election which the government won

with a clear manifesto commitment to a seven-day NHS, the BMA junior

doctors committee refused point-blank to discuss reforms.

is not just an English phenomenon. One of the studies was done in

Dumfriesshire. It suggested that normal times four

in 100 patients could be expected to die a week after admission. But when

they arrived after a public holiday six who arrived died. But

now the author of that study says it is not that simple. The

interpretation of the study is what matters and that is quite

tricky. As a rough guide, the number of people who are admitted on a

Saturday who die is the same as the number of people who are admitted

from Monday to Friday. The difference is there are fewer people

from Monday to Friday. The admitted at weekends, so if you

express the death rate as a percentage, it would appear the

death rate at the weekends is higher.

far, so confusing, but does it mean Scotland does not need to worry

about more staff at weekends? Most of my staff would agree we are

understaffed at weekends. It is all the health professionals at

weekends. We probably do not provide patients with the same high

quality of service at weekends as we do during the week.

The Scottish Government says there is no evidence of extra deaths at

the weekend and is focusing its efforts to make sure patients get

the best care whenever they get admitted.

the row in England will tempt junior doctors north. It has produced this

glossy video. And Alistair for one is heading back home, despite

training in Carlisle. The uncertainty being generated as a

result of this contract and as a result of the

outlook for the NHS in general in England, the move

to Scotland really was motivated partly by them. Alistair is leaving

the dispute behind. Some news just in an SNP MPs will oppose UK

Government plans for Sunday trading in England and Wales. It had been

Government plans for Sunday trading thought they may abstain. After a

meeting of the Parliamentary party this evening they have said

they will vote against the plan to protect the rights of workers in

Scotland. Dozens of Conservative backbenchers are also expected to

oppose the change. A look now at other stories

from across the country. 200 teenagers at a school

in Angus are being screened The youngsters are having an ECG

test done at Arbroath High School. It should indicate if they have

a cardiac condition. The screening's been organised

by the family of a 17-year-old It's about getting people tested and

into treatment. We hope no-one is found here to have any conditions.

If they do it's about getting people on treatment. It's very important

for us as a family. Council leaders from

the Western Isles and Northern Isles and

the Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, are calling on the UK

Government to fulfil a promise to put agreements in place to allow

renewable energy development to take They claim that UK ministers have

still not applied to the EU for permission to put the right

subsidy regime in place to ensure subsea cables between the islands

and mainland become The Church of Scotland is to recruit

a minister to work exclusively It's in response to a call made

at last year's General Assembly by a farmer and church activist

in Ayrshire where the The move - to address issues such

as financial hardship and rural isolation - was announced

by the Kirk moderator on a visit A dedicated farming minister is

absolutely one of our needs of our time. It's a pioneer ministry. We

hope it will be a means of demonstrating practical support and

care for people who are going through very difficult times at the

moment. A giant rabbit who became

a celebrity after an appeal by a rescue charity has found

a new home in North Ayrshire. The Scottish SPCA took in Atlas

when his owner could no People from all over the world

offered to rehome him. Jen Hyslop, from North Ayrshire,

was chosen and Atlas is settling Let's get the latest

sport now, with Rhona. The key for Scotland to beat France

this weekend is for them to focus on their own game and not worry

about their opponents. That's the view of assistant

coach, Nathan Hines. Success in Rome two weekends ago

brought the Scots a first Now they are aiming for back-to-back

wins and a feel-good Phil Goodlad is at

Scotland's National Stadium. The sun is shining and the flowers

are blooming. Well, it's grey skies overhead and this is Astra turf, you

get the point. Here at Murrayfield, what a difference a win makes. There

is a good buzz about the squad this morning. The boys are laughing and

joking. It's all pretty positive. We have to knuckle down this week and

look at France. None are more positive than amount eggs Dunbar,

back training with Scotland after 12 months out through injury. It's been

frustrating that you do all the hard work to come back to fitness, you

play a game, feel good and go into the next gamed and pick up something

that pretty much means you can't lace your boots up for two weeks. I

feel good going into the last couple of games. Hopefully, it lasts.

French physicality is what Scotland are preparing for. Is there a plan

to combat the visitors power? You can ask. I'm not going to tell you.

If we play well, put pressure on them. Do in the scrum they will have

limited opportunities. I would rather get our stuff in order first

and worrying youy about how they will play, I think it's too many

things not in our All smiles today control. . The aim is for that to

continue. Meanwhile, Scotland's cricket team

have lost their opening World Twenty20 qualifying

game to Afghanistan. Chasing a target of 171 in India,

this six by Matt Machan had given Scotland hope of a narrow win,

but ultimately they fell 15 runs They've got games against Zimbabwe

and Hong Kong still to come in their Group, which Grant

Bradburn's team must The Olympic Silver medallist,

Luke Patience, and his sailing partner, Elliott Willis,

have been deselected for the Rio The British Olympic Association say

the difficult decision has been taken because of Willis' ongoing

treatment for bowel cancer. The pair have been unable to follow

the training programme required Patience will now attempt

to requalify for Rio The Hibernian boss, Alan Stubbs,

says a victory over Ross County in Sunday's League Cup

final would top off any Stubbs has taken the Easter Road

squad to the Costa Del Sol to prepare for the big game but,

as Brian McLauchlin has been finding out, it's not been a holiday

for the players. High up in the mountain retreat in

the Spanish sunshine, the squad continue their preparations for

Sunday's League Cup final. I think, first of all, it's just to try to

get the players together in an environment where we could relax

before such a big game. Obviously, Sunday's final will have a lot of

attention around it. We wanted to try and take the players away from

that. Alan Stubbs has twice won the League Cup with relt Celtic. It's

his first ever Cup final as a manager. Where would it lie in his

achievements should they become Cup winners on Sunday afternoon? It will

be the proudest moment to date. If we were to win it, I would say it

would probably cap off everything of what I've achieved. I've been very

fortunate as a player. I don't know what it is, as a manager it seems to

be more satisfying. Among the young players at the club is striker Jason

Cummings, who three years ago was working as a gardener. It's been a

whirlwind, like. It's been a good three years for me football wise.

I've enjoyed every moment at Hibs. It's a great club. I love playing

for Hibs the boys are a different class. The squad will remain in

Spain until Thursday afternoon class. The squad will remain in

before returning home to finalise their preparations ahead of Sunday's

big games. If Aberdeen beat Partick Thistle

in the Premiership tonight, the Dons will be just one point

behind leaders Celtic. The Aberdeen manager, Derek McInnes,

has stressed the need to build real winning momentum after last week's

victory over Dundee United. At this stage of the season it's all

about results. As managers and coachers and players we are look for

the strong performances individually. I would sacrifice that

for results. They are desperate for three points they put pressure on

Celtic. If we get that going, see how they react, it will give us a

Celtic. If we get that going, see massive chance in the game.

Sportsound has live build-up and commentary from Firhill,

That's Radio Scotland 810 Medium Wave with updates on the BBC

That's it for tonight. David. Thank you very much for that.

Jings, crivens help ma boab, "Oor Wullie" has turned 80.

The spiky haired lad has remained one of Scotland's favourite comic

book characters since he first appeared in 1936.

Always it seems up to no good, but never quite getting

He's Oor Wullie, Your Wullie, he's 80 years young today. This is the

first fun section that came out in the 8th March in 1936. He has been

running riot across the pages of the Sunday Post ever since. His

mischievous antics haves entertained generations of readers, even those

who discovered him a little later in life. Being English at the wasn't on

my radar. When I moved to Scotland he became - you realise how much

part of the national psyche he was. Almost every Oor Wullie strip from

the past 80 years is preserved here in the archives of publishers DC

Thompson. Where did the idea for this spiky haired bundle of miss

chief come from? From the mind of senior editor Robert Lowe who had a

blonde haired son. He came to life in 1936 and he would draw him for 38

years. He loved the character. He parked into one page sometimes 22

frames to tell the story. That's quite remarkable. He may have

changed a little over the past 80 years, but he ace still instantly

recognised. A Scottish icon. Do you recognise this young man? Oor

Wullie. Are you a fan? Aye. My aunt sent me Oor Wullie each Christmas.

He is 80 years old this year? So am I. Happy birth day to you both. To

mark his 80th birthday here is Wullie cast in bronze taking pride

of place outside Dundee's McNan miss Art Gallery. He's up to no good with

his pea shooter to hit passers-by. Fantastic.

Now, before the weather, I can tell you BBC Scotland

The first will take place on the 24th March in Glasgow,

If you'd like to be part of the audience, you can find

details of how to apply on the BBC Scotland News website.

Time now for the weather forecast, with Kirsteen.

Thank you very much. Good evening to you. Much of the country improved

this afternoon, a lot of dry and bright weather around. However, as

we head into this evening and tonight it is set to turn cloudy

with outbreaks of rain. The rain connected to this developing area of

low pressure across much of England and Wales throwing some rain our

low pressure across much of England way, too. That rain keeps tracking

low pressure across much of England across the country as we head

through tonight. Falling as snow over the high ground. The rain will

turn lighter as we head into tomorrow morning. Temperatures

staying above freezing for most of us, winds will generally be light to

moderate. We start tomorrow on a cloudy note with light and patchy

outbreaks of rain. Readily improving though as we go through the morning

from the west. A lot of dry, bright weather by the time we reach

tomorrow afternoon. In saying that though, we will hold on to some

cloud across eastern coastal areas with light and patchy outbreaks of

rain. Across parts of the south-west much of central Scotland across much

of the north too looking dry with spells of brightness and sunshine. A

few showers across the western isles, north-West Coast and the

northern isles, too. Tomorrow, temperatures peaking at around seven

or eight Celsius, the average for the time of year. As we head into

tomorrow night it will become dry, clear and cold with a fairly

widespread frost developing. Now, into Thursday a lot of dry, bright

weather to be had once again. Although, as we go through the

course of the day this warm front begins to make inRhodes. Behind that

though a lot of mild weather. A lot of sunshine to be had during the

hours of daylight. Gradually it will turn cloudier along western coastal

areas with light and patchy rain and temperatures perhaps peaking at

around 10 Celsius. Into Friday, fairly cloudy with some outbreaks of

rain. You do notice that temperatures are on the rise. By the

weekend we'll see milder air becoming firmly established. That's

the forecast. David.