16/03/2016 Reporting Scotland

Relief for the offshore industry, as the Chancellor announces he's

slashing taxes on oil and gas But not so sweet for drinks

AG Barr hits out at George Osborne's plans

Back on his feet - paralympian David Smith

takes his first steps after life saving surgery.

My goal is to get my left side moving, get onto a bike and get into

full fitness, full health. Also on the programme:

As Motherwell's owner steps down, he tells us its time

for the fans to step up. And stunning 3D graphics that map

down to the millimetre the work needed to repair Glasgow School

of Art, after a devastating fire. The Chancellor has announced major

tax cuts for the struggling oil and gas industry, which has been

badly hit by plunging oil prices. Delivering his Budget

at Westminster, George Osborne said it demonstrated that Scotland

was better as part of the UK. But Scotland's Finance

Secretary John Swinney said he wasn't persuaded of Mr Osborne's

plans to reduce income Holyrood takes control of setting

tax rates and bands from next April. Here's our Westminster

correspondent, David Porter. Aberdeen harbour this morning and

business as usual. They are still servicing the brakes but everyone

here has noticed the downturn in oil. This industry and those

here has noticed the downturn in work in it are hurting. At

Westminster, the message today was clear. We hear what you're saying,

and we want to help. I call the Right Honourable George Osborne,

Chancellor of the Exchequer. The oil price continues to fall, so we need

to act now for the long-term. I am today cutting in half the

supplementary charge on oil and gas from 20% down to 10% and effectively

abolishing petroleum revenue tax as well. Backing this key Scottish

industry and supporting jobs... Official figures show just how bad

the downturn has been. Two years ago oil was around $100 a barrel. It is

now a third of that and shows little sign of rising in the years to come.

From the Chancellor, a renewed commitment to freeze fuel duty and

with one eye on Scotland, no extra for the whiskey industry. What we

have got is predictability, stability, that should boost the UK

market, should boost the UK public finances as well. In the aftermath

of a universal welcome for the new sugar tax but criticism from

political opponents at the UK Government's priorities. Again

balancing his budget on the backs of the poor, Mates rates for

corporation tax but cutting money for disabled people. He is more

intent on getting into number ten than delivering a budget for the

country. People in Scotland will suffer cuts to their disability

payments but they will get tax cuts. He is introducing the sugar tax. The

only good news is cuts and reforms. Announcements aside, this was an

historic day. George Osborne is the last Chancellor to set income

tax for the whole of the UK. Next year ministers in Holyrood will be

making such decisions for Scotland and an indication of different

priorities. We are not persuaded this is the moment to

reduce taxes for people on higher incomes. That is the position we

will reflect on when we consider the changes made by the Chancellor.

Tonight the initial headlines have been written but much more will be

said about the Chancellor's handiwork.

The plans for more help for the oil and gas sector has been welcomed

For more reaction let's cross to Aberdeen and our

As we have heard, big changes to the tax regime for North Sea oil

announced today. The petroleum revenue tax scrapped completely.

Will it make a difference to an industry that is in crisis? To

answer that question I am joy and by the oil businessman Sir Ian Wood. We

have seen thousands of jobs lost in this industry. Will these tax

changes turn it around? There is nothing the Chancellor would have

announced that would have had an immediate impact. There is a clear

confidence message here. The Chancellor said a few years ago he

would follow a fiscal road map that would reduce taxation. We now have a

serious price downturn. He is sticking to his words so that is a

message of confidence, for the operators on the banks. I think it

will slow down the job loss, so much depends on the oil price in the next

12 months. If it begins to show signs of recovery later this year or

next year, I think we will see a stop of job losses and a slow

build-up. What about exploration of new fields? Already there is a lot

of work being done. The government announced up to ?40,000 spend on

seismic. Hopefully the tax increases will also encourage oil exploration

towards producing new fields. Thank you very much. The industry body oil

and gas has welcomed these changes, but I suspect what they would really

like is something the government probably can't deliver, and that is

a rise in the price of oil. Thank you.

The Chancellor's decision to impose a tax on sugary drinks has been

described as "extremely disappointing" by AG Barr,

despite being the only part of the food and drink sector that

had made any progress in reducing sugar intake in recent years.

How much of an impact will this tax have on Scotland? We are big

consumers of sugary soft drinks in Scotland. Manufacturers point out

sales have been falling. They also say soft drinks only make up around

9% of the sugar in our diet. But it depends how you class that sugar. If

you exclude sugar that is in bread and pasta and milk, it is a

different story. Then soft drinks make up the single biggest source of

avoidable sugar in our diet at around 17%.

That's more than sweets - 12%, and biscuits, cakes

Dangers of too much sugar becoming better understood,

particularly its links to cancer as well as obesity and diabetes.

We need to cut our consumption of sugary soft drinks by at least

half to be healthy, making them more expensive

It's also in line with what Scotland's food watchdog wants.

Food Standards Scotland wants a tax on all sugary products,

if the food industry doesn't do more to help consumers cut down.

It is in line with the food standard Scotland, want a tax on all sugary

soft drinks, all sugary foods in fact. They say they will recommend

that is imposed unless the industry does more to help us cut down. Thank

you. And there'll be more Budget reaction

and analysis tonight in Scotland The number of people out

of work in Scotland is up. Official figures show unemployment

rose by 16,000 between last November The unemployment rate

in Scotland stands at 6.1% - that's 1% higher than across the UK

as whole, where the jobless total However, the number of those in work

also rose during the same Children needing cleft surgery face

changes in their service, In sport: Motherwell's former

majority shareholder says it's up to fans to make sure

the club has a future. And we're on the oche -

with Scotland's World Darts There were tears in the Holyrood

chamber today as long-serving MSPs Among those choosing

to go at this election - But he says he'll come back

if Scotland becomes Here's our political

correspondent, Glenn Campbell. As they say in Edinburgh, you'll

have had your tea. And in Alex Salmond's case, he's had his time at

Holyrood as well. At this election he is one of 24 MSPs standing down,

including the former Justice Secretary and Labour's Duncan

McNeil. Is this Mr McNeil's final speech in

the parliament? When you have served continuously for 17 years, saying

goodbye can be emotional. I will watch you from afar and wish

you well, for your future and the future of the Scottish people. Thank

you very much. APPLAUSE You'd served this parliament well

and it has been a privilege to have been on the journey with you. We

and it has been a privilege to have wish you well in all you do in the

future. Thank U. That choked up tribute from the presiding officer,

who is also leaving, seemed to set others off. Then it was Alex

Salmond's turn to make his last Holyrood speech. There is no greater

cause than to serve that of the people of this country. It is

goodbye for me, for now. APPLAUSE people of this country. It is

For now, so there is a possible deal may be planning, in his role as the

Mohammed Ali of Scottish politics, to make that second comeback? And it

seems he is, in certain circumstances. I have a few years

left in the politics of Mike Specht and independent Scottish Parliament

on the near horizon. -- in politics and I hope for. Election 2016 really

is the end of their era. Police have sealed off

part a country park in East Dunbartonshire

after the possible discovery A member of the public made the find

near the waterworks in Mugdock Country Park,

in Milngavie, yesterday afternoon. Officers are likely to remain

at the scene for several days while It is being claimed that

privately-run nurseries in Scotland are not getting enough cash to meet

the cost of free places The National Day Nurseries

Association says many of its members will not be able to help provide

the additional nursery care The council organisation Cosla says

it is not the role of councils to offer public money to achieve

a profit for private nurseries. The future of Scotland's left

services is in question. Protesters against the planned

merger of Scotland's two surgical services for babies with cleft

lip and palate meet Home from school for lunch, Nathan

uses sign language to help them communicate. He was born with cleft

lip and palate and has had several operations. Plans to close one of

Scotland's two surgical centres have been met with fierce resistance. I

feel very angry and frustrated I don't think they are really

listening to our concerns. Our concerns are not just about travel,

we have concerns about getting the best outcome for our kids. They used

to be three centres for cleft surgery in Scotland, the one in

Aberdeen closed three years ago. And now the plan is to shut the unit in

Edinburgh, despite its world leading reputation, and move all of

Scotland's cleft surgery to the new hospital in Glasgow. This retired

specialist thinks it is a big mistake, arguing Glasgow has 44%

normal speech for five-year-olds while Edinburgh achieved 70%. This

is not about Edinburgh Glasgow but what is best to make sure we can try

and get 70% of all children in Scotland having speech that is

normal at five years of age. The NHS insists this is not a cost cutting

exercise, but it is needed because it is not sustainable. It denies

lager's results are worse. The evidence demonstrates the service in

Scotland is safe and in line with the service in England. There are

differences, when you look at the different measures. In some of the

outcome measures, the Edinburgh service is better, and in others the

Glasgow service has better outcomes. Nearly 100 babies are born every

year in Scotland with a cleft lip or palate. Surgery can transform their

lives. The decision on whether to shut the Edinburgh specialist centre

will be taken by the Health Secretary this summer.

Just two weeks ago, para-cyclist David Smith had life saving surgery

to remove a tumour from his spine - but he's already talking

about getting back on a bike and how he dreams of one day again wearing

The operation ended his hopes of competing at the Paralympics

The 37-year-old from Aviemore has allowed our cameras

in to the hospital where he is starting his recovery,

The scar from his life-saving surgery is starting to heal, but

David Smith knows he is facing a long road to recovery. It is so

weird, because I can just... It is kind of there.

Two weeks on from his nine-hour operation he can't yet move the left

side of his body. But in his hospital room in Oxford, some gentle

reminders of the past for motivation. I would love to be able

to move the left side of my body, that is my goal. I can move my hand,

just a little bit, and get my fingers going. My goal is to get the

left side moving, get out into rehab and get back onto a bite and just

get back into full fitness, full health. The 37-year-old was first

diagnosed with the tumour in 2010 and throughout one man has been by

his side. When you stand, you are still wobbling around. Is consultant

performed David's first surgery and the other three that followed and

even delayed his own retirement so he could carry out this month's

operation. He just takes this in his stride. He comes back with more

determination, a new plan. He has fantastic support by the physio and

coaching teams around him. He responds to that and delivers. That

is what is quite amazing about him. Smith's fighting spirit has been

well-documented. Azharullah he won gold at the London Paralympics, but

two years later medical issues switched to cycling, where he pushed

himself to the limit. But last year David's tumour returned adverse by

initial plans to delay surgery until after Rio, the tumour grew and

surgery was essential. There are sometimes through the day where I

have a little fog and I think, nothing is really moving, what if it

doesn't? But as soon as that thought comes in, I don't get angry

because... I just though, it's OK, acknowledge it. If you have

something you can hold onto, it gives you that strength that you can

channel all your energy into. If I didn't have that, I would be lying

here 24 hours a day just watching the clock. Is Doctor talks of a big

journey ahead and is one this Afellay is starting to take albeit

slowly. A Rangers birthday cake,

which reveals Celtic's green and white colours when sliced,

has become an online hit Lilian Johnstone was commissioned

to make the cake as a prank After posting a picture

of her creation on her Facebook page, she has now been

inundated with orders. Let's have some sports

news now, from David. Motherwell's outgoing majority

shareholder is telling supporters now is the time for them to make

sure the club has a future. Les Hutchison agreed

yesterday to sell his 76% stake to fans' group

The Well Society for ?1. Les Hutchison bought his controlling

interest from John boil 14 months ago. His investment helped to secure

the club's remission status last season. Now, the indications are

that his tenure is coming to an end. The Motherwell directors have spelt

spent all day locked in a meeting trying to tie up the finer details

of the deal which will see Les Hutchison's majority shareholding

passing to The Well Society full stop if the deal is concluded, the

majority shareholder has told the BBC from his Barbados base that his

handover comes with no guarantees, and it is then up to the fans.

Obviously, I cannot speak for the future of any business. Like all

businesses, if they have enough customers, and if they follow the

strategy which has been implemented... Ebor had got into a

bit of comfort zone that maybe they don't have to do anything, it is OK,

Les Hutchison is here, don't worry about it. But I think what they need

to do is to decide whether or not they want to try and make it work

and whether they want to step up. The Well Society at, with there are

still a lot of work to be done to achieve their aim of sustaining a

community club. -- at, with. The Inverness manager John Hughes

says tonight's Scottish Cup quarterfinal replay with Hibs has

been made more difficult for his team by the capital club's

League Cup final defeat. Hughes says football

in the Highlands got a boost from Ross County's win over Hibs

but thinks the Easter Road side will be looking to bounce

back this evening. I think that will give them the fuel

to go and try and put that right. That will be there. We have to make

sure that we stand up to that and that we are competitive. It is two

good teams and hopefully, may the best team win. Whenever you have had

a disappointment like we have had on Sunday, all it should do is just

make you even more determined to either achieve what your main

priority is or to try and get back there again as quickly as possible.

And we have an opportunity to do that.

And you can find out who reaches the Scottish Cup semi-final

We've live coverage of Inverness against Hibs.

Updates, too, on the league match between St Johnstone

Sportsound is already on air on 810 medium wave.

Scotland's world darts champion Gary Anderson is back in the country

for the latest leg of the prestigious Premier League

He is among the players at the Hyrdro in Glasgow.

He is currently mid-table in the league and plays

Today, though, he warmed up with a challenge match

On the key, it is the double world champion Gary the Flying Scotsman

Anderson. As double world champion, you must be a marked Manor in this

sport? Tell me about it, I have got a big target on my back. And on the

standard of dark players nowadays is unbelievable. And the standard of

his next opponent is unbelievable - and not in a good way. Never won

anything, he does not even have a nickname. It is me. Never mind,

let's play darts! 100! 44. 100! 61. Tops left. Game, shot, and the

match! Well played, sir. Best-of-three? We will stick with

the one. I have got to win! What would my nickname be, after that

display? Not Too Shabby. I will get my coat, shall I? I think

he was very kind to your! As the tender process gets

underway for the restoration of Glasgow School of Art,

its own digital design department has been busy on its contribution

to the work about to start. Stunning 3D images have been

produced which have been mapped to the millimetre to help all those

planning the huge task of repairing the fire damage to this much-loved

Rennie Macintosh building. Aileen Clarke has been shown

the latest graphics. We are at the main entrance to the

library at the moment. The model you see in front of you is generated

directly from the high-resolution laser scan data. We have then

applied high-resolution photography to the model, and that gives us a

pull incredibly accurate 3D representation of the library in its

current condition. We have taken that model and imported it into a

computer game engine. That allows us to explore the environment in

real-time, using a standard games controller. Pitched-up Alastair and

a colleague just a month to laser scan the whole building, setting

reference points, I could these ones in the library, so they can match up

all the measurements. We now have a complete 3D snapshot of the

building. We are able to dissect it and take sections through different

elevations. We are able to go into incredible detail, accurate by the

millimetre, to show every surface detail of the building in its

current condition. So it is a pull incredibly valuable dataset and a

rich tool for the architects to work with. The digital design studio has

undertaken this kind of work on a number of famous monuments. But this

time it is personal. We never thought we would be in a position

time it is personal. We never where we had to use it within the

Rennie Macintosh building under these circumstances. But what it

Rennie Macintosh building under allows us to do is to make very

informed decisions about the restoration, based on highly

accurate data. At the moment, this is the only way you can be in the

Macintosh Library without wearing a hard hat. But it is hoped that in

three years' time it will be fully restored and once more full of art

school students. Just before the weather,

Scottish Labour are holding Ahead of that, their leader,

Kezia Dugdale, is taking part in a half-hour webchat

with our political If you have any questions

for her, send them to There really seems to be a bit

of spring in the air - here's Christopher

to tell me I'm wrong. For some, you are quite right. Yes,

mixed fortunes once again for the weather today. Beautiful sunshine in

the west but stubborn cloud up the keys to coast, and cool where we

have that cloud because of the breeze. On that east coast, perhaps

7 degrees at best. Further west, lest cloud, more sunshine, higher

temperatures and beautiful blue skies. This was taken earlier this

afternoon. This evening and overnight it will stay cloudy,

mostly dry. Some clearing conditions in the north-west, maybe even

another chance of seeing the northern lights tonight. Tomorrow,

it will be a cloudy start once again, because high pressure firmly

in charge, but slowly moving westwards. We will lose that

easterly drift. In the west, where we have seen a lot of sunshine, a

bit more dull tomorrow. Where we get the sunshine, clearing the Central

Belt by mid-afternoon, temperatures will get into double figures.

Inland, we could be in to the low teens in one or two places just

further north, yes, the cloud should be burning back to the coast, but it

will be feeling chilly at times on the coast. Into the evening, the

cloud preforming and moving inland. At the start of Friday, a pretty

murky start. But it will improve for many, particularly in the west. A

few showers in some areas. That high pressure continues to move westwards

as we head towards the weekend. The north-westerly, more pronounced.

That means cloudy in the north with a little bit of rain. The driest,

brightest weather, in the south. Now, a reminder of

tonight's main news. The Chancellor has announced major

tax cuts for the struggling oil and gas industry, which has been

badly hit by plunging oil prices. The Chancellor's decision to impose

a tax on sugary drinks has been AG Barr's chief executive said soft

drinks had been singled out despite being the only part

of the food and drink sector to make any progress

in reducing sugar intake. I'll be back with the headlines

at eight and the late bulletin just Until then, from everyone

on the team - right across the country -

have a very good evening.