11/09/2013 Reporting Scotland

The headlines on Reporting Scotland this evening... The final is so cute

is what sets out his spending plans. I can confirm that the Scottish

government will invest up to £20 million to help those struggling the

most with the cost of the bedroom tax. Also in the programme, the

number of jobless is up by 10,000 but that is better news on the high

Street. And they might be out of the World Cup, but Shaun Maloney 's goal

against Scotland victory in Macedonia. Not so much beaten and

humiliated. To rub it in, they've even got the lone victory dance, as

well. We look at the new generation of robots being developed in

Scotland. The Finance Secretary John Swinney laid out his plans for

spending over the next two years. The biggest showers over an issue

which Holyrood says it has no control over. They said they were

setting money aside to help those most affected by the controversial

bedroom tax. Scottish budget day, hard hat time politically. The focus

was coming in under budget, leaving John Swinney little money to divert

elsewhere. He is investing in fierce construction schemes, but conceded

that certain plans had faced delay. It is a budget which values are

public services. It provides opportunities for young people and

secures key for older people. Most of all, it demonstrates the benefits

of decisions being made here by those who have the future of the

country at heart. There is more money for housing and for sport, to

ensure a legacy after next year 's Commonwealth Games. On public

service public service pay, the 1% will be maintained, but ministers

said he would boost spending in health care, and childcare. There is

also more money for families feeling the pinch from the bedroom tax. We

will invest up to £20 million this financial year to help those

suffering the most from the bedroom tax. The Labour party said it was

not enough. He has found less than half the funds needed for the

bedroom tax this year. In order to hate the fact that his budget itself

makes no provision at all to help next year. In savings, the

restructuring of Scotland's police force should cost less. The trunk

road budget is down and that is more money coming in from business rates.

There is a must for hundred million pounds extra coming from business.

Is this really the best way we can encourage business to come here?

With the agreed to look again at their plans? Looking ahead, the

fourth road crossing is due to end -- open and 2016. Brine joins us now

from the Scottish Parliament. This was a budget to set the agenda for

the independence debate? Yes, it was the last one before it takes place

one year today. It is viewed inevitably through the prism of

independence. The big controversy was overly Scottish government

response to a United Kingdom policy. Of course, in particular, the

bedroom tax. In Edinburgh, as in many parts of Scotland, there is a

shortage of affordable homes for rent. We have huge pressure in that

we have 24,000 people looking for property and only a tiny proportion

of that available. What would happen if one of the houses here came up?

Well, take this two-bedroom house. We meet the beds for a property like

that and you may get something like 1,000 beds for a single property.

The policy that which has become known as the bedroom tax, by

removing housing benefit from those who have spear bedrooms, the idea

was that it would free up houses for those on the waiting list,

especially those in need of larger homes. But with alternative

accommodation not always available, not everyone is keen to move. He has

given up work because of Parkinson's disease and his benefit has been

cut. He is now finding it very hard to make ends meet. When people say

it is only £1020 a week, it may not seem a lot to them, but it has a lot

to someone brings you are really struggling to make ends meet and

struggling to pay their bills and to meet fuel and food costs. The

housing charity shelter is proposing that the bedroom tax is scrapped, as

do the Scottish National party and the Labour Party. We have a tough

set of financial circumstances. We need to allow for different families

in different circumstances to have the figures adjusted, which we will

do. We will continue to review that. We will always be looking at the

subsidy. This will not make this or any other welfare reform go away.

What is the political impact of this row over the so-called bedroom tax?

It is intriguing. It presents a challenge. It presents the Scottish

National party with a chance because they are under pressure from Labour

to demonstrate what they are going to do about it now and what they

will do in the future. But John Swinney said that this week to get

rid of this is simply to transfer power to Scotland, so that they

could make all the own policies. Still to come on the programme,

still no joy from the Panda in Edinburgh zoo, regarding their

pregnancy. And coming up in sport, Scotland's top rugby sides face

exclusion from the Haney Kim cup. And if you are happy for it and you

know it, clap your hands. Scotland get off the bottom of the qualifying

group following victory in Macedonia. The number of people out

of work in Scotland has risen by 10,000. That is against the chain

that the United Kingdom as a whole. But there was better news on the

high Street, with retailers reporting a rise in sales. LA set up

a photography firm in Dundee and she is looking to grow our business. It

was not an easy start but has worked out well. It started in January and

I was a need tough situation and needed to turn things round quickly.

I had done photography on and off for a few years, so I set it up as a

company and then started doing it commercially. She started small, but

growing numbers of people across Scotland are setting up on the own

in response to the tough labour market. These figures suggest more

people are in Kelly's position. 6,000 people less when unemployment

over the last six months, but the figures suggested that there was

more unemployment, so how did that actually work? We are seeing maybe a

drop in the number of people actively seeking work. There is also

greater flexibility and the workforce. While the job market

remained sluggish, other things are more encouraging. Retailers are

reporting the highest sales for nearly four years. There is slow

growth in the economy and we are seeing signs of that. People appear

to be more willing to part with their money. In recent months, there

have been some signs of an upturn in the economy. But the unemployment

figures are a stark reminder that the recovery is likely to be a slow

one. A new way of treating heart attacks could save thousands of

lives, according to a specialist. When a heart attack occurs, the

doctors treat the mean blocked artery, despite the fact that other

arteries to the heart may also be affected. What has been happening?

At the moment, if patients come in with the heart attack, we would only

treat the artery which has caused the heart attack. There are often

additional problems in other arteries. You have got a picture of

one here. Yes, there is a block each year, which has caused the heart

attack, but also, every move forward, this is the artery on the

right side of the heart. There are also severe blockages in this

artery. You can see them here, and here. No, both of these arteries can

be treated at the same time. The risk of death from being treated in

this way was so dramatic. In terms of the fall. Joining me is Doctor

Bailey. Why is everyone so excited about this trial? The results really

challenge clinical practice. The unappealing because it is a four of

Kiev which can be readily adopted across the United Kingdom.

Unfortunately, heart attacks are common in the community. Up to

25,000 patients have a heart attack each year. It is a very relevant

public health problem. There are still some an answer questions about

the treatment, but doctors are hoping a new treatment will get

underway as soon as possible. They are hoping they will be able to

check out when this is best used and two in particular will benefit and

roll it out as soon as possible. And now for some other stories from

across Scotland. Politicians joined a demonstration outside the Scottish

Parliament to mark the 40th anniversary of the coup in chilly

which led to the coup d'etat by General Pinochet. They want to know

the fate of thousands of people who went missing under the dictatorship

of General Peachey should. The local council in White Sands is looking

for government funds to create a new flood prevention scheme. The United

Kingdom 's first development coach for freestyle snowboarding. They

will be based at the Aberdeen snow centre. The Scots picked up six

medals at this year 's championship. We have victory facilities and can

use them all year round. On top of that, we have had proven success

with people from the region. Climbers and hill walkers are being

encouraged to give personal details online before heading into the

hills. The contact form previously existed as a paper document and has

people to complete details useful to police and rescue teams in the event

of e-mail and emergency. Please Scotland say they have more people

covering the roads than ever before. This was in response to accusations

that the A9 accident and fatality rate could be cut and more officers

were visible on the road. And you can get more stories 24 hours a day

on the BBC Scotland website. A new research centre is opening in

Edinburgh. It is called Robotarium and as Kenneth Macdonald reports,

they already have robots with minds of their own.

They are powerful and accurate, they can crawl and swim. We are on the

verge of a new era where robots can think for themselves without us

getting hot. I think the age of the robots is already here. I think what

we are on the verge of is new kinds of service robot that have greater

levels of capability to work independently from direct

supervision by a human operator. ??WHTIE This could be the future of

artificial limbs, work that is now part of Robotarium. It's a project

bringing together Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities and is

backed by millions of pounds in UK Government funding, for potentially

world-beating technology. We are getting into a new era where robots

need to work much more closely with humans, and interact with humans.

And I think there is new science required for that, there is new

infrastructure and hardware required for that and and Robotarium is our

effort at getting this up and running. Some robots are already

thinking for themselves. Remus here has been designed to do underwater

surveys. When we come to have build-robots that work in the ocean,

we want to have them for long periods of time, working away from

where there is a ship, for example. It is a bit difficult to have an

umbilical cable, there is lots of issues with the umbilical cable, so

if we cut the umbilical, we have no choice, we have to give the robot

some level of decision-making to decide what to do. Hundreds of

people already have artificial hands like these. The next step, giving

them a sense of touch. So the moment the hand makes contact, the patient

will actually know this is the force they are applying and use that even

look elsewhere, do something else whilst trying to grab it. This may

be the new age of the robot, but there is no need yet to worry about

them taking over. Although there are already some things at which they

can out-think some of us. Not so much beaten as humiliated. And just

to rub it in, she does a little victory dance as well.

The robot dance, it is popular with Peter Crouch, and Jonathan, who is

here with the sports news. We could do with a few more robots

in the sports department, I will look into that later. No

malfunctioning in the national team and the green shoots of recovery

beginning to show? Manager Gordon Strachan says the country should

just enjoy last night's 2-1 win over Macedonia. But leading analysis for

the weeks to come, it was a night for the Tartan Army to enjoy as

Scotland enjoyed their second victory in the World Cup qualifying

group. It is Shaun Maloney and it is in!

Wonderful from Shaun Maloney! Shaun Maloney, striking with just two

minutes left to play, a fitting way to round up a much improved

performance. The manager says after so many disappointments, it is now

time to enjoy a victory. Let's just say, what a wonderful night, great

football, no failures, the fans have enjoyed themselves. I know for a

fact they have been enjoying themselves for the last 24 hours,

let's leave it at that. Before last night's game, Scotland were

languishing at the bottom of Group A but the win, combined with Wales's

defeat to Serbia, takes us into fourth place. And the player who

scored one goal but sealed victory says the team are showing signs of

progress. Slowly. I have said previously, it was pretty low

against Wales but in the last three or four games, there have been signs

of improvement, so definitely turning a corner. There was a new

name for Scotland fans to chant went Ikechi Anya scored his first goal

for his country on his first international start. I think maybe

they didn't know me so well. It was a great pass through and I hit it

truly and it was in the bottom of the net. Exactly a year ago today,

Scotland's World Cup hopes all but vanished after an uninspiring draw

against Macedonia at Hampden. Last night has brought new hope, with

attention turning toward the European Championships qualifiers in

a year's time. A former British and Irish Lion says

the future of Scotland's two professional rugby clubs could be

under threat if there's a breakaway from the Heineken Cup competition.

Clubs from France and England are unhappy with the current set-up and

have threatened to walk away. But competition organisers insist the

English and French sides remain committed to finding a solution.

With more, here's Kheredine Idessane. The cream of European

rugby played a Heineken Cup cup final at Murrayfield a few years

ago, but could soon be a vastly different tournament? At the

moment: 24 clubs from across Europe take part, but the English and

French are not happy with the way the money is divided and the fact

that two Italian and to Scottish clubs are guaranteed to qualify. I

don't think that is right, so there is merit in making the French

league, the English league and the Rebel 12, being the top six in East

country and maybe a couple of others, whatever criteria. -- each

country. The English and French have threatened to break away and form

their own competition, but in a statement this afternoon, organisers

said... So could the very future of

Scotland's pro teams be in doubt if a solution is not found? The total

broadcast income for the league is about 12 million. Some of that will

be from the European cup, said ticket sales are 9 million, but

broadcasting brings 12 million. So if they loose about 12 million,

which includes European cup money, it will be harder to fund the

protein, so I would be worried. With changes seemingly inevitable, both

Scottish sides will want to make a good impression in this season's

European competition. More on that story in the next few

days, but the know, that is the sport. Thanks very much, Jonathan.

-- A five-year research plan for giant pandas is being developed in

Edinburgh, by conservation experts from around the world. But by now.

Meanwhile, staff at the city zoo say Tian Tian, the female panda, could

give birth in the next fortnight. Morag Kinniburgh reports.

The newest of this year's panda cubs in an American zoo. But her twin

sister was stillborn, highlighting the plight of one of the world's

most endangered speed is. Newborn pandas are so fragile, to co-star in

the first week. It is basically related to stress and to everyone

wanting a part of pandas, everybody wants to see them, and there are a

lot of babies being born in the zoo all the time, but only certain

babies really generate that public interest and you can say, great,

let's take that and use that to make the world a better place. Experts

meeting in Edinburgh are trying to work at ways of improving life for

pandas, developing a five-year masterplan to revive the population

both in captivity and the wild. The idea is to come together, just to

discuss what we can do for the conservation, both wild conservation

and domestic. Edinburgh's female panda is the centre of much

attention. Experts say she did concede, and she may be able to give

birth to a kebab cubs in the next two weeks, but it is by no means

certain. Conservationists argue that analysis of pandas in captivity is

affecting those left in the wild. Even with the best will in the

world, we cannot control what is going to happen, but each time we

attempted, we learn something from it so we can improve next time.

Reintroducing pandas to the wild is extremely difficult. One temporary

release is happening in China and the hope is the Edinburgh plant will

pave the way for more successful releases in future.

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. It was more of a treat day

today, is there more to come? There wasn't an awful when a lot of

brightness this evening, it is pretty straightforward tonight, we

have lost the rain that was there, but it has left a legacy of cloud,

and a few holes in that giving us some brightness to end the day and

overnight, most places will stay dry, with a few clear spells. Some

bits of drizzle will hang around but they won't amount to much. By the

end of the night, quite misty and murky and on the mild side. Slipping

down to seven or eight in one or two role spots. Tomorrow, we start the

day dry and eastern Scotland will hold onto some sunshine well into

the afternoon, but in the West, cloud increases and this rain

arrives with a bit of a bang, spreading eastwards to all parts

during the afternoon. So if we take a closer look at around three

o'clock, it is a round blue -- it is a back by fiddly bit of a blue

blanket. Still some heavy pulses of rain for Argyle up into the

north-west Highlands through the North Highlands and Aberdeenshire to

and some heavy pulses of rain for Orkney and Shetland. Quite breezy up

and around the coast. Late in the afternoon is when we start to see a

and around the coast. Late in the clearance getting into the far

north-west. That process will continue into the afternoon and the

rest of the evening. We may see some brightness of the Hebrides by the

end of the day and most of that rain will clear away eastwards during

tomorrow evening. For Friday, something a wee bit different as the

rain pulls away. We see a ridge of high pressure developing, a much

drier and brighter day but fresher feeling, temperatures a shakedown,

13 or 14 Celsius, but with light winds, it won't feel all that bad.

That region stays with us on Saturday, so another fine day with

good spells of sunshine, and the temperatures up a notch on Friday's

values, but then look at Sunday, this deep area of low pressure

bringing very wet and windy weather. Thanks very much.

A reminder of tonight's main news in brief:

The Finance Secretary John Swinney says his emphasis in today's budget

was on growing the economy en route to independence.

But he also announced extra money to compensate families struggling with

UK benefit cuts. A UN report says that all sides in

the Syria conflict have commited war crimes. The claim comes as intense

diplomatic activity involving governments around the world

continues to try and resolve the crisis.

The police watchdog investigating the behaviour of police officers

after the Hillsborough football disaster says it is working through

new evidence. The IPCC has recovered more than 90 police notebooks which

could contain crucial new information.

The number of people in Scotland who're out of work has risen by

10,000. That goes against the trend for the UK as a whole.

And that is Reporting Scotland, I will be back with the late bulletin

just after the Ten O'Clock News. Hope you can join me then. Baikonur.

-- bye for now.