27/11/2013 Reporting Scotland

That is all from the News At Six, goodbye

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland: Alex Almond says plans the childcare in

an independent Scotland would save families thousands of pounds a year.

I think it's great, if I had a second child, and I wasn't able to,

I would have to stop work. It is a character dangle in front of

everybody. But opposition parties say they should introduce the policy

now. Also, after the death of three teenagers in a car crash in East

Lothian, renewed calls for tighter restrictions on young drivers. They

are Scotland's tallest structures, near Falkirk. Today the giant steel

horses were officially launched. And despair finial linen as his Celtic

side crashed out of Europe. -- for Neil Lennon. Good evening. Families

would be thousands of pounds better off in an independent Scotland,

according to the First Minister. The Scottish Government gave further

details today of their plans for extending free childcare, following

a yes vote in the referendum next year. But opposition parties say the

Scottish Government could introduce the policy now if they wanted to.

From Holyrood, here's our Political Editor, Brian Taylor. A day at the

races. Alex Salmond leaves Scots would be happy to take a punt on his

free childcare offer. He says it is worth up to ?4600 per child per

year. He wants it extended and available from age one. So who wins?

He says it only works if the tax revenues from their working parents

stay in Scotland. Some say it is a political sweetener to attract women

who seem most sceptical about independence. But then, presents,

political or otherwise, can be very popular. The first letter said the

childcare plan will be built up in phases, ?100 million a year then

another 600 million, then more, offset by tax. As you wander that

Scotland 's but it would be cut by Westminster if independence is

rejected. -- budget. What we want to hear from the Unionist lattes is how

better the rate is going to be is Scotland votes no. That is the

reality. Opponents said he had the power to boost childcare now.

Clearly thinks this is a killer point. He can make the difference

right now. The first minister said he had already asked for ideas on

how to find the money now from a fixed budget, without getting any

answers. At a nursery in Glasgow, some mothers are enthusiastic, some

sceptical. I spent the best part of a decadent high education, think

it's great, if I had a second child and wasn't available, I would have

two start work. I am on scholarships, they put me in a

position where I can't work! It would be great if they could, but

obviously it is a character dangle in front of everybody to say this is

what you can have. The referendum. Your future, your choice.

Brian joins us now from the parliament - and when it comes to

that choice, there's another big issue bubbling tonight - about the

European Union? There is. The Spanish prime minister, at a news

conference in Madrid has apparently suggested that an independent

Scotland would not be in membership of the European Union. That is being

interpreted by politicians here as suggesting Scotland would have to

start afresh with an application. But there is a hundred page document

out today from the Scottish Government, it says there are no

serious doubts that following independence, Scotland will take its

place as a full member state within the year. To be clear, the Scottish

Government envisages that it would be from within, so in terms of the

treaties, in terms of activities, in terms of the European Union's

commitment to respecting democratic decision-making, they believe there

would be no obstacles in this regard. Their opponents dissent.

Political parties at Westminster had their chance to pass comment on the

white paper today when it was raised at Prime Minister's Questions. Our

Political correspondent David Porter can tell us more. Yesterday, when

the White Paper was produced, there was a reticence to comment. There

was muted reaction from the parties down here, that was very much

deliberate and conscious. The idea was that they would leave it to the

politicians and the groups in Scotland to make their views known

first. Today, no such reticence, at Prime Minister's Questions, David

Cameron let it be known that he did not think much of the White Paper.

He said it left a huge number of questions to be answered, and his

interpretation of the merits of the Scottish Government's White Paper

and the wider argument about televising debates during the

referendum campaign led to some fairly spirited exchanges. The Prime

Minister has vowed to fight for the United Kingdom with his head, heart

and soul, but when it comes to a debate, it's some gutsy needs to

find. We know what his United Kingdom will look like. Will he now

stop being a pathetic and debate the issues with the First Minister? I am

enjoying the debate we're having! That is where the debate should take

place. There should be a debate, including televised debate, this is

a debate between people in Scotland, not a debate between the leader of

the Conservative Party or the UK prime minister, and the Scottish

first Minster, it's a debate, rightly, between the leader of the

no campaign and the leader of the yes campaign. Many here at

Westminster are drawing an analogy between the publication of the White

Paper yesterday in Edinburgh and a budget document, but huge documents

which on day one that the headlines are given, people start drilling

into them, they find the Ottomans to support their case. The government

departments are looking at this document very closely, you can

expect more arguments in the days and weeks to come.

And there's more on the SNP's plans for independence in tonight's

Newsnight Scotland. Preparations are almost complete for

tonight's extended Newsnight Scotland where we will try to get to

the bottom of some of the issues in the White Paper on independence and

what they will mean for you. The finance secretary will be here along

with the leader of Scottish Labour. Asking the questions, not just me

but Glen Campbell as well. Join us at 10:30pm on BBC Two.

Fresh tributes have been paid to three teenagers killed yesterday in

a car crash in East Lothian. Police are still investigating the

accident, in which another teenager was injured. All four came from

Dunbar, and went to the town's Grammar school together. Meanwhile

driving experts have renewed calls for tighter restrictions on young

drivers. Joanne Macaulay reports. Silent tributes to the three young

people whose lives were suddenly cut short on this country road. They

were all current or former pupils at Dunbar Grammar School, where their

loss is deeply felt. They were full of life, approaching the end of

secondary education, looking forward to their next destination is, one of

the youngsters left as last year and she was already out in the world.

The other two, ready to go on and do that. The boys were regular

attenders at a youth club here, where they are remembered fondly.

Because of the kind of community it is here, we all know them, and we

are united in that grief with their families. It is everybody's loss.

Young drivers are by far the most likely to be involved in serious and

fatal road accidents. The Westminster Parliament is

considering a graduate of driving licence to address this, which would

see special conditions for new drivers, no more than one passenger

in their car and the virtually zero alcohol limit. This is one of the

classic types of young driver accidents, hitting a solid Egypt on

a roll road on a day when the weather is not good. -- a solid

object. It highlights the member of having a large number of young

people in the car. This legislation. Those things happening. Last but the

Christmas lights were turned off and the viz Joel -- a vigil was held.

Dunbar is trying recover from the loss of three of its young citizens.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on the

programme: I am a board the most technically advanced drilling rig

ever to work in the North Sea, it specialises in cyber drilling. I

will tell you what that means later. In sport: No European football for

Celtic after Christmas. Neil Lennon told us what they came up short.

We're in Norway with our national teams at the European curling

championships. It's claimed Scotland could become a

safe haven for human trafficking and prostitution unless tough new laws

are introduced here. Campaigners say MSPs should make it a crime to pay

for sex. In Sweden, a similar move was introduced and it's claimed that

led to a sharp fall in the number of women working in the sex trade.

Julie Peacock reports. Selling sex is a crime in Scotland, but buying

it isn't. An attempt to change the law earlier, to shift the blame to

the buyer, was voted down at Holyrood, and campaigners say that

is a huge mistake. This is now the time to turn the focus onto the

punter, the man who has the opportunity, the choice, on whether

to purchase sex. We believe it is totally unfair to criminalise some

of the most vulnerable women and we have, involved in street

prostitution. It is an approach adopted by countries like Sweden and

Norway, and appears to be working. The number of women involved in

prostitution in swimming has halved since the law was introduced. --

prostitution in Sweden. Now other countries are also considering it

like France and the Netherlands. Campaigners say this makes us a soft

touch. They will be the obvious target for the international pimping

and trafficking gangs, who won't have the hospitable environment they

have had up to now in Ireland and France. Some of the sex industry

have opposed any change in the law, saying it is a lifestyle choice, but

Rachel says that bears no relation to her experience. In my case, I was

homeless and I had the choice between having my body used by God

knows how many strangers every day, or going back to the park bench I

had been sitting on for the last three weeks. Was that a choice?

People need to look when they talk about choice about the ambiguous

nature of choice. There it growing support among MSPs Tory review of

the laws surrounding prostitution. Campaigners say unless something is

done soon, Scotland could see more women exploited by organised gangs.

One of the most advanced oil rigs in the world has arrived in Scottish

waters as it prepares for operations in the North Sea. The owners say the

$200 million rig has safety at its core, as it removes the need for

crews to work on the dangerous drill floor. Experts say its arrival is a

sign of continued confidence in North Sea oil. Craig Anderson

reports. This is the first in a line of cyber

drilling rigs coming to our oilfields. What is that exactly? It

means automation and computer control, with workers kept well away

from dangerous areas. We are using a lot of pipe handling machines that

replace the traditional tongs and wrenches you would see in some of

the older footage. What we are doing is moving the men away from those

high risk areas. Drilling operations are controlled from this space age

console. It is fully automated and the safety

systems are built-in. You could wear a shirt and tie on this rig and not

get dirty. This isn't the biggest rig but it is the most

technologically advanced. The deck is the size of four Olympic

swimming pools. It's a rival says a lot about

continued confidence in meaning oil in the North Sea.

It just shows that the level of activity is still very high and

prospects are good for the long term.

Five more of these structures have been ordered. Big money in a

business that is clearly still booming.

What does this say about the future of oil activity and jobs in the

North Sea? This wreck was built in a Chinese

fabrication yard. I'm afraid we've lost that satellite

signal. What a great shame. Care inspectors say BUPA's Pentland

Hill residential home in Edinburgh must show immediate evidence of

significant improvement or it will face closure. Police are already

investigating the deaths of four residents at the home. BUPA has been

given until this week to meet care standards. At its last visit in

October, the Care Inspectorate found the quality of care, leadership and

staffing at Pentland Hill was unsatisfactory.

Other stories from across Scotland this Wednesday: A man's been charged

with rape after a woman was allegedly assaulted in the centre of

Dundee. The 19-year-old's due to appear at

the city's Sheriff Court following an incident in the car park of a

nightclub earlier this month. The son of a murder victim is suing

the man convicted of the killing. David Methven's seeking damages of

?160,000 after the death of his mother at their Perthshire cottage.

But William Kean, who's serving a life sentence, denies he was the

killer. A nurse working in one of Orkney's

smallest island communities has been short listed for the 2013 Nurse of

the Year award. Bernie Holbrook provides front line health care for

around 70 people in North Ronaldsay. It is challenging but also very

rewarding and you do find that you get to know your patient better and

the community better and also you become more part of the community

rather than just someone they have come to see for that 20 minute

appointment. An unused historic structure which

was part of Glasgow's original Clyde tunnel is to see new life as an arts

venue. The South Rotunda has been largely unused apart from a brief

spell during the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival.

And there are more stories from your area and all the latest news, 24

hours a day on BBC Scotland's website.

Let's get the latest sport now with David Currie.

No European football for Celtic after Christmas. A 3-0 defeat by AC

Milan means they'll finish bottom of their Champions League group,

missing out on the last 16, and won't drop into the Europa League.

Their manager says the lack of a striker who can score at the highest

level has proven costly. Here's Heather Dewar.

A sea of green and white greeted their Celtic heroes aware that a win

would keep their Champions League hopes alive. Poor defending cost the

warm. Banished from this set piece. So Pat added to the misery and

Balotelli sealed their fate on the hour mark -- Zapata.

We competed again tonight but it's just that quality at the top end of

the pitch that has caught up with us this season.

Celtic have scored just two goals in Europe this season. They scored nine

goals last season in Europe but have lost three players since then. How

big an issue is this for the club? When you play with all these

creative players, you really have to have an end product. If you don't

there is no productivity for the team. A central striker is the

important gap in the club right now.

Some people say Celtic are failing to act quickly enough to search for

new talent. You have to get them before anybody

else knows them because after that it can be too late. You have to

gamble and I don't think the oldest take the gamble is when the

opportunities arrive. Celtic will now have plenty of time

to decide whether they need to make that gamble.

Meanwhile, European football's governing body UEFA has started

proceedings against Celtic for what it calls an incident of a

non-sporting nature at last night's match. A group of supporters

displayed a banner comparing IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and

Scottish patriot William Wallace. The club say they'll ban anyone

involved in any form of political display.

Our national curling teams, both men and women are doing well in Strabane

-- Stavanger. Confidence of winning medals is high

among both Scotland's men's and women's teams competing at the

European Championships in Stavanger. The Scots have come here looking to

conquer Europe and take home gold. Cheered on by a small advance party

they are looking dudes in their beds to plunder medals. -- looking good.

They have won all eight of their pool games so far.

We will treat this as a new competition. We know we will have to

step it up but we are playing really well. It is great to know that I

have three players behind me who are really committed and doing

everything they can for the team. The men lost to games early on but

the experience has helped them through to the play-offs.

I am a notorious slow starter and play better at the end of the week.

It just took a couple of games longer than it should but now we are

there. That's the stuff. Now, a look at

what else is happening across Scottish sport. Inverness stand-in

boss Duncan Shearer will be in charge of the team for the weekend's

Scottish Cup match against Morton but the club hope to have a new

manager in position by this time next week.

Cowdenbeath are also looking for a new manager.

Colin Cameron's left the club nicknamed the Blue Brazil. They're

second bottom of the Scottish Championship.

The coach of the world netball champions New Zealand is giving our

national team a masterclass. Seems a bit odd as the Scots are playing

them twice in January but there's a good reason.

There are four teams internationally. Three give us a

good game and the remainder don't. That unfortunately includes Scotland

so it is up to us to help them developer.

Scotland's cricketers must beat Holland for a place in the 20-over

World Cup finals. The Scots beat Italy in the playoff semi-finals by

seven wickets. And there are more sports stories

plus all the latest news 24 hours a day on BBC Sport Scotland's website.

They're the tallest sculptures in Scotland and the biggest equine

sculptures in the world. Today, the Kelpies were officially launched in

Falkirk. The giant steel horses are already visible for miles around but

visitors will have to wait a few more months to look at them, up

close. Our arts correspondent Pauline McLean reports.

XP in the artists dream for almost a decade. Harnessing arts... The rise

13 metres over this landscape and even the creator had to pinch

themselves. They are quite cinematic. If it is

misty or raining a set in the atmosphere that I couldn't envisage.

It is always changing. Building the 300 tonne structures

has been a challenge. Hundreds of tiny plates welded onto the central

skeletons. The result is higher than the Angel of the North. And visible

from miles around. All part of the plan to put this park on the map.

The worldwide response has been fantastic and the real ambition for

this project is as a partner for the Falkirk wheel. Another top tourist

destination in Falkirk. The hope is that once people see the

Kelpies from the distance they will want to come close and maybe even

look inside them. Amazing. Let's get the latest

weather forecast now from Judith. It has been a mild day across the

country and we saw the highest temperature in the UK in Aberdeen.

There are clearly strong winds across the northern isles. This will

gradually dry away leaving us with a dry night and a colder nights than

we have say in of late. We may well see some mist and fog patches.

Tomorrow is cold and bright, maybe a touch of mist and fog. Cloud

thickens up in the West winning some bits and pieces of rain and drizzle

into words the Galloway area. Temperatures much lower. Close

conditions for Glasgow. Betts and pieces of drizzly rain across the

Western Isles. -- bits and pieces. Temperatures generally around seven

or eight temperatures. We will start to see cloud thickening up in the

evening over the West. The wind will strengthen from the West and starts

to push the rain and land. -- inland. Blustery showers is the name

of the game on Friday. It will feel utterly cold as well.

Thanks, Judith. Now, a reminder of tonight's main news: the Scottish

Government gave further details today of their plans to extend free

childcare, if there's a yes vote in the referendum next year. But

opposition parties say the Scottish Government could introduce the

policy now if they wanted to. David Cameron says measures to restrict

benefits for new migrants from the European Union are designed to send

a message that Britain is not a "soft touch". He wants to stop them

claiming housing benefit immediately and receiving job-seeker's allowance

for three months. But an EU Commissioner has criticised his

plans. Fresh tributes have been paid to

three teenagers killed in a car crash in East Lothian. Police are

still investigating the accident, in which another teenager was injured.

And that's Reporting Scotland. I'll be back with the headlines at 8pm

and the late bulletin just after the ten o'clock news. Until then, from

everyone on the team here in Glasgow