15/07/2014 Reporting Scotland

House-builders say the Help to Buy scheme is putting pressure on the

construction industry because there are not enough bricks.

The men who care - a charity says we need to change our

view of carers, as research suggests more than 40% of them are male.

To come home and be a housekeeper, a Cooke, and everything, it is a

dramatic difference for a man to cope with.

We'll have the latest from Iceland as Celtic begin their campaign

in Reykjavik to qualify for the Champions League.

We are crossing from blogs to Millport. -- Largs.

We're also bringing you some sad news about one

John Milne, one of the best known faces on Reporting Scotland,

There's been unprecedented demand in the housing market for the Scottish

Government's Help to Buy scheme and it's putting huge pressure

Just three months into the financial year, more than

half of the mortgage top-up funding has already been allocated.

It's led to so much new housing being built across Scotland that

Our economics correspondent, Colletta Smith, has the story.

Demand for new homes is fuelling a crisis in the construction sector.

There are not enough of the most basic building element, bricks. 40

years ago, there were 36 bricks factories in Scotland, but now there

is only one left. We are supplying approximately 15% of the they sing

brick market in Scotland. If the builder orders bricks today, we will

give them a lead-in time which could be anything from six weeks to 16

weeks. That is a long time to wait in the world of construction. The

demand for homes in Scotland has increased massively over the last

year, but turning all of this into the number of these that we need is

not an easy or a quick process. They are operating at full capacity,

thanks to the Help to Buy scheme. The deal sees the Government fund of

two 20% of the value of your home, as long as it is a new build. That

has meant a lot more construction and there are not enough bricks. I

have seen -- I have told them their turnaround time and the other going

back out the door and I am left with nothing. Why wait another month for

them to come in. Some suppliers are looking to bring in bricks from

Europe to meet the demand in Scotland. Cut down on the number of

ex-needed at this construction site, there is a new idea. You are looking

at acrylic bricks, they look and have the texture of bricks. The

company says it is tough for a small builders to compete. The bigger

companies are certainly more able to use the economy as a scale to

barter, to a greater extent, but companies like us have evolved other

methods to deliver. The project you see behind me uses different

technology, it uses the occasion of brick slips. -- application. Brick

shortage is set to continue with more money set aside for the Help to

Buy scheme for the next financial year and the industry already at

capacity. Plans to halt EU expansion over

the next five years, announced by the new President of the European

Commission, have dealt a blow to an independent Scotland's membership,

according to pro-Union campaigners. Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU

needs to Joining me now

from Westminster is our What's the claim regarding

the effect on Scotland? Well, it was a few days ago when

Jean-Claude Juncker said that joining the U would not be as easy

as writing a letter. His predecessor had previously also said an

independent Scotland's membership would be difficult. Those comments

were picked up by those who oppose independence, but Mr Younger said

there would be no new member state within the next five years. Alex

Salmond says Lee you would be -- says Scotland would be a member of

the EU says he was talking about countries like Montenegro. He has

already made it clear that Scotland will have to apply from a ship, he

has said it would not be as simple as sending a letter. Today he is

saying there will be no more states in the EU for five years. If

Scotland reach the UK, it would mean going from 28 to 29 states in the EU

so it is pretty clear he does not see Scotland becoming a member of

the EU effort was an independent state within the next five years. ,

another argument, David Cameron's reshuffle, lots of new faces. Those

wanting Scottish independence have picked up a couple of apartments,

one of them is Priti Patel, the new Treasury Minister, she has

previously said that Scotland's funding formula should be looked at

again in terms of the independence referendum, the SNP said that is bad

news, they also say the only threat to EU membership is Philip

Hammond's support today. He has become the Foreign Secretary, he has

previously said there should be a withdrawal from the EU by Britain if

there was no reassessment of that membership. That is what Alex

Salmond pick today. Philip Hammond is the Cabinet minister who said he

would vote no to EU membership. Priti Patel is someone who has said

that the constitutional debate is a good idea to slash spending in

Scotland. So, what David Cameron has done is demoted someone who wants to

take the UK out of Europe and promoted someone who wants to take

money out of Scotland. Needless to say, that is not the last we have

heard of any of these arguments. Journalists and technicians

at the BBC are to strike next Wednesday, to coincide with

the opening ceremony of Members of the National Union

of Journalists, BECTU and Unite will walk out at noon

for 12 hours in a dispute over pay. The opening ceremony begins

at Celtic Park at 9pm. One of Scotland's leading

organisations for carers is calling for more recognition

for the work done by men. Carers Trust Scotland says many

people currently think just women fulfil the role,

but research suggests more than 40% Tommy met Reena because they loved

dancing. They were married for almost 57 years but towards the end

she developed Atkinsons disease. Tommy looked after her for years,

before she had to move to a care home. I feel for men it can be

difficult. Normally, a man is working and he is the breadwinner.

He has all the male things going for him. To suddenly come home and be

the housekeeper, to be a Cooke, the washer and everything, that is a

true Matic -- dramatic difference for a man to cope with. Tonight he

is not alone. 44% of unpaid carers in Scotland are men. Back more than

a quarter of them do not call themselves carers, which means

missing out on support. More than four in ten said the caring they do

has damaged their own physical or mental health. The research was

carried out by the men's health Forum and the Carers Trust. They are

entitled to the support through their caring role and accessing the

support will help them to have a life outside of caring but will also

enable them to continue caring much more successfully. Rena died in

February last year but Tommy stayed involved in a group for male carers

he helped to set up. You do not see these meals, they are kind of

hidden, they stay away and do not know how to integrate. That made

these men. They need all the help they can get. The carers group say

alignment to access tailored support will cost money, but not providing

it would cost even more in the long run.

And coming up a bit later in tonight's programme:

The number one bowler in the world from Troon on his chances of a medal

at the Commonwealth Games. In sport, we'll have the very latest

news from Rekjavik as Celtic prepare to kick off their new campaign

for the Champions League. And we are in Hoylake to preview

the Scots and their chances The traditional exploration of space

is usually in search of strange new But how about boldly going

in search of high speed internet? Scientists at Heriot-Watt university

have been awarded 1 million euros in EU funding to develop terminals

that hope to do that using Here's our science correspondent,

Kenneth Macdonald. We are living through an information

revolution. But without a decent signal, the revolution will not be

digitised. Our digital devices of angry for data, but if you are on

the move in a country like Scotland, getting a signal can be pretty

difficult. In here, they are working on a new approach. Get your data

from up there. The next generation of satellite broadband will arrive

as radio signals with wavelengths ushered in just millimetres. For us

to be able to use it down here, it will need a new kind of antenna

small enough to fit on planes, trains and cars. They are creating

them here at Heriot Watt University. We are looking to make that

connection faster so that it will allow individualised connection per

user, per passenger, connection to the internet on their smart devices.

There is already wi-fi on some trains in Scotland. But the faster

the broadband, the faster your mode of transport, the higher you will

have to look for your data. For aeroplanes, which are out of range,

I think satellite is probably one of the key technologies for delivering

internet on the move. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it

could change the way we communicate and travel. The aim of being always

connected can be true. The goal is to create antenna small enough to

travel and powerful enough to send signals to and from orbit. It could

represent the next generation of communication.

A man who violently shook a three-month-old baby, causing him

serious brain injuries, has been jailed for 15 years after being

36-year-old John Dobbie fractured the child's skull and left him blind

and brain damaged, after repeatedly shaking him and striking his head.

A man and a woman have appeared in court charged with the murder

of a 20-year-old man in South Queensferry.

46-year-old Jack Mallon and 36-year-old Charlene Wilson made

no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody.

Jordan Mackay, a joiner from Kirkliston, died

following an alleged serious assault in The Loan in South Queensferry

A look at other stories from across the country:

Six of the eight sites shortlisted for the UK's first spaceport,

due to open in 2018, are in Scotland.

Glasgow Prestwick and RAF Lossiemouth are among them.

All have to meet strict criteria, including a runway that can be

extended to more than 3,000m and being a safe distance

A new way for firms and individuals to show their connection to Scotland

can be chosen instead of .com or .co.uk.

It's one of a number of new "top level" domains becoming available

this year, such as .wales, .london and .NYC.

A new mortuary at Dundee University has been named after the Scottish

It follows a public vote after she and other crime writers lent their

The new facility will use an embalming method which keeps bodies

flexible, allowing more realistic testing of new medical techniques.

Taxi drivers in Moray are being told to smarten up.

The local council is introducing a dress code for drivers which will

The authority says it's had complaints about the scruffiness

of drivers and wants to create a better impression.

The National Galleries of Scotland has persuaded a stand-up comic to be

an artist in residence for August to broaden the galleries' appeal.

Phill Jupitus has volunteered to sketch paintings and deliver

It is taking them along with me on the discovery of the works, they are

not just serious lectures. Anyone thinking they are serious, I got

another pipe. The Commonwealth Games baton has taken to the water again

on its journey around Scotland. Cameron Buttle was with it.

Well, we are crossing over from Largs to Millport. That baton has

done more than 120,000 miles, it has been all over the world, but today,

people here believe this baton is finally coming home. For this

windsurfer, and exhilarating ride to his hometown of Millport. I ran for

a bit, it was quite awkward. Then I came over here. I had not run for

quite a while. Longer than most. This is where it all began. The

handle was carved from one of the countries. This was the first time

this craftsman at CNET since it left to travel the Commonwealth.

Beautiful, very happy with it. He may have made it, but it came from

Millport and they are proud of it. Fantastic, brilliant. Great to see

something like that happening in Millport. I thought it was

wonderful, great to see such a big turnout here for the baton. This was

a big day for the island. One she will no doubt he had about when she

is old enough, but all too soon, the baton was speeding back to the

mainland, edging closer to the opening ceremony every day.

and one of Scotland's hopefuls for a medal.

Paul Foster is the number one ranked bowler in the world, and he,

along with Alex Marshall, are strong favourites to win gold in the pairs.

Foster, like many competing at the Games, juggles

And as our Games reporter Jane Lewis discovered,

the Troon man is in with a "fare" chance of success in Glasgow.

Taxi drivers often boast about who has been in the back of a taxi, but

it is Paul Foster who is carrying them around. I am playing in the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The man from Troon is one of ten in the

bowling squad. I guess it pays the bills? It does. I enjoy relaxing

while I am driving. I meet different people every day. That gold medal,

coming in 2006, Foster's first Commonwealth Games, ending in

success. We are driving to the bowling club now where it all

started. I first started when I was 12. I played with my father. There

was disappointment when Scotland failed to win any bowling medals at

the deli Games. Since then, Foster has been in sensational form. Before

the season started, I had four world titles, I now have 11. It has been a

phenomenal three years. Something I will never forget. There is a lot of

pressure on for the Commonwealth Games. There is a lot of

expectations but I believe that we can get gold medals. If he returns

to the day job with a gold medal, Paul Foster has a promise for his

passengers. Will your prices go up? Not at all. Lets get the sport now.

And we start with football tonight, as Scottish Champions Celtic begin

their campaign to qualify for the Champions League.

At 8 o'clock they will kick off the first leg

Our reporter Brian McLaughlin is there with the latest

Welcome to Reykjavik for a very important football match. Celtic

trying to ease their way through to the group stages of the Champions

League. Joining us now is Mark McGhee. How will the new Celtic boss

be feeling? I do not think he will be nervous, he will be excited. He

wants his tenure as manager to kick on and start in earnest. I think

this is an opportunity rather than something to fear. He will have been

in places like this many times and be familiar with it. Some of his

players may be alien to surroundings like this. Only 1500 fans will be

here. But this is still pre-season. Although there is a serious aspect

to it tonight, I think they will have played in places like this

before and I think it will take care of it professionally, butchered

properly and they will get a performance that will win the game.

I think they have to be respectful of their opponents, they are only

part time, but they will be up for this, it is an important game for

them. Play against Celtic. I think Celtic will do the business but they

will have to concentrate. It has been a chilly day here in

Reykjavik. The rain is now starting, just an hour before kick-off.

However, I am sure the fans will enjoy.

It's been another practice day at Hoylake, where this year's

Open Championship begins on Thursday.

And for one young Scot, it's a whole new experience.

19-year-old Bradley Neil is playing his first Major after being crowned

But far from being overawed, the Perthshire teenager says

Here's our golf reporter, Phil Goodlad.

I have grown up watching every single championship. It is really

different, it is incredible. Bradley Neil has earned the rate to be here.

He won last year's -- last month's amateur championship. I have been in

demand a lot this last few weeks. I have not had a lot of time to

myself. I just want to get back to normal. Isildur get messages and

phone calls, it is incredible to have that support. -- I still get.

Bradley has no plans to turn pro yet, but don't think his amateur

status means he is just here to make up the numbers. We are here to win.

Everyone who is he has earned the spot by playing good enough golf.

Just to see where that compares to with the likes of these guys. It

would be the ultimate very tail if he was to win here this week.

Realistically, the aim is to learn from the best and make sure this

championship is the first of many. Now, a look at what else is

happening across Scottish sport. Dundee United's new signing

Jaroslaw Fojut is delighted to be The Polish defender has signed at

Tannadice five years after leaving Artefact I am really excited, I

always wanted to come back to the UK, this is the step that I planned

for a long time. Once the opportunity came up, I did not

really thing for a long time about the move here.

Aberdeen have announced Thursday's Europa League qualifying

tie against FC Groningen will be an all ticket match.

If you want to see McInness's men, season ticket holders have

until 7 to reserve their seat before they go on general sale.

Seven Scots have been named in Team GB to take part in the European

Lynsey Sharp will defend her 800m European crown.

Eilidh Child is currently ranked the top European in the 400m hurdles.

Malaysia top the Commonwealth Games badminton seedings,

but Team Scotland are ranked a creditable 5th.

They lie ahead of New Zealand, Canada and Australia.

Scotland won team bronze in the Manchester Games in 2002.

And there are more sports stories, plus all the latest news,

24 hours a day on BBC Sport Scotland's website.

The Chief Executive of UK athletics will decide tomorrow if he is fit or

not to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

As the new head of the EU says there will be no further in March and for

another five years, we will be in Strasbourg, debating what this means

for Scotland. That is at half past ten on BBC Two tonight.

The former Reporting Scotland presenter John Milne has died

During a career with the BBC spanning 40 years,

he was a familiar face and voice on both radio and television.

For three decades, John Milne had one of the most well-known faces on

television in Scotland, and his was a familiar voice to radio listeners.

A mass meeting at Govan should builders ends in uproar. He joined

the BBC after working in newspapers and presented on the radio from the

late 1970s. Well read and well informed about news stories at home

and worldwide, he was able to hold politicians to account, even those

he had previously worked alongside. Ewe he was gritty, but polite. --

Hugh was a gritty, but polite journalism. -- he was. He was

trusted by people in Scotland. He achieved what most broadcasters aim

for, he was averted if without being overbearing, and he was approachable

without being chummy or patronising. He was in every sense of the term a

professional. A really decent man at the same time. For ten years, John

Milne presented Reporting Scotland with a variety of colleagues, they

say his professionalism aid him easy to work with. He was very emphatic

about the importance of getting it right. I worked with him at

Lockerbie, probably the biggest story our work on, apart from

sharing the studio with him. He was a master at just bringing everything

together, making everything very concise and telling the story, and

that is my greatest memory of him. In the days when radio and TV ad

separate staff and newsrooms, John Milne was comfortable presenting

programmes in each. He was at home with radio and television. Equally

at home. Also, he was comfortable in either short pieces of journalism,

or longer for investigative journalism. He is found every aspect

of the profession. -- he stand. Always professional and courteous,

he nevertheless took a ride view of his senior colleagues. We are all

hired as journalists and those who could did the sort of presentation

and reporting, those who couldn't became the editor. John Milne, who

retired seven years ago on his 65th birthday, leaves a wife and two

sons. Time now for a look at the weather.

Good evening. Well, a pleasant day across many parts of the country. 21

Celsius in Fife. Some late sunny spells across most of Scotland. For

the first part of this evening and overnight, dry and settled. Clouding

over in the West. Some strengthening southerly winds. The rain fringing

into the western central belt by dawn. Average is nothing to gold,

around 10 Celsius at the lowest. Tomorrow, very different, a cloudy

and damp start. The rain moving East as we head through the morning. But

it should not last, it goes through quite quickly. After lunch, it is an

improving story. Some bright and sunny skies from many parts. In the

best of the brighter moments, to around 20 Celsius. Still fairly

breezy across the East Coast. Winds tending to fall later. Through the

Northwest, it will be fairly persistent rain. As it will be

through Orkney and Shetland, interspersed with brighter or

sunnier skies at times. The rest of the afternoon into the evening and

overnight, we hold onto the damp conditions in the North West.

Elsewhere, some tuning showers and some bright or sunny skies.

Thursday, settled, dry, brighter skies, temperatures up, baby 22

Celsius in mind. Always a touch cooler around the coast. By the end

of the week, much warmer air coming up from the continent. Temperatures

will respond, to around 24 or 25 Celsius in the Northwest. But along

with that, we have an area of low pressure and some heavy downpours.

Just fringing in towards the southern happens during the day, but

before it arrives, a dry and bright start on Friday. Temperatures warm

in the North West. The risk of some wet weather towards the end of the

day. That's all from Reporting Scotland,

from all the team, good evening.