23/02/2016 Reporting Scotland

That is all from the BBC News at Six. It's goodbye from me. On BBC

One we join the BBC's news teams where you are. Goodbye.

After months of negotiation an agreement is finally reached

between the Scottish and UK governments over future

More than a year after contracting ebola,

the Lanarkshire nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, is again

airlifted to hospital in London for treatment.

I live in Aberdeen. The offshore industry warns that the falling

price of oil leaves it on the edge of a chasm.

The murder of this teenager at an Aberdeen school -

a 16 year old boy is to go on trial next week.

Rescuing migrants from the Mediterrainean.

We hear the harrowing experiences of a volunteer from Ayr.

And time to hop to it - after two years without a win

in the six nations an appeal for Scotland fans to stick

A last-minute deal has been done which secures new tax

The agreement between the Treasury and the Scottish Government followed

a day of drama and behind the scenes talks.

The First Minister says it means not a penny will be cut from Scotland's

Budget. The Chancellor says Holyrood will now be answerable to voters

over tax and spending. From Holyrood, here's our political

editor Brian Taylor. After a day of intense negotiation,

Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs a deal had been done with the Treasury. My

camera port of Parliament that there is now an agreement in principle

that I believe we can recommend to Parliament. The plan to give

Scotland control of all income tax rates and bands will now go ahead

from next year. The deal sets out how and by how much the Westminster

block grant is cut in future. The Treasury had wanted a system which

might have meant cuts in Scotland's Budget if the Scottish population

decline and the tax take was lower, but Scottish ministers resisted that

fiercely. The agreement now is that there will be no automatic cut in

the Budget for six years and that after that there would be a review

but without prejudice or defaulting to the Treasury plan. They said the

initial Treasury plan would have cut the Budget by ?7 billion over a

decade. There will not be 7 billion, or ?3 billion of detriment. This

deal will not allow a single pound or even a penny to be taken from the

Scottish Government's Budget. It delivers on the vow we made

to the people of Scotland. It is fair to the taxpayers

of all of the UK. And it gives Scotland

one of the most powerful, devolved

parliament in the world. I think the debate will now shift

from whether Scotland has these tax and spending powers to how they are

used to the benefit of the Scottish people. Tonight's agreement sets out

a packet and opens the door to a new phase in Scotland's political story.

Brian joins us now. This was a key part of the deal following the

independence referendum, but it has taken some time.

It has taken some time because, Jackie, it is a key part of a very

big deal. There have been concessions on both sides. The

Scottish Government has got all it wanted in terms of paying for the

costs of transition. They have had to agree that there would be

independent scrutiny of the Scottish economy, not just because generated

from within the Scottish Government. On the other hand, however, the

Treasury have had to make big concessions, as well. They have had

to concede, basically, that the proposal they made for their model

to be used when to be happening in that way. It will be a model which

is typically used. But over the next six years it will be tweaked to make

sure a penny -- make sure not a penny in cut as a consequence of

devolution. They will then be an open discussion between the two

governments to take place after the next round of elections. The big

prize for both sides, for Scotland and Holyrood, securing the tax

powers, securing control of welfare, securing borrowing powers. It will

transform the Scottish election into a debate over the use of those

powers. The big gains in the UK Government, they are able to argue

that Scotland is now fiscally responsible. The Holyrood parliament

behind me is responsible for spending, it is responsible for tax,

and that builds a narrative whereby they say Scotland is determining its

own affairs and not, as they would argue, reliant upon the remainder of

the UK. Thanks very much.

The Lanarkshire nurse Pauline Cafferkey is on her way

to hospital in London for the third time, after routine monitoring

picked up another complication of the ebola virus.

She was originally infected whilst treating victims in Sierra Leone,

and survived a second infection last October

She is being treated again by experts at the Royal Free

Our health correspondent Eleanor Bradford reports.

The nightmare continues for Lanarkshire nurse Pauline Cafferkey.

Today she was, for the third time, on her way to specialist care in

London. She appeared to be walking unaided but was still surrounded by

the highest infection control measures as she was transferred to

the Hercules aircraft at Glasgow airport. It marks yet another twist

in her extraordinary story. Pauline was admitted to hospital with the

bowler at the end of 2014 following her return from Sierra Leone. --

with Ebola virus. Doctors said she had made a full recovery in a month.

Speaking in autumn she hoped the worst was behind her. Started with a

few problems. My hair fell out. It has taken me a good few months to

recover from it. That is the thing, you just don't know in the

long-term, either. Hopefully this is it, this is the end of it, but we

don't know. But nothing could have it, this is the end of it, but we

prepared her for the turn of events. The virus re-emerged, having lived

on in her brain and spinal fluid and cause meningitis. She survived being

critically ill a second time but was monitored more closely. The

monitoring team picked up something more unusual, which has led to

today's admission to hospital. Probably more has been learnt about

Ebola virus from Pauline than any other person on this planet. She is

probably the most investigated case on Ebola on planet Earth at the

moment. That investigation will help her. It will help the medical and

nursing team look after her, which is their primary thing. It will help

the rest of us gathered knowledge about this infection. Specialist at

the Royal free have said only that Pauline Cafferkey is suffering from

the Royal free have said only that another late complication of the

Ebola virus. The outbreak may have been declared over, but Pauline's

case shows us how much we have to learn. -- Royal Free.

Exploration is at an all-time low in the North Sea -

Tonight we are taking an in-depth look at the crisis and its

consequences. Over the last 18 months the price of

oil has fallen a very long way. And as a result the offshore industry,

based in Aberdeen, has shed tens of thousands of jobs. But difficult

days still lie ahead with investment levels falling very fast. The

industry is having to scramble to save money. They are now calling on

the Chancellor to step in, to safeguard North Sea production. This

is how when oil firm saves $15 million. The boss of Chevron talks

to the team on one of his offshore platforms to maximise production.

How are things going today? The drilling operations impact... The

company has also cut more than 300 jobs in the face of plummeting oil

prices. The challenges are numerous. They are hitting us from a number of

angles. It is important to continue working collaboratively, with more

innovation, and even increased collaboration to get our costs down,

improve efficiency, and further reduce the tax burden over time. The

industry, here and across the UK, has had to work hard to adapt to

lower oil prices. Last year it cost nearly $30 to produce a barrel of

oil. Now, thanks to a efficiency is and tens of thousands of job losses,

that cost has been driven down to around $20 a barrel, but it still

isn't enough. Around half the oil fields are still running at a loss.

And if that is worrying, considered huge investment plans. Over the last

five years the industry has spent around ?8 billion a year on new

projects. That is the level of investment. This year they only plan

to invest around ?1 billion. With everything that means for jobs and

production. And that has prompted a clear warning. The industry is

really trying to fight for its survival in the years ahead. What we

have seen is investment falling so survival in the years ahead. What we

that new investment has come to an all-time low. And indeed,

exploration. In a more positive view, production is up and getting

better but unless we keep investing we have a very stark future in the

North Sea. So what helped as the industry need to help with the low

price of oil? -- help. There are calls for a cut in tax paid for by

oil producers. We are paying 30% corporation tax. 10% more than the

normal rate. On top of that, there is a supplementary tax, which was

introduced taking into account higher oil prices and what they

called excess profits. Doesn't make sense to have both of these. With

less than a month until the Chancellor unveiling his Budget, it

is clear now where oil firms want George Osborne to go. Further tax

breaks might be on their agenda, but it is unclear if they are on his.

That is how the industry is seeing things tonight but it isn't just

people working offshore, or working in the oil industry who are feeling

the pain. There is a knock-on impact for people right across the

north-east of Scotland working in allsorts of businesses, who are also

losing their jobs, losing a livelihood, because of the downturn

in the North Sea industry. A Cachopa the copy for these friends

in an Aberdeen cafe. They are not here for gossip, they are trying to

help each other find jobs. -- catch-up for Coffey. Each of these

people have been made redundant in the last year, victims of the North

Sea downturn. -- coffee. I have a couple of kids. They are so used to

seeing me and their dad going out for work, they are now asking about

how much things cost, should we be spending this amount of money, when

will you get a job? And there is a knock on effect, particularly when

middle income jobs are lost. I had a chap doing some gardening for me. I

had somebody earning for me on a weekly basis. I haven't seen my

butcher since the turn of the year. All of these ancillary people that

you own salary supports also need to be considered. Aberdeen has been

reliant on the oil industry for decades and it has prospered. That

steady flow of income is drying up, though, at least for now. But it

isn't just workers within the oil industry who are affected. Across

isn't just workers within the oil the region thousands of jobs are at

risk. Hotel room revenues continue to slide with employers cutting back

on staff. Restaurants say their to slide with employers cutting back

earnings are also down with people spending less when they dine out.

Many who have lost jobs are wary about speaking out, they are worried

they might damage their future prospects. That isn't a problem for

Bill Bruce who runs his own chauffeuring business, ferrying

well-heeled executives around Aberdeen. We have to look at cutting

back because of the lack of work that is going on in Aberdeen at the

moment. Obviously it isn't just our company, it is other companies. We

have had to lay off two people in the last three months. Big oil

companies can sustain a certain percentage of their staff, but for

smaller companies it has a knock on effect. Disappearing jobs and in

many cases reduced hours it is a scenario for the north-east that

doesn't seem likely to change any time soon.

I am now joined by James Brame, many thanks for joining us tonight. We

heard in that report from people who thanks for joining us tonight. We

are having to cut back on spending, having to lay off staff, who are

losing jobs themselves, how widespread is that feeling now? It

is without doubt challenging times in the North East. It is not just

the North Sea operators feeling a difficult environment. We are seeing

supply chain companies feeling it, but also people like hoteliers,

restaurant owners, and retailers as we start to see the reduced impact

from households take hold. The oil and gas industry completely

dominates this economy. We can see it here. The Vista here at Aberdeen

harbour. Is there a plan B? Are there other ways here for people to

earn a living? This is a resilient region. We have a long-term economic

plan here. That is the good news. The oil and gas sector will

diversify. It will be a success and continue to be a success

internationally and in the North Sea with research and innovate. But we

will also look at other sectors were just wrong already. The food and

drink sector is one. -- which are strong already. There is a long-term

regeneration here. We need to secure those plans and if we do there is a

bright future for the north-east. Thanks very much. All eyes are now

on the Chancellor ahead of his Budget next month with many voices

here calling for him to step in to cut tax, to safeguard the offshore

industry. Thanks very much.

A sixteen year-old boy is to go on trial at the High Court

in Aberdeen next week, charged with the murder of a pupil

The youth, whose identity is protected by law,

appeared during a preliminary hearing in Glasgow this morning.

Here's our Home Affairs correspondent, Reevel Alderson.

16-year-old Bailey Gwynne was a pupil at Cults Academy in Aberdeen

when he was fatally stabbed at the school in October of last year.

Today another 16-year-old, whose name is protected by law, appeared

before the High Court in Glasgow charged with his murder. In an eight

minute hearing at the High Court in Glasgow the judge was told that the

teenager who appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweater and black

trousers, admitted killing Bailey but denied murdering him. Alec

Prentis QC told the court the Crown declines stack set the offer of

guilty to the culpable homicide charge it will proceed to trial on

the murder charge. The accused use is alleged to have carried knives

and knuckle-dusters into the school on various occasions over a two-year

period. He denies these charges and also fighting with Bailey and

murdering him with a knife. His trial, expected to last five days,

will begin in Aberdeen next Tuesday. More than 8,000 people across the UK

are being asked to get They've all been treated by a former

surgeon at NHS Lanarkshire who's Our reporter Catriona

Renton joins me. The employee who was a surgeon

tested positive in 2008. He stopped doing surgical work at that point.

It wasn't thought necessary to contact patients at that time. Last

year though it was discovered that one patient had contracted the virus

and a second was identified. Both were thought to have caught it

during surgery. The doctor had worked in Lanarkshire. Letters have

been sent to 8,000 people in Scotland and the UK who may have

been treated by the doctor between 1982 and 2008. 000 of those people

are in Lanarkshire. The Heath board said there Salou risk. They are

advising people to take the I understand people test. Will be

naturally concerned about this. The reason is that the treatment

available is very effective. Of course we will do the testing as

quickly as possible, turn that around, so patients can be reassured

very quickly. Now, 115 clinics have been set up over the next four weeks

so people can get that blood test. There is a helpline set up by the

health board. Experts say they think less than one in every 1,000 of

those contacted will likely to have caught the virus. Quite possibly

no-one at all. 5% of those treated for help tie Tulse C are treated

successfully according to health officials.

An emergency tug boat covering the north of Scotland will stay

The contract for the existing emergency towing vessel,

based in Orkney, was due to run out at the end of March causing concern

From Shetland, John Johnston reports.

It's a day Jim Dixon will never forget. The 5th January 1993. This

oil tanker loses power off Shetland. He was winched aboard to get a tow

line attached to save her. The ship heaved up and came down a long way.

She touched the rock. The vessel started to vibrate. A shudder. Then

we quickly realised there was little we could do. The official report saw

the introduction of a network of four publicly funded salvage tugs

around the UK coastline. Today just one remains. It's based in Orkney

covering the waters around the northern isles. It was due to go at

the end of March much now the Government has given it a six month

reprieve. I've instructed the MCA to make immediate arrangements to

extend the provision of a Government-funded emergency toe to

youing vessel. 700 miles north in Shetland Jim Dixon argues ale rage

tug is vital. This area, the worst weather in the United Kingdom. We

need an emergency response vessel. A final division on whether the UK

Government will pay for the to youing vessel will be made in the

autumn. The battle to keep it continues here in the northern

isles. The Scotland rugby captain,

Greig Laidlaw, is pleading with fans It's been two years since

Scotland recorded a victory They head to Rome this weekend

aiming to avoid losing their tenth From Murrayfield,

here's Phil Goodlad. These are strange times at

Murrayfield, the national team in it is worst run in defeats in the Six

Nations for over 60 years. You would think the clock would be well

ticking on head coach and his players. Yet in the stadium on the

face of it, there remains calm amongst the squad. Take the. Cap

town seeing the positives amid the current losing streak. We are right

in these games, we just need to find that little bit extra to win these

games and tip nem our favour. -- them. When do you think they need to

question the coach and players? I don't think we do. We are playing

good rugby. We are performing better than what the results have been so

far. This weekend will be the one. That's a big statement from the

players. There is also a plea tonight to the fans. You know, stick

by us. I know they will. That's Scottish mentality. There will be

by us. I know they will. That's travelling support to Rome. We are

going over there to win that game as much as for them as for ourselves.

Scotland must turn good performances into victories or the clock may

start ticking for those involved. Andy Murray's first match

since becoming a Dad will be in next week's Davis Cup tie in Birmingham,

alongside his big brother Jamie. The Murrays helped Britain win

the competition for the first time in nearly 80 years by beating

Belgium in November. They start the defence

of their trophy against Japan. The Japanese have the former US Open

finalist Kay Nishikori Celtic have been fined 13,000 euros,

just over ?10,000, by the European That's after supporters set off

flares during a game It happened during their Europa

League match against Fenerbatchey. Part of the fine is for the conduct

of the team, receiving five or more Celtic's womens' team have

signed a Danish winger - nothing so unusual about that

you could say, but stick with me - the story gets a lot

more interesting. For a start, her partner

also plays for Celtic. This isn't just a football story.

It's a love story. It was my twin sister's best friend. That's why I

met her. We have always known each other since we were 12 years and

been together since Wes were 14. We are 25 and 24. We know each other

well. Her football has been parallel with mine. They share a life and

passion for football and now a joining. She is joining a few weeks

after Erik. I played for one of the top three teams. That is almost the

same for Celtic. I will do my very best to keep them in the top and do

even better. Her debut will have to wait for an obvious reason. In seven

weeks I will give birth. Yeah. It's very soon. We are excited. Are you

prepared for fatherhood and the sleepinessisation and all that?

Sleepiness night I will take. We made a good agreement I can take the

couch sometimes. We will be ready, for sure. Anna and Erik's baby boy

is expected in April. Expect his first photo shot shortly afterwards.

Indeed. That's your sport for tonight. Thank you.

Yesterday, Iain Brown was rescuing men, women and children

from treacherous seas around Turkey and Greece.

Today, he was back at his home in Ayr.

Over the past three weeks this man has saved the lives of over 250

people. Iain Browne who volunteers with Air Coastguard was so moved by

the pictures of children who drowned at sea that he flew out to Greece

and worked for a charity for free. The rescues were dangerous and

Harrowing. I opened the back hatch of the lifeboat. The first thing

that hit me was the fumes and the carbon monoxide. I looked down it

was a sea of faces, kids, women and just wimpering and crying and

screaming. Iain was filmed rescuing families by the BBC last month. They

were happy. The children got to me the most. I was lifting children up

and I probably bruised everybody that I touched because my grip was

so intense because you don't want to let that child go. You don't want

that child in the water. An estimated two children a day are

drowning in the eastern Mediterranean. It's reminiscent of a

war. There are bodies everywhere. There is a complete disaster.

Despite the horrors, Iain says he'll probably go back.

here's Christopher with the forecast.

Thank you there. Were showers around, as captured by one of our

weather watchers. A snow shower, dramatic scenes. The snow showers

continuing to northern parts of the country this evening. Fairly dry and

Prosty elsewhere. We do have a yellow be aware morning to northern

parts of the mainland, northern isles and western isles because of

the snow showers to low levels and icy patches. For many, dry, clear

and cold. Temperatures as low as minus five or more in the

countryside. Tomorrow morning, rain showers to the south-west. More

cloud here compared to today. For most of central, southern and

south-eastern Scotland a dry sparkling day. Wintry showers

pushing into northern parts of the mainland and northern isles. By mid

afternoon a cloudier prospect across the south-west compared with today.

One or two showers. Further east, dry and bright. Similar too through

the central belt, some cloud here and there. Further north, the

north-west cloud. Bright spells but frequent wintry showers. Quite a

cold feel, two or three Celsius. Winds lighter than today but will

feel raw at times. Into the evening wintry showers to northern parts of

the mainland, icy patches, elsewhere largely dry, clear and cold once

again with a widespread frost. Thursday, very few if any icer bars

on the chart. Dry and bright for many. Sparkling sunshine for central

southern parts. Further north the wintry showers continuing, confined

to the north-west. Dryer to the north-east. The temperatures three

to four Celsius. A cool feel despite the sun. Friday and the weekend, low

pressure near by. Another largely dry settled picture. A few showers

by Saturday to eastern parts of the country. That's the forecast for

country. That's theforecast for forecast for now. Thank you

Christopher. I'll be back with the headlines

at 8.00pm and the late bulletin just Until then, from everyone

on the team - right across the country -

have a very good evening.