09/06/2016 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland: The chancellor says leaving the EU

could cost tens of thousands of Scottish jobs.

His opponents say that's just scaremongering.

The number of 18-year-olds from disadvantaged areas

going to university falls - we ask why.

The family of Commonwealth judo star Stephanie Inglis,

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon arrives to take charge at Hibs.

And, a shopping list for a witch burning - just one of

And, a shopping list for a witch burning - just one of

the gruesome discoveries in Aberdeen's Mither Kirk.

The chancellor George Osborne is warning that leaving the EU

would wipe out tens of thousands of Scottish jobs.

Rivals say his numbers are made up to scare people into voting Remain

Here's our political correspondent, Glenn Campbell.

There's plenty of hard work ahead for the Chancellor as this

referendum campaignenters its final fortnight. Visiting a Borders farm,

George Osborne wants you to feel more than a little nervous about the

impact if the UK votes to leave the EU. Here in Scotland alone, 43,000

jobs could be at risk. People should be scared about the consequences of

leaving the European Union. It will hit incomes. Cost jobs. Damage

pensions, cause house prices to fall. In Glasgow, the official

pensions, cause house prices to campaign accused the Chancellor of

making up scary numbers. These are just fairytale figures. It has no

credibility what ever. People are getting sick of this. Stop giving us

numbers, start explaining how within the EU we can have the reforms we

need. The Chancellor's farmyard forecasts are based on analysis by

the Treasury. The same Treasury that predicted dire consequences if

Scotland voted for independence. It's for that reason that's what

he's saying today is not easily endorsed by the SNP. I'm going to

make the positive case. I was on the receiving end for three years of

Treasury analysis. I'm living proof of the fact you don't have to agree

with every word the UK Treasury says to stay in Europe. There's a bigger,

more positive case for that. This snap stall worth believes the UK

would prosper outside the EU because it would be in the interests of both

to keep trading freely. Two groups sit down with those facts in front

of them. They'll come to a ration ail agreement. Osborne, as far as

his judgment has been concerned, this man can't forecast six months

ahead never mind a couple of years ahead. These men are addressing

Leave events in the Glasgow areas this evening with Gordon Brown and

Neil Kinnock making the Remain case at rival events. Nicola Sturgeon and

Boris Johnson are lining up for tonight's TV debate in London.

Our political correspondent, David Porter is outside the venue

for tonight's TV debate on London's South Bank.

Nicola Sturgeon's support for remaining within the EU is well

known and well documented in Scotland. Tonight, here in London,

she gets the chance in a studio mind me within the next 90 minutes to

articulate that case to a UK-wide audience. A short time ago she

arrived here at the studios. She said she was going to have a

progressive and positive argument for remaining in the European Union.

She said it provides a market much over half a million people for

people in Scotland and the rest of the UK to trade with. She says the

EU has brought environmental benefits and workers rights as well.

There are other people in this debate tonight. It is already being

framed as a contest on one side, the remain side with Nicola Sturgeon and

the Leave side with Boris Johnson. Altogether some point Nicola

Sturgeon knows she will be asked the question. If there is a vote for

Brexit what does that mean for a second Scottish referendum. That's

already been raised today by Sir John Major? Yeah, this whole

campaign's set up some rather strange political alliances. Today,

the former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Tony Blair were in

Northern Ireland. They were pointing out what they see as the dangers of

a Leave vote. They said it could put the Northern Ireland peace process

in jeopardy. John Major John Major raised the question about the union

and the moves as he would see it towards further vote for Scottish

independence. He said that in effect, the unity of the UK was on

the ballot paper in a fortnight's time. Those who want to leave the UK

say his comments are irresponsible and untrue. Thank you very much.

David Porter in London. Lawyers representing families

of some of the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash

will find out in the autumn if they can proceed

with a private prosecution. Six people died and 15 were injured,

when driver Harry Clarke lost control of the lorry,

after blacking out at No criminal prosecution

was brought against him. Today the Court of Session

in Edinburgh said a decision on whether a private prosecution

could go ahead would be made The Scottish government says helping

more people from deprived areas But new figures show a drop

in the number of 18-year-olds from Scotland's poorest

communities who're going. The government says

this is concerning. Their opponents say

the government is to blame. Here's our education correspondent

Jamie McIvor. Helping more youngsters overcome

disadvantage and reach university has been the aim of many politicians

for decades. But for the current Scottish Government, it's a top

priority. So the latest figures are both a disappointment to the SNP and

an opportunity for their opponents. There's clear evidence from UCAS

today that because of these statistics there are fewer students

from poorer backgrounds applying to university. Fewer are being accepted

at university. If they get into university, they are more likely to

drop out. The number of 18-year-olds from disadvantaged areas who got to

university fell last year. Down 90 on 2014. Over the previous few years

is rose consistently. The number applying last year also dropped.

We've seen an improvement in the number of 18-year-olds applying to

university sins 2010 but obviously the fact there's been a decline in

the last year is a matter of concern. I think part of an overall

approach we have to take to improve and strengthen aDanement within our

education system. The figure for 18-year-olds only tell part of the

story. Last year. New undergraduates from all ages from disadvantaged

areas went up. The role colleges play may explain this. Many

universities have been working hard to widen they're peel. Events like

this one reaching out to young children in poorer areas who might

be the students of the future. When you see a really strong trend of

improvement in people from the most challenged backgrounds going to

university. If you see a blip you want to look at that. One set of

figures in isolation isn't evidence things are going the wrong way but

this is certainly a reminder of the very big challenge.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC.

Still to come on tonight's programme:

We hear what our farmers think about the European Union.

In sport: We'll hear what hopes and plans the new Hibs manager

And can one of Scotland's brightest rugby stars make a full recovery

We'll hear from his team's head coach.

The family of a Scots Commonwealth Games medallist,

who's been in a coma for a month, say she's making huge progress.

Stephanie Inglis was given a 1% chance of survival,

after suffering head injuries in a motorbike

accident in Vietnam, but, as Andrew Black reports,

COMMENTATOR: Representing Scotland, Stephanie Inglis. Winning silver at

the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was a proud moment for Stephanie Inglis, a

27-year-old judo player from Inverness travelled to Vietnam to

teach English. It was there she was injured in a motorbike accident

almost a month ago. Doctors gave Stephanie a slim chance of survival.

Now in hospital in Bangkok with her parents at her bedside, she's been

showing signs of recovery. It's been really positive the last couple of

days. We are praying and hoping it remains constant with positive news

coming through. We're trying not to get over-excited. My mum was

speaking to her. Trying to get some response from her. She's spoken to

my dad telling him to hold her hand. She lifted her hand ever so slightly

up and down as if to reach for my dad's hand. Really positive news.

But things didn't always look this hopeful. With her travel insurance

deemed invalid and hospital bills mounting up, a childhood friend

launched and appeal for donations which has know excited its original

fund-raising target. When we got the campaign up and running, the whole

Jude owe community Garde together and people she went to school with.

They all spread the word. If it wasn't for them, Stephanie wouldn't

get the care she's now receiving. It is thanks to everyone she's met

throughout her life that she's got a chance of life again. Stephanie's

family hope to have her home as soon as they can. They say she's a

fighter in every sense of the word. A reward of ?10,000 is being offered

for information on the murder of man in Kirkcaldy. Darren Adie was found

unconscious in the street nearly two weeks ago. He died later in

hospital. The TSB is to close eight branches. It is investing millions

of pounds upgrading its remaining branches and on digital services.

Areas affected include Edinburgh and Glasgow. The bank said there would

be no compulsory redundancies. 16 new firefighters graduated to serve

in stations in Aberdeen. Earlier this year, BBC Scotland revealed a

shortage of firefighters was affecting emergency cover in the

city. A recruitment campaign will be launched over the summer. They'll be

trained up here in the north and will serve in stations in the north.

They'll all serve in stations within the city of Aberdeen. What do you

think that will do for the service in Aberdeen? It is fantastic for the

service in Aberdeen. Organisers of the Eden music festival which opens

tonight near Moffat condemned its policing as heavy-handed. The bill

for the event has gone from ?10,000 to over ?37,000. BBC Scotland police

say it is in line with a new standardised charging policies. The

first bridge to be built in Aberdeen has opened to traffic. The diamond

bridge has overed over the river Don. It is #40e7ed the link will

ease traffic congestion in the north of the city.

Firefighters are tackling a fire at a hotel in Aberdeen.

They were called to the Britannia in Bucksburn at around 4.45.

Police say they're not aware of any casualties.

Back to the referendum now - and tonight we're looking

at the role of the European Union in our RURAL communities.

The EU makes the rules that govern the working lives of farmers

and keeps many in business by paying hundreds of millions of pounds every

Our reporter Steven Godden has been finding out.

Farming, an industry that shapes Scotland's landscape but takes its

cue from Europe. At this organic farm, they approve. An EU grant

allowed them to expand. EU regulation safeguards standards for

their produce and there's more. We have employed people over the last

ten years from Europe every year. There's many farming businesses rely

on people coming from Europe to help them when they're harvesting. We're

intimately tied into that network. If we lose that network or have to

pay more to be part of it, we've shot ourselves in the foot for no

apparent gain. As for EU subsidies, here they say they could manage

without their small annual payment. But it's a different story for these

visitors. Young farmers whose family dairy business closed. Their choice,

diversify or quit. They keep us afloat. That's why we are so reliant

on them. Without the EU subsidies, we'd find it very, very hard. It is

the uncertainty that's scary about it. When it comes to the referendum,

those who want to remain part of the EU argue however imper echt the

Commom Agricultural Policy offers farmers financial stability and

certainty. Others disagree. This Fife farmer wants to leave. A

chance, he says, to escape a Brocken system that only widens inequality.

It is East ary to calculate most of the subsidy money received pie

farmers in Scotland can be seen in increased land prices. So, it's

those of us who own land who have gained most of the subsidy money not

those doing the work on the farms. These will be going to Thailand.

From his base, Matthew Steel's trading horizons extend well beyond

the EU. But its influence on the way his family farm their land

day-to-day isn't always welcome. A farm in Romanian will be totally

different from a farm in the UK. You can't manage them under one

umbrella. If we were out of the EU we'd have more say over what we do

and target our resources where it's needed. For an industry so closely

linked to Europe, the referendum's needed. For an industry so closely

impact could be both practical and profoundment

Neil Lennon says he'll be out to change the "soft

The new manager has been speaking to the media after signing a two

year deal to succeed Alan Stubbs at Easter Road.

And why has he come back to Scottish football?

Well, he's been speaking to our Senior Football Reporter Chris

A familiar face in familiar colours, but it is all change for the former

Celtic boss. I think it is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland. I

think it is probably punching below its weight the last couple of

seasons and I think the potential here is huge to, you know, get it

going again. This is a short-term thing for me. I would like to be

here for a while if I could. There is no guarantees of that, obviously,

but I like what they had to say and I want to, you notion drive this

club forward now and I think it is a good fit for me as well.

But will a man used to spending good fit for me as well.

millions get the cash he wants to make that happen?

We need to add players. I think we're realistic about that. We have

been given assurances that we will be able to do that. There will be

priority areas and we want to do be able to do that. There will be

that as quickly as we can. Retaining a Scottish Cup retaining squad is on

the wish-list. Although there is a no nonsense message from the new

manager already. They have to prove themselves. I think they can. I

think they have got the ability and the talent and the potential. The

temperament is a different thing that we need to work on. I always

feel there has been a soft mentality with Hibs over the last 10 or 15

years and I think we need to change that. It is a sight two years ago

would have seemed unthinkable, but two years after leaving Celtic Neil

Lennon is back in Scottish football, get Hibs back up and back mixing

with the big boys. I get the feeling you're excited? Yeah, I am. I'm a

44-year-old big kid! One of Scotland's most talented

rugby players is expected to make a full recovery

from a serious head injury. Finn Russell suffered it playing

for Glasgow Warriors in the pro 12 This was the moment concern for the

coach he'll back training soon. This was the moment concern for the

welfare of Finn Russell set in. Oh, I have got a bad feel about this

one. A clash of heads with a team-mate in the match with

Connaught. It was a nasty head clash. He has taken things step by

step, but he is in great spirits. We expect he will make a full recovery

and we will see him back playing sometime next season. There had been

concerns whether Russell would be able to return to competitive rugby

such was the severity of the injury, but the signs are positive. We've

got doctors that have been involved in the sport for a number of years,

that haven't seen such a clash of heads, but it is a testament to the

work of our staff, the staff at Connaught who really helped us out

and the medical staff in Ireland who looked after Finn. He made a full

recovery. The injury forced Russell to miss Scotland's tour of Japan

this summer, but it is hoped it won't be long before he is back

this summer, but it is hoped it playing for club and country.

Good news for the return of Finn Russell, and he's set

to return to a major upgrade of Scotstoun stadium

The pitch will be replaced with an all-weather synthetic surface.

It will be laid in time for the start of Glasgow

The athletics facilities will also be upgraded.

British Rowing have strongly hinted that Katherine Grainger will get

The Gold medallist from London 2012 wasn't named in the team

But Performance Director David Tanner says it's his "confident

intention" that she'll compete in the women's double in Rio.

Four Scots were named today including Olympic Champion Heather

Stanning, who is favourite to for gold again.

No one is going to give it to us. Our competitors aren't going, "In

evidence got gold and we are racing for silver and bronze." We have got

to go out and prove those pundits right. We can't ever rest on our

laurels because as soon as you take the foot off the gas someone will

overtake you. It is nice to hear those things, but we have got to

make sure we go and do the job. My job here is done!

New light is being shed on Aberdeen's history of witchcraft.

The excavation of the Kirk of St Nicholas in the city centre

has discovered that the church served as a prison for witches,

as they waited to be burned at the stake.

The excavation has been ten years work. Many secrets of Aberdeen's

past uncovered including the city's dalliance with witchcraft. To burn

the fire. There would be tar barrels, rope, a stake. Ingredients

for the fire to burn the women and men convicted of witchcraft in

Aberdeen. The grisly details painstakingly recorded and preserved

in archives. They are accused of leading a dance around the market

cross which is an action that was supposedly instigated by the devil.

These accused were found guilty and condemned to death with dozens of

others during the witch hysteria during the 1500s. He is accused of

hewing someone's herd of cattle and of leading dances in the

countryside. He is acaused of kissing the devil's backside and

having an affair with the Queen of the elves. The witches were chained

up here in the Kirk of St Nicholas. The witches' prison, the burns are

just one layer in the rich history. But other fascinating tales are

being unearthed as more layers are laid bare in this ancient church.

There were a whole arc of burials from babies around here. Over 900

complete skeletons have been found. A treasure trove of history. It is

the physical remains, it is the human remains, it is things like the

the physical remains, it is the stained glass, the story of the

stained glass and the carved wood that the witches ring, all sorts of

things which are there and we see want to share them. The past will

meet the present when work is finally completed to transfer the

Mother kirk into a heritage centre and they will see the light of day.

Now here's Shelley with details of Scotland 2016.

Tonight the First Minister goes head-to-head with Boris Johnson over

Europe. We will bring you reaction and analysis. Tackling the

attainment gap in Scotland's schools. Are some more able pupils

being left behind? Join me over on BBC Two at 10.30pm.

Let's see how much longer our luck is in with the weather.

Yes, some rain on the way. Welcome news for gardeners and growers. It

was dry today though for most. You can see on the combined satellite

and radar picture a few showers pushing across the Cairngorms. Those

drifting eastwards, but if you had the sunshine, it was pleasant and

warm in the west and blue skies from one of our Weather Watchers. Tonight

dry, still a few showers around. one of our Weather Watchers. Tonight

There will be some clear skies across western areas. Fairly cloudy

for central and Eastern Scotland. And once again, reasonably mild

overnight. Temperatures holding in double digits. Muggy in the west.

More like low teens here. Tomorrow, and change afoot. We've got a

weather front trying to edge in from the Atlantic. That will bring more

in the way of cloud and some outbreaks of rain. But to start

tomorrow, it is a dry start. Some early brightness across western

areas, perhaps some mist and low cloud around the West Coast once

again. And then a few showers cloud around the West Coast once

developing followed by patchy outbreaks of rain for the Hebrides

and by mid-afternoon almost anywhere across the country, the risk of some

wet weather. Cloudy too. In the west, cooler than today, but high

teen temperatures. For central and Eastern Scotland, more like

mid-teens at best. Now, imagine a line from sort of stone Haven to

Stornoway. This is where the driest weather will be. The sunniest

weather destined for Shetland. The weather will be. The sunniest

showery outbreaks of rain continue. One or two could be fairly sharp.

And so to the weekend. For both Saturday and Sunday, a fairly

unsettled conditions. Compared with what we have seen so far this week.

That means, outbreaks of rain. A band of it there across central and

northern parts of the country. Further south, one or two showers,

one or two heavy. Brightening up in the south-west. Again, the best of

the sunshine destined for Shetland, but the lowest temperatures here.

Elsewhere, around mid to high teens. A humid feel in the west at times.

Sunday, cloudy with further showery outbreaks of rain and temperatures

for most by mid-afternoon close to outbreaks of rain and temperatures

average for the time of year. That's the forecast for now.

Now, a reminder of tonight's main news:

The Chancellor George Osborne is warning that leaving the EU

would wipe out tens of thousands of Scottish jobs.

Rivals say his numbers are made up to scare people into voting Remain

Northern Ireland's police watchdog has found there was collusion

between some officers and loyalist paramilitaries

who killed six Catholics more than 20 years ago.

The men were killed at a pub in County Down in 1994.

I'll be back with the headlines at 8pm and the late bulletin just

Until then, from everyone on the team - right

across the country - have a very good evening.