06/09/2016 Reporting Scotland

The First Minister unveils her programme for government -

focussed on the economy and education

but Opposition parties say Nicola Sturgeon's plans fall short

A man goes on trial charged with the murder

of Surjit Singh Chhokar in Wishaw, 18 years ago.

One year down the track - the Borders' railway

of a family were swept into the sea in the Western Isles.

Their relatives say they're still looking for answers.

Andy Murray hits his fastest-ever serve, as he powers

into the quarter-finals at the US Open.

The First Minister has set out a new plan to boost Scotland's

economy through help for companies looking to invest.

It's part of the Scottish Government's programme

There's also a big emphasis on education and support

But Opposition critics said the package fell short

This from our political editor Brian Taylor.

New times, new ideas, touring this new high school Ned Britain, Nicola

Sturegon pryer advertises education and the economy. She intends to

channel cash directly to schools, handing more power to headteachers

and to parents. To boost jobs, a ?500 million scheme

to guarantee loose to companies seeking to grow. It's a new

departure and would need Treasury sanction, alongside Holyrood

agreement. In short, we are determined to build an economy where

everyone has a fair chance to contribute to growth and where

everyone can share in the benefits of that growth. Already capital

investment in on projects like the new Forth cross something protecting

jobs. Miss Sturegon promised more investment in transport. And more in

the economy allowing cuts to air passenger duty, a national institute

to fogser manufacturing and action to boost oil platform

decommissioning in the North Sea. The Scottish Government want match a

planned Treasury cut in higher rate income tax. The Tories said that

could disadvantage Scotland Pushing income tax rates above levels in the

rest of the UK isn't going to help Scottish growth. It'll hinder it.

Labour welcomed measures such as gender balance on public boards, but

accused ministers of being too timid. Over the past decade, this

Parliament has become more and more powerful, but the Government's

programme has become less and less ambitious. There is a bill to tackle

domestic abuse, including, spe civicically, for the first time,

psychological abuse. Victims of childhood abuse will be given longer

to lodge complaints. Today's programme also includes plan for a

new Social Security system in Scotland, scrapping the so-called

bedroom tax and there's more on the family. Extra help with childcare,

an Tynement fund to help disadvantaged pupils at school and a

child poverty bill w support for struggling families.

A qualified welcome for those, but Patrick Harvey of the Greens hates

the planned cut in air passenger duty. The lion agencies share of

that benefit will go to the wealthiest frequent fliers. Nicola

Sturegon insisted today's programme was about the nuts and bolts, the

day job, not independence. Willie Rennie of the Liberal

Democrats, wasn't convinced. The First Minister should ditch the

charade and ditch her new plans for independence. That would be the best

thing for Scotland. Still, with the constitution, MSPs endorsed the

appointment of Mike Russell as the minister to handle Brexit for

Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon concentrating

on the nuts and bolts of government but the possibility of a second

independence referendum not ignored. It's still on the agenda. It is

Scotland, Holyrood. Welcome to Scottish politics. It is always

there in the background, frequently in the foreground, as indeed now a

days is Brexit. Nicola Sturegon saying today it is very much about

the day job, perhaps the suggestion, acknowledgement that some of the

opposition attacks over the issue of the day job allegedly being

neglected are beginning to get through to voters, although Miss

Sturegon has been dismissing that throughout. There are 14 bills in

the new programme for Government, announced in the Scottish Parliament

behind me here today but there is a 15th. And it is in draft form. And

that's the bill potentially, potentially, for independence

referendum in the event that the Brexit talks do not go the way that

Scotland wishes, at least as interpreted by Nicola Sturegon. I

stress, it is still there, but for now on the back burner. Thank you

very much indeed. O Well, as we've been hearing the O

government says education is at the core of what it's doing,

but is it on a collision Our education correspondent

Jamie McIvor is with us now. Sally, in a sense schools are a

National Service which councils are entrusted to provide. Both the

Scottish Government and councils are important stakeholders but when it

comes to raising Tynement in schools there's only so much the Scottish

Government can do. It's councils and individual schools this put a lot

into practice. The problem comes when councils and the Scottish

Government don't see things quite the same way, whereas councils feel

that the role risks being undermined in anyway. The plan for ?100 million

to go straight to headteachers could cause a real row. The money's coming

from an increase in the council tax next year for the people who live in

the most expensive homes. We don't have details, yet, but some councils

are worried that this money may effectively go into a national pot,

which is then given out to the schools, with some areas winning and

some areas losing. We'll get more details, soon, but if that's the way

the scheme works, you can expect a real row between Holyrood and some

councils. And more details emerge being standardised assessments in

school. Where do things stand on that? It is a controversial plan in

some quarters to. Remind you, children will go through these

assessments, three times in primary school and again in secondary

school. They are being piloted this year and they'll be rolled out

across the country next year. Now, today we learnt that the first

school by school information on the number of children who are meeting

the required level in curriculum for excellence will be published in

December. The Government says it'll give clearer information about the

Tynement gap between how well children from relatively rich and

poor communities do and it'll allow the Government to set clearer

targets for closing that gap, which, of course is a top priority for

them. But some teachers, especially in secondary schools, remain to be

conadviced about the wisdom of this particular scheme.

Well there's more on Scotland 2016 tonight.

In unveiling the programme for Government, Nicola Sturegon again

said education is the defining issue for ministers. So after nine years

in power, how will the SNP close the attainment gap? I'll ask the

Education Secretary, John Swinney and speak to the Conservative

leader, Ruth Davis son, on BBC Two at 10.30pm.

A man has gone on trial accused of murdering an Asian man

in North Lanarkshire almost 18 years ago.

Ronnie Coulter denies killing Surjit Singh Chhokar in November

1998 in Wishaw and trying to conceal the alleged crime.

Andrew Black reports form the High Court in Glasgow.

Arriving at the High Court in Glasgow, the centre and mother of

Arriving at the High Court in Surjit Singh Chhokar with the

family's lawyer. It's almost 18 years since he was killed. Mr

Chhokar who was 32 and worked as a waiter, was killed in November 1998.

Donald Finlay, QC is defending the man charged with his mother,

48-year-old Ronnie Coulter. Alex Prentice, QC, today opened the

prosecution's case. It is alleged that on 4th November, 1998

inOvertown Wishaw, Mr Coulter attacked Mr Chhokar by pumping him

with a booeden baton and striking him with a knife and further accused

of attempting to conceal the crimes. The only witness a today was a

Sergeant who was part inform the team investigating the killing. He

set the scene for members of the jury by going through pictures and

video of the scene of the killing and also the area of Wishaw where Mr

Chhokar had a house. Mr Coulter is also accused of breaking into Mr

Chhokar's house in 1998 and stealing a cooker and forging a signature on

a gyro cheque. He denies all the charges against him. The trial is

expected to last around five weeks. The new Borders Railway

is one-year-old today. The route runs from Edinburgh

Waverley to Tweedbank near Melrose - a line that had

been shut for 46 years and cost more than ?350

million to reopen. Our reporter, Cameron Buttle,

joins us now from the end of Cameron, how's the service

been running today? Well, it's a rather embarrassing

first anniversary. There has been a signalling problem to the north of

here which has cut the line, causing delays and disruption up and down

the line all afternoon and into the evening. Reliability has been an

issue throughout the first year of operation. But this line is proving

incredibly popular. Up to the beginning of this summer, 700,000

passengers, that's 50,000 more than they were expecting for the entire

year and some believe we are already past the 1 million mark.

Perhaps it's no surprise that a route this stunning has surpassed

expectations but the scenery can't hide some teething problems.

Generally very good. It's had some problems recently over the past few

weeks but hopefully getting those sorted out snoocht a few times. It's

been good. How are you finding the service? When trains are on time, it

is good. Since it has come, I have been using it instead of the bus. It

is much more comfortable but you pay for it. But, I still prefer it, yes.

It is great. It has got better, to be honest, over time. Campaigners

who back the line have been monitoring its progress and say

there is a clear need for improvement. The downside is the

service has been quite unreliable. Problems with cancellations and late

running because of inadequate infrastructure. Too much single

track, not enough double track. That has been a worry T doesn't affect

visitors but for regular communitiers that's a earn can, if

it is too unreliable they will go back to using the car or the puss.

ScotRail who operate the service admit there have been problems but

have promised to sort them. A railway like the Boarders is

fantastic, it connects the community and does so much. We will

continually improve it to make sure and does so much. We will

whatever the issues are, that have come up, are fixed. One of the main

reasons for reopening the Boarders Railway line was to bring an

economic impact to the area and in places like Mel rose visitors are

reporting an increase in the number of business sores but questions are

being asked about how far that economic impact has spread. . In the

years ahead we'll see the economic impact flush throughout the Boarders

but in the first year already there are significant signs the economic

benefit is coming to fruition. One year on, there is now an expectation

that the service will improve and the benefits will spread. But, as

one passenger put it - at least we now have a railway it complain

about. Tonight there are still calls to extend the like down through

hoick and into Carlisle but even the most optimistic of people think

that's at least a decade awakes if it happens at all. Thank you very

much. You're watching BBC

Reporting Scotland. The First Minister unveils her

programme for Government focussed Andy Murray's great form continues

as he makes it into the quarter-finals

of the US Open. It's more than 11 years since five

members of a family from South Uist died in one of the worst storms

to hit the Western Isles Archie MacPherson, his wife Murdina

and their children, Andrew and Hannah, as well as Murdina's

father, Calum Campbell, died when their cars

were swept into the sea. There's never been a fatal accident

inquiry into what happened, but relatives believe the tragedy

may have been caused by the way -- by the construction of a nearby

Causeway. From South Uist,

Ian Hamilton reports. This has been a desperate search, a

community struggling to find their lost children. Youngsters used

anything they could to find their youngsters, garden rakes, old

walking sticks. Father MacDonald recalls a tragedy that hit his

parish community in South Uist in 2005, that claimed five lives. I

believe around about 7.00, which was high tide, the waves were crashing

over the top of the MacPherson 's house. And that was what prompted

the family to leave. On that night, the family came along this road

which was flooded. Now, these rocks weren't here then. They were put

here two years after the accident. This was just an open piece of road

built along the sandbank. The cars were swept away here but it's

believed that the source of the problem was further up the road. The

causeway is two miles further down the road there, with the growing

waves, sea levels, the wind was pushing against the tide. The

causeway was acting as a dam, the water had to go somewhere, so it

burst overland. Locals believe that the accident could have been

avoided. A family member told us that the original plan for the

causeway linking the mainland and island had gaps but the final

construction only had one. We would like to see a fittal accident

inquiry. We did a freedom of information request to the local

authority for all documents relating to the construction of the causeway.

We got a nice box of papers. As soon as we started going through it, it

was evident there was a lot of as we started going through it, it

papers missing. Is there a degree of suspicion? Yes, I can say, that yes.

Based on what? Well, if you ask for something and they don't provide

Based on what? Well, if you ask for it gives the impression they are

Based on what? Well, if you ask for trying to hide something. Maybe you

think they are liable or somebody is liable for making that decision to

cut from three three to one. We just don't know. We want to find out, but

we are facing a brick wall. We invited The council to respond to

the concerns and suspicions regarding the freedom of information

request. A council spokesperson told us that all the information

requested was disclosed. 11 years on, residents here still live in

fear of storms N July, ?25,000 was made available for a feasibility

study to improve the causeway and the Crown Office told us that a

fatal accident inquiry was still under consideration.

The Unite and RMT unions will ballot offshore workers next week

on a fresh offer aimed at resolving a dispute which has seen strikes

The Aberdeen based oil services firm, Wood Group, says a mutually

agreeable proposal has been drawn up following talks.

The unions took part in a number of stoppages on Shell-operated

platforms over the summer, in a row over proposed changes

Police say more than 20 people have called them with information

after the murder of Caroline Glachan was featured in last night's

The 14-year-old was found murdered near the River Leven

Some of the calls related to the identity of the hooded man

A look at other stories from across the country.

The Coastguard Agency has ruled out the possibility of a second

emergency tug being re-introduced in the Western Isles

following the grounding of an oil rig on Lewis last month.

It comes as a 1,500 signature petition calling

for its reinstatement was presented at Number Ten Downing Street.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency says an independent review

has concluded that a single tug has been sufficient.

A portrait of the late MSP, Margo MacDonald, has been gifted

Her husband, Jim Sillars, presented the painting as a tribute to her

He described her as "an extraordinary person who held

firmly to her principles, and was a brilliant communicator."

She had a wonderful mind encompassed an incredible intellect.

From that intellect flowed ideas that have inspired more than a

generation. I still get people coming up top me telling me that

they remember a speech or a statement that she made that made

the lightbulb come on in their heads.

A stretch of tarmac laid over a historic cobbled street

in the medieval heart of Aberdeen is to be removed.

Aberdeen City Council said the resurfacing

on Windmill Brae was necessary because some of the

Concerns had been raised on safety grounds by local businesses.

One of the best-known arcaeological sites in Orkney is set

Maeshowe, part of an Unesco World Heritage Site,

will shut from the end of this month because of health

The neolithic burial cairn sits across a busy main road

Historic Environment Scotland says the site will not reopen

until a solution's found to address the road safety problems.

One of the earliest coins ever minted in Scotland

The penny bears the head of King David I.

It's thought to have been struck some time after the Scots

invaded England in 1136, to intervene in a civil war over

Experts think it could fetch up to ?1,200,

when it goes up for auction later this month.

He is in the running for the American presidency,

but closer to home he is the man who changed a community

forever by building a controversial golf course.

Now, the story of Donald Trump and Menie is being brought to life

Before Donald Trump had his eye on the US presidency, he had his eye on

the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. Locals did not want their precious

sand dunes turned into a golf course. After years of disputes, the

first ball was struck on the new course. Now, the story of the Menie

Estate is being brought to life in an unlikely place. In St Andrews,

the home of golf, Alicia's Brook work is on display as part of a

festival shechl was attracted to the story of Menie as she felt the views

of local people were not being heard? I visited Michael Forbes, who

is behind me. I find an angry, peasant pig village idiot that

Donald Trump called him. He is a lovely guy, surrounded by friends

and family. Her work attracted some unwanted attention. I was threatened

by Donald Trump's security. It was unwanted attention. I was threatened

frightening. I was there to visit Susan as a friend. I had my camera

with me. I wanted to take a picture of where the clubhouse was going to

be. I was on her land. A security guard started threatening me saying

he was going to splash my camera. He was really angry.

She added the golf course attracted tens of thousands of visitors and

boosted tourism and employment in the area. Alicia is preparing for a

talk she will give at the festival about her experiences at the Menie

Estate. One topic likely to come up is the American elections race.

Donald Trump wants to become the President, what do you think about

that? I think it's terrify. The story is far from over. Trump

International wants to develop the golf course there but is bitterly

opposed to a planned wind farm nearby. At the moment, the only

battle Donald Trump is thinking about is that to control the White

House. Graham Frazier, Reporting Scotland, St Andrews.

Andy Murray has delivered the fastest serve of

his playing career - at 141 miles per hour it's twice

He dominated the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in New York,

beating him 6-1, 6-2 6-2 to reach a sixth US Open quarter final.

It was an almost flawless performance. At times Dimitrov was

unable to cope as the Scott strolled performance. At times Dimitrov was

to a straight-sets victory. Taking nine of ten games at the outset,

Murray overwhelmed and then the serve to Wyn win the set, so fast

the broadcasters missed it. If you missed it, too, what does 141mph

look like? It's five times faster than the top speed of Usain Bolt. Do

you mean the speed of the cheet yashgs the world's fastest animal.

In F1 Murray power doesn't compare too badly at almost 60% of the speed

of a Formula One car. Back to the match. The second set continued with

Murray delivered a resounding message that he's looking for his

second US Open title. COMMENTATOR: Oh, my word. The Scott

has reachedlet quarter-finals in 22 of 23 grand slams. Murray said he

wanted to keep his foot on the gas throughout and in the third set he

maintained concentration. I stayed on top of him. I didn't have any dip

in my level. I stuck to my tactics that were working well. That was it.

I just know from my side I didn't give him an opportunity once I was

ahead to land back in the match. 6-2 for the win and a place in the final

eight. His next opponent will be Northern Ireland Assembly Northern

Ireland Assembly -- Northern Nishkiori from Japan.

Now, after a very muggy, warm day, let's get the latest on the forecast

It will stay warm. Here are the top temperatures we saw today. We saw 26

degrees in Aberdeen. You can see the contrast over Scotland with the

earlier satellite picture. Lovely sunshine. In the south where we saw

more cloud, 23, 24 Celsius. Drizzle confined to western areas. Once

again, an incredibly mild and muggy night with overnight lows of 14-16

Celsius. We will lose the strong winds from the northern isles.

Tomorrow will start off cloudy, it will be a slow burner. Trust me, it

will brighten up. It will be a lovely day. For south-west Scotland

slower to brighten up, but they will see sunshine. For the inner

Hebrides, 21 Celsius. The West Coast will see more cloud to the Western

Isles, patchy rain spreading in later. The rain may clip into

Orkney. It will start dry and brightness for the northern isles.

Lovely sunshine for the north-east. 23, 24 Celsius. Edinburgh area,

brighter, brighter day for the Borders. All in all a lovely

summer's day. Mother Nature has been very kind to us. We will see a

change, cloud thickening to the west with outbreaks of rain feeding in as

we head through tomorrow night. Here is the pressure chart. We do have

quite a deeper area of low pressure to the west of us. It sails up to

the west. It throws out a weather front introducing rain on Thursday

and more rain on Friday from another low. It will turn windy. Thursday

starts off with a band of rain crossing the country. It does lose

its oomph. It will reach gale tors to the north-west. Temperatures

fresher than of late, still respectable. More rain crossing the

country on Friday. That's your weather forecast. Thank you very

much. . Now, a reminder of

tonight's main news. The First Minister has set out

a new plan to boost Scotland's economy through help for companies

looking to invest. It's part of the Scottish

Government's programme But Opposition critics said

the package fell short The Labour MP, Keith Vaz, has

resigned as head of the influential It follows newspaper allegations

that he paid for the services Mr Vaz is a prominent member

of the House of Commons and also Britain's longest serving

British Asian MP. 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.