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SNP vows to cut back 'brochure blitz' and save £2m

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Published Date: 29 January 2008
By BRIAN FERGUSON
MINISTERS have vowed to cut the cost of official publications in Scotland as it emerged the total bill is now running at £10 million.
The Scottish Government has pledged to make £2 million of savings over two years. Reducing the number of glossy reports, making some publications available only online and cutting down on reprints are among the key measures.

But critics have que
stioned the SNP's commitment to reducing the "brochure blitz" and warned of the dangers to democracy of reducing access to official reports and consultations.

Some 1,300 official publications were produced in 2006-7. John Swinney, the finance minister, who announced new guidelines would be phased in from 1 April, insisted all publications aimed at the general public would still be available in hard copy, subject to a nominal charge of postage and packaging.

Other reports will be available only on the Scottish Government's website, but free to download. Mr Swinney said: "These changes are not simply about cost savings. Reducing the volume of publications will also have a positive environmental impact – precisely the kinds of actions which will contribute to a greener Scotland."

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said: "Not everyone has access to the internet or will be able to afford to have documents sent to them. It's vital important reports and publications are made widely available."

Derek Brownlee, the shadow finance secretary, said: "The real test will be if the new government can cut back on the self-congratulatory brochure blitz so loved by the former Executive."



The full article contains 264 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 January 2008 9:32 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scottish Executive
 
1

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/01/2008 00:59:19
AM well done, I see your beginning to come on board and accept that the SNP can and are governing Scotland in a correct manner, unlike the previous mob of self-serving scumbags, hope for you yet.
2

subrosa,

29/01/2008 01:14:48
Pardon? Eh? I'll look again........ says the same. Must be my glasses, can't be the drink because I haven't had any.

Oh well from little acorns oak trees grow my granny used to say.

#1 I agree with you.
3

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/01/2008 03:27:20
#4 AM - erm, no, I was having a bad day. But your still welcome to move to England
4

williamx,

canada 29/01/2008 05:36:52
Everybody in Scotland can go to the nearest library, log on for free and print the articles if necessary. A very good initial step to reach the 21st century and save taxpayers money.
5

langtonian,

scotus 29/01/2008 06:47:36
#2Alan Reid NZ>
We have endured a 9 month flurry of "fart and no thunder" from the seperatist SNP executive.
Colonial input very seldom helpfull.as in this case.

#6williamx canada
Exception, agree whole heartedly with this poster,
however as with all SNP tactical policies, i'll believe when it comes to fruition.

6

kamiddler,

Glasgow 29/01/2008 06:52:10
This is an excellent idea. Since its inception the Scottish Executive has produced many hundreds of glossy consultation and other documents full of unnecessary pictures and other non-essential material. The line between a good presentation and overkill is crossed more often than not. It reminds me of Billy Connolly's complaint about TV weather programmes - "you don't need to show me a picture of a wee cloud to let me know it's raining"
7

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/01/2008 07:36:14
Sigh!........so tiresome, 7 langtonian, "Colonial input very seldom helpful .as in this case" I'm from Aberdeen, but work in the Oil industry, for a company that’s based in the UK. So I live in NZ, so does that mean I have not the right to express an opinion. Last I looked I still pay some form of tax there.
And as for “We have endured a 9 month flurry of "fart and no thunder" from the separatist SNP executive”
It would be a lot more efficient form of Government if the Scottish executive had control over all of Scotland’s affairs, you know, things like immigration, defense, energy, and of course economy. Something London is desperate to deny Scotland, much like your self.
8

Ken Mac,

Glasgow 29/01/2008 07:44:37
What? I'll read that again.

#1 AM2 'Quite right. Long overdue.'

This will be headlines in the Hootsman tomorrow. 'AM2 agrees with SNP policy'. What no ulterior motive? No disguised attack on Westminster,Union,English?

Good man.
9

Jimmy the Pie,

29/01/2008 07:55:12
Astounding!!!! A sensible post from AM2!!!! Could this be down to Karen's blog????

http://haveyouspottedam2.blogspot.com/
10

donald,

glasgow 29/01/2008 07:56:51
For expensive glossy brochures read Labour's undeclared election expenses. Local Governments are still at it. with rows of photies of numpty cooncillors still popping through the letterboaxes.

"Labour Brings Lampost to Scotland". "Labour Rubbish Tops". "Labour Cooncillors Visit Outer Mongolia to Solve Problem". "Labour Nephew in Charge of Traffic Congestion. Has more bumps in Road", etc, etc.
11

langtonian,

29/01/2008 08:19:46
#9Alan Reid Nz
Well there you go now, one alway, learns something new each day,in this particular case,thank's for identifying yourself,admitt though the indicators YOU supplied in your address seemed to indicate a colonist.
Not to extend tis post too much,it was interestig you mentioned DEFENCE.
Where would the funding come from for A Scottish Army,A Scottish Navy or A Scottish Air Force.

Megabucks wouldn't be enough to create these defence mechanism's, much btter to remain within the United Kingdom on defence,the other matters you quote would be best kept within the UK umberella.

Unless of course you are a pacifist(We all would preffer to be so)In which case please accept my apologies.
And do let me know of any area of the world that does not have to have defence forces in place.

Note Hearts put Aberdeen to the sword last Saturday Ah well thats life, cant win em all.
12

Thistledhu,

Fife 29/01/2008 08:29:35
#9 of subject but your suggestion that scotland is not capable of building its own defence forces is without fact it could be easily built round the scotish components of the british Army,

If the likes of the Irish can build a defence force (with nowhere near the exprience that UK forces have) we all can .
13

westcider,

Isle of Lewis 29/01/2008 08:41:31
Yes, well said AM2, and since you are in such an agreeable mood, would you also now agree with me that the 33% of respondents to the Should Political Parties be Publicly Funded poll, must be labourites seeking a way out of their present financial problems. Surely a party must stand or fall by its popularity and you must agree with the majority that they shouldn't have access to our cash?
14

Thistledhu,

Fife 29/01/2008 09:19:08
#15 There hopeing that the union's can keep bankrolling them often against the unions memberships wishes.
15

Mikey,

29/01/2008 09:42:13
14, quite right. And think folks, per head of population, who do think contributes most soldiers to UN peacekeeping?

That's right, Ireland!

Anyway, Landtonian seems to think we would need a Defence Force that would be Imperialist size! Why would we? Who is going to invade us and who are we going to invade?
16

TimW1234,

Ottawa, Canada 29/01/2008 10:15:50
There is SO much dreary drivel and pale palaver published here in Canada that it is sometimes overwhelming.

The same must be happening in Scotland. It is a growth industry and pontificating politicians just love the sound of their own voices and the sight of their pallid prose.
17

Logie Almond,

29/01/2008 10:29:58
I must be going mad. That's two good decisions by the SNP administration in one day.
18

,

29/01/2008 10:32:35
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
19

BMeister,

29/01/2008 10:53:22
13 langtonian
You appear to have a real no-can-do attitude as far as Scotland is concerned.

'Where would the funding come from for A Scottish Army,A Scottish Navy or A Scottish Air Force.'

From within Scotland or do you believe that Scotland contributes nothing to the UK defence budget. Are you stuck in the mindset that we would need to (and should) try to replicate the UK forces in size and strength. This is not needed for defence (the clue is in the name).

'the other matters you quote would be best kept within the UK umberella.'

Power/energy? How so, do you think that Scotland could not be self-sufficient and more in power and energy generation? You're plain wrong on that one.

The economy? Even AM2 admits that Scotland could stand quite readily on it's own 2 feet.
20

MoiraMac,

Holyrood 29/01/2008 11:19:20
That's brilliant! They have recognised that we are not a country of morons who can't figure things out for themselves.

21

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 29/01/2008 11:21:40
I hope this is carried on to local council level as well.
22

Ayrshire Scot™,

29/01/2008 11:44:28
This is the kind of “new broom” thinking which is winning us votes. Like the vast majority of the country, we’ve had it up to hear with New Labour and their leftie ways! If it’s not red tape, it’s brochures…hundreds and hundreds of them. I just can’t imagine what possesses anyone to vote Labour in the first place: this is the one thing about my fellow Scots that I find contemptible!
23

Farmernot,

up tae ma shuchs again 29/01/2008 11:53:37
Cut out £2 million....well done.......any chance of getting Wendy's £950 spent on a non election campaign ????
24

Geomac 1,

Kinross 29/01/2008 13:31:05
Good start - now let's have a blitz on MSPs and quangos!
25

Davie08,

a basement at Edinburgh Uni 29/01/2008 13:38:37
Great can we now add all those patronising tv ads as well. Scrapping the ad budget for HEBS and putting the money into school sports would do a lot more for the health of the nation than wasting on the 'creatives' of adman, adman bowtie and glasses.
26

Burd Tina,

29/01/2008 13:42:12
It isn't just AM2 who's beginning to agree with us.
'Derek Brownlee, the shadow finance secretary, said: "The real test will be if the new government can cut back on the self-congratulatory brochure blitz so loved by the former Executive."'
It's nice to see a Labour MSP having the gumption to criticise his own party.

27

treacleswamp,

29/01/2008 13:45:23
Good move. There's also much scope for staff savings, as public don't expect such polished documents in a PDF.
Time the private sector learned a lesson, too - instead of providing the contents of my waste recycling bin.
28

Burd Tina,

29/01/2008 13:49:10
#4 AM2

I was just telling myself that it doesn't matter if I make a silly comment (not the above) occasionally because no-one will remember it.
I might have known that you keep records of everything anyone has said since the internet was invented.
Ever considered getting a life?
29

Andrew D,

29/01/2008 14:11:46
"But critics have questioned the SNP's commitment to reducing the "brochure blitz" and warned of the dangers to democracy of reducing access to official reports and consultations."

Fantastic example of how the SNP certainly can't win.

Booed for reducing them and for not reducing them. Fantastic stuff.
30

Number 6,

Germany 29/01/2008 14:18:00
Well done again the SNP . Simple but effective goverment, something alien to Labour.
31

Huntly loon,

Aberdeenshire 29/01/2008 15:04:41
Tina Burd: Derek Browlee is the Tory spokesman not Labour.
As for the Libdem who says that not everyone has access to the internet. I am sure anyone remotely interested in reading the minutiae of a government brochure almost certainly is. If not, they will find access at their local library.
The cost of government printing must be horrendous. Just ask anyone submitting a Tax Return with guidance notes, calculations guide etc. The paper which is saved by reading items online or submitting material online will help reduce the government wastage of paper.
The commonsense of this SNP governement knows no bounds.
32

Keir Hardie,

Inverness 29/01/2008 16:09:41
#26 - new labour? leftie? only on daily mail island, not in the real world!
33

dido-bendigo,

Argyll 29/01/2008 16:32:38
If the producers of these reports and glossies printed text on most of the sheets of paper, instead of leaving vast amounts of unprinted space under headings etc., it would reduce most of the documents by about a third in size. Now that would be a saving in carbon costs / energy.
34

Richardinho,

29/01/2008 17:51:28
2 million isn't enough. They should aim to at least half it.
35

Euan,

Edinburgh 29/01/2008 17:56:42
All fair and well aiming to cut a couple of million pounds of spending on brochures etc, but if the SNP had stayed true to their word we would have had a £HALF BILLION saving on an unwanted and un-needed tram line in Edinburgh.

Sadly the latter saving excercise did not take place..
36

Richardinho,

29/01/2008 18:10:12
#40 The SNP did stay true to their word; they voted against it.
37

HEN BROON 5,

29/01/2008 19:20:56
4 AM2,Glasgow,UK 29/01/2008 01:20:47
"#2 Alan - erm, no! I just happen to agree with this. But thanks (I guess) for your uncharacteristically civil post. I don't suppose you might now want to rethink the “Why don't you just move to england” comment you made to me a while back?"


Personally I do not wish any ill on our English cousins, and I have several relatives there, so could you maybe go to Tierra Del Fuego, preferably away from an internet connection. Missing you already.

ALBA GU BTATH.
38

HEN BROON 5,

29/01/2008 19:32:12
13 langtonian,29/01/2008 08:19:46
#9Alan Reid Nz
Well there you go now, one alway, learns something new each day,in this particular case,thank's for identifying yourself,admitt though the indicators YOU supplied in your address seemed to indicate a colonist.
Not to extend tis post too much,it was interestig you mentioned DEFENCE.
Where would the funding come from for A Scottish Army,A Scottish Navy or A Scottish Air Force.

WHERE IT COMES FROM NOW. ON DECLARATION OF UDI SCOTLAND WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A SHARE OF UK HARDWARE. WE ARE ALSO QUITE HANDY AT BUILDING SHIPS AND DEFENDING OUR SELVES AS MANY HAVE FOUND TO THEIR COST. SCOTTISH SERVICE PERSONELL ARE HELD IN HIGH REGARD INTERNATIONALLY.

Megabucks wouldn't be enough to create these defence mechanism's, much btter to remain within the United Kingdom on defence,the other matters you quote would be best kept within the UK umberella.

THE UK UMBRELLA WOULD SEEM TO BE THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS PARKED WITHING A 40 MILE RADIUS OF GLASGOW. WE DO NOT WANT OR NEED THEM. YES THEY DO COST MEGABUCKS, BIG BOYS TOYS THAT CANNOT BE FIRED WITHOUT THE CODES FROM THE PENTAGON.

THE UK UMBRELLA IS ABOUT TO BE BLOWN OUTSIDE IN. UK PLC IS MIRED IN DEBT AND SLEAZE. WE HAVE NO WISH TO INVADE SOVEREIGN TERRITORIES AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. HOWEVER SHOULD THEY CHOSE TO INVADE US THEN LESSONS WILL BE LEARNED BY THEM.

Unless of course you are a pacifist(We all would preffer to be so)In which case please accept my apologies.
And do let me know of any area of the world that does not have to have defence forces in place.

GOOGLE COSTA RICA AND SEE WHAT YOU GET.

Note Hearts put Aberdeen to the sword last Saturday Ah well thats life, cant win em all.

BEATING MUTTON MOLESTERS IS NOTHING TO CROW ABOUT. YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN THE CO-OP AGAIN.
ALBA GU BRATH
39

Alan Reid,

NZ 31/01/2008 03:57:57
#13 langtonian,
Knew I had this somewhere:
The following is a list of European countries of a similar size to Scotland.

Total Value of GDP at June 2006.

1.Switzerland .........$366 billion
2.Sweden ..............$354 billion
3.Norway ...............$284 billion
4.Denmark .............$254billion
5.Ireland ................$196 billion
6.Finland ................$193 billion
7.Scotland ..............$154 billion



Of course, these countries have differently sized populations, so it's always best to calculate wealth per head

1.Norway..............$61,740
2.Switzerland........$49,460
3.Ireland..............$49,000
4.Denmark...........$47,924
5.Sweden.............$39,333
6.Finland..............$37,115
7.Scotland............$30,495



So how much of their GDP do they spend on fighting illegal wars and nuclear weapons...well, none. Only Scotland does that. But how much of their GDP do they spend on defence as a percentage?

1.Scotland.........5.2%
2.Switzerland......1.0%
3.Finland.............1.2%
4.Sweden............1.6%
5.Norway.............1.7%
6.Ireland.............0.6%
7.Denmark...........1.4%



And how long can they expect to live, to enjoy all that extra disposable income? Life expectancy as follows:

1.Switzerland...82 years
2.Sweden........81 yrs
3.Norway........80yrs
4.Finland.........79 yrs
5.Denmark......78 yrs
6.Ireland.........78 yrs
7.Scotland........75 yrs


Sourced from the IMF, the World Bank, OECD and the CIA handbook. So tell me Dodd, Andy, how well do you think we're doing in comparison to our neighbours?

Dave from Barra: your being a d!ck again, take some more pills.

40

Alan Reid,

Wellington 31/01/2008 04:03:48
#13 langtonian,
"Note Hearts put Aberdeen to the sword last Saturday Ah well thats life, cant win em all"
Can't stand poofball, but i'll be at the Wellington 7's to cheer on Scotland, and stay up on Sunday night/morning to watch Scotland V France. Sorry AM, is cheering on Scotland at a rugby match too nationalist for you.
41

Alan Reid,

Wellington 31/01/2008 04:10:36
Dave from Barra
“You work for the oil industry? Yet you are a eco-warrior/facists/marxists/whatever? Nah mate, you are a hytpocrit.”

Live by thy convictions, or shut thy yap.

For your information I’m an NDT technician and therefore provide a SERVICE to the oil industry, as well as others. Being a concerned about the environment, wildlife etc, has got nothing to do with it, go back to doing what ever you do with your sheep, children, mother etc.

 

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