Children in care die at twice the rate of others. Why are so few of their deaths reviewed?
A disproportionate number of children and young people growing up in care are dying prematurely, prompting calls for preventative action.
Children in care die at twice the rate of others. Why are so few of their deaths reviewed?
A disproportionate number of children and young people growing up in care are dying prematurely, prompting calls for preventative action.
Thousands of patients’ data exposed in NHS Scotland data breaches
Everyone’s medical history and records should be confidential and secure in the hands of the NHS. But there have been serious privacy breaches resulting in dozens of staff being disciplined and police investigations.
Anti-immigration activists from England due to travel to Glasgow for protest, claims "patriot" group
Tensions are high in Glasgow following a series of protests over alleged sex crimes by migrants. Police and anti-racism groups fear extremists could inflame the situation.
Women of colour marginalised by "male dominated" election coverage
Academics investigated the representation of women of colour in media coverage of the Scottish Parliament election. They said their findings were "incredibly disappointing" given the current hostility towards migrants.
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A spaceport plans to dump tonnes of rocket junk into the sea north of Shetland, posing a risk to tourism and fishing
Tourism and fishing associations in Shetland have voiced alarm and concern about the plans, while campaigners condemn space companies as “litter louts".
Did Scottish ministers “rewrite history” over Israel meeting?
The Scottish Government changed key parts of the official record of Angus Robertson’s controversial Israel meeting after a backlash, raising questions about government secrecy.
Over 30,000 Scots in mental health crisis turned to A&E last year. Two thirds were not admitted
Lives are being lost because people are failing to get mental health support when they most urgently need it, a Ferret investigation has found.
Reform UK activist claimed to know that Northern Ireland migrants would be targeted
Concerns have been raised after a Reform UK campaigner claimed he knew in advance that migrants in Belfast would be targeted following the heinous attack on Stephen Ogilvie. Reform UK said it has “repeatedly and unequivocally condemned violence, intimidation and criminal damage”.
Hundreds of offshore landowners are illegally flouting Scotland's land control register
Offshore companies which own Scottish land are breaking the law by failing to reveal who they really represent. Authorities aren't bothering to check.
Israeli diplomat offered country's 'world-leading technology' to NHS Scotland at Robertson meeting
The revelations come as the Scottish Government finally publishes full details of its meeting with Daniela Grudsky, after an FoI battle by The Ferret.
Children's commissioner calls for end to ‘dangerous’ homeless accommodation for children
Politicians and advocates call for action due to “serious concerns” that children are still being placed in “dangerous environments” when their families are homeless.
The ‘kayak vigilante’ accuses Norwegian salmon firm of trying to privatise Scotland’s public waters
Don Staniford is a prominent campaigner who targets Scotland's farmed salmon industry. But companies like Mowi claim his activism risks the safety of staff and legal action has been taken to stop him entering fish farms.
Investigations
A spaceport plans to dump tonnes of rocket junk into the sea north of Shetland, posing a risk to tourism and fishing
Tourism and fishing associations in Shetland have voiced alarm and concern about the plans, while campaigners condemn space companies as “litter louts".
Reform UK activist claimed to know that Northern Ireland migrants would be targeted
Concerns have been raised after a Reform UK campaigner claimed he knew in advance that migrants in Belfast would be targeted following the heinous attack on Stephen Ogilvie. Reform UK said it has “repeatedly and unequivocally condemned violence, intimidation and criminal damage”.
Israeli diplomat offered country's 'world-leading technology' to NHS Scotland at Robertson meeting
The revelations come as the Scottish Government finally publishes full details of its meeting with Daniela Grudsky, after an FoI battle by The Ferret.
The ‘kayak vigilante’ accuses Norwegian salmon firm of trying to privatise Scotland’s public waters
Don Staniford is a prominent campaigner who targets Scotland's farmed salmon industry. But companies like Mowi claim his activism risks the safety of staff and legal action has been taken to stop him entering fish farms.
Fact Checks
Claim SNP government only increased teacher numbers by 75 is Mostly True
Conservative candidate Meghan Gallacher made the claim in a special education debate hosted by the BBC.
Claim Scottish GP numbers are at record levels is Half True
First Minister John Swinney made the claim in an SNP election leaflet
Claim 'abortion to birth' is now legal in the UK is Mostly False
Changes to abortion law in England and Wales have been misrepresented on social media.
Claim Scottish Labour built six houses in government is False
Online claims questioned Scottish Labour's house building in government between 1999 and 2007.
Long reads
Is this former Viking outpost a model for a fairer Scotland?
The tiny Danish island of Bornholm was the site of one of the world’s first offshore wind turbines back in the 1940s. Now its citizens are fighting to build one of the largest community wind farms ever, and raise the benchmark of what’s possible for locally owned energy.
These women were abused by far right groups who claimed to want to protect them. But they fought back
Women have been leading the fight against the far right in Scotland but anti-racism activism has come at a high personal cost with at least 14 having been publicly abused and threatened. But they are resolute in the face of intimidation and say they will continue defending human rights.
Poland's Jewish revival: In the shadow of Auschwitz
We visited the Polish city of Krakow ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which is held to remember the millions murdered by the Nazis – including six million Jews. Krakow's Jewish population was decimated then but the city is now home to one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world.
Far-right agitators stand accused of stirring up trouble at asylum hotel protests. But anti-racists are standing firm
Following a sharp rise in far right activity, we’ve spent the last three months attending protests, speaking to activists under threat, and tracking anti-asylum seeker demonstrations across Scotland.
De-noiser
Businessmen and wealthy donors are bankrolling Scottish politics. Who are they?
The Ferret did a deep dive into the Electoral Commission’s donation records to find out who was funding Scotland's political parties.
Luxury hotels and dinner dates: Who is lobbying our politicians?
High end dinners are a fraction of over 29,000 lobbying meetings in the last parliamentary term. But campaigners argue that because the lobbying spend is not declared, their significance is underplayed.
Has the Scottish Government changed its stance on oil and gas?
With a decision on the Rosebank oil field imminent – and lobbying around the windfall tax at fever pitch – some are questioning whether the Scottish Government's current stance on oil and gas is in step with their ambition to be a world leader in climate action.
Does Sharia law have an influence in Scotland?
Sharia law is a contentious issue in the UK. Some question whether it is compatible with so-called British values while claiming it's a separate legal system operating parallel to UK laws. In our latest De-noiser, we look at the facts.
“I turn to The Ferret far more than what you might call the mainstream news to find out what's really going on.”
CHRIS PACKHAM, BROADCASTER AND NATURALIST“We need more independent media asking the questions that the powerful don't want to answer. It's vital that The Ferret succeeds.”
PAUL WOOD, WEST HIGHLAND FREE PRESS