Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out raising the additional (“top”) rate of tax to 50p, using similar arguments to those of George Osborne. But is she right to do so? A leading economist is suitably sceptical…but not that hostile.
Archives for March 2016
Consumers or citizens in fighting depression?
In the second part of his (self-) examination of mental health issues in Scotland Loki urges the citizen to take an existentialist approach: heal thyself by looking within. We are responsible; governments don’t or won’t help.
City of astounding normality
The monumental ordinariness of Aberdeen makes it a city that is faceless or even anonymous. But its buildings should make us pause, look again and think of urban living.
Inequality and mental illness: boxed in
The Scottish Government has given a few extra millions to mental health services but ministers know rising mental health illness is linked to poverty and inequality and do nothing to tackle these. Time for civil society to step up to the plate.
Easter Rising, feminism, nationalism
On the centenary of the Easter Rising in Ireland politicians need to use its political imagery at their peril. Its lessons for nationalism as for fein ism are not unambiguous.
Johan Cruyff and the poetics of space
Thoughts on the career and legacy of Johann Cruyff: one of football’s greatest players and the pioneer of an entirely new way of playing the game.
Brexit would be a rotten fish policy
Taking back control of fisheries policy – and “our” fish – is a key demand of Brexiteers in their quest for restored national sovereignty. But the fish don’t respect national borders and, anyway, the UK is free to distribute its own quotas. The EU is helping to replenish stocks.
University is no universal benefit
Scottish universities, we learn, have a £60m annual funding gap yet ministers talk as if all young people should go free to university. But how is that wider access to higher education to be financed? A huge hike in taxes? Or what?
Enabling communities to plan their own future
Life outcomes increasingly depend on a postcode lottery. So Scotland needs to combine community and spatial planning so as to improve local people’s lives and tackle glaring inequalities.
Osborne sets sail for wrong Budget goal
George Osborne’s eighth Budget is unravelling as each day passes. Here a leading Stirling Uni economist suggests it’s his direction of travel that’s wrong. Time to relax the fiscal rule and invest for the future.