It’s that time of year again. Merry GERSmas. The Scottish Government has published its annual report on revenue and expenditure in (and for) Scotland. What was once an almost festive affair in Scottish political circles (something that I likely had some hand in creating after my commentaries on the release went viral in 2015) has faded not quite down to the level of obscurity … [Read more...] about GERS 25: making Scotland pay for Starmer’s wars
Still spinning plates: the 2025 Scottish Budget
Finance Secretary Shona Robison must have breathed a sigh of relief at the UK budget the other month (covered by me here) but if she did, it was the shallowest one she could get away with. The extra money from the UK that has gone into this year’s Scottish Budget has largely been accounted for in terms of public sector pay deals and reserved tax rises applied to those wages … [Read more...] about Still spinning plates: the 2025 Scottish Budget
Strangled by the purse strings
Eyes are on the UK Budget at the moment, and for good reason, but shortly after that we’re going to see what the Scottish Government lays out in its own budget and, given the scope of devolution, that is likely to have much more of an impact on Scottish public services – especially at a local level. This means that recent news from Shona Robison telling Local Authorities that … [Read more...] about Strangled by the purse strings
Scotland needs its own currency
Common Weal Head of Policy and Research Dr Craig Dalzell writes an open letter to Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay in response to his recent endorsement of the Growth Commission report and his motion to the SNP conference.Dear Derek MackayI read your recent article in The National (6th April) with interest. Particularly your endorsement of the motion being put to … [Read more...] about Scotland needs its own currency