With the cost of both energy and debt repayments rising, what can the UK government do? Take a targeted approach to support those in most need, writes João Sousa, Fraser of Allander deputy director. War broke out in Iran and the broader Middle East just days before the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) presented its latest forecasts. At the time, we noted that … [Read more...] about Certain uncertainties of Iran War, inflation and public finances
Public pay settlements: a crisis waiting for the next Scottish government
The Scottish government has long practised the exercise of kicking problematic cans down the road. Perhaps wider world crises will keep eyes off Scotland's immediate pay problems but in yet another hard hitting assessment, Fraser of Allander's deputy director Dr João Sousa predicts "...whoever is in power after May will have to seriously grapple with implausible settlements in … [Read more...] about Public pay settlements: a crisis waiting for the next Scottish government
Business anticipates uneasy start to 2026
Higher costs, lower employment, reluctance to invest – Sanjam Suri and Josh Hampson find a persistently gloomy outlook among Scottish business in the latest survey by Fraser of Allander. But does AI produce a glimmer of light on the horizon? Business confidence in Scotland remains weak, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute’s Scottish Business Monitor with firms … [Read more...] about Business anticipates uneasy start to 2026
In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest
It’s hard to see how the Scottish Government can claim – as it does in its Budget document – to be running a “sustainable pay policy.” It’s also hard to square these pay deals with the allocation of just 0.7% growth in real terms for the Health portfolio... Fraser of Allander budget report, authors João Sousa, Ciara Crummey, Spencer Thompson The devil was very much … [Read more...] about In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest
Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget
The apparently tireless Fraser of Allander team are still digesting chewy bits of the Budget. Here they offer their latest titbits of learning. That electric vehicle mileage charge. Is it fair? Will the rail fare freeze: bring passengers short-term savings without improving services? (Scottish Government abolition of peak fares could be a better deal?) What will higher … [Read more...] about Fraser of Allander takes another bite at the Budget