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
Politics
Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland
'The long-held belief that Scottish politics is relatively immune to these forces now looks dangerously complacent, especially in the context of Reform UK's strong polling ahead of the Holyrood elections.' Charlie Ellis explores how the populist right exploits local grievances, and warns that some progressive voices risk adopting the same binary logic. The Complacency … [Read more...] about Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland
How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget
Eradicating child poverty? Growing the economy? Tackling climate crisis? Ensuring quality public services? Reviewing the Scottish Budget and Spending Review 2026, John McLaren finds a weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line – after the election. The whole Budget debacle showed a government truly out of ideas and one that has … [Read more...] about How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget
Trump’s tariffs: who pays the cost?
'Rural voters supported Trump for his anti-elite rhetoric, expecting protection for their livelihoods. Instead, the administration’s actions have hollowed out local workforces without viable alternatives.' In a week when all eyes were on Trump (as he intended), Sceptical Scot publishes this view from The Conversation where Inderjeet Parmar outlines how Trump's policies are … [Read more...] about Trump’s tariffs: who pays the cost?
Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France
France is yet again in turmoil after last week's vote by a fractious National Assembly to reject an important part of next year's budget. And the country is now in economic recession. Leading analyst Gerald Olivier reckons there can be no credible plan for a way out, so long as there can be no proper government without an effective majority. And yet, when Emmanuel Macron became … [Read more...] about Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France