Last month, MV Glen Sannox set sail for the first time, closing a notoriously turbulent, drawn-out chapter in the effort to upgrade ferry services between Arran and the Scottish mainland. Almost 7 years late and vastly over budget, this event will have induced a sigh of relief in many quarters, including at CalMac, CMAL and Transport Scotland. Yet, much uncertainty remains, … [Read more...] about What the ferries fiasco means for Arran
scottish economy
How the Scottish Government’s net fiscal position has evolved
2024-25 has been a financial year of tribulations in terms of the Scottish Government’s ability to adhere to its legally binding requirement to balance its resource budget. When we presented our 2023 Budget Report, we highlighted the challenges that were likely to come in the year ahead. As a result of these challenges, the 2024-25 Budget included some increases in tax, as … [Read more...] about How the Scottish Government’s net fiscal position has evolved
Seven steps to save Scotland’s creative economy
Who said: “cutting arts funding is a false economy?” No, it wasn’t Lisa Nandy or Rachel Reeves. And it certainly wasn’t Angus Robertson or Shona Robison. It was George Osborne, who told a friend of mine exactly that at Arts Council England in 2015. The Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer hardly threw money at the arts, but at least he recognised its potential return on investment … [Read more...] about Seven steps to save Scotland’s creative economy
Budgets, ideas and lethargy in the Scottish Government
It has been a grim few days for the Scottish Government. First of all, the Finance Secretary, Shona Robison (pictured), outlined how an extra £1 billion of funds had to be used to fill a fiscal hole for this financial year. Leaving us wondering what on earth she was going to do for next year. Then, in the shadow of this dismal prognosis, the First Minister, John Swinney, … [Read more...] about Budgets, ideas and lethargy in the Scottish Government
Are there thousands of jobs at risk in North East Scotland?
The future of the oil and gas industry in the North Sea is a core issue in the Scottish campaign for the July 4 general election and featured heavily in the June 11 televised debate among five leaders that, typically, generated more heat than light. Here's a dispassionate view from one of our leading economists. Aberdeen and Grampian Chambers of Commerce (AGCC) has recently put … [Read more...] about Are there thousands of jobs at risk in North East Scotland?