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Sceptical Scot

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David Bell

About David Bell

David Bell is Professor of Economics at the University of Stirling.

Letter to indy Scotland’s first finance minister

April 11, 2021 by David Bell 2 Comments

“And even though, with Scotland as an independent country, your policy options would be much greater, you have to be constantly aware of the trade-offs involved and the limitations on your power to influence the choices made by workers and by companies. You can at least take comfort from the fact that less prosperous nations with less well-developed institutions than Scotland manage these issues without the roof falling in.”

Scottish food, US-UK trade and GM

March 5, 2019 by David Bell Leave a Comment

‘GM will provide another test of intergovernmental relations within the UK. A key challenge will be how far the UK government is prepared to defend Scotland’s commercial interests through its ban on GM in the US-UK trade negotiations.’

Impact of Brexit “no deal” on Scotland

October 1, 2018 by David Bell Leave a Comment

‘ It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the effects of a chaotic Brexit would be much worse for poorer Scots, who spend more of their income on goods that will attract higher tariffs post-Brexit.’

Indy Scotland can’t bet on low bond yields

August 24, 2016 by David Bell Leave a Comment

“Caution might suggest this would be a risky strategy given that we have no idea how long these ‘abnormal’ conditions will persist. Some supporters of independence will no doubt believe that it is a risk worth taking.” Scotland cannot bet on perennially low cost of borrowing…

Brexit odds: #indyref1 precedent poor

June 7, 2016 by David Bell Leave a Comment

The 2014 independence referendum in Scotland proves a useful guide to how the bookies’ odds on #Brexit have changed – and may go on changing. Remain and Leave may be neck-and-neck in the polls but Boris faces a mountain to climb according to one of our leading economists.

Scotland’s economy in the EU

May 23, 2016 by David Bell 1 Comment

Scottish voters will supposedly deliver a resounding vote for Remain in the June 23 referendum on UK membership of the EU. Yet, a leading economist reveals, the country’s economy is not as positively integrated in Europe as its people.

Delaying the fiscal crunch

March 3, 2016 by David Bell Leave a Comment

The Scottish Government emerged from the tortuous talks with the Treasury on the fiscal framework with a relatively generous settlement. But it is one that kicks the can down the road towards renewed acrimony in five years time, argues this leading economist.

Osbo’s traps for Sturgeon and Swinney

November 29, 2015 by David Bell Leave a Comment

The Chancellor’s humiliating u-turn over tax credits and his shadow’s gaffe over Mao grabbed the headlines but the autumn statement had plenty of stings in the tail for the Scottish Government, report two prominent Stirling Uni economists.

SNP fiscal plans could unite the UK – against Scotland

April 26, 2015 by David Bell Leave a Comment

The publication of the SNP’s 2015 general election manifesto marked a huge change for the party. This manifesto – unlike its predecessors – sets its sights beyond the Scottish border. It seeks to promote “positive change for the benefit of ordinary people, not just in Scotland, but across the UK”. It makes the case for more “progressive politics”, and positions the SNP to the left of the Labour Party.

Smith Commission welfare powers don’t imply more spending

March 21, 2015 by David Bell Leave a Comment

Great play was made of the devolution of aspects of UK welfare provision to the Scottish Parliament as part of the Smith process. However this may not be as simple or as significant as its proponents suggest.

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