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
More green energy jobs
Scotland’s renewable energy industry and its supply chain supported more than 47,000 jobs and supported £15.5 billion of output in 2022, new figures show, amid continuing disputes about how many fossil-fuel jobs are at risk under the green new industrial deal. Using the latest data available, Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute reports that offshore wind … [Read more...] about More green energy jobs
Welfare reforms: the (unknown) Scottish dimension
Liz Kendall, work & pensions secretary, has won a lot of criticism but a few plaudits for the long-awaited “green paper” on welfare reform. Here is analysis of the main elements: PIP will not be frozen, but eligibility will be restricted The Secretary of State’s headline announcement was in line with news over the weekend, which suggested that rates will not be frozen. … [Read more...] about Welfare reforms: the (unknown) Scottish dimension
Fiscal sustainability and the Scottish budget
When the draft Scottish Budget was presented to Parliament in December, we raised some concerns about the extent to which lessons about financial planning from previous years had been learnt. In particular, there was the decision not to budget for the likely shortfall in funding for the Employers National Insurance change, and the announcement of a commitment to mitigate the … [Read more...] about Fiscal sustainability and the Scottish budget
What does the Autumn Statement mean for Scotland?
The two main tax measures – lower NICs and making full expensing permanent – are UK-wide, and apply automatically in Scotland. Some other measures announced are England-only, and therefore bring with them additional funding for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula, totalling £233m in this financial year and £281m in the next. The main measures generating … [Read more...] about What does the Autumn Statement mean for Scotland?