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Sceptical Scot

Asking Questions. Seeking Answers.

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The rules of the road in the Highlands

March 22, 2023 by Jackie Kemp Leave a Comment

“Sometimes at night, when the rain is coming down like iron spikes and the road is as dark as a werewolf’s armpit I feel that the brown signs directing you to local services are a sick joke. The signs don’t contain any information as to distance, so you could come off and find it is a 20-minute drive..”

How sustainable are Scottish tax and spend policies?

March 22, 2023 by Mairi Spowage Leave a Comment

“under current Scottish and UK fiscal policies, if public services in Scotland are to continue to be delivered as they are today, Scottish Government spending over the next 50 years will exceed the estimated funding available by an average of 1.7% each year.”

Scotland needs a new politics – and fresh policy options

March 17, 2023 by David Gow 1 Comment

As the SNP leadership campaign crawls to the finish post, time for a Big Debate on the political and socio-economic future in Scotland and the UK

ChatGPT, you’re fired!

March 14, 2023 by Jackie Kemp Leave a Comment

“The quotes were generally ideal, exactly what I was looking for, so I searched a little harder. But after fouterin for literary hours, I realised that it just makes the damn things up.”

Prospects for future fiscal devolution?

February 25, 2023 by Graeme Roy Leave a Comment

Winter-flowering spikes of Witch Hasel, yellow against a blue sky: photo Fay Young

“Are current fiscal powers optimal for managing day-to-day and longer-term risks? And do the devolved administrations have the right tools to manage the financial risks they are likely to face now and in the future?”

Scotland’s currency options under independence

February 25, 2023 by Iain Hardie Leave a Comment

“The transition to full use of a S£ would take time, with high use of the UK£ within Scotland even once the S£ is established, whether at independence or soon after. In my view, it should start on day 1 of independence.”

Isla Bryson: a trauma-blind response in prison

February 6, 2023 by Kath Murray 2 Comments

The Bryson case reveals a long-standing tension in Scottish prisons policy between gender self-identification principles and trauma-informed care. For the best part of a decade this contradiction has played out in plain sight, with minimal scrutiny, to the detriment of female offenders. That it has taken the case of a double rapist to bring it to the fore raises serious questions about political priorities as well as the susceptibility of public authorities to lobbying.

Swinney should use his fiscal powers to the full: Update

December 12, 2022 by Fraser of Allander Institute Leave a Comment

“But there are also flexibilities that the Deputy First Minister has for the next financial year that were not available to him for this year – the Scottish Government does have tax powers that could be used, if he wishes, to raise more revenue.” FAI sets the scene for Thursday’s Scottish Budget

Unhelpful clarifications on #indyref2

November 24, 2022 by Michael Keating 2 Comments

“The way is now open for the UK Government to say that there is no time or way for Scotland to exercise its acknowledged right of self-determination, for no other reason that it has the power to do so. As others have noted, this turns from one of consent to a union of (narrowly interpreted) law.” Michael Keating on Scottish self-determination and UK sovereignty in the light of the Supreme Court ruling.

Scotland deserves better than two bad choices

October 22, 2022 by Eddie Barnes 5 Comments

The latest Building a New Scotland paper on the economy is being roasted – including by informed nationalists. Here a prominent unionist dissects a weak case. “Doubtless the SNP will argue all this is “Project Fear”. It really isn’t. It is the reality that flows from our underlying economic position.”

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Welcome to Sceptical Scot, Scotland’s premier non-tribal forum for passionate, informed debate. Sceptical Scot is for all who care about Scotland’s future, regardless of how they vote: for party, independence or union, EU or Brexit. We aim to provide an arena that is both broader and deeper than current online/print offers with a rich diet of well-researched, polemical, thought-provoking writing. Read more » about About Sceptical Scot

What’s new on Sceptical Scot

  • The rules of the road in the Highlands March 22, 2023
  • How sustainable are Scottish tax and spend policies? March 22, 2023
  • Scotland needs a new politics – and fresh policy options March 17, 2023
  • What does Hunt’s first Budget mean for Scotland? (Update) March 16, 2023
  • ChatGPT, you’re fired! March 14, 2023
  • Impartiality and public service media March 13, 2023
  • SNP leadership election: what about indy in Europe? March 8, 2023
  • Taking the border out of politics March 8, 2023
  • Are Europe’s independence movements dead? March 5, 2023
  • Why Labour should adopt a two-stage approach to Lords reform March 5, 2023

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