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Sceptical Scot

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Economics

Letter to indy Scotland’s first finance minister

April 11, 2021 by David Bell Leave a Comment

“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.”

Tax policy in Holyrood 5

March 27, 2021 by David Eiser Leave a Comment

The author, fiscal expert at FAI, examines the tax changes designed to achieve greater fairness made in the fifth Scottish Parliament – and the scope for reform and greater powers in the next.

Manifestos for #Holyrood21 and the pandemic’s impact on future Scottish society

March 7, 2021 by John McLaren Leave a Comment

Since its inception, the Scottish Parliament has not been renowned for its reforming zeal. But the pandemic has thrown up a range of challenges that must be addressed if a ‘working’ system is to re-emerge in hospitals, schools and the courts. It is surely right then that the electorate has some idea of the competing views of each of the political parties as to how they intend to respond to the pandemic’s effects.

Sunak’s Budget and Scotland

March 7, 2021 by Fraser of Allander Institute Leave a Comment

“..further Covid-related allocations are designed to support the economy during ongoing restrictions – and these provide the Scottish Government with further resources during 2021/22. In years beyond that, this was a budget that aims to rebuild the economy by leveraging investment, whilst raising more from tax and tightening the screw on public services spending. But there is no role in the future economic vision for welfare policy or public services spending.”

Spending Review 2020 and Scotland

November 28, 2020 by Fraser of Allander Institute Leave a Comment

A dazzling dawn over Loch Rusky, Image by John McSporran Creative Commons

‘The scheme will apparently operate ‘UK wide, using the new financial assistance powers in the UK Internal Market Bill’. Whilst the fine details are awaited, the lack of explicit reference to the devolved governments will antagonise intergovernmental relations in area where tensions are already running high.’

GERS and a new start

August 29, 2020 by Mairi Spowage and Graeme Roy Leave a Comment

“But GERS does provide an accurate picture of where Scotland is in 2020. So, in doing so, today’s numbers set the starting point for a discussion about the choices and challenges that need to be addressed by those advocating independence or new fiscal arrangements.”

We need to talk

August 15, 2020 by Fung Wah Man 4 Comments

After questioning economic orthodoxy in his two previous articles, the author asks whether Scotland can deal with the ‘new normal’ and asks commentators/analysts to join nin the discussion.

Central banks stumble into MMT

June 14, 2020 by Fung Wah Man 2 Comments

‘If QE was a policy response to the idea that banks were too big to fail, the MMT response is based on the idea that an entire country cannot be left to fail. The question is: what happens if MMT doesn’t work to save a country in a crisis?’

Scottish growth patterns over 20 years

May 31, 2020 by John McLaren Leave a Comment

‘Overall, a combination of : the pandemic lockdown; the existing post financial crisis slowdown, in both absolute and relative (to the UK) terms; and another looming North Sea slowdown, means that Scotland’s economic prospects are far from bright.’

Where has all that central bank COVID-19 money gone?

May 17, 2020 by Fung Wah Man 4 Comments

‘Once the public health crisis of COVID-19 is over, it might yet expose the flaws in this capital-led economy just as it has exposed the inadequacies of our public health systems that has suffered from under-investment over a decade of austerity.’

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What’s new on Sceptical Scot

  • Education: no more business as usual April 11, 2021
  • Declutter the Scottish economy April 11, 2021
  • Letter to indy Scotland’s first finance minister April 11, 2021
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  • Tax policy in Holyrood 5 March 27, 2021

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