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Sceptical Scot

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Economics

Year of the Squeeze

January 4, 2022 by Torsten Bell Leave a Comment

Dawn filtering through woodland

“For all the talk of the pandemic (somehow) boosting worker power, it looks more likely to deliver the third real wage squeeze in a decade, and to leave workers substantially worse off than they would have been otherwise. By the end of 2024, average earnings are set to be £740 a year lower than they would have been if even the sluggish wage growth prior to the pandemic had continued.”

Why is inflation at its highest for decades?

December 15, 2021 by Anton Muscatelli 1 Comment

As UK inflation hits a 10-year high of 5.1%, a leading Scottish economist asks why global prices are rising so fast – and what central banks must now do.

Kate’s budget blues

December 7, 2021 by David Eiser Leave a Comment

“A core resource block grant in 2022/23 that is 8% higher than pre-pandemic might sound generous, but to deal with the pandemic’s legacy and underlying public services pressures it is anything but. In this context, Kate Forbes’ third budget may well be her most challenging.”

Socialised power: electricity is a public good

November 3, 2021 by Michael Davies-Venn Leave a Comment

The Scottish Government has dropped plans for a National Energy Company in favour of a watered-down advisory agency but the author says electricity should be treated as a public (common) good. The debate continues.

GERS 2020-2021: time for honest debate

August 18, 2021 by Mairi Spowage 4 Comments

“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. It is not enough to say ‘everything will be fine’ or ‘look at this country, they can run a sensible fiscal balance so why can’t Scotland?’. Concrete proposals and ideas are needed.”

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.”

Tax policy in Holyrood 5

March 27, 2021 by David Eiser 1 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.

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.”

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