‘If (national debate about indy Scotland joining the EU) is to be meaningful, there needs to be far more active engagement by both the political class and civil society.’
Policy
Statistical test of independence
‘Without fundamental change in the way we produce data in Scotland, we may find ourselves reheating old data to try to answer new policy questions’: the case for an independent Scottish Statistics Agency (Pt 1)
Institutions, transition and national renewal
‘Decarbonisation should be promoted and adopted as a national mission (for Scotland),’ says the author, but this requires a change of institutional mind-set to deliver the full benefits of a net-zero carbon economy. (Part 2 of 2).
Disruptive ideas on the road to a net-zero carbon economy
In the first of a new series on Scotland’s Economic Future: Disruptive Ideas, Robert Pollock argues for profound institutional change – drawing on (bitter) lessons from the wind industry. Part 2 follows (see below)
Scotland’s wellbeing: rhetoric and reality
Nicola Sturgeon wants to measure Scotland’s economic success by wellbeing/quality of life, not just GDP. But where’s the beef? The Scottish Budget in February will be the test of what lies behind the rhetoric.
A way home for Scotland’s homeless young people
A message of hope for Christmas. Prevention is the new focus in efforts to reduce youth homelessness in Scotland via Housing First
Sex, gender identity and academic freedom
‘For those they employ and teach, universities should have policies which seek to redress inequalities arising from both biological sex and self-declared identity, and ensure that the interests of both women and those with transgender identities are fairly represented and protected.’
Another Johnson untruth on poverty
‘Boris Johnson’s bold claim about child poverty needs some careful consideration – it is a very partial truth that completely misrepresents wider realities.’
Migration is vital for Scotland
Immigration is not the salient issue in GE2019 it was in GE2017 but Scotland’s need for significant net migration is stronger than ever – as Jonathan Portes and Graeme Roy discuss separately here.
Re-branding the Curriculum for Excellence
PISA results attract particular (and perhaps disproportionate) attention because they are now the only substantial source of comparative data available to Scottish policy makers. Walter Humes update explains why ‘refreshing’ CfE is unlikely to deliver change.