“There are big problems facing the new Scottish Government and some of them will come to a head very quickly.” Farm payments, education, the economy, jobs, tax – our economics guru examines them all.
fiscal framework
Holyrood 2016: clearing the campaign fog
The first of our series of podcasts explores issues at the forefront and behind the scenes of the 2016 election to the Scottish Parliament – and looks forward to the next five years of the Scottish Government with Nicola Sturgeon as first minister.
Try some ‘lab federalism’ on top SRIT rate
Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out raising the additional (“top”) rate of tax to 50p, using similar arguments to those of George Osborne. But is she right to do so? A leading economist is suitably sceptical…but not that hostile.
Delaying the fiscal crunch
The Scottish Government emerged from the tortuous talks with the Treasury on the fiscal framework with a relatively generous settlement. But it is one that kicks the can down the road towards renewed acrimony in five years time, argues this leading economist.
Win, win for Scotland?
At the eleventh hour, the Treasury and Scottish Government reached a deal. Jim Gallagher gives credit where it’s due – to both sides – but now the SNP Government have to tell voters how they will use their extensive new powers.
Why no deal on fiscal detriment?
As talks on the fiscal framework remain deadlocked, is John Swinney holding out for the best deal he can get or looking to rzeje3ct anything on offer for domestic political gain? A St Andrew’s House kremlinologist investigates.
Scotland through the fiscal looking glass
The Scottish Government has dismissed pressure from Labour to offset cuts in spending on local services with a 1p on the Scottish Rate of Income Tax. It rejects pressure from the Treasury to agree a fiscal framework it say will cost Scots billions. No detriment, it says: but at another’s expense?
Could private discussions kill the Scotland Act?
The Secretary of State for Scotland wrote to me this week telling me about progress on the Scotland Bill. I don’t know David Mundell and I imagine I am just one of hundreds, if not thousands of people to receive his emailed letter, but I appreciated his concern to keep me informed.