Scottish Government
Scotland still losing the heid
‘Losing the heid’ is the title of an STV documentary on foreign takers of Scottish companies made by the author 25 years ago. Here he returns to the topic, finds more and more ‘crown jewels’…
Brexit: bad for Scottish manufacturing
The Scottish Government’s new action plan, A Manufacturing Future for Scotland, is a welcome improvement on earlier papers. But it omits the key role of political leadership and of sustained funding via the financial sector.…
Presumption against prison – a game changer
The Scottish Government under the SNP is clear about its ultimate goal but sometimes confused about what are the best policies – and the powers to use. Women for Independence have proposed taking prison off…
SG borrowing to keep the economy buoyant
John Swinney, finance secretary, is about to borrow money to help finance new construction projects and stimulate growth and jobs just when the economy is turning down. It’s a sign of things to come as…
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…
We need to talk about the health of our nation
Scottish Government spending on health is being cut in real terms. But the key political issue is what kind of health service we want in Scotland and whether – and how – we’re ready to…
Sturgeon’s runner-up on May 5?
Nicola Sturgeon will still be first minister on May 6. Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson are vying for the role of opposition leader in the next Holyrood term but both are really positioning themselves for…
A laird at thirty quid? Hang on Manfred
The Land Reform Bill is making its (contentious) way through Holyrood. One thing it ignores is a nice little trade in offering souvenir plots of Scotland but this comes with no ownership rights. Time for…
Swinney frets – or frits – about SRIT
The row over a 1p rise in income tax or SRIT has for once put the SNP and Scottish Government on the back foot. And that’s before increases in tax allowances kick in. This leaves…
Goodbye Silicon Glen, Hello Berlin Adlershof
Scotland used to fight fiercely for foreign direct investment to set up here and create hundreds or thousands of jobs as well as a domestic supply chain. But those once-golden days are over. Scottish industry…
Taxing times in Scotland: Kezia’s penny
Scottish policy debate has moved into a new and noisier phase as the parties seek to differentiate themselves on tax. This greater fiscal candour is to be welcomed, even if it rips up the established…
Planning for a post-oil Scotland
The oil price shows no sign of recovery any time soon; thousands of jobs are being lost; the big producers have left the North Sea and the smaller ones are following suit. Scotland needs to…