Scottish Economy

EXCLUSIVE

How could Annual Ground Rent replace council tax?

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What is Annual Ground Rent and how could it replace council tax?

We want to know which system you would replace council tax with

We want to know which system you would replace council tax with

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Vote in our poll: What should we do with council tax?

If Rachel Reeves was planning to hit businesses with 15% National Insurance, why did she target pensioners?

If Rachel Reeves was planning to hit businesses with 15% National Insurance, why did she target pensioners?

Scots do not have to accept ‘jam tomorrow’ promises from Labour

Common Weal looks into an alternative to council tax

Common Weal looks into an alternative to council tax

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Common Weal: We all know council tax is bad – let's do this instead

What’s the point of local elections if you can’t change anything to do with income for funding services?

What’s the point of local elections if you can’t change anything to do with income for funding services?

Care must be taken in creating a system of fairer local taxation

Hamish Trench gives his verdict on a land value tax

Hamish Trench gives his verdict on a land value tax

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Why a land value tax system offers governments a real alternative

We'll be hosting a live discussion on council tax reform on Wednesday, October 31

We'll be hosting a live discussion on council tax reform on Wednesday, October 31

Watch our live discussion on council tax with Common Weal's Craig Dalzell

Ellie Gomersall, Caitlin Logan and George Kerevan shared their thoughts

Ellie Gomersall, Caitlin Logan and George Kerevan shared their thoughts

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'Poor Scotland': National columnists give verdict on Labour Budget

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions

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Polling expert: Here's how today's Budget could impact Labour's support

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and First Minister John Swinney photographed in Glasgow in August

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and First Minister John Swinney photographed in Glasgow in August

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What was in Rachel Reeves's Budget for Scotland? See the key points

Alcohol duty is paid by manufacturers when they make their products

Alcohol duty is paid by manufacturers when they make their products

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Scotch whisky industry hits out as Chancellor increases alcohol duty

Rachel Reeves delivers the Budget

Rachel Reeves delivers the Budget

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Labour to 'crack down' on benefit fraud with access to claimants' bank accounts

A land value tax is one potential alternative to council tax

A land value tax is one potential alternative to council tax

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Scotland needs to introduce a land value tax – here's why

Plans were projected to raise £260 billion over five years

Plans were projected to raise £260 billion over five years

Why have Wealth Tax Commission proposals not been taken up?

Workers on minimum wage will see an increase in pay

Workers on minimum wage will see an increase in pay

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Minimum wage to increase – but it still falls short of the Living Wage

There is no economic law or rule requiring local authorities to collect tax

There is no economic law or rule requiring local authorities to collect tax

How UK Government policy hurts Scottish council budgets

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Signs showing support for both Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump sit along a rural highway on September 26, 2024 near

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Signs showing support for both Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump sit along a rural highway on September 26, 2024 near

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Jonathon Shafi: America’s reputation is in tatters as the world wakes up

Anders Povlsen is Scotland’s largest landowner

Anders Povlsen is Scotland’s largest landowner

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Scottish Socialist Party: This is our plan for an income-based Scottish Service Tax

Before the election, Labour was forced to admit that the new GB Energy energy company would not in fact be an energy company

Before the election, Labour was forced to admit that the new GB Energy energy company would not in fact be an energy company

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The predictable truth about promises made by Labour? They are deceptive

The opening of a new distillery is celebrated, but minimum prices have risen

The opening of a new distillery is celebrated, but minimum prices have risen

SNP policies relating to whisky feel like political double-think

The real economic decisions will be made on November 5, when America votes in the presidential election

The real economic decisions will be made on November 5, when America votes in the presidential election

George Kerevan: How a Trump win would undermine Rachel Reeves’s Budget game plan

Westminster political ideology would rather see children in poverty than increase taxes on the wealthy

Westminster political ideology would rather see children in poverty than increase taxes on the wealthy

Accelerated attacks on the incomes of workers will not lead to growth

If no-one knows what the dividend is for, how do we make sense of the amount we get?

If no-one knows what the dividend is for, how do we make sense of the amount we get?

Scottish independence

Here’s why the ‘Union Dividend’ is such an appalling misnomer

The charity helps deliver enterprise education across Scottish schools

The charity helps deliver enterprise education across Scottish schools

Scottish charity facing closure with more than 30 jobs at risk

The Scottish Greens have called for a 'mansion tax' in the Scottish Budget

The Scottish Greens have called for a 'mansion tax' in the Scottish Budget

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Scottish Greens call for ‘mansion tax’ in exchange for Budget support

The new envoy will identify new opportunities in Japan’s decarbonisation transition, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and food sectors. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images).

The new envoy will identify new opportunities in Japan’s decarbonisation transition, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and food sectors. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images).

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Scottish Government appoints its first ever trade envoy to Japan

Will the Prime Minister hike the level of National Insurance paid by employers in the Budget?

Will the Prime Minister hike the level of National Insurance paid by employers in the Budget?

Is Keir Starmer planning to slay the golden goose of economic growth?

Simon Forrest, CEO of Nova Innovation is one of the columnists joining the team

Simon Forrest, CEO of Nova Innovation is one of the columnists joining the team

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The National launches energy-focused series led by top Scottish engineers

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mark Logan

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mark Logan

Scottish Government

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Scotland's first chief entrepreneurial officer resigns amid 'right-wing attacks'

Inflation was lower than expected

Inflation was lower than expected

Bank of England

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UK inflation falls below 2 per cent target for first time in three years

Michel Barnier's French government has chosen to follow the UK's failed playbook

Michel Barnier's French government has chosen to follow the UK's failed playbook

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Assa Samake-Roman: Austerity is the last thing France or the UK needs

The Highland Council has passed a motion expecting greater public clarity on renewables projects

The Highland Council has passed a motion expecting greater public clarity on renewables projects

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'Local communities have spoken': Looking at the big picture on Highland energy

Former first minister Alex Salmond passed away at the age of 69

Former first minister Alex Salmond passed away at the age of 69

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Inside Alex Salmond's economic journey – from my own conversation with him

Highview Power hand-out image of what the new power plant facility in Ayrshire will look like

Highview Power hand-out image of what the new power plant facility in Ayrshire will look like

Renewable energy

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John Swinney hails plan to build 'world's largest liquid air energy site' in Scotland

Stock image of a Job Centre window. Scotland's unemployment rate has fallen below the UK-wide figure

Stock image of a Job Centre window. Scotland's unemployment rate has fallen below the UK-wide figure

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Scotland's unemployment rate now below UK-wide figure, new data shows

The refinery is set to close in the second quarter of 2025 with the loss of 400 jobs

The refinery is set to close in the second quarter of 2025 with the loss of 400 jobs

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Importance of Grangemouth oil refinery to Scotland can’t be overstated

First Minister John Swinney during a speech at the Fife Renewables Centre

First Minister John Swinney during a speech at the Fife Renewables Centre

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John Swinney tells investment summit that growth will help tackle child poverty

The Chancellor reportedly wants debt reclassified to allow for increased borrowing

The Chancellor reportedly wants debt reclassified to allow for increased borrowing

Is Rachel Reeves going to U-turn on pledge not to ‘fiddle the books’?

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds met with union representatives over Labour's plan

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds met with union representatives over Labour's plan

What is – and isn't – in Labour's Employment Rights Bill

Rachel Reeves at an event promoting Labour's carbon capture plan

Rachel Reeves at an event promoting Labour's carbon capture plan

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Why Rachel Reeves's carbon capture plan is recklessly irresponsible

Scotland is getting the 'raw end of the deal' in the UK's outdated energy system, Octopus Energy says

Scotland is getting the 'raw end of the deal' in the UK's outdated energy system, Octopus Energy says

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Zonal pricing could give Scotland free electricity, Octopus Energy boss says

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers her speech at the Labour Party Conference

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers her speech at the Labour Party Conference

Exposing the farce of 'fiscal rules' takes us back to France

Rachel Fletcher, director of regulation at Octopus Energy

Rachel Fletcher, director of regulation at Octopus Energy

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Sweden shows energy overhaul could boost Scottish economy, says Octopus Energy boss

Kate Forbes has said the energy bill disparity 'is an absolute shocker'

Kate Forbes has said the energy bill disparity 'is an absolute shocker'

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'Greatest injustice of our day’: Kate Forbes slams high Highlands and Islands bills

A mock-up of a future Scottish five pound note

A mock-up of a future Scottish five pound note

Scottish currency

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Conference on Scotland's currency post-independence generates optimism

Finance minister Jack Chambers has announced personal tax cuts and cost-of-living support

Finance minister Jack Chambers has announced personal tax cuts and cost-of-living support

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Prospering Ireland shows what small independent countries can achieve

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) speaks as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right) and Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband listen during a visit to a manufacturing facility in Chester

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) speaks as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right) and Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband listen during a visit to a manufacturing facility in Chester

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SNP brand Labour 'clueless' as Scottish carbon capture snubbed for third time

Last year's winners are pictured above. The shortlists will be announced in January 2025, and the winners will be announced in March 2025 during the awards ceremony at the voco Grand Central in Glasgow

Last year's winners are pictured above. The shortlists will be announced in January 2025, and the winners will be announced in March 2025 during the awards ceremony at the voco Grand Central in Glasgow

Scottish CFO Awards return to celebrate outstanding finance leaders

To have a shower, run a bath or even heat a kettle takes more energy than in England

To have a shower, run a bath or even heat a kettle takes more energy than in England

Cost of living crisis

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Is Rachel Reeves aware the cost of survival is higher in Scotland?

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves could set out a very different Budget if they so wished

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves could set out a very different Budget if they so wished

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This Modern Monetary Theory film proves finding the cash isn't the problem

Two energy suppliers have started to offer free electric blankets

Two energy suppliers have started to offer free electric blankets

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How to claim an Ovo electric blanket as energy price cap rises

Any Scottish Labour manifesto will need to find intelligent things to say on public sector pay, and social security, and local government finance

Any Scottish Labour manifesto will need to find intelligent things to say on public sector pay, and social security, and local government finance

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Andrew Tickell: Anas Sarwar’s Labour doesn't have fiscal maturity to run Scotland

Labour Party Chair, Ellie Reeves (third right) and sister of Rachel Reeves, joins Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to applaud the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Labour Party Chair, Ellie Reeves (third right) and sister of Rachel Reeves, joins Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to applaud the Chancellor of the Exchequer

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Richard Murphy: A terrible Labour Conference and its implications for Scotland

Kate Forbes said Scotland has the power 'to deliver real advance on climate finance on the global stage'

Kate Forbes said Scotland has the power 'to deliver real advance on climate finance on the global stage'

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Scotland can be 'true global contender' in green finance, says Kate Forbes

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