Scottish Economy

Inflation has risen, primarily due to an increase in household energy bills

2

Inflation jumps to 2.3 per cent in sharpest increase for two years

When all governments come to power, they search for a quick fix

When all governments come to power, they search for a quick fix

2

Is considering government 'waste' just a giant waste of our time?

First Minister John Swinney's SNP have moved away from the Wellbeing Economic Approach

First Minister John Swinney's SNP have moved away from the Wellbeing Economic Approach

Believe in Scotland

1

Two key factors are radically changing the political environment

File of UK-EU border at Dover - EMBARGOED TO 0001 MONDAY MAY 20 Lorries queue for the frontier control area at the Port of Dover in Kent. The Government has no clear timetable to fully implement its post-Brexit border controls with the EU, the National

File of UK-EU border at Dover - EMBARGOED TO 0001 MONDAY MAY 20 Lorries queue for the frontier control area at the Port of Dover in Kent. The Government has no clear timetable to fully implement its post-Brexit border controls with the EU, the National

8

Tommy Sheppard: The best hope for Scotland's economic future is the EU

The post office on the isle of Tiree, off the west coast of Scotland

The post office on the isle of Tiree, off the west coast of Scotland

Highlands & Islands

4

Rhoda Meek: Delivery inequity is an unaddressed issue for Scotland's islands

Independent Age estimates around 70,000 households in Scotland are entitled to pension credit but do not claim it

Independent Age estimates around 70,000 households in Scotland are entitled to pension credit but do not claim it

4

Brian Cox urges pensioners to apply for pension credit to secure Winter Fuel Payment

Eating out in Venice can be an expensive business

Eating out in Venice can be an expensive business

If you’re savvy, Venice can be affordable without sacrificing adventure

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

Alex Cole-Hamilton

13

SNP need to ‘move mountains’ for Lib Dems to back Scottish Budget

Michael Marra (left) has suggested higher taxes in Scotland are 'not working'

Michael Marra (left) has suggested higher taxes in Scotland are 'not working'

12

Michael Marra 'ridiculous' for criticising Scottish higher taxes, say SNP

Andrew Bailey delivered a speech in London where he said Brexit had 'weighed' on the UK economy

Andrew Bailey delivered a speech in London where he said Brexit had 'weighed' on the UK economy

Bands in profile

6

Bank of England chief says UK must 'rebuild relations' with EU

Scotland's unemployment rate is lower than the UK as a whole

Scotland's unemployment rate is lower than the UK as a whole

3

Scotland’s unemployment rate falls as UK sees increase

Start measuring the economy in a way that actually means something to voters: it’s the wellbeing economy, stupid, writes Ellie Gomersall

Start measuring the economy in a way that actually means something to voters: it’s the wellbeing economy, stupid, writes Ellie Gomersall

4

Ellie Gomersall: Anything less than a wellbeing economy would betray working people

Is Kate Forbes's stance on economic transformation cause for concern?

Is Kate Forbes's stance on economic transformation cause for concern?

3

If the SNP turn against universalism, they will lose the argument

The motion was supported by 85 votes to 25

The motion was supported by 85 votes to 25

2

MSPs back motion recognising the 'harm caused by Brexit to Scotland's rural economy'

Humza Yousaf, then the first minister, froze council tax in a surprise announcement at the SNP conference last year

Humza Yousaf, then the first minister, froze council tax in a surprise announcement at the SNP conference last year

3

Shona Robison warned against imposing another council tax freeze in Scottish Budget

The royal family are the most expensive hypocrites and gaslighters in the UK

The royal family are the most expensive hypocrites and gaslighters in the UK

A lack of morals in modern politics is affecting our economy

Rachel Reeves with new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday

Rachel Reeves with new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday

1

Ash Regan: Businesses will be the ones making ‘tough choices’

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

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

21

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

How could Annual Ground Rent replace council tax?

How could Annual Ground Rent replace council tax?

3

What is Annual Ground Rent and how could it replace 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

4

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

8

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

10

'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

3

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

17

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

1

Scotch whisky industry hits out as Chancellor increases alcohol duty

Rachel Reeves delivers the Budget

Rachel Reeves delivers the Budget

6

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

3

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

4

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

4

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

9

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

2

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

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

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

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

20

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).

2

Scottish Government appoints its first ever trade envoy to Japan

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

5

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

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?

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mark Logan

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mark Logan

Scottish Government

10

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

Inflation was lower than expected

Inflation was lower than expected

Bank of England

2

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

4

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

3

'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

1

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

3

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

1

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

2

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

4

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