Our evidence is based on the proposals made by the UK Government to change the manner in which the devolved administration is funded as set out in the Command Paper ‘Strengthening Scotland’s Future’. In our evidence we do not comment on the merits of the UK Government’s proposals for financing devolved spending in comparison to …
Category Archives: Campaign Publications
Fiscal responsibility is the mark of a self-confident nation
Should we be fearful or fearless about transferring more financial power from Westminster to Holyrood? Do we as a nation have the self-confidence to take more responsibility, not only for our finances but for shaping the kind of country we want to live in? The political classes have already drawn battle lines in the great …
Why the fiscal crisis boosts the case for more tax powers
Our arguments are driven by straightforward economic logic – not ideology.
The Real Cost of the Calman Proposals
No one can expect to escape the effect of the huge cuts in UK Government spending set in train by last week’s emergency Budget. But in Scotland, if the Calman proposals for financing Scotland’s budget are adopted, the impact is bound to be even more severe. The cuts will certainly result in a significant reduction …
Why greater fiscal responsibility will strenghten the Union
The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) figures released yesterday show that Scotland’s public finances compared well with the UK position, confirming that the Scottish economic cycle is not in sync with the UK. These figures support my view that giving the Scottish Parliament much greater fiscal responsibility is both realistic and desirable. As …
Giving Scotland financial responsibility would mean we could take decisions and move forward
Professor James Mitchell argues that Scotland faces a choice between a return to the politics of grievance or a more responsible form of self-government…