Delivering better health and care integration is a challenge in all parts of the U.K. and internationally. We should try and learn from experiences elsewhere, and I was in Cardiff today contributing…Read more…
Defending devolution in the Brexit Bill
The Tories and SNP may well be playing with the EU Withdrawal Bill for political reasons, but there are important reasons why those who support devolution should be concerned.
The EU Withdrawal Bill…Read more…
The case for a Scottish energy company needs greater ambition
The creation of a Scottish public sector energy company is very welcome initiative, but the suggested model lacks ambition and is unlikely to tackle the failed energy market.
On 10 October last…Read more…
Automation and the case for government intervention
The robots are coming to take your job – or maybe not quite yet.
As the recent ScotGov/ STUC paper puts it, there are two schools of thought. Those who believe we stand on the cusp of widespread…Read more…
Better pensions coverage won’t be sustained unless we sort out the pensions system
IThe big increase in private pension coverage is very welcome, but we need to improve the adequacy of pensions and the quality of provision as well.
The impact of auto-enrolment on pension coverage…Read more…
World Water Day
World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. This year’s theme, ‘Nature for Water’, explores nature-based solutions (NBS) to the water challenges…Read more…
The case for a credible Just Transition Commission
Any plan to tackle climate change has to have Just Transition and an industrial strategy at its core.
Those of us who take a close interest in climate change tend to leap into the detailed aspects of…Read more…
Why ownership matters
Ownership gets too little attention in industrial policy and in public service reform. Richard Leonard, in his first Leader’s speech at the Scottish Labour Party conference, put some clear red water…Read more…
Labour and exiting the EU
I often start a conference presentation by saying I am not going to talk about Brexit, but usually do. The subject is unavoidable as it impacts on so many aspects of public policy. As we approach the…Read more…
Living Wage – public sector leadership
The living wage movement is an international one. There are differences in context and approach, but the underlying principles are the same.
I have spent the last two days in Ontario, Canada, as a…Read more…
Labour Party National (UK) Policy Forum
The National (UK) Policy Forum gathered this weekend in Leeds. Representing the Scottish Labour Party is always a challenge at these events because devolution means that we only have a direct…Read more…
Time to look again at policing in Scotland
The latest instalment in the sorry story that is Police Scotland has played out with the resignation of the latest chief constable. Now is the time to step back and take a longer term view of…Read more…
Council funding – a step forward, but not out of the woods
The Scottish Budget dance has taken another swirl as the Bill passes its first stage. Let’s have a look at what the changes mean for local government and pay.
First a quick recap. The draft budget…Read more…
There is no ‘fair deal’ for councils
Barely a day goes by without another report on the impact of cuts on local services, as councils start the difficult process of managing yet another round of cuts.
Today, I was speaking at Scottish…Read more…
Protecting our pensions and saving the planet
Pensions are meant to safeguard our future, but that future is threatened by the burning of carbon in fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. It’s also a poor investment, which is why there is a growing…Read more…
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
A brisk walk along the beach to clear my head from the excesses of last night, leads to reflections on 2017 and thoughts for the year ahead.
The UK general election was obviously…Read more…
Councils are not getting a ‘good deal’
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay says he has delivered a “good deal” for Scottish councils in the local government budget settlement. Well that’s a relief! Or it would be if it was…Read more…
Budget hangover
To use a seasonal analogy, some of us may be feeling the after effects of the office party. Well, the Scottish budget could have a similar effect on public finances later next year.
I have outlined…Read more…
Eliminating fuel poverty requires more than a process
As the statutory target to eliminate fuel poverty in Scotland has come and gone, will a new strategy do any better?
The Scottish Government has published a consultation paper on a new fuel poverty…Read more…
UK Budget fall out
I set out our immediate reaction to the UK Budget in Briefing 91 on Wednesday. In the light of day, the numbers are if anything slightly worse, although a real terms revenue cut of £199m, remains the…Read more…