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Future Economy Scotland

@futureeconscot.bsky.social
2.7K followers 407 following 659 posts

A non-partisan think tank that aims to create a new economy that is democratic, sustainable and just. www.futureeconomy.scot

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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 9h
How can Scotland close its looming fiscal gap to strengthen public services and deliver on its ambitions? Last week, our Senior Economist @hannawheatley.bsky.social spoke at the Scottish Government’s Tax Conference making the case for tax reform. Read more: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on Scotland’s just transition and the future of green jobs. Watch the clip below👇 And read our report, Delivering a Just Transition for Scotland’s Fossil Fuel Workers, for more: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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Juanpe Castro @jujupepe.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This week I gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament' on the sustainability of Scotland's tax and spending plans. A short snippet below on why the government should not just invest ScotWind revenues strategically through a wealth fund, but also take public equity stakes in future ScotWind rounds.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
More than 75% of planned ScotWind capacity is owned by parent companies outside the UK. Here our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social gives evidence to the Scottish Parliament on how Scotland could capture more of the wealth created off our coast to secure long-term returns for the people of Scotland.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Audit Scotland’s new report echoes many of the shortcomings we identified with the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round. But more can be done to ensure the wealth generated by Scotland's offshore wind is widely shared. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/447-re...
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Prof Matt Hannon @matthannon.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Courtesy of @futureeconscot.bsky.social a great wee map outlining who owns Scotland's offshore wind. www.futureeconomy.scot/scotwind
futureeconomy.scot
Future Economy Scotland
Future Economy Scotland is a non-partisan think tank that aims to create a new economy that is democratic, sustainable and just. We believe that Scotland cannot overcome the intertwined challenge...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Scotland’s offshore wind is one of our greatest national assets. Tomorrow, Audit Scotland will report on how the ScotWind leasing round was run - putting fresh attention on who stands to benefit from the wealth our offshore wind creates.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Scotland’s new Programme for Government offers the clearest picture yet of the Scottish Government’s plans for the next five years. While there was much to welcome, Scotland’s looming fiscal gap was the elephant in the room.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Scotland's oil and gas workforce shrunk by more than a quarter in a decade. But our analysis shows the green energy workforce could grow by around 40,000 jobs by 2030. Here we set out why North Sea decline makes accelerating the green transition more urgent: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/619-fo...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The First Minister has made eradicating child poverty his defining goal, but the Programme for Government did not rise to the scale of the challenge. Read our full response to the Scottish Government's poverty agenda: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/414-re...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The Programme for Government includes some welcome measures on climate change, but elsewhere ambitious rhetoric is not matched by concrete policy. Read our full response to the Scottish Government's climate change agenda: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/383-re...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
While aspects of the Programme for Government are commendable, relying on optimistic efficiencies to close the budget gap poses serious risks. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/382-fe...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Later today, the Scottish Government will publish its Programme for Government. Now is not the time for business as usual. Read our recent report setting out policy priorities for the new Parliament 👇 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
futureeconomy.scot
Scotland's Just Transition: Priorities for the new Parliament
Our assessment of the key policy priorities for the new parliamentary term.
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Juanpe Castro @jujupepe.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Drilling in Rosebank and Jackdaw will not deliver energy security or an economic boost for UK households. Our latest @futureeconscot.bsky.social blog argues the North Sea is in long-term decline and only a rapid transition to green energy can deliver a prosperous, resilient future.
futureeconomy.scot
Four reasons more drilling won't save the North Sea
Sustained economic prosperity and energy security will only come from a green transition.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
NEW: Four reasons more drilling won't save the North Sea Our latest blog looks at why the economic case for further drilling doesn't stack up. And why long-term prosperity instead depends on accelerating the transition to green energy. Read in full: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/619-fo...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Scotland’s short-term funding boost masks a looming fiscal crunch. Public service reform alone won’t close the gap – tax rises are needed to protect services. Read our full response to the latest @scotfisccomm.bsky.social update: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/381-re...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Income per head grew faster in Scotland in 2024 than in the rest of the UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 GDHI per head grew 7.2% to £24,283 – now 93.5% of the UK average, up from a low of 91.3% in 2018. Scotland grew faster than every UK region except Northern Ireland. 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Big claims need strong evidence. After Dan Neidle's analysis made headlines, @lmacfarlane.bsky.social challenged the evidence. Dan responded. Now Laurie revisits the debate and explains why the evidence remains less conclusive than many reports suggest. www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/589-a-...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
In our last instalment, we explored the poverty and inequality priorities for Scotland's new Parliament. This week, we're turning to the labour market and economy. Take a look at our 4 priorities below. 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Funding Scotland's future starts with an honest conversation about tax. Scotland's new Parliament faces the most challenging fiscal outlook since the creation of devolution.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Did Scotland’s 48% income tax really lose revenue rather than raise it? Our Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke to Holyrood Sources podcast about why the claim doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Watch the full discussion (from 20 mins): youtu.be/j03__bAAOGk?...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Last week, there was extensive discussion about whether Scotland's 48% top rate of income tax has reduced public revenue. We've published a detailed analysis examining the evidence. Here's a summary of what we found. 🧵
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
🚨 NEW: @danneidle.bsky.social claims Scotland’s 48% tax rate has lost public revenue. But is this actually true? My new deep-dive says no – Dan’s analysis doesn’t prove anything. It’s a long read, so buckle up 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
NEW: Has Scotland's 48% top tax rate really cost the public purse £22 million? Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social examines the evidence – and finds the claim is built on extremely shaky foundations.
futureeconomy.scot
Has Scotland’s 48% tax rate really reduced public revenue?
The media should take note: a modelled hypothesis is not the same as definitive proof.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
“Much of the reporting on this has been quite misleading.” Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke to BBC ScotCast on claims that Scotland’s 48% tax rate has lost money.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Last week, we explored the climate and nature priorities for Scotland's new Parliament. This week, we're focusing on poverty and inequality. What should be at the top of the agenda?🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Devolving power away from London is at the heart of Andy Burnham's vision for the UK. Scotland has had over 25 years of devolution. So what can England learn from that experience? Read our latest blog:
futureeconomy.scot
What can Scotland teach Andy Burnham about devolution?
Scotland's economy has outperformed its neighbours. But devolution is no silver bullet.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Andy Burnham has taken office with two big ideas: more devolution and making essentials more affordable. Scotland already has experience of both. What can it teach the rest of the UK? Read our latest blog:
futureeconomy.scot
What can Scotland teach Andy Burnham about devolution?
Scotland's economy has outperformed its neighbours. But devolution is no silver bullet.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Without a more compelling vision for economic renewal, Andy Burnham will struggle to succeed where his predecessors have failed, our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social writes in @opendemocracy.net. Read the article in full: www.opendemocracy.net/scotland-has...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Scotland's new Parliament will be decisive for the country's just transition. Our new briefing sets out five priorities on climate and nature to move beyond ambition towards delivery. 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Devolving power away from London is Andy Burnham’s big idea. In our new blog, we look at how devolution has benefited Scotland — and what it could deliver for England ⬇️
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
NEW: Has devolution helped or hindered Scotland's economy? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Critics claim it has failed. I dug into more than two decades of data to test that claim (it's wrong), and identify lessons England. 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
🚨 NEW: Devolution is Andy Burnham’s big idea for Britain — but critics argue Scotland is proof it doesn’t work. Our new blog debunks the myths and identifies key lessons for England. 👇 Link below
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Rising costs, weak wage growth, stretched public services, and visible climate change impacts. In this challenging context, what should the priorities for the new Parliament be? This is the question we have addressed in our latest blog. Read it here: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/520-wh...
futureeconomy.scot
What should be the priorities for the new Parliament?
Scotland must move from long-term ambition to credible implementation.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The transition to net zero represents one of the greatest economic opportunities Scotland has seen in generations. But will Scotland’s new MSPs seize it? Now is the time to close the gap between bold ambition and delivery. Our new briefing sets out how. www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
For Scotland's new Parliament to succeed, it must move from long-term ambition to credible implementation. What should its priorities be? Read our new blog by @hannawheatley.bsky.social: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/520-wh...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
NEW: May’s election reaffirmed Scotland's commitment to delivering a just transition. What must the new Parliament do to deliver this in practice? Our new briefing identifies the key policy priorities for the new parliamentary term 🧵
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
📉 Scotland's latest greenhouse gas statistics are out today. Emissions fell by just 1% in 2024 - one of the smallest annual reductions on record. Scotland is still reducing emissions, but progress has slowed sharply just as the hardest part of the net zero transition begins.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The debate over new oil and gas licences risks missing the bigger picture. Scotland needs to move beyond fossil fuels. The real question is whether governments are doing enough to prepare workers and communities for that transition.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Scotland’s new parliament faces major questions on climate action, economic security and public investment. Future Economy Scotland will continue publishing analysis and commentary on the challenges ahead. Read our latest newsletter & sign up for updates👇 mailchi.mp/736475c7cbe5...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
If we want a fairer and greener Scotland, we must be honest about how we pay for it. As members of #TaxJusticeScotland, we’re urging the First Minister to use the powers he has to tax wealth more fairly. Read the open letter: taxjustice.scot/wp-content/u...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Since the Scottish election, much of the debate has focused on the fiscal challenges facing the next Scottish Parliament — framed as a choice between raising revenue or cutting spending.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Polling was clear: the defining issue of this election was a broken economy. If the new Parliament is serious about economic renewal, it must embrace a far bolder approach to policymaking. 📖 Read our latest blog: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/489-a-...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
NEW: Today, 129 MSPs arrived at Holyrood to take their oaths of office. The new parliament faces a clear choice: more of the same, or a path towards economic renewal? Read @lmacfarlane.bsky.social's new blog on the opportunities that lie ahead:
futureeconomy.scot
A New Parliament for a New Economy
Scotland has a historic opportunity to build a more prosperous future. Now MSPs must seize it.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
The SNP have secured a fifth consecutive election victory — but what does this mean for Scotland’s just transition? In short: The SNP committed to net zero, renewables and support for workers in transition, but questions remain around delivery, funding and long-term investment.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The Scottish election campaign is over. The difficult part starts now. Scotland’s new parliament faces: - Squeezed public finances - Pressure on public services - Mounting climate pressures - Political fragmentation - Persistent poverty and inequality
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Today's Scottish election comes at a pivotal moment for Scotland’s just transition to net zero. We've looked at the manifestos of Scotland’s main political parties to assess how credible & deliverable their plans are in responding to the challenge. Read here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
At this election, Scots face the starkest choice on economic policy since devolution. Parties have set at out widely divergent views on tax and spend — with huge implications for the role of the state.🧵
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New Economy Brief @neweconomybrief.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Also including: - @futureeconscot.bsky.social on how different Scottish party manifestos deliver on the just transition - @globaljusticenow.bsky.social on big pharma blackmailing the NHS - @neweconomics.bsky.social and @positivemoneyuk.bsky.social on a monetary policy commission and more.
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish election, we’ve looked at what party manifestos mean for a just transition - and there's a clear divide. The choices on offer will shape not just whether Scotland transitions, but what kind of economy emerges in the process. 🔽 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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