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Laurie Macfarlane

@lmacfarlane.bsky.social
4.2K followers 1.9K following 436 posts

Co-director @FutureEconScot.bsky.social Fellow UCL IIPP and the Democracy Collaborative. Co-author ‘Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing’

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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Andy Haldane and Will Hutton argue that we can have public control over water without public ownership. The key is to create new privately owned “public-benefit companies”. But there are some issues with this argument.🧵
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham talks about ‘public control’ of the utilities but it’s a minefield. We can lead him through it | Will Hutton and Andy Haldane
Nationalisation is not the ultimate answer for companies like Thames Water – but they could be run for the public benefit, say journalist and economist Will Hutton and former chief economist of the Ba...
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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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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 · 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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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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I’m honoured to have been appointed to Scotland’s third Just Transition Commission. Scotland stands at a critical juncture in its transition to a net zero economy, and over the next five years ambition must be matched by delivery. 🧵
gov.scot
Third Just Transition Commission established
Fairness at the heart of how Scotland adapts to a changing climate.
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Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A really helpful overview of the North Sea's future which gets to grips with the real nuts and bolts of the situation. Don't believe the hype. It's corporate owners motivated by profits who are closing down oilfields, not environmental legislation.
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The North Sea is in long-term decline - and climate policy isn’t the reason. New licenses won’t reverse that trend. Like it or not, Scotland must plan for life beyond fossil fuels. Great read from @jujupepe.bsky.social👇
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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Last week we heard that Scotland’s 48% income tax lost £22m of public revenue. I spoke to the Holyrood Sources podcast about why the figure doesn’t stand up to scrutiny 👇
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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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oxfamscotland.bsky.social @oxfamscotland.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Worth reading the full analysis from our #TaxJusticeScotland colleagues: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/587-ha... Important to also reflect on other ways S Gov can fairly raise more money and what higher taxes are ultimately for. If we want a fairer Scotland, we need to be willing to pay for it.
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I recently published a critique of @danneidle.bsky.social's claim that Scotland’s 48% tax reduced revenue. Dan has now updated his analysis in response, arguing it doesn't invalidate his findings. I don’t think he resolves the central problem – here’s why. 🧵
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
ICYMI: Last week @danneidle.bsky.social made headlines by claiming that Scotland’s 48% top rate had reduced revenue. My long critique argues his analysis proves nothing of the sort 👇
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James Aithie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jamesaithie.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Really interesting discussion between @mmgeissler.bsky.social and @lmacfarlane.bsky.social 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🎙 3 days left to watch/listen BBC Scotland - Scotcast, Tax Rates Debate share.google/ibTSYas0PEDO...
share.google
BBC Scotland - Scotcast, Tax Rates Debate
Martin asks if Scotland’s tax system is costing or raising us money.
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Ally Tibbitt @allytibbitt.me · 01/08/2026
@lmacfarlane.bsky.social takes a close look at @danneidle.bsky.social claims on Scottish Government tax policy and the subsequent media reporting on it. www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/587-ha...
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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Jo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Important stuff here from @lmacfarlane.bsky.social. I had a busy week (school holidays); I spotted the “higher tax rate loses money for Scotland” headline, thought it sounded dubious at best, and mentally made a note to come back and check it. Fortunately Laurie has done it for me.
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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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Enjoyed speaking to BBC ScotCast about @danneidle.bsky.social’s bombshell claim that Scotland’s 48% tax has lost public revenue. It’s certainly possible, but we don’t know for sure. More on this soon…
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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 · 11/07/2026
Devolution is Andy Burnham’s big idea. According to some, Scotland shows it’s not the cure for England’s problems. Here I look at how devolution has benefited Scotland — and what it could deliver for England ⬇️
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Naomi Fowler @naomifowler.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
"The uncomfortable truth is that Britain has been without a convincing growth model since the financial crash of 2008 exposed the limits of a finance-led economy." 100% from @lmacfarlane.bsky.social Our coming film The Finance Curse is all about how economies ended up this way but we can change it
opendemocracy.net
Scotland has already tried ‘Manchesterism’. It won’t solve Britain’s economic crisis alone
Andy Burnham’s economic vision has much in common with Scotland’s. Its experience shows why that may not be enough.
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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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Britain does’t need to imagine what Manchesterism might look like. Much of it already exists in Scotland. The lesson? Burnham’s big idea isn’t enough to fix a sclerotic economy. Me for @opendemocracy.net:
opendemocracy.net
Scotland has already tried ‘Manchesterism’. It won’t solve Britain’s economic crisis alone
Andy Burnham’s economic vision has much in common with Scotland’s. Its experience shows why that may not be enough.
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The closest thing Britain already has to ‘Manchesterism’ isn’t in the North West — it’s in Scotland. And it shows that Burnham’s big idea isn’t enough to cure Britain’s economic malaise. Me for @opendemocracy.net:
opendemocracy.net
Scotland has already tried ‘Manchesterism’. It won’t solve Britain’s economic crisis alone
Andy Burnham’s economic vision has much in common with Scotland’s. Its experience shows why that may not be enough.
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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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
NEW: What can the new parliament do to revitalise Scotland’s economy while delivering net zero? Our new briefing on key policy priorities for the new parliamentary term 👇
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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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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Communities across Scotland could receive £165m each year from onshore wind energy, if host communities have the right to a share in their local windfarm. Scotland’s wind sector could become a powerful source of local income, but only if communities have their stake. cles.org.uk/blown-away-f...
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
A broken economy was the defining issue of this election — and for good reason. If the new Parliament is serious about fixing it, it needs a far bolder approach to economic policy. My latest for @futureeconscot.bsky.social:
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 · 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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
“As this new parliament begins, Scotland stands at a crossroads. One path leads to more of the same. The other points towards economic renewal.” My new @futureeconscot.bsky.social blog on the the need for fresh thinking in this parliament:
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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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Three of the UK’s nations have elected pro-independence parties. The fourth is drifting towards English nationalism under Reform. These islands are constitutionally broken. Yet the UK government still acts like it’s 1997.
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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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UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose @iipp-ucl.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🏦 "There is an urgent need for channelling long-term finance towards major social, environmental, and economic challenges." IIPP Professor @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @lmacfarlane.bsky.social analyse the mission-oriented role of the BNDES & KfW banks. 🔗 Learn more here: buff.ly/uQ8pjDY
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Malcolm Offord says he’s a very wealthy man. So what would Reform’s tax cuts mean for him? Even on an MSP salary alone, he’d sit in the top income decile — and benefit significantly.
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
How do party manifestos stack up against a just transition? Our new report breaks down the policies behind the promises 👇
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
NEW: How do party election manifestos measure up on delivering a just transition? Today we’re publishing @futureeconscot.bsky.social's deep dive into each party’s policy platform. 🧵 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
📣 NEW: What do Scotland’s 2026 election manifestos mean for the just transition? Today we release an independent, evidence-based assessment of how manifestos match the scale of the challenge.🧵
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
The UK Government is reportedly considering a rent freeze ❄️ Scotland already did this back in 2022, to mixed success. Some lessons to reflect on 🧵
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves considering rent freeze to limit Iran war fallout
Exclusive: Sources say chancellor is examining exceptional measures to protect household budgets
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
This is not the time to be watering down the windfall tax.
bbc.co.uk
BP profits more than double as Iran war sends oil prices higher
The energy giant said it had seen an
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
A new study claims charging VAT on Scottish private schools will leave the state worse off by £180m a year. That’s a big claim. But it rests on some VERY shaky assumptions 🧵
thetimes.com
Report highlights cost to economy of VAT on private school fees
Research for the Scottish Council of Independent Schools claimed taxpayers would lose out from the decision to impose tax on private education
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
🚨 The Daily Record has highlighted our latest findings on why the cost of living remains one of the biggest issues facing voters in Scotland 🧵 www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Scotland's food costs soar as sugar and beef prices rise twice as fast as wages
EXCLUSIVE: Some everyday food items have risen in price nearly four times as fast as wages since the last Holyrood election in 2021.
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
The cost of living is a top issue for voters, and rightly so. Over the past 5 years, the price of essentials has risen more than 2x faster than wages. Olive oil? Nearly 4x faster.
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Hanna Wheatley @hannawheatley.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Excellent thread from @lmacfarlane.bsky.social unpacking our latest analysis on Scotland's cost of living crisis - featured in the Daily Record today with a pretty intense picture ⬇️ www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Scotland's food costs soar as sugar and beef prices rise twice as fast as wages
EXCLUSIVE: Some everyday food items have risen in price nearly four times as fast as wages since the last Holyrood election in 2021.
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