Sign in

Stephen Boyd

@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
2.2K followers 1.3K following 347 posts

Director IPPR Scotland Views my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🏛️With the Scottish parliament back from summer recess, @stephenboydippr.bsky.social has been committee-hopping all month at Holyrood. He's given evidence on everything from the economy 💷 and finance 📊 to Scotland’s public services 🏥 📹 A wee snapshot below⤵️
031
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Last week we published our latest report 'Rebuilding Scotland's New Politics', and we are already seeing the impact! www.ippr.org/articles/reb... Watch our latest video with testimonials from attendees at our recent event in parliament to discuss the report ⬇️
123
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
All the usual caveats regarding data quality but the significant fall in Scotland's 16-64 employment rate - and concomitant increase in unemployment - over the past year isn't great news. Employment rate now lower, and unemployment rate higher, than the UK
045
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Tomas Hirst @tomashirstecon.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Another clear and knowable downstream consequence of letting scammers get rich off crypto was that that money would boomerang back into politics in ways that were highly likely to try to skirt around fundraising laws and distort policy incentives.
354896
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
📺 Watch @davehawkey.bsky.social discuss our new report on what ails Scottish parliament on @itvborder.bsky.social with @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Past MSPs David Mundell and Jeremy Purvis, now at Westminster, weigh in. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVk...
youtube.com
Scottish Parliament is not working | Dave Hawkey on ITV
YouTube video by Institute for Public Policy Research
012
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
🚶‍♂️What happens when @stephenboydippr.bsky.social walks into a Scottish parliament committee room? 👮 @michaeljmarra.bsky.social says he won't "scroll on Twitter" because the police are in 👀 Some clean good fun was had at today's finance committee meeting 😄
023
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
📢 NEW REPORT📢 😥It's not just the public who are disillusioned with the politics and policymaking in Holyrood. MSPs themselves have been feeling the malasie. 💡We know because former high profile MSPs told us so in a series of “exit interviews”. Read more ⤵️ www.ippr.org/articles/reb...
ippr.org
Rebuilding Scotland's "New Politics": a constructive parliament to build trust in Scottish politics | IPPR
Twenty-seven years of devolution have disappointed hopes that the Scottish parliament would foster a fresh “new politics” in Scotland. Voter turnout collap
376
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
It appears Malcolm Offord's cunning plan for the Scottish economy is to get more toddlers, convicts and nonagenarians into work. Exciting stuff. www.thenational.scot/news/2652076...
thenational.scot
Reform MSP leader mocked for bizarre claim that majority of Scotland is unemployed
REFORM UK’s Scottish leader is accused of being “economically illiterate” after he bizarrely suggested that more than half of Scotland's…
171
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The Scottish Govt gets a lot of stick for how it engages with business. But does the business community organise itself in a way that facilitates effective dialogue with government on strategic economic issues? My latest for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652178...
heraldscotland.com
Fragmented representation is hindering Scottish Government's engagement with business
Better resourced and consolidated institutions could boost engagement between government and business community
001
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
❓How is the first minister going to deliver on his commitments in this afternoon's Programme for Government? 👀We will wait and watch. Meanwhile, here's @stephenboydippr.bsky.social on BBC Radio Scotland setting out what we think should be addressed if we want to see significant progress.
022
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
“Progress can be made over the coming year on reducing child poverty and introducing vital climate mitigation and adaption measures. But this can’t be done on the cheap." Me in @davidbol.bsky.social 's article ahead of Tuesday's Programme for Government www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
scotsman.com
Swinney warned over 'tortuously difficult' programme for government
John Swinney is due to set out his priorities for the next five years on Tuesday
011
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
"The political risk is to mistake higher cost for lower performance: Baumol can make services more expensive without making them worse, while poor organisation can make them worse for reasons Baumol doesnt explain" Excellent letter (would gently dispute final point tho) www.ft.com/content/a10c...
ft.com
Letter: What Baumol’s disease tells us about the productivity puzzle
From Nina Jörden, Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge, UK
053
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Good piece by @kathleennutt.bsky.social Of course Murrell had to face consequences but he really didn't need to end up in jail www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650524...
heraldscotland.com
Should Peter Murrell really be in prison for SNP embezzlement?
Peter Murrell would not be in prison if he had committed his crimes and been convicted in Norway, according to a leading criminologist Professor…
110
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Ran down the ‘lawless’ Broomielaw as usual. Can’t say I noticed anything untoward but got to stay vigilant in light of recent media reports and political statements🏃‍♂️
3102
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
🔥Most people are serious about climate change and want to see action around it. Why then is it there very little progress in Scotland? 🥵 Read @davehawkey.bsky.social in @thetimes.com Thunderer
045
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This is hands down the best opinion piece you will read on the Arday case. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The takedown of Jason Arday has overjoyed the right, and must be a wake-up call for the left | Jason Okundaye
The Cambridge academic has rightly now resigned. But that won’t end the targeting of senior black figures or the lazy way institutions promote faux equality, says Guardian columnist Jason Okundaye
26837281
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
World Cup semis...who needs them?
1120
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
No, no we can't
010
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
✍️Following the recent anti-Muslim attacks on Leith Walk, @sukhadatatke.bsky.social reflects on and the rise of the far-right, racism and anti-immigrant protests across Scotland for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol...
heraldscotland.com
Why anti-immigrant attacks don’t define Scotland’s true welcome
Sukhada Tatke reflects on the recent anti-Muslim attacks on Leith Walk and the rise of far-right, anti-immigrant protests across Scotland, tracing…
011
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Highly recommend my colleague @sukhadatatke.bsky.social's @heraldscotland.bsky.social article on the recent Edinburgh attacks, her experience of living in the city and how policy should respond to rising nativism www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol...
heraldscotland.com
Why anti-immigrant attacks don’t define Scotland’s true welcome
Sukhada Tatke reflects on the recent anti-Muslim attacks on Leith Walk and the rise of far-right, anti-immigrant protests across Scotland, tracing…
132
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
On the @quietriotpod.bsky.social "Kenny Campbell is joined by someone who knows the Scottish political scene extremely well: Stephen Boyd, director of the progressive think tank IPPR Scotland." @stephenboydippr.bsky.social @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com
B-SIDE: The Scotland Lab
Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 3 July · 1hr 1min
082
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
My latest piece for the @heraldscotland.bsky.social is essentially a plea for everyone to read @sarahoconnorft.ft.com 's brilliant book www.heraldscotland.com/news/2625048...
heraldscotland.com
It is time to face up to the full facts on AI
We would do well to reconsider the prospect of Artificial Intelligence replacing people while degrading work and care
034
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Very much enjoyed speaking to @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social for the @quietriotpod.bsky.social podcast bsky.app/profile/quie...
0126
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Quiet Riot @quietriotpod.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 B-SIDE: The Scotland Lab 👨🏽‍🎓 Can Burnham learn from Scot devo? 🪨 What might his plans mean for Scots? 🌹 Should Scot Labour split off? @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social with @ipprscotland.bsky.social's @stephenboydippr.bsky.social 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/7555... 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
podcasts.apple.com
B-SIDE: The Scotland Lab
Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 3 July · 1hr 1min
4369
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 15 years ago today, the Christie Commission set out a bold vision for Scotland's public services. Most agreed change was needed. But its recommendations were never fully implemented. ☠️ What did happen next was what it had warned against. 🎙️Hear it from @davehawkey.bsky.social
186
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Andy Bruce (Reuters) @bruceandy.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Sadly this from Larry Elliott is factually wrong (and Hunt, if he was cited accurately). Even if UK GDP were 4% larger today, it would have grown 19% from 2015 to 2025. US has grown by 27% in that time. This is bad: it gives a false impression that a 4% better performance is somehow outlandish.
1111241
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
New PM and new Scottish parliament must seize “double reset” to deliver for the people and the planet. Read our full statement here ⤵️https://www.ippr.org/media-office/new-pm-and-new-scottish-parliament-must-seize-double-reset-to-deliver-for-people-and-planet-says-ippr-scotland
053
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Sam Alvis @samalvis.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Really enjoyed these. Few unconnected reflections having spent some time on this issue 1. public consistently ask for long form communication from politicians. Social I think is a dead end for ‘elected’ officials or government. You need other people on there doing politics but ministers? Not sure
134
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Mark McGeoghegan @markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
I've been thinking a lot about Neil's interview with the RtF Commission alongside @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's critique of the SNP's 'timid' brand of social democracy. The challenges the former is talking about are ultimately a consequence of the problems the latter identifies...
heraldscotland.com
Expert warns SNP policies including free university and dental care 'not free'
When it forces difficult trade-offs between spending and taxation, the free services model requires honest debate about costs, priorities, and…
292
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 06/06/2026
"Oh," the producer said, "all of that." In 13 minutes. You see the problem, right? The AI industry has made so many claims about its past, present and future that it's almost impossible to have a reasonable critical conversation about it: bsky.app/profile/pete... 7/
113921
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
that would make a great title for a report :) www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
ippr.org
More than a safety net: The welfare state as springboard to economic success and a better country | IPPR
It is widely proposed that higher social spending – especially in the form of social security benefits – is damaging to the economy. Yet the evidence prese
010
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Anticipating a weekend of sublime, transcendent beauty...
000
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
"The compensation fund will purportedly be set up without congressional authorisation and operate under a Trump-appointed committee accountable only to him" Why this isn't a bigger story is beyond me - the corruption is now completely overt and off the scale giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Trump’s egregious deal with his own justice department
Anti-lawfare fund could offer payouts to president’s allies and Capitol rioters
000
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"McKee should conduct an urgent short-term review of the 'messy, contradictory and wholly unfit for purpose' current policy framework for public service reform." @stephenboydippr.bsky.social spoke to @andrewlearmonth.bsky.social for @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2612526...
heraldscotland.com
Swinney insists new cabinet is about reform, not cuts, as SNP slims top team to eight
Jenny Gilruth has been named Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary in John Swinney's new 'focused and streamlined' Cabinet.
022
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Eddie Burfi @eddieburfi.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
A very good afternoon to the absolute hero who organised and parked this beauty in the middle of little Tommy’s far-right hate march. ❤️
13557451498
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
I see Simon Heffer, in Michael Gove's Spectator, is once again repeating his lie that Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood speech wasn't about race.. I debated Heffer recently (at the Oxford Litfest) - here's what I said. archive.ph/bqKZF
So, that’s the economics. But let me address the topic directly.  No doubt Simon Heffer will argue that, like his hero Enoch Powell, he is raising “legitimate concerns”.    Simon has written that Powell’s predictions were remarkably accurate, and that those who, like me, describe him and his acolytes as racist are deliberately lying. He has also said that Powell’s famous Rivers of Blood speech should be taught in schools, since it is so rarely quoted accurately. So I will quote it accurately

“Eight years ago in a respectable street in Wolverhampton a house was sold to a Negro. Now only one white (a woman old-age pensioner) lives there. This is her story.    When she goes to the shops, she is followed by children, charming, wide-grinning piccaninnies. They cannot speak English, but one word they know. “Racialist,” they chant. When the new Race Relations Bill is passed, this woman is convinced she will go to prison. And is she so wrong?”
So 3 points here. 
First, none of Powell’s classical allusions later in the speech can conceal the gutter-level racism here. And let’s not hear any crap about “everyone spoke like that then”. No they didn’t which is why mainstream politicians of both parties instantly recognised the speech as unacceptable racism
Second, Powell is obviously lying.  “They cannot speak English”? Seriously? Black kids whose parents were from the Carribbean?  
Third, and most important, this gives the lie to Simon’s repeated claims the speech isn’t about race or racist. The direct target of the speech is the Race Relations Bill. This was not about immigration, obviously; it made it illegal to discriminate on grounds of race in employment or housing.
19474190
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
It is not the most important point, but nice to see Jess Phillips cite the brilliant civil servants with the ideas here. The caricature of the change-blocking bureaucrat is badly inaccurate
323248
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
For the love of God, can you please stop referring to the forecast fiscal gap as a "black hole"?? #bbcscotland #SundayPolitics
021
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🗳️ Before you head out to vote, here are some of our recent publications linked to the election. 1. A blog setting out five key tests on what will make a good manifesto: www.ippr.org/articles/wha...
ippr.org
What makes a good Holyrood 2026 manifesto? | IPPR
A good manifesto, in general terms, must surely blend a positive vision for the country with a credible and coherent policy programme which addresses voter
121
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Like a gut punch, this quietly spoken sentence from Lubaina Himid who is representing the UK at the Venice Biennale www.ft.com/content/2a58...
Himid has lived in Britain for more than seven decades, grown up here, been educated here, built a life and a career here
- and yet the question of what "here" actually means, of who gets to belong and who is merely tolerated, has never left her work. "We do a thing, Magda and I, if we're booking a table on the phone, I will always do it," says Himid, whose RP-ish English has little trace of either London or Lancashire. "But when we go to a place we don't know, I always want Magda [who was born in Poland and is white] to go first. She signifies one thing visually and I signify another thing audibly. Together, we are incredibly belonging and unbelonging."
6590202
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
"It's difficult not to be really disappointed. The manifestos don’t engage with the very significant challenges Scotland faces." Enjoyed my long chat with @neilmackay.bsky.social in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
heraldscotland.com
Head of top Scottish think tank issues warning to parties ahead of election
Stephen Boyd heads the influential think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland. As the election looms, writer-at-large Neil Mackay…
184
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Neil Mackay @neilmackay.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
‘No political party is offering Scotland what it needs. And none are levelling with the people about how bad things are’ As elections loom, the head of the influential think-tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, puts political manifestos under the spotlight In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
heraldscotland.com
Head of top Scottish think tank issues warning to parties ahead of election
Stephen Boyd heads the influential think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland. As the election looms, writer-at-large Neil Mackay…
02415
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Characteristically brilliant and insightful @chrisdillow.bsky.social piece that will resonate with those following/enduring the Scottish election campaign. bsky.app/profile/chri...
011
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
"The consequences of a political culture that shuns hard decisions, trade-offs and the grind of effective policy implementation are becoming manifest." My piece for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on the Scottish election. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/sco...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Scotland needs renewal—but will these elections deliver it?
Parties from across the political spectrum are unable to face up to reality
012
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Tom Clark @tom-clark.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Paywall down at @prospectmagazine.co.uk! And for the next 10 days when loads more interesting stuff will be coming up Here's my last piece, on Mandygate, but don't just read that! Poke around and you'll find so much more. Fill your boots for free! www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/730...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
The Mandelson saga is really about Labour factionalism
Keir Starmer is a process man, but his mishandling of it in appointing a US ambassador shows how rule-by-clique dominates his party
04422
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
"The consequences of a political culture that shuns hard decisions, trade-offs and the grind of effective policy implementation are becoming manifest." My piece for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on the Scottish election. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/sco...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Scotland needs renewal—but will these elections deliver it?
Parties from across the political spectrum are unable to face up to reality
012
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland @ipprscotland.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
With the Holyrood election less than a week away, @stephenboydippr.bsky.social writes for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on how Scotland's parties have failed to confront the scale of the challenge that awaits them in the next parliament. Read here ⬇️ www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/sco...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Scotland needs renewal—but will these elections deliver it?
Parties from across the political spectrum are unable to face up to reality
033
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 30/04/2026
If you want to piss me off, it's easy: just breezily assert that our tech regulation problems are the result of the fast pace of technological change racing ahead of the plodding speed of governmental action: pluralistic.net/2026/04/22/u... 1/
A busy 1950s grocery store. The scene has been altered: the massive, menacing, glaring red eye of HAL 9000 from Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' hovers over the store, shooting red beams into the cash register. The store -- but not the shoppers at its front -- is suffused with red light.


Image:
Cryteria (modified)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
48829
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Scoring the last two hours of TV viewing thus: PSG v Bayern 9 #STVdebate 0
020
Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Aggressive, shouty, all male panel in an elite University library. Scottish politics in 2026 #Stvdebate
040