🚨New survey finds oil & gas workers want decisive action from the UK government, Scottish government and industry to support the transition – but they aren’t getting it. Here’s what workers want: 🧵 www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2547...

Last week John Swinney flew to the US to seek lower tariffs on Scotch whisky. But what impacts are Trump's tariffs actually having on Scotland's economy? In our latest blog, @jujupepe.bsky.social unpacks the latest data – with some surprising results:

As fears mount over the impact of Trump's tariffs on Scottish industries, what does the data tell us? While UK exports to the US fell by 13% over the past year, Scottish exports actually grew by 8%. Find out more in our latest blog by @jujupepe.bsky.social www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/322-ho...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 NEW: How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy? In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.

Our new briefing, 'Beyond Business as Usual', sets out 11 bold, practical policy priorities for the 2026 Scottish election. We know what’s possible. Now we need the political will to deliver. 📖 Read here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

One year ago today the Scottish Government published its Green Industrial Strategy. In our new joint report, @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @lmacfarlane.bsky.social argue that it must go further to harness all tools to drive economic transformation. 📖 Read here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

“As other countries use ambitious industrial policies to reshape their economies, Scotland can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.” Read the op-ed by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social and @mazzucatom.bsky.social in The Scotsman on our new report with @iipp-ucl.bsky.social

One year on from Scotland's Industrial Strategy launch, we're hosting a workshop tomorrow with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and the Scottish Government. Building on our new report, we'll discuss how to move from ambitious vision to transformative implementation. www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/pub...

Scotland's economy is at a critical juncture. New report w @lmacfarlane.bsky.social shows how a mission-oriented approach can transform Scotlands chronic low investment into an engine for inclusive growth. Time to move beyond a market-fixing state to proactively shape Scotlands economy 1/2

Delighted to publish the second report in our collaboration with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social The Scottish Government is talking the talk on industrial strategy, but is not yet walking the walk. Our new report suggests a way forward🧵

“If the Scottish government is to close the gap between ambition and delivery, it cannot rely on making minor tweaks to the status quo or simply reheating old orthodoxies.” Our new report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social is covered in today’s @thetimes.com:

📢 NEW: Scotland faces a stark choice: act boldly to shape the economy, or be shaped by global forces. Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

As MSPs return to Holyrood today, here’s a 60-second summary of our election briefing. It outlines 11 practical, cross-party steps for a fairer, greener, more resilient economy. Download full briefing: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

TOMORROW, our team will be joining two free, online events, which will delve into how Scotland can deliver a fairer, greener future. We’d love for you to take part in the conversations. Details in 🧵 below.

As MSPs return to Holyrood next week, the 2026 election looms. It must be a turning point. Towards a democratic, sustainable and just economy. Our new briefing sets out 11 ways Scotland can change course. Read our summary here: www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/290-th...

NEW: Scotland is at a crossroads of crises. The 2026 election must be a turning point towards transformative action. Our new briefing sets out 11 bold, practical ideas to tackle the country’s biggest challenges. It’s time to move beyond business-as-usual 👇

NEW: The wealthiest 2% of Scottish households have more wealth than the poorest 50% combined. New data published today reveals the extent of Scotland’s vast wealth inequality. 🧵

How can councils put a #JustTransition into practice in Scotland? We’re joining the expert panel at @improvserv.bsky.social's online event. 🌍 Just Transition in Local Government: Policy to Practice 📅 28 Aug, 11 am 👇 Sign up for your free place www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-trans...

Protecting and restoring nature has a vital role to play in accelerating Scotland’s net zero transition. It can also deliver significant economic benefits to local communities. 🧵1/6

NEW: The wealthiest 2% of Scottish households have more wealth than the poorest 50% combined. New data published today reveals the extent of Scotland’s vast wealth inequality. 🧵

Scotland's outdated and broken land market continues to drive some of our biggest challenges - from the housing crisis and inequality to low productivity and climate breakdown.

We're joining a roundtable of local government officers from across Scotland to explore how to deliver a Just Transition locally. Join the online event, hosted by @improvserv.bsky.social, to learn and shape how policy is turned into practice. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-trans...

Scotland’s energy future must be built with workers, not at their expense. This powerful piece in the ‪@scotsman.com‬‬ from a former offshore worker makes it plain: there’s no future in oil, but there can be one for the people who built the industry. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

We’re publishing several major reports in the coming months covering: 🌱 Nature restoration 🔌 The just transition 👷‍♀️ Scotland’s industrial strategy + and more. Receive updates straight to your inbox. 📩 Sign up to our mailing list: mailchi.mp/futureeconom...

NEW: Reaching net-zero will be much cheaper than previously thought, and the cost of climate breakdown far more severe, according to the OBR. The amount of investment needed to reach net zero will be just over half as much as previously thought: obr.uk/frs/fiscal-r...

As the Land Reform Bill moves through the Scottish Parliament, one thing remains clear. Without bold changes to how land is owned and managed, Scotland cannot unlock its potential on housing, inequality, productivity, and the climate. Here's why the Bill matters and where it falls short. 🧵1/6

As Trump visits Scotland, tariffs have been high on the agenda. The US is Scotland’s second-largest trading partner. What does Trump’s tariff war mean for Scotland’s economy? 🧵

As another ScotWind round begins, it's important there are reflections on the performance of wind power as an increasingly mature and important industry in the here and now as well as to the future of Scotland. If we don't ask difficult questions then workers and the public face losing out again.

With the ScotWind leasing round in motion, Scotland is entering a new phase in offshore wind. It’s a major opportunity to transition away from fossil fuels and reshape our economy. But only if we get the foundations right. 🧵1/3

The loss of 400 jobs at Alexander Dennis isn’t just a casualty of market forces It’s a story of how public money has helped to erode Scotland’s industrial base and offshore jobs abroad Read our latest blog:

The loss of 400 jobs at Alexander Dennis wasn’t inevitable It’s what happens when public money is used to back overseas rivals over Scottish industry Read our new blog by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social:

NEW: Alexander Dennis’s decision to halt Scottish manufacturing isn’t just a casualty of market forces It’s a story of how public money has helped to erode Scotland’s industrial base and offshore jobs abroad New analysis by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/260-mi...

NEW: Green jobs in Scotland increased by 7,500 over the past year, rising to a record high of 33,500 We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵

🏠 Scotland’s rents have surged by 32 % since May 2020. This means tenants are paying an average of £245 more per month - in a cost-of-living crisis. 🧵

📢 WEBINAR: @cescotland.bsky.social will explore how #CommunityOwned energy can provide a real path towards a just transition for communities in Scotland & key community demands for the government consultation on renewables 🌱 ⏰ Tuesday 1 July, 2pm 📍 Online 💌 RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/real-...

🏠 Completions under the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme fell by 22% in 2024/25. The number of homes completed was 7,444, a fall of 2,070 compared to the previous financial year, and the lowest level since 2015/16 (exc. the first year of Covid-19) 🧵

Our response to the Scottish Government’s proposed new climate change targets. The response in full can be found here: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/184-re...

My latest blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social on the Scottish private rented sector. The gap between tenant protections ending and potential future rent controls starting could undermine them from day one. www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/225-wh... #HousingScotlandBill

NEW: Our analysis of ONS data shows private rents in Scotland have risen 32% since 2020, an average increase of £245/month. This outpaces inflation and previous rent trends. 🧵

tl;dr Scotland will need to ramp up action across a much broader range of devolved areas to decarbonise the economy. @miriambrett.bsky.social and I discuss last week's emissions statistics in our latest blog 👇

In our latest blog, we delve into the official statistics showing emissions of greenhouse gases in Scotland. How do the new findings fit into the longer term picture? Transformative action is needed to accelerate decarbonisation.

🧵 REVEALED: Community energy projects in Scotland are generating 100x more local wealth than privately-owned wind farms. But just 0.5% of the renewable power is community-owned. Why this staggering imbalance?

Donald Trump has called for more drilling in the North Sea. Continuing down this path would be unsustainable for the climate, unsustainable for jobs, and unsustainable for impacted communities. You can read our response in full here: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/183-re...

Our analysis of Scotland’s wage squeeze was raised at FMQs this week. The damage inflicted by austerity and runaway inflation cannot be undone. As we approach an election, rather than scapegoating migrants, the debate must focus on the true culprit: a broken economic model.

Real wages in Scotland have flatlined since 2008, costing the average full-time worker £15,000 a year. Read more in our new blog by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social:

How can Scotland deliver a just transition in the labour market? Join our webinar to discuss barriers and opportunities – and the policies required to protect the livelihoods of impacted workers and communities. The webinar is on May 20th at 18:00! Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/how-can-sc...

“Never in modern times have Scots seen their earnings grow so little over a 16-year period” Our new analysis is covered in the @the-independent.com:

Real earnings in Scotland have flatlined since 2008. How much has this cost Scots in their pay packet? The answer: £15,000 Read more in our new blog by @lmacfarlane.bsky.social:

“Hard-pressed Scots workers are £15,000 a year worse off than they should be due to flatlining wages.” Our new earnings analysis is covered by the @dailyrecord.co.uk.web.brid.gy

NEW: Average earnings in Scotland are £15,000 lower than they would have been if wages hadn’t flatlined since the 2008 financial crisis If real earnings had instead grown in line with pre-crisis trends, today the average full-time worker would be earning £53,923