Articles

Scotland can’t afford the UK government’s ideological immigration policy

The UK government under Keir Starmer has announced sweeping changes to immigration rules that will damage Scotland.

There is a level of immigration that is functional, supportive and necessary for any country. Whereas it is true that not all immigration is positive, it is also equally true that not all immigration is negative. Scotland has specific skilled and unskilled migrant worker needs, so should be able to set its own rules in line with the nation's wellbeing.

Risky trade deals with US and India no substitute for EU membership

Two trade deals this week with India and the US carry risks for Scotland - but the Scottish government has had no say and was not even informed or consulted on the US deal. It had some involvement in the India deal but ultimately no say over the agreement. That picture would be very different for an independent Scotland in the EU where it would have a seat at the top table, the Council of Ministers.

Brexit leaves the UK grovelling to Trump as trade war worsens

The UK media has been amplifying the ridiculous claims that the UK’s 10% tariff on trade with the USA is somehow a Brexit bonus because it is lower than the EU’s 20% tariff. A moment’s thought undermines that - the UK is being hit with 10% tariffs not because we have a special relationship or because we are not in the EU its because the UK doesn't have a trade surplus with the USA - in other words the UK as a whole is not that good at exporting and so doesn't have as big a target on its back for Trump’s bullying.

Westminster is all talk and no action when it comes to Scottish jobs

The Westminster government talks a lot about the importance of jobs. Yet today’s “spring statement” - effectively an emergency budget - is only going to do further harm to Scottish businesses, Scottish jobs and the Scottish economy.

Westminster’s tax on jobs will hurt Scotland's economy

The Westminster government talks about growth - yet Westminster's tax on jobs will damage Scotland’s economic growth. It is also being put through in such a way as to hurt Scotland unfairly.

If Scotland was an independent country controlling its own taxes it would not put through a damaging last minute tax that seems calculated to wreck previous financial planning.

Three-quarters of Scottish farms to be hit by UK farm tax hammer

The UK government’s attack on the future of farming which is causing huge anger across the sector and saw tractors massing in London and Edinburgh recently was based on dodgy numbers.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not consult either the Scottish government or the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to check the numbers. There was no impact assessment or consultation.

Five ways Westminster’s 'growth' plan says Scotland would be better off independent

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves produced a “growth” plan last week which was disappointing to say the least for Scottish business.

There was nothing in it to address the major challenges the UK has laid on Scottish businesses such as the rise in National Insurance contributions she introduced, or the heavy weight of paperwork that has been loaded onto Scottish businesses by a Brexit that Scotland never voted for.

Brexit trade barrier across the Irish Sea gets higher today

Most small Scottish and UK businesses have had to stop selling to Northern Ireland, as well as to Europe, because they can’t comply with new EU customs rules introduced today (Dec 13).

This is an important moment - despite the comparative lack of press coverage - because it signifies the shape of things to come - the trade barrier Boris Johnson promised would not exist across the Irish Sea very much does and it is getting higher as time goes on.

Scotland cannot afford the UK's attack on its farming sector

The row over the UK Government’s decision to change the rules on agricultural inheritance tax comes at a time when Scotland’s agricultural sector is already facing huge pressures.

The new tax rules have received a lot of publicity - some of it focusing on very wealthy people like Jeremy Clarkson and James Dyson. There is undoubtedly a case for changing the tax regime so that the super-rich can’t use it as a loophole to avoid inheritance tax. However, the way it has been done is to slam more cost and uncertainty on a sector that is already breaking under the pressure.