Reading Time: 8 minutesOver the next month there will be several publications which will inform pre-budget scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament. Yesterday, the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) published
Month: May 2025
Deliberative democracy in the Scottish Parliament – do we have the answers?
Reading Time: 9 minuteshis blog gives an update on work to develop an approach to embedding deliberative democracy in the work of the Scottish Parliament, and looks back to see if some of the fundamental questions raised in earlier SPICe blogs have been answered.
The Scottish Government’s financial strategy – navigating uncertain fiscal waters
Reading Time: 8 minutesThis blog previews the 2025 publication of the Scottish Government’s medium term financial strategy, summarising the aims of the document and some recent challenges.
The Scottish Parliament’s deliberative democracy timeline
Reading Time: 4 minutesThis timeline blog lists reports, briefings, blogs and other publications which relate to deliberative democracy in the Scottish Parliament from 2017 onwards, and will be updated with new publications until the end of the current parliamentary session in March 2026.
Drouthy Days: is Scotland prepared for drought?
Reading Time: 10 minutesScotland has been experiencing a prolonged period of dry weather along with much of the UK. This blog explores the current situation, key impacts and Scotland’s preparedness for managing potential drought conditions.
Climate change and the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee – International development and climate justice
Reading Time: 7 minutesA look at the relevance of climate change to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee – international development and climate justice.
The UK-EU summit: a reset in relations?
Reading Time: 10 minutesFollowing the UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025, this blog looks at the outcomes most relevant to devolved policy areas along with the reaction of the Scottish Government.
Planning appeals in Scotland
Reading Time: 6 minutesA post outlining key aspects of the Scottish planning appeal process.
The Reset in the UK-EU trading relationship – Evolution not revolution
Reading Time: 7 minutesAhead of the UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025, this blog examines what might come from the summit in terms of proposals to take the trading relationship forward
Scotland’s Housing Emergency – one year on
Reading Time: 4 minutesIt’s a year since the Scottish Parliament agreed to a Scottish Labour motion declaring a national “housing emergency” in Scotland. A previous SPICe blog considered