Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Financial Scrutiny Unit (FSU) is often asked what the difference is between income tax in Scotland and in the rest of the UK, especially
Category: Economy & Finance
Guest blog – Data is everywhere
Reading Time: 4 minutesAs with all guest blogs on SPICe Spotlight, what follows are the views of the author, Brian Hills, Head of Data at The Data Lab
Apples and oranges? Why it’s difficult to compare Scottish and English local government funding
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Financial Scrutiny Unit is often asked to make Scotland vs England comparisons on various financial measures. When it comes to local government, comparing the
Financial Transactions: ‘real’ money?
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn recent years, the Scottish Government has received substantial sums from the UK Government known as ‘Financial Transactions’ (FTs). To date, the Scottish Government has
Budget 2018-19 – final allocations to local authorities
Reading Time: 4 minutesAt the beginning of February I shared an update to the local government finance settlement at Stage 1 of the Budget Bill 2018-19. The figures
Gross Value Added (GVA) and Scotland’s sectors
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat is GVA? Gross Value Added (GVA) is a key indicator of the state of the whole economy, an important performance measure, and helps inform
Budget Bill Stage 3 – the final parliamentary hurdle
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Budget for financial year 2018-19 passed its final parliamentary hurdles on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The ‘Rate Resolution’ debate and vote on
Public sector pay: an end to the squeeze?
Reading Time: 3 minutesAs part of the 2018-19 Draft Budget, the Scottish Government announced an easing of its policy on public sector pay. Starting in 2011-12, public sector
Budget Stage 1 – what is the impact on local government?
Reading Time: 3 minutesAfter yesterday’s Stage 1 announcements, we have published three blogs on the Budget on SPICe Spotlight today – a blog on income tax, a blog
Budget Bill Stage 1 – What are the changes to income tax?
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat was proposed at Stage 1? Stage 1 of the Budget Bill for 2018-19 was debated at Holyrood yesterday afternoon. The Government reached a deal