Scottish government
Scotland’s Data Desert: The case for a Scottish Statistics Agency
Author / Creator: Craig Dalzell
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: February 2018
The formation of a Scottish Statistics Agency, which has the power to fill vital gaps in the gathering, analysis and provision of statistics pertaining to Scotland as well as to curate a comprehensive and transparent database of statistics for public use is urgently required.
Public Private Partnerships: A formula for excess profits and failure
Author / Creator: Jim Cuthbert
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: April 2018
PFI is well known to be a very problematic concept. They involve extremely high rates of return for investors, but an unacceptable rate of failure in other schemes. These characteristics are inherent in the way PFI/PPP has been set up.
Scotland’s Fiscal Future
Author / Creator: Craig Dalzell
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
The quest for GDP and GDP Growth is not sustainable in a finite world. Metrics such as environmental impact, inequality and wellbeing are far more important and only by elevating them above the quest for “growth at all costs” can a truly fair and sustainable Scotland be created.
Renew: Six policies that can refresh the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Policies to renew the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda:
- Create a Scottish National Investment Bank
- Build the homes and infrastructure that people need
- Create a world-class childcare system.
- Give more power to citizens.
Our Democracy Is Not For Sale
Author / Creator: Peter Ryan
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
The UK’s electoral process has lax regulation around digital political adverts. The current fines levied risk becoming actively “costed in” to campaigns mounted by well-funded yet unscrupulous organisations.
Our House is on Fire
Author / Creator: George Gunn
Media type: News Item
Date published:
The collation deal between SNP and Scottish Greens passed in the Scottish Parliament is the beginning of a quest to make clear some definitions and to lead the country away from constitutional meaninglessness, cruel political comedy and out of the deliberately constructed tragic dead end of devolution and toward full engagement with the climate emergency.
Transparency in Public Finance – the role of good data
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
There should be a single portal for Scottish public sector data. Making numbers have meaning for people should be the primary aim of public data. There should be a single portal for Scottish public sector data which would be open to Freedom of Information requests. And it should identify what information the public wants from public data.
How To Start a New Country & A Short Guide To Starting a New Country
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: August 2021
This is essential reading for both believers in Scottish independence and undecided voters who seek answers to their practical questions about the processes of starting an independent country.
Constitution for Scotland; an Interactive Consultation
Author / Creator: Constitution for Scotland
Media type: Web site
Date published:
The Constitution sets out the conditions under which the people agree to be governed. It lays down the basic principles of the State, the structures, and processes of government, defines the limits within which our politicians, at all levels, must operate and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act.
A House of Citizens for the Scottish Parliament
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2020
The Citizens Assembly on the future of Scotland shows what an improved democracy in Scotland could look like. A Citizens Assembly would complement the elected Scottish Parliament. Such a House of Citizens could place Scotland at the forefront of democratic innovation. It would make it a global leader in citizen empowerment and engagement. It could increase the level of trust in our political institutions and decision-making.
Creating a Glass Wall Government
Author / Creator: Craig Dalzell
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Transparency on the influences and lobbyists upon the Scottish government and MSPs needs to be strengthened.