Ambiguity over the future of European structural funding post-Brexit has left economic development in Scotland, which benefits to the tune of €872m across the seven-year EU budget period, in an...
Health services across Scotland face “significant financial challenges”, with the integration of health and social care adding further complexity, according to analysis.
Scotland’s net fiscal balance has improved slightly on last year, with an increase in revenues outstripping a rise in public sector expenditure, according to the latest figures.
Auditors have warned that the financial sustainability of NHS Lothian remains a “significant risk”, with a budget gap of £26m this year expected to spiral beyond £80m by 2021-22.
Weak consumer and business confidence fuelled by Brexit uncertainty is likely to hamper growth in Scotland in the coming months, with a fragile start to the year suggesting slow growth in the global...
Devolution has “struggled to take root in England” compared to other UK countries, according to Akash Paun, senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank.
The mishandling of a high-profile IT project has left Scotland’s public sector pensions body facing a budget gap of up to £23m over the next five years.
The Scottish Government has been warned that it must show greater strategic leadership across the public sector if it is to achieve its digital ambitions.
Scottish councils have defended their use of funds set aside for emergencies to pay for essential services after new figures showed general fund reserves would dip below £1bn next year.
The introduction of universal credit, and in particular the five-week delay before receipt of the first payment, has led to an “unacceptable” rise in rent arrears north of the border.
The mass devolution of social security benefits next year represents a “very significant fiscal risk” to the Scottish budget, according to the body responsible for Scotland’s economic forecasts.
The Scottish Government is facing a budgetary shortfall of £1bn over the next three years in the wake of updated forecasts, which more accurately reflect income tax receipts north and south of the...
Public sector deficits were highest in devolved regions in the financial year ending in 2018, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The potential of the new Scottish National Investment Bank will be compromised if it is limited to funding only commercial activities, the Scottish Government has been warned.
Child poverty remains one of Scotland’s most stubborn public policy conundrums – but new research suggests the key may lie in an overhaul of the universal credit system, which would target the...
The assignation of almost £6bn in VAT revenues to the Scottish Government is to be put on hold due to concerns that volatile estimates of tax receipts would pose an “enormous risk” to the Scottish...
The next stage of an ambitious programme to devolve social security benefits to Scotland will pose a “significant challenge” to the Scottish Government, the country’s national spending watchdog has...
The SNP has backed plans to introduce a new Scottish currency “as soon as practicable” after independence, overturning the policy of the party leadership to adopt a more gradual transition from...
A second referendum for Scottish independence should be held by 2021 if Brexit goes ahead, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish Parliament.
Kate Forbes is clear it is time to ensure there is money to invest in public services, even though this will not be an easy task. The Scottish finance minister talks to Kerry Lorimer.
Public finance professionals have a vital role to play in building trust and resilience, the Scottish Government public finance minister has told CIPFA members.
