Analysis
Is Scotland on the right climate change path?
The UK Climate Change Committee’s new report to the Scottish Parliament makes sobering reading for those who believe Scotland is a ‘climate leader’
The Covid inquiry looks sound – so why the secrecy?
The remit of the Scottish Government’s Covid Inquiry is pretty comprehensive and its Chair predictable but solid – but information is still being held back and the reasons for this are not clear
Why are care inspections decreasing?
New figures show a new low in the proportion of investigations into care providers – but separate figures show quite the opposite for investigations into the workforce. What is going on?
The least a budget can be
The Scottish Budget is about as stand still as it gets, but bodes ill both for local government and for the prospects of a National Care Service – and Climate Change action
Where are Scotland’s ‘Covid Death Lessons’?
In England an independent Coroner system has produced clear warnings about Covid failures. There is no comparator in Scotland because we do not have an independent Coroner system, so we are in the dark
A conference and a poll: where stands independence?
A spike in support of independence is entirely in line with the pattern of previous polls rather than representing anything new – but there is a visible change in attitudes to currency in the movement
Did the Scottish Government listen to the Citizen’s Assembly of Scotland?
The Scottish Government’s response to the report of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland is basically a rejection of the whole report in favour of a restatement of what is already being done
Punching down on plastic
The Scottish Government’s steps to crack down on single use plastics are anything but courageous, dodging big business and instead targeting small businesses
What is the reality of the ‘hydrogen strategy’?
The Scottish Government’s hydrogen plan appears to be an elaborate proposal to cover up the fact that Scotland is about to expand further the amount of greenhouse gas it pumps out
Who is driving Scotland’s climate change debate?
Scotland is finally talking about proper climate action, but the influence of corporate lobbyists means that we’re talking about entirely the wrong things
Can Scotland have frictionless borders with everyone?
As the SNP prepares to debate a resolution on borders and customs, is the resolution competent and if not, what is the competent solution to an independent Scotland’s border and trade arrangements?
Is the Scottish Government listening to Citizens’ Assemblies?
Scotland has had two Citizens Assemblies, each launched in a media blitz. But identifying any meaningful way in which the Scottish Government is following through on them is proving very difficult.