Author Archives: apb5100

The interim report of the Union Connectivity Review was issued 10th March. Basically it covers in more detail the areas which Sir Peter Hendy (the guy that did the transport for the 2012 Olympics in London) proposes to take evidence upon and then report in the summer. One of the drivers behind this report isContinue reading “A Bridge too far?”

Well for at least 4 months. Liz Truss, President of the Board of Trade seems to have secured a temporary lifting on the 25% tariff which had been applied to Scottish whisky exports to the United States (since 2019). Obviously it’s good for Scotland, the more so as during this time Irish exports have beenContinue reading “Cheers, for now”

One of the key things about making Scotland better is to take steps against anything that will make Scotland worse. Rent Controls are one of these things, and one of the few things that a proper investigation leads to a single conclusion- they don’t work. Usually arising in areas with very strict planning laws, andContinue reading “Rent Controls – don’t do it”

I don’t like to talk about politics on this site, but today in Scotland it’s tough not to. Like many I watched Alex Salmond at the Parliamentary Enquiry. I have absolutely no comment to make on the rights and wrongs of his testimony but it cannot be denied that he delivered, as many seem toContinue reading “Politics as a 2nd Career”

Been scanning the latest from the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population (17/2/21), with their latest output, the snappily titled “Designing a Pilot Remote and Rural Migration Scheme for Scotland: Analysis and Policy Options.” Designing a pilot remote and rural migration scheme: analysis and policy options – gov.scot (www.gov.scot). The members of this ExpertContinue reading “Population and Experts”

This is a blog site that is determined to bring back a spirit of enquiry to the economic debate in Scotland. Some agreed facts would be a useful start, but even this seems beyond us at the moment with such things as the GERS figures being lauded or dismissed by folks depending on what conclusionsContinue reading “Statistics and ****** lies”

Infrastra PLC have taken over two of the three Bi-fab facilities (12th February 2021). The two rescued are Arnish (Western Isles) and Methil (Fife). Infrastra currently operate Harland and Wolfe (Belfast) and the Bifab yards will now operate under this brand. Some press attention focussed on the fact that the 12 year lease was acquiredContinue reading “Good News (for nearly everyone)”

It’s Christmas Eve, so the compliments of the season to you all. The UK and the EU have a Brexit deal and, no doubt, we will see how this works out over the decades ahead. However, disappointingly, but rather in confirmation of our suspicions the Scottish Government have rushed through something called the UK withdrawalContinue reading “Out of Ideas – Official”

I’ve just read through the report from a Scottish Parliamentary Committee (SP Paper 879 – “Construction of Procurement of ferry vessels in Scotland.”) At over 100 pages it’s not short but that’s what happens when a contract is (currently) estimated to be running more than £100m pounds over budget – original fixed price £97m- andContinue reading “Scottish Ferries”

As anticipated the company went into administration today. On many levels this is a serious failure in our country. The boast (made a number of years ago) that Scotland could become the “Saudi Arabia” of renewables would be laughable if this matter wasn’t so serious They’ll be a detailed look at the Bi-Fab coming soon,Continue reading “Bi-Fab”