Latest news with #FraserofAllanderInstitute
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire's economy put in the spotlight at special conference
The annual Renfrewshire Economy Conference took place at Paisley Town Hall. The future of Renfrewshire's economy was in the spotlight at a special conference. Business leaders, public sector partners, community organisations and policymakers came together to discuss future direction and growth. The annual Renfrewshire Economy Conference took place at Paisley Town Hall with keynote speakers including Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institute; Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce chair Bob Grant; and Renfrewshire Council's head of economy and development services Alasdair Morrison. Scotland's economic and fiscal outlook, the role of business-led growth in regional prosperity, and Renfrewshire's economic strategy were items on the agenda as attendees were given an overview of the economic landscape during a captivating morning session. Mr Grant said: 'The conference was an excellent opportunity to bring partners involved in economic development within Renfrewshire together to connect and learn from each other. 'The focus on challenges and future opportunities for our SME [small and medium-sized enterprises] community was a powerful reminder of the crucial contribution a thriving business community makes to the growth of our region's economy.' Further speeches were made by Chris Brodie of Skills Development Scotland who covered employment, skills gaps and future skills, while Kevin Rush, director of regional economic growth with the Glasgow City Region, highlighted future investments and key developments. Mr Rush said: 'It was great to meet with so many ambitious and forward-thinking Renfrewshire businesses. 'Events like the Renfrewshire Economy Conference are vital in helping us collectively understand the challenges and opportunities across our regional economy. 'The £160 million investment zone represents a major vote of confidence in Glasgow City Region and our collaborative model of economic development. 'It will unlock new investment, boost productivity and drive growth across sectors – particularly here in Renfrewshire – where our strengths in advanced manufacturing and innovation will play a central role. 'Working in partnership across local authorities, government and business, we are better able to shape and deliver the kind of inclusive, sustainable growth that benefits all our communities. This conference is a powerful example of that collaboration in action.' Breakout table sessions then allowed reflections to be made on shared achievements, current and forthcoming challenges, and how partnerships can be formed to take advantage of the economic opportunities in Renfrewshire across the coming decades. Councillor Andy Steel, convener of Renfrewshire Council's economy and regeneration policy board, opened the conference. He said: 'I was delighted to be part of such a positive conference which brought together leading voices from our local and national economies as we seek to learn from each other and identify the opportunities we have to work together for the benefit of Renfrewshire. 'It's important that we do not work in silos as the greatest rewards will be found through partnership working and recognising the important role we all play in Renfrewshire's economy and its development. 'It was fascinating to hear the insight from the keynote speakers and take part in the table discussions. 'And I look forward to the lessons learned being taken forward in Renfrewshire as we continue to develop a strong, diverse economy which creates opportunities for all.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hospitality firms need support to improve pay and conditions, report finds
Hospitality businesses need greater support from the Scottish Government to improve pay and conditions for workers, a report has found. The Fraser of Allander Institute said new rules and direction from ministers could help improve the sector and ensure staff are treated better. In a new policy briefing, the researchers at the University of Strathclyde found widespread concern among workers that a lack of effective regulation and oversight of the hospitality sector was leading to an absence of clear standards while allowing exploitation and unfair practices to exist. They found that staff shortages were leading to workers taking on extra hours and duties, creating burnout, stress, and a deterioration in work-life balance. This was sometimes the result of a practice known as 'clopens', where an employee works a late shift which is followed by an early shift the next day. The report quoted one worker: 'Sometimes I could finish at 12 at night and be in at 10 the next day. That's very common, as well, like 'clopens'. I think they shouldn't be legal.' It found that struggling hospitality workers could benefit from increased fair work practice in the industry, which is is defined by the Scottish Government as 'secure employment with fair pay and conditions, where workers are heard and represented, treated with respect and have opportunities to progress'. But the according to the briefing, employers were often hindered by 'factors beyond their control'. These include gaps in transport and childcare provision along with the impacts of the Covid pandemic, the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the cost-of-living crisis. The Fraser of Allander Institute said new rules for the sector could help the Scottish Government meet its child poverty targets. Hospitality workers face higher than average risks of experiencing in-work poverty, the report said. A third of workers spoken to for the briefing were on zero-hour contracts, or had no contract at all, while the workers' median hourly pay rate was under the low pay threshold of £11.58. The Fraser of Allander Institute recommended the Scottish Government improve collaboration with the hospitality and tourism sector, invest in sustainable and community-led tourism and offer better support for training and development. They also urged for better information for employers on best practice, training and development opportunities. Chirsty McFadyen, knowledge exchange associate with Institute, said: 'Our research shows that hospitality employers often want to do the right thing by their employees, but they don't always feel supported by policy to do so. 'If we are to meet the 2030 child poverty targets, the Scottish Government has a role to play in ensuring that housing, childcare and transport policy support the industry and its workers.' Dr Laura Robertson, research manager with the Poverty Alliance, added: 'Low pay and job insecurity have a big impact on households in Scotland. 'A lack of affordable, accessible childcare and housing, alongside continued high costs of living, is also preventing families from being lifted out of in-work poverty. 'The Serving the Future project shows key challenges facing households working in the hospitality sector in Scotland and that both employers and policy makers have a key role in tackling poverty in Scotland.' The research from the Fraser of Allander Institute forms part of the Service the Future project, funded by The Robertson Trust, which aims to identity changes needed to improve the industry to address in-work poverty in Scotland. Tuesday's report said there were opportunities for workers in the UK Government's Employment Rights Bill, including a right to a contract with guaranteed hours; a requirement for employers to consult with employee representatives on tipping and gratuity policies; and the creation of a Fair Work Agency with powers to investigate and take action against businesses that do not comply with the law. The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Fraser of Allander calls out Labour's Spending Review claim
It came as the Fraser of Allander Institute issued its analysis of the Chancellor's plans, which it summed up as 'largesse in the short-run, followed by pretty steep subsequent cuts in real- (and in some cases cash-) terms'. This pattern, the institute's director Mairi Spowage and deputy director João Sousa said, was visible in Scotland's capital funding – money for investment and long-term projects, rather than day-to-day spending. Fraser of Allander said: 'We are now looking at a one-off boost to investment budgets of 6% in real-terms next year, followed by falls in each year. READ MORE: Scottish Government 'short-changed by £1bn' by Rachel Reeves, Finance Secretary says 'In fact, the figures only get starker once we take into account that so much of the boost to investment is on defence. Non-defence capital spending falls by -0.9% a year in real terms going forward, meaning it's nearly 4% lower by 2029-30 than this year.' The experts then added: 'This pattern is broadly reflected in the Barnett consequentials for Scotland. The Scottish capital block grant increases by £0.6 billion (7.7% in real terms) next year, but then falls back to below 2025-26 levels by the end of the decade.' On day-to-day revenue spending, Fraser of Allander said that budgets other than health, education, and defence were looking at 'a relatively healthy 1.4% increase next year, but this is followed by 1.5% and 1.1% falls in each subsequent year, meaning that their budgets are 1.2% lower in real terms by 2028-29 than this year'. The experts added: 'The UK Government will no doubt argue that its efficiency drive will make it possible to do this while not cutting services, but we'll reserve judgement on that. Similar initiatives in the past have had disappointing results; this one may well succeed, but it will have to buck the trend of history to do so, which would be no mean feat.' They then went on to question claims from Labour MPs and MSPs that the Spending Review meant the Scottish block grant would increase by £9.1bn by 2028/2029, the end of the Spending Review period. Chancellor Rachel ReevesOn Thursday, Reeves pledged the 'largest settlements in real terms since devolution was introduced' promising '£52bn for Scotland, £20bn for Northern Ireland and £23bn for Wales' by 2028/29. In May, the UK Government said the 2025/2026 block grant was worth £50bn, meaning the £52bn pledge would represent an increase of around 4% over four years. Using a baseline of 2023/2024, the Labour have said the Scottish Government will receive 'an average extra £2.9 billion across the duration of this Spending Review'. Fraser of Allander said: 'We have seen some Labour MPs and MSPs describing this event as increasing the block grant by £9.1bn over the Spending Review period. READ MORE: UK economy sees biggest drop since October 2023 in blow for Rachel Reeves 'While it is true that Barnett consequentials add up to this figure (across different periods for resource and capital), this doesn't seem like a particularly transparent or helpful way of describing the changes. 'It essentially assumes that no additional funding would have been made available for the Scottish Government in cash terms relative to that in 2025-26 – which is not a credible baseline. 'A much more insightful – though perhaps less cheery – conclusion from looking at the SFC's [Scottish Fiscal Commission's] forecast is that by 2028-29, funding will be £0.7bn lower than their central estimate published on 29 May.' The £9.1bn claim was shared by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Scottish Labour, and MSP Michael Marra, among others. Record investment in Scotland from this UK Labour Government. Investment in the North-East, funding for the Acorn Project, more money for our NHS. That's the difference a Labour Government makes. — Michael Marra MSP (@michaeljmarra) June 11, 2025 Elsewhere, experts have questioned whether Labour will be able to afford to stick to its commitments without raising taxes. The Chancellor has repeatedly said the cost of Wednesday's spending review is covered by the tax rises she brought in last year, saying departments must now 'live within their means'. But on Thursday, Reeves failed to rule out further tax rises in the autumn as new figures showed the economy shrank more than expected in April. Asked on whether she could guarantee there would be no further tax rises, Reeves told LBC: 'I think it would be very risky for a Chancellor to try and write future budgets in a world as uncertain as ours.'
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
We are the city of growth and opportunity - the future is bright
According to the individuals responsible for ensuring this growth is carefully managed and inclusive, Edinburgh's future is 'bright' as long as those most in need aren't left behind. Edinburgh, they say, must 'move forward in a way that's going to enhance our success rather than cause further problems'. It is no small task, and one which many rapidly-expanding cities around the world have struggled to overcome. In the first of an exclusive two-part interview for The Herald's series looking at the Future of Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh Council's leader Jane Meagher and chief executive Paul Lawrence discussed the challenges facing the city and the solutions being explored. 'We've got a growing city, we've got a successful city and we've also got a city that faces a huge number of challenges,' said Meagher, who stepped up from her previous role as the authority's housing convener just five months ago after former council leader Cammy Day resigned over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. 'If we are going to continue to grow as a city, for obvious reasons we need to make sure that we can provide enough places for people to live. It's as simple as that.' Read more from The Herald's Future of Edinburgh series: When it comes to the capital's continued economic success compared to most UK cities, the figures speak for themselves. A new and as yet unpublished Scottish Cities Outlook report by the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) shows Edinburgh accounts for around 18% of Scotland's economic activity, more than any other city, and recorded strong average GVA growth of 5% between 2017 and 2022 - significantly outperforming the Scottish average of 3.7%. It also shows workers in Edinburgh produce more value per hour than anywhere else in Scotland — £49 an hour, compared to the national average of £38.50. Furthermore 82.2% of Edinburgh's working-age population is economically active, above London (78.6%) and Glasgow (73.6%). The capital's 2.6% unemployment rate is the UK's lowest and its median hourly pay of £17.70 is the highest outside London. Highlighting huge innovation growth in artificial intelligence and life sciences, Lawrence likened Edinburgh to the Oxford-Cambridge corridor which, while attracting major investment, has resulted in pressure on infrastructure, particularly transport and housing. 'The challenge is to ensure that growth is inclusive not exclusive,' he said. 'If you look at innovation cities around the world, particularly in western economies, often the most innovation strong also have significant amounts of poverty and inequality as well. We need to ensure that innovation-driven growth, which all the stats show is unarguable, is accompanied by an inclusive approach to employment.' Edinburgh's BioQuarter health innovation hub, he said, has the 'largest concentration of stem cell scientists in the UK with growing companies in life sciences, a world-leading cluster of healthcare and life sciences academics'. But he noted it sits between some of the city's most deprived neighbourhoods. Edinburgh's population is growing three times faster than any other Scottish city (Image: Colin Mearns) 'The challenge for us is to make sure those jobs of the future at the BioQuarter provide meaningful routes to high-quality jobs for the people of Niddrie, Craigmillar and Moredun, as much as postdocs from San Francisco or Singapore,' he added. The Forth Green Freeport is another key driver of the city's growth. Meagher said the council is making it clear to any potential investors that 'local people should not be left behind'. She said: 'What we're doing is drawing together not only investors and potential employers, but also the colleges and universities so they can make sure things like training are happening which equip young people that, for example, will be needed at the Forth Green Freeport so investors go ahead with the development that their planning. 'Then we need to start thinking now about things like apprenticeships, about what kind of college courses are going to be put on so that, in the interests of the company, they've got on their doorstep the right kind of people to make their business a success.' Meanwhile, one of the largest urban extensions in the UK is planned in West Edinburgh, where planning permission was granted for 11,000 new homes in the last three months of last year. 'Here, you have two huge motors of economic development,' Lawrence said, 'one being the airport and the other being Heriot-Watt University, and you have areas of significant deprivation on the other side of the bypass. 'Edinburgh airport is the fastest growing airport in Scotland, Heriot Watt has amazing plans, a big part of the City Region Deal with the National Robotarium. So what does that mean if you live in Wester Hailes? And is there a meaningful route to a meaningful career, not just at entry level but right through the employment spectrum? 'So that allying of Edinburgh's growth with the people who historically have been excluded from it, whether it's in Leith, West Edinburgh; that's the challenge. And to make sure the city, while all that growth is happening, and obviously we see the public saying this, the city doesn't come to a standstill through the growth in car use and public transport not keeping up. 'Transport is a huge part of that. Employment and wider infrastructure to mean that growth is for the city's good, rather than things that for the city's continued division, polarisation if you can call it that, and that the infrastructure needed doesn't keep up. We see examples all around the country where there's been a lot of housing growth and members of the public saying to their elected representatives 'but what about the public services that are needed to support this?' 'It's the challenges of growth that Edinburgh has historically faced into, historically we've actually done pretty well, but those are big challenges for us to address.' But in a climate of increasingly underfunded local government and gaping holes in budgets for housing, transport and education, is the city really up the challenge? The short answer, Meagher said, is yes, 'but only in partnership'. More on The Future of Edinburgh: She said: 'If we're going to take forward these big issues we can only do it with the right people on board. I think there are lots of strands that need to be drawn together and some of them lie in the hands of the Scottish Government, and it's important to keep them in the equation because that's the only way we can make sure that not only do we need enough homes for people to live in, we also need the right types and tenures of homes. 'We need social rented homes and the way the figures stack up at the moment, one of the ways we can achieve that is through grant funding from the Scottish Government. There are other ways we can work out what kinds of financial mechanisms that we can use in order to attract increasing investment and not to rely entirely on government funding. 'We're not saying we need to go to the Scottish Government with a begging bowl, but we are saying we're looking at all different kinds of financial mechanisms.' Lawrence said there is 'no question' significant public funding is required for the housing and transport infrastructure needed to support Edinburgh's projected growth. Some of the figures on this, he added, are 'pretty stark'. The council's plan to deliver 11,000 new affordable homes in the next five years faces a gap of £665 million, while it's estimated a north-south tram extension from Granton to the Royal Infirmary will cost £2 billion. 'A new tram line will need direct investment from the government, there is no question about that. You will not be able to build that at scale otherwise,' he added. 'There are parts of the UK where they've used something called land value uplift where you can say 'this land is currently worth X because it's not being used', transport infrastructure goes in, as a result the value of the land increases and you can capture some of that. That's more difficult to do in a dense, already urban built city like Edinburgh. So while there are mechanisms we can look at, there is no question that for us to take the tram forward will need some very tough decisions from the Scottish Government to prioritise mobility in a major city like Edinburgh. 'What's happened over the past 10 to 15 years with large scale house building outside the city is a lot of people are living outside the city, because frankly house prices are cheaper, but are coming into the city for employment. So we have to plan that together and something like public transport expansion, whether that's tram or bus - and bus is extremely important to that - that we do that as a region. 'We are the fastest-growing region in Scotland and that means that infrastructure investment in public transport needs to keep pace.' He said the Growth Accelerator Model (GAM) used to deliver the St James Quarter 'has got a lot more potential' in Edinburgh. 'This was effectively a way of recycling tax uplift which wouldn't have happened if the development hadn't happened, and then partially reinvested it into the development to support viability and the quality of the public realm. 'That was a partnership between the council, Scottish Government and the private sector investor. It took us a long time to design and deliver that but it was done very successfully, we see the public enjoying Edinburgh St James. We think there's more like that can be done where it's not just us with a hand out, it's also creating mechanisms that we think will work.' Jane Meagher has been City of Edinburgh Council's leader since December 2024 (Image: Gordon Terris) Meagher added: 'If you think about the benefits to the Scottish economy as a whole, it's an undeniable fact that the central belt is what, at least in part, drives the whole of the Scottish economy. 'If we're bringing in all these jobs then clearly that's going to increase revenue in terms of taxation, etcetera. We think this is not just for Edinburgh's benefit but for the benefit of the whole country. 'The future is bright provided we don't leave behind the people and parts of the city who suffer most from things like poverty. 'We've got major challenges to address in order to move forward in a way that's going to enhance our success rather than cause further problems.'
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Without immigration, I might well not be here
I was lying in theatre after an emergency caesarean section. There was hustle and bustle all around me from the medical team. I was haemorrhaging badly. Things had taken a serious turn, and the doctors were preparing for the possibility of removing my womb to save my life. An obstetrician was called. She rushed in, calm, focused and decisive. With extraordinary skill, she saved my womb. She saved my life. I went on to have two more children. She was a migrant. In the moment, I didn't stop to ask where she was born or how long she'd been in the country, I was too busy being grateful that she was there. I wasn't thinking about borders or immigration status, I was thinking, 'Thank God for her'. READ MORE: John Swinney condemns 'unacceptable' football fan violence across Scotland That memory returns every time I hear anti-immigrant rhetoric, and it came roaring back last week when I listened to the Prime Minister deliver his speech on immigration. It was cold. Calculated. And laced with language that felt designed to sow fear. Keir Starmer spoke of 'chaos', 'experiments,' and 'shutting down the lab'. And I couldn't help but think: 'Does he even know who he's talking about?' Migrants aren't just numbers in a spreadsheet or slogans on a lectern. They're the people who save lives. Who support our teachers. Who process our food. Who care for our loved ones. And let's be honest, these new immigration policies aren't about economics, fairness, or control. It's pure populism. If the UK Government really cared about economic growth, it wouldn't be pulling up the drawbridge on working-age migrants. In Scotland, we face a falling birth rate, an ageing population, and serious labour shortages in key sectors. Our fish processors, care homes, farms, and hospitals are crying out for workers. When employers can't recruit, it's because there simply aren't enough people. So they turn to migrant labour. This is not because people are lazy or on benefits. Throughout my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast, I've spoken to seafood factory owners who have said plainly that without migrant workers, they'll have to shut their doors. These are businesses that feed the nation, export to the world and support entire communities. They offer hard, honest work. Many migrants have been here for years, raising families, paying taxes, and keeping our coastal economy afloat. Now, under the UK Government's new rules, they are being told they're no longer welcome And it's not just our coast that's under pressure. Across Scotland, we're facing a demographic challenge. According to the National Records of Scotland, our population is projected to start falling from 2040 unless we have continued inward migration. The number of people aged 75 and over is rising rapidly, while our working-age population is shrinking. The Fraser of Allander Institute warned that without immigration, Scotland's workforce could decline by nearly 20% in the coming decades. That would be catastrophic for our economy and our services. We need people and we need policies that reflect that. Let me also clear up a misunderstanding I keep seeing on social media. People talk about migrants 'coming over on boats', as if they're all the same – as if a factory worker in Peterhead, a student in Aberdeen, and someone desperately fleeing war or persecution are part of one big group. They're not. When we talk about immigration to support the economy, like filling gaps in the care sector or in fish processing, we're talking about legal routes via visas, work permits, and sponsorship. That's entirely different from people coming here seeking asylum – which is a legal right under international law. And yes, some of those people arrive by small boat, not because they're 'jumping the queue', but because there's no safe, official route open to them. Once here, they're not allowed to work. They're often housed in hotels, living on a few pounds a day and unable to contribute even though many desperately want to. These are two completely different systems, but bad actors deliberately blur the lines to stoke fear. It's the same scapegoating tactic we've seen throughout history, and it always ends up hurting the wrong people. When I see them being lumped together and blamed for everything from housing shortages to NHS waiting times, I feel furious, as a politician and as a human being. Because this scapegoating doesn't just distract from the real causes of our problems, it also dehumanises the people helping to solve them. Let's take one example, the social care sector. Scotland has one of the highest vacancy rates for care jobs in the UK. We are literally unable to meet demand without workers from abroad. Yet now, the visa rules for these roles are being tightened. How is that sustainable? Clinging to a Brexit-shaped fantasy that has already cost Scotland dearly will be devastating. Our fishing industry was promised the world and left with red tape and worker shortages. Now it's being dealt another blow by a government that sees value only in votes, not people. This isn't about the UK being 'full'. It's about being failed – failed by a London-focused Westminster Government making policy for polling numbers. Scotland deserves better. And one day soon, with independence, we'll build an immigration system that reflects who we are and what we need. To those who have chosen Scotland as their home, we thank you. You are not the problem. You are part of the solution. Let's reject this anti-immigration populist nonsense and be reasonable and pragmatic. Keir Starmer, not in our name.
