Tag: finance

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UK Government is now dishonestly claiming a ‘central’ and ‘instrumental’ role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

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By stewartb The UK government and especially the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander have been commenting on their role in having the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow: ‘a central role’; ‘instrumental’; ‘huge supporters of the Games’ etc. From the UK government in a press release dated July 24, 2026: ‘Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow with UK Government backing’: ‘The UK Government is proud to have played a central role in bringing the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and securing the future of the competition.’ (my emphasis) Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander is quoted in the press statement: “I am … Continue reading UK Government is now dishonestly claiming a ‘central’ and ‘instrumental’ role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

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Over 55% of Scots to pay less income tax than if they lived in England – Confirmed

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From Scottish tax payers comparison to English counterparts: FOI release, published last Friday: On Tuesday 13th January 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government whilst addressing Holyrood stated that: “As a result, even more people in Scotland can expect to pay less tax than if they lived in England, Northern Ireland or Wales. That’s over 55 per cent of Scots set to pay less income tax because they live in Scotland.” Please can you supply the following information. 1. What was the specific median income figure used in the production of this data? 2. What was the income … Continue reading Over 55% of Scots to pay less income tax than if they lived in England – Confirmed

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As another private care home is exposed how we disclosed Anas Sarwar backing a care home cash cow milking the tax-payer

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Today BBC Scotland has this below, reminding us of the above: BBC Scotland, in June 2023 exposed a Care Home owner who seems not to be a Tory or Labour donor. It’s taken them three years to find one. Three years ago, we had this: By stewartb So the care home visited by Anas Sarwar MSP is being used to justify his claim of care homes at ‘breaking point’? If so, this company’s situation must have changed radically since 22 December 2022. This is the date Applecross Nursing Home Limited submitted its Annual Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March … Continue reading As another private care home is exposed how we disclosed Anas Sarwar backing a care home cash cow milking the tax-payer

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£11bn Lower Thames Crossing – Put simply, in the end, Scotland still pays for another capital project it does not benefit from

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Yesterday, I wrote a post: Never mind Barnett, the Lower Thames Crossing to cost Scots taxpayers between £300m and £1bn! The full AI-assisted argument is at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/12/never-mind-barnett-the-lower-thames-crossing-to-cost-scots-taxpayers-between-300m-and-1bn/ In a comment, rogercolkett wrote While it’s clear that the UK government tends to spend more on big projects in the south of England than elsewhere, it’s not true that Scots are paying for it through their taxes. UK government expenditure is not funded by taxes or anything else. UK government expenditure works by instructing the Bank of England to create the money required and credit it to the relevant payee, just as … Continue reading £11bn Lower Thames Crossing – Put simply, in the end, Scotland still pays for another capital project it does not benefit from

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Never mind Barnett, the Lower Thames Crossing to cost Scots taxpayers between £300m and £1bn!

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In the Guardian today: The UK’s public spending watchdog has said it plans to investigate the Lower Thames Crossing, as campaigners voice concerns over the rising costs of one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. The head of the National Audit Office (NAO) said he anticipated the agency would “examine and report” on the planned £11bn road tunnel between Kent and Essex, and that work to monitor the project had already started. It emerged last month that £174m of additional public money was being made available for the scheme, which is estimated to cost more per mile than the HS2 high-speed rail link from … Continue reading Never mind Barnett, the Lower Thames Crossing to cost Scots taxpayers between £300m and £1bn!

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SNP’s ‘Mansion Tax’ will be popular, raise revenue and have no effect on inward migration

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From the Scottish Government today: Views are being sought on plans to introduce two new council tax bands for properties worth more than £1 million and £2 million respectively to help fund local public services across Scotland. A public consultation seeks responses on possible increases of around £720 and £3,600 above the current highest Band H council tax charges. The final proposed rates for new Band I and Band J properties – expected to apply to fewer than 1% of properties – will be laid in Parliament for MSPs’ consideration following analysis of consultation responses and engagement with local government. Existing … Continue reading SNP’s ‘Mansion Tax’ will be popular, raise revenue and have no effect on inward migration

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Scotland saw a 74% increase in the value of equity investment into smaller businesses in 2025, even as the overall UK market dipped by 4% – what it means, why it’s kind of good

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From the Scotsman today, above. What is equity investment, some of you and I ask? Equity investment means putting money into a company in exchange for ownership shares (equity) in that business.Simple Breakdown: Is it a good thing? Yes, it is generally a very good thing for Scotland — though with some important context. Why It’s Positive Important Caveats (It’s Not All Upside) Overall verdict: Strongly positive signal. A 74% jump in equity investment is a clear win that highlights Scotland’s strengths in innovation and specific sectors. It’s the kind of news economic development agencies celebrate because it builds momentum. … Continue reading Scotland saw a 74% increase in the value of equity investment into smaller businesses in 2025, even as the overall UK market dipped by 4% – what it means, why it’s kind of good

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US ferry system in a State with nearly three times Scotland’s GDP is ‘fragile’ due to lack of Government-funding

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From AOL yesterday: SEATTLE – Gov. Bob Ferguson is intensifying his call for federal support to stabilize Washington State Ferries, warning that while the system has returned to full service levels for the first time since 2019, that progress remains “fragile.” During a briefing at the Seattle Ferry Terminal, Ferguson emphasized that the nation’s largest ferry system cannot sustain its recent gains without a significant increase in investment from Washington, D.C. The governor highlighted a stark disparity in how the system is funded. Currently, federal dollars account for: State leaders argue these figures must rise to keep the system afloat. The … Continue reading US ferry system in a State with nearly three times Scotland’s GDP is ‘fragile’ due to lack of Government-funding

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‘British government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building entire infrastructure’ So next time any unionist has the temerity to mention the word ‘ferry’ you know what to do…

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I’ve lifted this excellent piece from Eve Robertson Armstrong on Facebook who lifted it from Josh Hunt on twitter (X). I’m guessing a Josh Hunt wrote it but can’t trace him. The British Government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building their entire infrastructure. After hearing about the cancellation of the Stonehenge Tunnel project, yet it still racking up £179 million in cost, I wanted to look at other projects and costs to see what the picture looks like this century. Every number here comes from official reports, the National Audit Office, parliamentary committees, and … Continue reading ‘British government has wasted more money on failed projects than some countries spend building entire infrastructure’ So next time any unionist has the temerity to mention the word ‘ferry’ you know what to do…

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UK unemployment 40% higher, youth unemployment 40% higher than in Scotland, BBC Scotland ‘disappear’ the good news again

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Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. BBC Breakfast this morning with an extended piece on unemployment not being mirrored by BBC Scotland. The unemployment rate in Scotland at the end of 2025, was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in 2024.  In crude terms 5.1 is 1.4 greater than 3.7 but as a percentage, to take account of the millions of people being referred to, unemployment in England is 37.8% higher. There are about 1.8m unemployed in the UK so if the rate was the same in the UK as it is in Scotland, hundreds of thousands of those would be … Continue reading UK unemployment 40% higher, youth unemployment 40% higher than in Scotland, BBC Scotland ‘disappear’ the good news again