Scotonomics

12/03/2025

Is Scotland still the "Saudi Arabia of Renewables"? Join us in Leith on the 20th of March from 7.15 pm to 10.15 pm as we talk to leading energy economist Professor Brett Christophers.

11/03/2025

Here is the final programme for our Festival of Economics. Please do share.

We all know that the mainstream economic narrative cannot answer any of our questions. There is an alternative. Join us in Dundee on the 21st and 22nd of March at our festival of economics. https://scotonomics.scot/event/festival-of-economics/

06/03/2025

Check out our exciting line-up of speakers.

26/02/2025

Hopefully we will have enough time between now and our festival for a bit of a deep dive on SNIB. Stay tuned.

Our Budget will help grow Scotland’s economy.

We are providing £200 million for the Scottish National Investment Bank to invest in:

🔵 growing and green businesses
🔵 innovation
🔵 transforming communities

26/02/2025

We know many of you have been holding off booking to see the full programme for the festival.

So here it is! https://scotonomics.scot/event/festival-of-economics/

Please give us your feedback in the comments!

24/02/2025

It is rarely just about price. We explain why cocncentraiing on the tres of price you miss the forest of the economy and a look back at last week's 'controversial' episode. - https://mailchi.mp/scotonomics.scot/crisiswhatcrisis-12731189

23/02/2025

Looks like a great event and even better idea!

Welcome to the hub for all things SPRINGBOARD: Assembly for creative climate action 2025

19/02/2025

Just us for a LIVE discussion as we look at the economic viability of Scotland as part of the EU and also consider an independent Scotland using the Euro.

Our current economic path (as outlined by the SNP administration in the 2022 National Strategy for Economic Transformation: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-national-strategy-economic-transformation/) is for Scotland to join the EU as soon as possible after independence.

That direction for travel is now well established and was very evident as we passed 5 years since Brexit.

- So, what are the economic arguments for and against joining the EU?
- What impact does that 'future destination' have on our current plans for economic independence?
- What would those years as an EU nation look like? and
- Can we assume that the Euro will still be something we can 'opt' into?

William suggests that membership of the EU would be an economic disaster for Scotland. Something he is aware does not go down very well with much of the independence movement. Not only has the economic argument for joining the EU not been won but it has scarcely been made!

William believes that the argument for joining the Euro is even weaker and is an argument that should be avoided. In fact, considering joining the EU would happen at least a decade after a successful YES vote {at the earliest) the conversation should be £ or Scottish Currency.

his will be challenging for everyone who pictures a healthy, prosperous future for Scotland within the EU. Viewers will be encouraged to engage with the questions and all comments and questions will be highlighted to the online audience.

19/02/2025

Hmm. Have more to spend by spending more on the already wealthy? And details of tonight's show where William tells us all about the economic pain of trying to get to EU membership- https://mailchi.mp/scotonomics.scot/crisiswhatcrisis-12730674

19/02/2025

Live Wednesday 8.05 on our page.

Just us for a LIVE discussion as we look at the economic viability of Scotland as part of the EU and also consider an independent Scotland using the Euro.Our...

16/02/2025

Our first commissioned report will be out in March. This has only been possible with the support of our Patrons. Please consider a paid subscription to help us commission more reports. "The Economic Impact of Adopting the EU's Fiscal Rules"

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12/02/2025

Stephanie Kelton presented at the Gower Institute in Leeds over the summer. Her topic was "To Bond or Not to Bond." In the session, Professor Kelton explained that issuing Government Bonds was a policy choice. It is a matter of accounting, not economics.

William was in the audience, and this is his recording.

Stephanie says: "Issuing bonds for a currency-issuing government is a policy choice, not an economic imperative. It's a policy choice. Here's Randy and Yeva, 'issuing bonds is a voluntary operation that gives the public the opportunity to substitute non-interest earning government liabilities, think cash, for interest-bearing government liabilities, T bills, notes, bonds, which are credit balances and securities accounts at the same time.'

If people believe the government needs to borrow to spend, then you get into all of these debates. Who's gonna buy them? Is the bid-to-cover ratio gonna be adequate? And all the rest of the kind of stuff. But if you understand that bonds are voluntary operations, then it becomes irrelevant, these sorts of debates, whether there are takers for government bonds, and whether they're owned by domestic or foreign citizens."

So the UK chooses to 'borrow'. Once independent again, Scotland would have to make a choice. Would it issue Bonds or not? The key and most important point is that Bonds do not fund government spending.