New report on the importance of services trade to Scotland - including barriers that exist for businesses and how they can be addressed - research in partnership with Prosper and the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy. buff.ly/IrLBlhP

Scotland’s services exporters have strong growth potential—but regulatory barriers remain a major constraint | FAI

A new report highlights the central role of services trade in Scotland’s economy and identifies practical opportunities to strengthen the country’s international competitiveness. The report…

fraserofallander.org

As the Burnham premiership draws its second week to a close, what do we make of the announcements so far? What's the strategy behind the devolution agenda, and what are the risks? And what might be the effects for Scotland? Read more below: fraserofallander.org/fiscal-and-e...

Fiscal and economic policy in the Burnham era | FAI

If there is a word that has come to signify Andy Burnham’s policy agenda, it’s devolution. The new Prime Minister has made it a central plank…

fraserofallander.org

Following the publication of the interim report from Sir Stephen Timms' review of PIP, we've published a blog that draws on evidence we shared with the review, including updated analysis of the disability employment gap. Read more:

Keeping Up With The Timms Review

Following interest in our most recent programme of learning disabilities research, we had the opportunity to meet with Sir Stephen Timms in May...

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📢 New Scottish Business Monitor Q2 2026 📢 Almost two-thirds of firms now use AI, with adoption above 50% in construction, manufacturing and services for the first time. 🔗 Read the report here: buff.ly/9i0bNhk

New report out today looking at the economic contribution of British Allied Trades Federation industries. The report provides important new insights into the economic contribution of these diverse industries. Read the full report here: fraserofallander.org/publications...

The Economic Contribution of BATF Industries | FAI

This report assesses the economic contribution of the industries represented by the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF). It was commissioned by BATF, representing the National Association of…

fraserofallander.org

How did the Scottish election shake out, and what are the initial signs saying regarding Parliamentary scrutiny? Read our final blog of the 2026 Election Analysis series below: buff.ly/XgN7hVx

How much of the Scottish budget goes towards preventing or reducing problems before they occur? 15% of budgeted spend for 2025/26 was preventative, according to a new Scottish Government pilot study. Read our latest blog responding to the pilot results at the link:

Preventative spending in Scotland | FAI

Prevention has become a watchword for Scottish Government publications, taking a central role in strategies like the Population Health Framework and the Public Service Reform Strategy.

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🚨 New Quarterly Economic Commentary 🚨 Our latest Commentary reflects on better-than-expected economic performance amidst global uncertainty, as well as the implications of the May elections. 🔗 Read the full Commentary: buff.ly/QT2qO9t

In April, Strathclyde's Learning Disabilities Research Network held a workshop bringing together network members and external organisations who support people with learning disabilities. Read our latest blog for a summary. fraserofallander.org/belonging-th...

Belonging Through Good Work: Workshop findings | FAI

A blog summarising the findings of Strathclyde’s Learning Disabilities Research Network’s latest collaborative workshop on employment.

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In our latest podcast episode, Jack Evans of @jrf-uk.bsky.social joins the FAI to discuss new research on local labour markets across Scotland and how employability challenges look different across areas. Listen here 🎧️ buff.ly/wEycWaC

The tackling child poverty agenda in Scotland is entering a pivotal phase, with a new government at the helm and statutory targets coming due in 2030. In this blog, we set out our key priorities for child poverty research over the next five years. buff.ly/eTADkWT

Tackling child poverty in Scotland: new horizons for economic analysis

Since 2017, Scotland has been the only nation in the UK with statutory targets for reducing child poverty, placing the issue firmly at the centre of policymaking. The Fraser of Allander Institute…

fraserofallander.org

📊NEW: Supervising ex-prisoners cuts reoffending substantially and pays for itself - every £1 spent on supervision avoids more than £2 in crime-related costs. Read our blog and explore our dashboard to learn more about this work. buff.ly/8fRJXLe

Study shows post-release supervision reduces reoffending | FAI

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde find that post-release supervision can play a meaningful role in reducing reoffending, particularly when it is well-designed, targeted, and applied at the…

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Our Learning Disability Research team was grateful to spend time this morning with Sir Stephen Timms (Minister for Social Security and Disability), discussing our work and evidence submitted to the Timms Review. Read our work on learning disabilities: buff.ly/R7aSKRO

Post-release supervision cuts reoffending by 15% in the first month — and effects persist years later. 🎙️ Our latest podcast digs into new research by Markus Gehrsitz, Sam Grant and Stuart McIntyre. buff.ly/yK9zJZ7

Podcast: Study shows post-release supervision reduces reoffending in short and long run | FAI

Ben Cooper is joined by Dr Markus Gehrsitz and Sam Grant to talk about their latest research on post-release supervision of offenders and its impact on reoffending. The backdrop to this study is that…

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This seems like a bad idea, just like we said about the Scottish proposal. Will likely solve nothing, cause shortages if cap very low or lead to artificially supplied (and wasteful) low quality products no one wants. National loaf anyone?

David Higham@oldtrotter.bsky.social · 3mo ago

www.ft.com/content/8573... UK Treasury pushes supermarkets to cap food prices

Essential weekend reading - does the SG have a fiscal black hole? is the UK in hock to the bond markets? And more on child poverty statistics

Weekly update – fiscal holes, bond markets and child poverty analysis | FAI

Essential weekend reading - does the SG have a fiscal black hole? is the UK in hock to the bond markets? And more on child poverty statistics

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In the final podcast episode of our election analysis series, we look at what the results mean for governing arrangements - and what we can expect next. Listen below: fraserofallander.org/2026-scotlan...

Ep 17: The aftermath of the elections | FAI

In the final episode of our election analysis series, we discuss what the results of the elections in Wales and Scotland mean…

fraserofallander.org

Scottish Business Monitor results show a fragile economic picture: • Activity still weak across headline indicators • Energy, import, & distribution costs rising • But business confidence has edged positive for the first time since late 2024

Scottish Business Monitor Q1 2026

Scottish business confidence shows modest improvement in early 2026, despite all six key activity indicators staying negative for a sixth consecutive quarter.

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How do the manifestos for the Senedd stack up? And what are they avoiding? Listen to our latest podcast in collaboration with @WalesGovernance.bsky.social to find out: buff.ly/7Cjo5C0

Ep 15: The Welsh manifestos | FAI

FAI Deputy Director João Sousa is joined by Ed Poole and Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre to discuss the main talking points on tax and spending…

fraserofallander.org

What have been the main themes of the Welsh and Scottish campaigns this week? And what can we expect 6 days out from the elections? Listen below to our latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast: buff.ly/Q1v9tAi

Ep 14: Round-up of the week | FAI

FAI Deputy Director Joao Sousa is joined by Ed Poole and Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre and FAI Director Mairi Spowage to talk about…

fraserofallander.org

How has health spending in Wales evolved? How does NHS performance stack up? And what are parties promising in this space? Listen to the latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast below: buff.ly/rnVf18Z

Ep 13: Health spending in Wales | FAI

FAI Deputy Director João Sousa is joined by Ed Poole and Guto Ifan to talk about the health service and health spending in Wales…

fraserofallander.org

What do the Scottish manifestos discuss and what are parties avoiding? Listen below to our latest podcast to find out: fraserofallander.org/2026-scotlan...

Ep 12: The Scottish manifestos | FAI

FAI economists Mairi Spowage, João Sousa and Ciara Crummey discuss the Scottish Parliamentary election manifestos…

fraserofallander.org

As we round up the week, a chance to reflect on our events in Bangor and Edinburgh, and the main questions around fiscal frameworks, income tax and council tax. Listen below to our latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast: buff.ly/FECwpMe

With two weeks to go until polling day, yesterday we hosted an event asking: 2026 Scottish election: do the promises and plans add up? Thank you to everyone who joined for a thoughtful and engaged discussion! ➡️ You can view the slides here: buff.ly/iMpiMAB

Projecting future demand for adult social care in Scotland: what’s possible – and what isn’t (yet). Read our latest discussion paper: buff.ly/8ThBoLM

Projecting future demand for adult social care in Scotland: what’s possible – and what isn’t (yet) | FAI

Understanding how demand for adult social care will change over time is essential for effective policy reform. Decisions about funding, workforce planning and service design all depend on having a…

fraserofallander.org

What's the funding landscape in Scotland's higher and further education systems? And what are the main issues facing the sectors after the election? Listen below to our latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast episode: buff.ly/nu0chgd

Ep 10: Higher and further education in Scotland | FAI

Wales Governance Centre’s Ed Poole is joined by FAI Director Mairi Spowage and Deputy Director João Sousa to talk about the funding landscape of the Scottish higher and further education sectors…

fraserofallander.org

Economic resilience continues, but outlook tempered by conflict in the Middle East. Our latest Economic Commentary published today, read here: buff.ly/QjMGhFw

Economic resilience continues, but outlook tempered by conflict in the Middle East | FAI

Recent data has remained positive for the Scottish economy, but the outlook for future growth is being dampened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the Fraser of Allander…

fraserofallander.org

In our latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast: what's happened in health and social care in Scotland over the past 5 years, and what are parties proposing? Listen below: buff.ly/rihPpO9

Ep 9: Health and social care in Scotland | FAI

Wales Governance Centre’s Ed Poole is joined by FAI Director Mairi Spowage and Deputy Director João Sousa to discuss the findings from our report…

fraserofallander.org

Our final Scottish manifesto analysis: the Liberal Democrats. Lots of policy aspirations, but how firm are the commitments? Read it below: buff.ly/9T6VHy7

2026 Scottish manifesto analysis: Scottish Liberal Democrats | FAI

Alex Cole-Hamilton’s Scottish Liberal Democrats announced their manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election at the end of last week. We’ll go through the main announcements on tax…

fraserofallander.org

In our latest @fraserofallander.org and @WalesGovernance.bsky.social podcast: the main news of the week, including the SNP food price cap, manifestos galore and what parties aren't talking about. Listen below: buff.ly/l5W0K5I