lmacfarlane.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

We’re at the Scottish Labour conference today. If you’re around, come along to the event we are co-hosting with @povertyalliance.org and @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social at 4.30pm

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Once again, regulators of private utilities have “misjudged” costs — resulting in windfall profits (and higher bills) Economic regulation in the UK is fundamentally broken, and needs a radical rethink www.theguardian.com/business/202...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

What is the role of carbon offsetting in delivering a just transition? What new policies are required to ensure that Scotland meets its climate and nature targets? Watch the full video of our latest webinar 📽️

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

We’re delighted to be co-hosting an event at the Scottish Labour Party conference tomorrow focused on how to deliver a Scotland free from poverty We’ll be joined by @mrsemmajacko.bsky.social @kirstymcneill.bsky.social @pfokane.bsky.social @ruthboyler.bsky.social 🗓️ Fri 21 Feb, 17:30-18:30 📍Alsh 2

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

A huge amount is riding on two key questions: 1) Is the US constitution robust enough to restrain Trump’s authoritarianism at home? 2) Is there a strong enough international coalition to restrain his authoritarianism overseas? I fear the answer to both these questions is ‘no’

submitted 4 days ago • 3 comments

I’m not sure this lot will produce much in the way of “fresh ideas” It will be more of the same: double down on the London-centric, finance-led economic model that got us into this mess

submitted 4 days ago • 3 comments

It’s good to see the Scottish Government finally kickstarting a debate on council tax There is no excuse for retaining a system that’s unfair, regressive and inefficient. Minor reforms won’t cut it - property taxation needs to be fundamentally overhauled: www.gov.scot/news/buildin...

submitted 11 days ago • 2 comments

Council tax is regressive, unfair and inefficient. It needs to be replaced with a new system of property taxation, not reformed.

submitted 11 days ago • 2 comments

“Put simply, a significant share of the US’s ‘booming’ economy is generated by sickness” This is an excellent piece by @tejparikh.ft.com on why the US economy is not as thriving as conventional economic metrics imply www.ft.com/content/fd8c...

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Useful review of the Scottish Government’s new tax strategy by @theifs.bsky.social: “It is more of a framework for producing a strategy than a strategy in itself”

submitted 16 days ago • 1 comment

Should Scotland's 'vast number' of 'economic agencies' be 'reformed' out of existence? Nah. My column from yesterday's Herald Business HQ supplement

submitted 16 days ago • 1 comment

Today is the deadline for applying for our Senior Economist and Advocacy and Engagement roles 👇

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

This week, New Economy Brief explores the potential international economic impacts of Trump’s tariffs, the possible consequences for the UK, and the need for a progressive conversation on trade protections. www.neweconomybrief.net/the-digest/a...

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

Only a few days left to apply for our Senior Economist role. ⏰ Deadline is midnight on Friday, 7th February. Find out more here:

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

There are only a few more days to apply for our Advocacy and Engagement Lead role. ⏰ Deadline is midnight on Friday, 7th February. Find out more here:

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Important but terrifying piece from @waleedshahid.bsky.social Elon Musk’s march through the institutions is rapidly turning the US into an authoritarian kleptocracy Solidarity to everyone resisting this waleedshahid.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Fascinating but terrifying read from Nathan on Elon Musk’s attempt to seize control of the Treasury’s payment system

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Trump says he wants access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing US support for its war against Russia Another move aimed at countering China’s dominance of rare earth supply chains

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Trump says he wants access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing US support for its war against Russia Another move aimed at countering China’s dominance of rare earth supply chains apnews.com/article/trum...

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Four days left to apply for our Senior Economist and Advocacy and Engagement Lead roles 👇

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

With Trump’s economic warfare now well underway, the UK is about to find itself in a very tricky situation Although Trump says a deal "can be worked out” with the UK, this is unlikely to end well 🧵

submitted 20 days ago • 2 comments

"At a time of growing geopolitical tensions over technology and trade, the UK is a sitting duck”. Brilliant analysis by Laurie Macfarlane…#econ

submitted 20 days ago • 2 comments

🚨 DEADLINE THIS WEEK 🚨 We’re recruiting for two new positions: a Senior Economist and an Advocacy and Engagement Lead. 🗓️ Deadline for applications is this Friday, 7th February. Find out more here:

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Brilliant read from Laurie - worth a few minutes of your time

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Our latest newsletter is out! Read it to find out more our two new job opportunities, our imminent webinar on the role of carbon offsetting in delivering a just transition, and a round up of our recent activities. Full newsletter available here: mailchi.mp/901f5c414e3b...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

In recent years, Scotland has become a haven for investors seeking to buy land for carbon offsetting activities. But is this delivering the environmental and community benefits that Scotland needs? Sign up for our carbon event, being held online next Tuesday, 4 February, using the link below.

submitted 24 days ago • 1 comment

In this blog, Future Economy Scotland co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social outlines the economic case for rent controls. As housing markets are replete with market failures, they don’t operate in line with textbook models of supply and demand.

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

In recent years, Scotland has become a haven for investors seeking to buy land for carbon offsetting activities. But is this delivering the environmental and community benefits that Scotland needs?

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Interested in joining our growing, purpose-driven team? We are recruiting a Senior Economist to help deliver our programme of high-quality, impactful research. 🗓️ Deadline is 7 February

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

This is a brilliant bit of writing. Gather your favorite hot beverage or two and settle in. You’ll know a few things and have a better perspective on some driving global economic issues. bsky.app/profile/lmac...

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Extremely concerning to see ministers force out a key regulator due to “not being sufficiently focused on growth” Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it

submitted 32 days ago • 1 comment

This isn’t the same Trump that won in 2016: it’s an altogether different beast From territory takeovers to far-right alliances — his return threatens peace, prosperity and the planet My long-read for @opendemocracy.net:

submitted 32 days ago • 4 comments

Could Trump's second term herald a new age of authoritarian capitalism? Our former economics editor, @lmacfarlane.bsky.social, shares his analysis on Trump 2.0 👇 www.opendemocracy.net/en/trump-sec...

submitted 33 days ago • 7 comments

Somehow both wide-ranging and pretty in depth, this is a great read

submitted 33 days ago • 1 comment