Local authorities in Scotland are responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation in 45 per cent of workplaces, while the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for the remainder. In this briefing, we examine… Read More »Council Health & Safety Enforcement
Water and sewage systems often operate unnoticed in Scotland because of the belief that we don’t face the main problems confronting the industry in England – water scarcity and privatisation. However, this belief is mistaken.… Read More »Scottish Water – The Case for Change
Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is a government-owned company established in 2008 to improve the planning, funding, and delivery of public infrastructure across Scotland. This briefing examines the SFT today in the context of renewed interest… Read More »Scottish Futures Trust & Private Finance
The UK Budget was published on 26 November 2025, with implications for next year’s Scottish Budget, which is expected on 13 January 2026. In this briefing, we examine the impact of the UK Budget and… Read More »UK to Scottish Budget 2026/27
The UK Government has announced that it will introduce a new digital ID scheme, which it claims will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital… Read More »Digital ID Scheme
Katy Clark MSP’s Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill will deliver transparency by design, strengthen accountability and increase informed scrutiny across 10,000+ public bodies in Scotland. The Jimmy Reid Foundation supports legal reform too and… Read More »Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Foundation has published several papers on how to build stronger communities, highlighting both social and economic benefits. In this briefing, we look at allotment policy in Scotland – an essential community facility. We examine… Read More »Stronger Communities – Allotments
The Scottish Government has launched its latest public service reform strategy, aiming to deliver £1 billion in savings over the next five years. A key element in the new strategy is a ‘more joined-up and… Read More »Preventative Spending
This year’s STUC Congress will likely pass several motions calling for improvements in public services that will impact public finances. Political conferences, campaign groups, and even think tanks are similar! Less consideration is given to… Read More »Tax Justice