The interim report of the Milburn review into young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has highlighted the growing number of young people falling into this category. In this briefing, we review the… Read More »Young People and Work
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
In August 2023, the Jimmy Reid Foundation published an Assessment of Fair Work in Scotland, supported by the Alex Ferry Foundation. The Scottish Government set a target for Scotland to become a Fair Work Nation… Read More »Is Scotland a Fair Work Nation?
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
An important theme for the Jimmy Reid Foundation in recent years has been community. There are many types of communities, and all are important. However, there is a risk that we forget the importance of… Read More »The Policy of Place
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 is investing significant public money in Industrial Strategy Zones, encompassing Freeports, Investment and Enterprise Zones, and, more recently, AI Zones. The Scottish Government signed an agreement with the UK Government in February… Read More »Industrial Strategy Zones
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 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