With independence off the table, decentralisation should be the priority
20 February 2023
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In the Media
Christopher Snowdon quoted in The Mail
20 February 2023
Energy and Environment
Housing and Planning
Mark Littlewood writes in The Times
IEA Director General Mark Littlewood has argued in The Times that Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation could put a federal UK back on the agenda.
Mark wrote:
“A more intriguing consequence, which may take longer but will be of greater historical impact, will be whether an opportunity has opened up finally to reset Scotland’s constitutional status. This would fall short of independence, but might yet open some intriguing opportunities for economic change.
“All things being equal, research suggests that increasing the share of local taxation from a risible 5 per cent of the total to a more substantial 20 per cent could boost GDP by as much as 6 per cent.
“To date, though, the UK’s approach to devolution has been piecemeal and asymmetric and has therefore exacerbated constitutional conflict.
“If independence is now off the agenda, a new and fuller constitutional settlement needs to be constructed in its place.”
The full article can be read here.
Mark wrote:
“A more intriguing consequence, which may take longer but will be of greater historical impact, will be whether an opportunity has opened up finally to reset Scotland’s constitutional status. This would fall short of independence, but might yet open some intriguing opportunities for economic change.
“All things being equal, research suggests that increasing the share of local taxation from a risible 5 per cent of the total to a more substantial 20 per cent could boost GDP by as much as 6 per cent.
“To date, though, the UK’s approach to devolution has been piecemeal and asymmetric and has therefore exacerbated constitutional conflict.
“If independence is now off the agenda, a new and fuller constitutional settlement needs to be constructed in its place.”
The full article can be read here.
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