University news

Scotland’s sharpest economic minds are gathering in Glasgow next week to discuss the country’s fiscal prospects.

Organised by the Centre for Public Policy and the Regions, the conference will look at the fiscal position of Scotland and its impact on the economy.

The conference will be opened by John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in the Scottish Government, and will feature contributions from academics from the universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde and Edinburgh, as well as several independent economists.

Professor Richard Harris, director of the CPPR said: “In May 2007, CPPR looked at the spending plans of the main political parties in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections as the first step in a consideration of the fiscal position of Scotland and its impact on the economy. In the next 12-18 months we will be continuing this work.

“To launch this second stage of our work, we are holding this key conference, which has as its central theme ‘What we know and need to know.’

“The conference will address three main questions:

1  What are the prospects for efficiency gains within the Scottish public sector, as additional funds for enhancing Departmental Cash Limits?

2 Is there a fiscal deficit in Scotland. If so, how large is it, what alternatives are there to financing it other than through Central Government grants?

3 What options are there for revenue raising powers for Scotland, including local government finance?

“This conference will provide a platform from which the next stage of economic analysis and debate can be launched and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the fiscal future of Scotland to attend.”

The Centre for Public Policy for Regions is a major research initiative being jointly pursued by the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. It looks at the role of public policy in promoting economic and social development in Scotland and beyond.

The purpose of the CPPR is to produce quality research for better public policies and to develop a dialogue with government, communities and the private sector. To this end it publishes research papers and hold seminars and policy briefings on the key economic and social challenges facing Scotland and other regions. 

For more information or to register for the conference, go to
http://www.gla.ac.uk/centres/cppr/newsandevents/

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First published: 19 September 2007