Policy Institute Merger With Reform Scotland
02 Sep 2008
This final Policy Institute newsletter has details of the merger with Reform Scotland. (more…)
Officers should go it alone
15 Jan 2008
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Scotsman on 15th January ‘08 (more…)
A Tale of Two Scotlands - Christmas Newsletter 2007
13 Dec 2007
Value for money?
06 Dec 2007
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Herald on 6th December
How Friedman could rescue Scottish universities
03 Dec 2007
A version of this article by Professor Sir Alan Peacock was published in The Sunday Times on 2nd December.
(more…)
Give our universities freedom to follow the American way
28 Nov 2007
This article by Brian Montetih was published in The Scotsman on 27th November
Scotland’s Schools Overtaken By England’s
23 Oct 2007
Killing off Inheritance Tax
12 Oct 2007
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Herald on 12th October
Faeroes Offers Blueprint For Highlands And Islands Success
27 Sep 2007
Why a local income tax would prove disastrous for Scotland
25 Sep 2007
This article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 25th September
Local Income Tax Would Be Holyrood’s Biggest Mistake
20 Sep 2007
Liberal Conservative Party is way ahead
19 Sep 2007
This article by Brian Monteith, the Policy Institute’s Research Director, appeared in The Scotsman on 19th September
Time for no-strike deals
11 Sep 2007
This letter from Tom Miers was published in The Scotsman on 11th September
Scotland Should Adopt A Highway
29 Aug 2007
A verison of this article by Suart Crawford appeared in The Scotsman on 29th August
Action needed on health
23 Aug 2007
A version of this letter was published in The Scotsman on 23rd August
Constitutional Distractions
16 Aug 2007
A letter published in The Herald
In Defence of Independent Schools
06 Aug 2007
A version of this letter appeared in The Scotsman on 4th August
Is Prison Tough Enough?
26 Jul 2007
A Talk by Clive Fairweather CBE, Former Chief Inspector of Prisons
Former Prisons Chief Unveils Radical Plan To Cut Reoffending
21 Jun 2007
So, exactly who’s in charge here?
10 Jun 2007
This article by Bill Jamieson appeared in Scotland on Sunday on 10th June
Pricing Beauty
31 May 2007
This article on planning appeared in the Rettie magazine of 2007
Brian Monteith Joins The Policy Institute
30 May 2007
Powers of the State
29 May 2007
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Scotsman on 29th May
The Real State of Scotland’s Schools - Must Do Better
28 Mar 2007
How to Save Devolution
05 Mar 2007
The Key to Economic Success in Scotland
28 Feb 2007
Open Debate sponsored by HBOS plc
How to Cure Scotland’s NHS
13 Feb 2007
An open debate
Winter Debate
18 Jan 2007
Citizen & State: Three Visions For Scotland in 2026
Three Elephants In The Room
18 Dec 2006
Christmas Newsletter
Market Forces Must Replace The Planning Bureaucracy
14 Dec 2006
Reforms Needed To Protect Our Historic Buildings
15 Nov 2006
We Should Welcome Cross Border Raids
26 Oct 2006
A version of this letter from Tom Miers was published in The Scotsman on 26th October
Lord Harris of High Cross
24 Oct 2006
Lord Harris’s work inspired the creation of the Policy Institute. This obituary by Bill Jamieson appeared in The Scotsman on 24th October
Clear analysis of the relative merits of reactions to climate change is overdue
04 Oct 2006
This letter from Tom Miers was published in The Scotsman on 4th October
Why there is so much discontent about tax
20 Sep 2006
This letter from Tom Miers was published in The Herald on 20th October
Why Barnett Formula may soon be coming to the end of its time
12 Sep 2006
This article by Bill Jamieson appeared in The Scotsman on 12th September 2006
Easy To Decide Which Bills Are “English”
06 Jul 2006
This letter from Tom Miers was published in The Herald on 6th July
Scottish Water Flotation
10 Jun 2006
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Scotsman
The Best Investment In Scottish Education
12 May 2006
A letter from Tom Miers published in The Herald
Planning Power to the People
25 Apr 2006
A Speech to the Scottish Countryside Alliance by Tom Miers
A Presentation: The Economic Case For Fiscal Autonomy
19 Apr 2006
The Policy Institute is co-hosting this at Jury’s Inn, 43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh on 19th April. Press ‘more’ for further information.
Marta Andreasen Lecture
18 Apr 2006
The Former EU Chief Accountant describes her experience to an Edinburgh audience
Free Us From These Politicians - However They’re Elected
06 Apr 2006
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 6th April
It’s Time To Rein In Our Power-Mad Politicians
20 Mar 2006
A New Way To Fund Universities
08 Mar 2006
Letter from Tom Miers published in The Scotsman
Radical Proposal For “University Bonds” Will Help Scotland
02 Feb 2006
Government Pensions - A First Step Out Of The Mess
20 Jan 2006
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 20th January 2006
Out Of The Sidings - A Debate On Transport
06 Dec 2005
Tuesday 6th December
5.45 for 6pm till 7.30pm
An open debate
Out Of The Sidings
Ideas For Scotland’s Transport Networks
Venue: McGrigors, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AQ
Refreshments
RSVP
(Acceptance only) to Tom Miers, Exec. Director, Policy Institute
on e-mail: tmiers@policyinstitute.info or tel: (0131) 620 8587
Andrew Neil Delivers Hayek Lecture
28 Nov 2005
Policy Institute Unveils Radical Vision For Scottish Transport
31 Oct 2005
“Arts Vouchers” Will Encourage Public Participation
25 Oct 2005
City Of Queues
06 Sep 2005
Scotland Should “Adopt A Highway”
03 Aug 2005
Why The Churches Are Wrong To Back Geldof
29 Jun 2005
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 29th June
Flat Taxes Would Benefit Scotland
09 Jun 2005
How Democracy Takes Away Our Freedoms
24 May 2005
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 24th May
Scottish Water Should Go With The Utility Flow
14 May 2005
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 14th April 2005
Democracy Means Big Government
12 May 2005
Reviving The Scottish Water Industry
12 May 2005
Open Debate with Prof. Colin Robinson 5.45 pm - 7.30 pm
Scotland’s Water Industry Should Be Opened To Competition
01 Apr 2005
How To Close Scotland’s Productivity Gap
28 Feb 2005
For a commentary by Tom Miers, press ‘more’ below.
Alan Greenspan on Adam Smith
05 Feb 2005
The Chairman of the US Federal Reserve gave a speech in Kircaldy on Adam Smith. Read the whole lecture.
Alexander The Greatest
14 Jan 2005
A version of this article appeared in The Scotsman on 14th January 2005
Scotland’s Economy: New Points of Departure
01 Dec 2004
Public Debate
Open Debate
23 Nov 2004
Would More Parental Choice Help Scottish Schools?
Planning System Must Be Reformed
07 Nov 2004
Teachers and Parents Could Tranform Scotland’s Education
21 Oct 2004
Who Governs Rural Scotland?
11 Oct 2004
Conference held by People Too on 29th October
Scotland’s neighbours show the way to Highland revival
11 Oct 2004
A version of this article by Tom Miers apepared in The Scotsman on 11th October 2004
Fantasy Jobs – why ‘indirect employment’ figures should be taken with a pinch of salt
20 Sep 2004
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 20th September 2004.
Jobs Figures Can Distort Public Policy
19 Sep 2004
Free Books!
09 Aug 2004
The Policy Institute is offering a number of publications for free
Valuing The Environment Is The Only Sensible Energy Strategy
02 Aug 2004
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 2nd August.
Down The Wrong Track On Rail
19 Jul 2004
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 19th July
A Plea For An Enlightened Debate On Army Cuts
08 Jul 2004
A version of this article by Dr Craig F Smith appeared in The Scotsman on 13th July 2004
Missing An Open Goal – Scotland’s Politicians Must Wake Up To The Opportunity Of Public Service Reform
28 Jun 2004
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 28th June
Scotland’s Universities Must Free Themselves From Political Control
25 Jun 2004
There’s Nothing Wrong With A Shrinking Population
03 Jun 2004
A version of this article appeared in The Scotsman on 3rd June
Debate on Scotland’s Financial Sector
01 Jun 2004
For an invitation, press ‘more’.
Executive Must Act To Boost Scottish Financial Services
21 May 2004
EXECUTIVE MUST ACT TO BOOST SCOTTISH FINANCIAL SERVICES
The First Minister must take charge of the enterprise brief to develop policy on the economy and financial services, says a new report by the Policy Institute, a Scottish think tank.
Only he has the clout to co-ordinate policy across the departments – and get Scottish representatives at Westminster and Europe to stand up for Scottish industry.
The paper, by Ross Leckie, says that Scotland’s finance industry has been the fastest growing part of the economy in the last five years. It now employs 106,000 people and contributes £7bn to Scottish GDP.
But new competitive pressures from overseas, combined with heavy domestic regulation, has threatened the success of the sector. “The context is alarming, and the need is for action is now”, says Leckie.
As well as an enhanced role for the First Minister, the paper suggests an income tax cut to attract highly skilled but highly mobile financial sector workers.
It also recommends fast-track development rules to allow new office space in the Central Belt, and for private companies to develop high-speed rail and road links between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In addition, Leckie suggests that Scottish Financial Enterprise play a bigger role in promoting the sector overseas, and educating policy makers at home. It should also investigate ways of changing Scots Law to allow new financial products and corporate structures.
Pricing Public Services - Why the Executive should let schools and hospitals compete
29 Mar 2004
A version of this article appeared in The Scotsman on 29th March 2004
Scotland Can Leapfrog UK and Europe to Better Public Services
28 Mar 2004
Should Governments Set Our Interest Rates?
01 Mar 2004
A version of this article appeared in The Scotsman on 1st March 2004
Scottish Enterprise Must Change To Succeed
09 Dec 2003
New Study Points To ‘Fiscal Autonomy’
01 Dec 2003
Local Government Bill Does Not Go Far Enough
01 Dec 2003
Reforms Needed for a World Class Health Service
03 Nov 2003
Scotland should introduce more patient choice to reduce waiting lists and create a world class health service, says a new paper by the Policy Institute, a Scottish based think tank.
“There is a golden opportunity over the next three years for radical improvement in access and quality to health services for the people of Scotland,” says the paper - ‘A Healthy Future for Scotland’, by Professor Nick Bosanquet.
“Scotland has the people and the resources required to make this happen,” it continues. “Can it find the motivation and drive to improve results and maximise value for patients from the Scottish health pound?”
Bosanquet, a professor of health policy at Imperial College, says “There is little in the policy mix set for the next crucial five years which will have any impact at all on the underlying problem of productivity - which appears to be the great unmentionable of Scottish health politics”.
Instead he recommends that GPs be given power to refer patients “wherever service is best and quickest,” citing reforms in Scandinavia and England. He also calls for more a dramatic programme to improve diet and lifestyle in deprived areas, devolved budgets for health boards and more funding for voluntary organisations.
ENDS
Debate on Scotland’s Economy, 4th November
09 Oct 2003
For an invitation, press ‘more’
New Series on Economy Launched!
09 Oct 2003
See our press release by pressing ‘more’
Red tape isn’t working – so let the private sector cope with risk
04 Sep 2003
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 4th September ‘03.
Valuing environmental beauty is the best way to preserve it
01 Sep 2003
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 1st September ‘03.
Freeing the Isles from the stranglehold of CalMac
15 Aug 2003
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 15th August
Should Darling travel down Smith’s road pricing route?
07 Jul 2003
A version of this article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 7th July
New Web Site!
03 Jul 2003
The Policy Institute has gone live on the Internet…
How those party promises could cost us millions
14 Apr 2003
This article by Tom Miers appeared in The Scotsman on 14th April, just as the Scottish parliamentary election was hotting up…