Group intends to research low pay in the local area to find out how it relates to other issues like zero-hours contracts and changes to the benefits system

COMMON WEAL Perth and Kinross have met with local MP Pete Wishart and MSP John Swinney and agreed to work together in building a local Living Wage coalition. Below, the local group outlines its plan for the coalition.

Introduction

Plans for a North Sea "super-grid" could be the beginning of European energy inter-dependence based on green energy. Common Weal Policy explain why it could be a historic development in energy distribution for Scotland and Europe

New Common Weal report tackles the end of the 'Wilson Doctrine' and proposes a new data sovereignty strategy for Scotland

In this essay, Common Weal policy looks at the history of tax credits and its role as a sticking plaster for a low-pay, unequal economy, and proposes a new politics of welfare based on the idea of 'the commons'

Summary of key points:

- The politics and language of welfare has been defined by the right-wing in British politics and has been artificially split off from the issue of our unequal, low-pay economy

The plan for a budget surplus law is not financial prudence, it's economic vandalism - Ben Wray explains why

CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer George Osborne is proposing a new law that will make budget surpluses at "normal economic times" legally binding, so that Government's are not allowed to run a deficit.

It's the height of fiscal reponsibility, isn't it? A budget surplus - taking in more in taxes than you spend - will mean public finances are safe and secure and we won't have another economic crash.