Common Weal head of policy and research Ben Wray analyses why George Osborne's austerity plans keep failing even on their own terms, and finds key lessons for building a alternative economic strategy in Scotland that is "contra-Osborne"
The new report outlining a plan for an alternative 'people's' banking network in Scotland is a New Economics Foundation, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Move Your Money and Common Weal collaboration
COMMON WEAL has published a new report alongside three other campaign groups and think-tanks arguing for new 'People's banks' to balance out the "unstable and unfit for purpose" domination of the financial sector by big commercial banks in Scotland.
The real UK debt problem is personal debt and is being actively promoted by the Chancellor through austerity and quantitative easing for the "parasite banks". Many people in Scotland are on the brink financially, but one group in society benefits - Britain's banking sector
Common Weal Policy look at recent comments from the OECD and IMF arguing for public investment rather than austerity for the UK economy. There are few economists left who would defend Osborne's economic "lunacy", but the Chancellor has bigger fish to fry - he's trying to become Prime Minister...
New Common Weal report argues that powers set to be devolved in the Scotland Bill are limited, but on child benefit and pensions provide some room for a progressive, universalist approach
COMMON WEAL has today [18 February] published a new report looking at what the Scottish Parliament can do with new powers set to be devolved in the Scotland Bill on social security.
Ben Wray, head of policy & research at Common Weal, takes apart the Taxpayers Alliance' argument that it is "foolhardy" for the Scottish Government to borrow money, and makes the case for loosening the restrictions on Scottish Government borrowing
Ben Wray, head of policy and research at Common Weal, looks at the "tricky and confused" debate over the Scottish Rate of Income Tax, and asks whether Scottish Labour's proposals match their ambitions
HAS there ever been an election defined by such constitutional confusion in policy terms? The upcoming Scottish election is looming with the strange spectacle of different parties proposing different tax proposals based on different possible devolution outcomes.
Report makes case for government funded early learning and care being run entirely through public provision with all childcare centres open Monday-Friday 8-6pm
COMMON WEAL has published a major new report on early learning and care in Scotland, detailing a plan for the future of childcare that will transform Scotland for families.
The report is the first fully costed proposal for how the Scottish Government could deliver on its ambitious target of 30 hours of free childcare every week for every 3-4 year old and vulnerable 2 year old by 2020.
Launch of the report this Thursday 3 December as part of Only Way is Ethics Glasgow Festival
OUR economic model premised on consumerism and a narrow narrative of 'I' is causing social and environmental harm and needs to be tackled head on by the Scottish Government, a new report, launched to coincide with the start of the Paris Climate Summit and the aftermath of the 'Black Friday' shopping binge, has argued.
New report 100 years after Glasgow rent strike which led to the first rent controls being introduced in the UK
COMMON WEAL and the Living Rent Campaign have today [14 October] published a report outlining a comprehensive plan for rent controls in the private rented sector in Scotland, as a crucial part of addressing Scotland's housing crisis.