The Reid Foundation

Our latest paper examines the current state of communities of place in Scotland, why they matter, and what is needed to strengthen them. reidfoundation.scot/2026/02/the-po…

“Better broadband improves educational outcomes, but with a crucial qualification: the gains only appear when pupils attend schools that are themselves digitally well equipped.”But please don’t use ‘human capital’ - we are human beings not a balance sheet! blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpol…

How could AI change Scotland's public services? Forbes, "AI is happening" - and we can "reap benefits or allow it to disrupt our lives". Indeed, but PR about investment is not actual delivery. Then there is energy, water and governance of AI zones. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

We welcome that a firm date is now in sight for withdrawing HSTs at ScotRail. Wider fleet renewal is underway and we urge ScotRail and the Scottish Government to use public financing and green bonds to replace the rest of the ageing fleet. tinyurl.com/7ydtk2m9

Why the gender wealth gap is still so stubborn – and what it means for women’s wellbeing. Data is limited, but 2025 estimate from Women’s Budget Group the gender wealth gap in the UK stood at 21%. Higher than the gender pay gap at 13%. theconversation.com/why-the-gender…

How BrewDog showed the limits of community capitalism. Communities may power the stories that fuel entrepreneurship. But when the balance sheet tightens, it is still institutional rules that decide who gets paid. theconversation.com/how-brewdog-sh…

With fossil fuel prices surging, decoupling electricity bills from gas prices has never been more important. Important briefing from @Cmmonwealth:

NEW: We often hear that Scotland’s more progressive income tax is “driving people out the country.” New HMRC data shows the opposite. Far more taxpayers are moving to Scotland than leaving it. Let’s look at the data 🧵

As we highlighted in this paper. reidfoundation.scot/2025/04/sports…

Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ National Organiser for Scotland, said: “Members have worked hard to make STV News at 6 the most watched news programme in Scotland, and instead of being rewarded, they are being made to pay for the debts run up under chief executive Rufus Radcliffe.”

Just transition will fail without poverty action, Scottish parties are warned. High essential costs, leave many people living permanently on the edge of crisis. “The only credible and just pathway to net-zero must also mean zero poverty.” holyrood.com/news/view,just…

Ban corporate donations to UK political parties to protect elections. Researchers found a quarter of the money was not traceable because the owner of the company could not be identified. “The bill’s reforms are easy to dodge,” theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

Impact of Iran war expected to bring hold in interest rates. Interest rates may be the primary tool available to the Bank to hit inflation target rate, but it is an ineffective tool to address global shocks like war. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

The UK’s high electricity prices are here to stay. But could they offer an opportunity? Most global investments in energy are in renewables, and there will be huge opportunities for the countries that can run a grid on intermittent electricity sources. theconversation.com/the-uks-high-e…

“The Bank of England should have the courage to admit that its main policy tool is largely irrelevant in dealing with geopolitical supply shocks and their impact.” Great piece @jryancollins: theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

We need to end the managed decline of Royal Mail.

Scotland population - the data on how the nation is changing. From expanding cities such as Edinburgh to island communities facing population decline, Scotland’s demographic picture is one of contrasts. Growing modestly, ageing, and relying on immigration. heraldscotland.com/news/25613940.…

Would more North Sea drilling lower UK energy bills? Analysis says no. A faster transition away from gas-powered electricity could cut household energy bills by three times as much as maximising North Sea oil and gas. As could market reform and insulation. theconversation.com/would-more-nor…

Articles exposing Palantir being suppressed by Elon Musk! Please break the algorithm and share and comment!

Why harmful content keeps reaching children online – and what advertising has to do with it. Advertising rarely features in public conversations about online safety, yet it sits at the centre of the ecosystem. theconversation.com/why-harmful-co…

What was Doge? How Elon Musk tried to gamify government. What Doge sought to automate, was “not paperwork but democratic decision-making”. Efficiency became the alibi for centralisation. And despite the failures, his firms have govt contracts. theguardian.com/news/ng-intera…