Reading Time: 16 minutesThis blog highlights key messages from the Scottish Government’s 2026-27 Budget and the accompanying Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts.
Intergovernmental activity update: Q4 2025Â Â
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSPICe has published a new quarterly intergovernmental activity update, which covers quarter 4 (October to December) of 2025. You can find previous updates on our intergovernmental activity hub. ‘Intergovernmental activity’
SPICe Hub: draft Climate Change Plan
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Scottish Government published a draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) on 6 November 2025, marking the start of 120 days of its parliamentary scrutiny (until 5 March).
Draft Climate Change Plan – Transport: A vehicle for change?
Reading Time: 14 minutesThis post looks at the policies and proposals set out in the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan aimed at reducing car use, encouraging people to walk, wheel, cycle, and use public transport. It also considers policies aimed at freight decarbonisation.
The Strategic Integrated Impact Assessment – turning a corner in equalities budgeting?
Reading Time: 8 minutesThis blogs sets out SPICe’s analysis of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Integrated Impact Assessment, and compares it to its predecessor, the Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement.
The Scottish Government’s international development programme – 20 years on
Reading Time: 7 minutesOctober 2025 marked the 20-year anniversary of the Scottish Government’s international development programme. This blog looks at its evolution, what information is available about impacts
Explainer: Orders made under section 30 and section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998Â
Reading Time: 6 minutesThis blog provides a brief explainer of Orders made under section 30 and section 104 of the Scotland Act.
Scottish Government responses to pre-Budget scrutiny:Â evidence of action, but few outcomes?
Reading Time: 9 minutesThis blog looks back at the recommendations made by committees during pre-budget scrutiny 2026-27 and the impact of committee scrutiny on the Scottish Budget 2026-27.
Labour market update: January 2026
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSources: UK Labour Market: January 2026 and Labour market in the regions of the UK: January 2026 For constituency-level labour market statistics, please visit the labour market in
Climate Change Plan. Transport – Forever in electric dreams?
Reading Time: 9 minutesThis post looks at the policies and proposals set out in the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan aimed at encouraging electric vehicle uptake.
The Bill and the Order: What do they mean in Scottish cosmetic procedures legislation?
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe Bill and the Order: What do they mean in Scottish cosmetic procedures legislation? This blog looks at how the Bill and the Order compare and how they intersect.