Stephen Boyd
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
Director IPPR Scotland
Views my own
Views my own
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
1/Just back from Munich Security Conference. A few takeaways:
1.Old transatlantic alliance based on taken for granted trust is over (one official described it as a funeral).
2.US might talk nice but still is on a collision course w/Europe. 3.US firms stand to lose.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/w...
1.Old transatlantic alliance based on taken for granted trust is over (one official described it as a funeral).
2.US might talk nice but still is on a collision course w/Europe. 3.US firms stand to lose.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/w...
Three American Speeches at Munich, and Plenty of Confusion
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:49 AM
1/Just back from Munich Security Conference. A few takeaways:
1.Old transatlantic alliance based on taken for granted trust is over (one official described it as a funeral).
2.US might talk nice but still is on a collision course w/Europe. 3.US firms stand to lose.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/w...
1.Old transatlantic alliance based on taken for granted trust is over (one official described it as a funeral).
2.US might talk nice but still is on a collision course w/Europe. 3.US firms stand to lose.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/w...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
1994 and 1995. Just saying.
February 12, 2026 at 7:27 PM
1994 and 1995. Just saying.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
📢 It's launch day!🚀
💷 Social spending ≠ economic damage.
💪Plenty of countries prove you can have strong social security and strong economies.
Read our new report, More than a Safety Net ⤵️
@stephenkb.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
💷 Social spending ≠ economic damage.
💪Plenty of countries prove you can have strong social security and strong economies.
Read our new report, More than a Safety Net ⤵️
@stephenkb.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
More than a safety net: The welfare state as springboard to economic success and a better country | IPPR
It is widely proposed that higher social spending – especially in the form of social security benefits – is damaging to the economy. Yet the evidence prese
www.ippr.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:31 AM
📢 It's launch day!🚀
💷 Social spending ≠ economic damage.
💪Plenty of countries prove you can have strong social security and strong economies.
Read our new report, More than a Safety Net ⤵️
@stephenkb.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
💷 Social spending ≠ economic damage.
💪Plenty of countries prove you can have strong social security and strong economies.
Read our new report, More than a Safety Net ⤵️
@stephenkb.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
The @ipprscotland.bsky.social report - More than a Safety Net - is published today.
Is the welfare state a brake on economic development?
No, countries with high levels of social spending are among the most dynamic, productive and innovative economies in the world
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
Is the welfare state a brake on economic development?
No, countries with high levels of social spending are among the most dynamic, productive and innovative economies in the world
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
More than a safety net: The welfare state as springboard to economic success and a better country | IPPR
It is widely proposed that higher social spending – especially in the form of social security benefits – is damaging to the economy. Yet the evidence prese
www.ippr.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:11 AM
The @ipprscotland.bsky.social report - More than a Safety Net - is published today.
Is the welfare state a brake on economic development?
No, countries with high levels of social spending are among the most dynamic, productive and innovative economies in the world
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
Is the welfare state a brake on economic development?
No, countries with high levels of social spending are among the most dynamic, productive and innovative economies in the world
www.ippr.org/articles/mor...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Manchester Utd owner is giving media interviews claiming UK "colonised" by immigrants
He thinks population rose 12 million snce 2020!
11 million people born abroad; this was 9.5 million in 2020, so that is up 1.5 million (not 12 million) but rose 7 million in 30 years from 4m before 1997
He thinks population rose 12 million snce 2020!
11 million people born abroad; this was 9.5 million in 2020, so that is up 1.5 million (not 12 million) but rose 7 million in 30 years from 4m before 1997
February 11, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Manchester Utd owner is giving media interviews claiming UK "colonised" by immigrants
He thinks population rose 12 million snce 2020!
11 million people born abroad; this was 9.5 million in 2020, so that is up 1.5 million (not 12 million) but rose 7 million in 30 years from 4m before 1997
He thinks population rose 12 million snce 2020!
11 million people born abroad; this was 9.5 million in 2020, so that is up 1.5 million (not 12 million) but rose 7 million in 30 years from 4m before 1997
No matter the depths of their sickening ignorance, it seems filthy rich men will always have a platform
news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
'UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
In an interview with Sky News's Ed Conway, Sir Jim says Britain faces profound political, social and economic challenges, among them an unprecedented rise in immigration in recent years.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:47 PM
No matter the depths of their sickening ignorance, it seems filthy rich men will always have a platform
news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍
Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪
We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀
For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️
Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪
We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀
For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️
February 11, 2026 at 12:03 PM
For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍
Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪
We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀
For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️
Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪
We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀
For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Major news outlets: Please consider prominently reporting what this all-star team of researchers has found.
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
February 9, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Major news outlets: Please consider prominently reporting what this all-star team of researchers has found.
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Over 300,000 children already living in the UK could face 5–10 extra years before they can settle permanently.
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
February 9, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Over 300,000 children already living in the UK could face 5–10 extra years before they can settle permanently.
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
My latest @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on economic growth and the looming Holyrood election.
"What might prove elusive are clear and coherent explanations of why...growth remains a legitimate aspiration but one that is increasingly hard to achieve"
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2582...
"What might prove elusive are clear and coherent explanations of why...growth remains a legitimate aspiration but one that is increasingly hard to achieve"
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2582...
Why the case for growth in Scotland needs restated and how to do it
When making their case for growth, politicians would do well to focus on creating a shared national purpose around broadly based prosperity
www.heraldscotland.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:58 PM
My latest @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on economic growth and the looming Holyrood election.
"What might prove elusive are clear and coherent explanations of why...growth remains a legitimate aspiration but one that is increasingly hard to achieve"
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2582...
"What might prove elusive are clear and coherent explanations of why...growth remains a legitimate aspiration but one that is increasingly hard to achieve"
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2582...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
💷 Why do the costs of health, education & care services seem to rise relentlessly?
In our latest blog we turn to William Baumol to explain why it pays to be cautious about rapid productivity growth/lower costs in people driven services.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social🖊️
www.ippr.org/articles/ret...
In our latest blog we turn to William Baumol to explain why it pays to be cautious about rapid productivity growth/lower costs in people driven services.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social🖊️
www.ippr.org/articles/ret...
Rethinking public sector productivity | IPPR
The Spending Review published alongside the 2026-27 Budget commits the Scottish government to a programme of reform ‘designed to protect frontline services
www.ippr.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM
💷 Why do the costs of health, education & care services seem to rise relentlessly?
In our latest blog we turn to William Baumol to explain why it pays to be cautious about rapid productivity growth/lower costs in people driven services.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social🖊️
www.ippr.org/articles/ret...
In our latest blog we turn to William Baumol to explain why it pays to be cautious about rapid productivity growth/lower costs in people driven services.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social🖊️
www.ippr.org/articles/ret...
"...even if you pay a price in terms of innovation and productivity, the ethos that most people of sound mind who want to work, can work is a policy end in and of itself"
strong agree with @stephenkb.bsky.social and the beauty of it is...we can avoid such trade-offs
www.ft.com/content/18ee...
strong agree with @stephenkb.bsky.social and the beauty of it is...we can avoid such trade-offs
www.ft.com/content/18ee...
UBI fans must remember a job is about more than the money
The value of work often gets left out of discussions about AI
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:35 AM
"...even if you pay a price in terms of innovation and productivity, the ethos that most people of sound mind who want to work, can work is a policy end in and of itself"
strong agree with @stephenkb.bsky.social and the beauty of it is...we can avoid such trade-offs
www.ft.com/content/18ee...
strong agree with @stephenkb.bsky.social and the beauty of it is...we can avoid such trade-offs
www.ft.com/content/18ee...
"Some economists love simple stories, especially when they support their ideological priors, but a bit of knowledge of history often reveals that the truth is somewhat more complicated"
@richardaljones.bsky.social on what Alex Honnold tells us about knowledge and innovation
softmachines.org?p=3249
@richardaljones.bsky.social on what Alex Honnold tells us about knowledge and innovation
softmachines.org?p=3249
Rock climbing and the economics of innovation (revisited) – Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
softmachines.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
"Some economists love simple stories, especially when they support their ideological priors, but a bit of knowledge of history often reveals that the truth is somewhat more complicated"
@richardaljones.bsky.social on what Alex Honnold tells us about knowledge and innovation
softmachines.org?p=3249
@richardaljones.bsky.social on what Alex Honnold tells us about knowledge and innovation
softmachines.org?p=3249
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
The BBC is getting played here: if a contributor gets to flat out deny having his own words quoted to him on television (with the viewer not told the denial is untrue) then post about "dropping truth bombs". The mission to inform & counter misinformation is flailing if the editorial controls so weak
Konstantin Kisin has since posted on his own Youtube channel saying he 'dropped truth bombs on Question Time'.
Clearly 'alternative truth' bombs.
The video has had over 400k views and counting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AN1...
Clearly 'alternative truth' bombs.
The video has had over 400k views and counting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AN1...
January 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM
The BBC is getting played here: if a contributor gets to flat out deny having his own words quoted to him on television (with the viewer not told the denial is untrue) then post about "dropping truth bombs". The mission to inform & counter misinformation is flailing if the editorial controls so weak
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Brilliant letter in The Economist from Professor Ian Wray
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool
www.economist.com/letters/2026...
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool
www.economist.com/letters/2026...
January 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Brilliant letter in The Economist from Professor Ian Wray
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool
www.economist.com/letters/2026...
Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool
www.economist.com/letters/2026...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
📢 Starting today, we will publish a series of blogs as part of our project on Employment, Productivity and Reform in the Scottish Public Sector.
First up, this blog by @davehawkey.bsky.social looking at teacher pay per pupil in Scotland in an international context. ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/app...
First up, this blog by @davehawkey.bsky.social looking at teacher pay per pupil in Scotland in an international context. ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/app...
Apples and oranges? Scottish teachers’ pay in international context | IPPR
Ongoing pressures on the Scottish government budget are firing debate about the public sector paybill. Is the public sector in Scotland unmanageably big? A
www.ippr.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM
📢 Starting today, we will publish a series of blogs as part of our project on Employment, Productivity and Reform in the Scottish Public Sector.
First up, this blog by @davehawkey.bsky.social looking at teacher pay per pupil in Scotland in an international context. ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/app...
First up, this blog by @davehawkey.bsky.social looking at teacher pay per pupil in Scotland in an international context. ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/app...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
👶The Scottish Child Payment is cutting child poverty and bucking the UK trend. Imposing a two-child limit would put that progress at risk.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Scottish Conservatives' plan announced today to impose a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment⤵️
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Scottish Conservatives' plan announced today to impose a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment⤵️
January 28, 2026 at 1:34 PM
👶The Scottish Child Payment is cutting child poverty and bucking the UK trend. Imposing a two-child limit would put that progress at risk.
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Scottish Conservatives' plan announced today to impose a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment⤵️
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Scottish Conservatives' plan announced today to impose a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment⤵️
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
"Stephen Boyd, the director of the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland, described the proposals as 'profoundly unserious, almost comically so'." @stephenboydippr.bsky.social contributed to this article on Reform's tax plans.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform says it would cut green policies to fund £2bn income tax cut in Scotland
Party’s pitch to voters in May Holyrood elections dismissed as ‘profoundly unserious, almost comically so’ by analysts
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:56 PM
"Stephen Boyd, the director of the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland, described the proposals as 'profoundly unserious, almost comically so'." @stephenboydippr.bsky.social contributed to this article on Reform's tax plans.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
I see Labour MPs all chuntering away on X as they discuss who might be selected as a Labour candidate - using a platform explicitly designed and run to destroy their party and any other party like it.
January 25, 2026 at 9:41 AM
I see Labour MPs all chuntering away on X as they discuss who might be selected as a Labour candidate - using a platform explicitly designed and run to destroy their party and any other party like it.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
January 23, 2026 at 10:13 PM
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Very strong demand at this morning's gilt auction - bids worth 3.66 times the £4.75 billion on offer for a 4% gilt due in 2029.
It ranks as the 9th strongest out of the 1,208 auctions held since 1998.
DMO said to be ecstatic, someone has broken out a packet of Blue Ribands.
It ranks as the 9th strongest out of the 1,208 auctions held since 1998.
DMO said to be ecstatic, someone has broken out a packet of Blue Ribands.
January 21, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Very strong demand at this morning's gilt auction - bids worth 3.66 times the £4.75 billion on offer for a 4% gilt due in 2029.
It ranks as the 9th strongest out of the 1,208 auctions held since 1998.
DMO said to be ecstatic, someone has broken out a packet of Blue Ribands.
It ranks as the 9th strongest out of the 1,208 auctions held since 1998.
DMO said to be ecstatic, someone has broken out a packet of Blue Ribands.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Scotland’s Budget raises ambition — but ducks the hard fiscal choices⚠️
👶Eradicating child poverty isn’t cheap.
🌡️Climate action needs additional spend.
🏫Public services can’t improve on real-terms cuts.
Read more in @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's blog here ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/pol...
👶Eradicating child poverty isn’t cheap.
🌡️Climate action needs additional spend.
🏫Public services can’t improve on real-terms cuts.
Read more in @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's blog here ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/pol...
Policy credibility and the Scottish Budget | IPPR
Rather than parse the fine detail of the budget (others, including our friends at FAI, are already doing this very effectively) this blog will zoom out to
www.ippr.org
January 15, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Scotland’s Budget raises ambition — but ducks the hard fiscal choices⚠️
👶Eradicating child poverty isn’t cheap.
🌡️Climate action needs additional spend.
🏫Public services can’t improve on real-terms cuts.
Read more in @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's blog here ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/pol...
👶Eradicating child poverty isn’t cheap.
🌡️Climate action needs additional spend.
🏫Public services can’t improve on real-terms cuts.
Read more in @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's blog here ⤵️
www.ippr.org/articles/pol...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s priorities. Our full response on the Budget here👇
www.ippr.org/media-office...
www.ippr.org/media-office...
IPPR Scotland reacts to Budget | IPPR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEA tepid Budget that didn't begin to address Scotland’s pressing challenges, says IPPR Scotland Stephen Boyd, IPPR Scotland director,
www.ippr.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s priorities. Our full response on the Budget here👇
www.ippr.org/media-office...
www.ippr.org/media-office...
Some early thoughts on the Scottish budget:
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s 4 key priorities. This can’t go on. 1/
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s 4 key priorities. This can’t go on. 1/
January 13, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Some early thoughts on the Scottish budget:
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s 4 key priorities. This can’t go on. 1/
Yet again, short-term politically driven tax changes with minimal real impact are prioritised over the development of a serious, long-term strategy to achieve the revenues necessary to deliver on the FM’s 4 key priorities. This can’t go on. 1/
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Hello new Blueskyers! Have a starter pack of people who you might be interested in following on here if you’re into politics/policy/econ/terminally online content. go.bsky.app/TQwFBgH
January 11, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Hello new Blueskyers! Have a starter pack of people who you might be interested in following on here if you’re into politics/policy/econ/terminally online content. go.bsky.app/TQwFBgH