Juanpe Castro
@jujupepe.bsky.social
Economist at @futureeconscot.bsky.social
The irony of austerity. Generous tax cuts via personal allowance increases - disproportionately benefiting middle and upper-middle earners - funded by freezing benefits for the poorest and cutting public services.
With the six-year tax threshold freeze extended by another three years in the November Budget, 78% of the real personal allowance increases will be reversed.
But the personal allowance will still be £1,350 higher in real terms in 2030 than in 2010.
But the personal allowance will still be £1,350 higher in real terms in 2030 than in 2010.
January 15, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The irony of austerity. Generous tax cuts via personal allowance increases - disproportionately benefiting middle and upper-middle earners - funded by freezing benefits for the poorest and cutting public services.
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
NEW: Scotland’s Budget has delayed tough choices — not avoided them.
With an election in May, caution was to be expected. But while some welcome measures were announced, the long-term challenges haven’t gone away. 🧵
With an election in May, caution was to be expected. But while some welcome measures were announced, the long-term challenges haven’t gone away. 🧵
Scotland’s Budget: Tough Choices Delayed, Not Avoided
Our analysis of Scotland's Budget for 2026/27.
www.futureeconomy.scot
January 15, 2026 at 10:25 AM
NEW: Scotland’s Budget has delayed tough choices — not avoided them.
With an election in May, caution was to be expected. But while some welcome measures were announced, the long-term challenges haven’t gone away. 🧵
With an election in May, caution was to be expected. But while some welcome measures were announced, the long-term challenges haven’t gone away. 🧵
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
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/
In our latest @futureeconscot.bsky.social blog, we explore the implications for Scotland of yesterday's UK budget. Read more 👇
After weeks of speculation, Rachel Reeves finally delivered her Budget. But how will it impact Scotland?
Highlights in 🧵
Read our full analysis 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/358-ho...
Highlights in 🧵
Read our full analysis 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/posts/358-ho...
November 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
In our latest @futureeconscot.bsky.social blog, we explore the implications for Scotland of yesterday's UK budget. Read more 👇
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
Shell has exited its ScotWind projects, handing its lease back to Crown Estate Scotland and leaving questions as to what happens next.
It's a stark reminder of the risks in relying on distant investors and fossil fuel giants to deliver Scotland’s renewable energy future.
www.ft.com/content/b9d0...
It's a stark reminder of the risks in relying on distant investors and fossil fuel giants to deliver Scotland’s renewable energy future.
www.ft.com/content/b9d0...
Shell abandons floating North Sea wind farm projects
UK energy group to focus on potentially more lucrative activities such as power trading
www.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Shell has exited its ScotWind projects, handing its lease back to Crown Estate Scotland and leaving questions as to what happens next.
It's a stark reminder of the risks in relying on distant investors and fossil fuel giants to deliver Scotland’s renewable energy future.
www.ft.com/content/b9d0...
It's a stark reminder of the risks in relying on distant investors and fossil fuel giants to deliver Scotland’s renewable energy future.
www.ft.com/content/b9d0...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
📬 Latest newsletter out today!
From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨🏭 just transition for workers & communities.
✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...
From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨🏭 just transition for workers & communities.
✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
📬 Latest newsletter out today!
From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨🏭 just transition for workers & communities.
✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...
From the upcoming 🗳️ Holyrood election & Scotland’s 🎯 industrial strategy, to 🌱 nature restoration, 💨 ScotWind, & a 👨🏭 just transition for workers & communities.
✉️ Sign up for insight on the choices shaping Scotland’s future: us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=910b...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
UK and Scottish governments have pledged £20m to transition North Sea workers into clean energy jobs - a vital step towards a fairer, cleaner economy.
But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Government aims to create 400,000 jobs through UK national green energy plan
Scheme will offer training for plumbers, welders and carpenters as well as promoting trade union recognition
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
UK and Scottish governments have pledged £20m to transition North Sea workers into clean energy jobs - a vital step towards a fairer, cleaner economy.
But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
But as oil and gas decline accelerates, far more must be done to support workers and communities most affected.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
Since the 1960s, the fossil fuel industry has shaped Scotland’s economy and identity.
After decades powering growth and jobs, this era is drawing to a close 🧵 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Since the 1960s, the fossil fuel industry has shaped Scotland’s economy and identity.
After decades powering growth and jobs, this era is drawing to a close 🧵 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
October 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
Since the 1960s, the fossil fuel industry has shaped Scotland’s economy and identity.
After decades powering growth and jobs, this era is drawing to a close 🧵 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Since the 1960s, the fossil fuel industry has shaped Scotland’s economy and identity.
After decades powering growth and jobs, this era is drawing to a close 🧵 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
🚨 NEW: We’ve been told for years that private finance will fix Scotland’s nature crisis. Our new research shows why it won’t – and sets out a bold public-led alternative.
Highlights in 🧵
Read full report 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Highlights in 🧵
Read full report 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
October 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
🚨 NEW: We’ve been told for years that private finance will fix Scotland’s nature crisis. Our new research shows why it won’t – and sets out a bold public-led alternative.
Highlights in 🧵
Read full report 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Highlights in 🧵
Read full report 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
Instead of private finance, we need public investment for public goods – plus action on systemic barriers:
📈 Reducing financial uncertainty for landowners
💷 Tax reform
🌱 Fairer land ownership
🦌 Tackling deer numbers
👷♀️ Building skills & housing
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
📈 Reducing financial uncertainty for landowners
💷 Tax reform
🌱 Fairer land ownership
🦌 Tackling deer numbers
👷♀️ Building skills & housing
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
October 1, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Instead of private finance, we need public investment for public goods – plus action on systemic barriers:
📈 Reducing financial uncertainty for landowners
💷 Tax reform
🌱 Fairer land ownership
🦌 Tackling deer numbers
👷♀️ Building skills & housing
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
📈 Reducing financial uncertainty for landowners
💷 Tax reform
🌱 Fairer land ownership
🦌 Tackling deer numbers
👷♀️ Building skills & housing
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Trump's just announced 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports - with the exemption rules still unclear.
40% of Scotland's pharma exports go to the US. I explore our trading relationship, and how it might be impacted by tariffs in a new blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social: t.co/YafkA8iiLD
40% of Scotland's pharma exports go to the US. I explore our trading relationship, and how it might be impacted by tariffs in a new blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social: t.co/YafkA8iiLD
September 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Trump's just announced 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports - with the exemption rules still unclear.
40% of Scotland's pharma exports go to the US. I explore our trading relationship, and how it might be impacted by tariffs in a new blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social: t.co/YafkA8iiLD
40% of Scotland's pharma exports go to the US. I explore our trading relationship, and how it might be impacted by tariffs in a new blog for @futureeconscot.bsky.social: t.co/YafkA8iiLD
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
🏴🇺🇸 NEW: How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy?
In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.
In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.
How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy?
Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.
www.futureeconomy.scot
September 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
🏴🇺🇸 NEW: How are Trump’s tariffs impacting Scotland’s economy?
In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.
In a new blog, our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social explores the latest data, and finds that Scotland's exports are defying expectations – for now. But significant risks lie ahead.
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
📢 NEW: Scotland faces a stark choice: act boldly to shape the economy, or be shaped by global forces.
Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
September 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
📢 NEW: Scotland faces a stark choice: act boldly to shape the economy, or be shaped by global forces.
Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read our second report with @mazzucatom.bsky.social and @iipp-ucl.bsky.social on how to rethink the state around a mission-oriented approach: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
NEW: Green jobs in Scotland increased by 7,500 over the past year, rising to a record high of 33,500
We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵
We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵
July 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
NEW: Green jobs in Scotland increased by 7,500 over the past year, rising to a record high of 33,500
We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵
We welcome strong progress in areas like energy efficiency and low carbon vehicles, but some areas of concern remain 🧵
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
🏠 Completions under the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme fell by 22% in 2024/25. The number of homes completed was 7,444, a fall of 2,070 compared to the previous financial year, and the lowest level since 2015/16 (exc. the first year of Covid-19) 🧵
June 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM
🏠 Completions under the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme fell by 22% in 2024/25. The number of homes completed was 7,444, a fall of 2,070 compared to the previous financial year, and the lowest level since 2015/16 (exc. the first year of Covid-19) 🧵
Reposted by Juanpe Castro
NEW: Our analysis of ONS data shows private rents in Scotland have risen 32% since 2020, an average increase of £245/month. This outpaces inflation and previous rent trends. 🧵
June 19, 2025 at 7:23 AM
NEW: Our analysis of ONS data shows private rents in Scotland have risen 32% since 2020, an average increase of £245/month. This outpaces inflation and previous rent trends. 🧵