It’s been a busy and successful year for us here at Reform Scotland, as the political temperature has soared and Scottish politics has been properly contested again. There has been a greater focus on policy and an appetite for fresh ideas, especially in the areas where we are most concentrated: education, the NHS and the economy.
Our NHS2048 programme, which brings together a range of experts to look at how the health service can be fixed – perhaps saved is not too strong a word – is having a major impact on the national debate. We are also playing a significant role in the move towards addressing how Scotland’s schools can be improved after last Christmas’s worrying PISA results, working with the Scottish government and the opposition parties to identify and deliver the necessary measures. Among other issues, we’re continuing to press the case for changes to the funding structure for universities and colleges, and against the damaging undermining of local government autonomy.
It’s been a good year, too, for Reform Scotland’s events programme – particular highlights included our inaugural annual lecture, delivered by Lord Mandelson in October at the RSE, a discussion about Scotland’s growing prison population and what might be done to reduce it, and various expert debates around NHS reform.
We’ve recently launched a partnership with the Mercat Group, an organisation of former council chief executives, to look at how local government might be empowered and improved – there’ll be lots more on that in 2025. And our website has expanded to include a comments section, allowing you to engage directly with the articles and reports we publish.
In the link below you’ll find our 2024 compendium containing the many articles we’ve carried on our Melting Pot blog, which range in topic from the energy crisis to social security to homelessness. As ever, if you have something you’d like to say, we’re happy to talk to you about carrying your thoughts on our website.
As we move towards 2025, we have major plans for the new year, as Scotland gears up for the next Holyrood election. It’s a real chance to deliver better, sharper policy which can improve the condition of the nation. As ever, we’re grateful for every engagement we have with you in the Reform Scotland community, and look forward to continuing as the temperature continues to rise.
Chris Deerin
Director