Finlay Whiteford, associate, looks at the top stories for the week ahead.
It was a weekend of big occasions across the pond, as the USA’s 250th birthday celebrations coincided with a certain Taylor Swift’s wedding plans in New York City, and the reversal – or alternatively, creation - of a “great injustice” on the football/soccer pitch.
However, a different kind of Red (I’m reliably informed this is a Taylor Swift reference) will dominate UK headlines this week, alongside the inevitable football focus.
Nominations will open on Thursday to find Labour’s next leader and prime minister, with Andy Burnham expected to fill the Blank Space (this one I’d heard of) and take office on 20 July.
Instead of a set-piece media interview, the MP for Makerfield opted to take questions from Reddit users in an ‘AMA’ (ask me anything) on Friday night.
He stood firm on his party’s 2024 manifesto, saying he would not scrap the triple-lock on pensions and ruling out an early election. Burnham was also reportedly “crystal clear” on his opposition to a second independence referendum (£) when he spoke to Labour MPs last week.
That was more bad news for pro-independence group Yes Scotland, after it was reported that police are now investigating the finances of the group (£), which has had close links with the SNP.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
During the election campaign, Scottish first minister John Swinney promised voters he would implement a price cap on essential food items within 100 days. Forty days in, introductory talks between the minister responsible for enacting the policy, Stephen Flynn, and industry representatives have not been fruitful for the government (£).
Engineering firm Cowi has revealed details of the tunnels which could link Shetland’s Mainland to Yell and Unst, after initial plans were approved by the islands’ council last week. Explosives would blast through undersea rock to create the tunnels, which could replace the ageing ferry fleet between the islands and attract new residents and investment.
A pro-European campaign group has claimed rejoining the EU would boost the Scottish economy by £583 million. The study by Frontier Economics assessed the impacts of closer EU ties as well as additional US tariffs, concluding that an economic upswing would create a gross value add (GVA) of 0.43% annually.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
Recent debates over AI data centres in Scotland have “lacked the voice of business” and been “fact free” according to Scottish Financial Enterprise chief executive, Sandy Begbie, writing in Scotland on Sunday. Highlighting the 23 data centres already operating, he urges the Scottish Government to show leadership and welcome the inward investment brought by new digital infrastructure instead of mulling widespread bans.
Andy Burnham discussed “growth in every postcode” in his big speech last week. But the main issue facing Britain, argues Daniel Susskind in the FT, is a lack of any growth at all. He says Burnham’s plans for devolution are a misplaced strategy to prosperity, and that he should instead embrace new technologies and existing businesses’ successes in the cities and regions already driving the national economy.
Conversely, Andrew Quinn argues that prioritising devolution could “save” Scottish Labour in next year’s council elections. By taking on the SNP using similar talking points on local decision-making, Quinn believes Burnham’s fresh face and policy approach could lead voters here to vote Labour as they did in 2024.
Shifting the dial - recent research
Andy Burnham’s decision to use Reddit as the platform for policy announcements raised some eyebrows last week.
But polling from Ipsos’s Online Audience Measurement Service in May found that the site reached a wider audience among those aged 15-34 than the websites of the BBC, NHS, and Reach newspapers.
More than three quarters of young people visit Reddit each month, with the average visitor spending more than two hours on the platform during that time.
The American company ranks sixth in popularity for young Brits online, behind Google owner Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and TikTok owner Bytedance.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
The Scottish Parliament is now in recess until 30 August.
Monday
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At Westminster
- Oral questions: defence
- British Chambers of Commerce Economic Survey released
Tuesday
-
At Westminster
- Oral questions: energy security and net zero
- The Defence Committee takes one-off evidence from strategic defence review authors Lord Robertson and General Sir Richard Barrons on the Defence Investment Plan
- Keir Starmer attends his last diplomatic engagement, a two-day NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey
- The Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its fiscal risks and sustainability report
- Local Government Association annual conference begins in Bournemouth
Wednesday
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At Westminster
- Prime Minister’s Questions
- The Scottish Affairs Committee takes evidence on the future of Scotland’s high streets
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves meets European financial services commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque in Brussels
Thursday
- Nominations formally open in the UK Labour leadership contest
- RICS Residential Market Survey released
- Ethics and Integrity Commission publishes its report into lobbying and access to government
Saturday
- Wimbledon: Women’s Singles final
- England v Norway in the World Cup quarter-final (22:00)
Sunday
- Wimbledon: Men’s Singles final