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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Poll reveals majority of Scots have never heard of Scottish Enlightenment or David Hume
Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A majority of Scots have never heard of the Scottish Enlightenment or Scotland's most famous philosopher David Hume, a new poll has revealed. The poll found 56 per cent of respondents did not know of the Enlightenment - the period in 18th and 19th-century Scotland characterised by a flood of intellectual and scientific accomplishments - nor of Mr Hume himself. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A statue of David Hume against the backdrop of Edinburgh's Old Town | Scotsman/Canva The survey, commissioned by the David Hume Institute and carried out by ScotPulse, also found seven in ten (72 per cent) people were interested in history and wanted to learn more. Fewer than one in five respondents thought the past was not relevant to how their lives are lived today, the survey showed. Mr Hume is a historian and economist best known for his highly influential system of empiricism and philosophical scepticism published during the 18th century. But his views on race and his association with the slave trade has sparked criticism in recent years, with the University of Edinburgh removing his name from one of its campus buildings over concerns on the 'distress' caused to students. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A total of 2,194 people aged 16 and over in Scotland were interviewed from February 4-10 for the poll. Susan Murray, director of the David Hume Institute, said: 'This survey poses an interesting question for an institute named in honour of one of Scotland's most famous Enlightenment thinkers. Does knowing about the enlightenment matter to Scots today? And what does it mean to be named after a historical figure that almost half of Scots have not heard of? 'When we began thinking about this, we had more questions than answers, but the survey told us we are not alone in wanting to understand more.' A footnote first published by Mr Hume in 1753, as part of a wider essay on national characteristics, contained the view there were several races of humans, but claimed all were inferior to white Europeans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has aimed to investigate Mr Hume's legacy. A conference on the back of the project will be held in Edinburgh today.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Top concerns of Scots ahead of Holyrood election must be heeded
Health care, cost of living, poverty, the economy and, now, immigration - these are the top concerns amongst Scots and politicians should be ready to face all of these worries. Never underestimate the power of public opinion. This is a phrase which should be scrawled all over the walls of political party's campaign rooms ahead of Holyrood 2026. They should be memorising it, living it, breathing it. Without appealing to voters' concerns, political parties are nothing and they would do well in remembering that. It's fortunate there are studies out there to guide them. This month, the Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker, produced by the Diffley Partnership and David Hume Institute, polled 2,326 adults, aged 16 and over, across Scotland. It identified a shift in public concerns as well as rising economic unease. Politicians should be paying heed to this. READ MORE: Immigration ranked as a top concern for Scots, new report reveals Can Reform win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election? Scottish by-election: Constituents deserve a race to be their MSP The latest survey found that healthcare and the cost of living remain by far the most pressing issues, cited by around a half (49%) and over a third (36%) of people, respectively. The next most cited issue is poverty (17%). However, for the first time since the tracker began in October 2021, immigration has joined the top five public concerns. It is now ranked as a top issue by 16% of Scots, drawing neck and neck with the economy which gained the same amount of percentage points. Amongst those living in the most deprived areas, it is 22%. Senior Research Manager at the Diffley Partnership, Scott Edgar, who led the survey design, told The Herald they have been tracking the topic of immigration for a long time and it's only gradually ticked up over the last 12 months or so. This concern has potentially been brushed away by political parties in Scotland as more of a hot topic for down South with small boats crossing the Channel. It still is, but this study shows it is now on the minds of more and more Scots. Then there's the incredibly pressing issue of economic uncertainty which has stood out in the latest findings. Of those polled, 70% of respondents say economic conditions have worsened compared to a year ago, and almost half (49%) say their own financial situation has deteriorated over the same period. Alarmingly, one in five people said they cannot cover a £100 emergency without borrowing money, a figure that jumps to 44% when considering a £500 expense. What's more, half of Scots report scaling back discretionary expenses, and nearly half are conserving energy at home. Scots are struggling and they are strongly questioning whether the answers lie with the current political establishment as the issue of trust in politicians is also on the rise. With Scotland's main political parties testing out their strategies for next year's parliamentary elections in the Hamilton, Stonehouse and Larkhall by-election right now, they have likely heard some if not all of these issues voiced on the doors. However, this report should sound alarm bells in the ranks of all of Scotland's political parties and shape what they are focusing on in terms of developing their policy platforms ahead of Holyrood 2026. Voters will be looking to Scotland's politicians to offer solutions which address the economic challenges they face, improve their healthcare, standard of living and, now, address the other rising concerns they have. They all better have good answers.
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Call for 'disruptive' change in Scottish housing system
However, a new report by the David Hume Institute found the label had "limitations" and is calling for a more "bold, disruptive change". As reported by The Scotsman, the report warns Scotland's housing is 'at the edge of a precipice to an even bleaker future' and should be treated as essential economic infrastructure on a par with transport, energy and digital connectivity, with overhauls of land reform and the planning system. Read More: Professor Duncan Maclennan of the University of Glasgow, who authored the report, said there was 'little recognition that successive cohorts of over-50s households have been giving the under-30s a housing 'haircut' for the last half century'. The report notes that home ownership rates are falling for every age bracket under 50, with more electoral wards and parliamentary constituencies are moving towards electorates with a majority of renters. Titled 'Prosperity begins at home: Scottish housing policies for faster, fairer economic growth', the report states that housing policy by both the Scottish Government and the UK Government has "lost any coherence", with private landlords plugging gaps in provision but also subject to increasing controls. Professor Maclennan told The Scotsman: "Without a step-change in approach, Scotland will see worsening housing unaffordability, declining regional cohesion, and underperformance in key sectors of its economy. "More and more households will be priced out of opportunity, while communities continue to struggle with poor-quality homes and fraying infrastructure.'
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Piecemeal policies for Scotland's housing crisis don't cut it - this is a wake-up call
Professor Duncan Maclennan writes on what needs to be done to combat Scotland's housing crisis Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... My new report, Prosperity Begins at Home, commissioned by the David Hume Institute, exposes the economic cost of this outdated thinking and calls for bold, disruptive reform to build a fairer, more prosperous Scottish economy. The report argues that housing is not just about shelter – it is core economic infrastructure. Poor affordability, inadequate supply and an unresponsive system are now active drags on national productivity and wellbeing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's housing crisis is not new, but the risks are escalating. An ageing population, persistent regional inequality, and mounting climate pressures mean that continuing with business-as-usual approaches will only deepen social and economic divides. A series of Glasgow tenements. Picture: John Devlin We need more than short-term, piecemeal policy. We need a long-term, systemic shift that places housing at the heart of Scotland's economic and environmental strategy. The Cost of Inaction Substandard housing outcomes are holding back economic growth. Supply shortages and unaffordability in key areas restrict labour mobility and productivity. People are stuck in the wrong homes, in the wrong places, unable to reach the jobs that suit their skills. Rising costs drain household incomes and widen inequality. These are not fringe effects – they are fundamental constraints on Scotland's growth potential. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Professor Duncan Maclennan For years, policy has focused on quick fixes: subsidies, rent caps and marginal land releases. But these responses barely touch the deeper issues – land market dysfunction, rigid planning systems and fragmented governance. Without systemic change, outcomes will continue to deteriorate. Housing as Infrastructure Scotland must begin to treat housing as economic infrastructure, just as we do transport or digital networks. This means integrating housing into long-term economic planning, improving investment models, and creating effective governance structures – something that currently does not exist. Disruptive reform is essential. Land reform and planning overhaul are not side issues – they are central levers. We need a planning system that facilitates, not blocks, the creation of sustainable, connected communities. Public investment must benefit everyone, not just landowners who profit from outdated policies. Break Down the Silos Housing must be integrated across all levels of government and across policy areas – economic development, transport, education and net zero. Too often, housing decisions are made in isolation, missing critical links and compounding problems. Growth zones without affordable homes push workers to the margins; developments without public transport links deepen inequality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government must urgently direct Regional Economic Partnerships to treat housing as a priority and demonstrate how policy actions in all areas impact housing – and, in turn, national missions like reducing child poverty and boosting productivity. Local authorities also need the power and resources to lead, not just administer. Instead of centralising action, government should enable combined authority housing initiatives, as seen in England. Time for Political Courage None of this will be easy. It will require political will to challenge vested interests, bridge policy silos and empower local leadership. But the alternative – continued housing failure, stalled growth, and deepening inequality – is unacceptable.
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
'Disruptive' change needed to Scotland's housing system, leading economist warns
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The use and taxation of housing wealth across Scotland will need to be reassessed to 'rebalance' the nation's housing system and economy, according to a new report that calls for a major 'disruption' to existing policies. The analysis, published by the David Hume Institute, advocates a significant shake-up in how housing strategies are shaped, to reduce inequality and secure long-term economic growth. The report cautions that persisting with the status quo will only lead to worsening affordability and a decline in regional cohesion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Leading housing economist Professor Duncan Maclennan, the author of the report, said the nation's housing system was in crisis and 'at the edge of a precipice to an even bleaker future'. He criticised the long-standing focus on housing policy as a social welfare issue that was 'largely siloed' from the broader economic agenda. Spelling out the need for 'bold, disruptive change', Prof Maclennan said housing should be treated going forward not merely as a 'social good', but as essential economic infrastructure on a par with transport, energy and digital connectivity, with overhauls of land reform and the planning system. dinburgh became the first city in Scotland to declare an official housing emergency, amid a growing number of homeless people, a shortage of social rented accommodation and soaring rents in the private council called for more funding from the Scottish Government and committed to co-operate with outside organisations to build an emergency action plan to tackle the Capital's housing crisis. | PA The emeritus professor in urban economics at University of Glasgow said housing wealth was among the key issues that had to be addressed by policymakers. Drawing a comparison with the protests surrounding touts selling tickets for the Oasis concerts in Edinburgh this summer at hugely inflated prices, Prof Maclennan said there was 'little recognition that successive cohorts of over-50s households have been giving the under-30s a housing 'haircut' for the last half century'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Someday, to rebalance the Scottish housing system and economy, the role of housing wealth, and how it might be used and taxed, will need to be reassessed unless real house price inflation withers away,' his report states. Prof Maclennan said while there was not yet any 'real momentum' in the Scottish political economy to address the accumulation, uses and consequences of housing wealth, the issue ought to be viewed as a 'major' concern for Scottish economic policy over the next decade. 'Home ownership rates in Scotland are now falling for every age decile under 50 and more electoral wards and parliamentary constituencies are moving towards electorates with a majority of renters rather than owner occupiers,' he noted. 'Allied to the discontent of the 'left behind', sorted by the housing system into particular localities, the failure to address the roots of the 'troublesome trinity' will only exacerbate the current crises in the Scottish housing system.' Professor Duncan Maclennan | Contributed The report, entitled 'Prosperity begins at home: Scottish housing policies for faster, fairer economic growth', stresses the need to 'rethink what housing is and does' for wider wellbeing across the country. 'Reshaping the Scottish housing system to deliver faster, fairer and greener growth is, given the depths of the crises, a long and difficult journey,' the report states. 'It is time to start.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The analysis accuses housing policy at both Edinburgh and Westminster of having 'lost any coherence', noting the private rental sector has 'filled the gaps' in provision, but now faces unclear control proposals that are diminishing new investment. 'This approach does not add up and it does not offer a coherent system of governance for exiting the housing crisis that is, in mid-2025, still deepening,' Prof Maclennan said. 'With an inadequacy of public resources to halt deterioration in housing outcomes, let alone remedy them, major, not marginal, change in how Scotland understands and manages the housing system is required. It is time for policy disruption.' His report said while housing was a 'core system' in the Scottish economy, the thinking in the Scottish Government had seen it become a "modest budget managed by a minister without Cabinet rank'. The analysis adds: 'Scottish policy has little sense that housing is essential economic, social and environmental infrastructure.' The report also criticises the approach to housing in rural areas. 'It is becoming blindingly obvious that an inability to think about the limits of housing market information and the inadequacy of housing planning for thin rural housing markets has needlessly denuded rural localities of younger and skilled workers,' it hits out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That market failure has remained unrecognised in housing policy and planning since Scottish Homes/Communities Scotland were abolished two decades ago.' The report also scrutinises the decision by a dozen local authorities to declare a housing emergency, describing the label as having 'limitations' in the face of wider pressures. 'It has the implications that difficulties have arisen suddenly in an unanticipated way, and that heralding the emergency will induce more rapid resource support from others and usher in the onset of crisis resolution,' the analysis said. 'However, fiscal constraints aside, this is unlikely.' Outlining the shift in housing policy that is required, Prof Maclennan called for a 'rapid consolidation and strengthening' of 'scattered and inadequate' evidence to inform policy choices, with a new 'whole of government' approach essential. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He also said there was a need to rethink the way non-profit housing operators operate in rural and small-town Scotland, envisioning such entities as 'cross-sectoral agents for change', and called for ministers to consider future demands for housing and tax arrangements for the sector. In an accompanying op-ed piece, published in today's The Scotsman, Prof Maclennan said the cost of 'inertia' was clear.
