Centre for Population Change Connecting Generations in the news

Britain has become so transfixed by the idea that Scotland could become an ­independent country that it has paid relatively little attention to what might happen if it does not. But if Scotland votes No in September’s referendum – as the polls

David McCollum discusses the role of demographic challenges in projections made in the reports issued by the HM Treasury and the Scottish Government. Both papers acknowledge the demographic challenges that Scotland faces. However as has often been the case in the independence debate thus far, the Scottish Government could perhaps be open to the charge of being overly optimistic in its assumptions whereas the UK Government could be seen as overly pessimistic in its predictions.

If you want to guess the outcome of the Scottish Independence Referendum, it might be better to consult the bookies than rely on opinion polls.

Boosting immigration after independence would not deal with Scotland’s ageing population timebomb, MSPs have been warned.

People who are more willing to take risks are more likely to vote 'Yes' in Scotland's referendum, according to researchers at the University of Stirling.

THE extent to which independence appeals more to life's risk-takers is revealed in a major academic study published today.

RISK-TAKERS and gamblers are more likely to vote Yes in the independence referendum, a major academic study has found.

David Bell, David Eiser and David Comerford discuss the debate over funding pensions in an independent Scotland.

Allan Findlay, David McCollum and Jakub Bijak give a talk on migration and Scotland

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funds research and training in social and economic issues, focusing on six research areas: economic affairs, education and human development, environment and planning, government and law, industry and employment, and social affairs

Only 'minority' of authorities viewed immigration as way of dealing with local labour shortages.

'Constraint' worry on immigration

Guest post by Derek McGhee and Claire Bennett, Centre for Population Change, University of Southampton. On 16 May 2014, we presented a joint paper for a COMPAS breakfast briefing, discussing some o...

ESRC Fellow David Bell reflects on the oil prediction disagreements between the Scottish Government and the HM Treasury in their respective papers published on May 28th.  Professor Bell says  it would be useful for undecided voters in the referendum debate to know how forecasts are being made and how accurate they’ve been.

People who are more willing to take risks are more likely to vote ‘Yes’ in Scotland’s referendum, according to researchers at the University of Stirling. Professors David Bell and Liam Delaney, and researcher Michael McGoldrick from the University of Stirling’s Management School, looked at individual traits and constitutional change in Scotland.

At first sight the idea that to vote Yes in the referendum in September is to take a risk is stating the obvious.

AN INDEPENDENT Scotland should not rely on oil and gas revenues to offset the economic burden of an ageing population, a think tank has warned.

In September 2014 Scotland will hold a referendum on its constitutional future. Borders and immigration are one of a number of controversial elements of the vociferous debate that has surrounded this historic ballot. Immigration policy is a hotly contested issue in many European states, but the issue is particularly pertinent in the context of Scotland and the UK and the imminent referendum. This can be attributed to the administrations in London and Edinburgh holding inherently contradictory positions on immigration.

THE UK ­Government has missed an opportunity by applying the same rate of corporation tax to companies of all sizes, according to one of Scotland's leading economists.