Personal statement

I have led the Fraser of Allander Institute's work on Fiscal Policy since 2016. The work involves regular commentary on fiscal issues and budget events through blogs, conferences, media engagement, and an annual report on Scotland's budget.

I have been an Adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee since August 2016. My role is to support the Committee in its scrutiny of the Scottish budget and the operation of the Scottish fiscal framework, including the scrutiny of fiscal forecasts and implementation of the fiscal powers transferred to the parliament in the Scotland Acts 2012 and 2016.

My research interests are in the economics of devolved finances, and labour markets and inequality.

I have published extensively on the UK's devolved funding arrangements, and was involved in work to inform the development of Scotland's fiscal framework, jointly with the IFS. I have published several papers and articles on aspects of the economics of independence and of Brexit.

I have also published extensively on trends in income inequality and social mobility in Scotland. Since September 2017 I have a Commissioner on the Scottish Government's Poverty and Inequality Commission. The Commission's role is to advise the Government on policy to achieve its aspirations and targets relating to poverty and inclusive growth.

Previously I worked at the University of Stirling and was a Fellow of the Centre on Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh.