Scotland must tame the bloated state

With the public purse empty, ministers are looking at where they can make savings.

Public finance minister Ivan McKee will bring together chief executives and chairs.

Organisations that work in the same sector will be told where possible to merge back-office functions.

McKee also intends to publish a public sector reform strategy early in the new year .

SNP ministers are open to talking with Scottish Labour , which is also promising public sector reform, about how both parties can agree on some long-term policy goals, whichever of them is in government after 2026 . It’s clear that radical steps are needed if Scotland is to avoid being plunged into a democratic crisis. Our political leaders must prove they are up to the challenge..