Stu Mackinnon
@stumackinnon.bsky.social
Head of comms and advocacy at Carnegie UK - a foundation that works on wellbeing policy.
Scotch pie, science fiction and rugby enthusiast.
Scotch pie, science fiction and rugby enthusiast.
I talked to BBC Cornwall today about intergenerational fairness and our wellbeing research: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (about 1:41)
Julie Skentelbery - 03/02/2026 - BBC Sounds
Daytimes with Julie Skentelbery, where Cornwall comes to talk. Call: 0808 100 1039.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM
I talked to BBC Cornwall today about intergenerational fairness and our wellbeing research: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (about 1:41)
Enjoyed this a lot by @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/320c...
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we'd likely argue that this is about finding out what matters to people, and measuring that.
www.ft.com/content/320c...
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we'd likely argue that this is about finding out what matters to people, and measuring that.
No, the public is not irredeemably ignorant
But there is a disconnect between economists’ metrics and people’s perceptions
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Enjoyed this a lot by @sarahoconnorft.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/320c...
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we'd likely argue that this is about finding out what matters to people, and measuring that.
www.ft.com/content/320c...
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we'd likely argue that this is about finding out what matters to people, and measuring that.
Toot toot!
I'm completely on the Scotland six nations hype train, and that's a good thing given as I'm going to 4/5 of our matches.
Crossing the Rubicon in Rome next weekend - bad time to be a glass of red wine.
What are your top recommendations in Dublin, Cardiff and the Italian capital?
I'm completely on the Scotland six nations hype train, and that's a good thing given as I'm going to 4/5 of our matches.
Crossing the Rubicon in Rome next weekend - bad time to be a glass of red wine.
What are your top recommendations in Dublin, Cardiff and the Italian capital?
January 31, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Toot toot!
I'm completely on the Scotland six nations hype train, and that's a good thing given as I'm going to 4/5 of our matches.
Crossing the Rubicon in Rome next weekend - bad time to be a glass of red wine.
What are your top recommendations in Dublin, Cardiff and the Italian capital?
I'm completely on the Scotland six nations hype train, and that's a good thing given as I'm going to 4/5 of our matches.
Crossing the Rubicon in Rome next weekend - bad time to be a glass of red wine.
What are your top recommendations in Dublin, Cardiff and the Italian capital?
Hey this is cool. At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we've put all of #LifeInTheUK Index data in a neato dashboard. This means you can examine how people are living in lots of different ways.
Learn more about why we did this and how it works in this webinar:
Learn more about why we did this and how it works in this webinar:
Thanks to everyone who joined our #LifeInTheUK webinar this morning to launch our new data dashboard 📊
If you couldn’t make it or want to revisit the discussion, you can watch the full recording here: youtu.be/wrwZZXON6Jc
Explore our data dashboard here: carnegieuk.org/life-in-the-...
If you couldn’t make it or want to revisit the discussion, you can watch the full recording here: youtu.be/wrwZZXON6Jc
Explore our data dashboard here: carnegieuk.org/life-in-the-...
Tracking Our Collective Wellbeing: Launch of the Life in the UK Dashboard
YouTube video by Carnegie UK
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Hey this is cool. At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we've put all of #LifeInTheUK Index data in a neato dashboard. This means you can examine how people are living in lots of different ways.
Learn more about why we did this and how it works in this webinar:
Learn more about why we did this and how it works in this webinar:
Great to be in Belfast today
We were pleased to discuss our latest #LifeInTheUK findings today with NI Executive Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Joanne Bunting.
Explore our findings for Northern Ireland: carnegieuk.org/publication/...
Explore our findings for Northern Ireland: carnegieuk.org/publication/...
January 26, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Great to be in Belfast today
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we've been mapping our wellbeing data. Check out this new blog looking at wellbeing across Scotland:
carnegieuk.org/blog/living-...
carnegieuk.org/blog/living-...
Living Well in Scotland – Wellbeing Mapped - Carnegie UK
Our new interactive wellbeing map, drawn from our Life in the UK Index, offers a deeper insight into what matters to people across Scotland’s regions. Rooted in what over 1,000 people in Scotland tel...
carnegieuk.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:45 PM
At @carnegieuk.bsky.social we've been mapping our wellbeing data. Check out this new blog looking at wellbeing across Scotland:
carnegieuk.org/blog/living-...
carnegieuk.org/blog/living-...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
📊 Our new #LifeInTheUK data dashboard is live!
We’re hosting a launch webinar on Mon 26 Jan, 10-11am.
Book your place & explore the data with us: carnegieuk.org/event/tracki...
We’re hosting a launch webinar on Mon 26 Jan, 10-11am.
Book your place & explore the data with us: carnegieuk.org/event/tracki...
January 15, 2026 at 2:24 PM
📊 Our new #LifeInTheUK data dashboard is live!
We’re hosting a launch webinar on Mon 26 Jan, 10-11am.
Book your place & explore the data with us: carnegieuk.org/event/tracki...
We’re hosting a launch webinar on Mon 26 Jan, 10-11am.
Book your place & explore the data with us: carnegieuk.org/event/tracki...
At @uofgpolicy.bsky.social Stop Start conference today. Only getting slight flashbacks from doing exams in Bute Hall.
January 19, 2026 at 9:42 AM
At @uofgpolicy.bsky.social Stop Start conference today. Only getting slight flashbacks from doing exams in Bute Hall.
@pjtheeconomist.bsky.social good on rates: www.thetimes.com/business/eco... Rates are devolved as well and you have to wonder why we've not seen fundamental reform in Wales or Scotland either. "Arcane workings" of NDR system is a feature not a bug
Labour should honour pledge on business rates and build from scratch
The party was right to identify problems with the system, but in government has lacked the courage to introduce fundamental reforms
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:32 AM
@pjtheeconomist.bsky.social good on rates: www.thetimes.com/business/eco... Rates are devolved as well and you have to wonder why we've not seen fundamental reform in Wales or Scotland either. "Arcane workings" of NDR system is a feature not a bug
Neat to see the NY Times reflect on the Social Progress Index:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...
Opinion | Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Unhappiness
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Neat to see the NY Times reflect on the Social Progress Index:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/o...
As the Scot Gov reveals tax and spending plans, worth checking out this new-ish @theifs.bsky.social paper looking at how a revaluation might work in Scotland: www.gov.scot/publications... With the Greens, Glasgow CC, and Edinburgh CC all agitating for reform, could this be the year?
Council tax - revaluation and reform: key findings summary
This report summarises key findings from research on the design and impact of potential reforms to Scotland’s system of council tax.
www.gov.scot
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
As the Scot Gov reveals tax and spending plans, worth checking out this new-ish @theifs.bsky.social paper looking at how a revaluation might work in Scotland: www.gov.scot/publications... With the Greens, Glasgow CC, and Edinburgh CC all agitating for reform, could this be the year?
I still love the FT and I thought this was the most brilliant journalism by Ravi Somaiya: www.ft.com/content/cd59...
‘It’s just a bomb’
The true story of two strangers and an extraordinary act of courage
www.ft.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I still love the FT and I thought this was the most brilliant journalism by Ravi Somaiya: www.ft.com/content/cd59...
This a good call: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Though I think coverage should reflect that it is the Finance AND Public Administration committee
Call for time limits on public inquiries as costs soar
MSPs have recommended changes as they revealed almost £260m has been spent on Scotland's public inquiries since 2007.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This a good call: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Though I think coverage should reflect that it is the Finance AND Public Administration committee
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
"Every time I pull a lever" says the Prime Minister.
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
There aren't any levers
A dead metaphor is killing the government's ability to get things done
howtorunacountry.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
"Every time I pull a lever" says the Prime Minister.
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This does feel like a sort of boiling the frog approach to council tax reform www.ft.com/content/c28e...
Six wealthy areas in London and south-east given green light for sharp council tax rises
UK government move aims to compensate for funding shift towards poorer areas
www.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This does feel like a sort of boiling the frog approach to council tax reform www.ft.com/content/c28e...
I don't work on business rates any longer, but if I did I'd point out the state of the Scottish assessors' website is indicative of a wider problem: www.saa.gov.uk
Scottish Assessors – Scottish Assessors Association website
www.saa.gov.uk
December 18, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I don't work on business rates any longer, but if I did I'd point out the state of the Scottish assessors' website is indicative of a wider problem: www.saa.gov.uk
New snappy report from @futuregovforum.bsky.social about the Green Book: www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/wp-content/u...
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
New snappy report from @futuregovforum.bsky.social about the Green Book: www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
I'm working on the Moments of the Year script as I watch and Glasgow are making me very grateful for the free spot we left open on the list in case something happened this weekend.
December 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I'm working on the Moments of the Year script as I watch and Glasgow are making me very grateful for the free spot we left open on the list in case something happened this weekend.
Excuse the language but this was the old Glasgow Warriors smashing up Toulouse. Did try to get a cassoulet based chant going but to little avail...difficult to rhyme confit
December 14, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Excuse the language but this was the old Glasgow Warriors smashing up Toulouse. Did try to get a cassoulet based chant going but to little avail...difficult to rhyme confit
The team that Glasgow Warriors are playing on Saturday. Gulp.
December 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The team that Glasgow Warriors are playing on Saturday. Gulp.
Excellent interview with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social in the indispensable @policyunstuck.bsky.social newsletter: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk/p/the-lived-... includes some thoughts about lived experience from the perspective of a policymaker.
🪞 The lived experience paradox
Kirsty McNeill MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, speaks to Tom Hashemi.
policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Excellent interview with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social in the indispensable @policyunstuck.bsky.social newsletter: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk/p/the-lived-... includes some thoughts about lived experience from the perspective of a policymaker.
"Barber’s theory is that ministers take a year to work out how government works and that by year three, it is too late." www.ft.com/content/368f... < with the Missions approach sunk below the waterline, you might ask change in what direction?
Starmer came to power promising action — but change is taking longer than his MPs expected
Some targets are long-term overhauls, others have been dogged by delays. But ministers failed to focus on delivery early on
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
"Barber’s theory is that ministers take a year to work out how government works and that by year three, it is too late." www.ft.com/content/368f... < with the Missions approach sunk below the waterline, you might ask change in what direction?
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
My @carnegieuk.bsky.social colleague, Susan Pitney, is part of this Demos event, sharing the findings from our most recent Life in the UK index. Follow along via the link below. 👇
📢🎤 STARTING NOW | Making citizens’ voices heard: Accountability in a Healthy Democracy.
Tune into this critical conversation on how #governments, #institutions and #citizens can strengthen accountability and participation in public life. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/live/UEvFpLF...
Tune into this critical conversation on how #governments, #institutions and #citizens can strengthen accountability and participation in public life. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/live/UEvFpLF...
Making Citizens’ Voices Heard: Accountability in a healthy democracy
YouTube video by Demos
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
My @carnegieuk.bsky.social colleague, Susan Pitney, is part of this Demos event, sharing the findings from our most recent Life in the UK index. Follow along via the link below. 👇
I'm really enjoying this book. Do you want a list of my favourite books this year?
December 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I'm really enjoying this book. Do you want a list of my favourite books this year?
This is good analysis: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The fact that the NDR system is so complex that government and parliamentary lawyers couldn't spot a big legislative flaw is maybe a sign.
Is Holyrood bad at making laws?
Recent emergency measures to fix legislative issues may point to a wider problem in how Holyrood operates.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 11:21 AM
This is good analysis: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The fact that the NDR system is so complex that government and parliamentary lawyers couldn't spot a big legislative flaw is maybe a sign.