Laurie Macfarlane
@lmacfarlane.bsky.social
Co-director @FutureEconScot.bsky.social Fellow UCL IIPP and the Democracy Collaborative. Co-author ‘Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing’
China built more wind power last year than the rest of the world combined — by a factor of two:
🇨🇳 79.8 GW
🌍 (excl. China) 37 GW
🇨🇳 79.8 GW
🌍 (excl. China) 37 GW
January 21, 2026 at 8:49 PM
China built more wind power last year than the rest of the world combined — by a factor of two:
🇨🇳 79.8 GW
🌍 (excl. China) 37 GW
🇨🇳 79.8 GW
🌍 (excl. China) 37 GW
Finally, the big one: Treasury bonds.
The UK is now the third largest holder of treasuries, so in theory this should provide leverage. But weaponising this comes with a big risk of collateral damage.
The UK is now the third largest holder of treasuries, so in theory this should provide leverage. But weaponising this comes with a big risk of collateral damage.
January 19, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Finally, the big one: Treasury bonds.
The UK is now the third largest holder of treasuries, so in theory this should provide leverage. But weaponising this comes with a big risk of collateral damage.
The UK is now the third largest holder of treasuries, so in theory this should provide leverage. But weaponising this comes with a big risk of collateral damage.
The Scottish Budget increased the bottom two income tax thresholds by 7.4%, which was billed as a tax cut for low earners.
In reality this benefits higher earners the most — but is more than offset by freezing the higher thresholds.
In reality this benefits higher earners the most — but is more than offset by freezing the higher thresholds.
January 15, 2026 at 12:06 PM
The Scottish Budget increased the bottom two income tax thresholds by 7.4%, which was billed as a tax cut for low earners.
In reality this benefits higher earners the most — but is more than offset by freezing the higher thresholds.
In reality this benefits higher earners the most — but is more than offset by freezing the higher thresholds.
Greenland is SO important to the US’s national security, they just forgot to mention it in the recent National Security Strategy.
Same with the Arctic. Funny that.
Same with the Arctic. Funny that.
January 8, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Greenland is SO important to the US’s national security, they just forgot to mention it in the recent National Security Strategy.
Same with the Arctic. Funny that.
Same with the Arctic. Funny that.
The US already spends as much as the next 10 countries combined.
This isn’t about “defense” — and they’re being extremely open about it.
This isn’t about “defense” — and they’re being extremely open about it.
January 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The US already spends as much as the next 10 countries combined.
This isn’t about “defense” — and they’re being extremely open about it.
This isn’t about “defense” — and they’re being extremely open about it.
Trump wants to increase military spending by 50% to $1.5 trillion.
This chart shows how utterly absurd this is.
This chart shows how utterly absurd this is.
January 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Trump wants to increase military spending by 50% to $1.5 trillion.
This chart shows how utterly absurd this is.
This chart shows how utterly absurd this is.
This all sounds fantastical, but I really don't think it is.
These aims were spelt out fairly explicitly in Trump's recent National Security Strategy. Europe really needs to wake up — fast.
These aims were spelt out fairly explicitly in Trump's recent National Security Strategy. Europe really needs to wake up — fast.
January 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM
This all sounds fantastical, but I really don't think it is.
These aims were spelt out fairly explicitly in Trump's recent National Security Strategy. Europe really needs to wake up — fast.
These aims were spelt out fairly explicitly in Trump's recent National Security Strategy. Europe really needs to wake up — fast.
This is also why the strategy has such a big emphasis on reindustrialisation across the Western hemisphere.
The US can't confront China while its economy is so reliant on it. The solution? Reshore manufacturing to the Americas, exploiting cheap Latino labour instead of Chinese.
The US can't confront China while its economy is so reliant on it. The solution? Reshore manufacturing to the Americas, exploiting cheap Latino labour instead of Chinese.
January 4, 2026 at 7:37 PM
This is also why the strategy has such a big emphasis on reindustrialisation across the Western hemisphere.
The US can't confront China while its economy is so reliant on it. The solution? Reshore manufacturing to the Americas, exploiting cheap Latino labour instead of Chinese.
The US can't confront China while its economy is so reliant on it. The solution? Reshore manufacturing to the Americas, exploiting cheap Latino labour instead of Chinese.
This is the clear intention behind the "Donroe Doctrine" set out in the recent National Security Strategy.
The message to South American nations is very clear: play ball, or you'll end up like Maduro.
The message to South American nations is very clear: play ball, or you'll end up like Maduro.
January 4, 2026 at 7:37 PM
This is the clear intention behind the "Donroe Doctrine" set out in the recent National Security Strategy.
The message to South American nations is very clear: play ball, or you'll end up like Maduro.
The message to South American nations is very clear: play ball, or you'll end up like Maduro.
I’ve launched a new YouTube channel, New World Disorder 🚀
Clip from the first episode, ‘The Tech Time Bomb’ 👇
Full video: youtu.be/v59IonvPUks?...
Clip from the first episode, ‘The Tech Time Bomb’ 👇
Full video: youtu.be/v59IonvPUks?...
December 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I’ve launched a new YouTube channel, New World Disorder 🚀
Clip from the first episode, ‘The Tech Time Bomb’ 👇
Full video: youtu.be/v59IonvPUks?...
Clip from the first episode, ‘The Tech Time Bomb’ 👇
Full video: youtu.be/v59IonvPUks?...
The strategy is clear that the US will fiercely resist any taxation or regulatory measures that “unfairly” target US corporates
They will also demand that allies give sole-source contracts to US companies, and “push out” foreign companies that seek to build infrastructure
They will also demand that allies give sole-source contracts to US companies, and “push out” foreign companies that seek to build infrastructure
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The strategy is clear that the US will fiercely resist any taxation or regulatory measures that “unfairly” target US corporates
They will also demand that allies give sole-source contracts to US companies, and “push out” foreign companies that seek to build infrastructure
They will also demand that allies give sole-source contracts to US companies, and “push out” foreign companies that seek to build infrastructure
On economic strategy, the focus is on balanced trade, reindustrialisation and reshoring, access to critical minerals, defence capabilities, and energy and financial sector “dominance”.
It claims American policy will be unashamedly “pro-worker”.
It claims American policy will be unashamedly “pro-worker”.
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
On economic strategy, the focus is on balanced trade, reindustrialisation and reshoring, access to critical minerals, defence capabilities, and energy and financial sector “dominance”.
It claims American policy will be unashamedly “pro-worker”.
It claims American policy will be unashamedly “pro-worker”.
The strategy is scathing about Europe, claiming the continent is facing the prospect of “civilizational erasure” and will be “unrecognizable in 20 years or less”.
Proposed actions include “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations” 👀
Proposed actions include “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations” 👀
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The strategy is scathing about Europe, claiming the continent is facing the prospect of “civilizational erasure” and will be “unrecognizable in 20 years or less”.
Proposed actions include “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations” 👀
Proposed actions include “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations” 👀
For the western hemisphere, the strategy introduces the “Trump corollary to the Monroe doctrine”
The administration’s escalating aggression towards Venezuela can be understood very clearly in this context, and I suspect we’ll see more of this.
The administration’s escalating aggression towards Venezuela can be understood very clearly in this context, and I suspect we’ll see more of this.
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
For the western hemisphere, the strategy introduces the “Trump corollary to the Monroe doctrine”
The administration’s escalating aggression towards Venezuela can be understood very clearly in this context, and I suspect we’ll see more of this.
The administration’s escalating aggression towards Venezuela can be understood very clearly in this context, and I suspect we’ll see more of this.
Unsurprisingly, the strategy has a strong focus on countering China’s rise and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Priorities include ending “predatory” industrial strategies, trading practices and “industrial espionage” — and securing US access crucial resources and minerals.
Priorities include ending “predatory” industrial strategies, trading practices and “industrial espionage” — and securing US access crucial resources and minerals.
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Unsurprisingly, the strategy has a strong focus on countering China’s rise and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Priorities include ending “predatory” industrial strategies, trading practices and “industrial espionage” — and securing US access crucial resources and minerals.
Priorities include ending “predatory” industrial strategies, trading practices and “industrial espionage” — and securing US access crucial resources and minerals.
The document begins by lambasting the US’s post-war role promoting global trade, multilateralism and foreign interventionism.
The US should only interfere if nations “directly threaten our interests”. Based on the rest of the strategy, this includes quite a few countries…
The US should only interfere if nations “directly threaten our interests”. Based on the rest of the strategy, this includes quite a few countries…
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The document begins by lambasting the US’s post-war role promoting global trade, multilateralism and foreign interventionism.
The US should only interfere if nations “directly threaten our interests”. Based on the rest of the strategy, this includes quite a few countries…
The US should only interfere if nations “directly threaten our interests”. Based on the rest of the strategy, this includes quite a few countries…
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is crucial reading to understand the US’s economic and geopolitical ambitions.
Some key takeaways 🧵 www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Some key takeaways 🧵 www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is crucial reading to understand the US’s economic and geopolitical ambitions.
Some key takeaways 🧵 www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Some key takeaways 🧵 www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
The UK budget increased the rate of tax on property income by 2%. As a devolved area, the Scottish Government needs to decide how to respond.
Scottish landlords already pay different income tax rates to rUK: most pay more, but some pay less.
Scottish landlords already pay different income tax rates to rUK: most pay more, but some pay less.
November 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The UK budget increased the rate of tax on property income by 2%. As a devolved area, the Scottish Government needs to decide how to respond.
Scottish landlords already pay different income tax rates to rUK: most pay more, but some pay less.
Scottish landlords already pay different income tax rates to rUK: most pay more, but some pay less.
Delighted to get my hands on this new book which features a chapter I co-authored with @mazzucatom.bsky.social on state investment banks.
It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.
It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Delighted to get my hands on this new book which features a chapter I co-authored with @mazzucatom.bsky.social on state investment banks.
It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.
It’s packed with essays covering every aspect of green economic development, published by Oxford University Press.
We’ll be discussing the findings of our recent report, and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Read more here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read more here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
November 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We’ll be discussing the findings of our recent report, and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Read more here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read more here: www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Global emissions soared by 2.3% in 2024. This is more than four times higher than the annual average growth rate in the 2010s.
We’re going backwards, not forwards.
We’re going backwards, not forwards.
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Global emissions soared by 2.3% in 2024. This is more than four times higher than the annual average growth rate in the 2010s.
We’re going backwards, not forwards.
We’re going backwards, not forwards.
Great to speak at today’s #TaxJusticeScotland conference
As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate
Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event
As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate
Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event
October 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Great to speak at today’s #TaxJusticeScotland conference
As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate
Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event
As we approach the Scottish election, tax reform must be at the centre of the debate
Thanks to @oxfamscotland.bsky.social and the wider coalition for pulling together a great event
Thanks to @severincarrell.bsky.social for speaking to me and writing a great piece
Read the full report 👇
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read the full report 👇
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
October 1, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Thanks to @severincarrell.bsky.social for speaking to me and writing a great piece
Read the full report 👇
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
Read the full report 👇
www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...
It’s also worth noting that the UK’s national debt in 1948 was at all time high of 250% of GDP
Imagine how this would play out under the current fiscal framework? The NHS would be laughed out the building
Imagine how this would play out under the current fiscal framework? The NHS would be laughed out the building
March 28, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It’s also worth noting that the UK’s national debt in 1948 was at all time high of 250% of GDP
Imagine how this would play out under the current fiscal framework? The NHS would be laughed out the building
Imagine how this would play out under the current fiscal framework? The NHS would be laughed out the building
Firstly, they allege it would help ‘economic and monetary stability’
Does this look like an asset that could promote stability? Crypto is the most volatile asset class in the world. States ploughing billions into the market, and announcing this in advance, is unlikely to help
Does this look like an asset that could promote stability? Crypto is the most volatile asset class in the world. States ploughing billions into the market, and announcing this in advance, is unlikely to help
March 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Firstly, they allege it would help ‘economic and monetary stability’
Does this look like an asset that could promote stability? Crypto is the most volatile asset class in the world. States ploughing billions into the market, and announcing this in advance, is unlikely to help
Does this look like an asset that could promote stability? Crypto is the most volatile asset class in the world. States ploughing billions into the market, and announcing this in advance, is unlikely to help