A Scandinavian "high-tax, high-spend" model for regions? The impact of enhanced fiscal autonomy

Emonts-Holley, Tobias and Greig, Alastair and Lecca, Patrizio and Lisenkova, Katerina and McGregor, Peter and Swales, J. Kim (2019) A Scandinavian "high-tax, high-spend" model for regions? The impact of enhanced fiscal autonomy. Spatial Economic Analysis. ISSN 1742-1772 (https://doi.org/10.1080/17421772.2019.1568536)

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Abstract

The fiscal powers of the Scottish Government have increased significantly, resulting in the first (modest) regional differences in income tax rates within the UK. In fact, the current degree of fiscal autonomy would permit a radical shift towards a high-tax, high-spend “Scandinavian model”. We find that the impact of such a change on the Scottish economy is likely to be positive only if the public value the increased public spending and are willing, and able, to accept a corresponding reduction in their take home pay. We conclude that the current bargaining system is unlikely to deliver such an outcome.

ORCID iDs

Emonts-Holley, Tobias ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5471-4362, Greig, Alastair, Lecca, Patrizio, Lisenkova, Katerina ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0264-9797, McGregor, Peter ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1221-7963 and Swales, J. Kim;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)