The session will lead with a conversation between Centre for Public Policy Director Professor Nicola McEwen and Associate Director Kezia Dugdale, exploring some of the big financial questions facing Scotland’s communities, taking an honest look at how the system works and whether it can be improved. 

The Gathering conference takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from 4-5 February, and the Centre’s session is at 1.30pm on 4 February.

At a time when conversations around achieving impactful public policy are often stifled by cycles of short-term spending with no long-term plan for Scotland’s finances, the event will discuss how we raise and spend money in Scotland and whether our system encourages preventative spend, asking: 

  • How we raise money? 
  • Who has got it? 
  • How is it spent? 
  • Why is preventative spend so hard? 
  • How can we improve it and what might the future hold?

The session is open to all and includes time for questions from the audience. Attendance at the conference and the event is free but registration is essential and places at the event are limited.

Event information

  • Tuesday 4 February 2025, 1.30pm - 2.30pm 
  • Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Book your place

Register for the conference on the SCVO website.

View the event listing and book your place 


First published: 10 January 2025