9th February 2026
With the Scottish Parliament election set for May 2026, the economy is the central battleground.
Between a declared housing emergency, a "black hole" in public finances, and the ongoing transition away from North Sea oil, candidates are facing tough questions about how they will pay for their promises.
Here are a few suggestions of perhaps the most impactful questions you can ask candidates to cut through the campaign rhetoric.
1. The Cost of Living & Income
While some powers are reserved for Westminster, the Scottish Government has significant control over social security and "fair work" initiatives.
The Question: "Do you support a Minimum Income Guarantee for all Scots, and how specifically will you fund it without cutting other vital services?"
The Context: Campaigns like The Poverty Alliance are pushing for a guaranteed income floor.
Ask candidates if they will increase the Scottish Child Payment (currently £28.20/week) further to meet child poverty targets.
2. The Housing Emergency
With several councils having declared a housing emergency, the lack of affordable homes is a major drag on the economy.T
he Question: "How will your party fix the planning system to speed up home building, and what is your specific target for new social homes in this parliament?"
The Context: The Scottish Liberal Democrats and CBI Scotland have highlighted that slow planning is stalling investment. Ask if they prefer rent controls (favoured by the Greens/SNP) or supply-side incentives (favoured by the Conservatives/Labour).
3. The "Just Transition" & Energy
The shift from oil and gas to renewables is a massive economic shift, especially for the North East.
The Question: "What concrete guarantees can you give that 'Green Jobs' will actually be created in Scotland rather than the supply chain moving abroad?"
The Context: Labour is touting GB Energy (headquartered in Aberdeen), while the SNP and Greens are focused on a "Just Transition."
Ask about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—the Lib Dems and Conservatives are open to them, but the SNP has traditionally opposed new nuclear power.
Growth, Skills, and "The Black Hole"Scotland's budget for 2026-27 is roughly £67.9 billion, but rising costs in the NHS and social care are eating into the "growth" budget.
The Question: "How will you bridge the gap between rising public service costs and stagnant economic growth without simply raising Income Tax for middle earners again?"
The Context: Scotland already has higher tax bands for middle and high earners than the rest of the UK. Ask candidates if they will reform Business Rates to help high-street shops competing with online giants.
Quick Guide: Party Economic Focus (2026 Election)PartyPrimary Economic "Hook"Key Policy/StanceSNPIndependence & RenewablesFocus on eradicating child poverty and the "Wellbeing Economy."
Labour
"Clean Energy Superpower"Creating 69,000 green jobs via GB Energy and a "New Deal for Workers."
Conservatives
"Making Work Pay"Cutting household bills and opposing "anti-business" regulations.
Greens
Green Transformation -Taxing the wealthy more to fund a massive shift to net-zero infrastructure.
Lib Dems
Fairness & Innovation
Fixing the "quiet death" of colleges/skills and supporting tech sectors (AI/Biotech).
Pro-Tip: Watch the "Regional" Angle
Scottish Labour has recently focused on "pushing power out of Edinburgh" to boost regional growth in places like the Highlands or the South of Scotland.
If you live outside the Central Belt, ask your candidate: "How will your economic plan benefit my specific local high street, rather than just the Glasgow-Edinburgh corridor?"