Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker May 2026
Watch the recording of our May 2026 Understanding Scotland Economy briefing with Karen Jackson of South of Scotland Enterprise, Hannah Blackford, Co-Chair B Local Scotland and Clare Winskill, Executive Chair of NC500.
Hear the latest results of our quarterly survey data collected just after the Scottish Parliament election. The recording below brings you the latest results from the David Hume Institute's economy tracker produced in partnership with the Diffley Partnership, and reflections from a fantastic panel. The event was kindly hosted by the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
At the event, the new data, collected immediately after the Scottish Parliament Election, was presented by Scott Edgar of the Diffley Partnership. The survey tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
We then heard reflections from our panel: Karen Jackson, Director of Strategy & Insight at South of Scotland Enterprise, Hannah Blackford, Co-Chair B Local Scotland and Clare Winskill, Executive Chair of NC500 Ltd.
About the speakers:
Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager, The Diffley Partnership
Scott joined the Diffley Partnership following previous roles in social research in the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Since joining the business he has managed a wide range of research projects including two of Diffley Partnership’s regular quarterly surveys in Understanding Scotland and Understanding Business. Scott has significant expertise in statistical data analysis, research design, management of research projects and communication and has worked on several high profile and high impact projects. He has a degree in Political Research from the University of Strathclyde.
Clare Winskill, Executive Chair, NC500 Ltd
Clare is Executive Chair of NC500 Ltd where her focus is on steering the organisation into its second decade by championing regenerative tourism along one of the Highlands’ most iconic routes. She has over 15 years in hospitality as the Owner of Coruisk House and more than three years as a Director at the Scottish Tourism Alliance and is pursuing the IoD Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction to show her commitment to visible leadership supported by continuous learning.
Hannah Blackford, Co-Chair, B Local Scotland and Strategic Communications Adviser
Hannah is Co-Chair of B Local Scotland - a volunteer-led group of B Corp-certified companies and business leaders committed to advancing purpose-driven business and growing the B Corp movement in Scotland. She is an Account Director at the strategic communications agency, Muckle Media. She has supported many high-profile brands in protecting and building their reputations including Ferguson Marine, Coca Cola Europacific Partners, The All England Lawn Tennis Club and AstraZeneca. She is also a Trustee on the Board of a mental health charity based in Edinburgh.
Karen Jackson, Director of Strategy and Insight, South of Scotland Enterprise
Karen is the Director of Strategy and Insight at SOSE - the first of Scotland’s public agencies whose legislation promotes a wider view on the economy and how it impacts all we do, with a focus on the wellbeing of communities, the economy, and the environment across the South.
Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy
Catch up with the February 2023 findings of our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland: Economy, which tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Past event: 1st March 2023
On Wednesday 1st March 2023 we discussed the latest insights from our most recent Understanding Scotland quarterly survey of economic attitudes and expectations. Our regular survey tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor public opinion.
For this event we were joined by Mark Diffley, Shona McCarthy and David Eiser. The conversation brought to life what is valuable data and essential information for decision makers in all sectors.
Mark Diffley is a researcher and political pollster with over 20 years’ experience.
Shona McCarthy joined the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society as Chief Executive 7 years ago. Shona has championed the Edinburgh Fringe as the world’s leading performing arts festival and expo, founded on the principles of open access and freedom of expression.
David Eiser, is Director of Research, Analysis and Investigations at Consumer Scotland, the recently established statutory organisation for consumers in Scotland.
Image credit: sharing thumbnail image by Emil Kalibradov free from Unsplash on 08/01/2025.
Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy
Catch up with the November 2022 findings of our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland: Economy, which tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Past Event: 22nd November 2022
On Tuesday 22nd November 2022, we launched the latest findings in our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy. Our regular survey with the Diffley Partnership tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Mark Diffley discussed the new data with Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, and Shan Saba, Director of Brightwork.
Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.
Mairi Spowage is Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. Previously, Mairi was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government. She has over a decade of experience working in different areas of statistics and analysis.
Shan Saba is Director of Brightwork, an established multi-sector recruitment agency with an outstanding reputation. Shan is also the Founder of Scotland Against Modern Slavery, Board Member at Refugee Survival Trust and Advisory Committee Member of Show Racism The Red Card.
Click to view Mark’s slides.
Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy
Catch up with the August 2022 findings of our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy which tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Past Event: 30th August 2022
On Tuesday 30th August 2022, we launched the latest findings in our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy. Our regular survey with The Diffley Partnership tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.
Mark Diffley discussed the new data with Dr Samuel Mwaura from University of Strathclyde and Aveek Bhattacharya, Chief Economist with the Social Market Foundation. This free in-person event was kindly hosted by Brodies.
Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.
Dr Samuel Mwaura is lecturer of entrepreneurship at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Strathclyde Business School. Samuel’s recent work has focused on innovation and its impact on productivity, SME financing, the link between entrepreneurship and household wellbeing (including household wealth).
Aveek Bhattacharya is Chief Economist at the Social Market Foundation. Prior to that, he was Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, researching and advocating for policies to reduce alcohol-related harm and as a strategy consultant, advising clients across a range of sectors including retail, consumer goods, software and services.
Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy
This online event heard insights from Understanding Scotland’s quarterly survey of economic attitudes and expectations.
DHI was joined by researcher and pollster Mark Diffley, Director of the Diffley Partnership, and Rachel Statham, Associate Director at IPPR.
Past event: May 2022
This online event heard insights from Understanding Scotland’s quarterly survey of economic attitudes and expectations.
This new, regular survey tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion. Mark Diffley, from the Diffley Partnership shared the latest data and analysis which is vital information for decision-makers across all sectors. Rachel Statham, Associate Director of IPPR, joined Mark in discussion to reflect on the wider context of the findings.
Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.
Rachel Statham is Associate Director at IPPR, where she leads the institute’s research across employment, health and care, education and social security.
Image credit: sharing thumbnail image by bgblue from iStock.