Diffley Partnership

☀️ Our May newsletter is out! Between the Holyrood election and blazing sunshine, this month has kept us on our toes. In this issue, Researcher Shannon Connolly highlights: ◾ Holyrood Communications's 'Holyrood 2026 Election: Post-match analysis webinar', featuring our Director, Mark Diffley, ◾ Mark's recent appearance on the STV's Scotland Tonight political panel - talking through the key issues of the week, ◾ our new MSP Research Offer, delivering high-quality, actionable insights from MSPs for organisations across the public, private and third sectors, ◾ findings from the latest in the Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker series, in partnership with The David Hume Institute. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ebvrDiZE

Last week I wrote an article for Taxation magazine focusing on the findings of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)'s recent opinion poll on levels of awareness and understanding of aspects of the Scottish tax system, first reported in the Herald newspaper in April. Of course the real work under the bonnet is down to Scott Edgar and the team at Diffley Partnership, who have carried out these polls for us since 2018, but this article is a good opportunity to talk to stakeholders in the tax profession about what the results tell us and how we can use this for our ongoing engagement with the new Scottish government and parliament. More generally, polling can be a useful tool in the public relations toolkit, giving sometimes complex issues a human touch and helping to bring the discussion into the mainstream. The full article (paywalled) can be read here - https://lnkd.in/eY5aMKPS

Our industry insights survey is still live! RSE is gathering practical insight from professionals across the water and industrial process sectors on the delivery challenges shaping the years ahead - and the role modular and offsite approaches are playing in real programmes. The survey explores: - Pressures around pace, cost, carbon and compliance - How teams are responding in practice - Where modular delivery is supporting readiness - and where challenges remain ⏱️ 6–8 minutes | 🔒 Confidential | 📊 Reported in aggregate https://lnkd.in/gzuHG5nc If you’re involved in planning, delivering or operating infrastructure, we’d value your perspective. #ModularConstruction #WaterIndustry #Engineering #RSE

📊 NatWest Group's new report refers to our polling of c.1500 senior decisionmakers in businesses based in England. The survey sought to understand the views of businesses on government proposals to give local politicians more control over important economic decisions in their area - an approach known as fiscal devolution. Some key stats: ◾ Support for local politicians, such as metropolitan or regional mayors, to be given more control over investment decisions that affect their region was highest in the North East (73%) - and lowest in the South East, South West and East Midlands (56%). ◾ 65% of business leaders in England agree that giving regional leaders more control over funding and investment decisions would improve investor confidence in their region. ◾ The same percentage (65%) say that their organisation would be more likely to invest locally if regional leaders had more stable, long-term funding agreements. You can read more - and find the link to the report - here: https://lnkd.in/dw-RFdCf

🎤 Thanks to Charlotte Street Partners for another great breakfast event, and to everyone who attended this morning! We enjoyed a brilliant panel discussion, reflecting on all that's emerged in the week since the election. Our Senior Research Manager, Scott Edgar, highlighted key trends and insights, including vote and seat shares, variations in turnout, and poll performance. If you're interested in any further analysis, get in touch with us at info@diffleypartnership.co.uk

Some post election analysis from me in today’s Scotland on Sunday - what are the key headlines from the election? - how did each party perform? - what are the key priorities for the incoming government? - what next for the independence debate? 👇 https://lnkd.in/ezYZy8YB

It's Scottish Parliament Election Result day! We will be providing analysis and updates throughout the day on the results as they come in and how they are shaping up relative to projections before the election. Our Director Mark Diffley will be featuring on BBC Scotland's election coverage throughout the day. You can follow our analysis on the live page linked below: https://lnkd.in/egc_Fjbn The page is being run by Scott Edgar and Will Scheffler

Looking for something to read with your morning coffee while you wait on the Scottish Parliament election count to start? Check out this blog from my colleague Will Scheffler on some of the seats and contests we’ll be watching closely throughout the day 👀