Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker - May 2025 Insights
Past event: 27th May 2025
The Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker measures economic confidence and buying intentions over time. The latest findings from the data collected in the first week of May, reveal significant numbers of people are just one unexpected bill away from crisis.
1 in 5 people (22%) cannot cover a £100 emergency expense without borrowing money
This figure doubles to 44% for a £500 emergency, demonstrating a widespread lack of financial resilience.
The research also exposes how economic insecurity is affecting wellbeing and productivity, with more than nine in ten (95%) respondents saying that people are less effective at work when financial stress disrupts sleep or nutrition. The latest research shows that one in four (26%) of Scots report having lost sleep due to concerns about money matters.
The findings reveal strong public support for structural solutions:
9 in 10 (89%) think employers have a responsibility to pay wages that meet people’s basic needs.
8 in 10 (80%) say that failing to meet basic needs now will cost more in the long term.
7 in 10 (70%) think we have a collective responsibility to maintain a safety net in tough times.xxxx
The audience heard reflections on the new data from Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute and Emma Jackson, Head of Social Justice, Citizens Advice Scotland.
The event was kindly hosted by Brodies LLP.
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.
Mairi Spowage, Director at Fraser of Allander Institute
Mairi’s areas of expertise include economic policy, economic statistics, national accounting, public sector finances, and economic and fiscal forecasting. Mairi leads on the Institute's work with various partners, including those in business, the public and third sector.
Mairi is leading on various projects to improve economic measurement and the use of economic insights to improve policy decisions in Scotland and beyond. She also leads the programme to encourage graduates into careers in analysis through the Economic Futures programme.
Mairi is on the Leadership team of the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy and the Economics Statistics Centre of Excellence. Previously, Mairi was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government, and has over 15 years of experience working in different areas of statistics and analysis, including transport, household surveys and performance measurement.
Emma Jackson, Head of Social Justice, Citizens Advice Scotland
Emma is Head of Social Justice at Citizens Advice Scotland, having previously worked for the debt help charity Christians Against Poverty as Scotland Director. She is a regular broadcaster and contributor for BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Thought for the Day’. She is a board member for the Poverty Alliance, Convenor of Public Life and Social Justice for the Church of Scotland and lives in the rural Borders with her family and many pets.
