This wave of the Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker comes at another important political moment. Scotland is now three months into a new parliamentary term following the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, while the UK has experienced significant political change with Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister. Together, these developments have reshaped the political landscape. Yet the findings suggest that household finances remain the lens through which many Scots are judging economic conditions and political progress. With cost of living concerns continuing to dominate public priorities, expectations of both governments are likely to be closely tied to whether people experience tangible improvements in their financial wellbeing
While there are signs that economic sentiment has improved modestly since May, public attitudes remain characterised by caution. Fewer Scots now say that economic conditions and their own finances are worse than a year ago, while expectations for the year ahead have become moderately less negative. However, large majorities continue to hold pessimistic views of the general economy, indicating that confidence remains weak among Scots.
The cost of living remains the defining issue facing Scotland, continuing to rank as the most important concern nationally and locally. However, this wave also points to a changing set of public priorities. Concern about immigration has reached its highest level since the tracker began, while healthcare and the NHS has fallen back significantly compared with previous waves. At the same time, issues such as immigration, climate change and social care have become more prominent, suggesting a public agenda that is broadening beyond the immediate pressures of recent years and responding to recent events.
Findings on work and income satisfaction help to explain why concerns about living standards remain so pronounced. While respondents are generally positive about job security and the availability of paid work, attitudes towards income remain considerably less favourable. Fewer than four in ten Scots are satisfied with their income level, and around half are dissatisfied with how well their income covers the cost of living. The findings suggest that, for many households, employment alone is not providing a sufficient sense of financial security.
This pressure continues to shape day-to-day decisions. Large numbers of Scots report cutting back on non-essential spending, leisure activities and savings. The tracker also shows that rising prices continue to influence food choices, with many reducing takeaways and dining out, shopping based on price rather than health, or making other adjustments to manage household budgets.
Taken together, the findings suggest that Scotland remains in a holding pattern as public attitudes continue to be shaped by concerns about living standards, household finances and economic uncertainty. While some economic indicators have improved since May, there is little evidence of a broader shift in public mood. The challenge for policymakers now is to demonstrate that political change can deliver tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives. Until that happens, confidence in both the economy and Scotland’s future direction is likely to remain fragile.