One of the UK’s leading centre-left think tanks has appointed its first director in Scotland.
Russell Gunson, currently the director of the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, will lead the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland.
A number of new left-wing think tanks have been set up in recent years in recent years, including the Common Weal and the Jimmy Reid Foundation.
Mr Gunson said that with Scotland due to gain substantial new powers in the wake of the Smith Commission on further devolution, set up after last year’s independence referendum, there was an “opportunity to ensure the renewed interest in Scottish politics is harnessed to debate how the country ... develops a more equal, socially just future”.
He added: "This is a very exciting and important time to shape the political debate in Scotland and we will work with all parties to achieve this.”
IPPR Scotland's early reports are expected to look at the Scottish labour market and the tax and spending choices available to Scottish ministers.
Nick Pearce, director of IPPR, said the goal was for IPPR Scotland to become an “important and influential organisation in Scottish public life”.
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