In our 100th podcast episode, FAI Director Mairi Spowage and Deputy Director João Sousa join economist Hannah Randolph to discuss what was announced in the UK budget statement and how it will affect Scotland. We also talk about whether OBR publications alongside the budget shed more light on the budgetary "black hole" left by the previous governmen…

Deputy Director João Sousa joins FAI economist Hannah Randolph to discuss our expectations for the budget statement on Wednesday as well as what we can learn from past chancellors' first budgets and the role of the OBR in the budget process. To read more about past chancellors' first budgets, check out the details here: https://fraserofallander.org…

In this episode, Brodie Gillan is joined by Chirsty McFadyen, and Laura Robertson, who is a Research Manager at the Poverty Alliance. Brodie, Chirsty, and Laura discuss the Serving the Future project in the context of Challenge Poverty Week. Serving the Future is a three-year action research project working with hospitality employers and workers fu…

(00:35) Mairi discusses the headlines from our commentary publication, covering the main indicators of economic conditions (03:55) Douglas reflects on whether this chimes with the experience he is having with clients (07:12) Mairi, Joao and Douglas discuss the latest data on Scottish Income Tax, and our old friend fiscal drag (15:03) Mairi and Joao…

Episode Notes In this episode, Hannah Randolph is joined by Chirsty McFadyen who leads on our learning disabilities employment research. Hannah and Chirsty discuss the Equality Act and its implementation issues, as well as some of our latest findings from speaking to employers. We are also joined by Liam Brown, Entrepreneurial Executive at Young En…

Institute Deputy Director Emma Congreve is joined by fellow Deputy Director Joao Sousa and Director Professor Mairi Spowage to discuss all the fiscal announcements over the last month and what they mean for Scotland.By Emma Congreve, Joao Sousa, Mairi Spowage

Director Mairi Spowage and Deputy Director João Sousa join FAI economist Hannah Randolph to discuss GERS statistics for 2023-24, including the net fiscal balance, details of changes in revenues and spending, how Scotland compares to other UK nations and regions, and what it all means for the independence debate. GERS 2023-24 can be found on the Sco…

FAI Deputy Director João Sousa is joined by OBR Deputy Chief of Staff Laura Gardiner to discuss the OBR's recent work on the drivers of the growing gap in income tax paid per person in Scotland relative to the UK average. Find the OBR's working paper on devolved income tax at: https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/forecast-methodology/#working More OBR…

Participants Dr Hannah Randolph, Economic Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Rebecca Kay, Senior Researcher, Migration Policy Scotland Time stamps (0:20) Context: Immigration trends in Scotland (1:40) What are current attitudes towards immigration like in Scotland? (6:45) What views do people have on the contr…

Participants Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Emma Congreve, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Time stamps (0:20) New cabinet and expectations for a fiscal eve…

PARTICIPANTS Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde TIME STAMPS (00:40) Main policy areas in the party manifestos…

PARTICIPANTS Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde TIME STAMPS (0:20) Are plans to increase tax compliance credi…

PARTICIPANTS Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde TIME STAMPS (0:20) Fiscal headroom, economic growth, and the …

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (0:20) New inflation numbers and BoE interest ra…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (0:20) Are the parties' costings and funding pla…

Participants Ben Cooper. Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps (00:51) Initial reactions to the manifestos published this we…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:20) £2k rise in taxes per household to fund Lab…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (0:30) First GE debate in Scotland (8:50) Immigrati…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:45) Commitments on tax so far (08:30) NHS fundi…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:30) Intro to FAI coverage of the General Electi…

Jack and Allison go over findings from the Scottish Government's recent household poverty publication, which shows that households with have at least one disabled adult are more likely to be in poverty than households without. This recent finding feeds into work that the FAI did in collaboration with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre over …

Chair: Benjamin Cooper, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Guests: Tony Shemwell, The Wise Group Hamish Robertson, The Wise GroupBy benjamin cooper, tony shemwell, hamish robertson

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:30) The state of the Scottish economy (03:20) Scotland's pandemic recovery (07:40) Last thoughts on the Scottish Budget (09:50) Futu…

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:30) Challenges in economic forecasting; growth …

Participants: Dr Hannah Randolph, Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:25) The challenging backdrop to the Scottish Budget (05:2…

Participants: João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Timestamps: (00:28) Economic forecasts for growth and inflation (03:03) Fiscal drag and its consequences (06:50) National Insurance cuts (08:45) Spending settle…

Chair: Kate Milne, Assistant Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps (00:21) What can we expect from the budget next week? (02:13) Could recent GDP revisions lead to looser fiscal policy? (04:46) How might households and businesses be affected? (06:49) What could the Chanc…

Chair: Hannah Randolph, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: David Jack, Economic Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute Chirsty McFadyen, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps: (00:25) Previous work on learning disabilities (01:45) Data on people with learning disabilities (11:15) Recommendations for data …

Chair Ben Cooper, Associate Economist Guests Adam McGeoch, Fellow Economist Timestamps (00:30) A general economic update (07:50) Are we heading for a recession? (10:54) Are businesses feeling more optimistic? (14:09) What are the main issues concerning firms right now?By Ben Cooper, Adam McGeoch

Timestamps (00:24) Latest GDP data from the ONS (02:30) IMF forecast of UK economy in 2023 (05:08) UK Statistical Authority weighs in on proper use of data (07:48) What have we seen so far from the FM (09:37) The road ahead for Humza YousafBy Emma Congreve, Jack Williamson

Chair Ben Cooper, Associate Economist Guests Professor Mairi Spowage, Director Hannah Randolph, Economic and Policy Analyst Timestamps (00:31) The latest findings from the Economic Commentary (02:43) A review of the latest Scottish and UK economic data (04:16) What does the data suggest about the ongoing cost of living crisis? (05:55:) Economic ina…

Chair: Calum Fox, Economist, The Fraser of Allander Institute. Guest: Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute. Time Stamps: (00:48) The OBR's GDP forecast. (02:52) The OBR's inflation forecast. (O4:22) The UK's public finances. (07:31) What is the UK budget and why is it important? (09:36) What additional funding does the Chancellor's…

Chair: Kate Milne, Assistant Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps: (00:25) Latest GDP figures (03:00) Energy prices (05:40) Energy Support Scheme (07:45) Looking ahead - the Scottish Business Monitor 100th Quarter and export activity (11:00) Productivity and…

Chair: Jack Williamson, Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guest: Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute Time stamps: (00:40) Latest GDP figures (04:21) Length and depth of the looming recession (06:08) Latest Labour Force Survey data (09:28) Latest inflation figures (12:39) Core inflation (15:23) How well is the Centr…

Chair: Ben Cooper, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: Adam McGeoch, Economist Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps: 00:34 - What is the Scottish Business Monitor? 02:24 - Why was the latest survey significant for the institute? 04:15 - What are the key takeaways from the latest survey? 06:25 - What are the biggest …

Chair: Ciara Crummey, Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps: (00.22) Key changes announced in the December budget (03.22) Were there any surprise announcements? (08.14) Effect on consumers and businesses (11.18) How has the budget been received? (13.14) How t…

Chair: Kate Milne, Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests: Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, and David Eiser, Deputy Director Timestamps (00:30) Main takeaways from the Autumn Budget Review (03:25) Were there any surprises? (08:00) Has enough been done to ease the long recession ahead? (12:00) Support fo…

Chair: Allison Catalano, Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute Guest: Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps (00:30) Updates on the Scottish labour market and United Kingdom GDP (01:45) Is the UK already in a recession? (02:40) Drivers of poor growth (4:05) The impact of Thursday's Autumn Budget Review on…

(2:14) Discussion of the recent mini-budget and market reaction (6:00) Discussion about the upcoming Bank of England reaction to the mini-budget and Scottish options for the medium-term fiscal policy (9:05) Discussion of updated economic forecasts, inflation, and contractions for the coming year and Q4 2022 (11:20) Discussion of Scottish labour mar…

Link to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data on Country and Regional Public Sector Finances, mentioned in the podcast: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/articles/countryandregionalpublicsectorfinances/financialyearending2021 Music by Lesfm from Pixabay…

Chair Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests David Eiser, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute Timestamps (00:30) Initial takeaways from the spending review (05:20) Discussion of latest economic forecasts (07:55) Discussion of income tax (13:45) What did we not find out? (19:03) What happens next in the process?…

Fraser of Allander Rob Watts The Usual Place Heather, Jessica, Luke, Jack and Ben Timestamps (0.34) What is The Usual Place? (2.08) How did The Usual Place come about? (4.09) Why is there a need for social enterprises like The Usual Place? (7.05) Funding The Usual Place? (9.47) Lessons for society on how to better support young people with addition…

Chair David Eiser, Fraser of Allander Institute Guests Mairi Spowage, Fraser of Allander Institute Steve Williams, Deloitte Timestamps (00:35) – What are the main findings in our Commentary today? (02:30) – How has the Omicron variant impacted the FAI's forecasts? (05:00) – Steve, Mairi has talked about the impact that restrictions could have on bu…

(00:37) Main reflections on the Budget (03:22) Key tax announcements (09:15) Announcements – or not – on council tax (12:03) Social care spending increases starting to come through (13:45) Scottish child payment & child poverty measures (15:40) Local Government Funding impactsBy Mairi Spowage, David Eiser, Emma Congreve

(00:49) What does ITP Energised do? (02:45) How have your operations changed in recent years? (04:38) How important is the rise of “sustainable” or “green” finance in the progress towards net zero? (05:58) What opportunities are there for the energy transition in Scotland for supply chain development? (08:17) How are skills mismatches affecting the…

Chair Stuart McIntyre, FAI Guests Mairi Spowage, FAI David Eiser, FAI Time stamps (01:10) What are the key economic headlines from yesterday's budget? (04:30) Do you think heightened uncertainty may result in less spending in future budgets? (06:20) What are the key fiscal issues from the budget? (09:10) What does all of this mean for Scotland? (11…

Chair Emma Congreve, FAI Guests Chris Birt, JRF Peter Kelly, Poverty Alliance Time stamps (00:53) Background to Challenge Poverty Week (08:32) Summary of JRF Poverty in Scotland 2021 (11:49) Overview of FAI modelling work on child poverty (15:01) Discussion on the child poverty targets Link to challenge poverty week: https://www.challengepoverty.ne…

Timestamps: (01:32) What is get2gether? (03:49) What members have learned at get2gether and why this matters. (11:35) Sex education for people with learning disabilities. (16:42) Why people with learning disabilities often have low expectations of relationships. (22:32) The barriers to making progress. (24:13) Relationships and The Keys to Life. (2…

(00:00) Headlines from GERS... (03:36) This year's areas of controversy (08:52) What drives the differences between Scotland and the UK? (10:08) What the figures mean for the constitutional debate (13:47) Is there an issue of structural unfairness in the UK? (16:52) The latest labour market data (20:58) Is there any evidence of labour shortages? (2…

Timestamps 1:22 What is Breaking Barriers? 10:03 Breaking Barriers graduates share their stories Featuring Fraser of Allander: Rob Watts Strathclyde Business School: Heather Stenhouse Breaking Barriers graduates: Michael Higgins, Joe Kingdom and Lewis CassidyBy Fraser of Allander Institute