The Fraser of Allander Institute Podcast

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The latest on the Scottish and UK economy from a leading independent economic research institute based in the University of Strathclyde.

Fraser of Allander Institute


    • Apr 18, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 145 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Fraser of Allander Institute Podcast

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 8: Round-up of the week,

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2026 19:38


    Timestamps (0:06) Introductions (1:27) The SNP price cap plan for 'essential' foods (5:28) The campaign in Wales this week and the Welsh Lib Dems manifesto (7:07) Tax policy and unwillingness to confront fiscal trade-offs (11:20) The remaining Scottish manifestos from the week (15:13) What's been left unsaid

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 7: Devolved Social Security in Scotland

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 16:28


    Timestamps: (0:05) Introductions (1:25) Scotland's child poverty targets (5:15) Devolved and reserved social security systems (8:32) Child poverty delivery plan (13:00) Scottish Child Payment

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 6: Higher Education in Wales

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 26:32


    Timestamps: (0:05) Introduction and the overall funding challenge (3:30) The wider role of universities in local economies (6:33) International students (9:49) Difference in funding between Wales and the rest of the UK (19:44) Proposals from the different parties so far

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 5: Round-up of the week

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2026 21:08


    Timestamps (0:06) Introductions (1:00) Welsh developments: Plaid Cymru and Welsh Green Party manifestos (2:26) Childcare proposals in Wales (8:49) Scottish developments: Scottish Conservatives manifesto (17:16) Efficiency proposals in Scotland

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 4: Childcare policy in Wales

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 23:43


    Timestamps (00:05) Introduction and the current state of childcare policy in Wales (4:14) Why the government intervenes in this area (7:53) Differences between Welsh provision with the rest of the UK (14:41) Trade-offs between universal and more targeted approaches (19:04) The effect of policy objectives on childcare policy design

    Progress on child poverty: New statistics and a final delivery plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 31:51


    Participants Prof Stephen Sinclair, GCU & SPIRU  Hannah Randolph, FAI  Spencer Thompson, FAI  Time stamps (1:10) Latest child poverty statistics (4:45) Changes to the Family Resources Survey (12:00) Final child poverty delivery plan (16:10) Child poverty targets (23:20) More on data revisions (25:30) Scale of actions in the delivery plan and distance to the 2030 targets (30:15) A time for optimism

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 3: The financing of the Scottish Government

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 21:55


    Timestamps: (0:06) Evolution of funding during the last Parliamentary term (7:13) Income tax policy and divergence from the rest of the UK (13:39) Public sector pay and pressure on the Scottish Budget

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 2: The financing of the Welsh Government

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 27:12


    Timestamps: (0:05) Introductions (1:00) The Welsh Government's funding landscape in the last few years and the Barnett formula. (5:31) Claims about the "largest ever settlement" and how meaningful those are (12:09) Differences in funding between Wales and England

    2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 1: Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 20:30


    Timestamps (00:07) Introductions (00:40) The project and why we are doing it (03:35) Highlights from the Welsh setting the scene report (05:55) Similarities and differences relative to Scotland (10:44) Issues in the campaign in Scotland: taxes, health service (12:05) Comparison with issues in Wales (14:33) Public sector pay and efficiency (16:58) Capital spending outlook

    No One Left Behind: Scotland's employability framework

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 30:34


    Participants Hannah Randolph - Fellow, FAI Allison Catalano - Fellow, FAI & SHERU Spencer Thompson - Senior Fellow, FAI & SHERU Time stamps (0:25) What is No One Left Behind and how is it structured?  (4:10) Localised services and decision-making (9:10) Outcomes and prevention under No One Left Behind (18:45) Prioritisation (22:15) Data and evaluation  

    Podcast - Edinburgh & the AI Opportunity - with Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 48:58


    This episode is the latest in a series partnering Deloitte with the Fraser of Allander Institute. In this series expect lively debate, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions that will reshape the conversation around Scottish economic growth. This Scottish-focused initiative builds upon Deloitte's UK-wide Growth 35 programme, painting a bold vision for a thriving UK economy by 2035. (00:00) Welcome and episode overview (00:57) Meet Paul Lawrence and Phil Cragg (06:20) Why Edinburgh matters to Scotland's economy (11:42) Edinburgh's regional economy and city region approach (14:09) The constraints on growth: housing, affordability and space (17:46) Why Edinburgh stands out as an AI city (20:47) AI opportunity and labour market risk (28:07) Can AI improve public services? (38:39) Universities, talent and Edinburgh's innovation ecosystem

    Cyber and AI roles in the economy - part of CyberScotland Week - with Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 45:33


    This episode is the latest in a series partnering Deloitte with the Fraser of Allander Institute. In this series expect lively debate, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions that will reshape the conversation around Scottish economic growth. This collaboration will unveil ground-breaking insights and provide a platform for action. This Scottish-focused initiative builds upon Deloitte's UK-wide Growth 35 programme, painting a bold vision for a thriving UK economy by 2035. (00:00) Cyber + AI: why this matters now (Cyber Scotland Week) (01:12) Meet the guests: Deloitte + ScotlandIS / Cyber Scotland Partnership (01:51) What “cyber resilience” really means (it's not just IT) (04:07) Scotland's cyber ecosystem: what ScotlandIS + the Partnership do (07:03) Cyber careers: the roles people don't realise exist (09:11) Scotland's cyber skills gap (and why it's still here) (14:06) AI in cyber: big benefits, new risks, and trust issues (19:02) AI adoption 101: start with the problem (not the hype) (30:41) Building the talent pipeline: schools, placements & real pathways in (41:05) The future: new roles, diversity, and what needs to change next

    Financing the Energy Transition 2026 - with Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 45:29


    (00:00) - Welcome + what we're covering (survey + energy transition investment) (04:20) - SNIB explained: mission-led impact investing + how they operate (09:47) - Survey headlines: opportunity vs uncertainty (2030/2050 confidence gap) (12:27) - Risk, returns, and what's investable (mature tech, “comparable returns”) (17:44) - What's blocking progress: grid, planning/consenting, enabling infrastructure (28:30) - Scotland context + role of public capital (reserved powers, NWF/GB Energy, crowding-in) (40:31) - Momentum signals + what needs to happen next (47:42) - Closing + wrap-up and links

    The devil's in the details: Our reaction to the 2026/27 Scottish budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 16:44


    Timestamps(0:30) Overview of the Scottish budget(5:02) Fiscal sustainability (10:28) Clarity of planned transfers between portfolios(14:00) Future spending plans

    Glasgow Parking Controls Explained

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 20:05


    (00:00) - Introduction(03:22) - Rationale for the Policy(04:40) - Glasgow City Council's Evidence(06:45) - Emissions & Air Quality(10:23) - Piecemeal Approach to Implementation(11:37) - Concerns of Businesses & Residents(16:19) - Using Revenue Raised

    Reaction to the 2025 Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 29:39


    Timestamps: 0:30 Budget expectations, OBR leak, and response 4:29 Lifting of the two-child limit on the child element of Universal Credit10:23 Clearing confusion around child benefit, two-child limit, and the benefit cap14:01 Freezing tax thresholds19:25 Smorgasbord of smaller taxes 28:26 Spencer reflects on his first Budget with the FAI 

    Is the energy industry at a turning point - with Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 45:41


    This episode explores whether the energy sector – and particularly the North East of Scotland – is at a genuine turning point. The conversation looks at how a “just transition” could play out for workers and supply chains as the North Sea continues to decline, and how policy choices over the next five to seven years could mean either many more jobs in offshore energy or a sharp loss of capacity and capability. The guests unpack the idea of an “energy workforce”, not tied to a single fuel, and discuss how companies are increasingly global, chasing projects and moving people across borders while trying to stay agile in a volatile market.Alongside that, they dig into the UK's shifting tax regime in the North Sea, the impact of the windfall levy, the challenges of the current investment climate, and the added frictions from employment law changes and immigration policy. New modelling shows that the pace of decline in oil and gas could have material economic impacts, especially for Scotland and the North East, where offshore activity underpins a large share of jobs and GVA. Despite the risks and recent redundancies, the tone ends up cautiously optimistic: with clearer policy, better signalling from government and the right incentives, the UK still has the chance to turn its existing strengths – workforce, supply chain and North Sea assets – into a world-class, net zero-focused energy powerhouse.This episode is the fifth in a series partnering Deloitte with the Fraser of Allander Institute. In this series expect lively debate, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions that will reshape the conversation around Scottish economic growth. Culminating in a landmark event in March 2026, this collaboration will unveil ground-breaking insights and provide a platform for action. This Scottish-focused initiative builds upon Deloitte's UK-wide Growth 35 programme, painting a bold vision for a thriving UK economy by 2035.Timestamps(00:00) - (04:30) - Welcome, context & guest introductions(04:30) - (12:30) - Is the energy sector at a turning point? – “Striking the Balance”(12:30) - (21:00) - From oil & gas to an “energy workforce” and a global supply chain(21:00) - (31:30) - Investment climate and the North Sea fiscal regime(31:30) - (38:00) - Employment rights, immigration policy and agility(38:00) - (42:00) - Economic modelling: managed vs accelerated decline(42:00) - (45:41) - Lessons from 2015, current mood & reasons for optimismThe full transcript is available here. 

    The renewable economy opportunity in Scotland - with Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 55:19


    (06:25) Setting the Scene: Sector Snapshot & Data Challenges - Opening context, series aims, and the recurring measurement/data issues in the sector.(11:43) — Jobs & Output: 47k Roles and £15.5bn Activity - Headline figures and what they signal about deployment and momentum.(17:02) — Beyond Either/Or: Oil & Gas and Renewables Together - Why “one rises as the other falls” is a false dichotomy; the supply-chain reality.(22:20) — Grid, Supply Chain & Investor Confidence - Electrification, grid buildout, portfolio procurement, and the need to secure volume.(27:39) — Communities & Skills: Place-Based Opportunities - Thriving industries mean thriving communities; skills pathways and careers.(32:57) — Regional Tour: Inverness, Ardrishaig & the ‘Electric Highway' - Examples of local investments and EV-enabled connectivity.(38:15) — Shetland & Viking Wind: Community Stakes and Lessons -Decarbonisation at Sullom Voe and community participation challenges around Viking.(48:52) — Reality Check Since 2022: Costs, Pace and What's Next - How rising input costs and programme pace shape near-term priorities and delivery.

    Key Figures - Graeme Roy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 34:08


    In the final episode of our Key Figures series Mairi Spowage speaks to Professor in Economics at the Adam Smith Business School, and previous director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, Graeme Roy.

    Key Figures - David Bell

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 43:29


    Our next episode of Key Figures features the esteemed David Bell, Professor of Economics at the University of Stirling and a core original member of the Fraser of Allander Institute.

    Key Figures - Peter McGregor and Kim Swales

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 70:16


    In the third installment of our Key Figures series, Mairi Spowage speaks to Kim Swales and Peter McGregor: two economists who were director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at various times, and instrumental to our longstanding work in CG modelling.

    Key Figures - Elizabeth Ashcroft

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 58:31


    In the second episode of our Key Figures interview series, we talk to Elizabeth Ashcroft, one of the original editors of our long-running Economic Commentaries. We cover her life, the origins of the Institute, and her thoughts on the rapidly changing economic landscape in Scotland.

    Key Figures 1 - David Simpson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 39:38


    This is the first of a very special series of podcast interviews, talking to key figures from the Fraser of Allander Institute across its 50 year history. To kick things off, current director Mairi Spowage speaks to the first director and co-founder of the FAI, David Simpson, , from his home in East Lothian.

    Fiscal policy under pressure: Looking forward to the UK autumn budget statement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 23:36


    ParticipantsDr Hannah Randolph - Fellow at the Fraser of Allander InstituteDr João Sousa - Deputy Director at the Fraser of Allander InstituteTime stamps(0:40) What pressures does the chancellor face ahead of the autumn budget statement?(8:30) Prospects for improved economic conditions(11:00) Potential policy changes in the Autumn Budget statement(17:00) Impact on the Scottish budget process 

    Scotrail peak fares removal: Implications for public transport

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 17:17


    (00:25) Price changes after removal(01:37) Reasoning behind peak fares and removal  (03:23) Learning from the peak fares removal pilot(06:00) What policies might shift commuters away from cars?  (08:47) Alternatives to rail travel(10:57) Policy costs and potential for financial neutrality 

    Chaos in employment statistics: What's going on with the Labour Force Survey?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 29:19


    ParticipantsDr Hannah Randolph - Fellow at the Fraser of Allander InstituteAllison Catalano - Fellow at the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit (SHERU)Time stamps(00:06) Introduction(01:20) What is the LFS and what are the issues it's been having? (6:57) Alternative data sources for understanding the labour market(18:23) Misunderstandings around what's happened in the post-pandemic labour market(19:39) ONS changes to improve the quality of the LFS(23:40) How poor employment statistics may impact local decision-making(27:49) Information about FAI 50th anniversary conference

    GERS-onomics: reflections on the latest figures

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 33:05


    (00:29) What is GERS and why is it important?(10:19) What do the latest figures tell us and what factors are driving changes?(14:23) What were our thoughts on the Scottish Government response?(25:51) How likely is GERS to feature in the upcoming general election?

    Innovation in Scotland - Opportunities and Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 36:16


    04:27 - What does the UK innovation survey say about innovation in Scotland?07:10 - Is there really a decline in innovation across Scotland? 12:00 - Is business investment in Scotland really less than rest of UK?15:44 - Product innovation versus process innovation21:00 - How do skills shortages affect innovation?24: 00 - How does company size affect innovation?27:04 - How can businesses collaborate with universities to address skills development?29:00 - Where is the policy environment in Scotland when it comes to innovation?             

    A Tentative Recovery for Scottish Business Sentiment?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2025 14:46


    (00:38) What is the Scottish Business Monitor?(02:44) What business types are represented and what is the sample size?(04:28) Has poor business sentiment from Q1 2025 recovered in Q2?(06:50) What changes have we seen based on the changes to employer national insurance contributions?(08:37) What does business sentiment look like for 2026?(11:26) What factors are contributing to current business sentiment? 

    Gridlock Glasgow: Exploring Congestion Charging

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 27:34


    Timestamps(00:23) What is congestion charging?(02:59) Exemptions(04:49) Similarities with LEZs(07:10) Timing of charges(10:26) Use of discounts & revenue(14:54) Clyde Tunnel Toll(16:26) Edinburgh's failed proposal(20:13) Other UK charges(21:43) Effectiveness of congestion charges(23:37) Glasgow's public transport system(25:57) Public attitudes

    Economists in the Wild: Reflections from a Social Policy Conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 32:59


    Timestamps: (01:55) The Social Policy Association (SPA) and the East Asian Social Policy Research Network (EASP)(04:15) The Hospitality Sector – Serving the Future Project (07:30) Learning Disabilities & Employment (10:30) Child Poverty (14:40) Housing & Health (19:10) Labour One Year in Office: Tax Policy & Wealth Taxes? (24:30) Key Takeaways from the Conference 

    Medium-Term Financial Strategy June 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 33:17


    Yesterday, the Scottish Government published their medium-term financial strategy, which kicks off the Scottish Budget process. Hannah Randolph is joined by FAI Director Mairi Spowage to share their reactions. (2:08) What does the medium-term financial strategy do? (8:47) Financial strategy across spending areas (18:04) Public sector reform (25:06) Looking ahead to the Scottish spending review

    The Fraser of Allander Institute's 50th anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 12:15


    PARTICIPANTSDr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeProfessor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Ben Cooper, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTIME STAMPS(0:20) History of the FAI(5:30) FAI conference plans(10:15) Parliamentary reception plans(11:40) Where to find more information about the FAI 50th

    Financing the UK Energy Transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 47:39


    Introduction What are investors saying? 03:43 Why is policy certainty so important? 10:27 Energy companies versus energy investors: 13:05 Where should government focus on? 17:52 Why the grid is so important? 24:42 Importance of effective carbon pricing regime: 31:04 Policy Responses from UK and Scottish Government: 42:11 

    The spending review rollercoaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 41:18


    PARTICIPANTS Ben Cooper, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Joao Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde TIMESTAMPS (00:30) A summary of the spending review announcements (08:00) What did we hear on capital investment? (11:50) What were the announcements on day-to-day expenditure? (21:14) What are the implications on Scotland from the spending review? (26:50) What has changed for the Medium Term Financial Strategy? (35:30) How important is the spending review going forward? 

    "Holyrood stands under the microscope of their own gaze" - reflections after Scotland misses its interim child poverty targets

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 31:57


    Timestamps:(0:00) Introduction(00:38) What do the latest child poverty statistics say?(01:49) What was JRF's reaction to the stats?(03:09) Can we see an impact from Scottish Child Payment?(06:09) How do we achieve the 2030 targets from here?(09:24) Modelling of options to meet 2030 targets(12:57) What about cost?(19:27) How might UK Government proposed benefits changes impact poverty levels?(23:30) How will the changes impact Scotland's finances?(25:41) What happens in Scotland if the work capability assessment is replaced by the PIP assessment?(28:20) What's next for child poverty analysis at the FAI and JRF?

    Disability benefit cuts and limited fiscal headroom: Reflections on the spring statement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 45:27


    PARTICIPANTSDr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeProfessor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTIME STAMPS(0:30) Economic conditions leading up to the spring statement(16:15) What announcements were made and how do they affect Scotland?(21:10) OBR estimates for policy costs and savings(30:25) What fiscal policy changes might we expect later this year?(37:40) What are the UK's prospects for growth? 

    Energy transition and digital transformation present enormous opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 41:23


    PARTICIPANTSProfessor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander InstituteAngela Mitchell, Senior Partner for Scotland & Northern Ireland, DeloitteLesley McEwan, Director in Deloitte's Infrastructure and Capital Programme Team, DeloitteTIMESTAMPS(10:50 ) What purposes could public land be put to?(14:10) Taking the demand to the supply – data centres(15:40) Grid infrastructure issues must still be tackled(16:40) Digital opportunities(19:23) Threats and opportunities from AI, including smart cities(22:28) What can Scotland learn from other cities around the world(24:30) A key role for research and academia(25:23) Power hungry AI(26:50) Use of digital and AI for public service reform(29:57) Civil service efficiency(31:50) Economic impact of these opportunities, including employment

    What is the Barnett formula?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 28:59


    PARTICIPANTSDr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeDr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTIME STAMPS(0:25) What is the Barnett formula and what does it do?(2:50) What came before the Barnett formula and how was it different?(9:25) Has the Barnett formula resulted in convergence on spending per person across the UK nations?(12:40) Limits set by the Barnett formula and their impact on spending options for devolved governments(16:50) Governance framework - can devolved governments challenge decisions made on the Barnett formula?(22:25) Potential options for changing the Barnett formula and framework

    Podcast: Scottish Health Equity Research Unit - an introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 34:24


    Scottish Health Equity Research Unit WebsiteScottish Health Equity Research Unit BlueSky(0:34) Introduction (01:15) Origins of SHERU(04:42) Historical context of health inequalities research (8:40) Impact and Implementation (16:50) Interactions between Policy and Research(20:42) Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (27:36) Goals and Aims of SHERUIntro/Outro by Ian Macartney

    Podcast: Weekly Update - Interest Rates, Budget and SBM

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 22:10


    PARTICIPANTSMairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeJack Williamson. Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTIMESTAMPS(00:3o) BOE: interest rates and the outlook for growth (07:00) Budget process and developments (10:20) Two child limit mitigation (16:45) Q4 2024 Scottish Business Monitor(20:10) Upcoming fiscal events and releases

    Post Budget Thoughts and 2024 Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 36:18


    Timestamps (00:36) Inflation data and MPC expectations(07:45) GDP growth(11:00) Scottish Budget Report developments(20:08) Other fiscal news in 2025(22:01) Allison and Mairi discuss air quality research(26:20) Hannah and Mairi discuss the Scottish Child Payment and foodbank usage(31:45) Ben and Mairi discuss Economic Futures(35:40) Live! Scottish GDP data comes out during the podcast

    Scottish Budget 2024 Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 22:01


    PARTICIPANTSDr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeEmma Congreve, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeDr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTIME STAMPS(0:21) Summary of main announcements(1:37) Mitigation of the two-child limit(3:42) What has happened with the budget for housing?(5:15) Hospitality relief - similar to relief in England & Wales?  (8:30) Implications of omitting employer NICs from forecasts on public sector pay(13:43) Income tax and what the SFC forecasts tell us about future years(19:22) Further analysis - what to look out for   

    What is CPI? Inflation statistics and how we can understand them

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 15:13


    FAI economist Hannah Randolph is joined by Luke Michaelides and Phil Gooding from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Consumer Prices team to talk about inflation statistics. We cover what measures of inflation are produced by ONS, how they differ, and recent developments in methodology and the data underlying the statistics. We end by discussing how inflation rates impact households and businesses.  ParticipantsDr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeLuke Michaelides, Branch Head, Consumer Prices Development and Subgroup Production, ONSPhil Gooding, Statistician, Consumer Prices Inflation, ONS Time stamps(1:00) What are the different measures of inflation produced by ONS? How do they differ?(2:25) What are the Household Costs Indices and what do they say about how inflation affects different groups? (5:25) What types of data are used to produce these inflation measures? (7:20) How have the methods of collecting data for and calculating inflation changed?(10:20) What do changes in the inflation rate mean for households and businesses? What should people keep in mind when they hear about inflation on the news?

    Quantifying Glasgow's Emissions Reductions: A Data-Driven Analysis from 2005 to 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 17:23


    (0:00) - Introducing the GEMINOA project - background and context(1:16) - Key findings:Glasgow's 46% emissions reductionNational grid decarbonisation impactSector-by-sector breakdown(3:32) - Local policy measurement challenges:(7:30) - Economic implications:(11:00) - Future outlook:GEMINOA project developmentsPolicy implicationsUpcoming research

    Big taxes, big spending: A first look at the UK budget statement

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 36:27


    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 government, and whether or not this budget signals a significant change in UK fiscal policy. Participants Dr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeProfessor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde  Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTime stamps(0:20) How will the tax decisions taken in yesterday's budget affect people in Scotland?(9:10) How might the announcements yesterday influence the Scottish budget in December?(17:30) What has changed about the fiscal rules and what impact has it had?(29:50) Does this budget signal a change in the direction of UK fiscal policy? 

    Rachel Reeves' first budget: What can we learn from historical budgets?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 26:57


    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/publications/uk-budget-preview-3-first-budgets-of-post-war-chancellors/Participants Dr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeTime stamps(0:20) What do other chancellors' first budgets tell us about what to expect in Rachel Reeves' first budget statement?(6:00) What historical budgets happened in similar conditions to the present and what can we learn from them?(10:24) How has the role of the OBR in the budget process changed over time?(17:20) What do we expect in the budget statement on Wednesday? 

    Serving the Future: Reflecting on our hospitality research during Challenge Poverty Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 29:19


    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 funded by the Robertson Trust. The project is seeking to understand, reduce and prevent in-work poverty and identify changes that could be made within the hospitality sector.You can find out more about Serving the Future here: https://www.servingthefuture.scot/You can learn more about the Poverty Alliance & Challenge Poverty Week here: https://www.povertyalliance.org/ ParticipantsBrodie Gillan, Assistant Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeChirsty McFadyen, Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeLaura Robertson, Research Manager, Poverty Alliance Timestamps (00:47) What is Serving the Future?(03:06) What is Challenge Poverty Week and how does it relate to Serving the Future?(05:20) Why did we focus on the hospitality sector for this project?(07:20) What are the main challenges facing low-paid workers in the hospitality sector?(15:55) What conversations have we had with hospitality employers throughout the project?(22:31) What can listeners learn about in-work poverty?(27:02) What's next for Serving the Future?

    Our latest quarterly economic commentary

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 38:35


    (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 discuss our analysis of fiscal black holes(21:33) We all speculate about the UK Budget on 30th October, focussing on the implications if capital gains tax features in the changes the Chancellor is likely to make.(30:30) Mairi discusses some of our analysis on the Scottish Public sector.

    The Equality Act and Disability - language, employment and learning disabilities

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 26:22


    Episode NotesIn 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 Enterprise Scotland, who discussed his neurodivergent condition and how language has impacted his experiences of employment.Learning disabilities research by the Fraser of Allander Institute can be found at the following link: https://fraserofallander.org/research/adults-with-learning-disabilities-in-scotland/Our report prepared for the Scottish Parliament on the disability employment gap can be found at: https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2024/1/12/434f4dc4-caa1-4971-b5f3-7699e70ec1ffParticipantsChirsty McFadyen, Economics Associate, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeHannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of StrathclydeLiam Brown, Entrepreneurial Executive, Young Enterprise ScotlandTimestamps(0:00) Introduction(00:14) What is the equality act and how does it define disability? (02:04) What was the reason for having the legislation? (03:46) What have been some of the issues with it? Interview with Liam Brown (06:45)(14:26) Learning disabilities and employers research findings (24:14) What advice works for employers hiring people with learning disabilities? 

    Fiscal Audits and Spending Controls - unpacking the recent announcements

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 32:12


    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.  

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