The Fraser of Allander Institute Podcast

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) Future fiscal events and funding decisions

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 in 2023

(04:55) Uncertainty in measuring the economy

(06:50) The Labour Force Survey and labour force estimates

(11:45) 25 years of the Scottish Business Monitor

(15:50) Income tax analysis

(22:00) Upcoming research: Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy

(25:30) Impact of increasing interest rates 

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

(05:28)  The impact of the Autumn Statement on the Scottish Budget

(08:33) Spending commitments from the Scottish Government since the Medium-Term Financial Strategy

(13:55) Options for reforming Scottish Income Tax

(22:51) The Scottish Government's constraints on borrowing

(26:49) Main areas to look out for on Budget Day

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 settlements for departments and devolved administrations remain tight - are they realistic?

(13:03) Consequences for Scotland

(17:17) What does this mean in the context of a looming general election?

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 Chancellor do to spur on investment?

(10:28) How do things look for the Scottish economy?

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 collection and use 

(20:15) Looking ahead - more on data 

(27:05) Looking ahead - qualitative work 

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? 

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 Yousaf 

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 inactivity and the Scottish labour market

(08:07) The spring statement and implications for Scotland 

(13:37) Looking forward to the Scottish Business Monitor and the issues facing Scottish firms 

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 announcements generate?

(11:15) Changes to childcare support.

(14:41) The Energy Bills Support Scheme.

(17:55) Disability Payment reforms.

(20:15) Changes to alcohol duty.

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 the four-day working week

(13:05) Scottish Leadership Contest and policy

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 Central Bank performing?

(19:44) Upcoming Spring Budget 

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 issues facing firms? 
08:40 - How are businesses fairing in the current economic climate? 
11:05 - Are firms optimistic about the coming year? 
12:42 - How can businesses get involved in the Scottish Business Monitor? 

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 this ties in with the UK budget?

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 for businesses and charities
(14:15) Implications for Scotland

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 recession forecasts

(6:10) Additional expected features in the upcoming fiscal statement

(7:50) The impact of the Autumn Budget review in Scotland

(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 market, unemployment, and economic inactivity

(13:55) How are wage growth and inflation impacting household budgeting and expenditure?

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 additional support needs.

(11.59) Hearing from young people who work at The Usual Place.