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?

PARTICIPANTS

Dr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, 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

(0:30) 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?

PARTICIPANTS

Professor Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute
Angela Mitchell, Senior Partner for Scotland & Northern Ireland, Deloitte
Lesley McEwan, Director in Deloitte's Infrastructure and Capital Programme Team, Deloitte

TIMESTAMPS

(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

PARTICIPANTS

Dr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

TIME 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

Scottish Health Equity Research Unit Website

Scottish 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 SHERU

Intro/Outro by Ian Macartney

PARTICIPANTS

Mairi Spowage, Director, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

Jack Williamson. Associate Economist, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

TIMESTAMPS

(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

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

PARTICIPANTS

Dr Hannah Randolph, Economics Fellow, 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

(0:21) 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