Air Date: November 1st, 2026 with Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events

Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter

Fresh from a high-profile meeting with housing minister Angela Rayner, Willie Haughey and Tom Hunter dive into the big economic stories shaping Scotland and beyond.

From the Chancellor's latest budget and Scotland's growth challenge to concerns over public spending, housing policy and the future of entrepreneurship, they ask whether governments are doing enough to drive prosperity.

They also explore growing concerns around AI investment, discuss major developments involving Alphabet and Anthropic, and look ahead to the sold-out Founders Conference at Gleneagles.

Episode Highlights

• Willie Haughey reflects on his meeting with housing minister Angela Rayner and Scotland's housing opportunities.
• Analysis of John Healey's budget and what it means for businesses, entrepreneurs and taxpayers.
• The debate over Scotland's tax policies, public spending and economic growth.
• Concerns about "ghost workers" and the cost of government inefficiency.
• Why Alphabet's huge market loss could signal a wider rethink on AI spending.
• Trump, the US midterms and the political stories influencing markets.
• The future of Scotland's energy transition and the Acorn carbon capture project.
• Why Scotland's whisky industry is feeling the pressure from rising taxes.
• A preview of the Founders Conference featuring Sir Chris Hoy, Debbie Crosbie and Noel Fitzpatrick.
• The latest on Anthropic's potential mega-IPO and whether the AI investment boom is nearing a turning point

Chapters

00:07 Willie Meets Angela Rayner
01:45 Breaking Down John Healey's Budget
04:00 Scotland's Budget and Barnett Consequentials
05:10 The £27m Ghost Workers Controversy
06:37 Growth, Taxation and Government Spending
08:10 Housing Crisis and Landlord Tax Debate
10:49 Can Scotland Deliver Economic Growth?
11:48 Alphabet Loses Half a Trillion Dollars
12:07 Is the AI Investment Bubble Bursting?
14:16 Christine Lagarde's Next Move
14:51 Trump, Obama and the US Midterms
17:10 Acorn Carbon Capture and Scotland's Energy Future
18:29 Whisky Industry Hit by Rising Taxes
20:00 Banks Face Another Tax Increase
20:48 Founders Conference Preview
21:55 Sir Chris Hoy, Debbie Crosbie and Star Speakers
23:15 Nationwide, Virgin Money and Glasgow Jobs
24:16 Entrepreneurial Scotland's Fundraising Success
25:51 The Saltire Foundation's Impact
26:59 Anthropic's Mega IPO Plans
27:24 Investors Rethink the AI Gold Rush
28:27 Will Anthropic Miss Its Valuation Target?

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Air Date: October 25th, 2026 with Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events

Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter

This week on the Go Radio Business Show, Hunter and Haughey tackle Scotland's biggest business challenges, from youth unemployment and apprenticeships to North Sea energy, housing and the cost of doing business.

Following a successful Go Radio Business Show event at Hampden, the pair reflect on the importance of bringing Scotland's business community together and keeping pressure on the Scottish Government to support businesses struggling with rates.

The discussion turns to the Jackdaw gas field, with Tom welcoming the decision to move forward and questioning why the UK continues to import energy while North Sea jobs and investment are at stake.

Housing is also high on the agenda, as Willie and Tom warn that a proposed building safety levy could make new developments even less viable and worsen Scotland's housing shortage.

One of the biggest talking points comes as Willie outlines a plan to tackle youth unemployment and the construction skills shortage, offering to take on **200 apprentices immediately** if the government supports his proposed funding approach.

The pair also examine the upcoming UK Budget, whether the benefits system is discouraging people from working, Elon Musk's ambitions for Tesla and SpaceX, the future of AI investment, and the debate over public ownership of bus services.

With strong opinions, practical proposals and a shared determination to see Scottish businesses succeed, it's another packed episode of the Go Radio Business Show.

Key Highlights

00:00 Introduction & Hampden Business Event Recap
02:04 Scotland's Business Rates Campaign Gains Momentum
03:13 Upcoming Budget and Support for Scottish Businesses
04:20 Jackdaw Gas Field Gets the Go-Ahead
06:08 Why UK Energy Costs Are Hurting Competitiveness
07:41 Proposed Building Safety Levy Sparks Housing Concerns
09:34 Who Should Pay for Building Safety Failures?
12:07 Glasgow's £1m Fund for Vacant Listed Buildings
12:54 UK Budget Predictions and Possible Tax Changes
14:03 UK Borrowing, Inflation and Unemployment Figures
16:28 Is the Benefits System Making Work Less Attractive?
18:53 Youth Unemployment and the Need for Action
19:43 Willie's Plan to Tackle Youth Unemployment
21:49 Willie Offers to Take On 200 Apprentices
22:33 Could Scotland Lead the Way on Apprenticeships?
24:02 Elon Musk, SpaceX Shares and Tesla Merger Plans
26:27 Political Donations and Donald Trump
27:41 Is AI Investment Becoming a Bubble?
29:19 Debate Over Public Ownership of Bus Services
30:35 Willie: Governments Are Terrible at Running Businesses
32:07 New Housing Development Approved in Glasgow
32:27 Celebrating Scottish Business Success

Join the Conversation
What did you think of this episode?
Email: GoBusiness@thisisgo.co.uk

Follow us @thisisgoradio on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.

For more Go Studio Podcasts, head to:
https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/

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https://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/goradio/

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Air Date: October 18th, 2026 with Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events

Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter

This week on the Go Radio Business Show, Hunter and Haughey cover a wide-ranging agenda from global business wins to Scotland’s economic future. Willie celebrates the signing of a major long-term contract in Australia and reflects on the opportunities he sees in a booming economy Down Under. Closer to home, the discussion turns to talent retention, devolution, housing, investment, infrastructure and Scotland's growth challenges.

The pair examine lessons from Norway's £2.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, debate whether closer UK-EU economic ties could unlock growth, and explore emerging opportunities in defence, aerospace, robotics and housing. They also tackle labour shortages, business rates, energy costs and why Scotland must become more competitive for investment.

With optimism around innovation and concern about economic stagnation, the episode blends business insight, politics and practical solutions.

Key Highlights

• Willie signs a major 10-year multi-billion-pound contract in Australia and discusses the country's booming economy.
• Discussion on why young Scottish talent is increasingly moving abroad and what powers Scotland may need to create more opportunities at home.
• Reflections on Andy Burnham's visit to Motherwell College and the debate around devolving DWP responsibilities to Scotland.
• Lessons from Norway's sovereign wealth fund and whether Scotland missed a historic opportunity with oil revenues.
• Glasgow's plans to unlock stalled housing developments through a new public-private investment fund.
• £57 million investment at Prestwick Airport from GE Aerospace creating skilled jobs and strengthening Ayrshire's aerospace sector.
• Debate over Goldman Sachs analysis suggesting renewed UK-EU integration could significantly boost economic growth.
• NAMI Surgical secures funding to advance robotic surgery technology in Scotland.
• Discussion on defence manufacturing, national security and Scotland's role in a changing geopolitical landscape.
• Construction labour shortages, business rates and energy costs continue to threaten economic growth and investment.

Join the Conversation

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