• 2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis Ep 1: Introduction
    Mar 31 2026

    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

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    21 mins
  • No One Left Behind: Scotland's employability framework
    Mar 27 2026

    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

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    31 mins
  • Podcast - Edinburgh & the AI Opportunity - with Deloitte
    Mar 24 2026

    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

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    49 mins
  • Cyber and AI roles in the economy - part of CyberScotland Week - with Deloitte
    Feb 27 2026

    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

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    46 mins
  • Financing the Energy Transition 2026 - with Deloitte
    Feb 24 2026

    (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

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    45 mins
  • The devil's in the details: Our reaction to the 2026/27 Scottish budget
    Jan 14 2026

    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

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    17 mins
  • Glasgow Parking Controls Explained
    Dec 18 2025

    (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

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    20 mins
  • Reaction to the 2025 Budget
    Nov 27 2025

    Timestamps:

    0:30 Budget expectations, OBR leak, and response

    4:29 Lifting of the two-child limit on the child element of Universal Credit

    10:23 Clearing confusion around child benefit, two-child limit, and the benefit cap

    14:01 Freezing tax thresholds

    19:25 Smorgasbord of smaller taxes

    28:26 Spencer reflects on his first Budget with the FAI

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    30 mins