Economic Debate in Focus: Are Policymakers Listening?

Air Date: June 14th, 2026 Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter The Go Radio Business Show with Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events In this episode of The Go Radio Business Show, Hunter & Haughey examine the structural challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s economy in the wake of the World Cup. Balancing analysis with practical insight, the episode sets out a clear theme: sustainable economic growth will depend on decisive action, stronger links between policy and enterprise, and a renewed commitment to creating employment opportunities across Scotland. Key Highlights 📊 Public Finance & Market Confidence Scotland’s potential move into sovereign borrowing highlights key questions around investor confidence, pricing, and long-term fiscal sustainability. 🏛️ Political Engagement with Economic Policy Limited parliamentary attendance at major economic discussions raises concerns about the prioritisation of economic policy. 👥 Youth Employment Challenge High levels of NEETs continue to present a structural economic risk, reinforcing the importance of job creation and apprenticeship pathways. 🏦 Banking Access & Business Impact The ongoing decline of physical bank branches is affecting operational efficiency and accessibility for SMEs. ⚠️ Corporate Insolvency Risks The fallout from large-scale business failure underscores the financial exposure faced by smaller firms within supply chains. 🚀 Investment & Economic Opportunity New inward investment in Scotland’s tech sector demonstrates continued confidence in the country’s talent and innovation base. 🎯 Leadership & Workforce Development Lessons from elite-level leadership highlight the importance of engagement, direction, and long-term people development. ✅ From Policy to Action The episode emphasises the need for practical delivery, positioning employment and enterprise as central to economic recovery. Join the Conversation  What did you think of this episode?  Email: [email protected]  Follow us @thisisgoradio on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tik Tok  For more Go Studio Podcasts, head to: https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATeQD... For more about our sponsor, Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events visit: https://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/goradio/