The Fraser of Allander Institute Podcast

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

(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

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

(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

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