Can Scotland Tackle Its Jobs, Housing & Energy Challenges?

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: [email protected] Follow us @thisisgoradio on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. For more Go Studio Podcasts, head to:   https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/ For more about our sponsor, Barclays Hampden Hospitality and Events, visit:   https://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/goradio/ #goradio #goradiobusinessshow #williehaughey #tomhunter #scottishbusiness #apprenticeships #scotland #business