{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey. Scotland’s Business Podcast.","title":"Scottish Businesses Are at Breaking Point — Here’s Why","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/71bc26be\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2135,"description":"Air Date: March 29th, 2026\nHosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter\nThis is a catch-up version of the weekly, Go Radio Business Show, Sundays from 11am.\n\nScotland’s business landscape takes centre stage as Willie and Tom dive into the escalating crisis around commercial rates, the energy shock triggered by global instability, and the mounting pressure on government accountability.\nThe episode moves from heavy geopolitical and economic realities into a powerful health initiative, before closing with upbeat Scottish business wins and a fiery debate on late payments.\nEpisode Highlights\nRates Revaluation Meltdown\n\n\nWillie reveals a letter from assessors claiming they are “not accountable to anyone”\n\n\nBusinesses facing crippling increases — Radisson’s rates jump from £500k to £1.3m.\n\n\nCall for government to stop hiding behind assessors and take responsibility.\n\n\nGlobal Energy Shock & ‘Drill Baby Drill’\n\n\nDiscussion on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and looming blackouts.\n\n\nIndustry leaders Chris O’Shea and Greg Jackson back North Sea production.\n\n\nTom argues for energy security over ideology.\n\n\nInflation, Interest Rates & Economic Turbulence\n\n\nInflation expected to rise above 4%.\n\n\nWillie predicts two rate hikes; Tom pushes back, citing Andy Haldane’s call to hold firm.\n\n\nGeopolitical Tension & Business Fallout\n\n\nMiddle East instability threatens global supply chains.\n\n\nWillie warns: “Never been anything like this”\n\n\nDiscussion on desalination plants and catastrophic regional risk.\n\n\nProstate Cancer Screening Campaign\n\n\nLaunch of a free test for 25,000 Scottish men.\n\n\n“Early detection saves lives” — Tom and Chris Evans push for NHS adoption.\n\n\nEarly results already catching cases.\n\n\nScottish Business Wins\n\n\n£20m boost for Dundee’s creative sector.\n\n\nHouse of Bruar turnover up 17%, US e‑commerce doubled.\n\n\nAI strategy for Scotland — potential £23bn GDP uplift (with a side of Willie’s cynicism).\n\n\nLate Payments Crackdown\n\n\nUK reforms promise fines in the tens...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/f3_Bcqs3gAP0Bg-D9wSlWNsMij_OS7pJBu9pV2YM-s0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNTgz/NTA4N2M5MTUzYzk3/MjJmNDcwMGMwNzA1/MTJmZi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}