September 14, 2025

Employment Reform & Economic Reality: Hunter & Haughey Break It Down

53 minutes

Air Date: September 14th, 2025

Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter.

This is a catch-up version of the weekly, Go Radio Business Show, Sundays between 11am-12pm with WYRE (www.trywyre.com)

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[00:02:06]

Employment Rights Bill Debate

Lord Stuart Rose warns of a looming crisis. Willie critiques Labour’s plan to give full employment rights from day one, arguing it could hurt small businesses and job creation.

[00:05:00]

Worker Rights vs Flexibility

Tom and Willie compare global employment laws—from Australia to Singapore to the US—and debate the balance between fairness and flexibility.

[00:07:22]

Sick Pay & Absenteeism

UK sick leave hits a 15-year high. Is it entitlement or necessity? The hosts explore the unintended consequences of generous policies.

[00:10:34]

Benefits vs Work Incentives

A real-life example of someone choosing benefits over employment sparks a discussion on how the system may disincentivise work.

[00:12:30]

Regulation & Unemployment

Willie warns that over-regulation could push unemployment above 5%. Tom calls for smarter policy that supports both workers and employers.

[00:13:02]

Elon Musk’s Trillion-Dollar Pay Plan

Tom and Willie debate Musk’s ambitious compensation package. Willie predicts Elon will leave Tesla within two years.

[00:16:27]

Chinese EVs Disrupting the Market

Arnold Clark reports Chinese EVs are high-quality and low-cost. Elon Musk faces serious competition.

[00:21:34]

Whisky Diplomacy

Scotland’s First Minister meets Trump to discuss US tariffs on Scotch. Willie calls it a “brilliant bit of politicking.”

[00:24:19]

Fidra’s £750M Battery Project

Edinburgh-based FIDRA secures massive funding to build the UK’s largest battery—powering 780,000 homes and contributing 11% of the UK’s 2030 energy goals.

[00:25:39]

Hydrogen Innovation

Clyde Hydrogen’s breakthrough could make green hydrogen more efficient and viable. Backed by Ecotricity’s Dale Vince.

[00:29:01]

Wood Group’s Collapse

Sold for £242M after once being valued at £1.6B. Tom and Willie blame poor acquisitions and bad management.

[00:31:05]

ScotRail’s Apprentice Intake

ScotRail, now government-run, celebrates its largest-ever apprentice intake. Willie praises the move as a win for vocational training.

[00:32:06] McGill’s £25M Depot Investment

McGill’s announces a new depot and 300 buses for Glasgow’s Tradeston—revitalising a neglected area.

[00:33:18]

France’s Political & Financial Crisis

France installs its fifth PM in three years. Willie warns of contagion and investor pullback across Europe.

[00:35:57] UK Investment Exodus

Jim Ratcliffe and Maersk pull major investments from the UK. Tom and Willie call for urgent reform to make the UK competitive again.

[00:40:12] Housing Crisis

Landlords are selling up, rental supply is at a record low. The Scottish government declared a crisis in May 2024—but has done little since.

[00:43:51]

Charity Spotlight: Movement Park

A Glasgow-based charity promoting urban sports and family fitness seeks anchor funding to expand into Dundee and Edinburgh by repurposing underused golf courses.

[00:48:27]

Board You Can’t Afford

Tom and Willie advise Movement Park on how to attract charitable donations and corporate support to scale their impact.

The Go Radio Business Show, on air every Sunday from 11am-12pm across Scotland on DAB, Online, Smart Speaker and on the Go Radio App.

The Go Radio Business Show in Association with WYRE, for affordable and comprehensive EV leasing solutions through their Salary Boost scheme. www.trywyre.com

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