Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, we bring together three experts to debate how we create a thriving economy.

Tim Allan is an entrepreneur and former president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Professor Mairi Spowage is an economist and director of the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute.

And Chris Birt is associate director at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which campaigns for policies to reduce poverty.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.

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