Wake Up to Money Off your bike?
Nov 14, 2025
Max Rees, co-founder of The Curators, discusses the boom in high-protein snacks and the unique challenges small businesses face today. Zaina Bain shares insights on the uncertainty in fiscal policy and its impact on business confidence. Economist Linda Yu analyzes disappointing GDP figures and rising unemployment, while Will Pearson explains the current cycle-to-work scheme. The panel explores the potential impacts of a budget cap on cycling incentives and how it could affect public health and the environment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Uncertainty Is Dragging Growth
- Uncertainty over fiscal policy is creating a vicious cycle that weakens growth and raises borrowing costs.
- Businesses delay hiring and investment while markets demand higher risk premia, enlarging the fiscal hole.
Why Tax Plans Were Sent To The OBR
- Submitting tax plans to the OBR was intended to restore fiscal credibility and lower borrowing costs via reduced risk premia.
- The aim was to reassure markets so lending costs for businesses and households would decline.
Small GDP Shifts Mask Stagnation
- September's small GDP moves are within measurement error but signal stagnation rather than robust growth.
- Large sector shocks like the JLR cyberattack can flip quarterly figures when the economy is flat.