Pod Save the UK

Why is it so hard to tax the rich? Would it fix our economy? With Gary Stevenson

Jun 9, 2024

Economist and activist Gary Stevenson discusses the potential of a 1% tax on the wealthy to reshape the economy. Cat Hobbs from We Own It talks about the failures of privatization in the UK, emphasizing the need for renationalized services. The podcast delves into nationalizing Welsh water, renationalizing British Rail, and challenging political parties to address economic plans before the upcoming election.

48:15

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Episode guests

Gary Stevenson

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Nationalization of essential services is crucial to improve the UK's economy and public services.

Implementing a wealth tax on high-net-worth individuals can help address wealth inequality.

Taxation policies need to be rebranded positively to ensure fairer wealth distribution and societal balance.

Deep dives

Need for Nationalization and Wealth Tax

In the podcast episode, the discussion focuses on the pressing need for nationalization and wealth tax to address the economic challenges in the UK. The episode highlights the failure of privatization in various sectors, such as water and railways, and emphasizes the critical importance of re-nationalization to improve essential services. Additionally, the conversation revolves around the benefits of implementing a wealth tax on individuals with high net worth to tackle wealth inequality and ensure fair distribution of resources.

Intro

2min

The Failures of Privatisation in the UK: A Historical Overview

9min

Discussion on Nationalizing Welsh Water and Renationalizing British Rail

10min

Exploring Economics and Activism with a YouTube Superstar

2min

From Math Whiz to Financial Crusader

12min

Exploring the proposal of taxing the very rich for economic stability

3min

Wealth Taxation and Inequality

10min

Discussion on Direct Participation, David Cameron Controversy, and Sponsor Mention for Paycore

2min

The UK’s sorry state of affairs when it comes to water and railways is both a massive problem and an opportunity for the incoming government. Water companies are teetering on the brink of collapse and it feels inevitable that they will soon fall back in to public ownership. But how can we pay for renationalised services?

Cat Hobbs from We Own It talks to Nish and Coco about the history of privatisation and the opportunities that renationalised services present to the UK.

And economist and activist Gary Stevenson explores how the public can rewrite the narrative on taxation - starting with a 1% tax on people with wealth of over £10,000,000. But why stop there? Coco and Nish ask about other potential boons to the state budget.

Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

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Guests:

Cat Hobbs, Director of We Own It

Gary Stevenson, the Activist and Economist behind Gary’s Economics

Useful links:

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