Wake Up to Money Mind the gap
Oct 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, David Keane, the Executive Chief of Origo, shares insights on how automation and AI are reshaping productivity in the aviation and transport sectors. He highlights the challenges posed by rising employment costs and critiques the need for lower taxes and incentives to drive growth. The conversation also touches on the broader economic landscape, including the implications of the UK's budget forecast and the potential consequences for businesses navigating these changes.
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Productivity Downgrade Creates Big Budget Gap
- The OBR downgraded UK productivity, creating an immediate £20bn hole in public finances.
- Slower productivity reduces future tax revenue, forcing harder budget choices for Rachel Reeves.
Automation Can Shrink The Tax Base
- Automation and AI raise firm-level productivity but can reduce taxable employment and hiring incentives.
- David Keane warns productivity gains can paradoxically shrink the tax base by replacing workers.
Airports Can't Rehire Enough Staff Post-COVID
- Airports struggle to recruit frontline staff post-COVID despite passenger volumes exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- David Keane says operators redeploy existing workers and use automation to fill gaps while training remains lengthy.