Funding the Future

Is tax theft? Many people think so — and that belief shapes how we vote, how we treat public services, and how democracy functions. In this video, I explain why the popular claim “it’s my money, why should the government take it?” is based on a fundamental mistake. Income does not exist before the state. Jobs, wages, money, contracts, and property rights all depend on government systems that come first. Tax is not punishment. It is not confiscation. It is a macroeconomic tool that stabilises the economy, controls inflation, shapes markets, reduces inequality, and sustains democracy itself. If you care about public services, economic stability, or democratic accountability, this is the conversation we need to have.

Most people think that economics is about money, that government spending is constrained by tax, and that public services must always come second to “balancing the books”. All of that is wrong. In this video, I explain why money is not scarce, why governments create it, and why treating money as the central economic constraint has led to unemployment, inequality, wasted lives and environmental damage. Economics is not about money. It is about people, resources, care, and planetary limits. When we put money first, we get injustice. When we put people first, economics starts to make sense again. So the real question is simple: Do we want money in charge – or justice?

Inequality is not an accident. It is not natural. And it is not inevitable. According to the United Nations’ World Inequality Report, inequality results from deliberate political and institutional choices. This video explains what that means for the UK – and why extreme concentrations of wealth now threaten democracy, climate stability, and social cohesion. I examine the evidence behind the report, the role Britain has played in designing inequality at home and abroad, and why progressive taxation and redistribution are proven tools for change. The question is no longer whether alternatives exist. It is whether our politicians are willing to choose them.

For 50 years, Western politics has rested on a single promise: growth. But what if that promise can no longer be kept? In this video, I ask a question almost no politician dares to face: what happens to democracy when growth flatlines permanently? I explore stagnant wages, finance-driven “growth”, asset bubbles, pensions, public services, and the political risks of a collapsing economic myth. If growth cannot return, we must change the purpose of the economy itself — or risk losing democracy along with it.

The podcast dives into the staggering pay disparities between CEOs and workers, framing it as a form of extraction rather than entrepreneurship. It discusses how extreme executive compensation fuels inequality, weak productivity, and political corruption. The conversation emphasizes using tax policy to alter behaviors around high pay, highlighting proposals like denying tax relief for excessive earnings. Additionally, it warns of the threat to democracy posed by extreme wealth concentration and advocates for fairer worker representation in profit-sharing.

Has Donald Trump effectively declared war on Europe? His recent statements suggest exactly that. In this video, I explore how Trump’s racist rhetoric, his support for far-right parties, and his attacks on migrants are being used to divide Europe at the very moment inequality and social pressures are rising. Migration is not destroying Europe. Racism is. And when racism is normalised, democracy crumbles. This is the defining political choice of our time: fear and exclusion, or dignity and solidarity. Which Europe do you want to live in?

The discussion reveals the national debt as the backbone of our money supply, challenging the common belief that it's a financial danger. It’s highlighted that over 80% of this debt is privately owned, predominantly by wealthy households and institutions like pension funds. The conversation addresses how this concentration of wealth is fueled by interest from government debt. Proposed reforms include lowering interest rates, fair taxation on unearned income, and enhancing democratic control over the money supply.

What can ordinary people do if the financial crash many economists fear is coming? In this video, I explain some practical, calm, and sensible steps to improve your financial resilience without panic and without doom-mongering. From securing savings and pensions to food security and holding a little cash, these tips help you think ahead when the government won’t.  

Discussing the imminent stock market crash, the host explores where lost billions actually go when markets dip. Using a baked beans analogy, they illustrate how market prices depend on hope rather than actual cash. The conversation highlights that paper losses only become real upon selling shares, with panic playing a crucial role in cash losses. Further, the show delves into how crashes reflect emotional shifts in confidence rather than the physical destruction of money, making it a fascinating listen for anyone interested in market behaviors.

Discover how effective campaigning can create real change by focusing on solutions instead of mere complaints. Learn about the importance of reallocating resources to meet people’s needs and the role of finance in successful movements. Richard Murphy emphasizes the need for detailed plans, specifying necessary behavior changes, and the inevitable consequences for those who might lose out. Dive into the power of Modern Monetary Theory and why neglecting detailed financial proposals undermines progress towards social and economic justice.