In this episode, Glenn and Matthias sit down with labour economist Dr Julian Probst to unpack the real consequences of the Autumn Budget on businesses, workers, and the 16–24 labour market.

Julian is honest about the trade-offs: the fiscal outlook may look slightly better, but the policy choices are far from it. We break down stealth tax rises through fiscal drag, the pension-salary-sacrifice change hitting employers from 2029, and a minimum wage increase that risks driving even more young people into NEET status.

Glenn and Matthias bring the People and Talent lens: what this Budget means for hiring confidence, productivity, and already strained sectors. We confront a persistent misconception in HR. You cannot ignore macroeconomics. Economic literacy is now part of the job.

In this episode, we explore:

→ Why this Budget quietly tightens the screws on business and hiring

→ How fiscal drag and frozen thresholds reshape work incentives

→ Why excessive minimum wage increases risk long-term damage to youth employment

→ The hidden employer tax bomb landing in 2029

→ Why macroeconomics now sits squarely in the People & Talent skillset

→ What this means for workforce planning, recruitment, and economic resilience

If you’re a Founder, HR leader, recruiter, or People professional trying to make sense of the economy’s impact on work, this conversation cuts through the noise.

Escape the Echo Chamber: honest conversations that challenge the status quo and connect us as humans.