Scotcast

President Trump has accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire he helped broker. As oil prices see-saw, we ask economist Mairi Spowage and energy industry leader David Whitehouse why energy prices matter so much during times of conflict. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. This episode includes some strong language. Get in...

Former first minister Humza Yousaf is among the loudest critics of US attacks, approved by President Donald Trump, on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. The MSP and ex-SNP leader tells us why he thinks Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will retaliate – and how that could lead to 'all-out war'. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Mille...

New government guidance on dealing with violence and aggression in schools has been criticised at First Minister's Questions (FMQs). We ask The Herald's education correspondent James McEnaney whether a record number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) is a factor. And teacher Karen Watson tells us how the classroom, and her job, has changed. And Martin and Laura debate how many sweeties...

As the Labour government in Westminster cuts benefit spending by £5 billion as part of its Welfare Reform Bill, one expert group is urging politicians to back a guaranteed minimum income level for everyone. One of those experts, Chris Birt (pictured) from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, tells us how the Minimum Income Guarantee would work. And Martin reveals what he learned from a 900-gram ball of...

The role of AI is growing in our day-to-day lives, but will it replace us in the jobs we do? We ask Professor Richard Susskind what the rise of artificial intelligence will mean for our work, the economy and the future of humankind. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Tommy Sheridan (pictured) made his name in politics protesting the poll tax and leading the Socialist party into the Scottish Parliament. He was later jailed for perjury, but should that conviction prevent him starting a new career as a social worker? He tells Martin about taking Glasgow City Council to court, his 'gender-critical views' and hopes of a political comeback. Scotcast is the BBC’s Sco...

Following the SNP’s by-election defeat to Scottish Labour last week, reports of a challenge to John Swinney have surfaced. We ask David Wallace Lockhart if that talk should be taken seriously - and what he makes of Rachel Reeves' spending plans. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised public money for the Acorn carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire in the UK Government's spending review. The funding has been broadly welcomed by politicians and the energy industry, so why do Friends of the Earth call Acorn a 'greenwashing scam'? We ask their climate campaigner Alex Lee (pictured) and the BBC’s Kevin Keane. And after the Flamingo Land Loch...

A shortage of legal aid lawyers could lead to industrial action and a bigger court backlog, Scotcast has been told. Simon Brown, president of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, tells us why so many are turning their backs on defending the accused – and why, despite the relatively poor pay, he loves the job. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and N...

Marks and Spencer is resuming online orders following a ransomware attack in April linked to hacking groups DragonForce and Scattered Spider. The BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy tells us about the gangs behind hacks on M&S, Co-op and public bodies – and what the hackers have told him. And Natalie and Martin discuss why Anas Sarwar said his Sunday morning interview with Martin was "embarrass...

Scottish Labour has taken Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from the SNP in a closely fought by-election. As Anas Sarwar celebrates a new colleague at Holyrood, Martin, Natalie and the BBC’s Scotland Editor James Cook discuss whether the vote was the moment Nigel Farage's Reform UK made a breakthrough in Scotland. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and...

Scottish Labour’s Davy Russell has edged out the SNP and Reform UK to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Martin asks election expert Professor Sir John Curtice (pictured) if the outcome tells us anything about the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by em...

TV personality JJ Chalmers (pictured) suffered life-changing injuries serving as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan. After Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's Strategic Defence Review promised billions for the military to reverse a drop in troop numbers, JJ tells us why he thinks so many young people say they’re unwilling to fight for their country. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Marti...

Plans for a controversial Flamingo Land holiday resort on the banks of Loch Lomond, featuring a water park and monorail, have been fiercely debated. Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and John Urquhart from Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs debate the economic and environmental rights and wrongs of the development. And Laura and Martin discuss a major police intervention over what led to a deadl...

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a second independence referendum while he is in Downing Street. We ask Stuart Nicolson, a former adviser to the SNP in government, if there is a plan to get another vote. And the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart tells us why first minister John Swinney isn’t demanding one right now. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura M...

Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr - high-profile members of the Lyons crime gang - have been shot dead at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia. Livvy Haydock, who hosted the BBC podcast Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons, tells us how a decades-old grudge may have led to their brutal killing. And Natalie’s been on the trail of Nigel Farage as campaigning heats up ahead of the Hamil...

Professor Devi Sridhar (pictured) became a household name in Scotland as a key health advisor to Nicola Sturgeon during the Coronavirus pandemic. She tells Martin Geissler about the death threats she received, her experience on an NHS waiting list, and why Scots aren’t living long enough. Devi Sridhar is a professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and author of a new book,...

Stuart Ralston (pictured) is the latest Scottish chef to be awarded a Michelin star. He tells Martin about his journey - from being stabbed twice in school to working under Gordon Ramsay in New York - and running four Edinburgh restaurants, including the award-winning Lyla. And from bugs to camel's milk: Laura and Martin share their weirdest food moments. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcas...

Nigel Farage has defended a controversial Reform UK advert about Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart why Mr Farage is doubling down over the social media post, described as 'blatantly racist' by first minister John Swinney. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing sc...

Three teenagers have died due to knife crime in Scotland in a year, while police and politicians are concerned about a rise in violence in and around schools. We ask Scotland’s former violence reduction tzar, Karyn McClusky (pictured), how bad the problem is. And Martin tells Laura a tale of meeting a young explorer in war-torn Baghdad. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geis...

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has proposed new net zero goals to the Scottish Government after it scrapped annual targets. CCC member Professor Keith Bell (pictured) tells us why switching to electric vehicles and heat pumps should be priorities. And we ask the BBC’s Kevin Keane if the financial rewards are enticing enough for people to do so. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with...

Alba MSP Ash Regan’s (pictured) Prostitution Bill could make it illegal to pay for sexual services. Martin asks the former SNP leadership candidate how her suggested law change, which has been criticised by some who work in the industry, will protect women. And Natalie and Martin discuss your reaction to our interview with Rose Docherty: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c1j8 Scotcast is the BB...

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'capitulating' to the European Union by some sections of Scotland's fishing industry. Business correspondent David Henderson explains why the prime minister prioritised other sectors following the first UK-EU summit since Brexit. And we ask political editor Glenn Campbell whether the UK will eventually rejoin the EU. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast,...

Rose Docherty was the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s buffer zone law, banning protests near abortion clinics. In an exclusive interview, Martin asks the 74-year-old if she was deliberately testing the new legislation before she was handcuffed by police in February 2025. And Rose tells us why she is refusing to accept a formal warning from the authorities. You can listen to...

Water scarcity warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) amid a lengthy hot and dry spell of weather. We ask freshwater scientist Dr Rhian Thomas from Glasgow University and the BBC's Kevin Keane why experts are concerned about a lack of rain. And Martin tells Laura the story of Millie, the fare-dodging dog. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Mar...