Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What has Anas Sarwar done?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002r3f1 Natalie and Phil speak to former Labour spokesperson James Matthewson about the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer campaigning alongside Anas Sarwar after the Scottish Labour leader called for the Prime Minister to resign. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This epis...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Could Scotland tap into the AI goldrush?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qgvt The collapse of Orbex has cast doubt on hopes of firing the first commercial rocket into space from Scottish soil. We ask space scientist Dr Hina Khan whether the demise of the Moray rocket manufacturer spells the end for a launch site in Shetland. Scotcast...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘One lawyer quit to become cabin crew’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d9mx Consumer expert Martin Lewis (pictured) has written to the Justice Secretary Angela Constance calling for changes to Scotland’s power of attorney system. Lawyer Austin Lafferty tells us why having a power of attorney is more important than a will. Scotcast is th...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why Sarwar finally turned on Starmer’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n020l2 Sir Keir Starmer has thanked his “strong and united” Cabinet for their support after Anas Sarwar (pictured) called for the Prime Minister’s resignation. We ask the BBC’s Paris Gourtsoyannis whether the Scottish Labour leader’s dramatic move could divide his par...

Anas Sarwar has sensationally called for the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, saying he has to be "honest about failure wherever I see it". We ask the BBC's Glenn Campbell what prompted the Scottish Labour leader to finally turn on his friend and former ally. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This bonus episode was hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in tou...

A 71-year-old man who stalked BBC Scotland presenter Anne McAlpine (pictured) has been ordered to stay away from her for life. In an extended interview, Anne explains how Robert Green’s four-year campaign of harassment escalated – and how the ordeal has affected her life and career. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.u...

Natalie, Lynsey and Paris discuss Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s future following revelations about Peter Mandelson links to Jeffrey Epstein and For Women Scotland’s legal challenge over transgender prisoners at the Court of Session. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins, Lynsey Bews and Paris Gourtsoyannis. Get in touch: sco...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How should Sarwar deal with Starmer?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002k35n Anas Sarwar says he is "disgusted" after details emerged of apparent links between former Labour minister Peter Mandelson (pictured) and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We ask Simon Pia - a Labour adviser during Gordon Brown's premiership - whether the...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What’s really going on in our schools?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dl4q The number of children and adults diagnosed with autism and ADHD is rising. Waiting lists are overflowing, schools are struggling to cope and parents are looking for support. But what actually is neurodivergence? How many people have it? And is the way we live...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Sex worker: Listen to me’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002j5t1 An attempt by MSP Ash Regan (pictured) to criminalise the buying of sex is set to be voted down at Holyrood. SNP MSP Michelle Thomson tells us why she is rebelling against the Scottish Government to back the Prostitution Bill. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Th...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What’s really going on in our schools?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dl4q Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has proposed a ban on phones in all classrooms and backed an Australia-style social media ban for young people. We ask Sam Rice from Smartphone Free Children about the growing campaign to keep children away from smartphones....

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Meet the new Scottish Green leaders’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j5l7 David, Natalie and Phil talk about a change in the relationship between the Scottish Greens and Zack Polanski (pictured), fresh claims about political ‘pressure’ over the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the SNP’s election messaging....

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is AI coming for your job?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dl6n North Lanarkshire is to become home to a vast data centre – with the aim of turning the area into one of the world’s most advanced AI sites. But what actually is a data centre, why is Big Tech looking to Scotland and will their massive energy demands push our bills up? We...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in Martin’s extended interview with Malcolm Offord: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Martin and Laura talk about the significance of a row between Reform UK’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord and Deacon Blue (pictured) over the meaning of the band's hit song Dignity. And the BBC’s Kirsten Campbell explains how the Scottish Ch...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What would it take to trigger a World Cup boycott?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002q34v An inquest has found repeatedly heading a football is 'likely' to have contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Scotland international Gordon McQueen (pictured). Ex-Dundee defender Jim Duffy and the BBC’s Chris McL...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Are Starmer’s Scottish MPs sick of him?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz40 Sir Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to block Andy Burnham (pictured) from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Iain Watson what impact the National Executive Committee (NEC) ruling will have on...

David, Natalie and Lynsey discuss Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s (pictured) calls for a criminal investigation into failures at an NHS hospital, how MSPs are shifting on Liam McArthur’s (also pictured) assisted dying proposals and the so-called ‘Alex Salmond files’. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show, recorded on Thursday 22 January, is hosted by D...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Priced out? The cost of the World Cup’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n03l Has Donald Trump’s promise not to use force in Greenland removed the threat of a World Cup boycott? Former footballer Pat Nevin gives us his take on politics and the beautiful game - and sets the bar for when fans should protest. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘The NHS surgeon who butchered his patients’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j6zd Labour’s Anas Sarwar has branded failures at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) as “the biggest scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament”. Lisa Summers (pictured), who investigated design flaws at the hospital for a BBC doc...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pdx6 Last month, the Scottish Government dropped plans to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads after an external consultation demonstrated it was unpopular. The BBC’s David Henderson, Martin and Natalie discuss whether we take speeding seriously enough and how safe Scotland’s roads...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is the Sandie Peggie ruling discredited?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002njyw Campaigners For Women Scotland (pictured) are taking the Scottish Government to the Court of Session over where transgender prisoners are housed. We ask legal expert Dr Nick McKerrell from Glasgow Caledonian University whether John Swinney’s government is re...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mt1p0s Natalie, David and Phil discuss Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform, the fallout from the Scottish Budget and Holyrood's new cocktail menu. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart, Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim. Get in touch:...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Malcolm Offord: I can be a Reform First Minister’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Nigel Farage has made Malcolm Offord Reform UK’s new leader in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election. We ask the BBC's David Wallace Lockhart whether Farage's political priorities align with Offord's. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Th...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why we need more babies’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002brz9 The Scottish Budget for 2026/27 includes measures to boost after-school care and provide breakfast clubs in all primary schools – but no new childcare funding. Carole Erskine from campaigning charity Pregnant Then Screwed explains why she believes the 'hugely expensive' cost...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pr29 Finance Secretary Shona Robison (pictured) has outlined the Scottish Government's draft Budget for 2026/27. David Wallace Lockhart and Professor Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institute react to the key announcements ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news...