Scotcast

David, Lynsey and Paul Hutcheon from the Planet Holyrood podcast talk about the prospect of Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood (both pictured) making Andy Burnham’s cabinet; the Scottish Government’s decision to axe its Tax Advisory Group; and the pitfalls of politicians discussing football. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lock...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'A Dundee girl, an axe and a man guilty of assault' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002xqlm What is driving the recent spate of street demonstrations in suburbs of Glasgow and beyond? We ask the University of Aberdeen’s Dr Judith Sijsterman, who has been researching far-right movements in Scotland. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podca...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘GB Energy: We CAN bring bills down’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x589 Energy industry bodies and trade unions have written to Labour MPs seeking support for more exploration of North Sea oil and gas. We talk to the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Kevin Keane about the prospective prime minister Andy Burnham’s likely approach to ene...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How to create wealth - The Economy Debate’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ncnnpg Tax expert Dan Neidle (pictured) was a member of the Scottish Government’s Tax Advisory Group (and thought he still was when he first spoke to us). The founder of Tax Policy Associates explains how he discovered John Swinney’s ministers had axed the group...

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 There are plans to build 24 hyperscale data centres across Scotland, many on greenfield sites. Scotcast’s Rebecca Tierney reflects on her visit to Auchtertool, where a proposal for the world’s second biggest data centre has been submitted, and The Guardian’s...

David and Paris talk about the Clacton by-election featuring Count Binface and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (both pictured); Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe’s Dunblane comments; and the future of Al Carns after the MP finally ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and features the BBC’s P...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Rape trials: a victim’s view’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tn4y Councillors in Inverness voted for a rapist taxi driver to keep his operator’s licence. Martin Geissler speaks to the Press and Journal’s Louise Glen about why - and what it says about attitudes towards women’s safety. And Lorna Walker from the Govan Law Centre, who rep...

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/programmes/m002n9d4 . Nigel Farage will resign as an MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election which he says he will stand in. Martin Geissler and the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart dissect the Reform leader’s speech. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Wings over Scotland: why I’m not done with the Peter Murrell case' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002y8xq The police are looking into a claim that more than £1.5 million was unaccounted for in Yes Scotland’s company accounts. Martin Geissler speaks to the BBC’s Lynsey Bews about who made the claim and what could happen next. Scotcast is...

Scotland’s first gull ranger has been hired in Eyemouth to improve relations between humans and the birds. Laura Miller is joined by Scotcast’s Rebecca Tierney to hear about her trip to the seaside town, and gull expert Dr Viola Ross-Smith tells Laura why she thinks seagulls are part of the culture wars. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

This week, Andy Burnham (pictured) announced plans to expand the prime minister’s office to Manchester and create a 'No. 10 North' as part of a 'rewired Britain' if he becomes Labour leader. David talks to former SNP MP Stewart McDonald and former Labour adviser James Matthewson about how Burnham’s devolution plans are being received in Scotland, the delayed defence investment plan and Kate Forbes...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also be interested in ‘Rape trials - a victim’s view’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tn4y The Crown Office has admitted in court that it was an ‘error of judgement’ not to prosecute the footballer David Goodwillie for rape back in 2011. In 2017, a civil court found Goodwillie and his teammate David Robertson to be rapists and liars. The woman wh...

Shetland’s islands could soon be connected by undersea tunnel after councillors backed the initial plans to replace ageing ferries and link Shetland’s mainland to Yell and Yell to Unst. Martin Geissler speaks to Andy Sloan, executive vice president at engineering firm COWI, and the BBC’s David Henderson about whether tunnels are a viable alternative to Scotland’s whole ferry network. Scotcast is t...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x3yc Pro-independence blog Wings Over Scotland raised concerns about the SNP’s finances in 2020, several years before Peter Murrell (pictured) was prosecuted for embezzling more than £400,000 of SNP funds. Martin speaks to the man behind the site, Stuart Campbell, about his role in uncovering the scandal,...

If you're interested in this episode, you may also like: 'A pundit's ref rants and a Hampden ban' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002v9kv Head coach Steve Clarke (pictured) has resigned following Scotland's group stage exit from the 2026 World Cup. We ask the BBC's Chris McLaughlin why another major tournament campaign ended in disappointment - and who is in the frame to succeed Clarke. Scotcas...

Is a lack of access to NHS fertility treatments driving single women to find sperm donors on social media? Scotcast’s Rebecca Tierney explores the murky, unregulated world of online sperm donation and former MP Hannah Bardell (pictured) tells us about her own IVF experience. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

David and Lynsey talk to ex-Scottish Labour MSP Paul O’Kane about the future of Anas Sarwar’ (pictured) as Andy Burnham closes in on succeeding Sir Keir Starmer; the press ‘pen’ dispute at Holyrood; and more fallout from Peter Murrell’s crimes. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews. Get in touch: scotcast@...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Starmer’s off – but can Burnham save Scottish Labour?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002xzdf Andy Burnham (pictured) looks increasingly likely to be become Prime Minister unopposed after Cabinet minister Darren Jones ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest. Former Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay tells us why he believes Bur...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘How Peter Murrell did it’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x3yc Peter Murrell (pictured) has been sentenced to more than five years in jail after embezzling £400,000 from the SNP. We ask the BBC’s David Henderson, who was in court for the sentencing of the party’s former chief executive, and Glenn Campbell, who has made a documentary a...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘By-election bonanza – results reaction’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nt0sfv Andy Burnham is expected to become UK prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation. We ask former Labour adviser James Mathewson and Jack McConnel, who is campaigning for an independent Scottish Labour party, whether Burnham can reverse the party’s for...

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26 Labour’s Andy Burnham (pictured) has stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election but the party came a distant fourth in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. We ask Labour MSP Paul Sweeney whether Burnham can reverse the...

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26 Ivan McKee (pictured) was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform in May 2026. We ask him about slashing jobs, cutting spending and reforming taxes. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by M...

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26 Natalie talks to the BBC’s Lynsey Bews and co-host of The Stooshie podcast, Justin Bowie, about by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry triggered by the SNP's Stephen Flynn (pictured) and Stephen Gethins switchin...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Aberfeldy case: how did police get it so wrong?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rp1l Ilia Belov (pictured left) has been convicted of assault and making sexual remarks to a group of young girls in Dundee. His sister Nadjedzha Belova (pictured right) was also convicted of assault. We talk to The Courier’s editor David Clegg and Calum S...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: - Should kids be banned from social media? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002xg6v - Should we take kids’ phones away? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qrmy First Minister John Swinney (pictured) was reportedly targeted by an Israeli firm spreading online disinformation ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. We talk to the BBC’s global...