Scotcast

Natalie, Lynsey and Phil talk about the findings of a major BBC pre-election poll, the allegations surrounding the husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid (pictured) and the latest on the parties’ 2026 candidate selection process. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins, Lynsey Bews and Phil Sim. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Inside the 'Salmond files': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rp03 David Hamilton (pictured) is taking the Scottish Government to court over its refusal to release the so-called ‘Alex Salmond files’. We ask the Scottish Information Commissioner why he believes some documents from the James Hamilton investigation, which cleared Nicola Stu...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qgvt President Donald Trump (pictured) has told lawmakers it is not yet possible to know the 'full scope and duration' of US strikes on Iran. Here at home, attention has turned to what the conflict might mean on UK shores as oil and gas prices continue to rise. Laura and Natalie hear from Professor John U...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Fixing the NHS: where do you start?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027bj7 A poll by the BBC has suggested 50% of voters care about the NHS more than anything else in the upcoming election. That figure is higher for women than it is for men. Women are more likely to be on multiple waiting lists than men, are more likely to live with chr...

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise water cremations, a process known as alkaline hydrolysis. We ask funeral director Andrew Purves (pictured) why there's demand for an alternative to burial and traditional cremation. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk Picture credit: William...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like Politics Show: Will Starmer really campaign with Sarwar? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n0swyn The Green Party of England and Wales has won the Gorton and Denton by-election, with Hannah Spencer (pictured) taking the seat from Labour in the Greens' first-ever Westminster by-election victory. Natalie and Phil meet at the Scottish Labour c...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Who is Nicholas Rossi?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lpbn Brian Low was 65 when he was found dead on a country track near Aberfeldy. Police treated his death as non-suspicious for five days - until a pathologist found bullet wounds on his body. Former gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, wasn’t arrested for another three months. But this...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What’s going on in the Peter Murrell case?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rgbs Thousands of documents from James Hamilton's investigation into former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmond have been released. Phil Sim tells us what – if anything – we have learned from this batch of the so-called ‘Salmond fil...

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 Baroness Ruth Davidson (pictured) led the Scottish Conservatives between 2011 and 2019. In the face of rising support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, she tells us why she is launching a new political movement. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcas...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What Tommy Sheridan did next’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dmdp Alba leader Kenny MacAskill says the pro-independence party founded by Alex Salmond (pictured) is unlikely to field candidates in the Holyrood election. Kirk Torrance, an adviser to the former first minister and ex-SNP leader when he formed Alba, tells us why the party...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'What's going on in the Peter Murrell case?': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rgbs Lynsey and Phil are joined by the Scottish Mail on Sunday's Hannah Rodger to discuss political reaction to the Peter Murrell embezzlement case; Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain (pictured) defending herself against claims of corruption; and Nicola Sturgeon's hin...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'Is AI coming for your job?' https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dl6n A glut of staff from the world's most powerful AI companies have resigned in the past month, with one warning the world is in 'peril'. AI philosopher Professor Shannon Vallor (pictured) from Edinburgh University tells us why she believes people have the power to make AI a...

First minister John Swinney was given details of an embezzlement charge against Peter Murrell (pictured) - the ex-SNP chief executive and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon - weeks before it became public. The BBC’s Phil Sim and Dave Cowan help us unpack a spate of developments in Murrell’s case, including the delay of his plea hearing until after the Holyrood election. Scotcast is the BBC’s Sco...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What’s it like to be a police officer?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002982x The Scottish Police Federation is calling for guns to be routinely stored in police patrol vehicles to combat violent crimes. David Kennedy (pictured), the police union’s general secretary, says anyone brandishing a knife should expect to be shot. Scotcast is...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘STV boss on costs, cuts and a backlash’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002nkws BrewDog could be sold off after financial advisers were appointed to attract new investment in the Aberdeenshire-based company. We ask beer industry commentator Melissa Cole, author of The Ultimate Book of Craft Beer, about the future of the business co-found...

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...