Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

The First Minister fields questions of national importance from Party Leaders in this weekly question time. Read the full transcript from the Official Report https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

This episode was recorded ahead of the official Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament, marking the beginning of our seventh session. As has become customary, MSPs invite one person from their local area to join us at Holyrood, to take part in the events of the day. We call these guests our local heroes, as they are selected thanks to the incredible work they do in their communities. All have...

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

Pàdraig MacAoidh (Peter Mackay) is Scotland's Makar, or national poet. He's part of the programme for the Opening Ceremony taking place on 27 June 2026, to officially mark the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament. He chats to us about the role, his inspiration behind the poem, and what else he's working on at the moment.

The First Minister fields questions of national importance from Party Leaders in this weekly question time. Read the full transcript from the Official Report https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister fields questions of national importance from Party Leaders in this weekly question time. Read the full transcript from the Official Report https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from party leaders in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

In this podcast, the Presiding officer speaks with women Members about a range of topics including: How social media and rising workloads have shaped modern political life Why unpredictable hours make it tough for MSPs with caring responsibilities The importance of cross‑party working and respect in debate Why mentoring and supporting women in politics matters more than ever How getting out into c...

In this conversation, the Presiding officer and Professor Kezia Dugdale explore: The growing pressure and polarisation in political debate Why respectful discussion matters more than ever How Parliament can open its doors to more women and people from under‑represented backgrounds The reality of balancing public service with modern family life Why diverse leadership leads to better decisions for S...

 The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Joe FitzPatrick To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s commitment to banning conversion practices. Dr Pam Gosal MBE To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to research by Women's Rights...

 The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Stuart McMillan To ask the First Minister, following the Union Street fire in Glasgow, what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Network Rail regarding the organisation having a greater say over what types of businesses can be located in close vicinity...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Christine Grahame To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government can take, in discussion with the UK Government, to assist households in very rural areas that are wholly dependent on oil or liquefied natural gas for heating, and are not connected t...

Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP speaks with Ellie Craig MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. They talk about issues including: International Women's Day 2026 Youth participation and how young people shape democracy Gender representation and creating a more inclusive Parliament Social media’s impact on political engagement Respectful political debate Encouraging higher voter...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Kenneth Gibson To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the UK Government’s Spring Statement. Stephen Kerr To ask the First Minister, in light of the recently published Commission on School Reform manifesto warning that the curriculum...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of warnings from industry leaders that high transmission charges are making wind farms in the north of Scotland uncompetitive, including any implications for its work to...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Christine Grahame To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government is taking to standardise the criteria for urgent referrals to child and adolescent mental health services for an assessment, in light of reports that it is currently a postcode lotter...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include:   Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister how often he or the Scottish Ministers engage with the Scottish Government’s Washington DC International Office regarding the Scotch whisky industry and other economic interests in the United States.   Rachael Hamilt...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include:   Rona Mackay MSP To ask the First Minister how the new measures that the Scottish Government has announced to tackle long-term unemployment will support its work to grow Scotland’s economy.   Brian Whittle MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Willie Coffey To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government’s new national housing agency will support its work to deliver more affordable homes. Liz Smith To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve transparency and a...

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Keith Brown To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update regarding the Scottish Government’s latest engagement with the UK Government in relation to the distribution of Local Growth Fund allocations in Scotland. Douglas Ross To ask the First Minister...