Scotcast

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...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Kezia Dugdale on Labour, trust and Rachel Reeves’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz87 Ministers are warning of 'tough choices' on tax and spending ahead of finance secretary Shona Robison’s (pictured) Scottish Budget. We ask the BBC’s Lynsey Bews about rumours of a tax cut for higher earners and why Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar (also...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like 'What we’ll be talking about in 2026' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pdt5 Natalie, Paris and Phil discuss Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour's Holyrood election strategy, Justice Secretary Angela Constance's breach of the ministerial code and the prospect of a new Reform leader in Scotland. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Thi...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should Scots pay for uni?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029q4f Dundee University has been bailed out of financial collapse, Edinburgh University is in the middle of £140m in cuts, and now staff at Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Stirling and Strathclyde uni are being balloted on strike action over job cuts. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, princ...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is Gen Z ready to fight a war?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cy9d Donald Trump has discussed using the US military to acquire Greenland while the UK has pledged to send troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia. We ask Stewart McDonald, the SNP’s former defence spokesperson, whether the recent flurry of geopolitical twis...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c1fk Ahead of Storm Goretti hitting the UK and Aberdeenshire Council declaring a 'major incident' due to snowfall, Martin and Natalie speak to Nick Russell, one of the men who manages much of Scotland's gritter system. They talk about how Nick and the team keep the country moving, what it’s like behind th...

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 Party leaders including John Swinney of the SNP and Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar (both pictured) have kicked off 2026 with a pitch to voters ahead of May’s Holyrood election. David Wallace Lockhart explains what their speeches told us about the upcoming camp...

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins choose their top five news stories of the year. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins look back on the year’s news and pick their biggest stories of 2025. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Two Doors Down is back with a Christmas special and live shows. Co-creator Gregor Sharp talks to Laura and Martin about writing them after the death of his friend and colleague Simon Carlyle. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk Two Doors Down is a BBC Studios Comedy production.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What STV cuts tell us about the mainstream media’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002kd3k STV bosses felt the backlash from staff, politicians and the public when plans to axe a bespoke north of Scotland news programme were announced. Martin and Laura ask chief executive Rufus Radcliffe why those plans have been watered down, and if holdi...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Do we need a grooming gangs inquiry too?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz2z Angela Constance (pictured) has survived a vote of no confidence after being accused of misleading parliament when quoting the views of grooming gangs expert Professor Alexis Jay. The BBC’s Lynsey Bews explains why the justice secretary won the crucial backi...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What the Sandie Peggie ruling means’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9bk JK Rowling has said errors in the NHS Fife employment tribunal judgement are “scandalous”. The BBC's David Henderson explains the criticism of judge Sandy Kemp's ruling in the case involving nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured) and Dr Beth Upton. Scotcast is the BBC’s...

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 Former Conservative government minister Lord Malcolm Offord is ditching his peerage with the hope of becoming a Reform UK First Minister. Martin Geissler asks him why he has had enough of his former Tory colleagues, and why he thinks he now has more in common wit...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028sqf As a bill to make non-surgical aesthetic procedures safer makes its way through Holyrood, Dr Nestor Demosthenous (pictured) tells us all about working in the aesthetics industry. And why the Tartan Army might want to check their social media history before applyin...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why I’m defending Sandie Peggie’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp56 An employment tribunal has ruled on the case involving nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured), her employer NHS Fife and transgender doctor Beth Upton. The BBC’s Steven Godden and David Henderson explain the main findings of the 312-page ruling. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottis...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘The 1,000 prisoners up for early release’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ld8y More inmates are leaving prison earlier than planned as an emergency measure to deal with record overcrowding in Scotland’s jails. Natalie has been inside HMP Barlinnie to speak to one of the nearly 1,000 prisoners up for early release and staff including de...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Kezia Dugdale on Labour, trust and Rachel Reeves’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz87 The Prime Minister and Chancellor are visiting Scotland to talk defence and cost of living support, but how do their Scottish Labour colleagues really feel about Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves? And the BBC’s Kevin Keane joins Laura and Natalie to...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘We’ll be coming! Why the football means so much’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mckx Football fan groups say the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America could be the 'most expensive' ever. We ask the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and Scotland fan Calum Brown whether dynamic pricing for tickets could price out some fans. Scotcast is the BBC’s Sc...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Hot takes from Budget day’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp3z Chancellor Rachel Reeves has denied misleading the public over the state of public finances ahead of the UK Budget. We ask former Scottish Labour leader Professor Kezia Dugdale (pictured) about trust in politics and dealing with decisions made in Westminster. Scotcast is t...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Derailed’: what now for £50m public inquiry? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp1y First minister John Swinney says the Scottish government will clarify its position on an inquiry into grooming gangs before Christmas. Labour MP Joani Reid (pictured) tells us why she wants Scotland to follow England and Wales with a review of group-base...

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Sandie Peggie tribunal: what’s going on?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hwmc A clash between a trans doctor, Beth Upton, and a nurse, Sandie Peggie (pictured), in the changing room of an NHS Fife hospital has been played out and examined in great detail during an employment tribunal this year. Martin Geissler asks Sandie Peggie’s law...

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller, Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart discuss Rachel Reeves’s much-anticipated second UK Budget. And the BBC’s Kevin Keane joins from Aberdeen as workers and businesses in the north east were left disappointed with Labour’s decisions on the windfall tax on oil and gas. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Tax rises and welfare spending have been the focus of speculation ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves's UK Budget. We ask political correspondent David Wallace Lockhart and business correspondent David Henderson what else to watch out for. And has Paul Weller shown that Martin has style? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get i...