Podlitical

It's the first FMQs as Holyrood returns after recess, and Podlitical is in parliament. Lucy and Phil are joined in the Scottish Parliament's Garden Lobby by political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie of The National and Scottish political editor Rachel Watson of The Scottish Sun to discuss the big challenges and issues facing Holyrood this year. From the multi-billion pound package to help with energy bills announced by new Prime Minister Liz Truss, the cuts facing the Scottish Government, to strikes and pay rises, what's on the agenda for this term of Parliament?

Liz Truss has won the Conservative leadership election and is set to become the new PM - so what's the first item to tackle on her agenda? Whether it's the cost of living crisis, calls for a second Scottish independence referendum, or the war in Ukraine, the new Prime Minister will be facing a very large "to-do" list. The team discuss what her plans may be going forward, from freezing energy bills to patching up relations with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after heated words during hustings.

Prime Ministerial hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss face Tory voters in Scotland. Lucy Whyte speaks to Phil Sim and Glenn Campbell from Perth to get an inside look at the hustings, after the two Conservative candidates sell themselves as the best person to be Prime Minister to party members. Where do they stand on Indyref2, taxation, and what to do about the cost of living crisis?

Phil Sim takes a deep dive into 'crypto' and how the technology could benefit Scotland. From giddy highs to nail-biting lows, the cryptocurrency market has seen a volatile few weeks. The sector can sometimes seem like the Wild West, with stories of lucky Bitcoin millionaires and people losing out in get-rich-quick scams. But what exactly is cryptocurrency and the blockchain, and is it being used to its full potential? Phil interviews a range of cryptocurrency experts, from journalists and podcasters, to those working on the cutting edge of research in Scotland, who explain their vision for the future of computing infrastructure and currency.

The cost of living crisis deepens as two Conservative candidates vie to be the next PM. How much will inflation and taxation play into Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak's pitches to Conservative party members to be Prime Minister? What are their plans to help out those who are struggling? BBC consumer affair correspondent Connor Gillies joins the team, and shares insights from his roadshow around Scotland which looked at how the cost of living crisis was affecting people's every day decisions, from tourism to trips to the shops.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation. What happens next? Phil, Rajdeep, and Nick discuss the latest developments in the saga of Boris Johnson's resignation, from the mass quitting of his ministers, to the pressure on him from MPs. Who is in the running to be the next Prime Minister, and what impact might this have on the Scottish Government's plans for independence and the timings of the next General Election?

The team take a deep dive into the potential plans for a second independence referendum as Holyrood breaks for summer recess. What avenues do the Scottish Government and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have for indyref2, and in which ways might these plans be scuppered? From a "gold standard" Section 30 order referendum, to a legal fight in the Supreme court, how might the next year in Scotland's constitutional battle unfold?

Is Scotland and the wider UK facing a 'summer of discontent'? BBC Scotland consumer affairs correspondent Connor Gillies joins the Podlitical team to discuss the rail strikes and the ongoing cost of living crisis. As inflation hits a 40 year high, what does this mean for budgets on both the personal and Government level, and are there any economic levers that can be pulled to tamp down the sky high costs of food, fuel, and more?

From nukes and NATO, to the NHS, the team discuss a second Independence referendum. As the Scottish Government release the first in a series of papers which it says will set out and debate the case for Scotland's independence, what are the key obstacles to a further independence referendum facing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the pro-independence parties in Holyrood? BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins and shares some of his sit-down interview with the First Minister, and her stance on nuclear weapons in Scotland.

Prime Minister Johnson survived a no-confidence vote, but is his position really secure? With by-elections looming, the team discuss the mood inside the Conservative Party, the PM's "benefits to bricks" pledge, and what happens next for Boris Johnson as his premiership appears to sit on shaky ground. How are opposition parties capitalising on the challenges facing the Tories, and will we soon hear more on a second Independence referendum from the SNP?