If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Will the NHS shake-up end A&E ‘corridor care’? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030yhw

David, Lynsey and Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff Liz Lloyd discuss the reaction to this week’s Programme for Government, the SNP’s independence strategy, and why First Minister John Swinney (pictured) was concerned about Stephen Flynn going to the World Cup.

Picture credit: PA

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast.

This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How to fix the NHS – The Health Debate’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndvclm

In his Programme for Government, First Minister John Swinney promised 'radical' reform of public services, including cutting the number of health boards.

We ask A&E consultant Dr Jayne McLaren, vice-chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland, whether NHS reform can help hospitals’ beleaguered emergency departments.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How we'll avoid a food shortage’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300w9

Twenty-three organisations have written a joint letter to John Swinney (pictured) urging him to scrap his plans for a legal cap on some food and drink prices.

John is joined by the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Ewan MacDonald-Russell from the Scottish Retail Consortium to discuss why the proposals have received criticism and how likely they are to be implemented.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Who’s to blame for Old Firm bedlam?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sdxp

Rangers and Celtic will both play a game behind closed doors as punishment for the crowd trouble which marred a Scottish Cup tie between the clubs.

The BBC’s Chris McLaughlin explains why the Scottish Football Association (SFA) imposed such a tough penalty. And we talk to former Celtic and Hibernian player Scott Allan about an SFA 'summit' on the future of Scottish football.

Picture credit: PA

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you might also like: 'Darren McGarvey on modern masculinity and Jason Arday' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030l83

Crime writer Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp (both pictured) have released their first co-authored book, 'This Door of the Seas'.

They talk to us about the overlooked, but significant, period of Scottish history which inspired the novella.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Laura Miller in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Festivals.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Stephen Flynn: I don’t want to be First Minister (yet)' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p5q38y

Lynsey talks to the BBC's Andrew Kerr and ex-Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross about the Scottish Government policy, championed by Education Secretary Màiri McAllan (pictured), of giving free school bags to P1 pupils; the spending challenges facing ministers; and the pitfalls of politicians getting creative on social media.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Lynsey Bews.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Why Lockerbie is back in the news' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00272kt

The trial of a Libyan man over the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has been postponed for a third time after new evidence emerged.

The BBC’s David Cowan talks to us about the latest developments in the story.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Darren McGarvey (pictured), the author of Poverty Safari and Trauma Industrial Complex, has recorded an audio essay for BBC Radio 4 called 'Confessions of a Performative Male': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002zhnj

Almost a decade on from MeToo gaining traction, he tells us why he thinks the movement pushed some men towards the so-called manosphere.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Can police stop what’s going on in Glasgow?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030b0y

BBC Disclosure’s Welcome to Glasgow, which documented blatant drug deals and racial violence, has divided opinion over its portrayal of the city.

We talk to BBC Scotland's editor of long-form journalism, Shelley Jofre, about criticism of her team's documentary, which was fronted by BBC reporter Myles Bonnar (pictured).

Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Why Nicola Sturgeon is still making headlines' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300qp

SNP MSP Stephen Flynn (pictured) was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport by John Swinney in May 2026.

He talks to Martin about his political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon, North Sea oil and gas and his reading habits.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Festivals.

Get in touch: [email protected]