Scotcast

Wes Streeting (pictured) referenced The Traitors while dismissing rumours that he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.

Phil Sim helps us figure out why there’s so much gossip surrounding the prime minister's position.

And The Herald’s James McEnaney explains why the threat of industrial action by teaching unions can be linked to an SNP manifesto pledge in 2021.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Where the election could be won and lost’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lpd6

Speculation around chancellor Rachel Reeves’s UK Budget has presented Scotland’s finance secretary Shona Robison with a big question: will she put up the income tax that she controls?

The BBC’s Phil Sim and Paris Gourtsoyannis talk us through how the budgets, and the Holyrood election, are looming over nervous politicians.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

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

Tim Davie (pictured) has resigned as director-general of the BBC after a leaked memo criticised a Panorama programme about US President Donald Trump.

We ask the corporation’s former political editor Brian Taylor and Liz Lloyd, a former adviser to Nicola Sturgeon, whether perceptions of the BBC here are linked to its coverage of the 2014 independence referendum.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Where the election could be won and lost’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lpd6

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin (pictured) has unveiled a new plan to effectively eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

The BBC’s Kevin Keane gives us his snap take on the Scottish Government's strategy.

And as Nicola Sturgeon says climate change has "fallen prey to the culture wars", we ask campaigner Laura Anderson (aka Less Waste Laura) why the issue has dropped down the political agenda.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Who thinks lynx should roam the Highlands?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027tgn

MSPs are voting on major changes to land-ownership laws in the Land Reform Bill.

Patrick Colquhoun of Luss Estates, which owns almost 50,000 acres of land on the shores of Loch Lomond, tells us about life as its 'custodian'.

And Martin tells Laura which Christmas ad made him emotional.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why true crime fascinates us’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ld3w

American Nicholas Rossi (pictured), who faked his own death and fled to Scotland, has received a second jail sentence after being found guilty of raping two women in Utah.

The BBC’s Steven Godden, who interviewed Rossi, reflects on coming face to face with the man who lied to the world.

And after a speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves fuelled speculation of tax rises in the UK Budget, we discuss what it would mean for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar ahead of the Holyrood election.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Top doctor: NHS can’t go on like this’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002h7pg

Former health secretary Jeane Freeman (pictured) has claimed 'politics gets in the way' of improving the NHS.

As first minister John Swinney announces measures to ease waiting lists, we ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and health correspondent Lisa Summers how important the NHS will be at the 2026 Holyrood election.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.

Get in touch: [email protected]

The Orange Order say they have been subjected to a rise in vitriol and violence against them - and accuse the Scottish government of not doing enough to stop it.

Andrew Murray, the order's most worthy grand master, tells Martin Geissler about past mistakes and how he intends to modernise the organisation.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Life inside our packed prisons’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027t4p

Justice secretary Angela Constance (pictured) is proposing the emergency release of up to 1,000 prisoners.

The BBC’s David Cowan tells us why prison officers are saying Scotland’s jails are in 'crisis'.

And Martin and Laura discuss a damning report into an NHS maternity unit in Edinburgh.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Brendan Rodgers’s shock resignation from Celtic was quickly followed by a blistering statement from major shareholder Dermot Desmond (pictured), leaving fans, commentators and pundits in disbelief.

Martin and Natalie ask the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin how it came to this, and Tino Callaghan from The Celtic Exchange podcast tells us why some fans are clamouring for change at the heart of the club.

And Martin tells us why he’s going to have to set his alarm a lot earlier from now on.

Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

Get in touch: [email protected]