Unspun Live

The parties have set out their big promises on tax, spending and the cost of living.

But how much of it adds up?

In this episode of Unspun Live, Andrew Learmonth speaks to David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies to break down the numbers behind the manifestos.

From tax cuts that “don’t add up” to spending plans with “big holes”, Phillips delivers a blunt assessment of what’s on offer and what’s missing.

The key warning is that whoever forms the next Scottish Government faces a “real tough” budget in the years ahead.

In a busy election campaign, serious conversations around policy are few and far between. But with one in five children living in poverty, deputy political editor Rebecca McCurdy speaks to Chris Birt, the associate director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation about the "weaponisation" of welfare and those claiming benefits. But there is also calls for honesty over universal policies.

In the latest of The Herald’s leaders’ interviews, Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay weighs up the prospect of becoming first minister, following the endorsement of Ross Greer. But given that prospect is unlikely, she weighs up the likelihood of serving as deputy first minister under John Swinney in an SNP-led administration. As Scotland’s only female leader of a political party, Ms Mackay also addresses what the Holyrood campaign has really been like.

First Minister John Swinney joins Unspun Live as the Holyrood election campaign gathers pace.

In this wide-ranging interview, the First Minister discusses the tough choices ahead for Scotland’s finances, including the need for substantial reform of public services, and sets out his economic pitch to voters.

He also says why he thinks Reform UK is dangrous.

And with polls suggesting the SNP could win a majority, we ask what that would mean for a second independence referendum and how he would respond if Westminster says no.

In the latest of The Herald’s leader interviews, Russell Findlay sets out his pitch for the next month's election.

He sets out his party's plans to cut the “vast layer of lanyard-wearing people who don’t appear to actually serve the public”.

We also talk potholes, the NHS, tax and spending, as well as the challenge of rebuilding trust after the Conservatives’ 2024 defeat and the threat posed by Reform UK.

The Scottish Conservative leader also reflects on his first campaign at the helm an what the future might hold

In the second of The Herald’s leader interviews, Anas Sarwar sets out his pitch for the election.

He tells Kevin McKenna why he believes Scotland “can’t afford a third decade of the SNP” and insists his “first loyalty is always going to be to Scotland” after his public break with Keir Starmer.

He talk's about the NHS, education, apprenticeships and inequality, as well as Labour’s struggle to win back working-class voters and the rise of Reform UK.

The Scottish Labour leader also outlines what his first 100 days in power would look like and why he believes this election is “not a protest”.

In the first of The Herald’s leader interviews, Alex Cole-Hamilton sets out his pitch for the Holyrood election.

He also explains why he would refuse to back John Swinney to be FM under any circumstances.

We talk NHS and social care, phones in schools, ferry disruption, energy bills, tactical voting, and whether a fragmented parliament could reshape Scottish politics.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader also explains why door-knocking is his “happy place”.

Christina McKelvie was the SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse when she died of secondary breast cancer, aged 57, on March 27, 2025.

Her partner, and SNP depute leader, Keith Brown speaks to Political Correspondent Hannah Brown to mark a year since her passing.

He describes the last year as deeply difficult, but says the memories and stories people have of Christina help him celebrate her life.

Reform UK’s Holyrood campaign is up and running but not without turbulence.

In this episode of Unspun Live, we go inside the party’s manifesto launch in Renfrewshire, where Nigel Farage brought the showbiz and Malcolm Offord set out an ambitious pitch to voters.

But within 24 hours, the campaign hit trouble with a candidate suspended and controversy swirling around others.

We’re joined by The Herald’s Kathleen Nutt, who was in the room, to unpack the atmosphere, the media reaction, and what Reform supporters are actually saying about immigration, net zero and tax cuts.

Then, we put the numbers to the test. David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies assesses Reform’s flagship promise to cut income tax and explains why the claim it will “pay for itself” doesn’t stack up.

Last week a fire tore through a listed building on Union Street, just yards from Glasgow Central Station, shutting down Scotland’s busiest railway hub and sending more than 200 firefighters to battle the blaze.

In this episode of Unspun Live, The Herald's political editor Andrew Learmonth is joined by reporters Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco and Gaby Mackay, who spent days investigating the story behind the fire.

They discuss what is known about how the blaze started in a vape shop, the role lithium-ion batteries may have played, and the complicated ownership and regulatory questions surrounding the premises.

The conversation also explores what the incident reveals about the regulation of vape shops across Scotland, the pressures on Scotland’s fire service, and the uncertain future of one of Glasgow city centre’s most prominent corners.