Deputy first minister Kate Forbes (pictured) is standing down as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood elections.

Martin and Natalie wonder why someone who was so close to becoming first minister of Scotland in 2023 is chucking politics at the age of 35.

And after her successful campaign to ban disposable vapes, Laura Young (aka Less Waste Laura) tells us why she’s now targeting dental floss.

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

Follow this link for free tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Irvine Welsh, on Wednesday 6 August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast

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