Scotcast

Natalie, Lynsey and Phil talk about the findings of a major BBC pre-election poll, the allegations surrounding the husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid (pictured) and the latest on the parties’ 2026 candidate selection process. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins, Lynsey Bews and Phil Sim.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Inside the 'Salmond files': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rp03 David Hamilton (pictured) is taking the Scottish Government to court over its refusal to release the so-called ‘Alex Salmond files’. We ask the Scottish Information Commissioner why he believes some documents from the James Hamilton investigation, which cleared Nicola Sturgeon of misleading parliament, should be made public. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qgvt President Donald Trump (pictured) has told lawmakers it is not yet possible to know the 'full scope and duration' of US strikes on Iran. Here at home, attention has turned to what the conflict might mean on UK shores as oil and gas prices continue to rise. Laura and Natalie hear from Professor John Underhill from the University of Aberdeen about what might happen to our energy bills, how safe our energy supplies are and what this tells us about our long-term energy strategy. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Fixing the NHS: where do you start?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027bj7 A poll by the BBC has suggested 50% of voters care about the NHS more than anything else in the upcoming election. That figure is higher for women than it is for men. Women are more likely to be on multiple waiting lists than men, are more likely to live with chronic pain, and spend more years suffering from ill health. So, does the NHS have a problem with women – and treating female-only conditions? We hear from a menopause specialist and a women’s health campaigner. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise water cremations, a process known as alkaline hydrolysis. We ask funeral director Andrew Purves (pictured) why there's demand for an alternative to burial and traditional cremation. Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.ukPicture credit: William Purves Funeral Directors

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like Politics Show: Will Starmer really campaign with Sarwar? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n0swyn The Green Party of England and Wales has won the Gorton and Denton by-election, with Hannah Spencer (pictured) taking the seat from Labour in the Greens' first-ever Westminster by-election victory. Natalie and Phil meet at the Scottish Labour conference in Paisley to talk to MPs and MSPs about what their party does now. Can Keir Starmer continue as Prime Minister? Did Anas Sarwar get it right when he called for him to resign? And how do they fight an election campaign amid such division? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Who is Nicholas Rossi?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lpbn Brian Low was 65 when he was found dead on a country track near Aberfeldy. Police treated his death as non-suspicious for five days - until a pathologist found bullet wounds on his body. Former gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, wasn’t arrested for another three months. But this week he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 19 years in prison. Now an investigation into where the police investigation went wrong is due – two reporters who have covered the case since day one tell us which questions still need to be answered. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What’s going on in the Peter Murrell case?’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rgbsThousands of documents from James Hamilton's investigation into former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmond have been released.Phil Sim tells us what – if anything – we have learned from this batch of the so-called ‘Salmond files’.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Malcolm Offord: I can be a Reform first minister’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Baroness Ruth Davidson (pictured) led the Scottish Conservatives between 2011 and 2019. In the face of rising support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, she tells us why she is launching a new political movement. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What Tommy Sheridan did next’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002dmdp Alba leader Kenny MacAskill says the pro-independence party founded by Alex Salmond (pictured) is unlikely to field candidates in the Holyrood election. Kirk Torrance, an adviser to the former first minister and ex-SNP leader when he formed Alba, tells us why the party needs fresh leadership. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk