Scotcast

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering a tax rise on some profits made by betting companies. Brian Rice (pictured), who was banned from football for placing bets while managing Hamilton Academical, tells us about managing his addiction in an industry synonymous with gambling. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode was hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) wants to make sweeping changes to the UK's asylum system. Labour MP Chris Murray, a former chair of The Refugee Survival Trust, tells us why the reforms – controversial among many in his party – are justified. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode was hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The release of Rockstar North's highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 has been delayed (again). The video game developer has denied claims of "union-busting" after 31 UK staff were sacked, sparking a protest outside the company’s Edinburgh HQ (pictured). The Scottish Games Network's Brian Baglow, who worked on the first GTA, tells us what it’s like to work in the industry. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler,Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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/m0027tgnMSPs 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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

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: scotcast@bbc.co.uk