Scotcast

Épisodes

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  Energy CEO on bills, AI and heavy metal 16.09.2026 27min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How big is the Jackdaw decision’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00315syGreg Jackson (pictured) is the chief executive of Octopus Energy, the UK’s biggest domestic energy supplier. He talks to us about household bills, AI data centres and Rammstein. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Our AI future: have we lost control? 15.09.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: AI philosopher: Why we’re not doomed https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rgcpArtificial intelligence researcher Jacob Coxon (pictured), who quit AI firm Anthropic, has said people working on the technology were “genuinely frightened” by the speed of its advances and what they could mean for humanity. Martin is joined by the BBC’s Graham Fraser and Joe Tidy to discuss possible AI ‘doomsday’ scenarios, and how the debate about AI data centres is playing out here at home. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Does the Cardiff summit bring independence closer? 14.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Has Burnham caved on indyref2?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00315w2The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have declared that 'Westminster's time is coming to an end' at a summit in Cardiff.We speak to The Herald’s Rebecca McCurdy and our Westminster correspondent Paris Gourtsoyannis whether the gathering boosts SNP leader John Swinney’s independence strategy. Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Why are so many young men committing sex crimes? 11.09.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How we convicted killer husband and made legal history’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tzhlSexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland are at their highest level since 1971. With the Scottish Government preparing to recognise misogyny as a "distinct form of prejudice and abuse" in law, we speak to Karyn McCluskey (pictured left), formerly of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, and criminal defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC (pictured right).Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller.Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Has Burnham caved on indyref2? – Politics Show 10.09.2026 27min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Has Swinney had a good (re)start?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030xdvDavid, Lynsey and former Alba Party adviser Kirk Torrance talk about Andy Burnham’s independence comments; SNP ministers dealing with negative headlines; and Nicola Sturgeon teaming up with Michael Gove to take on Russia.Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews.Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Is the housing crisis fuelling anti-immigration tension? 09.09.2026 22min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Is the far-right behind the demos on our streets?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yw1xPolice are treating a fire at a housing association tenement in Glasgow as deliberate amid social media claims it was being renovated for asylum seekers. We ask the BBC’s Chris Clements and Jen Gracie from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who gets priority for social housing in Scotland – and why we’re not building enough homes. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  What has happened to Scottish education? 08.09.2026 28min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘What is school for? - The Education Debate’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ngbw3lThere has been a decline in attainment in maths and reading in Scotland, according to the Pisa international study of education standards in secondary schools. We ask the BBC's Lucy Adams and former headteacher John McGhee (pictured), Glasgow City Council’s director of education, why standards are falling. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  How big is the Jackdaw decision? 07.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘What will Burnham do about North Sea oil and gas?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yvvyThe UK government is set to approve the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen, the BBC understands. We talk to the BBC’s James Cook and Paris Gourtsyannis about the environmental and political significance of allowing the project to go ahead. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Who are the hackers behind the scams that steal your data? 04.09.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Who hacked M&S’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d80dJude McCorry (pictured) is chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland. She talks to us about 'ethical' hacking and the inside story of the cyber attack on car dealership Arnold Clark in 2022. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Has Swinney had a good (re)start? – Politics Show 03.09.2026 29min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Will the NHS shake-up end A&E ‘corridor care’? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030yhwDavid, Lynsey and Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff Liz Lloyd talk about the Programme for Government; the SNP’s independence strategy; and why First Minister John Swinney (pictured) was concerned about Stephen Flynn's World Cup plans. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart and Lynsey Bews.
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  What it’s really like in A&E right now 02.09.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How to fix the NHS – The Health Debate’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndvclmIn his Programme for Government, First Minister John Swinney promised 'radical' reform of public services, including cutting the number of health boards. We ask A&E consultant Dr Jayne McLaren, vice-chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland, whether NHS reform can help hospitals’ beleaguered emergency departments. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Will the SNP’s food price cap happen? 01.09.2026 24min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘How we'll avoid a food shortage’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300w9Twenty-three organisations have written a joint-letter to John Swinney (pictured), urging the First Minister to scrap plans for a legal cap on some food and drink prices. We ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and Ewan MacDonald-Russell from the Scottish Retail Consortium whether the policy, a key pledge in the SNP's Holyrood 2026 election manifesto, is likely to be implemented. Photo: PAScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Old Firm sanctions: why football bosses got tough 31.08.2026 25min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Who’s to blame for Old Firm bedlam?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sdxpRangers and Celtic will both play a game behind closed doors as punishment for the crowd trouble which marred a Scottish Cup tie between the clubs. The BBC’s Chris McLaughlin explains why the Scottish Football Association (SFA) imposed such a tough penalty. And we talk to former Celtic and Hibernian player Scott Allan about an SFA 'summit' on the future of Scottish football. Photo: PA Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Val and Jo on the 'untold' history behind first novella 28.08.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you might also like: 'Darren McGarvey on modern masculinity and Jason Arday' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030l83Crime writer Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp (both pictured) have released their first co-authored book, 'This Door of the Seas'. They talk to us about the overlooked, but significant, period of Scottish history which inspired the novella. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Laura Miller in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Festivals. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  School bags, public spending and social skills – Politics Show 27.08.2026 26min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Stephen Flynn: I don’t want to be First Minister (yet)' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p5q38yLynsey talks to the BBC's Andrew Kerr and ex-Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross about the Scottish Government policy, championed by Education Secretary Màiri McAllan (pictured), of giving free school bags to P1 pupils; the spending challenges facing ministers; and the pitfalls of politicians getting creative on social media. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Lynsey Bews.Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Why has Lockerbie trial been delayed (again)? 26.08.2026 23min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Why Lockerbie is back in the news' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00272ktThe trial of a Libyan man over the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has been postponed for a third time after new evidence emerged. The BBC’s David Cowan talks to us about the latest developments in the story. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Darren McGarvey on modern masculinity and Jason Arday 25.08.2026 21min

  Darren McGarvey (pictured), the author of Poverty Safari and Trauma Industrial Complex, has recorded an audio essay for BBC Radio 4 called 'Confessions of a Performative Male': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002zhnjAlmost a decade on from MeToo gaining traction, he tells us why he thinks the movement pushed some men towards the so-called manosphere. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Why the BBC made THAT Glasgow documentary 24.08.2026 23min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Can police stop what’s going on in Glasgow?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030b0yBBC Disclosure’s Welcome to Glasgow, which documented blatant drug deals and racial violence, has divided opinion over its portrayal of the city. We talk to BBC Scotland's editor of long-form journalism, Shelley Jofre, about criticism of her team's documentary, which was fronted by BBC reporter Myles Bonnar (pictured). Scotcast is the BBC's Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by John MacKay. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  Stephen Flynn: I don’t want to be First Minister (yet) 21.08.2026 44min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: 'Why Nicola Sturgeon is still making headlines' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300qpSNP MSP Stephen Flynn (pictured) was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport by John Swinney in May 2026. He talks to Martin about his political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon, North Sea oil and gas and his reading habits. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Festivals. Get in touch: [email protected]
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  The Scottish Labour leadership interviews 20.08.2026 43min

  If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘The race to replace Sarwar turns sour’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002zrcrMichael Marra (pictured left) and Joe Fagan (right) are vying to succeed Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader. They talk to us about their party’s failures, the route to indyref2 and guilty pleasures. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart. Get in touch: [email protected]