Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

Meet our Local Heroes 24.06.2026 14m

This episode was recorded ahead of the official Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament, marking the beginning of our seventh session. As has become customary, MSPs invite one person from their local area to join us at Holyrood, to take part in the events of the day. We call these guests our local heroes, as they are selected thanks to the incredible work they do in their communities. All have fascinating stories, and in this episode you'll meet four of them.

First Minister's Questions - Backbench Members - 23 June 2026 23.06.2026 31m

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

Time to meet your Makar! 19.06.2026 15m

Pàdraig MacAoidh (Peter Mackay) is Scotland's Makar, or national poet. He's part of the programme for the Opening Ceremony taking place on 27 June 2026, to officially mark the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament. He chats to us about the role, his inspiration behind the poem, and what else he's working on at the moment.

First Minister's Questions - Party Leaders - 18 June 2026 18.06.2026 31m

The First Minister fields questions of national importance from Party Leaders in this weekly question time. Read the full transcript from the Official Report https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - Backbench Members - 16 June 2026 16.06.2026 30m

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - Party Leaders - 11 June 2026 11.06.2026 34m

The First Minister fields questions of national importance from Party Leaders in this weekly question time. Read the full transcript from the Official Report https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - Backbench Members - 9 June 2026 09.06.2026 30m

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - Party Leaders - 4 June 2026 04.06.2026 28m

The First Minister answers questions from party leaders in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - Backbench Members - 2 June 2026 02.06.2026 31m

The First Minister answers questions from backbench Members in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions 28th May 2026 28.05.2026 45m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

In conversation: Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP and women MSPs 27.03.2026 41m

In this podcast, the Presiding officer speaks with women Members about a range of topics including: How social media and rising workloads have shaped modern political life Why unpredictable hours make it tough for MSPs with caring responsibilities The importance of cross‑party working and respect in debate Why mentoring and supporting women in politics matters more than ever How getting out into communities helps rebuild trust And much more. The podcast features the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Shona Robison MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Sarah Boyack MSP, and Rhoda Grant MSP

In conversation: Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP and Professor Kezia Dugdale 27.03.2026 22m

In this conversation, the Presiding officer and Professor Kezia Dugdale explore: The growing pressure and polarisation in political debate Why respectful discussion matters more than ever How Parliament can open its doors to more women and people from under‑represented backgrounds The reality of balancing public service with modern family life Why diverse leadership leads to better decisions for Scotland

First Minister's Questions 25th March 2026 25.03.2026 50m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include: Joe FitzPatrick To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s commitment to banning conversion practices. Dr Pam Gosal MBE To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to research by Women's Rights Network Scotland reportedly showing that some children have been assaulted in Scottish hospitals. Pauline McNeill To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report indicating that staff shortages mean young prisoners at HMP & YOI Polmont lack enough opportunities for work, education or recreation and spend “far too long locked in their cells". Jamie Greene To ask the First Minister, in light of the reported rise in protests and rhetoric aimed at immigrants and minority groups, what action any future Scottish administration can take to restore kindness, decency and tolerance to politics. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions 19th March 2026 19.03.2026 45m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include:Stuart McMillan To ask the First Minister, following the Union Street fire in Glasgow, what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Network Rail regarding the organisation having a greater say over what types of businesses can be located in close vicinity to key transport hubs such as Glasgow Central. Edward Mountain To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to regulate deposit fees in care homes. Katy Clark To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that the Scottish Information Commissioner is taking legal advice on further legal action against the Scottish Government and his comments that he “can no longer trust the Government to handle this information unsupervised".A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions 12th March 2026 12.03.2026 49m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include:Christine GrahameTo ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government can take, in discussion with the UK Government, to assist households in very rural areas that are wholly dependent on oil or liquefied natural gas for heating, and are not connected to the gas mains, to assist with increased costs. Brian WhittleTo ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of any impact on the NHS arising from reports that the number of consultants working in the private healthcare system is the highest on record. Kevin StewartTo ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to promote vaccinations to combat measles, in light of reports of recent diagnoses in the NHS Grampian area.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

In conversation: Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP and Ellie Craig, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament 06.03.2026 25m

Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP speaks with Ellie Craig MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. They talk about issues including: International Women's Day 2026 Youth participation and how young people shape democracy Gender representation and creating a more inclusive Parliament Social media’s impact on political engagement Respectful political debate Encouraging higher voter turnout among young people

First Minister's Questions 5th March 2026 05.03.2026 46m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include:Kenneth Gibson To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the UK Government’s Spring Statement. Stephen Kerr To ask the First Minister, in light of the recently published Commission on School Reform manifesto warning that the curriculum for excellence has been poorly implemented and is harming long-term prospects, what the Scottish Government's position is on whether a lack of clear, nationally specified curriculum content and standards has contributed to declining attainment and inconsistency across Scotland’s schools. Katy Clark To ask the First Minister, in light of the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day being equal rights and equal justice, what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve the legal rights of women and girls. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions 26 February 2026 26.02.2026 46m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include: Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of warnings from industry leaders that high transmission charges are making wind farms in the north of Scotland uncompetitive, including any implications for its work to grow the renewable energy sector. Liam Kerr MSP To ask the First Minister, in light of reported renewed calls over the weekend to end the Lord Advocate’s dual role, when the Scottish Government will publish its proposals and begin a consultation on separating the prosecution function from the role of providing legal advice to the Scottish Ministers. Mercedes Villalba MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the outcome of the University of Aberdeen UCU ballot, which resulted in 83% of those voting in support of strike action and 90% in favour of action short of a strike. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions - 19th February 2026 19.02.2026 47m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include:Christine Grahame To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government is taking to standardise the criteria for urgent referrals to child and adolescent mental health services for an assessment, in light of reports that it is currently a postcode lottery. Roz McCallTo ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that hundreds of teachers have sought medical treatment following attacks by pupils in the last five years. Maggie Chapman To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the development of a Just Transition plan for the north east of Scotland, including how communities and workers have been engaged.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

First Minister's Questions 12 February 2026 12.02.2026 48m

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include: Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister how often he or the Scottish Ministers engage with the Scottish Government’s Washington DC International Office regarding the Scotch whisky industry and other economic interests in the United States. Rachael Hamilton MSP To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on the Service Delivery Review of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Mark Griffin MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that police stations across Lanarkshire, including in Bellshill, will be closed permanently to the public or have their hours reduced from 1 April. Jamie Greene MSP To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will make further changes to the draft Budget 2026-27 published in January in relation to business rates, hospices and the care sector. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report