Scotcast

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should buying sex be a crime?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cb7z Dominatrix and sex worker Porcelain Victoria (pictured right) and campaigner Laura Baillie (pictured left) tell us why they are against Ash Regan’s proposed Prostitution Bill. 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 will the Greens do next?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hmcv Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer (both pictured) are the new co-leaders of the Scottish Greens. In a wide-ranging conversation covering Nigel Farage, flying flags and asylum hotels, they tell us why their position on transgender issues won’t change and why they’re unwilling to work with Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Have you noticed flags flying on a street near you? Aberdeenshire council have begun taking down Saltires from lampposts – while first minister John Swinney joined MSPs in expressing concern that the national flag has been 'hijacked' by far-right groups. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

JK Rowling, politicians and activists have all weighed in on what they think about the Sandie Peggie, Beth Upton and NHS Fife tribunal, as the debate on trans rights and gender continues to play out in the court of public opinion. In this episode, Martin sits down with the BBC’s Lorna Gordon and Rebecca McCurdy, political correspondent at The Herald, to cut through the noise of what’s happening and hear what it has been like covering the case. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scotland has the unwanted label of being Europe’s drug death capital for the seventh year in a row. But is there reason for optimism as latest figures for 2024 show a significant drop in drug-related deaths? Former head of the Scotland’s drug death task force, Professor Catriona Matheson (pictured), tells us how we got here - and what needs to be done to save even more lives. And as concerns are raised about police uniforms, Natalie questions Martin’s sartorial choices on behalf and a concerned audience member. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to close all asylum hotels earlier than planned. BBC correspondent Chirs Clements, who was in Falkirk reporting on the latest protests outside the town’s former Cladhan Hotel, tells us what he witnessed. And as the maker of Mounjaro increases the price of its popular weight-loss drug, Alistair Murray from Phlo Technologies tells us whether his company is passing on the cost to its customers. Our previous episode, ‘Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’, is available on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028sqf Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

It’s change at the top for the Scottish Greens as the party elects new co-leaders. It comes after a summer of infighting, the departure of its longest-serving leader and years at the heart of power at Holyrood. BBC Scotland Political correspondent David Wallace Lockhart talks to Martin and Laura about what it means to be green in Scotland.And stand clear of the doors as Laura gets irked by etiquette on public transport.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has welcomed Graham Simpson to his party after the MSP quit the Scottish Conservatives. In an interview recorded hours after his defection, we ask Graham why he’s switching parties and what he makes of his new leader's idea of deporting 600,000 migrants if he becomes prime minister. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Professor Tommy Curry (pictured) is the University of Edinburgh’s first black professor of philosophy in its 450-year history. He talks to Martin about Scotland's history with racism and its present-day problemsScotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Hotels housing asylum seekers have attracted protests in Perth, Falkirk and Aberdeenshire. We ask what’s behind the recent spate of demos and David Wallace Lockhart tells us why it’s significant that Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is defending them. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk