Scotcast

With experts warning that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves may need to raise taxes later this year - what might the Finance Secretary Shona Robison do to balance her own books? Martin and Natalie discuss and analyse the Spring Statement with BBC Scotland’s economy editor Douglas Fraser - and ask how UK decisions may impact Scotland. 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

It’s an expensive time to be a fan of live music. Ticketmaster has been told to change the way it advertises prices after an investigation into dynamic pricing found it 'may have misled' fans over £350 tickets for the Oasis tour.We ask Arab Strap musician Aidan Moffat and manager and presenter Aarti Joshi how gigs have changed for fans and the bands trying to make a living in the industry in Scotland.And Martin surprises Natalie with Scotland’s latest international sporting success.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.ukPhoto credit: Simon Emmett / Fear PR / PA Wires

Charity Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) says it has 'waited long enough' for ministers to improve access to mental health treatment and announced it will create walk-in centres across the country. With 11% of us now reporting a mental health problem, we ask Billy Watson from SAMH and Scotland’s Home of the Year judge Anna Campbell-Jones, who’s helped design the centres, why so many of us say we are struggling compared to a decade ago. 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

Rank-and-file police are warning low officer numbers are taking a toll on those in the job. David Kennedy from the Scottish Police Federation and a serving frontline officer discuss what it’s like for those on patrol and how it feels to be threatened with a knife, with no backup on the way. And Martin and Laura discuss whether George Clooney is right to say he’s too old to be a romantic lead. 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

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK won more votes than the Scottish Greens and Alba Party combined in the 2024 general election. With opinion polls suggesting his party is on course to have several MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament, we ask Reform councillor Thomas Kerr why voters here are warming to a politician who once sought refuge from protesters in an Edinburgh pub. 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

Five years on from the first Covid lockdown, the woman who was responsible for the NHS at the start of the pandemic sits down with Martin.In an interview recorded for the BBC's 'Sunday Show' programme, former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman looks back at the decisions she and the Scottish Government had to take.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

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is 'relieved' after it was confirmed the former first minister faces no action following a police investigation into SNP finances.We ask the BBC’s David Cowan why the four-year investigation, known as Operation Branchform, took so long.And political correspondent Phil Sim looks at the significance of Ms Sturgeon’s estranged husband, Peter Murrell, appearing in court on an embezzlement charge on the same day.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller.Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Edinburgh will serve as the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2027. It’s a sporting coup for our capital. But what will it mean for its people, and our relationship to cycling? We speak to competition boss Christian Prudhomme, and the man behind the seventeen-year effort, Paul Bush. Plus, Gareth Southgate has intervened in the conversation around how we raise our boys. 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

The UK Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has pledged to restrict access to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as part of plans to cut welfare spending by £5 billion. But with PIP largely replaced in Scotland by another disability benefit, the Adult Disability Payment (ADP), how big an impact will the reforms have here? We ask Emma Tracey, presenter of the BBC’s ‘Access All’ disability and mental health podcast, and BBC Scotland’s political correspondent Kirsten Campbell. And Martin and Natalie mark the end of River City. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The Green Brigade supporters’ group has reacted angrily after police denied dozens of fans entry to the Old Firm Premiership game between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead. We ask Tino from ‘The Celtic Review’ podcast whether the policing of football matches is heavy-handed. And the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin tells us how the growth of so-called ‘ultra’ fan groups has influenced police tactics. And Martin and Laura discuss the Scottish Government's commitment to free university tuition. 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