Scotcast

A report has found the attainment gap has worsened for Scottish schools. It means the level of qualifications gained between young people in the most affluent and least affluent areas is widening. For nearly 10 years the Scottish Government has said that closing the attainment gap is their 'priority'. We ask education journalist James McEnamey and BBC Political correspondent Phil Sim about a bold solution from a group of experts. The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) says there could be 90,000 fewer pupils by 2040, and that teacher numbers could be cut as a result. Could the money saved be a better help elsewhere? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler and Laura Maciver. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Gillian Mackay, a Scottish Green MSP who championed the Abortion Services Safe Access Zones legislation, defends the law as a safeguard for individual privacy. In contrast, Lois McLatchie Miller from Alliance Defending Freedom International argues against it, emphasizing freedom of speech. They debate whether private prayer can be seen as a criminal act, especially following a recent arrest that sparked outrage. The conversation navigates the tricky balance between protecting access to abortion services and allowing for personal expression in public spaces.

The changing room tribunal involving Sandie Peggie, Dr Beth Upton and NHS Fife has dominated headlines. As First Minister’s Questions gets fiery on the gender debate, we ask if the temperature of political opinion is changing.We speak to Mark Diffley, pollster and analyst, and BBC Scotland’s Chief Political Correspondent, Lynsey Bews. And an archaeologist from Galashiels finds a pharaoh’s tomb. 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

What’s the price of climate progress? As another Scottish pylon project is approved, the team hears about the communities in the way of the green energy revolution. Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls them Nimbys (Not in my back yard). But campaigner Kate Matthews tells us how 70m monster pylons will blight the landscape around her home in Aberdeenshire. Kate is from one of the many local groups fighting pylons, substations and battery energy storage systems being built across the country. BBC Scotland Environment Correspondent Kevin Keane joins her in the studio. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Energy experts Cornwall Insight are predicting a 5% increase to typical household bills when Ofgem announces the latest change to the price cap. We ask David Sheppard from the Financial Times and fuel poverty campaigner Frazer Scott from Energy Action Scotland why prices aren’t coming down. And Laura and Martin have another debate about how to pronounce ‘Scotcast’.

As world powers gather for talks to secure peace in Ukraine (without Ukraine), and Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks of sending British troops there, how do those who have fled the war view their future?Alona and Iryna, who arrived in Scotland after Russia’s invasion, tell us they don't know when (or whether) they can return home. And BBC Ukrainecast presenter Vitaliy Shevchenko reacts to an extraordinary week of news, which included a 90-minute phone call between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.And Martin praises David Tennant’s Sprechgesang effort at the Baftas.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 big council tax freeze is over. Scotland's local authorities are setting their tax rates, with many considering rises of up to 10 per cent to balance the books. It comes after years of concerns about pressures on local budgets. Roads filled with potholes, cuts to bin collections, schools in disrepair - these are some of the regular complaints. Is it time to rewrite the entire council tax system? We hear from Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens and BBC Political Correspondent Phil Sim. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Peter Cairns, a passionate rewilding campaigner and wildlife photographer, teams up with Justin Rowlatt, the BBC's insightful climate editor. They dive into the intriguing idea of reintroducing lynx and feral pigs to the Scottish Highlands. The duo discusses the benefits of apex predators for ecosystem health while tackling community concerns from local farmers. With humor and expertise, they explore the complexities of rewilding, shedding light on the balance between conservation and agriculture in the picturesque Scottish landscape.

A BBC investigation into Scotland's biggest children's psychiatric hospital, Skye House, has exposed a ‘culture of cruelty’ at the NHS unit in Glasgow. We hear from BBC Disclosure’s Mark Daly and Shelley Jofre about the art of investigative journalism in an era of fake news. They tell us how they made their documentary, Kids on the Psychiatric Ward, which features the testimony of six young women who were patients at the specialist unit for severe depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions.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

An emergency law to free inmates early is coming in to bring down the prison population.We hear from Barlinnie's governor, Michael Stoney, and a former inmate on what it's like inside Scotland’s biggest and busiest jail.And after Super Bowl LIX, Natalie hears about Martin’s former life as an NFL host.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