Scotcast

Nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured) was cleared of gross misconduct by NHS Fife as an employment tribunal prompted by her changing room dispute with Dr Beth Upton – a transgender woman – resumed. In the third of our weekly July episodes, Laura is joined by the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and the Sunday Mail’s political editor Hannah Rodger to discuss the latest twist in a story at the centre of the wider gender debate. David and Hannah also give their take on Sir Keir Starmer’s suspension of a handful of rebel Labour MPs. And after a top golfer turned philosopher, Laura asks: ‘What’s the point?’ Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcast Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Kneecap have performed a sell-out show in Glasgow after being axed from the line-up at the city's TRNSMT festival.In the second of our weekly July episodes, Natalie is joined by the BBC's Phil Sim and Paul McNamee, the editor of The Big Issue, to discuss whether the Irish rappers have outsmarted politicians who urged promotors to drop them.Phil and Paul also give their take on the 'one in, one out' migrant deal announced between the UK and France - and an unusual appeal by Partick Thistle Football Club.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcastGet in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Rachel Reeves after the Chancellor cried in the House of Commons as the Prime Minister defended the UK Government's U-turn over welfare reform.In the first of our weekly July episodes, Natalie asks former Number 10 strategist John McTernan, campaigner Talat Yaqoob and the BBC’s Phil Sim what's going on at the heart of Downing Street.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Follow this link for tickets to our live show at the Edinburgh Fringe on Wednesday 6th August 2025: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/scotcastGet in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

British champion Liam Byrne (pictured), from Aberdeenshire, died at the weekend during a jump in the Swiss Alps. We ask fellow jumper Tim Howell what motivates those in the sport – and what it’s like to jump from a cliff edge. 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

Edinburgh’s Fettes College, once attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly pondering job cuts after the UK Government moved to charge VAT on private school fees. Lisa Kerr (pictured), Principal of George Watson’s College, tells us why she thinks taxing schools like hers is also bad for state school pupils. And after ‘hoaching’ and ‘shoogly’ were added to the Oxford English Dictionary, Martin and Laura identify their favourite Scottish words. 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

President Trump has accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire he helped broker. As oil prices see-saw, we ask economist Mairi Spowage and energy industry leader David Whitehouse why energy prices matter so much during times of conflict. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. This episode includes some strong language. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Former first minister Humza Yousaf is among the loudest critics of US attacks, approved by President Donald Trump, on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. The MSP and ex-SNP leader tells us why he thinks Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will retaliate – and how that could lead to 'all-out war'. 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

New government guidance on dealing with violence and aggression in schools has been criticised at First Minister's Questions (FMQs).We ask The Herald's education correspondent James McEnaney whether a record number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) is a factor. And teacher Karen Watson tells us how the classroom, and her job, has changed.And Martin and Laura debate how many sweeties are too many sweeties. 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

As the Labour government in Westminster cuts benefit spending by £5 billion as part of its Welfare Reform Bill, one expert group is urging politicians to back a guaranteed minimum income level for everyone. One of those experts, Chris Birt (pictured) from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, tells us how the Minimum Income Guarantee would work. And Martin reveals what he learned from a 900-gram ball of sweets in his stomach. 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 role of AI is growing in our day-to-day lives, but will it replace us in the jobs we do? We ask Professor Richard Susskind what the rise of artificial intelligence will mean for our work, the economy and the future of humankind. 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