Scotcast

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

Dr Iain Kennedy (pictured) chairs the British Medical Association and speaks on behalf of Scotland’s 17,000 doctors. He tells us why one of the founding principles of the NHS has 'already died', how the service can be rescued and about his life as Highland GP. And a listener hits back at our coverage of gulls. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

A housing crisis is unfolding in the Highlands and for Donna Young (pictured) of the Communities Housing Trust, it’s personal. She tells us why so many people in her part of the world are struggling to find a home. 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 county lines drug epidemic is bringing violence and hard drugs to the Highlands. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Still of Police Scotland tells us how English gangs are targeting the vulnerable and why they are staying clear of Glasgow and Edinburgh. 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

Accustomed to sparring live on air on a Sunday morning, Martin sits down with Douglas Ross to find out what he really thinks.The former Scottish Conservative leader tells us why he defended Boris Johnson’s government – and why he thinks Holyrood is failing.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

Willie French is a former head teacher with four decades of experience in primary schools. He tells Martin why schools should delay formal education and help children learn old-fashioned life lessons like falling off bikes and out of trees. And Rose Docherty, the first person charged with allegedly breaking Scotland’s abortion buffer zone law, learns she’ll face no further action. 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