‘Ready to explode’: prisons and early release

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Meet the new Scottish Green leaders’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j5l7 Former Conservative government minister Lord Malcolm Offord is ditching his peerage with the hope of becoming a Reform UK First Minister. Martin Geissler asks him why he has had enough of his former Tory colleagues, and why he thinks he now has more in common with Nigel Farage and his party, Reform UK. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Can weight-loss jabs save the NHS?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028sqf As a bill to make non-surgical aesthetic procedures safer makes its way through Holyrood, Dr Nestor Demosthenous (pictured) tells us all about working in the aesthetics industry. And why the Tartan Army might want to check their social media history before applying for their visa for the World Cup. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler.Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why I’m defending Sandie Peggie’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp56 An employment tribunal has ruled on the case involving nurse Sandie Peggie (pictured), her employer NHS Fife and transgender doctor Beth Upton. The BBC’s Steven Godden and David Henderson explain the main findings of the 312-page ruling. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘The 1,000 prisoners up for early release’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ld8y More inmates are leaving prison earlier than planned as an emergency measure to deal with record overcrowding in Scotland’s jails. Natalie has been inside HMP Barlinnie to speak to one of the nearly 1,000 prisoners up for early release and staff including deputy governor Jim Beaton (pictured). Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Kezia Dugdale on Labour, trust and Rachel Reeves’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz87 The Prime Minister and Chancellor are visiting Scotland to talk defence and cost of living support, but how do their Scottish Labour colleagues really feel about Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves? And the BBC’s Kevin Keane joins Laura and Natalie to explain who will pay for billions of pounds of investment into our energy grid. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘We’ll be coming! Why the football means so much’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mckx Football fan groups say the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America could be the 'most expensive' ever. We ask the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and Scotland fan Calum Brown whether dynamic pricing for tickets could price out some fans. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Laura Miller and Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Hot takes from Budget day’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp3z Chancellor Rachel Reeves has denied misleading the public over the state of public finances ahead of the UK Budget. We ask former Scottish Labour leader Professor Kezia Dugdale (pictured) about trust in politics and dealing with decisions made in Westminster. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like: ‘Derailed’: what now for £50m public inquiry? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mp1y First minister John Swinney says the Scottish government will clarify its position on an inquiry into grooming gangs before Christmas. Labour MP Joani Reid (pictured) tells us why she wants Scotland to follow England and Wales with a review of group-based child sexual exploitation. And your reaction to our interview with Sandie Peggie’s lawyer Naomi Cunningham. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected] Picture credit: House of Commons

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Sandie Peggie tribunal: what’s going on?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hwmc A clash between a trans doctor, Beth Upton, and a nurse, Sandie Peggie (pictured), in the changing room of an NHS Fife hospital has been played out and examined in great detail during an employment tribunal this year. Martin Geissler asks Sandie Peggie’s lawyer, Naomi Cunningham, about her role in what she calls the 'gender wars'. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: [email protected]

Martin Geissler, Laura Miller, Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart discuss Rachel Reeves’s much-anticipated second UK Budget. And the BBC’s Kevin Keane joins from Aberdeen as workers and businesses in the north east were left disappointed with Labour’s decisions on the windfall tax on oil and gas. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast.Get in touch: [email protected]