A quick take on the Spring Statement

Edinburgh University’s principal, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, says the way we fund universities is 'broken'. We ask The Herald’s education correspondent, Garrett Stell, and political commentator Andy Maciver from the Holyrood Sources podcast if the Scottish Government’s free tuition policy – a key SNP commitment – should be up for debate. And Laura asks Martin how his latest political grilling was sidetracked by a piercing. 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

BBC Reporting Scotland presenter Sally Magnusson sits down with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller to talk about her life and career as she prepares to stand down from the news programme after 27 years. 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

Industries like whisky and salmon are bracing themselves as Donald Trump prepares to announce taxes on goods imported into the US, on what he’s calling Liberation Day. We’re asking why exactly he’s so keen on tariffs, and what it could mean for our economy. Businessman Sir Tom Hunter, one of Scotland’s wealthiest people, helps us get inside the head of the man who wrote The Art of the Deal. And economics expert Professor Mark Blyth, from Brown University in Rhode Island, explains the theory behind Mr Trump’s actions.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

Emergency rent control measures which limited rent increases have expired, leading to concerns that some renters may be priced out of their homes. Martin asks landlord and Scottish Property Podcast co-host Steven Clark and tenants’ rights campaigner Ruth Gilbert from Living Rent if landlords can be trusted to set their own prices again. 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

BBC reporter Chris Clements has been looking into our problem with drug misuse for a new documentary, ‘One More Fix’. We ask Chris why Scotland has recorded the most drug-related deaths in Europe six years on the trot. And he tells us what he learned from reporting inside the UK’s first drug supervision room. And Martin and Laura discuss the story that's brought Boaty McBoatface and the Loch Ness Monster together. 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

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