Is the Budget an election game-changer?

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mt1p0s Natalie, David and Phil discuss Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform, the fallout from the Scottish Budget and Holyrood's new cocktail menu. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by David Wallace Lockhart, Natalie Higgins and Phil Sim.Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Malcolm Offord: I can be a Reform First Minister’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Nigel Farage has made Malcolm Offord Reform UK’s new leader in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election. It’s been a busy day for the BBC’s politics team as the prime minister and the leader of the opposition have also been battling for attention. 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 we need more babies’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002brz9 The Scottish Budget for 2026/27 includes measures to boost after-school care and provide breakfast clubs in all primary schools – but no new childcare funding. Carole Erskine from campaigning charity Pregnant Then Screwed explains why she believes the 'hugely expensive' cost of childcare is pushing mothers out of the workforce. And have we been pronouncing Shona Robison’s name correctly? 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pr29 Finance Secretary Shona Robison (pictured) has outlined the Scottish Government's draft Budget for 2026/27. David Wallace Lockhart and Professor Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institute react to the key announcements ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. 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 Ministers are warning of 'tough choices' on tax and spending ahead of finance secretary Shona Robison’s (pictured) Scottish Budget. We ask the BBC’s Lynsey Bews about rumours of a tax cut for higher earners and why Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar (also pictured) says he won’t be blocking the SNP’s plans. 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 'What we’ll be talking about in 2026' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pdt5 Natalie, Paris and Phil discuss Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour's Holyrood election strategy, Justice Secretary Angela Constance's breach of the ministerial code and the prospect of a new Reform leader in Scotland. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins, Paris Gourtsoyannis and Phil Sim. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should Scots pay for uni?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029q4f Dundee University has been bailed out of financial collapse, Edinburgh University is in the middle of £140m in cuts, and now staff at Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt, Stirling and Strathclyde uni are being balloted on strike action over job cuts. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal of Edinburgh Uni, tells us that the future of Scotland’s universities is in danger without radical change to the way they are funded. 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 ‘Is Gen Z ready to fight a war?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cy9d Donald Trump has discussed using the US military to acquire Greenland while the UK has pledged to send troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia. We ask Stewart McDonald, the SNP’s former defence spokesperson, whether the recent flurry of geopolitical twists could trigger a fresh debate about military conscription. 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c1fk Ahead of Storm Goretti hitting the UK and Aberdeenshire Council declaring a 'major incident' due to snowfall, Martin and Natalie speak to Nick Russell, one of the men who manages much of Scotland's gritter system. They talk about how Nick and the team keep the country moving, what it’s like behind the wheel and their favourite names of Scotland's infamous gritters. 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 ‘Are Starmer’s Scottish MPs sick of him?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mz40 Party leaders including John Swinney of the SNP and Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar (both pictured) have kicked off 2026 with a pitch to voters ahead of May’s Holyrood election. David Wallace Lockhart explains what their speeches told us about the upcoming campaign. And Martin and Natalie predict what other news stories will be among the biggest of the next 12 months. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted Martin Geissler and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]