Scotland's Programme for Government

In today's episode of Spotlight, we're shifting focus to the US and the mid-term elections happening on 3 November. Hosts Nicola McEwen and Kezia Dugdale speak to UofG's Chris Carman and Jason Boxt, Founder of 3W Insights, about what might happen in these mid-term elections, what you need to look out for, and how significant they are for politics in the United States. The conversation covers key issues shaping the campaigns, including the economy and AI data centres; what the polls are saying and what we might see happen on election day; the stand-out candidates; concerns about turnout; and what we might see from President Trump when the results come in. Chris Carman is Stevenson Professor of Citizenship at the University of Glasgow, and Jason Boxt is Founder of 3W Insights, a political and corporate consultancy based in Washington DC. Tune in and subscribe. Tickets for our in-person event on 26 October: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theres-no-money-left-can-we-still-build-a-fairer-society-tickets-1999520542769?aff=oddtdtcreator Hear more from the Centre for Public Policy and sign up to our newsletter: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/about/

In today's episode, we're marking Challenge Poverty Week. Regular podcast host Kezia Dugdale is joined by guest host and Centre for Public Policy colleague Claire MacRae to speak to two guests working in this area. We discuss child poverty and the Scottish Government's targets, social security and the backdrop of Scotland's challenging financial outlook, what role local government can play in tackling poverty, and more.

In today's episode of UofG Spotlight, we're looking at Andy Burnham's 'devolution revolution', and what that might mean for the UK devolved nations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Plus, we look at two significant developments in UK constitutional politics. First up, hosts Professor Nicola McEwen and Professor Kezia Dugdale give their take on two big developments in UK politics from the last fortnight. First, the exchange between Dundee SNP MP Chris Law and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Prime Minister's Questions on grounds for an independence referendum, and second, the summit between the SNP, Sinn Féin, and Plaid Cymru in Cardiff, on the path to independence referendums. Then they're joined by two guests: Dr David Waite, Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and Dr Jack Newman, Lecturer in Politics and Public Administration at the University of Liverpool to discuss devolution. Does the 'devolution revolution' extend beyond England? What can be learned from Manchester for regional devolution elsewhere? Are mayors an option for Scotland? And what might support success for Burnham's devolution drive? Tune in and subscribe. Read the report by Professor Kezia Dugdale and Stephen Noon, Scotland and the Constitution: Agreeing a way forward: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/outputs/headline_1101096_en.html Sign up to the Centre for Public Policy newsletter: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/about/

In this episode of Spotlight, we turn from devolved politics to global challenges, asking the important question: do we still value development aid? Host Nicola McEwen is joined by leading researchers from the University of Glasgow and Queen Margaret University to unpack the changing landscape of international development. Together, they explore the long-term decline in UK and global aid commitments, the real-world consequences for communities in some of the world's most vulnerable settings and the new approaches to development finance emerging. This work is being supported by the Scottish Council for Global Affairs. Later in the episode, Nicola speaks with SCIAF's Director of Public Engagement, Ben Wilson, about Scotland's distinctive role, the Scottish Government's commitments, and whether initiatives like aid match funding could create a different path forward. As global pressures mount and political priorities shift, what does the future hold for development aid - and for the communities who depend on it?

In the final episode of our election podcast series, now 'After the Elections', we look at the results of the Scottish election, what it means for the future of public policy, and how soon we might see the impact of challenging public finances. We're joined by two guests, Graeme Roy, Professor of Economics at the University of Glasgow and Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, and Kate Higgins, former Special Adviser to the Scottish Government. How hard is it to deliver change in government? What is the fiscal context facing the new administration? What is the likelihood of an independence referendum? Can the MSPs find common ground, in a parliament that is more diverse and ideologically fragmented than ever before?