Show Notes
Mortgages, tax, and cost of living: Is this an election on the economy? Podlitical sits down with BBC Scotland Business and Economy Editor Douglas Fraser, and Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde, to discuss the economy and the role it's playing in the general election. How much of our current economic situation is down to internal decisions like taxation, mini-budgets, and Brexit, or external forces like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine? What routes are there for parties to improve the economy, and what challenges will the next UK Government face? The team examine what we know so far about the economic plans being pitched to the electorate.
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Martin Geissler on the BBC's new Scottish news podcast. A new episode of Scotcast is published every Monday to Wednesday by 5pm. Get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected]
In our final episode, the team look back at 6 years of change and chaos in politics. How does this week's row over WASPI women and Labour's new government link back to former PM Theresa May trying wrangle a Brexit deal through during her premiership? How did the constitutional debate develop, and where did that leave parties like the SNP? The team reflect on half a decade of intense politics, from pandemics to protests, supreme court wrangling to parliamentary clashing.
Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney sits down with Podlitical. The First Minister talks about becoming SNP leader right before the UK general election was called, how he worried his party faced a wipeout when the polls closed, and how he believed he was "the only person on the planet who could turn it around" for the SNP following a bruising period under former First Minister Humza Yousaf. Swinney talks about the realisation he'd entered a "government bubble", why he believes the SNP is back on the front foot post-Scottish budget, and how he wants to make Scottish independence a "compelling proposition". For a range of political interviews, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds.
The team discuss Labour's "reset" plans, and politicking ramping up in Holyrood. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Labour's "Plan for Change", but how has it gone down with the electorate, and Scottish Labour MSPs? As the 2026 Holyrood election continues to approach, the politicking ramps up in Holyrood, following the Scottish Budget, and polls suggesting Scottish Labour might not be on as sure footing as it may have hoped. And, with new leaders for both the UK and Scottish Conservatives, where do they fit into the upcoming electoral picture, as Nigel Farage's Reform UK threatens to make waves in the upcoming elections?
Was the pound in your pocket or politicking at the heart of the Scottish budget? The team are joined by economist Dr João Sousa, Deputy Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute, at the University of Strathclyde, to deep dive into the Scottish Government budget this week. From surprises over the vow to scrap the two child benefit cap, tinkering with tax, and scrutiny over spending priorities, the team discuss both the financial and political implications of the budget, as the SNP hope to woo voters ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, and win over opposition parties to enable the budget to be passed.