Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

In this podcast, the Presiding officer speaks with women Members about a range of topics including: How social media and rising workloads have shaped modern political life Why unpredictable hours make it tough for MSPs with caring responsibilities The importance of cross‑party working and respect in debate Why mentoring and supporting women in politics matters more than ever How getting out into communities helps rebuild trust And much more. The podcast features the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Shona Robison MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Sarah Boyack MSP, and Rhoda Grant MSP  

In this conversation, the Presiding officer and Professor Kezia Dugdale explore: The growing pressure and polarisation in political debate Why respectful discussion matters more than ever How Parliament can open its doors to more women and people from under‑represented backgrounds The reality of balancing public service with modern family life Why diverse leadership leads to better decisions for Scotland  

 The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Joe FitzPatrick To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s commitment to banning conversion practices. Dr Pam Gosal MBE To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to research by Women's Rights Network Scotland reportedly showing that some children have been assaulted in Scottish hospitals.  Pauline McNeill To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report indicating that staff shortages mean young prisoners at HMP & YOI Polmont lack enough opportunities for work, education or recreation and spend “far too long locked in their cells".  Jamie Greene To ask the First Minister, in light of the reported rise in protests and rhetoric aimed at immigrants and minority groups, what action any future Scottish administration can take to

 The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Stuart McMillan To ask the First Minister, following the Union Street fire in Glasgow, what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Network Rail regarding the organisation having a greater say over what types of businesses can be located in close vicinity to key transport hubs such as Glasgow Central. Edward Mountain To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to regulate deposit fees in care homes. Katy Clark To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that the Scottish Information Commissioner is taking legal advice on further legal action against the Scottish Government and his comments that he “can no longer trust the Government to handle this information unsupervised". A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Christine Grahame To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government can take, in discussion with the UK Government, to assist households in very rural areas that are wholly dependent on oil or liquefied natural gas for heating, and are not connected to the gas mains, to assist with increased costs. Brian Whittle To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of any impact on the NHS arising from reports that the number of consultants working in the private healthcare system is the highest on record. Kevin Stewart To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to promote vaccinations to combat measles, in light of reports of recent diagnoses in the NHS Grampian area. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/ch

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP speaks with Ellie Craig MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. They talk about issues including: International Women's Day 2026 Youth participation and how young people shape democracy Gender representation and creating a more inclusive Parliament Social media’s impact on political engagement Respectful political debate Encouraging higher voter turnout among young people

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Kenneth Gibson To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the UK Government’s Spring Statement. Stephen Kerr To ask the First Minister, in light of the recently published Commission on School Reform manifesto warning that the curriculum for excellence has been poorly implemented and is harming long-term prospects, what the Scottish Government's position is on whether a lack of clear, nationally specified curriculum content and standards has contributed to declining attainment and inconsistency across Scotland’s schools. Katy Clark  To ask the First Minister, in light of the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day being equal rights and equal justice, what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve the legal rights of women and girls.  A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottis

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of warnings from industry leaders that high transmission charges are making wind farms in the north of Scotland uncompetitive, including any implications for its work to grow the renewable energy sector. Liam Kerr MSP To ask the First Minister, in light of reported renewed calls over the weekend to end the Lord Advocate’s dual role, when the Scottish Government will publish its proposals and begin a consultation on separating the prosecution function from the role of providing legal advice to the Scottish Ministers.  Mercedes Villalba MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the outcome of the University of Aberdeen UCU ballot, which resulted in 83% of those voting in support of strike action and 90% in favour of action short of a strike. A full

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Christine Grahame To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government is taking to standardise the criteria for urgent referrals to child and adolescent mental health services for an assessment, in light of reports that it is currently a postcode lottery. Roz McCall To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that hundreds of teachers have sought medical treatment following attacks by pupils in the last five years. Maggie Chapman To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the development of a Just Transition plan for the north east of Scotland, including how communities and workers have been engaged. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include:   Michelle Thomson MSP To ask the First Minister how often he or the Scottish Ministers engage with the Scottish Government’s Washington DC International Office regarding the Scotch whisky industry and other economic interests in the United States.   Rachael Hamilton MSP To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on the Service Delivery Review of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.   Mark Griffin MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that police stations across Lanarkshire, including in Bellshill, will be closed permanently to the public or have their hours reduced from 1 April.   Jamie Greene MSP To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will make further changes to the draft Budget 2026-27 published in January in relation to business rates, hospices and the care sector. 

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include:   Rona Mackay MSP To ask the First Minister how the new measures that the Scottish Government has announced to tackle long-term unemployment will support its work to grow Scotland’s economy.   Brian Whittle MSP To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reported warnings that a significant proportion of the medical workforce is experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout.   Rhoda Grant MSP To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure the long-term financial and operational stability of specialist domestic abuse services in the Highlands.   A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Willie Coffey To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government’s new national housing agency will support its work to deliver more affordable homes. Liz Smith To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve transparency and accountability within NHS boards. Clare Haughey To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government's launch of walk-in GP clinics will support its work to bring down waiting times and ensure everyone gets the care they need.  A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Keith Brown To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update regarding the Scottish Government’s latest engagement with the UK Government in relation to the distribution of Local Growth Fund allocations in Scotland. Douglas Ross To ask the First Minister for what reason the Scottish Government is going to court to continue to allow it to house male prisoners in the female prison estate, in light of any projections it has made of the cost to taxpayers in Scotland of challenging the Supreme Court ruling in this way. Pam Duncan-Glancy To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to findings published by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow indicating that a majority of clinicians anticipate practical challenges in implementing the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. A full transcript of this week's Firs

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: David Torrance To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support households with the cost of living this winter. Tim Eagle To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the partial collapse of the Spey Viaduct, including what support it can offer to Moray Council in responding to the immediate consequences and the next steps for the local community. Monica Lennon To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent EIS findings that young people with additional support needs are being let down, and teachers are experiencing stress due to inadequate resourcing, in light of the reported reduction of nearly 20% in specialist ASN staff since 2010, despite a rise of over 710% in the number of pupils requiring such support since 2007. Beatrice Wishart To ask the First Minister what the Scottis

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Marie McNair To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential implications for its work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland of the UK Government’s child poverty strategy. Miles Briggs To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of, and support it is providing to, childhood dementia awareness. Jackie Baillie To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the independent investigation into NHS Scotland by the retired consultant surgeon and former President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Mr Mike McKirdy. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Paul McLennan To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government's latest engagement with the UK Government regarding any impact on poverty levels in Scotland of the freeze to Local Housing Allowance. Murdo Fraser To ask the First Minister what funding is in place to ensure that the A9 dualling project is completed by the target date of 2035. Stuart McMillan To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on whether the Scottish Government will instigate a direct award to Ferguson Marine for the replacement of MV Lord of the Isles. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Kenneth Gibson To ask the First Minister what impact the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement will have on Scotland. Dr Pam Gosal MBE To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. Alex Rowley To ask the First Minister, in light of ExxonMobil's announcement of the closure of the Mossmorran ethylene plant, what action the Scottish Government is taking to mitigate any damage this will cause to the Cowdenbeath area and the wider Scottish economy. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

“We were given a space… and in there we were allowed to develop a voice.”   We chat with Afam and Justine from Commission Advocating Rights for Minorities (CARM).   CARM worked with the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee to test what a truly participatory approach to human rights budgeting could look like. Their lived experience shaped the scrutiny process, influenced MSPs directly, and helped reframe how the Committee thinks about voice and accountability.   Members of CARM worked with the Committee exploring participation and accountability in Scotland’s budget. They composed questions for Ministers, co-designed scrutiny themes, and helped MSPs hear lived experience in people’s own words.   In this episode, Afam and Justine explain what that work involved, why the experience mattered, and how the framework they helped shape is now influencing organisations beyond Holyrood.