Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

First Minister's Questions 20 March 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included: 

Michelle Thomson 

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the recent UK Living Standards Review 2025, from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, and any implications for its work to grow Scotland’s economy.

Rachael Hamilton 

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is marking Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Kevin Stewart 

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle Islamophobia in Scotland, in light of reports of an attack on a mosque in Aberdeen at the weekend.

 

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

First Minister's Questions 13 March 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included: 

Christine Grahame

To ask the First Minister, regarding any potential impact on planning legislation in Scotland, what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that the UK Government has proposed giving people living near power infrastructure hundreds of pounds off their bills each year.

Jamie Greene

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is considering to further support Scotland's universities, in light of reports that the University of the West of Scotland reported a multi-million pound deficit in the last financial year, with other universities across Scotland in a similar financial position.

Carol Mochan 

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on how the Scottish Government is working to improve healthy life expectancy. 

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

The international response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine | Wednesday, 12 March 2025

In this SPICe seminar Professor Luke March, Personal Chair of Post-Soviet and Comparative Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Professor Peter Jackson, Chair in Global Security at the University of Glasgow explore the current geopolitical situation in relation to Ukraine. We look to explain: 

• Russia’s approach to Ukraine and what that might also mean for countries in Eastern Europe;
• The international response to the crisis including the change of approach by the United States under President Trump; and
• Given the change of position in Washington, what Europe and NATO’s response should be and how the UK fits into the approach.

We hope you enjoy this discussion!

First Minister's Questions 6 March 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included: 

• Marie McNair 

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will mark International Women’s Day, and its theme of "Accelerating Action" to reach gender equality.

• Annie Wells

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to tackle the reported rising number of cases of drug-driving.

• Foysol Choudhury

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on how the Scottish Government is working to tackle Islamophobia in Scotland, in light of reports that anti-Muslim hate incidents across the UK reached record levels in 2024.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

First Minister's Questions 27 February 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included:

Michael Matheson MSP

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the recent study by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit regarding the contribution of the net zero sector to the UK and Scotland’s economy.

Brian Whittle MSP

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support farmers responding to threats to livestock from disease.

Mark Ruskell MSP

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will protect the lives of racing greyhounds.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

First Minister's Questions 20 February 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included:

Clare Adamson 

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent Labour Market Outlook survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development on UK business confidence.  

Pam Gosal 

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s plans to update the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967.

Colin Smyth 

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce the disability employment gap.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

Future-Proofing Scotland’s Salmon Industry

Is Scotland’s salmon farming industry on a sustainable path? In this episode, we hear from Finlay Carson MSP, Convener of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, and Deputy Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP as they discuss the findings of the Committee’s latest report. With calls for stronger regulation, more research and urgent action from the Scottish Government, they outline what needs to change to ensure the industry can grow sustainably.

 

Read the full report on the Scottish Parliament website.

First Minister's Questions 6 February 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included:

Rona Mackay

• To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to keep The Promise, in light of the fifth anniversary of it being made.

Douglas Lumsden

• To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Court of Session’s decision regarding the Rosebank oil field and the Jackdaw gas field.

Jackie Baillie

• To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to address the reported shortage in clinical radiologists, which is projected to rise to 263 fewer posts than needed by 2028.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

First Minister's Questions 30 January 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included:

Kevin Stewart 

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent CBI report, which reportedly suggests that businesses are preparing to “cut staff and raise prices”.

Jackson Carlaw 

To ask the First Minister whether he will join HM The King and other world leaders in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz extermination camp and offer his reflections on the theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day, "For a Better Future".

Collette Stevenson 

To ask the First Minister, in light of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, UK Poverty 2025, whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government's actions to tackle poverty in Scotland, including in relation to any potential impact of planned UK Government welfare reforms.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament 

First Minister's Questions 23 Jan 2025

Listen back to FMQs! Questions this week included:

• Christine Graham

To ask the First Minister, in light of the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President, and the reported prospect of import tariffs, what sectors of Scottish business it anticipates may be most affected.

• Meghan Gallacher

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to address concerns regarding waiting times in A&E departments, following reports of a mother having to wait 50 hours for medical care at University Hospital Wishaw.

• Pauline McNeill

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to make creating sexually explicit “deepfake” images and videos a crime.

Transcripts are available on our website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament