Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

Exploring employment options for young ethnic minority women

Better support is needed to help BAME women in the transition from school to the workplace, according to a report published by a group taking part in a Scottish Parliament project aimed at increasing women’s involvement in politics.

Listen to Hayley Forrester, the Scottish Parliament's project lead, Elena Soper, National Programmes Coordinator for YWCA Scotland, and participants Raman and Lauryn as they discuss the project, how it came together, and the findings of their report.

What should a green recovery look like?

What is a green recovery? And what should it look like? These are the questions that the Environment Committee have been asking during their inquiry. Listen as we chat to their convener, as well as Parliament staff and a community worker to explore how people feel about Scotland's green recovery, and learn a little bit about the parliamentary process at the same time.

Can Finland Solve Homelessness?

Finland is the only country in the EU where homelessness is falling. Now its radical approach is about to be piloted in parts of the UK.

Join the Presiding Officer and panellists Sanna Vesikansa, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki; Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive Officer, Cyrenians; Kate Farrell, Mayoral adviser on homelessness, Liverpool City Region; and Mark Johnson, former rough sleeper and User Voice founder, to discuss whether Finland’s solution will work in the UK.

Recorded at the 2019 Festival of Politics.

David Duke, Chief Executive of Street Soccer - Scotland’s Futures Forum

What role can sport play in building an inclusive society? Join Homeless World Cup winning coach David Duke as he reflects on his journey from homelessness to being the founder and chief executive of social enterprise Street Soccer.

 

Chaired by James Dornan MSP, Convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee.

 

Find out more on the Scotland's Futures Forum website.

 

 

What’s Wrong About Foodbanks?

A recording from the Festival of Politics session titled "What’s Wrong About Foodbanks?".

A decade ago foodbanks were an oddity. In 2018 there are over 400 foodbanks run by The Trussell Trust alone across the UK. Join chair Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame MSP and panellists including Professor John McKendrick, Glasgow Caledonian University; Lindsey Welsh, Development Officer Moray Foodbank; and Emma Revie, CEO, The Trussell Trust to debate whether the existence of foodbanks is actually a sign of the UK’s strong social fabric and the real scandal is that they haven’t been around for longer.

Conversation with Darren McGarvey aka Loki - Festival of Politics

Darren McGarvey, aka LOKI, is a writer, performer, community activist and columnist. His book Poverty Safari, has recently won the prestigious Orwell Prize, is described by Irvine Welsh as, “an intellectual and spiritual rehab manual for the progressive left,” He was rapper-in-residence at Police Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit and McGarvey’s views are being sought on everything from BBC Question Time to The Guardian. Join Darren and the Presiding Officer to discuss the “industry of deprivation”; how to achieve political representation for the unrepresented and working-class masculinity in the 21st century, as explored in McGarvey’s new album Trigger Warning. Join us for an energising mental-flossing from one of Scotland’s most inspiring commentators.

In partnership with the Open University in Scotland.

Festival of Politics - In Conversation with Professor Mary Beard

Recorded at the Festival of Politics in 2018.

She is the doyenne of classical scholars; fond of Anglo-Saxon expletives and a feminist to her bones. Professor Mary Beard is the academic who wrote and presented on the BBC Civilisations series; authored the globally best-selling book Women and Power and is the poster woman for every opinionated, outspoken and fan who recognises misogyny did not cease post the ancient world. Join the Presiding Officer and Professor Mary Beard to discuss her trajectory from scholar to public combatant in febrile debates on everything from #MeToo; to no-platforming and Pompeii; in this unmissable exhilarating event.

Festival of Politics - Posh or Poor?

A recording from the Festival of Politics session titled "Posh or Poor?".

The demise of forelock tugging and deference to those ‘upstairs’ may make class less obvious, but with inequality and poverty rising, has Britain really thrown off its class obsession? Join our chair Kenny Farquharson, The Times, and panellists including Claire Ainsley, Director, Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Darren McGarvey aka Loki, author of Poverty Safari; Chris Snowdon, author of The Spirit Level Delusion; and John Boothman, The Times, as they discuss social mobility and meritocracy.