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 restore kindness, decency and tolerance to politics. 


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:

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.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:

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/chamber-and-committees/official-report