Podlitical

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.

As MPs back proposals for assisted dying in England & Wales, what's next for Scotland? Podlitical's Rajdeep Sandhu sits down with two MPs and two MSPs who are split on support/opposition for assisted dying - Scottish Labour's Graeme Downie MP, Scottish Conservative Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur MSP, and the SNP's Seamus Logan MP - to discuss the implications of the assisted dying vote in Westminster on Scotland, and the upcoming bill in Holyrood on assisted dying, as well as what it was like to be in the room of such an important vote. What lessons can be learned from the Westminster debate, and will a devolved approach to assisted dying work?

The team talk winter fuel payments in Scotland, immigration, and assisted dying. Ahead of next week's Scottish Government budget, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has told Holyrood that every pensioner in Scotland will receive a winter fuel payment next year. What does this mean for Scotland's finances and what does it say about the battlegrounds being laid for the 2026 Holyrood election? Plus, immigration figures are out, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer accusing the previous Conservative government of running an "open borders experiment", as Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage claims the party has hit 100 thousand members, and MPs are set to debate assisted dying in England and Wales.

Farmers protest inheritance tax changes, and budget manoeuvres continue in Holyrood. This week saw thousands of farmers descend on the capital to protest Labour's changes to inheritance tax, while Labour claims the existing rules around inheritance tax aren't fair nor sustainable. In Holyrood, the row over Stephen Flynn's ambition to run as an MSP while staying on as an MP continues, and Scottish Parliament sees both the Scottish Government and opposition parties laying the political groundwork ahead of December's Scottish Budget. Plus, splits between UK Labour and Scottish Labour as leader Anas Sarwar pledges to expand eligibility for the winter fuel payment if they form the next Scottish government.