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Unspun Live

Unspun Live

Written by: The Herald Politics Team
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About this listen

 Unspun Live is The Herald’s Scottish politics podcast — bringing you interviews, analysis, and insight from the heart of Holyrood. Hosted by some of the finest journalists in the business, each episode cuts through the noise to explore the big ideas, tough decisions, and real stories behind the headlines.The Herald Politics Team Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Episode 31: Scotland's Housing Emergency

    Episode 31: Scotland's Housing Emergency
    Jan 21 2026

    Deputy Political Editor Rebecca McCurdy interviews Richard Meade, the chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, as the organisation launches its Holyrood manifesto, demanding urgent funding to end the housing emergency.
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    17 mins
  • Episode 30: Reform's Graham Simpson on indyref2, Farage and elections

    Episode 30: Reform's Graham Simpson on indyref2, Farage and elections
    Jan 9 2026

    Reform UK's only MSP Graham Simpson comes to the defence of his party leader Nigel Farage over claims he is "racist" and addresses the confusion over the party's stance on Scottish independence.
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    19 mins
  • Episode 29: Budget chaos!

    Episode 29: Budget chaos!
    Nov 26 2025

    On Budget Day, the Office for Budget Responsibility unexpectedly released its economic forecasts before the Chancellor reached the despatch box — sending Westminster and the markets into a spin. In this episode of Unspun Live, Andrew Learmonth breaks down what the leak means, why it matters, and how Rachel Reeves’ second Budget will affect taxpayers, businesses and Scotland’s finances.

    Andrew is joined by Ian McConnell, The Herald’s business editor, to unpack the big revenue-raising measures — from income tax threshold freezes to the changes on electric vehicle mileage, ISAs, salary sacrifice schemes and alcohol duty. They also look at Reeves’ decision to scrap the two-child limit, and what that means for the Scottish Government’s spending plans.
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    22 mins
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