Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Radio Scotland,25 Jun 2025,26 mins

Is taxing private schools pointless?

Scotcast

Available for over a year

Edinburgh’s Fettes College, once attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly pondering job cuts after the UK Government moved to charge VAT on private school fees. Lisa Kerr (pictured), Principal of George Watson’s College, tells us why she thinks taxing schools like hers is also bad for state school pupils. And after ‘hoaching’ and ‘shoogly’ were added to the Oxford English Dictionary, Martin and Laura identify their favourite Scottish words. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

Programme Website
More episodes