BBC Scotland’s news programme, Newsnight Scotland, is being extended by ten minutes, from Monday, to include coverage of the General Election build-up.
Ordinarily 20 minutes long, broadcast Monday-Thursday, from 11pm, the programme is being extended as part of a series of General Election initiatives by BBC Scotland, including a debate involving the leaders of Scotland’s main political parties, taking place on the second of next month, from the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, on BBC One, and transmitted simultaneously on BBC Radio Scotland.
Politics Scotland on BBC Two will run specific debates on defence (on the 28th of this month) and public spending (on the third of next month), while, on BBC Radio Scotland, Brian’s Big Debate – with political editor, Brian Taylor – will broadcast four local hustings – Greenock, Kelso, Stornoway and Dundee.
Taylor will also host a hustings from BBC Scotland’s headquarters at Pacific Quay, in Glasgow, the day after the election, on the sixth of next month, to digest the results.
There will also be opt-out local radio hustings on the 29th of this month, on BBC Radio Scotland’s FM frequency. Cameron Buttle will anchor the debate from Selkirk, Willie Johnston from Dumfries, Colin Wight in Aberdeen and Ian Macdonald in Inverness. BBC Radio Orkney and BBC Radio Shetland will also broadcast debates with candidates in their areas.
Says Atholl Duncan, head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland: “We will offer more debate and analysis than ever before on radio, TV and online covering UK, Scottish and local issues. BBC Scotland will be a strong and independent place where the many debates of this election take place. On election night our coverage will be the best place to follow the historic result of what will be an historic election, whatever the outcome.”
