Ruth Davidson

For millions of graduates, student loans are just another deduction on the payslip. But what does Plan 2 actually mean — and why has it become one of the most controversial policies affecting young people in Britain? This week, Ava Santina takes a deep dive into the student loan system created under the Cameron-Clegg coalition and asks whether today's graduates have been sold a raw deal. From £9,000 tuition fees and RPI-linked interest rates to frozen repayment thresholds and balances that seem to grow despite years of repayments, Ava unpacks how the system works and why it has become a political flashpoint. Joining the podcast is former Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who reflects on the origins of the policy, the political decisions that shaped it, and whether governments have underestimated the impact on a generation of graduates. With young people facing soaring housing costs, stagnant living standards and mounting debt, Ava asks whether Sir Keir Starmer's government should go further to reform Plan 2 loans. Would reducing interest rates, raising repayment thresholds or redesigning the system altogether put more money back into the pockets of younger workers? And can politicians afford to ignore the growing backlash? Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Malcolm Offord: I can be a Reform first minister’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n9d4 Baroness Ruth Davidson (pictured) led the Scottish Conservatives between 2011 and 2019. In the face of rising support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, she tells us why she is launching a new political movement. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler. Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Join Lynsey Fusco as she chats with two Board members – our Chairman Bill Morris, and newest member, Ruth Davidson. As Director of Culture, Ceremonies, Education and Live Sites for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Bill has a deep understanding of staging large-scale international events. Before that, Bill worked in radio and TV production at the BBC. As Project Director of Live Events, he was responsible for major spectacles including BBC Music Live, BBC Proms in the Park, ‘Live 8’ in summer 2005, and The Queen’s Concerts at Buckingham Palace, for which he was awarded the LVO in The Queen’s Jubilee Honours List. Ruth's diverse and robust background brings a wealth of experience in leadership, public service, and media. Before embarking on her political career, she served in the Territorial Army. This military experience, combined with her subsequent political career, has equipped her with a unique perspective on the importance of national heritage and the role of the military in society. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Board plays a vital role in guiding our business, find out more by listening in now.

Matthew Stadlen sits in and interviews podcaster and former Scottish Tory leader Baroness Ruth Davidson live from the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about the future of the Conservative Party, whether she’ll make a return to frontline politics, why she thinks Labour is wrong, imposter syndrome and more!

Lorna Hughes, John Ferguson and Douglas Dickie discuss Scottish Labour's Manifesto launch, the impact the fall out from the Deposit Return Scheme could have on the election and examine Ruth Davidson's words as she hits out at Nicola Sturgeon's TV appearance on election night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 3rd March 2021, Sarah Everard was murdered by Wayne Couzens, an off-duty police officer. The incident sparked national outrage and a surge in fighting violence against women and girls. Three years on, how much has changed? Emma Barnett speaks to the Detective Inspector who interviewed Wayne Couzens, Nick Harvey, and former Detective Superintendent Shabnam Chaudri. If you’ve browsed through political podcasts recently, you’d be forgiven for thinking the guys have got that particular market cornered. There’s The Rest is Politics with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, Political Currency with Ed Balls and George Osborne, and Politics at Jack and Sam’s. That may be about to change, with an all-female line-up on new podcast Electoral Dysfunction, featuring Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour MP Jess Phillips and Conservative peer and former Scottish party leader Ruth Davidson. Jess and Ruth join Emma Barnett to tell her what they’ll be covering. Poet Hollie McNish is back with a new book, with her unique and hugely relatable take on all kinds of taboos, on subjects ranging from friendships, parenthood and breastfeeding, to periods, UTIs and vulvas. Her live readings are often blush inducing, with plenty of adult content and strong language. She’s talking to Emma Barnett about her inspiration behind the book of poetry and prose ‘Lobster and other things I’m learning to love’. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, better known as CMAT, is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. Playing country-tinged pop, both of her albums have topped the Irish Albums Chart. She was longlisted for the BBC's Sound of 2024 and joins Emma fresh from the BRIT awards, where she was nominated for Best International Artist. Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Emma Pearce

Ruth Davidson, former leader of the Scottish Conservative party joins Calum, Geoff and Andy. She discusses the sympathy she feels for Humza Yousaf given the ongoing SNP crisis. Geoff and Andy say the new First Minister's programme for government is getting lost as the crisis around the SNP continues. Ruth reminisces about preparing for First Minister's Questions - she describes the differing styles of Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. She discusses the future of the Scottish Parliament, her memories of the independence referendum in 2014...and a lot more besides. Recorded Tuesday 18th April. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison chats with former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson about the joys of motherhood, the difficulties of IVF, her love of sport, what attracted her to politics after life at the BBC and about not being too hard on yourself.

This podcast began as a result of Iain Dale’s All Talk show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. Three years on Iain is back in Edinburgh and over the course of the next few weeks we will be bringing you all 11 of his shows on this podcast. Two a week each Wednesday and Saturday. His second guest was former Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson.

Ruth Davidson joins Steve Denyer to pick and play their Pride Playlist songs! Steve Denyer sits down with broadcaster and politician Ruth Davidson as she takes us through the songs that have sound tracked her life. Ruth discusses her career in politics and the transition she’s made into broadcasting, her experience becoming a mother for the first time and coming to terms with her own sexuality. Ruth’s picks range from Pulp to Guns N Roses to P!NK to Coolio…it’s definitely not one to be missed! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, is known for her enthusiastic, joyful approach to life, but twice she’s suffered serious injuries. She also wrote candidly about her struggles with clinical depression in her book, “Yes She Can: Why Women Own The Future.” But she hasn’t allowed any of that to define her . She's found joy campaigning, and what she learned from all of that is really worth hearing.

Ruth Davidson is the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives and now sits in the House of Lords as the Baroness of Lundin Links. On the episode, she speaks to Katy about her happy upbringing as an active tomboy despite a near-death car accident at the age of five; her mother's reaction when she left the BBC to join the Scottish Tories ('she was appalled'); and gave a punchy defence of Theresa May ('I absolutely think the Party did her wrong'). Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.