While MPs debate small fixes to budgets, we look at the human cost of years of cuts and austerity.

From hollowed out health services, to public sector strikes, the problems run deep.

The team also looks at Unison’s targeted industrial action in Perthshire, as council staff look for elusive money.

In a special episode of The Stooshie, The Press and Journal's Adele Merson and The Courier's Alasdair Clark are joined by Perth MP Pete Wishart and former Scottish political editor Alan Roden to remember former first minister Alex Salmond after his sudden death on Saturday.

They discuss Alex Salmond's complex legacy and the difficult set of emotions many of his friends and former colleagues are dealing with, as well as tales from his early days and an insight into what it was like to cover him as a reporter.

From Scotland to Georgia, this week’s episode covers a lot of ground.

We get to grips with Labour’s shaky start, Dundee election setbacks and winter fuel payment woes.

We discuss our exclusive reporting on the human cost of long waits for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction in Grampian.

And we speak to Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP Stephen Gethins on why political unrest in Georgia, on the border of Russia, matters here.

Alistair Wilson was murdered on his doorstep 20 years ago.

The case was raised with First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament last week.

Crime reporter Bryan Rutherford describes why this case is now at boiling point, and why the government and chief constable need to find answers.

The parents of Linda Norgrove, the Scottish aid worker killed in Afghanistan in 2010, speak to the Stooshie about her life and legacy.

John and Lorna described their daughter’s determined efforts to help women in the country, one month after 19 students were able to come to Scotland to continue their studies.

They talk about Linda’s adventurous spirit, her commitment to supporting young women in Afghanistan and the shock of losing her.

They say how pleased Linda would be to see the opportunities open up for the students now safely studying in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and St Andrews.

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides.

In this interview, we hear from Blair Jenkins, the chief of Yes Scotland.

He reflects on the highs and lows, reveals what happened next behind the scenes, and suggests the country would say Yes if asked again.

Look out for our second interview, published at the same time, with Better Together chief strategist Blair McDougall.

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides.

In this interview, we hear from Blair McDougall, the chief strategist of pro-UK group Better Together.

He recalls working with the late Alistair Darling, political rivals, and considers if they took the right approach for a more definitive result.

Look out for our second interview, published at the same time, with Yes Scotland chief Blair Jenkins.

Prison overcrowding is back in the headlines as some inmates are released early.

But it’s not just prisoners serving their sentences, there are also big problems with the number of people on remand.

We speak to Hamish Robertson, from the Wise Group, about a new project to tackle root problems, starting with a mentoring scheme in Perth.