Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a transfer of powers to enable Holyrood to hold a second independence referendum.
In a letter to the First Minister this morning, Boris Johnson said another independence referendum would cause ‘continued political stagnation’ in Scotland and he urged Ms Sturgeon to work to ‘unleash the potential of this great country.’
I suspect we haven’t heard the last of this …
Commuting into Edinburgh from Fife by car has become “a problem” which can only be solved by better public transport, MSPs have been told. Continue reading Capital car commute has become major problem, MSPs warned
Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, has accused SNP Ministers of failing to do enough to support people to stop smoking. Continue reading Briggs fuming as smoking’s on the rise in Scotland
This year more than £100 million has been spent to mitigate the effects of UK Government austerity and this money could have been better spent on more anti-poverty measures, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said. Continue reading What a waste: Holyrood spends £100 million to mitigate Tory welfare cuts
Holyrood’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today approved the general principles of a bill which seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers in Scotland through the creation of a new public body. Continue reading New consumer body must avoid duplication says Holyrood Committee
Calls for tailored migration policies to support Scottish repopulation
The introduction of any Australian-style points-based immigration system in the UK must recognise Scotland’s unique needs, the Scottish Government has said. Continue reading Warning to Westminster over Australian-style immigration sytem
UK Government legislation puts the prospect of a damaging ‘no deal’ Brexit more firmly back on the table, the Scottish Government has warned.
The Queen’s Speech made clear the UK Government intends to bring forward legislation to ensure there can be no extension to the implementation period beyond 2020, even if no future partnership has been agreed.
According to Scottish Government analysis, the country’s economy would suffer significant damage under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. A ‘no deal’ outcome would cause even more damage with profound consequences for jobs, investment and living standards.
Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Michael Russell said: “Once again the prospect of a disastrous ‘no deal’ Brexit is looming for Scotland if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal.
“The decision to remove Scotland from the European Union, which ignores the will of the Scottish people, is the most serious example of the democratic deficit in our post-devolution relationship with the UK Government.
“A ‘no deal’ Brexit would further and seriously compound the harmful effects of this decision and have a very damaging effect on our economy.”
Scotland’s proposed deposit return scheme will have a real and lasting impact on tackling climate change, according to a report issued today by the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
In its report, the Committee notes that whilst the scheme itself had widespread support, there was disagreement about some aspects of the operation of the system, including what materials should be included, how it will operate and when it will come into effect. Continue reading Holyrood committee welcomes Deposit and Return Scheme proposals
The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has today published its report into Scotland’s funding of the arts and artists where it called for an urgent resetting of arts policy and funding. The Committee’s report is the first Scottish Parliament inquiry to consider the arts funding system as a whole. Continue reading Arts funding needs a greater focus on artists, says Holyrood Committee
Social prescribing, where health professionals prescribe physical activity and sport, is key to tackling Scotland’s health issues, says the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee. Continue reading Holyrood committee backs social prescribing
