The possession of illicit drugs for personal use should be decriminalised, a report by MPs has said. Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee also recommends the UK government should allow so-called fix rooms in Scotland in a bid to tackle drug misuse.
Drug-related deaths in Scotland reached an all-time high of 1,187 last year. Continue reading Westminster committee calls for drugs decriminalisation in Scotland
MSPs from all five elected parties to the Scottish Parliament have backed Aberlour Child Care Trust’s campaign to tackle child poverty and inequality in Scotland. Continue reading Holyrood politicians back Aberlour’s child poverty campaign
Scotland’s economy would suffer significant damage under the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, according to Scottish Government analysis. Continue reading “No Brexit can be a good Brexit”: Scottish Government publishes impact study
Edinburgh’s SNP MPs, MSPs and Councillors have jointly written to Kevin Stewart MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, calling for new initiatives to tackle problematic short-term letting in the capital. Continue reading ‘Team Edinburgh SNP’ calls for strong action on short term lets
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay has written to businesses to urge them to prepare for the consequences of Brexit, and inform them of the support available from the Scottish Government. Continue reading Supporting businesses through Brexit
The SNP has announced that Sarah Masson will stand as their candidate in Edinburgh West at the next UK general election. Continue reading SNP announce Edinburgh West candidate
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill “will now be paused” after MPs voted against the accelerated timetable for the Brexit Bill. The withdrawal is now subject to weeks of scrutiny.
It was the second vote of the night. The first was a win for the government – a rare occurrence in recent times – when MPs supported Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement in principle. This result was notable in that it was the first time MPs have shown their backing for any Brexit deal, but it was soon back to ‘business as usual’ as parliament voted to reject the government’s proposals to railroad the Bill through in just three days.
With the Bill now ‘in limbo’, it’s clear that the 31 October date for leaving the EU will not be met.
EU leaders will now consider whether to grant a delay to the 31 October Brexit deadline and what length it should be. It is possible, if unlikely, that EU members won’t approve the extension and if that’s the case the UK will ‘crash out’, leaving the EU without a deal on 31 October.
With parliament seemingly incapable of reaching agreement over Brexit, a general election is looking increasingly likely. And while all political parties say they would welcome a general election, there is a real possibility that, depending on the result, a general election may resolve nothing at all.
Another day, another drama at Westminster yesterday. The Government attempted to bring forward a “yes” or “no” vote on its Brexit deal but was rebuffed by Speaker John Bercow (above), who said it would be “repetitive and disorderly” to debate it again. Continue reading Brexit Bill: Opposition, Scotland and Wales all want more time to have their say
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to EU leaders requesting an extension after his latest plan was rejected by MPs yesterday. Parliament instead voted in favour of an amendment withholding approval of Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal until all the necessary legislation to completed. Continue reading Brexit: Nil desperandum, Boris?
A new £1 million wave of UK government advertising to encourage EU citizens to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme has launched. It builds on the £3.75 million campaign which supported the full Scheme launch in March. Continue reading Home Office launches £1 million advertising campaign for EU Settlement Scheme
