The SNP government voted down Sarah Boyack’s Wellbeing and Sustainable Development bill yesterday (Thursday), despite promising to deliver such a bill in their manifesto.
Ms Boyack has been working on this bill since 2021, and it was formally introduced in March 2025.
The SNP Government initially put forward a consultation in 2023 on their own wellbeing and sustainable development bill before not progressing with it.
Ms Boyack highlighted in her speech that the Deputy First Minister had assured her that the Scottish Government would work constructively with her on her bill.
However, the government then came out in opposition to Ms Boyack’s bill.
Dozens of stakeholders and industry experts came out in support of the bill and took part in the consultation process.
The bill aimed to create a Future Generations Commissioner, to deliver guidance and have investigatory powers, to ensure that key policy decisions are made with the long-term interest in mind.
It would also have delivered a legal definition of sustainable development that public bodies would have to abide by.
Speaking after the vote, Ms. Boyack said: “I am extremely disappointed with today’s decision.
“The SNP promised this bill in their manifesto but now vote it down just weeks before an election.
“Instead of ensuring Scotland is a world leader in sustainable development, the SNP Government has kicked the issue into the long grass.
“I hope after the election, the new government takes this issue on board and finally cements joined up, long-term thinking into Scottish policy making and decisions.
“I am certain Scotland can and will be a world leader in sustainable development and deliver the change people urgently need but we must have a government that is willing to prioritise the long-term over short-term gains.”
The Commissioner has initiated legal proceedings following the Scottish Government’s failure to comply with the timescales set out in a recent decision relating to the James Hamilton report:
Statement on Scottish Government compliance with Decision 281/2025:
The Scottish Information Commissioner has instructed his solicitors to bring legal proceedings against the Scottish Government in the Court of Session.
This follows a failure by the Scottish Government to provide evidence of compliance with a December 2025 decision requiring the Scottish Government to disclose some information relating to the James Hamilton Report into the conduct of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and associated legal advice.
Following the Scottish Government’s failure to comply with an initial deadline of 15 January 2026, the Commissioner wrote to Ministers on the 16 January to warn of legal action if the Scottish Government failed to comply by 22 January 2026.
The Commissioner’s decision in this case requires the disclosure of some of the requested information, while also requiring the Scottish Government to issue a new response in relation to other information, which had been incorrectly withheld on cost grounds.
The Commissioner notes that the full and timely compliance with his Decision Notices is a key element ensuring the effective operation of FOI in Scotland. He will not hesitate in exercising his power to refer non-compliance to the Court of Session in circumstances where an authority fails to comply.
He has, therefore, instructed his solicitors to take the next steps in the certification process to the Court. This is the first time that the Commissioner has made such a report to the Court on non-compliance.
Once certified, the Court may then investigate the matter, and may treat a failure to comply as contempt of court.
COSLA has written to Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, on behalf of Scottish Local Government after the Scottish Budget which took place on the 13th January 2026.
COSLA Leaders have since met to discuss the 2026/27 Scottish Budget and Local Government Settlement. Our Leaders agreed that this year’s settlement is a very poor settlement for local government which fails to address the dire financial situation of local government.
Further, it was noted that the settlement does not offer the urgent financial support required for social care and social work.
Government launches consultation on children’s social media use and bans phones in schools to protect young people’s wellbeing and ensure safer online experiences
Restrictions on addictive features, a ban on social media access for children and better age checks among measures to be considered
Ofsted inspectors tasked with checking mobile phone bans are being properly enforced in schools as stronger and clearer guidance given to headteachers
Ministers to kickstart national conversation with parents on impact of technology on children’s wellbeing with nationwide events to hear views
A consultation will identify the next steps in the government’s plan to boost children’s wellbeing online, ensuring they have a healthy relationship with mobile phones and social media.
The proposals will build on the government’s broader action to ensure every child gets the best start in life, including a revised curriculum and better skills training.
Immediate action will include Ofsted checking school mobile phone policy on every inspection, with schools expected to be phone-free by default thanks to today’s announcement.
Amid concerns that young people’s lives are dominated by too much time in front of devices, the government will support families by producing evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16. This is in addition to guidance for parents of under-fives that will be published in April.
Ministers will examine the most effective ways to go further to ensure children have healthy online experiences, building on the world-leading Online Safety Act.
A consultation on children’s use of technology – backed by a national conversation – will seek views from parents, young people and civil society – with the first events in a nationwide tour to be held in the days ahead. The government will respond to the consultation in the summer.
Evidence from around the world will be examined on a wide range of suggested proposals, including looking at whether a social media ban for children would be effective and if one was introduced how best to make it work. Ministers will visit Australia to learn first-hand from their approach.
The consultation will look at options including raising the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews to avoid excessive use, and restricting potentially addictive design features such as ‘streaks’ and ‘infinite scrolling’.
Tougher guidance for schools on mobile phones will make it even clearer that schools need to be phone-free environments and that pupils should not have access to their devices during lessons, break times, lunch times, or between lessons.
Ofsted will examine both schools’ mobile phone policies and how effectively they are implemented when judging behaviour during inspections. Schools that are struggling will get one-to-one support from Attendance and Behaviour Hub schools that are already effectively implementing phone bans.
Nearly all schools already have mobile phone policies in place – 99.9% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools. However, 58%**of secondary school pupils reported mobile phones being used without permission in at least some lessons, rising to 65% for key stage 4 pupils.(note)
The guidance will be implemented through behaviour management in schools, and by setting out clear expectations for teachers and school staff – including that staff should not use their own mobile phones for personal reasons in front of pupils, setting an example that mobile phones are not necessary in the classroom.
The social media consultation will seek views on a range of measures, including:
determining the right minimum age for children to access social media, including exploring a ban for children under a certain age
exploring ways to improve the accuracy of age assurance for children to support the enforcement of minimum age limits so children have age-appropriate experiences and see age-appropriate content
assessing whether the current digital age of consent is too low
removing or limiting functionalities which drive addictive or compulsive use of social media, such as ‘infinite scrolling’
exploring further interventions to support parents in helping their children navigate the digital landscape, for example further guidance or simpler parental controls
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Through the Online Safety Act, this government has already taken clear, concrete steps to deliver a safer online world for our children and young people.
“These laws were never meant to be the end point, and we know parents still have serious concerns. That is why I am prepared to take further action.
“Technology has huge potential – to create jobs, transform public services, and improve lives. But we will only seize on that potential if people know they and their children are safe online.
“We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them – and to give every child the childhood they deserve.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.
“Our Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will support schools that are struggling to effectively implement phone bans so all our children can learn in phone-free environments.
“This comes alongside our world-leading curriculum reforms which will ensure children build the media and digital literacy skills needed to thrive at work and throughout life.”
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Sir Martyn Oliver, said: “My message to headteachers is you now have all the backing – and the backing of my inspectors – to ban mobile phones in schools immediately.
“They chip away at children’s attention span, distract from learning and can be detrimental to children’s wellbeing.”
The government this week unveiled new world-leading safety standards at the first government-led Global AI in Education Summit. These will inform tech companies to ensure that AI tools in education cannot use addictive or exploitative patterns, or any features which harm children’s social development and learning. Shaped by the feedback from thousands of pupils across the country, these standards will aim to protect children’s learning and wellbeing from over-reliance on AI.
The consultation forms part of a broader government effort to support children and young people, including through the National Youth Strategy, which is looking at ways to enrich children’s lives in the real world.
The Online Safety Act has already given the UK some of the most robust online safety laws in the world, keeping children safer and illegal content off people’s screens. 8 million people now access adult sites with age checks every day, and the number of visitors to pornography sites has reduced by a third since the rules came into force in July 2025, meaning children are less likely to stumble across material they should never see.
Children encountering age checks online has risen from 30% to 47% since the new rules took effect, and 58% of parents believe the measures are already improving children’s safety online. Ofcom is holding platforms to account, with investigations opened into over 80 pornography websites in 2025 and fines issued to companies that fail to protect young people. (note)
The government has gone further still. Cyberflashing is now a priority offence, so people are better protected from receiving unsolicited nude images. Content encouraging serious self-harm must be actively removed before it can cause harm. And the government has announced plans to ban AI ‘nudification’ tools outright, while working to stop children being able to take, share or view nude images on their devices.
These new proposals would build on this progress, specifically addressing features that can lead to excessive use, regardless of what children are viewing.
The work of organisations and individual campaigners, such as Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger, has been commended by the Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee as it backs proposals that would minimise the use of restraint and seclusion in Scotland’s schools.
In circumstances where restraint and seclusion must be used, schools would need to follow legal guidelines, which includes informing parents or carers if their child is subject to restraint and seclusion and this use.
The Committee unanimously supported these general principles, but in doing so, expressed its disappointment at the amount of time it had taken for changes to be made despite the tireless efforts of campaigners.
Evidence, including personal testimonies, presented to the Committee was concerning, with witnesses raising their fears that restraint and seclusion was too often seen as a first approach. The Committee was particularly concerned by the inappropriate use of the practice on children with an additional support need or disability.
The Committee’s report recommends improvements to the Bill, including refining the definitions of restraint and seclusion to avoid any ambiguity or unintended consequences and ensuring same day informing on the use of restraint and seclusion for parents or carers.
Speaking as the report was published, Committee Convener Douglas Ross MSP said:“We unanimously support the general principles of this Bill, which will be a vital tool in ensuring the safety of children and young people in Scotland’s schools.
“Our Committee heard disturbing evidence about the use of restraint and seclusion. This practice is being carried out inconsistently and, worryingly, sometimes parents are not even aware restraint and seclusion have been used. Scotland needs a consistent approach, which makes restraint and seclusion a last resort. That’s why it’s important that this Bill becomes law.
“There is still some work to be done to ensure the Bill fully achieves its aims, however we must commend the campaigners, including Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger, for raising this issue in Parliament, and Daniel Johnson MSP, who brought forward this much needed Bill.”
Legislation to implement the draft 2026-27 Budget with record funding for the NHS, landmark policies to tackle child poverty and enhanced cost of living support has been published.
The Budget Bill allows parliament to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s spending proposals of almost £68 billion before votes next month.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she hoped to secure support from across parliament as she urged constructive engagement with the next steps of the process.
Ms Robison said: “Our spending plans provide help for hard-pressed families and businesses alongside investment in public services and infrastructure.
“The Budget expands our game-changing efforts to eradicate child poverty and provides greater opportunities to attain the necessary skills to gain from, and contribute to, our economy.
“Following earlier cross-parliament engagement, priorities of opposition members are included alongside the Scottish Government’s spending plans, including more money to improve neurodevelopmental assessments and care for children and young people.
“It is a budget worth voting for, and we will continue to seek to work constructively to ensure it passes.”
Proposed income tax rates and bands, which will apply from April, are set out in a Scottish Rate Resolution that is subject to a separate vote before the final stage of the Bill.
The 2026-27 Budget includes:
a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, including a record £17.6 billion for NHS boards and resources to begin the national rollout of walk-in GP clinics, making it easier to access same-day appointments
significant extra funding for universities and colleges, with colleges seeing a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, equivalent to a 10% uplift, targeted support to help retrain workers in the oil and gas sector and ongoing commitment to Scotland’s apprenticeships, which this year will provide more than 31,000 Scots with a pathway to sustainable, well-paid jobs
a cost of living package to: help families with funding to trial a programme of activities in a range of primary schools between 3-6pm; a Summer of Sport – free children’s sporting activities, including lessons on how to swim for every primary school child in the country; and a breakfast club for every primary school by August 2027
funding to increase Scottish Child Payment to £28.20 per week and investment to allow the introduction of a premium payment of £40 per week for eligible children under 12 months from 2027-28, bolstering efforts to drive down child poverty
continued investment in Scotland’s existing cost of living measures, including free prescriptions, free eye examinations, removal of peak rail fares on Scotrail, free tuition fees for young Scots, free school meals for thousands of children, including all pupils in P1 to P5, and free bus travel for under-22s and over-60s
Workforce pressures, resource constraints and severe overcrowding are exacerbating issues related to substance misuse in Scotland’s prisons, says the Criminal Justice Committee.
The Committee’s inquiry into substance misuse in prisons looked at how substances enter Scotland’s prison estate, the impact of substances in prisons, and rehabilitation and support services.
The Committee found that substance misuse in custody remains a systemic challenge across the prison estate, and reflects deep-rooted societal issues such as poverty, trauma, inequality and mental ill-health. It says systemic reform which treats substance misuse in Scotland’s prisons as a public health issue, not a justice one, is essential to tackle it effectively.
Evidence is highlighted by the Committee of prison healthcare teams often operating under pressures that would be deemed unacceptable in community settings, including chronic understaffing, limited clinical space, high levels of acuity, and inadequate digital infrastructure.
The Committee say persistent and extreme overcrowding in prisons also acts as a major barrier to preventing substance misuse issues and providing effective care.
Highlighting the variations in healthcare provision between NHS Boards and wider health system failings, the Committee say that without significant improvement to the capacity, governance and integration of health and social care services for people in custody, prisons will struggle to absorb unmet clinical needs.
On supply and security, the Committee found that total prohibition is unrealistic in an era of synthetic cannabinoids and nitazenes, and that organised-crime networks continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the prison environment.
Although improved technology and the use of window grilles can limit supply, the Committee say success must be measured by reductions in harm and demand, not simply by the number of seizures.
Mental-health care is an area of particular concern to the Committee and the report highlights evidence of inconsistent access across the prison estate. The Committee is calling for parity between custody and community services to reduce harm and improve post-release outcomes.
The Committee say data gaps limit understanding of the true scale of the harm of substance misuse in prisons and the effectiveness of interventions, and more must be done to improve data transparency and evaluation.
The vital importance of the transition from prison to the community for individuals dealing with substance misuse is highlighted in the report. The Committee say the period after release poses the highest risk of overdose and death and that every individual should leave custody with an integrated, person-centred release plan, including verified prescriptions, housing, and GP registration.
The significant emotional and psychological strain prison officers, healthcare staff, and voluntary-sector partners face is also highlighted. The Committee say increased support and a trauma-informed approach must apply to staff as well as those in custody.
This inquiry has highlighted that tackling substance misuse requires a whole-system approach. The Committee has agreed to continue working with justice partners, health services, and communities to deliver meaningful change.
Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said:“Our inquiry illustrates clearly that substance misuse in Scotland’s prisons is not simply a justice issue, it is a public health one and can only be tackled effectively by being treated as such.
“The evidence we have gathered reveals a prison system and staff under extreme pressure, with issues such as under-resourced services and overcrowding exacerbating the myriad impacts of substance misuse in prisons. The goal is clear: to break the cycle of addiction and reoffending, and to protect lives.
“It’s clear more must be done to reduce pressure on the workforce and reduce overcrowding, and ensure adequate resourcing of services, particularly specialist staff – all of which are vital to tackle substance misuse in prisons.
“But these issues cannot be understood in isolation from the broader social determinants of health and justice. Systemic reform which prioritises recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration is essential in order to begin to tackle the complex and intertwined issues related to substance misuse.
“Our Committee is determined that this inquiry is not the endpoint of scrutiny, but the foundation for continuing parliamentary oversight of progress in reducing drug and alcohol harms in custody and improving outcomes for individuals.
“The Committee recognises the extraordinary efforts of prison officers, healthcare staff, and voluntary-sector partners who operate daily in difficult and often dangerous circumstances. We’d like to thank everyone who has engaged with our inquiry and informed our scrutiny.”
On Monday 19 January, the Edinburgh Union will host a landmark debate on the motion: This House Has No Confidence in the Scottish Government Ahead of the Holyrood Election.
With the Holyrood election fast-approaching, this debate will examine the legacy of nearly two decades of SNP governance and assess the Scottish Government’s record across key policy areas. The event will bring together MSPs and election candidates from across Scotland’s major political parties to debate the motion and put their arguments directly to the audience.
Alongside guest speakers including Paul McLennan MSP, Katherine Sangster, and Alex Cole Hamilton MSP, student speakers from the University of Edinburgh will also take opposing sides in the debate.
The audience, comprising students and academics from across Edinburgh’s universities, will have the opportunity to question speakers and ultimately vote on whether they retain confidence in the Scottish Government ahead of the upcoming election.
This debate marks the beginning of the Edinburgh Union’s summer term programme. Following a series of sold-out events last semester, the Union continues its mission to provide a platform for open, rigorous debate on contemporary political and cultural issues in Scotland’s capital.
The forthcoming term card includes debates on whether immigration is the biggest issue facing the UK, and if NATO can solve modern security challenges – as well as a Varsity debate against the Cambridge Union.
Each debate takes place in Rainy Hall, New College, and offers audience members the opportunity to engage directly with speakers from across the political spectrum in a traditional Union-style format.
Finn Tyson, President of the Edinburgh Union, said: “With the Holyrood election approaching, this debate gives students and the wider academic community the chance to assess the record of the Scottish Government and directly question candidates seeking to govern Scotland.
“The Edinburgh Union exists to foster open, challenging, and respectful debate. Our events are open to all students, and we are proud to bring together voices from across the political spectrum to start this semester with an event centered on democratic engagement and rigorous discussion.”
At yesterday’s meeting of the city council’s Finance and Resource Committee (Thursday 15 January) the Scottish Greens presented an amendment which drew attention to a £15m Scottish government budget cut to community organisations and the end of Investment in Communities.
The shock proposed cut by the Scottish government risks a long list of local community groups being left high and dry as core funding for charities continues to be a pressing issue in the city (see list below).
Finance spokesperson Alex Staniforth said, “We’re glad our amendment passed at committee and officers will investigate the impact of these proposed cuts, but every time we think we’ve got a handle on cuts to the third sector some other proposal comes forward to squeeze it still further.
“The Scottish government should reflect on whether this is the best way to save £15 million given the vital work community organisations do in the city.”
List of Edinburgh organisations potentially affected:
About Youth, Calder Youth Action Project (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £105,822
Community Renewal Trust, Our Neighbourhood: A new hyperlocal Community Wealth Building partnership, City of Edinburgh, £300,732
Dr. Bell’s Family Centre, Start Well, Live Well: Wellbeing Support for Families in Leith, City of Edinburgh, £348,067
Edinburgh Food Social Cic, Changing Craigmillar Food Culture, City of Edinburgh, £325,847
Fresh Start, Fresh Connections, City of Edinburgh, £280,201
North Edinburgh Arts, North Edinburgh Arts Link Up, City of Edinburgh, £331,400
Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, Together We Can, City of Edinburgh, £350,000
The Venchie Children And Young People’s Project, Family Support Service, City of Edinburgh, £208,732
Transition Edinburgh South (Scotland) Ltd, Investing in Gracemount, City of Edinburgh, £302,196
Whale, The Arts Agency, Creativity, Place and Enterprise in Wester Hailes (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £332,494
37 organisations have joined us in our call for Scotland’s political parties to show their commitment to keeping the promise to children, young people, families, and care experienced adults.
With clear focus, brave decision-making, and sustained cross-party support in Parliament over the next five years, Scotland can keep the promise.
Thank you to all the partners and collaborators that have joined us so far.
If your organisation would like to sign the open letter, it is not too late and every voice counts.
