Tag: Scottish Parliament

Cash call for crumbling colleges

More funding, more flexibility, and clearer priorities need to be given to Scotland’s college sector according to a report issued by Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.

The Committee have been looking at the progress of the regionalisation of Scotland’s college system. Their new report has found that while the reforms have had some positive impacts, Scotland’s colleges are being held back by funding issues. The Committee is now urging the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to do more.

The Committee is extremely concerned about the significant back log in maintenance work that Scotland’s colleges need. Its report highlights a survey from 2017, which disclosed that one third of the college estate was not wind or watertight. This will also counter any progress with the sector reaching its net zero targets.

In response, the Scottish Funding Council told the Committee that it was providing colleges with around £30 million per year for maintenance. Yet a briefing from Audit Scotland said that this figure meant there was a £321 million shortfall in maintenance funding since 2018-19.

The briefing said that maintenance needs “…pose a risk to colleges’ ability to maintain the suitability and safety of their buildings.”

Scottish Government reforms to the college landscape began in 2012, resulting in the creation of 13 college regions. It was hoped that college provision would be better aligned with employer and learner needs, helping meet national ambitions for jobs and growth.

The report finds that the reforms have had some positive outcomes. The creation of ‘colleges of scale’, which are better placed to engage with educational and economic partners, is one such positive. The report also credits regionalisation with helping to widen access to higher education.

The Committee compliments colleges for their good work in the report, noting that they support skills development and platforms for lifelong learning. The report also says colleges play a critical role in helping the Scottish Government deliver its economic strategy.

However, the financial issues identified by the report are likely to become more pronounced. Colleges must meet net-zero commitments by 2045.

To help, the report asks the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to ensure colleges have greater flexibility. Changes to colleges’ finances and goals are viewed as vital in ensuring their financial sustainability and delivering on their ambitions to support both the learner and the economy.

Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “Our report lays bare the shortcomings of the current funding model and the lack of flexibility our colleges have.

“During our inquiry we heard witnesses express frustration about colleges finances. The challenges colleges face will make it more difficult for them to respond to Scotland’s needs and priorities.

“However, the critical findings in our report are not a reflection on the hard work of colleges or their staff. Colleges continue to deliver high-quality, highly respected qualifications and professional training.

“Regionalisation has been, on balance, beneficial, but we want to help colleges meet the ambitions of all Scots. The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council must work together to ensure our colleges have more cash, more flexibility, or clearer priorities.”

Cultural communities – is enough being done to support culture at community level?

What cultural activities are happening in communities across Scotland? This is just one question being asked by the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee as it starts a new inquiry.

The inquiry will see the Committee look at the Scottish Government’s Cultural Strategy, which focuses on what it calls a ‘place-based’ approach. The Committee will look at what this means for communities up and down the country and what barriers are in the way to developing local cultural activities.

Now the Committee want to hear from those who participate, attend or organise cultural activities in their local areas. It wants to find out what more needs to be done to support these activities and what difference they make to people’s lives.

Speaking as the inquiry launched, Committee Convener Clare Adamson MSP said: “Scotland has a rich cultural heritage and the very heart of that lies within our local communities. From community choirs to book clubs, local galas to theatre groups, there are a huge range of activities taking place each and every day.

“But these activities are not always easy to access or indeed organise, so we want to find out what support is needed to make these events happen. And importantly, where this support should come from.

“Culture enriches us all and this is especially true for our communities. Which is why we want to hear directly from those at the very heart of Scotland’s local communities.”

Questions the Committee is asking include:

  • What are the key factors that support you to attend or participate in cultural activities?
  • What support has there been in place to develop and grow cultural activities or events in your local area?
  • What needs to be in place to enable or to support a variety of cultural activities or events being organised and delivered in your local area?

The Call for views can be found here: 

https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ceeac/culture-in-communities and is open to 31 March 2023.

Charities and Scottish Parliament host online event to improve how we prevent child sexual abuse in Scotland

  • Stop It Now! Scotland and NSPCC Scotland are today (Wednesday, March 15, 2023) hosting ‘Public Health Approaches to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse’
  • The online event will look at the evidence on preventing sexual abuse and what could be done in Scotland to better protect children before abuse begins and to help with their recovery

Stop It Now! Scotland and the NSPCC are calling on the Scottish Government to develop a national strategy to tackle child sexual abuse that focuses on prevention to make the country a safer place to grow up.

The two charities, which are today hosting an event in partnership with the Scottish Parliament, say working together to stop the abuse from happening in the first place will prevent the devastating impact it has on the mental health of children and adult survivors.

They are urging the Scottish Government to develop a comprehensive and coordinated national approachto prevent child sexual abuse, which involves health, police, education, community safety, children’s services, social services, housing and the wider community. The child protection charities say it is vital that everyone understands what child sexual abuse is and knows how they can be part of preventing it.

A review of UK data revealed that 15 per cent of females and 5 per cent of males will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16. This means at least 80,000 children in Scotland will have been affected by this issue before they leave high school. Although this is thought to be an under-representation of the scale of the problem and the actual number of children who have experienced sexual abuse in Scotland is not known.

The charities say that to understand the numbers of children in Scotland affected and the scale of the suffering it is crucial that a prevalence survey is conducted.  At the event, leading experts will discuss current evidence on preventing child sexual abuse and explore the next steps needed to make Scotland the safest country for children to grow up.

Joanne Smith, NSPCC Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, said: “Child sexual abuse has a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“The response, to date, has focused largely on bringing perpetrators to justice and providing some children with therapy and support. But we believe that as a society our focus should be on preventing child sexual abuse before it occurs, before people at risk of abusing become offenders, and before potential victims become actual victims. Understanding child sexual abuse, and what causes it, is a vital step towards developing effective prevention strategies.”

Stuart Allardyce, Director, Lucy Faithfull Foundation / Stop It Now! Scotland, said: “We are calling on the Scottish Government to carry out a dedicated prevalence survey to identify the levels of sexual offending against children in Scotland, alongside a national strategy for tackling child sexual abuse.

“We know that sexual abuse has an enormous impact on the mental health outcomes for children and adult survivors and the economic costs for the criminal justice system.

“We believe sexual harm towards children and young people could be reduced if we focused more on prevention, including therapy being offered to adults who are worried about their sexual thoughts and feelings towards children.”

Childlight, based at the University of Edinburgh, also launches the first comprehensive global data repository today, which will look at all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), with the aim of being able to show the scale and nature of this abuse. 

The international team, made up of experienced individuals from academia, the private sector, law enforcement and non-governmental organisations, will produce an annual report, global dashboard and index with the data that can be used by tech companies, law enforcement agencies and those who work in child protection so they can take action to prevent CSEA. 

Speakers at the online event will include:

  • Professor Elizabeth Letourneau, Moore Centre for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, School of Public Health, John Hopkins University
  • Pat Branigan, Assistant Director – Together For Childhood – NSPCC
  • Stuart Allardyce, Director, Lucy Faithfull Foundation / Stop It Now! Scotland
  • MSP Clare Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People

Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice 24 hours a day online at www.childline.org.uk or on the phone on 0800 1111.

Anyone with concerns about a child’s wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on help@nspcc.org.uk. The NSPCC practitioners provide free and confidential help and advice and can take appropriate steps to help keep children safe. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Holyrood approves 3% rent cap

Emergency protections for tenants extended

Private rent increases will be capped at 3% and restrictions will remain on enforcement of evictions under measures approved today by MSPs.

The changes to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act will mean that from 1 April 2023:

  • If a private landlord chooses to increase a tenant’s rent mid-tenancy, the increase will be capped at 3%
  • Private landlords will alternatively be able to apply for a rent increase of up to 6% to help cover certain increases in costs in defined and limited circumstances
  • Enforcement of evictions will continue to be paused for up to six months except in a number of specified circumstances
  • Increased damages for unlawful evictions of up to 36 months’ worth of rent will continue to apply

These measures will be extended to 30 September, provided they remain necessary, with the option to extend for another six-month period if required.

As previously announced, the social sector rent freeze has been replaced with agreements from landlords to keep any rent increase for 2023-24 well below inflation. The rent cap for student accommodation is to be suspended, recognising its limited impact on annual rents set on the basis of an academic year.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has given tenants across the rented sector additional protection as we continue to live through these challenging and uncertain economic times.

“It is clear that many households in the private rented sector in particular continue to struggle, which is why we are capping in-tenancy rent increases in the private sector at 3% from next month, with safeguards in place recognising the effects the cost of living crisis may have on some landlords. Our restrictions on evictions will continue across all sectors, with the social sector rent cap having been replaced with voluntary agreements from landlords to keep rents affordable.

“We will continue to keep these measures under review, ensuring they remain necessary and proportionate to the challenges at hand.”

The evictions moratorium pauses enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the cost of living crisis except in a number of specified circumstances. Evictions can be delayed for a maximum of 6 months while the measures are in force.

Landlords can apply to Rent Service Scotland (RSS) to increase rent to partially cover specific costs including increased mortgage interest payments on the property they are letting, an increase in landlords’ insurance or increases in service charges paid as part of a tenancy, subject to an overall limit. This limit is currently set at 3% of total rent. From 1 April the limit will be increased to 6%. In effect this retains the ability for landlords to raise rents at a level of 3% above the cap.

Under the agreement on social rents for 2023-24, COSLA has committed to keeping local authority rent increases to an average of no more than £5 a week. Members of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations have reported planned increases averaging 6.1%.

Criminal Justice Committee publish report on Bail and Release Bill

Despite members agreeing that there are some useful provisions in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill, the Criminal Justice Committee has been unable to form a majority view on whether to agree to its general principles.

A lack of sufficient explanation about the bill’s intended purpose, its effects and detail about how some of the provisions will be delivered meant some Committee members could not agree to its general principles.

As part of its scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee looked into the issue of remand in Scotland and why Scotland’s remand population has increased in recent years to one of the highest in the UK and EU.

While acknowledging the impact of COVID on increasing overall remand numbers, they say they have not been provided with data which properly quantifies what the Bill’s impact may be on the efforts to reduce the number of individuals on remand.

All Members identified the need for adequate resourcing if the Bill is to meet its policy objectives.  While the Committee welcome the opportunity for justice social workers to input into each bail decision by a judge, concerns are raised around the resources being provided to meet this potential change.

Provisions in the Bill on prisoner throughcare on release from prison are welcomed by the Committee, but they warn that unless sufficient resources are made available, the policy objective of reducing reoffending and supporting reintegration into the community will not be achieved.

The Committee also scrutinised a potential change to the bail test, highlighting evidence from witnesses who said it isn’t clear if the proposed change is intended to be a minor reframing of the rules, or a more fundamental reform.

The Committee recognise the good intentions behind this change but conclude that it fails to address the concerns of Lord Carloway (Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland) that the legislation will “introduce an unnecessary, cumbersome and artificial process” without changing outcomes in bail decision making.

Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: “Our Committee see the merits of many aspects of this Bill, however concerns from some Members over its overall purpose, its impact and around adequate resourcing mean we have not been able to reach a consensus on its general principles at Stage 1.

“The Bill would make a number of changes to the bail and release system in Scotland and it is fundamental that the rationale for these changes is made clear, and that detail of how these changes will be delivered and resourced is outlined.

“It’s now up to Parliament as a whole to decide whether this Bill proceeds to Stage 2.

“We’d like to thank everyone who contributed their views and have helped inform our scrutiny of this Bill.”

Other conclusions in the report include:

  • Releasing a prisoner on a Friday should be avoided until adequate public and third sector services can be provided to support prisoners, as there is a risk that access to housing, healthcare and benefits support is challenging on this day of the week. People released on a Friday may need to wait until the following Monday for support, increasing the risk of reoffending or making them more vulnerable to others.
  • Highlighting deficiencies in the current victim engagement system and calling on the Scottish Government to consider whether further information can be provided to victims to give them confidence that bail conditions are being policed and necessary action taken in the case of a reported breach.
  • The Committee say they are not wholly persuaded of the necessity to permanently enshrine the power to release prisoners early in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill as this power is already included in the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Act 2022.
  • The Committee say more must be done by the Scottish Government to convince victims of crime of the merits of repealing section 23D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. Section 23D sets out a presumption against bail for those accused of violent/sexual/domestic abuse offences or drug trafficking offences in solemn proceedings, where they have a previous conviction of a similar nature.

A Parliament for All: Reforms to strengthen representation and participation at Holyrood unveiled

Over the last year, the Scottish Parliament has been carrying out an audit looking at barriers to equal representation and participation at Holyrood.

A cross-party board established in early 2022 to look at the representation and influence of women at Holyrood published its recommendations yesterday.

They include:

  • Rule changes to guarantee women’s representation on key bodies and groups such as committees, the Parliamentary Bureau and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
  • A rule change to ensure there are no single sex parliamentary committees.
  • The establishment of a forum for women MSPs to discuss issues of mutual interest.
  • A review of the Parliament’s sitting time data to determine what changes need to be made to limit unpredictability of sitting times and maximise inclusion and wellbeing.
  • The permanent introduction of a proxy voting scheme covering parental leave, illness and caring/bereavement leave.
  • The establishment of an Advisory Group to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and make sure progress continues.

Read the report: ‘A Parliament for all’

The report acknowledges that the Parliament has made good progress since 1999 in a number of areas. But the audit showed that there have been fluctuations over time in the number of women in leadership and decision-making roles. This suggests that equal representation of women is not yet embedded within the Parliament, nor is it guaranteed going forward.

The audit found that women are less likely than men to intervene in debates and to participate in First Minister’s Question Time. Other findings suggest that women tend to be under-represented in some committees such as Finance, Audit and Standards and Procedures.

Launching the report, Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, said: “We currently have the highest percentage of women elected to the Parliament since 1999, and women are well represented in some of our key positions. However, history shows us that progress cannot be taken for granted.

“The package of measures published today is designed to strengthen equal representation and participation at Holyrood.

“Having women in key roles and ensuring they are properly represented across the Parliament helps bring different voices and perspectives to decisions.

“This report is only the first step towards substantive reform. I believe that the recommendations will help drive institutional change over the short, medium and longer-term.

“I am very grateful to Dr Fiona McKay and the Board for all their work on the audit and report over this past year. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to make sure that these recommendations are implemented.”

Commenting on the report, Dr Meryl Kenny, a member of the board and the University of Edinburgh said; “The recommendations together promise an inclusive Scottish Parliament for the twenty first century; one that in its work, procedures, and institutional culture is representative and effective.”

Her colleague, Professor Sarah Childs, another board member added: “This report marks an important moment, with Scotland building on its record and joining a growing number of countries around the world committed to reforms that will gender sensitise its parliament.”

The report states that short, medium and long-term measures are needed to secure the lasting impact of cultural change and that further research, data collection, monitoring and adjustment of new rules and reforms, will be essential.

It also calls for an advisory body, made up of cross-party MSPs, to be appointed to oversee the effective delivery of the recommendations, drive forward the Parliament’s overall progress and ensure alignment with internationally recognised standards.

You can read the report with the full set of recommendations:

Gender-Sensitive-AuditDownload

Scotland must turn its back on poverty-related stigma, say MSPs and activists

A new report published by Holyrood’s Cross Party Group on Poverty says that bias against people in poverty affects their mental health and wellbeing, makes it harder to access the support they are entitled to, lessens their educational chances and makes policies designed to tackle poverty less effective.

Group convener Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said: “Scotland is a place that believes in compassion and justice, but people in poverty and on low incomes are having to face almost daily prejudice. That’s just not right, and it must stop.

“Poverty is caused by an unjust economy, and a social security system that doesn’t meet people’s needs. Our inquiry has found that the way people talk about poverty matters, and can have a clear impact on people on low incomes. That’s especially true when the people talking are politicians, in the media, or those delivering the public services that we all rely on.

“It’s time for everyone in Scotland to turn our back on these unjust attitudes and behaviours, and to call it out when they come across it. We’ll be a better, fairer, more just society as a result.”

Since January last year, the Group has been carrying out an inquiry into the stigma associated with poverty in Scotland today, hearing evidence from people with lived experience of living in poverty and on low incomes.

One disabled participant speaking to the Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “It can be difficult if you have a hidden impairment – people think there is nothing wrong with you or you are ‘at it’. My adviser at the Department for Work & Pensions actually said ‘This is not a disability’.”

One 15-year-old school pupil told the Child Poverty Action Group: “Well, I think if all of your friends or people you know go to the after-school clubs, school trips, that kind of isolates you from them. You’re singled out, you’re not with them, just a spare person.”

Another 12-year-old pupil said: “They talk behind your back [about what you wear] and stand staring at you.”

The Group heard evidence about the difficulties faced by parents on low incomes. The Child Poverty Action Group spoke to parents and caregivers heard about the ‘guilt, embarrassment and shame’ they are often made to feel about their financial situation.

Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “We all have a right to social support, and no-one should be made to feel ashamed for using it. We are recommending that more investment is made into making sure every household is able to get all the help they’re entitled to.”

The inquiry report highlights how involving people with experience of poverty can make public services better. The new Social Security Scotland agency was praised for its work to make sure staff know how important it is to treat people with dignity and respect.

The Group is calling for people who work with the public in Scotland to be trained about the reality of poverty, and for a strong stand against language and behaviour that stigmatises people on low incomes.

And the report also recommends making education about poverty part of Scotland’s national curriculum for schools, helping to project young people from its effects and giving them the tools and confidence to call it out and stand up against it.

Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “The submissions to this inquiry have highlighted that poverty-related stigma is extensive and deep-rooted in Scotland.

“It is impacting people’s mental health and wellbeing, erecting barriers to accessing support, restricting educational attainment, and influencing the design and resourcing of policies that can tackle poverty.

“Now is the time to end it.”

Report-of-the-inquiry-into-stigma-CPG-on-PovertyDownload

Focus on the future at Holyrood’s International Women’s Day event

Two pupils from a high school in Cumbernauld will address over 350 women in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Saturday 4 March) as part of this year’s International Women’s Day event.

Zara De Almeida and Grace Lennon both in S5 at Our Lady’s High School, Cumbernauld, will address this year’s theme of breaking the bias, at the event which is held jointly with the Scottish Women’s Convention.

The First Minister the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the Chamber, along with comedian Susan Morrison and academic Dr Radhika Govinda.

A cross party panel of MSPs (Meghan Gallacher MSP; Rhoda Grant MSP; Kaukab Stewart MSP; and Beatrice Wishart MSP) will also take questions from those attending.

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, speaking ahead of the event said: “The Scottish Parliament has celebrated International Women’s Day with this event for over 15 years, inviting women from across Scotland to address collectively the challenges they face.” 

Agnes Tolmie, Chair of the Scottish Women’s Convention said: “Women make up more than 50% of the Scottish population and we have still not achieved equality.

“However, when we look at the wonderful work done by women in Scotland we have every reason to celebrate. We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase Scotland’s achievements in working for a fairer society.”

Women from across Scotland will join the event at the Parliament, including 60 high school pupils from S4 to S6 from Our Ladies High School, Cumbernauld; Drumchapel High School; Govan High School; St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch; University of Edinburgh’s Women in Politics society; and members of the Digital Dairy Chain from the University of Strathclyde. 

The event will be broadcast by the Scottish Parliament and will begin at 2.00pm on Saturday 4 March.

Scottish Parliament seeks your views on latest Gaelic language plan

The Scottish Parliament has published its draft Gaelic Language Plan, which lays out its commitments to supporting and promoting the use of Gaelic within the organisation.

It is consulting on the plan and is looking for views from members of the public on the proposed priorities set out before a final plan is published later this year.

Announcing the draft Gaelic Language Plan, Presiding Officer The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life.

“Since this Parliament passed the Gaelic Language Act of 2005, public bodies in Scotland have had a legal duty to promote the increased learning and use of Gaelic. This draft plan sets out how we propose to do that over the next five years.”

Members of the public can tell Parliament what they think about the Gaelic Language plan through an online consultation platform. Fluent speakers, and those learning the language, are especially invited to share their views on both the continuing, and new commitments, made in the plan.

The link to the consultation platform can be found here.

The Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic Development Officer, Dr Alasdair MacCaluim, said: “From visible signage around the building, to the provision of a Gaelic email and telephone service for the public to contact us on, we are proud of the prominence that Gaelic has at Holyrood. We’ll be expanding offerings under the new plan as interest in the language grows.

“We invite Gaelic speakers and learners to let us know what they think of our current provisions, and some of the new commitments we’ll be undertaking over the next five years. The feedback we receive will help us to improve the plan and provide an even better service for everyone.”

Tha Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air am Plana Gàidhlig as ùire fhoillseachadh agus tha i a’ sireadh ur cuid bheachdan 

Tha Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air an dreachd den Phlana Ghàidhlig aice fhoillseachadh an-diugh, far a bheil i a’ nochdadh a cuid gheallaidhean gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig an taobh a-staigh na buidhne a chuideachadh is a chur air adhart.

Tha i a’ co-chomhairleachadh air a’ phlana agus i ag iarraidh bheachdan bho dhaoine mu na prìomhachasan a thathar a’ moladh na bhroinn mus tèid am plana deireannach fhoillseachadh nas fhaide air adhart am-bliadhna.

Agus i ag ainmeachadh a’ Phlana Ghàidhlig, thuirt an t-Oifigear Riaghlaidh, am Fìor Urr. Alison Johnstone BPA: “Tha Gàidhlig na mhìr deatamach de dhìleab, de dh`ìomhaigh nàiseanta agus de bheatha chultarail na h-Alba.

“Bho ghabh a’ Phàrlamaid seo ri Achd Ghàidhlig 2005, tha dleastanas laghail air a bhith air buidhnean poblach barrachd ionnsachaidh is cleachdaidh Ghàidhlig a chur air adhart. Tha an dreachd seo den phlana a’ nochdadh mar a tha e san amharc againn sin a dhèanamh thairis air an ath chòig bliadhna.”

Faodaidh daoine innse dhan Phàrlamaid mu na tha iad a’ smaoineachadh mun Phlana Ghàidhlig tron làrach cho-chomhairleachaidh air-loidhne. Tha cuireadh gu sònraichte gu daoine le Gàidhlig bho thùs agus don fheadhainn a tha ag ionnsachadh a’ chànain na beachdan aca mun dà chuid na geallaidhean leantainneach agus an fheadhainn ùra a thathar a’ dèanamh sa phlana a nochdadh. Gheibhear an ceangal ris an làraich-chomhairleachaidh an seo.

Thuirt Oifigear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, an Dr. Alasdair MacCaluim:

“Bho shoidhnichean timcheall an togalaich, gu solar post-d agus seirbheis fòn Gàidhlig dhan mhòr-shluagh gus fios a chur thugainn, tha sinn moiteil às cho follaiseach ’s a tha a’ Ghàidhlig aig Taigh an Ròid. Bidh sinn a’ leudachadh na tha sinn a’ tabhann fon phlana ùr agus ùidh sa chànan a’ fàs.”

“Tha sinn a’ toirt cuireadh do luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig innse dhuinn dè am beachd a th’ aca air na tha sinn a’ dèanamh an-dràsta, agus air na gealltanasan ùra a bhios sinn a’ cur an gnìomh thairis air an ath chòig bliadhna. Cuidichidh na beachdan a gheibh sinn gus piseach a thoirt air a’ phlana agus gus seirbheis nas fheàrr a thoirt dhan a h-uile duine.”

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

Chaidh Achd Ghàidhlig (Alba) 2005 aontachadh le Pàrlamaid na h-Alba gus inbhe na Gàidhlig a dhaingneachadh mar chànan oifigeil ann an Alba aig a bheil spèis cho-ionann ris a’ Bheurla.

Is e fear de na mìrean bunaiteach ann an Achd 2005 gu bheil ullachadh ann a tha a’ toirt comas do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig iarraidh air ùghdarras poblach Plana Gàidhlig a dheasachadh. Chaidh an t-ullachadh seo a dhealbhadh gus a dhearbhadh gum bi àite aig an roinn phoblaich ann an Alba ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh seasmhachd airson na Gàidhlig le bhith a’ togail inbhe is ìomhaigh a’ chànain agus a’ cruthachadh chothroman practaigeach a bhith ga cleachdadh.

Scottish Parliament refuses consent for Retained EU Law Bill

Constitution Secretary said Bill threatens vital laws

The UK Government should withdraw the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill after MSPs voted to withhold the consent of the Scottish Parliament, according to the Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.

Speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Robertson said the Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, threatens vital regulations in the environment, food standards and employment sectors and must now be withdrawn.

With MSPs refusing to provide legislative consent, Mr Robertson said the reaction of UK Ministers would be a key test of whether or not it plans to continue to ignore or override the views of the Scottish Parliament.

If the Bill is not withdrawn, the Scottish Government has published updated amendments to lessen the impact of the Bill.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Scottish Government and a number of key organisations across a range of sectors have many concerns about the Bill and we have repeatedly called on the UK Government to withdraw it.

“Firstly, it risks deregulation and threatens the high standards the people of Scotland experienced and benefited from as an EU member state for over 47 years. Secondly, the Bill includes powers for UK Ministers to act in areas of devolved responsibility without the consent of Scottish Ministers or this Parliament.

“This is clearly unacceptable and how the UK Government reacts will be a key test of whether or not they intend to continue to ride roughshod over devolution. Thirdly, the Bill includes a ‘cliff-edge’ sunset provision, which could see thousands of laws wiped overnight.

“I am pleased colleagues across the Scottish Parliament have voted to withhold consent for the Bill and I urge the UK Government to scrap it entirely. If the UK Government are intent on a race to the bottom that will impact standards across the UK, we have published a series of updated amendments to the Bill to mitigate the worst of its impacts.”