Legislative consent (sometimes known as the ‘Sewel Convention’);
Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Co-Operation Agreement (TCA);
Intergovernmental relations;
Retained EU law; and
Implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol
The effects of the UK leaving the EU, including UK and GB-wide arrangements put in place to replace EU systems (such as Common Frameworks and the UK Internal Market Act), as well as disagreements between the UK and Scottish Governments over issues including legislative consent, have all impacted on how the Scottish Parliament and Government work. These changes will be examined in detail by the Committee.
These hearings follow on from inquiries by the Committee into the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 and the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA), as well as the Committee’s role in the first meeting of the UK-wide Interparliamentary Forum.
The Committee previously concluded that UKIMA has created a tension in the devolution settlement, with more emphasis on open trade than regulatory autonomy, when compared to the EU Single Market.
It also identified a risk that the emphasis on managing regulatory divergence at an inter-governmental level may lead to less transparency and Ministerial accountability, and a tension in the balance of relations between the Executive and the Legislature.
Speaking ahead of today’s first roundtable looking at the issue of legislative consent, Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “Leaving the EU has meant a significant change in the UK’s constitutional arrangements. Of course, this has implications for Scotland and its Parliament.
“Though many of these changes are very technical, they can have important implications. We have already put on record our concerns around a number of potential risks including less regulatory autonomy for devolved Parliaments, reduced democratic oversight, and a less consultative policy making process.
“As MSPs, we now want to examine what other changes mean for devolution.”
So far, the following roundtables are scheduled for the following dates:
Thursday 19 May: Legislative Consent after Brexit
Thursday 26 May: Implementation of the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement
British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Justine Shotton last night (Tuesday 17 May) celebrated the work of veterinary teams across Scotland to make animal health and welfare a top priority despite contending with multiple pressures in recent times.
In her speech to around 70 guests at BVA’s Annual Scottish Dinner at the Scottish Parliament, Dr Shotton said that Scottish vets had worked incredibly hard to keep animals healthy, protect public health and keep the food chain moving against a backdrop of Covid, Brexit and a recent surge in pet ownership.
However, she cautioned that this has been an incredibly challenging time, saying: “But we also need to acknowledge that this has come at a significant – and ultimately unsustainable – cost to the profession’s capacity and wellbeing.
“If we are going to cope with ongoing and new or unforeseen challenges ahead, we need action now to improve recruitment, retention and rates of return to veterinary work, to ensure that all existing vets can feel supported, safe and rewarded in their careers, and to encourage future vets from all walks of life to follow in our footsteps.”
Addressing guests including Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, MSPs, key representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession, BVA’s President called on Scottish and UK governments, animal owners, the profession itself and vets of the future to take a range of actions to help create a “flexible, resilient and future-proofed workforce”.
These ranged from ensuring that new vet schools such as the site proposed by the SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) are adequately funded, to reminding animal owners to “Respect Your Vet” and the difficult decisions that they have had to make to keep colleagues and clients safe during the pandemic.
Dr Shotton also praised the recent “Vetastic Adventures” project, where BVA teamed up with the Scottish SPCA to showcase veterinary careers in a fun and accessible way for both primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland.
Reflecting on recent months, Dr Shotton said that the profession’s “resilience and dedication” had really shone through in how vets had responded to and mitigated against recent disease outbreaks in Scotland and across the UK, including the Avian Influenza outbreak.
She said that with disease control sitting within the scope of the proposed new Scottish Veterinary Service it was important to make sure that systems collaborated closely with the rest of the UK and beyond, cautioning:
“I don’t have to tell any of you around the room tonight that diseases and animal welfare problems don’t respect borders. It will therefore be critical that the new service has systems that collaborate and liaise with the rest of the UK, and beyond, on disease surveillance, data collection, and information sharing. We’re engaging closely to ensure that veterinary expertise is at the heart of these new proposals.”
Turning to animal welfare legislation, Dr Shotton said that BVA was really pleased by the Scottish Government’s commitment to banning the sale and use of glue traps, describing them as “inhumane devices, which subject trapped animals to prolonged pain and suffering and can often accidentally trap non-target species including cats and birds.” She called for similar action against snares, as they can also cause significant and needless harm to animals, including pets and protected wildlife.
On pet welfare, Dr Shotton acknowledged some significant campaign wins in the past year, including BVA successfully lobbying alongside others for the UK Government to take action against the “barbaric and purely cosmetic practice” of cropping dogs’ ears.
She said that BVA will now be turning its attention to the rise of canine fertility clinics in Scotland and the rest of the UK, saying: “We are building a picture of the scale and severity of this worrying trend, and already seeing multiple red flags in the clinics, which may be operating with no regulation or veterinary oversight.
“The recent action taken against a clinic owner in Lanarkshire following a joint investigation exemplifies what can be achieved when we come together to clamp down on unregulated and dangerous practices.”
The BVA President ended her speech by thanking BVA Scottish Branch colleagues for all their support, and welcoming Gareth Hateley, who was formally elected as the new Branch Junior Vice President at the AGM on Tuesday afternoon.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, responded to the speech as BVA’s Guest of Honour.
‘Love Your Liver’ campaign – Network Rail Doncaster
One in five adults in Scotland may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, warns the British Liver Trust.
The Love Your Liver mobile screening and scanning unit will be visiting six locations disease across Scotland between 15th to 20th May 2022.
Members of the public are invited to the Love Your Liver roadshow at the following locations where they can assess their risk of getting liver disease, find out what preventative measures they can take to keep their liver healthy and be offered a free liver scan.
Inverness Falcon Square, Eastgate Shopping Centre, IV2 3PP Sunday 15/5/22
Perth High Street (outside Debenhams), PH1 5UL Monday 16/5/22
‘Love Your Liver’ campaign – Network Rail Doncaster
Glasgow Argyle Street (outside Superdrug), G2 8AG Thursday 19/5/22
Ayr Heathfield Retail Park, KA8 9BF Friday 20/5/22
Pamela Healy, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust, said, “One in three of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed increased at an alarming rate during the pandemic.
“Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible.
“The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease and the first one hundred people to attend will receive a free non-invasive scan. Approximately 20% of the people we scan need to have further checks.”
The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health:
Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week
Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise
Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk.
The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can take a free online screening test and find out if they are at risk. Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-invasive device.
There will be expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy from healthcare professionals who will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise and healthy living.
Anyone wishing to take advantage of these free events should attend between 10am and 4pm.
If you wish to be scanned please arrive early as places are limited.
If you can’t attend the event you can still find out if you are at risk and check your liver health online by doing the online screening test at:
Holyrood drop-in session highlights the national digital network’s plans for Scotland’s ultrafast future and commitment to apprenticeship programme
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury met engineers and apprentices from Openreach to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband and the economic benefits fast, reliable connectivity is bringing to Scotland’s economy during a drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament.
The Lothian MSP was updated on work being done to upgrade the country’s broadband network – including across the Lothians, where 190,000 properties now have access to the new, ultrafast technology. He also met apprentices Hayley Goldthorpe and Jack Cotton to hear first-hand about their experiences.
Openreach recently announced it will create and fill around 500 more Scottish jobs during 2022 – including around 390 apprenticeships – as it continues to invest billions of pounds into its UK broadband network, people and training.
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Reliable connectivity is a hugely important feature of life in modern Scotland and a necessity for people living and working across Lothian. Openreach engineers and apprentices are working tirelessly to roll out full fibre broadband to more local homes and businesses each week.
“The event in parliament was a great opportunity to quiz management about the priorities ahead and the challenges in more complex areas of build – and discuss how policy changes could help. It was great to learn more about opportunities that can be unlocked, especially for remote and rural communities, by ultra-reliable full fibre broadband.”
According to thinkbroadband, the UK’s largest independent broadband news and information site, nearly 95 per cent of Scots can currently access superfast broadband at 30Mbps+.
At the beginning of the year Openreach announced that more than half a million Scottish homes and businesses can connect to its new gigabit-capable, full fibre network.
Around 40 locations across Lothian – from Edinburgh to Gullane, Loanhead and Dechmont – are included in its plans to reach 25m premises with the technology by the end of 2026.
The drop-in session was hosted by Fraser Rowberry, Openreach’s Chief Engineer for Scotland, who thanked Emma Harper MSP for sponsoring the event.
Fraser Rowberry said: “We know that reliable, ultrafast internet connections can have a transformative effect on businesses, online learning and people’s daily lives. That’s why we at Openreach are committed to rolling them out to homes and business premises across Scotland.
“Research from Cebr last year evidenced the hugely positive economic impact universal connections could have in Scotland. A comprehensive full fibre network could enable 76,000 people to re-enter the workforce and contribute billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
“We were delighted to be able to take that positive story to MSPs and set out our vision and plans for bringing ultrafast broadband to more of Scotland.”
Effective oversight of the good food nation policy and plans is essential to achieving the good food nation ambitions, according Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee, in a report published this week.
In its report on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill, published on Thursday, the Committee says that parliamentary approval on the national plan ministers are required to create would “give Parliament its place in the good food nation plan process and provide parliamentary accountability of the Scottish Government in achieving its good food nation aims.”
The Committee also agreed that there is a need for an oversight body to oversee the implementation of the Bill and asks for urgent clarity as to whether the Scottish Government intends to designate one, either by means of a new or existing body.
The Committee says it is concerned that consideration of an oversight body is in the early stages and that it should be included within the Bill – along with clarity around the role the body will play in supporting and monitoring local authorities progress against their plans. It says that ‘further information, and reassurance, about this oversight function is essential.
Speaking as the report was launched, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said; “Without increased oversight of the Scottish Government’s good food nation policy and plan, it is impossible for us to reassure stakeholders that the wide ranging concerns they expressed during evidence sessions, particularly in relation to resource, policy cohesion, the link between national and local plans and targets and outcomes, will be addressed.
“We accept that this is a framework bill but strengthened oversight throughout the planning process will be key to the success of our ambition for a food system that works for the people of Scotland.”
The report also asks the Scottish Government to provide a financial statement which lays out the costs that are likely to fall to relevant authorities in relation to the creation, development and implementation of good food nation plans and how this will be resourced.
During evidence sessions, many local authorities were concerned about the lack of information provided with Public Health Scotland saying that ‘significant resource’ would be required. Argyll and Bute Council supported this, saying that, “without adequate resources, the plan will ultimately become a piece of paper with ambitions on it.”
Other recommendations made in the report include:
That high level objectives which reflect the broad vision and ambitions for the good food nation policy be included in the Bill
The Committee agrees that the right to food be incorporated via forthcoming human rights legislation but that the Bill should align closely with the proposed right to food, especially until a statutory right to food is in place.
That consultation undertaken by either Scottish Ministers or local authorities on draft good food plans must be as wide, inclusive and participatory as possible.
Consultation methods for both national and local plans should be ‘tailored for each specific audience’ acknowledging that ‘one size will not fit all’.
That the Scottish Government ensures that relevant authorities have access to information and advice to support the development of their plans.
The Scottish Parliament’s youngest petitioner, 7-year-old Callum Isted, will give evidence to MSPs on the Citizens Participation and Public Petitions Committee this morning.
Callum, who is a pupil at Dedridge Primary School in Livingston, submitted a petition to the Committee calling on the Scottish Government to replace disposable water bottles in Scotland’s primary schools with a sustainable, reusable option.
At it’s meeting today (Wednesday 9 March), the Committee will hear about the success Callum had in raising money to buy reusable water bottles for his own school and what action he would like to see taken on the issue.
Convener of the Committee, Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “Creating a public petition lets the Parliament know about the issues that are most important to people across Scotland.
“At 7 years old Callum is our youngest ever petitioner and he’s already campaigned for – and brought about – positive change in his own school.
“Now he wants to see that change extend across the whole of Scotland. I look forward to hearing more from him today and what he hopes we can do to help his campaign achieve wider success.”
Callum’s petition was also raised with the First Minister last week, when the Convener’s Group questioned her on issues around Covid-19 recovery and net zero.
Callum said: “I am going to Parliament on 9th March 2022. I am going to ask the Committee for two things:
to give every primary school pupil in Scotland a Klean Kanteen;
2 to fix the broken taps in schools so that we can use the bottles properly.
“I am feeling confident and excited to be able to speak to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee and maybe Nicola Sturgeon.”
The meeting will be broadcast live at 09.30 am and the Committee will also consider a number of other petitions including taking evidence on protecting Scotland’s native woodland.
Over 130 women will gather in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for an event ahead of International Women’s Day.
The theme of this year’s event will be to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women during the pandemic. Held with support from the Scottish Women’s Convention, the event will begin at 2pm on Saturday 5 March. It will also be broadcast live.
Chaired by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, women who have come from communities across the country, will hear from a number of speakers including:
The Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister; Professor Linda Bauld, The Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh; Actress Carmen Pieraccini; Brenda King MBE.
The Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This event will bring together women from across Scotland to celebrate their achievements and share their collective ambition to build a better and more sustainable country as we start to think about our recovery from the pandemic.
“Women from the world of politics, academia and entertainment will share their perspective. My hope is that the day will raise aspirations of what we can achieve together.”
Agnes Tolmie, Chair, Scottish Women’s Convention, said; ““The SWC has been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions to their communities throughout the pandemic. We are proud of the range of achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods of our history.
“We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase women in Scotland’s achievements. We will also hear how women have become empowered to be part of the solution to making Scotland a greener, fairer nation.”
The event will be available to watch on SPTV from 2pm on Saturday 5 March.
Indicative timings are below:
2.00pm Welcome by the Presiding Officer
2.05pm Opening remarks from Agnes Tolmie
2.10pm First Minister, the Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP
The Scottish Parliament voted last night (Wednesday 23 February) to support the Government’s proposed delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.
The 16-month delay until August 2023 means many bottles will go unrecycled and littering of our beaches will continue for longer than expected, and concerns remain over whether this new date will be met.
Progress towards a national Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland has been hampered by delays since the powers to create it were first created in 2009.
The industry-led scheme and past government overseers had made little progress when Lorna Slater, Minister for the Circular Economy, was given responsibility for the project in September last year.
Despite assurances from the Minister that the scheme can be delivered to this new date, the Scottish Government’s own assessment of the project suggests serious challenges still remain, leaving the successful delivery of the project in doubt.
A report written by civil servants in December 2021 cited several risks, including the need to resolve a battle with HMRC on VAT for the scheme and Circularity Scotland Limited securing resources to develop its corporate and operational systems.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Lorna Slater was given little choice but to delay the scheme, however if she fails to hold industry to this new deadline the political legitimacy of the Greens in government will be severely damaged.
“The Deposit Return Scheme is the biggest test of industry’s commitment to a circular economy in Scotland so far. Failure to deliver, after they have been granted every request to delay, will prove that stronger persuasion is required to ensure industry embraces a more sustainable future.”
Thirteen ‘emerging leaders’ from the Scottish Parliamentary Service (SPS) staff were recognised yesterday at a certification event hosted by the Presiding Officer.
The staff were the first group to attend a new course created by Edinburgh College and the Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators (SAMEE). The course supports minority ethnic employees in achieving their full potential now and in the future.
The scheme also aims to ensure the Parliamentary Service more closely reflects Scotland’s population by developing existing minority ethnic talent within the organisation.
While the 2021 election saw a more diverse group of MSPs elected, diversity monitoring within the Parliament as an employer found an ethnicity pay gap caused by a lack of minority ethnic staff in more senior positions.
Speaking after the certification event, Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP said:“Diversity matters, and I am proud to recognise the achievements of our first intake of colleagues participating in this innovative and progressive scheme.
“I am very pleased to encourage them as they advance their careers at the heart of Scottish public life.”
Holyrood’s Presiding Officer has launched an audit that will review the representation and participation of women in the Scottish Parliament.
Based on work developed by both the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, all of Holyrood’s parties will be represented on a board that will oversee this work, consider the audit’s findings and make recommendations for change.
Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, said: “Last May’s election returned our most representative and diverse Parliament to date. We know, though, from viewing the Parliament’s make up from 1999 until now, that this welcome progress can’t be taken for granted.
“This is an important opportunity to have a broad look at how the Parliament takes account of barriers to equal representation in its work.”
Working with Holyrood’s political parties, parliamentary staff, pre-eminent academics and Engender, the audit will cover a wide range of issues. These will include the number and position of women parliamentarians, participation and intervention levels in Chamber business and the impact of parliamentary procedures and policies.
Fiona Mackay, Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh and one of the academic advisers to the board, said: “When the Scottish Parliament was created in 1999, it was internationally praised for its world-leading levels of women’s representation, and its attention to equal opportunities and participation.
“Now is a good time to take stock. This audit, based on a well-tested comparative framework, will let us know how well Scotland has done over the long haul. And, crucially, what work still needs to be done to make it an inclusive parliament for the 21st Century.”
Eilidh Dickson, Policy and Parliamentary Manager, Engender, said: “Women are underrepresented in almost all areas of our democracy, resulting in policy decisions which not only ignore women, but actively deepen inequality.
“By examining the make-up of committees, gathering data on who is being invited to give evidence, and understanding where gender mainstreaming is being ignored, we can work towards a Scottish Parliament which can act as an exemplar for women’s equality. We are delighted to be involved in the project.”
Work on the audit will begin immediately with a report detailing recommendations for improvement due by the end of 2022.
Audit Board Membership
Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP
Alex Cole Hamilton MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Eilidh Dickson, Policy and Parliamentary Manager, Engender
Fiona Mackay, Professor of Politics, University of Edinburgh
Jeremy Balfour MSP, Scottish Conservative Party
Karen Adam MSP, Scottish National Party
Maggie Chapman MSP, Scottish Green Party
Dr Meryl Kenny, Senior Lecturer in Gender & Politics, University of Edinburgh
Monica Lennon MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics & Gender at Royal Holloway
Susan Duffy, Head of Engagement & Communications, Scottish Parliament
Tracey White, Group Head of Legislation & Parliamentary Business, Scottish Parliament
Academic Advisory Group to the Board –
Sarah Childs is currently Professor of Politics & Gender at Royal Holloway, University of London, and will move to the University of Edinburgh in May 2022. Her research centres on the theory and practice of women’s representation, gender and political parties, parliaments and institutional change.
An eminent author, her latest book is Feminist Democratic Representation. She also authored The Good Parliament Report in 2016, advised the Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion that met between 2016-18 and worked on the pilot (2018) which instigated permanent change to Standing Orders to allow proxy voting for babyleave (2020).
Dr.Meryl Kenny is Senior Lecturer in Gender and Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change (2021-22). She has published widely in the areas of gender and political institutions, political representation and recruitment, and Scottish politics.
Meryl convenes the University of Edinburgh’s Gender Politics Research Group (which hosts the genderpol blog); sits on the steering group of the University’s genderED initiative; and is a member of the steering group of the cross-party Women5050 campaign for legal gender quotas in Scotland.
Fiona Mackay is a Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh, and currently Dean and Head of the School of Social and Political Science. Mackay is founding director of genderED, the University of Edinburgh’s interdisciplinary hub for gender and sexuality studies. She researches gender, politics and policy at Scottish, UK and international levels. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Engender is a feminist policy and advocacy organisation, working to increase women’s social, political and economic equality, enable women’s rights, and make visible the impact of sexism on women and wider society.
