People in Scotland are today being given the opportunity to attend a major international summit being held in the Scottish Parliament on the future of the arts and culture. Continue reading Public tickets announced for international culture summit at Holyrood
Young people in Edinburgh and Lothian are being urged to tell the Scottish Parliament about what inspires them to be in with an opportunity to come to Holyrood or for the Presiding Officer to come to them. Continue reading Young people urged to tell the Scottish Parliament what inspires them
Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson has joined forces with Social Enterprise Scotland to relaunch the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Social Enterprise. Continue reading Ben Macpherson relaunches Holyrood Social Enterprise group
Creative Scotland must urgently address its strategic failings following a catalogue of criticism from Scotland’s creative sector, says Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee. Continue reading Creative Scotland must urgently address its failings, says Holyrood Committee
Proposals that place a legislative duty on health boards and care service providers to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of qualified staff on duty are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee. Continue reading Health and care staffing levels legislation to be examined by Holyrood Committee
Scotland’s capital is being denied “normal European city” status due to Scottish Government inaction on visitor levies, according to Scottish Greens local government spokesperson Andy Wightman MSP.
The Lothian MSP used yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions session to urge the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation to give local councils powers that municipalities in other European countries take for granted.
New research compiled by Edinburgh City Council, debated in the city chambers yesterday, says that a Visitor Levy would not deter tourists and could raise up to an extra £29million a year for local services.
Andy Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “Local government finances are stretched due to our capital city’s status as a tourism magnet but an obvious solution exists and that is to give Edinburgh and Scotland’s other cities and councils the power of a normal European city – the power to levy a visitor charge. A small contribution per person would generate significant funds to maintain and improve local services.
“Such taxes are commonplace in other European cities and countries, including Paris, Rome, Venice, Amsterdam and Berlin. It’s baffling that the Scottish Government continues to drag its feet on this issue, and I will continue to campaign for real local democracy in Scotland.”
The aftermath of an attack that shook the heart of London; a rioter on fire running from police in Venezuela; a young boy being pulled alive from rubble in Mosul and concertgoers hiding from a gunman at a country music festival in Las Vegas … these are just some of the powerful images that will be on display in a free exhibition at the Scottish Parliament, as part of World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 from Wednesday 1 August – Saturday 25 August.
Prisoners serving custodial sentences should be given the right to vote, according to Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee. Continue reading Prisoner voting backed by Holyrood committee
Change the World! – Saturday 12 May from 2 – 3.30pm (GABI URY EVENT)
The Scottish Parliament is offering a unique opportunity to attend a FREE interactive session with world-renowned negotiator William Ury (above) and his daughter Gabi. Continue reading Change the World! Free event in Scottish Parliament
Do some schools present university as the main path to take when college, training and work are equally valuable routes? This is just one question the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee will explore in a new inquiry that will also look at whether information about other pathways, such as work and training, is offered in school. Continue reading Young people set the agenda for Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee
