The Scottish Government has published legislation to set the rules for any referendum within the competence of the Scottish Parliament. The SNP, supported by the Scottish Greens, want to hold a referendum before the end of next year – but they need Westminster’s permission, and it’s unlikely that the current UK government will give their assent. Continue reading Scotish Government starts process for a new independence referendum
Damning indictment of Tory policies
The UK Government’s policies have led to the ‘systematic immiseration of millions across Great Britain’, the UN’s expert on poverty and human rights said in a report released on Wednesday. UN Rapporteur Philip Alston has called for a new vision that embodies compassion to end the unnecessary hardship. Continue reading UK Government ideology responsible for systemic poverty, says UN expert
A new service launched by the DWP which does not protect the date a Universal Credit claim begins has been described as ‘deeply alarming’ by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee. Continue reading MSPs demand UK Government protect date of Universal Credit claim
“Today I am taking action to turn the tide on plastic pollution, and ensure we leave our environment in a better state for future generations” – Environment Secretary Michael Gove. Continue reading Turning the Tide on Plastic Pollution
*Okay, talks to Holyrood
The future of the UK’s environmental, agricultural and fisheries policies will be explored when two Scottish Parliament committees hear from Michael Gove MP, Secretary for State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs tomorrow. Continue reading Mr Gove goes to Holyrood*
Prime Minister Theresa May has been joined by the four living former Prime Ministers to back the new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London. Continue reading Further £25 million committed to Holocaust Memorial
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today outlined the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the debate on Scotland’s future in light of Brexit, and the action to be taken to protect the option for an independence referendum to be held within the current term of the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain
UK Government immigration proposals threaten family reunification
Scots who currently live in another EU country, but who hope to come back to live in Scotland one day, will find it much harder to bring family members with them when they return, if and when the UK leaves the EU.
That is the prospect facing thousands of Scots as a consequence of the UK Government’s proposals for UK citizens in the EU post Brexit, Scottish Government Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Macpherson said today.
Mr Macpherson said that UK citizens living in the EU deserved guarantees from the UK Government about their rights to return home with family members if and when the UK leaves the EU.
“The ‘Stay in Scotland’ campaign launched by the First Minister earlier this month made clear how much the Scottish Government values the contributions made by EU citizens living and working in Scotland,” he said.
“Of course the negative consequences of the UK Government’s planned exit from the EU also extend to the rights of UK citizens living in other member states, and I am particularly concerned about the implications for those who hope to return to Scotland with their families in the future.
“Under UK Government proposals, due to come into effect in 2022, someone with a non-UK national spouse and children will no longer be allowed to return to Scotland with his or her family unless strict financial thresholds are met. This is unfair.
“I do not accept that someone’s ability to return to Scotland should be judged through arbitrary financial requirements, that do not take into account individual and often compassionate circumstances. The UK Government must seriously reconsider their proposals.
“Scots who want to return to Scotland from elsewhere in the EU should be able to bring their families with them, no matter how much they earn.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to the Prime Minister about the role of the devolved administrations in talks on the future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Concerns over the roll-out of the UK Government’s Right to Rent scheme have once again been raised by Scotland’s Housing Minister Kevin Stewart in light of a recent High Court ruling.
Continue reading Court ruling raises concerns over proposed roll-out of Right to Rent
