Scottish Parliament ‘should have role in developing post-EU laws’
The Scottish Parliament should have a role in adapting laws and regulations in areas currently governed by the EU after Brexit, a committee convenor has said.
hol;yrood
Patrick Harvie calls Holyrood security entry system a ‘dystopian nightmare’
Patrick Harvie has compared new security entrance requirements at Holyrood to “something out of a dystopian nightmare”.
Police ‘don’t know’ about dog control laws passed almost 10 years ago – MSP
Police officers do not all know about dog control legislation introduced by Holyrood almost a decade ago, MSPs have been told.
Tourist hotel levy for Edinburgh will happen, says tourism secretary
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hylsop has said the Scottish Government will bring forward legislation that could result in a new levy being charged on hotel stays – despite refusing to say if she supports the change.
Call to crack down on unqualified people identifying as electricians
A law must be introduced to clamp down on unqualified people calling themselves electricians, according to an MSP.
Kirk leaders voice support for smacking ban
God would support a ban on smacking children, the Church of Scotland has said.
Scotland can win European space race, says MSP
Scotland is leading the way and can win a European space race, an MSP has said.
Church of Scotland: God would support ban on smacking children
God would support a ban on smacking children, the Church of Scotland has said.
MSP demands inquiry into ‘public health crisis’ of drug deaths
A public inquiry must be held urgently in order to address a rising number of drug deaths in Scotland, an MSP has said.
Nicola Sturgeon condemns David Mundell over no-deal vote abstention
Nicola Sturgeon has branded the Scottish Secretary’s abstention on the no-deal Brexit vote at Westminster a “disgrace”.
Cuts to radio shows will reduce Scots voices, MSPs told
There will be fewer local voices on radio in Scotland as a result of Global Radio’s plans to centralise programming, MSPs have been told.
MSPs shouldn’t bother inviting UK ministers to Holyrood, says academic
MSPs have been told they should “not bother” trying to get UK ministers to come to Holyrood – with one academic claiming they could probably get as much information from the internet as they would from a member of Theresa May’s Government.
Investigate impact of social media on children’s mental health, say MSPs
The effect of social media on children’s mental health should be investigated, the Scottish Government has been told.
Art school did not do enough to protect Mackintosh from fire – MSPs
Glasgow School of Art has been criticised in a report that found it did not give enough priority to safeguarding the Mackintosh building against fire.
MSPs call for public inquiry into Glasgow School of Art fires
There should be a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the two fires in four years that left the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) badly damaged, a Holyrood Committee report has found.
Report on second Glasgow School of Art fire to be published
A Holyrood committee’s report into the circumstances surrounding the second Glasgow School of Art (GSA) fire is to be published on Friday.
Youngsters urge MSPs to back first aid teaching in primary schools
A teenager and two 10-year-old girls are urging the Scottish Government to back the teaching of first aid in primary schools across the country.
More can be done to encourage pupils towards apprenticeships, MSPs told
Schools are not encouraging enough young people to seek work in the construction industry, it has been suggested.
Johnstone and Harvie to share Green leadership duties at Holyrood
The responsibility for leading the Scottish Greens at Holyrood will now be shared by two of the party’s MSPs.
Child smacking ban would be ‘patronising and elitist’, MSPs told
Criminalising parents who smack their children would be “negative, patronising and elitist”, MSPs have been warned.
Holyrood committee warns time needed to scrutinise parking tax plans
MSPs have warned they need time to take evidence on controversial plans for a workplace parking levy.
Ethical concerns raised over move to presumed consent for organ donation
Proposed new legislation to help boost organ donation is ethically unacceptable and risks reducing the number of transplants that can take place, MSPs have been warned.
Nicola Sturgeon pressed over FAI into 2015 M9 crash
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has questioned how lessons can be learned from a fatal crash on the M9 when an inquiry into the incident has not yet been held.
Mothers of attacked children call for dogs to be kept on leads
Mothers whose children have been attacked by dogs have called for pets being off their lead in public to be made illegal.
‘Latte levy’ would raise funds and tackle plastic pollution, claim Greens
Introducing a so-called “latte levy” could raise significant funds for local authorities across Scotland, it has been suggested.
Tory council leaders pledge opposition to parking tax
Every Tory council leader in Scotland has signed a pledge opposing the introduction of a workplace parking levy.
MSPs back plans to reduce fuel poverty but further action demanded
A new strategy to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland has been backed by MSPs despite concerns the plans “lack ambition.”
Work to constantly improve education system is my mantra: John Swinney
John Swinney has said he has a “relentless focus” on improving the education system in Scotland, despite concerns being raised over standardised assessments.
Local authority business scheme criticised by MSPs
A scheme designed to help businesses develop and grow has been criticised by MSPs over its “lack of accountability and transparency”.
Holyrood approves Budget after SNP agrees deal with Greens
The Scottish Budget has been approved after Finance Secretary Derek Mackay won the backing of Green MSPs by providing more cash for local services and holding out the promise that council tax could be scrapped in the next Parliament.
Restraining vulnerable children in schools must be last resort: Willie Rennie
A “dramatic cut” in the use of restraint on disabled schoolchildren has been demanded by the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader.
Scottish Government confirms deal with Greens to ensure support for Budget
The Scottish Government has struck a deal with Green MSPs that will allow its Budget for 2019-20 to pass.