Tag: Holyrood
North Berwick business founder speaking at Holyrood fair tax briefing
AN ethically minded campervan firm will present evidence at an online Scottish Parliament briefing on fair tax to highlight the issue of corporate avoidance.Simon Poole of North Berwick-based Jerba Campervans, will join Fair Tax...
First day for new MSPs at Holyrood
Several new MSPs were elected to seats in Edinburgh and Lothian as well as others from all over the country.All of the newbies were photographed at Holyrood by the parliamentary photographer learning how...
#SP6 – Candidates for Edinburgh and Lothians
The candidates nominated to stand in the six Edinburgh constituencies and the Lothian Region in the Scottish Parliamentary Election on Thursday, 6 May have been announced.Nominations for candidates closed on Wednesday.The nominated candidates...
Vote of no confidence in the First Minister defeated in The Scottish Parliament
The leader of the Scottish Conservatives at Holyrood, Ruth Davidson MSP made one of her last speeches in the parliament calling for the resignation of First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.Following an emotive afternoon - on...
Motion of No Confidence in the Deputy First Minister debated in parliament
A motion of no confidence in the Deputy First Minister proposed by Lothians MSP Miles Briggs was debated earlier this afternoon at The Scottish Parliament.The motion read: "That the Parliament has no confidence...
Deputy First Minister to release legal advice on Judicial Review to Harassment committee
The Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints meets at 10am this morning to hear evidence from James Wolffe QC, Lord Advocate, Scottish Government, David Harvie, Crown Agent, and Alex Prentice QC,...
Protesters clash with police at Holyrood
Despite warnings about gathering at Holyrood to stage a protest against lockdown measures, a small number of people did gather there on Monday.Police Scotland are reporting this evening that four people have been arrested...
Coronavirus – no extra funding for Scottish business from the Chancellor
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants of up to £9,000 for business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors this morning.In the ordinary course of things, Scottish businesses...
RNIB call for more inclusiveness in next parliament
The Scottish Parliamentary Election in 2021 allows all charities to take stock and make new demands of the next wave of politicians by publishing their manifestos.Today the national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland...
Labour demand financial support for Scottish local authorities
The Scottish Government must ensure that Scotland’s councils are financially supported to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic, Scottish Labour has said today.The party says that as much as £898.8m has been cut...
Greens condemn UK Government’s treatment of Holyrood
Scottish Greens accuse the UK Government of treating the devolved parliaments with contempt, ahead of Michael Gove’s appearance at Holyrood's Finance and Constitution Committee today.The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will appear online...
Conservatives launch new policy on dealing with poverty and schools
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross MP launched a new policy today aiming to 'restore schools' in Scotland and also target resources at the poverty-related attainment gap. Â Speaking to parents and teachers, Douglas unveiled the...
Marco Biagi – set for a return to Holyrood?
Marco Biagi was the MSP for Edinburgh Central, elected in 2011 with a majority of 237 votes, rising to become a minister in the Scottish Cabinet.He took the seat from Labour's Sarah Boyack...
New government measures will help with housing costs
A new £10 million fund will be part of a government package to support anyone struggling to pay their rent due to financial difficulty associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will...
Rennie demands more data to clarify SQA moderations
Following the publication of exam results yesterday by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) the matter of those pupils whose results were downgraded has been in the news.In 2020, candidates received results based on...
Coronavirus – government to announce moving to Phase 3 today
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will address parliament at 12.20pm and update MSPs on the government's response to Covid-19.This will be a hybrid session with some MSPs in the chamber and others working from...
Call for easing of fiscal rules for devolved governments
Today a joint message from devolved finance ministers has been sent to the UK Government.Finance Ministers from all the devolved administrations are asking the UK Government to ease the financial restrictions imposed on devolved...
Coronavirus – looking towards Phase 2
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is widely expected to announce that Scotland will move into Phase 2 of the easing of lockdown restrictions later today.Ms Sturgeon is due to make a statement to...
Call for Holyrood to resume business in full
Scottish Parliament business should resume in full to ensure maximum scrutiny of the SNP government’s response to the coronavirus, the Scottish Conservatives have said.Since lockdown, Holyrood has only operated on a limited basis, and...
Scottish Government increases Business Support Fund
The Scottish Government’s Business Support Fund has been increased by £40 million to provide additional support for key sectors of the Scottish economy.This extra funding will be split between the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund,...
Coronavirus – testing regime to be expanded
Testing for coronavirus (Covid-19) is to be opened up to everyone over the age of 5 who is symptomatic.This means anyone who is displaying any of the three symptoms of Covid-19 – continuous cough,...
Help for business extended by The Scottish Government
This morning the government announces a bit of a U-turn on business rates by adding some degree of discount on rates for a second and subsequent business property.This is the second phase of...
Coronavirus – emergency legislation to be introduced today
Emergency legislation will come before the Scottish Parliament today.There are considerable further powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and measures to ensure essential public services can continue and help businesses throughout the coronavirus pandemic.MSPs...
Coronavirus – Wightman calls for more clarity on ‘essential work’
There must be clearer guidance around what is and isn’t essential work during the coronavirus lockdown, Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman has said.Andy Wightman raised the issue at a meeting of the Economy, Energy...
Scottish Government announces exams cancelled
For the first time ever school exams have been cancelled in Scotland.But teaching, learning and support can continue with local flexibility.Deputy First Minister John Swinney updated Parliament on the decision to close schools...
First Minister appoints new government and cabinet members
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced new appointments to The Scottish Government and her cabinet today, which means The Scottish Government is now fully gender balanced.Following her delivery of the Scottish Budget, Kate Forbes MSP...
Scottish National Investment Bank vital in Green New Deal
Helping Scotland transition to net-zero carbon emissions is at the heart of the new Scottish National Investment Bank, Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes said.As part of the Scottish Budget, Ms Forbes announced £220 million...
Sarah Boyack MSP – glad to be back at Holyrood
Sarah Boyack was first elected at the very beginning of The Scottish Parliament, then she lost her seat but has now come back ready to deal with housing and planning matters which is where...
Consumer rights fortified by new bill
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has approved the general principles of a bill which will strengthen the rights of consumers in Scotland through the creation of a new public body.The Consumer Scotland...
Balfour hopes for pet shop licensing in 2020
Jeremy Balfour MSP has wished his constituents a happy new year and stated that his hope for the year ahead is for his proposed Pet Shop (Licensing)(Scotland) Bill to be passed through the Scottish...