2pm

Time for Reflection: William More, Head of Operations in Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need (UK)
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Topical Questions

Murdo Fraser (S6T-02197)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments from the Institute for Fiscal Studies that its income tax increases on the highest earners may have reduced the revenue raised.

Official Report available for S6T-02197

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Scottish Government Debate: The Impact of the UK Government’s Budget on Scotland’s Rural Economy

Mairi Gougeon (S6M-15508)

That the Parliament is disappointed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer chose not to work with the Scottish Government before her Budget on 30 October 2024, nor to consult with farmers, crofters and other rural stakeholders about the Budget's effects on Scotland’s rural economy, including breaking the vital link between funding for Scotland's farmers and its land mass, and the changes to agricultural property relief, which will affect succession planning in farms throughout Scotland; is concerned at the apparent failure of the UK Government to fully assess the impacts of those budget changes on Scotland’s rural economy or to publish any such assessments, and calls on the UK Government to urgently do so.

Further details available for S6M-15508

Jamie Halcro Johnston (S6M-15508.2)

As an amendment to motion S6M-15508 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (The Impact of the UK Government’s Budget on Scotland’s Rural Economy), insert at end “; recognises that ring-fenced agriculture funding has been delivered by previous UK administrations for over 50 years; urges both the UK and Scottish governments to work together to ensure certainty for Scotland’s farmers, crofters and rural stakeholders by delivering multi-year ring-fenced funding for agriculture, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that all agriculture funding is allocated to the sector and not diverted for use in other portfolio areas.”

Submitting member has a registered interest.

Further details available for S6M-15508.2

Colin Smyth (S6M-15508.1)

As an amendment to motion S6M-15508 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (The Impact of the UK Government’s Budget on Scotland’s Rural Economy), leave out from “is disappointed” to end and insert “welcomes the increase to the Scottish devolved budget of £1.5 billion in 2024-25 and £3.4 billion next year, which will deliver the highest ever devolved budget settlement of £47.7 billion in 2025-26 as a result of the UK Government’s Budget; agrees that the Scottish Government should use the record devolved settlement in the forthcoming Scottish Budget to ensure fair funding to Scotland’s farmers and crofters to support food security, sustainable farming and environmental restoration, and to invest in Scotland’s public services and infrastructure, recognising the long-term challenges facing rural and island communities in housing, public transport, including ferries, education, health and social care, poverty and depopulation, and further agrees that restoring public finances is vital to provide certainty and security of funding for Scotland’s farmers and crofters and to support Scotland’s rural and island communities.”

Further details available for S6M-15508.1

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Committee Announcements
Business Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-15539)

That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for—
(a) Wednesday 20 November 2024—
after
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic; Finance and Local Government
insert
followed by Ministerial Statement: Improving Transitions for Young Disabled People
delete
5.15 pm Decision Time
and insert
5.30 pm Decision Time
(b) Thursday 21 November 2024—
delete
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Net Zero and Energy, and Transport
and insert
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Net Zero and Energy, and Transport
followed by Ministerial Statement: National Care Service

Further details available for S6M-15539
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5pm

Decision Time
Members' Business — S6M-13967 Gordon MacDonald: Celebrating the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership

Gordon MacDonald (S6M-13967)

That the Parliament celebrates the work of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) and its reported success in bringing almost 11,000 long-term empty properties back into use since its establishment in 2010; understands that 1,875 long-term empty homes were brought back into use in 2023-24 alone, a record annual figure for the partnership; recognises the role of the SEHP in facilitating collaborative work between Shelter Scotland, local authorities and the Scottish Government, which it understands has invested over £3.7 million in the partnership to date; notes the view that joint efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into use must continue, with over 46,000 properties reportedly still identified as empty or void across Scotland, including 7,200 in the City of Edinburgh Council area; further notes the belief that initiatives such as a reduction in VAT by the UK Government for repairs and improvements could facilitate the investment required to support households into a further 46,000 short-term unoccupied and vacant homes, whether council home voids, housing association stock awaiting repairs, or private properties lying empty; believes that SEHP’s recent milestone is a vital step towards achieving the Scottish Government's ambition to tackle the housing emergency and provide a further 110,000 affordable homes by 2032; understands that over 131,000 social and affordable homes have been provided by Scottish National Party administrations since 2007 and that this is the highest figure per head of population in the UK; further understands that more than 21,000 homes have already been delivered against the 2032 target; highlights that over £600 million is reportedly being committed to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2024-25, despite what it sees as unprecedented pressure on Scotland’s public finances as a result of rising costs and the budgetary decisions of the UK Government, and notes the calls on the UK Government to use its upcoming Budget to reverse what it sees as harmful cuts to Scotland’s capital funding allocation, to enable the Scottish Government to invest further in the provision of warm, affordable housing for all.

Further details available for S6M-13967

Watch on SPTV

Committee business

The committee will meet at 9:00am at TG.60-CR3 The Fleming Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 4 in private.

2. Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Dr Iain Kennedy, Chair of Scottish Council, BMA Scotland
Fiona McIntyre, Policy and Practice Lead, Scotland, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Colin Poolman, Executive Director, Royal College of Nursing Scotland
Dr Chris Provan, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland

and then from—

Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Marie Curie Scotland
Mark Hazelwood, Chief Executive, Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care
Dr Sarah Mills, Lecturer in Academic General Practice, University of St Andrews
Rami Okasha, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)

3. Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

4. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Alex Bruce on 85229 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:00am at T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 5, 6, 7 and 8 in private.

2. Annual Report of the Ethical Standards Commissioner 2023-24: The Committee will take evidence from—

Ian Bruce, Ethical Standards Commissioner

3. Annual Report of the Standards Commission 2023-24: The Committee will take evidence from—

Lorna Johnston, Executive Director, Standards Commission for Scotland
Suzanne Vestri, Convener, Standards Commission for Scotland

4. Short-term Lets: The Committee will take evidence from—

Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing, Scottish Government
Andy Kinnaird, Head of Transforming Planning, Scottish Government
Margaret Main, Lawyer, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government
Anita Stewart, Policy Team Leader, Scottish Government

5. Annual Report of the Ethical Standards Commissioner 2023-24: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Annual Report of the Standards Commission 2023-24: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Short-term Lets: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

8. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Euan Donald on 85212 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:15am at T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 5 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 from—

Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Scottish Government
Mariana Cover, Senior Policy Advisor, Scottish Government
Nanjika Nasiiro, Head of Just Transition Policy, Scottish Government

3. Subordinate legislation: Gillian Martin MSP (Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy) to move—S6M-14755—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 [draft] be approved.

4. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive, Scottish Land and Estates
Malcolm Mathieson, Convener, Crofting Commission
David Bean, Parliament and Government Relations Manager, Countryside Alliance
Gemma Cooper, Head of Policy, National Farmers Union Scotland

5. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Peter McGrath on 85232 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at T1.40-CR5 The Smith Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 6 in private.

2. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—Regulated Roles (Prohibitions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/Draft)

3. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/292)Firefighters’ Pension Schemes (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2024 (SSI 2024/295)Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Referrals by Chief Constable) (Prescribed Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/313)Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Information for Listing and Vetting) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/314)Level 1 and Level 2 Disclosure Information (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/315)Consideration of Suitability for Regulated Roles (Prescribed Purposes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/316)Disclosure and Use of Level 2 Disclosures (Prescribed Purpose and Circumstances) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/317)Official Controls (Import of High Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) Amendment (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/324)Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/326)Building (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/327)Feed Additives (Authorisations) and Uses of Feed Intended for Particular Nutritional Purposes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/330)

4. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following—Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994, Sheriff Appeal Court Rules 2021 and Ordinary Cause Rules 1993 Amendment) (Taxation of Judicial Expenses) 2024 (SSI 2024/323)

5. Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 1).

6. Renters' Rights Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the Scottish Government's response to points raised on a power to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence conferred on UK Ministers in the Bill.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Greg Black on 86266 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at TG.40-CR1 The Burns Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum: The Committee will take evidence from—

Liz Smith, Member in Charge of the Bill, Scottish Parliament
Nick Hawthorne, Senior Clerk, Non-Government Bills Unit, Scottish Parliament

2. Revenue Scotland: annual evidence session: The Committee will take evidence from—

Elaine Lorimer, Chief Executive, Revenue Scotland
Aidan O'Carroll, Chair, Revenue Scotland

3. Work programme (in private): The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Joanne McNaughton, at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 10:00am at T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 3 in private.

2. Report of the Scottish Parliament's Gender Sensitive Audit: The Committee will take evidence from—

Catherine Murphy, Executive Director, Engender
Dr Rebecca Mason, Research and Policy Lead, The Young Women’s Movement
Talat Yaqoob, Consultant and Co-Founder, Women 50:50

and then from—

James Tweedie, Director, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ann McGuinness, Co-Convener, Women's Network, Scottish Green Party
Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Labour Party
Cailyn McMahon, Local Government Officer, Scottish National Party

3. Report of the Scottish Parliament's Gender Sensitive Audit: The Committee will consider the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.

4. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (in private): The Committee will consider draft correspondence to the Scottish Government.

5. Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will continue its consideration of a draft Stage 1 report.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Katrina Venters on 86244 or at [email protected]

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What's On

Tuesday 19 November 2024

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Time for Reflection: William More, Head of Operations in Scotland, Aid to the Church in Need (UK)

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Topical Questions

Murdo Fraser (S6T-02197)

Scottish Government Debate: The Impact of the UK Government’s Budget on Scotland’s Rural Economy

Mairi Gougeon (S6M-15508)

Jamie Halcro Johnston (S6M-15508.2)

Colin Smyth (S6M-15508.1)

Committee Announcements

Business Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-15539)

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Decision Time

Members' Business — S6M-13967 Gordon MacDonald: Celebrating the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership

Gordon MacDonald (S6M-13967)

Committee business

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee