School teachers, group organisers and individuals from across the West Dunbartonshire and Lomond areas can get a flavour of what’s happening in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on this page. To arrange a visit to the capital and the parliament would be a worthwhile adventure for anyone who has never witnessed what policies are being adopted and legislation made in their name. It should be of interest to people of all ages, and the parliament and the local MSP would, I am sure, be willing to advise you on the arrangements. Bill Heaney, Editor, The Democrat.
Parliamentary business
Chamber business starts with time for reflection on Tuesday at 2 pm and includes First Minister’s Questions (with British Sign Language – BSL – interpreting) at 12 noon on Thursday. Business this week will also include:
Tuesday 10 January 2023
Scotland’s energy strategy and just transition plan (Ministerial statement)
People’s right to choose – respecting Scotland’s democratic mandate (Scottish Government debate)
Proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill (Ministerial statement)
Wednesday 11 January 2023
The Fourth National Planning Framework (Scottish Government debate)
Thursday 12 January 2023
Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act (Ministerial statement)
National drugs mission: our cross-government response to the Drug Deaths Taskforce report – Changing Lives (Scottish Government debate)
Details will be published in the Business Bulletin.
Committee business will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Please note that all business is subject to change at short notice.
You can watch meetings live on SPTV. The transcript of what is said will be available in the Official Report and the videos will be available in the SPTV archive.
Visiting the Parliament
The Scottish Parliament building will reopen for visitors on Monday 9 January 2023 at 10.00am.
Read the Official Report … Watch SPTV
Calls for views
The Scottish Parliament is open to hearing your views on a range of topics, including:
Citizens’ Panel recommendations
As part of its inquiry into public participation, the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee is asking for your views on which recommendations from the Citizens’ Panel should be prioritised. You can give your views until 10 February 2023.
Information about the recommendations is available in easy read and in BSL.
Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill – consultation
This bill seeks to change the law in relation to trusts (how they are administered and managed) and succession (who has the right to inherit and in what order). The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee would like to know your views on the changes to the law that are proposed in this bill.
Closes: 17 March 2023
Inquiry into public administration – effective Scottish Government decision-making
The Finance and Public Administration Committee is seeking views on the key principles and best practice to support effective government decision-making.
Closes: 7 February 2023
The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill – call for views
This bill aims to update the law around charities. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee would welcome your views on the proposals. There are two ways to respond to this inquiry: a short survey and a more detailed consultation.
Closes: 3 February 2023
News in brief
Visiting the Parliament
The Scottish Parliament building will reopen for visitors on Monday 9 January 2023 at 10.00am.
Visit the Parliament …. Read more news
Calls for views
The Scottish Parliament is open to hearing your views on a range of topics, including:
Citizens’ Panel recommendations
As part of its inquiry into public participation, the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee is asking for your views on which recommendations from the Citizens’ Panel should be prioritised. You can give your views until 10 February 2023.
Information about the recommendations is available in easy read and in BSL.
Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill – consultation
This bill seeks to change the law in relation to trusts (how they are administered and managed) and succession (who has the right to inherit and in what order). The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee would like to know your views on the changes to the law that are proposed in this bill.
Closes: 17 March 2023
Inquiry into public administration – effective Scottish Government decision-making
The Finance and Public Administration Committee is seeking views on the key principles and best practice to support effective government decision-making.
Closes: 7 February 2023
The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill – call for views
This bill aims to update the law around charities. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee would welcome your views on the proposals. There are two ways to respond to this inquiry: a short survey and a more detailed consultation.
Closes: 3 February 2023
Petitions
Petitions open for signature include:
Improve support for victims of spiking
Take action to prevent discriminatory abortions for disability in Scotland
Introduce mandatory braille labelling for food products sold in Scotland
End legal loopholes for the Monarchy
Withdraw the ‘Supporting transgender young people in schools’ guidance from Scottish schools
Legislation
Budget (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill – introduced on 22 December 2022
This bill sets out the Scottish Government’s plans for public spending in Scotland in the financial year 2023-24.
The Scottish budget process … View all current bills
Recruitment
Working for the Scottish Parliament
If you want to work for the Scottish Parliament, or for an MSP, check our latest vacancies. Current vacancies include: Permanent Statistician, Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
All current vacancies … Find out more