SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT BACK IN BUSINESS NEXT WEEK

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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 9 January 2024
How devolution is changing post-EU (Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee debate)

Wednesday 10 January 2024
The impact of UK Government asylum policy and legislation in Scotland (Scottish Government debate)

Thursday 11 January 2024

Scotland’s public service values (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.

News in brief

Visiting the Parliament

The Scottish Parliament building will reopen for visitors on Monday 8 January 2024 at 10am.

Get involved

Calls for views

The Scottish Parliament is open to hearing your views on a range of topics, including:

2013 Self-directed Support Act
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is looking at the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. This act sought to ensure that care and support is arranged, managed and delivered in a way that supports choice and control for individuals. The committee is seeking views from anyone with experience of or a view on self-directed support, as well as from organisations and staff from the care sector. The survey is also available in BSL and easy read. Closing date: 12 January 2024 

Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee is seeking your views on the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill. A judicial factor is an individual appointed by the Court to manage property of those who, for whatever reason, are unable or unwilling to do so. Closing date: 15 March 2024

Petitions

All petitions currently under consideration are open for signature, including:

Ensure accurate information is used when issuing court summons

Increase local government funding to help protect the vulnerable elderly population and prevent the closure of care homes

Prioritise local participation in planning decisions

Require original wills made outside of Scotland to be accepted into safe custody, by Registers of Scotland or other safe custody providers, without prior mailing around

Legislation

Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill – stage 1 debate scheduled for 16 January 2024

This bill aims to allow a visitor levy, a type of fee or tax, to be charged on overnight stays in some types of accommodation.

SPICe resources

Research briefings produced by SPICe this week include:

Scottish Budget 2024-25

SPICe spotlight blogs provide a quick overview on current issues and hot topics.

Gaelic – you spoke, we listened!

Earlier this year, we asked what you thought of our proposed Gaelic Language Plan. This is a document setting out the Scottish Parliament’s commitments to using, developing and promoting Gaelic over the next five years. The final document is now available to read on our website.

We’re now looking at what new Gaelic resources we can offer our website users and social media followers. For example, do you want to hear more Gaelic podcasts? Would you subscribe to a monthly Gaelic newsletter? You can share your thoughts with the Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic team by emailing gaidhlig@parliament.scot

A’ Ghàidhlig – bhruidhinn sibh, dh’èist sinn! 

Dh’fhaighnich sinn dè ur beachd air an dreachd phlana Ghàidhlig againn na bu thràithe am-bliadhna. Tha an sgrìobhainn seo a’ mìneachadh ghealltanasan Pàrlamaid na h-Alba a thaobh cleachdadh, leasachadh agus brosnachadh na Gàidhlig thairis air an ath chòig bliadhna. Tha an tionndadh mu dheireadh a-nis ri leughadh air an làraich-lìn againn.

Tha sinn a-nis a’ coimhead air dè na goireasan Gàidhlig ùr as urrainn dhuinn toirt do luchd-cleachdaidh na làraich-lìn agus nam meadhanan sòisealta againn. Mar eisimpleir, a bheil thu airson barrachd pod-chraolaidhean Gàidhlig a chluinntinn? Am fo-sgrìobhadh tu gu cuairt-litir Ghàidhlig gach mìos? Faodaidh tu do bheachdan a thoirt do sgioba Gàidhlig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba le bhith a’ cur post-d gu gaidhlig@parliament.scot.

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 IT Helpdesk Technician

Temporary Communications Manager – 6 months (Secondments welcome)

SPCB