MSP HOLIDAYS ARE OVER: WHAT’S ON IN THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK

Parliamentary business resumes

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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. Subject to the agreement of the Parliament, business will also include:

 

Tuesday 2 September 2025

Tackling the housing emergency (Ministerial statement)
Priorities for Scotland (Scottish Government debate)

Provision of NHS dentistry (Members’ business)

 

Wednesday 3 September 2025

Situation in Gaza (First Minister’s statement)

Palestine (Scottish Government debate)

Recognising the impact of chronic kidney disease (Members’ business)

 

Thursday 4 September 2025

Peak rail fares abolished (Members’ business)

Drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2024 and the national mission to reduce deaths and improve the lives of people impacted by drugs (Ministerial statement)

The 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (Public Audit Committee 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

Committee fact-finding visit
On 26 August, members of the Finance and Public Administration Committee visited the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Paisley. The visit focused on economic growth and how best to respond to Scotland’s long-term fiscal pressures.

Party change

Graham Simpson MSP resigned from the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party on 27 August. He will continue to represent constituents of the Central Scotland region as a member of Reform UK.

Letter from the Rt Hon Lord Pentland, Lord President

The Finance and Public Administration Committee has received a letter from the Rt Hon Lord Pentland, Lord President, explaining his role in appointing judicial chairs to inquiries. The committee is currently carrying out an investigation into the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries.

Books of condolence for Sir George Reid 
Following the death of the former Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid, a book of condolence is open at the Scottish Parliament to allow visitors to pay their respects.

For those who are unable to visit the Parliament building, there is an online book of condolence. Comments left online will be collated and sent to Sir George Reid’s family.

Get involved

Calls for views

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

 

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is seeking the views of people with knowledge of the crofting sector on the proposals set out in the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill.

Closing date: 5 September 2025

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill

The Criminal Justice Committee is seeking views on the proposed new law called the Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. The committee would welcome responses from a wide range of individuals and organisations, includingvictim-survivors of domestic abuse, theirfamily members,those with professional experience andany other stakeholders with an interest in the prevention of domestic abuse.

Closing date: 15 September 2025

Other open calls for views include:

 

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill

Closing date: 5 September 2025

 

Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill

Closing date: 12 September 2025

 

Criminal Justice Committee Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Closing date: 9 September 2025

 

Ecocide (Scotland) Bill

Closing date: 9 September 2025

 

Draft Climate Change Plan

Closing date: 19 September 2025

Petitions

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

 

Introduce mandatory latex labelling for food products sold in Scotland

 

Introduce penalties for failing to comply with Mental Welfare Commission recommendations related to duty of candour

 

Strengthen veto powers when assessing Business Improvement District proposals

 

Support and fund mobility services

Legislation

During this session of the Scottish Parliament, 44 bills have become acts of the Scottish Parliament.

 

If a bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about four weeks. Royal Assent is when the bill gets formal agreement by the King and becomes an act of the Scottish Parliament.

 

Do you want to find out about the stages of a bill? You can watch this short video that explains the process bills follow in the Scottish Parliament to become laws. For more detailed information, have a look at the Bills and Laws pages on our website.

Miralles exhibition

Enric Miralles: Creating the Scottish Parliament, and other stories by Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT

This exhibition tells the untold story of how Enric Miralles, Holyrood’s lead architect, brought to life his vision for a Parliament ‘growing out of the land’ – and how his studio continues his legacy today through new public space projects that respond to communities, cultural and urban contexts.

 

The exhibition is on display until 30 October 2025 and entry is free.

Special offer in the Parliament shop

For the duration of the exhibition, the Parliament shop is offering a free guidebook with a purchase of one of the books about Enric Miralles and EMBT: Miralles, Tramas de la Memoria or Miralles Tagliabue EMBT. The offer is available in store and online.

Following recent media reports, please be assured that our priority is your safety and welfare, and please be confident to visit the building. Police Scotland, with our support, have conducted a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in our building.

SPICe resources

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre(SPICe) produces impartial information and analysis to support MSPs and Parliament staff in all areas of parliamentary business.

 

Research briefings produced by SPICe this week include:

 

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill

SPICe spotlight blogs this week include:

 

Driving down driving 3

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:

 

Participation Specialists

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