Government states focus on economy and education as Brexit looms in background
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT kicked off its attempts to deliver the SNP’s 2016 manifesto with 15 legislative proposals for the beginning of the new parliamentary session.
New laws for the economy, housing, local government, and child poverty will be complimented by the new social security powers.
A £500m investment fund will also be established over the next three years to support economic growth.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the programme for government “demonstrates how we will implement the mandate the people of Scotland gave us to drive sustainable economic growth, reform education and create opportunities for all, transform our public services and empower local communities.”
Measures in the programme include:
Air Passenger Duty Bill
The bill will establish the rules for the devolution of air passenger taxation, that the government plans to cut in half.
Budget Bill
The budget bill will approve the government’s spending decisions.
Child Poverty Bill
The bill will create a duty for ministers to deliver child poverty delivery plans.
Contract (Third Party Rights) Bill
This bill will reform contract law, as proposed by the Scottish Law Commission.
Domestic Abuse Bill
The bill will confront the scourge of domestic violence through a new offence to criminalise psychological abuse, while modernising the treatment of domestic abuse in the courts system.
Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation Bill
The bill will attempt to reform access and costs of the civil court system.
Forestry Bill
The bill will respond to the full devolution of powers relating to forestry by establishing a new public body with the freedom to manage publicly owned land.
Gender Balance on Public Boards Bill
The bill will seek to address gender inequalities, including for non-executive appointments to the boards of Scottish public authorities.
Housing (Amendment) Bill
The bill will ensure the status of social landlords is protected from being reclassified.
Islands Bill
The bill will create an Islands plan, legal flexibility on council representation at island level, and extend more powers to island communities.
Limitation (Childhood Abuse) Bill
The bill will seek to remove barriers to child abuse survivors, as recommended by the Scottish Human Rights Commission.
Railway Policing Bill
The railway policing bill will integrate the British Transport Police functions into Police Scotland.
Social Security Bill
The bill, one of the most substantial in the programme, will establish a Scottish Social Security Agency – following the further devolution of powers over welfare.
Wild Animals in Circuses Bill
The bill will ban the use of circus animals in traveling shows on ethical grounds.
Referendum Bill
A consultation will be published on a draft independence referendum, should it be necessary in response to the Brexit vote.
Picture courtesy of Scottish Parliament TV
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