Latest news with #ScotlandAct1998
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government news, interviews and updates
The current First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) is John Swinney. Read on for all the latest Scottish Government news, interviews and updates. Latest Scottish Government news As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest Scottish Government news stories. Government promises 'exclusion does remain an option' for schools Prestwick Airport staff receive pay boost as sale considered Holyrood civil servants warned not to discuss policy with AI Why is The Scottish Government devolved? Scotland has two governments: The UK and The Scottish Government. The UK government retains control over 'reserved' matters, and The Scottish Government handles 'devolved' responsibilities. The people of Scotland voted for Devolution in 1997. The UK Parliament then passed the Scotland Act 1998 which established the Scottish Parliament. Holyrood officially opened in 1999. (Image: Jeff J Mitchell) The Scottish Government is responsible for managing its own expenditure and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. What powers are devolved? Agriculture, forestry and fisheries Education and training Environment Health, care and social services Housing and land use planning Law and order Local government Sports, arts and tourism Parts of social security Some forms of taxation Many aspects of transport Does the Scottish Government pay for university? Domestic students in Scotland do not pay tuition fees, while students coming from the rest of the UK are charged a fee. Universities receive funding from the Scottish Government for each student, with the amounts varying according to the nature of each individual's studies. In Scotland, students apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), which covers their tuition fee, whether they study in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. Prescriptions in Scotland Prescriptions are free in Scotland. Wales led the way in eliminating prescription fees in 2007, paving the way for Northern Ireland's 2010 decision. File photo of a prescription being collected from the Craigton Pharmacy in Glasgow (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) The Scottish Government abolished charges in April 2011. Is the Scottish Government paying the Winter Fuel Payments? The Winter Fuel Payment benefit was previously available to almost everyone in the UK who was of state pension age to help cover their heating costs. It is now limited to those on Pension Credit or means-tested benefits who will get the Winter Fuel Payment - £200 or £300 for people aged over 80. A recent petition started by pensioner Carole Webb has called on the government to rethink changes to the payments and has been signed by more than 150,000 people. Scottish courts Scotland's justice system operates largely independently with its own courts, police, and legal profession. The criminal justice system of Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. While some legislative powers remain with the UK Government, for example, criminal law relating to firearms, and drug policy reform, Scotland's justice system is largely devolved with its own courts, tribunals, judiciary, prosecution service, police service, prisons, fire and rescue service, and other justice agencies, as well as its own legal profession. Scottish island ferries subsidised by the government Scotland's ferry system is controlled by the Scottish Government to maintain and develop its services. This is done through a multi-layered group involving an agency and three state-controlled companies. Ferguson Marine was taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government in 2019 (Image: George Munro) Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government agency that oversees ferry policy, funding, and contracts. Since 2007, the government has invested more than £2.2 billion in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service and the Northern Isles Ferry Service. This includes new routes, new vessels, upgraded harbour infrastructure, as well as the roll out of significantly reduced fares through the Road Equivalent Tariff scheme. And from June 23, people aged 19 to 21 who live on Scottish islands are eligible for concessionary ferry vouchers for travel between their home island and the Scottish mainland. Can the Scottish Government call for an election? Yes, the government calls for an election once every four to five years. The next election is expected to be held next May.
The National
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Why won't Labour give Scotland same deal Canada gives its provinces?
SNP MP Stephen Gethins has proposed a Private Member's Bill in the House of Commons which would amend the Scotland Act 1998 to allow the Scottish Government to set up a Scottish visa scheme. The bill proposes to devolve more powers over immigration to Holyrood, to increase Scotland's workforce in the hospitality, tourism and care sectors, all of which are suffering a recruitment crisis due to Brexit. Speaking on Sky News, the MP pointed out that the plan had been proposed by former Tory minister Michael Gove before the EU referendum and was discussed by the Labour party in Scotland ahead of the last General Election. READ MORE: Scotland shouldn't aim for independence without a currency plan, says expert Both Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie promised voters, during the UK election campaign last year, that a Labour government would be open to introducing a Scottish visa. However like most of the campaign promises of the Labour party in Scotland, once the votes are counted the promise is filed in the bin. Other countries, including Canada and Australia, have decentralised immigration systems, allowing their states, provinces and territories to tailor immigration to their own particular needs. There is no reason at all why the UK could not do the same. What does the SNP's by-election victory tell us? Council by-elections always have very low turnout, even when council elections are held across the entire country. The only council elections in recent years in which turnout has exceeded 50% were in 2007. However, this was because that year the Holyrood election was held on the same day. When there's a council by-election, turnout plummets even from the low baseline. There is little publicity that the by-election is taking place – and even politically engaged members of the electorate might not realise it's happening. Even in local media, it may be buried between stories about a fight outside a local pub and a fundraising event in a primary school. Voter turnout in these circumstances depends on the ability of political parties to knock on doors and ensure that their voters are aware. Ross Vettraino passed away in February (Image: Fife Council) That said, there was a by-election yesterday in Fife, in the Glenrothes Central and Thornton ward following the death of veteran SNP councillor Ross Vettraino in February. This election was no exception to the rule that turnout is always low; just 24.2% of the electorate voted. This is in line with the turnout in local authority by elections held in Scotland, which in 2024 averaged 24.6%. Nevertheless, unlike an opinion poll, these are real votes in a real election and as such are very informative about the state of play on the political playing field. This election was dominated by the SNP which took 2439 votes or 47.6% of the first preference votes, more than double the 649 or 21.5% which went to Labour. The hard-right Reform UK came in third with 541 or 17.9%, and the LibDems trailed in fourth place with 207 or 6.9%. The Conservatives came in last place with just 185 or 6.1%. The LibDems recorded a slight improvement in vote share since 2022, both Labour and the Tories experienced significant declines. READ MORE: James Kelly: What we can learn from the SNP's massive Fife by-election win Although Reform seems to have done well, during the 2016 EU referendum Glenrothes was one of the areas in Scotland with a relatively high Leave vote, albeit still far short of a majority. This will have given the Reform UK candidate a strong voter base upon which to build, aided by disaffected Conservatives and hardline Unionists amongst former Labour voters. This is now the fifth council by-election in a row which has been won by the SNP. Given all that the SNP has faced in the intervening years, its vote has held up remarkably well, while Labour's share of the vote dropped significantly. Labour was never likely to do too well in this by-election, but if the party was on track to win next year's Holyrood vote it should have performed better than it did in 2022. On current showing Labour is set to do even worse in the next Holyrood election than it did in 2021. Cue the world's tiniest violin. The result also confirmed that the Tories, the original nasty party, are haemorrhaging votes to the even nastier Reform UK. Reform UK leader Nigel FarageSince Reform have never held power in any meaningful way, they are still able to pretend that they can offer all things to all people. That will surely change if they ever take power – and may all the gods help us – Nigel Farage becomes prime minister and 30p Lee Anderson holds an important Cabinet post. Then all the corrupt horror of what Reform really stands for will be revealed and voter disappointment and anger will be even greater and more comprehensive than that experienced by the Labour party after Keir Starmer took power. The Labour prime minister may lose the title of the greatest charlatan ever to mar the face of British politics. This piece is an extract from today's REAL Scottish Politics newsletter, which is emailed out at 7pm every weekday with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from the Wee Ginger Dug. To receive our full newsletter including this analysis straight to your email inbox, click HERE and click the "+" sign-up symbol for the REAL Scottish Politics
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Labour blocks bid to allow SNP Government to bring in more foreign workers
Labour has blocked a bid to allow the SNP Government to bring in more foreign workers. The SNP accused Labour of running down the clock to stop a vote from taking place on devolving immigration powers. Gethins said that letting the Scottish Government bring in more foreign workers would help "offset Brexit" He said the current system is failing social care in Scotland because we cannot hire enough workers . The Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP wants a separate Scottish visa to attract more people north of the border. The idea has been supported by some people in Scottish Labour. Gethins said: 'This Bill today is a way of offsetting some of the damage that's been done by a hostile environment, by Brexit – which I'm astonished daily that the Scottish Labour Party continue to endorse – and let me talk about the Scottish care system, the current UK immigration system. 'All of us will benefit from the care system at some point – all of us. And we'll all have loved ones to have benefited, so I think their voice is a particularly pertinent one. 'The current UK immigration system is failing the social care sector in Scotland. 'The recent rule changes, particularly the ban on dependents which has had a big impact on other sectors as well, and the incompatible increase in the minimum salary threshold, exacerbate existing recruitment challenges and pose significant risks to the sustainability in delivery of the care services.' Gethins' Bill would remove immigration from schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, which lists 'reserved matters' still under Westminster control. But when Labour Scottish Secretary Ian Murray pointed out to him that the 'Bill is a simple, one-line Bill that says to devolve the entire immigration system to Scotland,' Gethins admitted 'this is not ideal" and said he was 'very open to this being amended'. Murray also urged Gethins to be clear with the House', adding: 'If this Bill passes, it will merely remove immigration from schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, which would devolve immigration to the Scottish Government – yes or no?' Gethins said the Bill was about 'coming together, talking to each other'. Scottish Labour MP John Grady was slapped down by the UK Government last year when he claimed work was underway to create a separate Scottish immigration visa . To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here
The National
25-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour 'block' vote on giving Scotland immigration powers
Introducing his Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, Stephen Gethins told the Commons that migration had 'driven our policies and our economic growth for centuries'. But the SNP accused Labour of running down the clock to prevent the bill from being put to a vote. At the end of a lengthy debate, Gethins proposed it be resumed on July 11. According to business insights and conditions survey results published by the Scottish Government, an estimated 22.6% of businesses were experiencing a shortage of workers in February this year. Firms in the health and social work sector were thought to be the worst hit, with 42.9% of businesses reporting shortages. Gethins (below) told MPs: 'For how long do we have to put up with damaging Westminster policies? (Image: NQ) 'This bill today is a way of offsetting some of the damage that's been done by a hostile environment, by Brexit – which I'm astonished daily that the Scottish Labour Party continue to endorse – and let me talk about the Scottish care system, the current UK immigration system. 'All of us will benefit from the care system at some point – all of us. And we'll all have loved ones to have benefited, so I think their voice is a particularly pertinent one. 'The current UK immigration system is failing the social care sector in Scotland. 'The recent rule changes, particularly the ban on dependents which has had a big impact on other sectors as well, and the incompatible increase in the minimum salary threshold, exacerbate existing recruitment challenges and pose significant risks to the sustainability in delivery of the care services.' READ MORE: No border checks needed for bespoke Scottish immigration visa, says SNP MP Social care workers are not normally allowed to bring their dependants, for example, their partners and children, into the UK using their health and social care visa, after changes made last year. Migrants arriving on a skilled worker visa should be able to meet a £38,700 salary threshold – up from £26,200 – to qualify. Josh Fenton-Glynn, the Labour MP for Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, intervened in Gethins' speech and said: 'The problem with care is not that we're not getting cheap labour from elsewhere, it's that we're not paying care workers enough.' (Image: PA) Gethins, the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP, had earlier said: 'Migration has driven our policies and our economic growth for centuries. 'Yet we lean in, or Labour leans in, to this Reform agenda – it's very disappointing that they're not in their place – that is so poisonous to our political rhetoric, when we talk about migration and refugees – two entirely separate issues.' The private member's bill would remove immigration from schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, which lists 'reserved matters' still under the control of legislators in Westminster. 'His bill is a simple, one-line bill that says to devolve the entire immigration system to Scotland,' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told the Commons. Gethins replied that 'this is not ideal' and said he was 'very open to this being amended'. Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and Kinross-shire, intervened to say that private members' bills are 'practically rewritten and drafted in committee'. Speaking afterwards, Gethins said: "The Labour Party has broken its promise to voters, and is actively damaging Scotland's economy and public services, by blocking a Scottish visa and the devolution of migration powers while imposing a hard Brexit on Scotland." He added that the "ball is now firmly back in the Labour Party's court", saying: "There is widespread support for a Scottish visa, and the devolution of migration powers, across vital Scottish industries and public services including the NHS and social care, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, construction, and higher education. The Labour Party must explain why it is arrogantly dismissing Scotland's needs out of hand."
Powys County Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Holyrood immigration power could help with ‘offsetting' Brexit damage, claims MP
Devolving immigration powers to Holyrood is 'a way of offsetting some of the damage that's been done by a hostile environment, by Brexit', an SNP MP has claimed. Introducing his Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, Stephen Gethins told the Commons that migration had 'driven our policies and our economic growth for centuries'. According to business insights and conditions survey results published by the Scottish Government, an estimated 22.6% of businesses were experiencing a shortage of workers in February this year. Firms in the health and social work sector were thought to be the worst hit, with 42.9% of businesses reporting shortages. Mr Gethins told MPs: 'For how long do we have to put up with damaging Westminster policies? 'This Bill today is a way of offsetting some of the damage that's been done by a hostile environment, by Brexit – which I'm astonished daily that the Scottish Labour Party continue to endorse – and let me talk about the Scottish care system, the current UK immigration system. 'All of us will benefit from the care system at some point – all of us. And we'll all have loved ones to have benefited, so I think their voice is a particularly pertinent one. 'The current UK immigration system is failing the social care sector in Scotland. 'The recent rule changes, particularly the ban on dependents which has had a big impact on other sectors as well, and the incompatible increase in the minimum salary threshold, exacerbate existing recruitment challenges and pose significant risks to the sustainability in delivery of the care services.' Social care workers are not normally allowed to bring their dependants, for example, their partners and children, into the UK using their health and social care visa, after changes made last year. Migrants arriving on a skilled worker visa should be able to meet a £38,700 salary threshold – up from £26,200 – to qualify. Josh Fenton-Glynn, the Labour MP for Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, intervened in Mr Gethins' speech and said: 'The problem with care is not that we're not getting cheap labour from elsewhere, it's that we're not paying care workers enough.' Mr Gethins, the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP, had earlier said: 'Migration has driven our policies and our economic growth for centuries. 'Yet we lean in, or Labour leans in, to this Reform agenda – it's very disappointing that they're not in their place – that is so poisonous to our political rhetoric, when we talk about migration and refugees – two entirely separate issues.' The private member's Bill would remove immigration from schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, which lists 'reserved matters' still under the control of legislators in Westminster. 'His Bill is a simple, one-line Bill that says to devolve the entire immigration system to Scotland,' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told the Commons. Mr Gethins replied that 'this is not ideal' and said he was 'very open to this being amended'.
