Scottish Government outlines plans as MSPs return

The Scottish Government will outline its legislative plans for the coming months as MSPs return to Holyrood today.
Alex Salmond will unveil the Scottish Government's plans. Picture: Greg MacveanAlex Salmond will unveil the Scottish Government's plans. Picture: Greg Macvean
Alex Salmond will unveil the Scottish Government's plans. Picture: Greg Macvean

First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to unveil a range of Bills and policies reflecting the SNP-administration’s priorities for government.

Parliamentary protocol dictates that the legislative programme must remain confidential until Parliament has been formally notified, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said.

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The Government has been consulting on a range of issues over the last few months which could make an appearance on the legislative programme.

Yesterday, the Scottish Cabinet approved for introduction the Revenues Scotland and Tax Powers Bill that establishes Revenues Scotland as a non-ministerial department with the tax authority for collecting Scotland’s new devolved taxes, namely Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and the Landfill Tax.

Sentences

The Government introduced the Criminal Justice Bill shortly before the summer recess, which will be debated in the coming months.

The Bill includes provisions that will abolish the requirement for corroboration in criminal trials alongside increases to the jury majority required for a guilty verdict to two-thirds of jurors, and strengthens court powers to impose sentences on those who commit offences while on early release.

The Scottish Government will also release its White Paper on independence, outlining its vision if Scotland votes yes in the referendum on September 18 next year.

Mr Salmond, said: “The case for independence is based on a very simple argument. Decisions about Scotland should be taken by the people who care most about Scotland: those who live and work here.

“This is both democratically right and the best way to improve our country. After all, no one has a greater incentive to make the right decisions for Scotland than us, the people who will be directly affected.

Rejected

“The record of the Scottish Parliament provides ample evidence of the truth of this argument: taking decisions in Scotland works. Individuals, families and communities have gained from the decision-making powers of devolution.

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“But equally the record of successive Westminster governments - often, like now, governments that have been rejected by Scottish voters - demonstrates the costs to people in Scotland when decisions are still taken in Westminster.

“The Scottish Parliament has taken bold decisions to address the very real needs of the country, and has reflected the views and values of its people.

“The Scottish Parliament has repeatedly proved its ability to take the important decisions needed to improve people’s lives and reflect our values.

“It is now time to extend the advantages of self-government - of democratic accountability and oversight here in Scotland, governments that reflect the views of the people of Scotland - to all matters that affect us directly, day-to-day.

“Instead of simply mitigating the impacts of decisions which are not in our best interests, we will then chart our own course based on the needs of the people who live and work in Scotland.

Homecoming

“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014, as we celebrate the world’s sports-people in the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, and welcome the world back to Scotland for Homecoming.

“They will see a country with a growing confidence and sense of itself, and a Parliament which continues to demonstrate its purpose and connectedness to the Scottish people and their values.”

Meanwhile, there will be a motion of condolence today for former Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie, who died on August 12 in the middle of the summer recess.

Tomorrow, Finance Secretary John Swinney is expected to make a statement on the Super Puma helicopter crash off Shetland on August 23 which killed four people.