Scottish Government Legislative Programme 2007/08

Legislative Programme 2007-08

Below is an outline of the legislative agenda of the SNP administration over the next year. Most would agree that this is a light and generally uncontroversial legislative agenda reflecting the nature of a minority government. The First Minister argues “most people already believe there is too much legislation and yearn for a more considered and more restricted approach. I embrace that sense of legislative restraint.” There are 11 bills in total. This may be supplemented by Non-Executive Bills promoted by other parties and individual MSPs.

Abolition of Bridges Tolls (Scotland): To scrap tolls on Forth and Tay Bridges. Already agreed in principle by Parliament.

Public Health (Scotland Bill): Extends existing law beyond infectious diseases to include biological, chemical or radiological contamination. Already the subject of a consultation paper.

Graduate Endowment (Abolition) (Scotland) Bill: Abolition of the £2000 graduate endowment fee. Would benefit 50,000 students.

Interest on Debt and Damages Bill: Fair rules for the application of interest rates to payments of debt and damages.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games Bill: Support of the commonwealth games, should the Glasgow bid be successful, and to protect the event from ambush marketing.

Budget (Scotland) Bill: Give the Scottish Government authority to spend money from the Scottish consolidated fund in 2008/09. Awaiting the UK Comprehensive Spending Review (CRS).

Judiciary (Scotland) Bill: Formalises arrangements for judicial appointments board and puts court system under direction of Lord President.

Local Healthcare (Scotland) Bill: Direct elections to NHS boards.

Creative Scotland Bill: The Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen will merge to form Creative Scotland a new cultural development body.

Rape and Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. Due in May, this will reform the law on consent, and will put responsibility on both sexual partners to ensure that sex is consensual. Introduce an offence of sexual assault.

Flooding Prevention (Scotland) Bill: Update existing laws to cover all aspects of flood management in Scotland.

The First Minister also told Parliament that the Government would consider support of the two Member’s Bills proposed by Jamie McGrigor (creating a register of tartans) and Ken Macintosh (restricting sunbed use).

To get a full copy of the Executive document setting out the government’s principles and priorities click here.