We live in a digital world. It is changing the way we work, do business, entertain, deliver services, shop and keep in touch with our family and friends, as well as the work of government. It is a source of incredible opportunity – to open new markets, scale rapidly, tackle climate change and...More
We are seeking views on the future arrangements for early medical abortion at home across Scotland. The responses will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision on whether the current arrangements should continue once there is no longer a significant risk of COVID-19 transmission. ...More
The Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan sets out a clear vision for our future infrastructure - to support and enable an inclusive net zero emissions economy. The plan focusses on adopting and building on the recommendations of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland's Phase 1 report. It sets...More
As in previous years, we intend to create a new Scottish Statutory Instrument accounting for the target cost of operating the Scottish Road Works Register in the 2021-22 financial year. The intention is to revoke the 2020 instrument, and replace with a new instrument for 2021. This consultation...More
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government's detailed proposals for the regulation of short-term lets which will form the basis for secondary legislation to be laid in Parliament in December.
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The Energy Consumers Commission has been established to strengthen the voice of energy consumers in Scotland.
The Commission is independent from Government, consisting of representatives with a wealth of experience in national consumer advocacy and advice bodies, academia and local groups...More
Prostitution is a form of commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial sexual exploitation persists as a result of how women are viewed by society .
The Scottish Government’s definition of gender based violence is clearly set out in Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for...More
The Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets out a compelling long-term vision for road safety, Vision Zero, where there are zero fatalities and injuries on Scotland’s roads by 2050. The journey to achieving this vision will also include ambitious interim targets where the number of people being...More
The UK Digital Economy Act 2017 (“The Act”), Part 5 introduces new information sharing powers to reduce debt owed to, or fraud against, the public sector.
To be able to use the information sharing powers, public authorities (and bodies which provide services to public...More
In advance of the Scottish Budget 2021-22, the Scottish Government is seeking views on the role of Scotland’s devolved taxes and Fiscal Framework in supporting the COVID-19 economic recovery.
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The management and disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Scotland is currently carried out in line with the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (“the current regulations"). Following a recast of...More
This consultation paper relates to proposed changes to the existing requirements for pre-application consultation (PAC) with local communities on national and major developments. These requirements were introduced in 2009, as part of the implementation of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act...More
This consultation invites comments on the content of a Ministerial Statement to set out the circumstances in which, and the general criteria by reference to which, the power of Scottish Ministers to modify local connection referrals between local authorities in Scotland is to be exercised. It also...More
The objective of this paper is to offer an opportunity for views to be gathered on the future of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland. The main proposal relates to a possible amalgamation of the two bodies. This would be achieved by the incorporation of the Lands...More
The Scottish Government is committed to a plan-led planning system. Development plans form the basis of planning decision-making to enable the right developments in the right locations.
We want the planning system to support the delivery of good quality homes in the right locations. This is...More
The doctrine of prescription serves a vital function in the civil justice system. Negative prescription sets time-limits for when obligations (and rights), such as obligations under a contract, are extinguished. The Prescription (Scotland) Act 2018, when commenced, will make a number of...More
The purpose of the draft Respiratory Care Action Plan is to highlight the Scottish Government’s vision for driving improvement in the diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions in Scotland.
This draft Plan identifies key priorities and...More
We have come a long way since the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 was passed; setting out the rights of parents to be involved and engaged with their children’s education.
This new draft guidance explains the purpose of the legislation and the duties placed upon...More
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets)(Scotland) Act 2019 recently passed by the Scottish Parliament contains some of the most ambitious statutory emission reduction targets in the world. The transition required to meet these targets will be one of a number of long-term structural...More
The number of non-surgical cosmetic treatments carried out across Scotland and the UK has risen considerably over the years and continues to do so.
In Scotland, independent clinics run by a doctor, nurse, dentist, dental nurse, midwife or dental care professional and who...More
The 2019-20 Programme for Government made a commitment to consult on ‘enabling joint reporting to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Principal Reporter of all 16 and 17 year olds’ offence cases’.
Ministers have since agreed to widen the consultation to seek views on...More
The UK Digital Economy Act 2017 (“The Act”), Part 5 introduces new information sharing powers to reduce debt owed to, or fraud against, the public sector.
To be able to use the information sharing powers, public authorities (and bodies which provide services to public authorities in...More
The Advisory Group on Economic Recovery has been established by the Scottish Government to provide independent expert advice on supporting the sectors and regions of Scotland's economy to recover from the impact of Covid-19. In establishing this Advisory Group, the Scottish Government has...More
A review is being carried out into the way mental health law is working in Scotland. This review was set up by the Scottish Government but it is independent from them.
John Scott QC is leading the Review and wants to hear about your experience of mental health law in Scotland. Your views...More
The aim of the Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008 is to protect public health, by monitoring water quality at locations popular with large numbers of bathers; providing public information on that water quality; and taking steps to improve water quality where the necessary standards are...More
The Scottish Government is committed to developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy for Scotland, as set out in Protecting Scotland's Future: the Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019-2020, published in September 2019. The strategy will help ensure that Scotland maximises the...More
There is evidence that some payment practices prevalent in the construction industry are a barrier to investment, productivity improvements and growth. Cash retention, where the process is misused or abused, can be one such practice .
The retention system is a long-standing...More
The emergence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the biggest global challenge that humanity has faced for generations.
We want your views on how we overcome the challenges ahead.
On 23 April 2020 we published Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making. This sets out the issues...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views about whether the Scottish Government should introduce mandatory measures to control the harvesting of live wrasse for the salmon farming industry.
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The purpose of this consultation is to seek views from individuals and companies including Professional Operators (seed merchants, seed processors, seed packers), Licensed Crop Inspectors, Licensed Seed Samplers, Licensed Seed Testing Stations (LSTS), farmers and interested members of the public...More