This consultation seeks views on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS) in Scotland. This new standard will replace the second Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2).
The Scottish Government wants all of our homes to be warmer, greener and more efficient, and is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland, no matter their financial situation, has access to good quality housing that they can afford to heat.
The social housing sector has led the...More
Like many other countries, Scotland has a legal target to reach ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions. The way we heat our homes, workplaces and other buildings is the third-largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland. There is no way to meet our legal obligation to reach ‘net zero’ without changing the heating systems in the vast majority of our buildings.
The purpose of this consultation is to make you aware of our proposal to make new laws around the heating...More
This consultation seeks views on draft statutory guidance on the delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in Scottish schools.
The draft guidance is an update to guidance originally published in 2014 .
Work to embed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusive education across the curriculum and to review the delivery of Personal and Social Education (PSE) both recommended the existing guidance be updated.
...More
In 2012, the Scottish Parliament passed the Alcoho l ( M inimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 (the 2012 Act) which allowed Scottish Ministers to introduce a system of minimum unit pricing for alcohol. Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) was first implemented on 1 May 2018, with the minimum price of alcohol set at 50 pence per unit (ppu). MUP was introduced to mitigate the significant health harms caused by alcohol consumption in Scotland. ...More
This consultation seeks your views on the Scottish Government’s proposed principles and considerations in developing policy for the future of the water industry in Scotland in response to the climate emergency.
Climate induced events both at home and around the world this summer and autumn are a stark reminder that we are in the middle of a climate crisis – it is not in the future or somewhere on the horizon, it’s happening now.
We are seeing extremes in temperatures...More
The Scottish Government wants to ensure that all those who have died are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Death, burial, cremation and related topics are very emotive subjects. There are also ethical, faith, social and cultural dimensions to caring for the deceased. This consultation seeks to balance clarity of language around the alkaline hydrolysis process with the objective of ensuring that the subject matter is treated with care, respect and sensitivity.
While developing...More
Our aim is to modernise the legislation governing burial in Scotland by using the regulation making powers set out in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 ('the 2016 Act').
The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions. In particular, we invite views on the following areas:
commencement of Part 1 of the 2016 Act, ...More
Background
The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the 2016 Act’) received Royal Assent in April 2016. It provides a modern, comprehensive legislative framework for burial and cremation in Scotland. Many of the 2016 Act’s provisions are rooted in recommendations made by the Infant Cremation Commission , the National Cremation Investigation and the Burial and Cremation Review Group .
The 2016 Act gives Scottish Ministers the power to, amongst other things,...More
Background
The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the 2016 Act’) received Royal Assent in April 2016. It provides a modern, comprehensive legislative framework for burial and cremation in Scotland. Many of the 2016 Act’s provisions are rooted in recommendations made by the Infant Cremation Commission , the National Cremation Investigation and the Burial and Cremation Review Group .
The 2016 Act gives Scottish Ministers the power to, amongst other things,...More
Since 2010, Scotland’s industry led Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication scheme has reduced the number of Scottish cattle breeding herds with BVD cases from 40% to 9%. We want to hear your views on our proposals for the next phase of the eradication scheme. Your answers will help to shape the next phase of the scheme and will help bring Scotland closer to BVD eradication.
BVD is one of the most important cattle diseases for economics, productivity and welfare. Eradicating BVD...More
Minor amendments are needed within the Road Works (Qualifications of Operative and Supervisors (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and a replacement Stautory Instrument is required to replace the Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2022. This consultation seeks views on both proposed changes.
Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees) Regulations:
The proposal is to revoke the 2022 Regulations, and create new Regulations to account for the running costs of ...More
The Scottish Government committed to a policy review of Scotland’s statutory debt solutions with the aim of further enhancing and improving our system.
Part of this review was undertaken by stakeholder-led working groups which recommended the introduction of a Mental Health Moratorium in Scotland. They recognised the benefits in establishing a specific tool which ensures people struggling with mental health and finances have access to breathing space and respite. ...More
We are seeking views on using electronic tracking and monitoring technologies on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels in Scottish waters (and Scottish vessels wherever they operate).
The technology will provide a greater insight into t he distribution and activity of these vessels. The data generated could be used by the Scottish Government for future fisheries management, environmental protection, provision of scientific advice and to identify key fishing areas in marine...More
Scotland’s first ever National Islands Plan was published in 2019. It is now being reviewed as required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, which may lead to the publication of a new National Islands Plan. The Scottish Government wants to work together with local authorities, island communities and relevant sectors and partners to ensure this process is as thorough and effective as possible, providing us with vital feedback from those most impacted by the National Islands Plan. ...More
Background
In March 2022 the Scottish Government announced that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) would be replaced with a new qualifications body. It also announced its intention to establish a new independent inspectorate whilst also needing to understand how best to align education inspection with the wider inspection system.
These two announcements followed on from recommendations made by the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) June 2021 report on...More
Our Vision for Justice , published in February 2022, and the associated Three Year Delivery Plan , published in November 2023 sets out the Scottish Government’s transformative vision to deliver a just, safe resilient country. Delivering the vision requires fundamental change to the operation of our justice services, ensuring that our processes and laws meet the needs of people now and in the future.
This consultation is a key part of a far-reaching programme of work...More
We want to hear your views on the revised Code of Practice for Proper Persons in Scotland in relation to the exercise of powers to execute warrants and orders conferred by Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
The Code replaces an existing Code and is being revised to take account of amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) made by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. and your responses will help us ensure that the guidance to Proper...More
We want to hear your views on a revised Code of Practice for constables in Scotland when they are searching people, premises or vehicles for cash, listed assets or cryptoasset-related items which may have been obtained through unlawful conduct or be intended for use in unalwful conduct.
The Code replaces an existing Code on searches for cash and listed assets and has been expanded to include searches for cryptoasset-related items to take account of amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act...More
The Scottish Government is committed to Keeping The Promise to all children and young people. This includes ensuring that all children and young people with care experience are provided with person-centred support to assist positive transitions from care to adulthood and more independent living.
Many young people with care experience do not have the same informal support network that other young people have during transition points in their lives. It is proposed that the Care Leaver...More
We want to hear your views on the draft 'Quality prescribing for respiratory: a guide for improvement 2024-2027'.
Respiratory diseases are amongst our largest health concerns. We've all had illnesses or seasonal allergies that can affect our breathing. However, the scope of respiratory disease and the impact on sufferers are often misunderstood. Respiratory diseases are a major driver of health inequalities with a high prevalence in Scotland's most deprived areas.
The Guidance...More
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 on the Scottish Government's proposal to:
Introduce secondary legislation that will permit and regulate the production and marketing of plant reproductive material of an organic and...More
Not only in Scotland, but globally, the decisions that govern our oceans are vital to the future of our planet. We require a new National Marine Plan that reflects the significant challenges and opportunities of today.
Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP) was published in 2015. Following statutory reviews and listening to feedback we received on the current plan, last year Scottish Ministers committed to update and replace the NMP (NMP2).
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009...More
Housing to 2040 , our first national strategy and route map, aims to deliver our ambition for everyone to have a safe, good quality and affordable home that meets their needs in the place they want to be. This will be supported by making changes to improve the way the rented sectors operate.
Our A New Deal for Tenants: Draft Rented Sector Strategy , published in December 2021, sought views on a number of proposals for changes to improve the way the rented sectors in Scotland...More
A consultation on allocating appeal functions to the Upper Tribunal for Scotland. This would include transferring certain appeal functions of the Transport Tribunal under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 , and allocating new appeal functions relating to bus services improvement partnerships. The consultation also includes proposed new rules governing the composition and procedure of the Upper Tribunal when hearing those appeals.
The Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014 ("the 2014 Act")...More
We want to hear your views on the draft National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland.
People are invited to share their experiences of the eating disorder care and treatment they have received. However, we understand that sometimes it can be hard to talk or write about these experiences, whether your own or someone else’s.
It is up to you to decide what questions you want to answer during the consultation. There is no need to...More
The strategic commissioning plans and performance reporting statutory guidance were initially published by the Scottish Government in 2015 and 2016. The purpose of the statutory guidance is to support integration authorities, who plan and direct the delivery of health and social care services, to produce strategic plans and annual performance reports.
Strategic plans and performance reports are requirements under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 . This...More
Elected members have a crucial role in the decision-making process within the planning system, being a vital part of our democratic process by carrying out specific planning functions including the determination of certain planning applications for their local authority. Elected members do not necessarily have a planning background and it is vital that adequate training is provided to ensure that elected members have the knowledge and understanding to help them make decisions that are...More
This consultation seeks to obtain the views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland.
This consultation forms part of the work undertaken by the Verification Delivery Model work stream which is one of the seven work streams being directed by the Building Standards Futures Board.
The consultation will gather views...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views from interested parties who export low-risk fruit, vegetables and cut flowers to join the Plant Health Audited Trader Scheme (PHEATS) which has been operational in England and Wales.
PHEATS is a voluntary exports scheme for the movement of low-risk fruit, vegetables and cut flowers to the EU and Northern Ireland. Official phytosanitary inspections will be carried out by an authorised person(s) to ensure that any consignments...More
The Scottish Government has committed to replacing Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) with Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) on a like-for-like basis. Given the significant number of clients who will be transferred to Social Security Scotland with this benefit and the need to ensure a safe and secure transition, the focus of this consultation is around gathering evidence on people’s views of the current benefit and considering how we could improve the system already in place.
...More