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  • A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Consultation

    Scotland is a modern, inclusive nation which respects, protects, and fulfils all internationally recognised human rights. We have made great strides in our collective human rights journey and have committed to go further through a new Human Rights Bill that will incorporate international human rights standards already signed and ratified by the UK into domestic law in Scotland. Embedding international human rights in Scotland will further emphasise the importance of all... More
    Opened 15 June 2023

  • Review of the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance

    Following the publication of the Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) Strategy on 1 December 2023, the Scottish Government has gathered evidence on the effectiveness of environmental governance. The evidence gathered has helped to inform the Report into the Effectiveness of Governance Arrangements, as required by section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 . The content of this consultation is... More
    Opened 2 June 2023

  • Scotland's pavement parking prohibitions - consultation on enforcement regulations for local authorities

    The Scottish Government has been working to improve parking legislation in Scotland in order to tackle the impact of inconsiderate and obstructive parking and ensure that our roads and pavements are accessible for all. As part of this work, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 bans pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs, and gives local authorities the relevant powers to enforce these new provisions. The Act also gives local authorities the power to exempt footways... More
    Opened 2 June 2023

  • Scottish Government Review of Permitted Development Rights - Phase 3

    The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of our wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges. Read the consultation paper More
    Opened 31 May 2023

  • Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance: consultation

    This consultation is about guidance on effective community engagement in the local development planning process. It is for planning authorities and communities. The guidance forms part of the Government’s work on reform of the planning system and implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. It supports the new approach to local development planning on which further new regulations and guidance are available. Read the consultation paper and impact assessments . More
    Opened 24 May 2023

  • Herring in the Firth of Clyde - setting the total allowable catch for 2023

    This consultation relates to the 2023 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for herring in the Firth of Clyde. Marine Scotland is carrying out this consultation on behalf of the UK Fisheries Administrations, to seek views on the level of the 2023 TAC, to permit the allocation of Clyde herring quota to UK fishermen. Read the consultation paper Stakeholder event We're delighted to hold an open meeting for any stakeholders who wish to discuss the options included in the... More
    Opened 19 May 2023

  • Disqualification criteria for councillors: consultation on updating disqualification criteria for local authority members

    Local authority members (i.e. councillors) take strategic decisions that affect all our lives. They decide how best to use taxpayers’ money and manage local authority resources, including property, land and assets. They also have a leading role to play in building and preserving a society where the rights and freedoms of individuals are respected. It is vital, therefore, that they have the trust of the communities they serve. The Scottish Government considers that there should be... More
    Opened 17 May 2023

  • New National Parks - appraisal framework

    There is increasing global consensus around the urgent need to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. The natural environment underpins our economy and our society. It affects our jobs, our health, the food we eat and the water we drink. It supports food production and security and provides the blueprint for many modern medicines. Healthy biodiversity prevents soil erosion, purifies water and helps prevent and mitigate flooding. Nature... More
    Opened 11 May 2023

  • Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance

    This consultation is seeking views and comments on the draft local living and 20 minute neighbourhood planning guidance. The guidance is intended to assist and support local authorities, communities, and others with an interest in local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making. National Planning Framework (NPF4) ... More
    Opened 27 April 2023

  • New environmental quality standard (EQS) for emamectin benzoate (EmBz): consultation on the implementation timescales

    This paper sets out Scottish Government's directions to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on the application of a new EQS for EmBz. This ensures that SEPA exercise its regulatory and river basin management planning functions. Emamectin benzoate is widely used in the fish farm industry to control sea lice in marine finfish farming. The new standard for EmBz is lower than the standard SEPA has used previously to set discharge limits for marine finfish farms. We are... More
    Opened 24 April 2023

  • Council tax on second and empty homes/ Non-domestic rates: consultation

    Our aim is for everyone in Scotland to live in safe, secure and warm homes. We want your views on how local taxation and existing housing can help achieve this. Your responses will help inform policy development and what actions we take next. The consultation asks whether councils should have additional powers giving them discretion to: charge up to 100% premium (double the full rate) on council tax for second homes charge more than 100% premium on... More
    Opened 17 April 2023

  • National Event Strategy review and refresh - Scotland: the perfect stage

    We wanted to hear your views on what a new National Events Strategy should look like. We asked a series of questions in the consultation paper and held a number of workshops. Your answers to these and more generally feedback from individuals and organisations are helping to inform the final Strategy. Both the on-line survey and regional engagement workshops led by VisitScotland had a crucial role in providing information on which the analysis was based. All of the... More
    Opened 24 March 2023

  • Prescribing the minimum annual number of learning hours: consultation

    This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s plans to set a legal minimum number of hours of school education school pupils should receive each year. Traditionally, Scottish primary schools provide around 25 learning hours per week, and Scottish secondary schools around 27.5 hours per week. However, w hile local authorities are required to have their schools open for 190 days each year, the number of learning hours is not prescribed. Our schools have... More
    Opened 21 March 2023

  • The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax: proposed relief for Green Freeports

    The Scottish and UK governments have worked together constructively to develop a Green Freeport model that reflects the unique conditions in Scotland, and ensures businesses, ports and communities across Scotland can benefit from the Green Freeport opportunity. On 13 January 2023, following a rigorous assessment and selection process, the Scottish and UK governments announced that Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport had been selected as Green... More
    Opened 17 March 2023

  • Review of the National Outcomes

    The Scottish Government are undertaking a review of the National Outcomes. This is a requirement within every five years, under the Community Empowerment Act (2015). The National Outcomes are laid out in the National Performance Framework. This is Scotland’s wellbeing framework, which sets out the type of Scotland we want to see, and measures progress towards the National Outcomes. Find out more about the National Outcomes. We want... More
    Opened 14 March 2023

  • Review of National Outcomes: call for evidence

    The Scottish Government are undertaking a review of the National Outcomes. This is a requirement within every five years, under the Community Empowerment Act (2015). The National Outcomes are laid out in the National Performance Framework. This is Scotland’s wellbeing framework, which sets out the type of Scotland we want to see, and measures progress towards the National Outcomes. Find out more about the National Outcomes. We want to know whether the existing National... More
    Opened 14 March 2023

  • Reforming the criminal law to address misogyny

    In February 2021, the Scottish Government established an Independent Working Group on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland, chaired by Baroness Kennedy QC. The Working Group was tasked with considering how the Scottish criminal justice system deals with misogyny, including looking at whether there are gaps in the law that could be addressed by a specific criminal offence to tackle such behaviour. The Working Group published its final report in March 2022. That... More
    Opened 8 March 2023

  • Rural and Islands College Merger proposal: Consultation

    The Scottish Government is seeking views on a proposal put forward by the boards of management of North Highland College (UHI North Highland), West Highland College (UHI West Highland) and Lews Castle College (UHI Outer Hebrides) to merge into a single, incorporated college. The merging parties have suggested a “host” model, whereby the assets and liabilities of West Highland College and Lews Castle College are transferred to North Highland College to create the... More
    Opened 24 February 2023

  • Strategic environmental assessment of draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan

    To realise our climate change ambitions, we need to transform the way Scotland generates, transports and uses energy. We must seize the huge opportunity this presents and deliver maximum benefits to Scotland’s people, workers, communities and economy from our vast renewable energy resource. The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan was published on 10 January 2023 and was open for consultation until 9 May 2023. As part of the process for developing the Energy Strategy... More
    Opened 22 February 2023

  • Ending the sale of peat in Scotland

    Scotland’s peatlands have a critical role to play in responding to the twin crises of the global climate emergency and loss of biodiversity. In good condition, peatlands are a significant natural carbon store. They hold around 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to around 145 years’ worth of Scotland’s total net carbon emissions. Covering about a third of our country, peatlands support important ecosystems and biodiversity, improve water quality and reduce flood risk. ... More
    Opened 17 February 2023

  • Additional Dwelling Supplement: Proposals for Change

    This consultation seeks views on proposed legislative amendments to the arrangements for the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS). The proposals seek to amend Schedule 2A of the Land and Buildings Transaction (Scotland) Act 2012 (“the Act”) and insert new Schedule 6A to the Act. This consultation follows on from the Scottish Government’s call for evidence and views on the ADS. The call for evidence and views closed on... More
    Opened 8 February 2023

  • International Culture Strategy

    Updated 28 March 2024 On Thursday 28 March the Scottish Government published its International Culture Strategy, available here: Inspiring Connections: Scotland's International Culture Strategy . Fulfilling a Programme for Government commitment, the strategy considers the importance of international activity to the sector, sets out how the Scottish Government can support its development and outlines the ambition that international engagement should be central to the... More
    Opened 2 February 2023

  • Amendments to the regulation of independent health care

    The providers of independent health care in Scotland and the UK are many and varied, and the complexity of this area of health care provision continues to increase. The Scottish Government wants all health care provided to people in Scotland to be safe, appropriate and carried out by those with the right qualifications. To achieve this vision, we need to ensure that independent health care services provided in Scotland are effectively regulated. We want the regulation of independent... More
    Opened 1 February 2023

  • Adult Disability Payment: Review of the mobility component

    Adult Disability Payment has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland. In designing this new payment, we have carefully listened to the views of disabled people, stakeholders, and the public. We have made several improvements to Adult Disability Payment over PIP. These include substantial improvements to the application and decision-making process. The eligibility rules for Adult Disability Payment have remained largely the same as under PIP as part of... More
    Opened 31 January 2023

  • Community wealth building consultation

    The Scottish Government has adopted the internationally recognised Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach to economic development as a key practical means by which progress can be made towards realising our wellbeing economy vision outlined in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) . What is Community Wealth Building (CWB) More Information CWB is an approach designed to tackle long-standing economic challenges and transform... More
    Opened 31 January 2023

  • Changes to residency criteria for access to financial support in Further and Higher Education

    Following a judicial review hearing at the Court of Session, the Court issued a decision in the case of Ola Jasim v Scottish Ministers [2022] CSOH 64 on 9 September 2022. The Court declared paragraph 1(c)(ii) and (iii) of schedule 1 of the Students’ Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (“the 2007 Regulations”) (known as ‘long residence rules’) to be unlawful in light of Article 14 of, and Article 2 of the Protocol 1 to, the European Convention on Human Rights. ... More
    Opened 24 January 2023

  • Pitch fee uprating under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 - Proposal to change from Retail Price Index to Consumer Price Index.

    The Scottish Government wants to make sure that the protections relating to pitch fee uprating for residents of residential mobile homes remain fair, appropriate and in line with development of statistical measures. This is of particular importance in light of recent increases in the cost of living. We are therefore gathering views about a possible change from Retail Prices Index to Consumer Prices Index as the measure for pitch fee uprating under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 and options for... More
    Opened 19 January 2023

  • Cancer care: review of upper GI cancer quality performance indicators - consultation

    We welcome your views on the draft revised upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer quality performance indicator (QPI) engagement document. Please refer to this document (bottom of page) for full details of each QPI. Please provide comments whether they be on all individual quality performance indicators or only those relevant to you. In particular we are looking for comments on: the appropriateness of the QPIs that have been developed ... More
    Opened 16 January 2023

  • Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan consultation

    Overview To realise our climate change ambitions, we need to transform the way Scotland generates, transports and uses energy. We must seize the huge opportunity this presents and deliver maximum benefits to Scotland’s people, workers, communities and economy from our vast renewable energy resource. The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan sets out the scale of that opportunity and provides clarity on how Scotland will prepare for a just energy transition. ... More
    Opened 10 January 2023

  • Local development plan evidence report - defining Gypsies and Travellers: consultation

    The Scottish Government wants to ensure planning authorities properly involve the Gypsy/Traveller community in planning the future of their places. The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 therefore requires planning authorities to seek the views of Gypsies and Travellers in preparing Evidence Report for their Local Development Plans (LDPs) and to include a summary of the action taken by planning authorities to meet accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. A... More
    Opened 21 December 2022
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