A Nation with Ambition, Programme for Government 2017-18

This Programme for Government is the Scottish Governments plan to shape the kind of Scotland they seek – an inclusive, fair, prosperous, innovative country, ready and willing to embrace the future.

Impact of UK Welfare Reforms in Scotland

Since 2010, successive UK Governments have introduced a raft of welfare changes in pursuit of their austerity approach to deficit reduction. As this report shows, these changes have targeted people on low incomes across Scotland, with families with children the hardest hit.

This report shows the stark reality of welfare cuts for different family types across Scotland, looking behind the averages at the specific impact in hypothetical case studies and drawing upon emerging evidence of real examples of families affected by these policies.

CAP and BCAP Regulatory Statement on the Sexual Portrayal of Under-18s in Advertising

ollowing public consultation, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), author of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (the CAP Code), and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), author of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP Code), are introducing new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.

Thank you letter from Jeane Freeman MSP - 23rd June

Jeane Freeman thanks all organisations and members of the public involved in the Social Security Consultation Process and getting the Social Security Bill to Parliament.

Policing 2026 Strategy

Policing in Scotland has a long and successful record of adapting to the changing demands and needs of people and communities. A consultation is currently being set out for the proposed 10 year strategy, developed collaboratively by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, to ensure that Scottish policing remains fit for the future.

Policing has undergone major change in recent years with the transition to a single service. Despite the scale of the change, the most significant in policing in more than a generation, communities have continued to benefit from a service which has performed strongly through the activity of both local and national resources.

However, Scotland’s communities continue to diversify and grow, and the needs of people in society are changing. Demands on policing are growing as the world around us changes at rapid pace. In order to meet the evolving needs of all Scotland’s communities, policing must also continue to change. The draft strategy sets out why change is needed, what will change and how this will happen.

Policing 2026 Strategy

Policing in Scotland has a long and successful record of adapting to the changing demands and needs of people and communities. A consultation is currently being set out for the proposed 10 year strategy, developed collaboratively by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, to ensure that Scottish policing remains fit for the future.

Policing has undergone major change in recent years with the transition to a single service. Despite the scale of the change, the most significant in policing in more than a generation, communities have continued to benefit from a service which has performed strongly through the activity of both local and national resources.

However, Scotland’s communities continue to diversify and grow, and the needs of people in society are changing. Demands on policing are growing as the world around us changes at rapid pace. In order to meet the evolving needs of all Scotland’s communities, policing must also continue to change. The draft strategy sets out why change is needed, what will change and how this will happen.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill - Explanatory Notes

Explanatory Notes for the first Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill

Historic legislation to establish Scotland’s first social security system has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

The Social Security (Scotland) Bill will give the Scottish Government the powers to deliver eleven benefits devolved as part of the Scotland Act 2016.

It also provides powers to top up reserved benefits and provides a mechanism to pay a Carer’s Allowance supplement at the earliest opportunity.

Parliamentary Reform Report

The Commission on Parliamentary Reform was launched by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 26 October 2016. The remit was for the Commission to consider how the Scottish Parliament:
Could increase engagement with wider society and involve the public;
Could clarify its identity, as distinct from the Scottish Government; and
Could be assured that it has the right ‘checks and balances’ to enable effective conduct of parliamentary business.
The SWC submitted a consultation response to the Parliamentary Reform around tackling gender inequality in their procedures.

Draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill

Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy

The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act was
unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2015. This Act
introduced a single offence for all kinds of trafficking for the first
time, consolidating and strengthening existing law. It raised the
maximum penalty for trafficking to life imprisonment and gave
police and prosecutors a new set of tools to prevent and detect
trafficking and to bring those responsible to justice.

Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities

Child Poverty in Scotland - what we know and what the public’s views are

Sexual Portrayal or sexual representation of under 18s

Following public consultation, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), author of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (the CAP Code), and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), author of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP Code), are introducing new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.

The SWC submitted a consultation response to the CAP.

Thank you letter from Jeane Freeman MSP

Jeane Freeman wrote to the SWC to thank the organisation for its support in achieving the target number of people for the Social Security Experience Panels.

Best Start Maternity Grant

The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland” was published following the review of maternity and neonatal services. The report sets out a vision for the future planning, design and safe delivery of high quality maternity and neonatal services in Scotland.

Proposals for Regulations and Policy Supporting the Private Housing (Tenancies)(Scotland) Act 2016

The Scottish Government has produced a report which presents the findings and analysis of responses and views expressed to the Scottish Government's consultation on; Proposals for Regulations and Policy Supporting the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

The Best Start: A Five Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland

A Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services in Scotland was announced on 25th February 2015. It's aim was to ensure that every mother and baby continues to get the best possible care from Scotland's Health Service, giving all children the best start in life. The Review examined choice, quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services, in consultation with the workforce, NHS Boards and service users.