SB 10-44 Economic Indicators (277KB pdf)

This briefing provides a selection of indicators on aspects of the Scottish economy.

You can also listen to SB 10-28 Economic Indicators - audio summary (4 minutes 19 seconds) - posted 29 July 2010

SB 10-43 Unemployment - June 2010 (463KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-42 Property Factors (Scotland) Bill (347KB pdf)

This briefing is intended to provide some background and context to the Bill.  It describes the property services market, including the land maintenance market, in Scotland and considers existing legislative provisions and remedies for resolving disputes with property factors.  It also considers a number of issues which, although not directly covered by the Bill, are nonetheless relevant to the subject of property management services in Scotland includingthe provision of pre-purchase information and the ability of residents to switch service provider.  This briefing also examines how other jurisdictions (the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand) have attempted to address this issue.

SB 10-41 Tracking the Scottish Budget (320KB pdf)

The aim of this paper is to help explain how the Scottish Budget is currently presented, and to highlight areas where the presentation of budgetary information is continuing to develop.
Information on the Scottish Budget is presented in a number of different documents through the course of the financial year. This paper provides details of the various sources of budgetary information and explains what information each document contains. It also looks at how and why the overall Scottish Budget might change during the course of the financial year.

SB 10-40 Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (352KB pdf)

This briefing is intended to provide a summary of the main amendments to the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill proposed and agreed during Stage 2, it does not set out to describe every change that has been made to the Bill. This briefing should be read with SPICe Briefing 10/01 Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill (Edwards 2010) which was written about the Bill as introduced.

SB 10-39 The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (732KB pdf)

This briefing contains background information and a description of the main provisions in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill on: game law; snares; non-native species; species licensing; deer; badgers; muirburn; and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The proposals set out in a Government consultation published in June 2009 are discussed, followed by a description of the main proposals in the Bill. 

SB 10-38 Unemployment - May 2010 (845KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-37 International Expenditure (686KB pdf)

At its meeting on 23 February 2010 the European and External Relations Committee agreed its outline remit for the international engagement inquiry. The aim of this briefing is to support this inquiry through providing a picture of Scottish block grant expenditure which is spent on international activity.

SB 10-36 Mapping the Economy (1.11MB pdf)

This briefing maps the latest data for a selection of indicators from which trends within the Scottish economy can be identified.

SB 10-35 Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 - (507KB pdf)

Stage 3 proceedings on the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill are expected to take place towards the end of this month. This briefing considers some key recommendations made by the Justice Committee in its Stage 1 Report, the Scottish Government’s response to those recommendations and a number of key stage 2 amendments.

SB 10-34 The Scottish Housing Market - Update (326KB pdf)

This briefing provides information on house prices, the housing market, initiatives to support first-time buyers and homeowners, mortgage arrears and repossessions and the house building industry. It also provides information on measures taken by the Scottish Government to support the functioning of the housing market. It updates SPICe briefing 09/58 The Scottish Housing Market - Update.

SB 10-33 Invasive Non-Native Species (808KB pdf)

This briefing provides an introduction to invasive non-native species (INNS). It explains what INNS are, includes three short INNS case studies and explores the issues surrounding INNS which are of particular relevance to Scotland. Proposed changes to legislation regarding the control of INNS in the upcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment (WANE) bill will be discussed in more detail in a dedicated SPICe bill briefing

SB 10-32 2010-11 Budget changes (209KB pdf)

On 24 May 2010, the Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury set out details of how the UK Government would reduce UK spending by £6bn during the current financial year (2010-11). This briefing presents the Scottish share of the reduction.

SB 10-31 Non-Domestic Rates: Livestock Auction Marts (288KB pdf)

This briefing for the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee provides information about livestock auction marts and the 2010 non-domestic rates revaluation.

SB 10-30 Unemployment - April 2010 (514KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-29 Hill Farming (342KB pdf)

This briefing has been prepared for Members of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. The briefing paper describes hill farming in Scotland and looks at evidence of a recent decline in sheep and cattle numbers on hills farms. It describes the findings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s inquiry into the Hills and Islands of Scotland, sets out the main sources of Government support that are available for hill farmers and highlights the views of some stakeholders about the future for hill farming and the uplands.

SB 10-28 Economic Indicators (285KB pdf)

This briefing provides a selection of indicators on aspects of the Scottish economy.

You can also listen to SB 10-28 Economic Indicators - audio summary (4 minutes 15 seconds) - posted 29 April 2010

SB 10-27 Flooding: Frequently Asked Questions (269KB pdf)

This briefing gives a short overview of some of the key responsibilities related to flooding in light of changes brought in by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 13 May 2009. Parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and some of part 6 came into force on 26 November 2009. It also provides information about flooding and flood risk management based on enquiries frequently received in SPICe.

SB 10-26 Unemployment - March 2010 (678KB pdf)

SB 10-25 Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (209KB pdf)

This briefing summarises the main Stage 1 recommendations of the Local Government and Communities Committee and the response of the member in charge of the Bill, Christine Grahame MSP, in response to these recommendations. The main amendments considered by the Local Government and Communities Committee at Stage 2 are also summarised.

SB 10-24 Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill (444KB pdf)

This briefing provides an overview of the Bill's provisions, policy development since 2004 and key themes in submissions to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.

SB 10-23 UK Budget 2010 (207KB pdf)

This year’s UK budget took place just six weeks ahead of the expected date of the UK General Election and in the context of the 2009 Pre-Budget Report commitment to halving the budget deficit over the next four years. For Scotland, the changes announced result in an increase of £76m to the Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2010-11. This briefing notes some of the effects of the UK Budget on Scotland’s public finances for 2010-11, the final year of the current Spending Review period.

SB 10-22 Unemployment - February 2010 (681KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-21 Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (258KB pdf)

Stage 3 proceedings on the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill are scheduled to take place on 25 March 2010. This briefing considers a number of key Stage 2 amendments.

SB 10-20 Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Bill (289KB pdf)

Over the last 10 years the Scottish Parliament has set up six offices concerned with regulating and maintaining the standards of public service.

The Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Bill will establish a new standards body, the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, and will also look at the governance of the offices.

SB 10-19 Housing (Scotland) Bill (677KB pdf)

The Housing (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament on 13 January 2010 by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The Bill would establish the Scottish Housing Regulator and make provisions about the performance and regulation of social landlords. It would amend the legislation on the right to buy, private sector housing and homelessness. It would also give Ministers powers to make provisions about unauthorised tenants. This briefing provides background information on the regulation of social landlords, right to buy, private sector housing legislation, unauthorised tenancies and homelessness before outlining the main proposals in the Bill.

SB 10-18 Single Outcome Agreements 2009-10 (407KB pdf)

This paper provides an overview of the 2nd round of Single Outcome Agreements. The Single Outcome Agreements for 2009-10 were signed off by the Scottish Government and Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) in June 2009.

SB 10-09 Widening Access to Higher Education: Policy in Scotland (367KB pdf)

The decision to participate in higher education (HE) is generally considered to be one which is determined at an early age and which is influenced by a number of factors, including socio-economic background and prior educational attainment. The barriers faced by individuals wishing to participate in HE are wide ranging, are not mutually exclusive and, indeed, can act in concert to discourage participation. The cross-cutting nature of these barriers has encouraged the emergence of a wide range of public policies aimed at widening access to lifelong learning, including HE.

SB 10-08 Participation in Higher Education: Statistics (410KB pdf)

This briefing provides an analysis of statistics on students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It examines patterns of participation in higher education by factors such as: mode of study; level of study; institution type; age; and country of domicile. It is based on the most recent statistics on students in individual HEIs in Scotland. Additional sources of statistics on participation in higher education are also included.

SB 10-07 Barriers to Widening Access to Higher Education (419KB pdf)

This paper provides an overview of the literature on widening access to higher education, and outlines the various barriers faced by students wishing to participate in higher education courses. Further papers on HE participation statistics and widening access policy are also available.

SB 10-17 The Forth Replacement Crossing First Principles (722KB pdf)

The Forth Replacement Crossing project is expected to be the biggest single investment by the Scottish Government since devolution, with an outturn cost in 2016 estimated to be in the range £1.72 billion to £2.34 billion (median cost estimate - £2.044 billion).This briefing looks at the rationale behind the decision to build a Forth Replacement Crossing and the options appraisal undertaken to decide on what type of crossing to go forward with. (This briefing draws partly from work commissioned by the Financial Scrutiny Unit and undertaken by Biggar Economics.)

SB 10-16 Mapping the Recession (1.41MB pdf)

This briefing maps the latest data for a selection of indicators from which trends within the Scottish economy can be identified.

SB 10-15 Unemployment - January 2010 (835KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-14 The Forth Replacement Crossing Analysis of Costs (870KB pdf)

The Forth Replacement Crossing project is expected to be the biggest single investment by the Scottish Government since devolution, with an outturn cost in 2016 estimated to be in the range £1.72 billion to £2.34 billion (median cost estimate - £2.044 billion). This briefing takes a closer look at the two largest cost elements of the project, accounting for over 50% of the median cost estimate: Bridge £748 million and Construction inflation £529 million. (This briefing draws partly from work commissioned by the Financial Scrutiny Unit and undertaken by Biggar Economics.)

SB 10-13 Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill (599KB pdf)

The Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill is part of the Scottish Government’s attempt to help address alcohol-related harm in Scotland by implementing a minimum price per unit of alcohol, restricting off-sale promotions and promotional activity, requiring licensees to operate an age verification policy, giving licensing boards the power to raise the purchase age to 21 and implementing a social responsibility levy. The most controversial part of this Bill is minimum pricing and therefore much of the briefing is focused on this. It also includes a summary of the Health and Sport Committee’s call for evidence on the provisions of the Bill and explores the key issues in relation to each.

SB 10-12 Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2010 (325KB pdf)

The ‘Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2010’ details the revenue allocations and distributable amount of non-domestic rate income to Scottish local authorities for 2010-11. The Order will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on 10 February 2010. This paper compares the revenue and capital allocations to Scottish local authorities on a ‘like-for-like’ basis.

SB 10-11 Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill - Stage 3 (296KB pdf)

Stage 3 proceedings in relation to the Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill are due to take place on 11 February 2010. This briefing summarises the Local Government and Communities Committee’s stage 1 report and the Scottish Government’s response, as well as the stage 1 debate and the main amendments tabled at stage 2.

SB 10-10 Curriculum for Excellence (337KB pdf)

The Curriculum for Excellence is due to be implemented from August 2010 with new qualifications starting in 2012/13 and 2013/14.  This paper provides an overview of the new curriculum, changes to assessment and qualifications and outlines some of the debate surrounding these changes. SPICe Briefings 08/08 and 07/18 give information on the curriculum which will be replaced.

SB 10-06 Economic Indicators (287KB pdf)

This briefing provides a selection of indicators on aspects of the Scottish economy.

You can also listen to SB 10-06 Economic Indicators - illustrated audio summary (5 minutes 34 seconds) - posted 27 January 2010

SB 10-05 Forth Crossing Bill (620KB pdf)

The Forth Crossing Bill seeks to grant Scottish Ministers the necessary powers to construct a new cable stayed road bridge over the Firth of Forth, adjacent to the existing Forth Road Bridge, along with new and upgraded connecting roads and associated traffic management infrastructure.

SB 10-04 Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill: Parliamentary Consideration Prior to Stage 3 (362KB pdf)

This briefing summarises Parliamentary scrutiny of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill prior to stage 3, the proceedings for which will take place on 27 January 2010.

SB 10-03 Unemployment - December 2009 (706KB pdf)

This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.

SB 10-02 Pleural Plaques Legislation – Judicial Review Update (273KB pdf)

The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009 came into force on 17 June 2009. Since being passed by Parliament, the legality of the 2009 Act has been challenged by way of judicial review.  On 8 January 2010, the Outer House of the Court of Session rejected this legal challenge. The purpose of this briefing is to provide an update on the legal challenge and on other post-enactment developments.

SB 10-01 Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill (456KB pdf)

The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament on the 9 December 2009. This briefing has been prepared for Members of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, which is the lead Committee on the Bill.

You can also listen to SB 10-01 Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill - audio summary ( 9 minutes 36 seconds) and Pod-chraolach mu Bhile Ath-leasachadh Croitearachd (11 minutes 58 seconds) - posted 19 January 2010