Summary

  • The Justice Committee takes evidence on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill

  • SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks about the CPAG report 'The Austerity Generation' during topical questions

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issues an apology to all those convicted of same-sex activity that is now legal.

  • MSPs will then debate the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill

  • Labour MSP Daniel Johnson leads a member’s debate marking Respect for Shopworkers Week

  1. Background: The Scotsman: Austerity ‘could send a million more children into poverty’published at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    Swing povertyImage source, Getty Images

    From the Scotsman website:

    "UK government policy has created an austerity generation, threatening to send one million more children into poverty, a report has warned.

    "Research revealed that families already at greater risk of poverty, such as lone parents and those with a disability, will suffer the most from cuts to their income.

    "The report said cuts to Universal Credit will put one million more children into poverty, warning that the long-term impact of austerity policies will be felt for years to come.

    The promise of greater rewards from work made to working families has been “broken” because of cuts to Universal Credit and tax credits, said the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), external and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

    Read more of the Scotsman report here., external

  2. 'One million more children will be pushed into poverty'published at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    Cabinet secretary Angela Constance
    Image caption,

    Cabinet secretary Angela Constance

    Social Security Secretary Angela Constance says: "The UK government onslaught of austerity and welfare changes has been deeply damaging.

    "One million more children will be pushed into poverty. The Tory government should be utterly ashamed of themselves."

  3. Time for reflectionpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    Dr Jonathan Reyes

    Dr Jonathan Reyes, executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, delivers today's time for reflection.

  4. Nicola Sturgeon to make gay convictions apologypublished at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    Nicola Sturgeon will formally apologise to gay men convicted of sexual offences that are no longer illegal.

    The first minister's statement will coincide with new legislation that will automatically pardon gay and bisexual men, external convicted under historical laws.

    It will also allow the removal of such convictions from criminal records.

    Consensual homosexual acts between men aged over 21 in Scotland were only decriminalised in 1981.

    And it was not until 20 years later that the age of consent for gay men was lowered to 16.

    Ms Sturgeon will apologise on behalf of the Scottish government to all of those convicted before 2001 under discriminatory laws against same-sex sexual activity that is now legal.

    The age of consent for gay men in Scotland was only lowered to 16 in 2001Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The age of consent for gay men in Scotland was only lowered to 16 in 2001

    The apology will be made on the same day as the publication of the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill.

    The legislation will give an automatic pardon to gay men convicted under historical discriminatory laws - but will not apply to behaviour that is still illegal today.

    It will also enable men to apply to have convictions for same-sex sexual activity that is now legal removed from central criminal conviction records.

    Read more here.

  5. Coming up.................published at 13:51 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    SNP MSP Ruth Maguire will ask about the CPAG report 'The Austerity Generation' during topical questions.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will issue an apology to all those convicted of same-sex activity that is now legal.

    Gay men who were convicted of no-abolished sexual offences are to receive Scottish government apology this afternoonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Gay men who were convicted of no-abolished sexual offences are to receive Scottish government apology this afternoon

    MSPs will then debate the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill.

    Labour MSP Daniel Johnson leads a member’s debate marking Respect for Shopworkers Week.

  6. Postpublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  7. Postpublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  8. Postpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  9. Postpublished at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  10. That concludes the evidence session on the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Actpublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    WitnessesImage source, bbc

    Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan says: "If something happens then after the event clubs are expected to take action."

    Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan says 71% of football fans don't think the Act has been effective.

    That concludes the evidence session on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill.

    The Justice Committee moves into private session.

  11. Postpublished at 12:47 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  12. UPDATE: On incident at Holyroodpublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    • The incident involved the discovery of suspicious packages in the MSP building. As a precaution the MSP building was evacuated and remains closed.
    • Police and other emergency services are on the scene and are dealing with the situation.
    • No other areas of the Holyrood campus are currently affected and the Parliament remains open to the public at present.
    • Our incident management team in consultation with the emergency services are reviewing whether further measures are necessary.
    • The Presiding Officer and members of the Parliamentary Bureau have been briefed on the situation and are meeting currently.
    • The vehicle entry system has been closed to enable emergency services access.
  13. Postpublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  14. Postpublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  15. Postpublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  16. 'Fans do feel demonised'published at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart ReganImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan

    Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan says: "Fans do feel demonised.

    "No other legislation that focuses on a single sport," says Mr Regan adding "or any other part of society".

  17. 'A number of fans do feel victimised' - Neil Doncasterpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster
    Image caption,

    SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster

  18. Postpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

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  19. Will a repeal of the Act make football less accessiblepublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017

    SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor
    Image caption,

    SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor

    SNP MSP Fulton Macgregror says that the law is making people feel safer. He asks: "Is there any concern if the Act is repealed that we've made the game less accessible?"

    Scottish FA chief executive Steven Reagan replies: "Perception is not reality.

    "None of us would want to get to a position where fans don't feel safe, but if parts of the Act are not being used, if the police themselves are challenging it, then there is an issue."