Summary

  • MSPs pass the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill

  • The ban on all physical chastisement is overwhelmingly backed by MSPs, with 84 MSPS backing it and 29 against

  • The Scottish government confirms a policy of "no support" for fracking, with no licences to be issue

  1. Early years recruitment and facilitiespublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    SNP MSP Gillian Martin requests an update on recruitment and facilities ahead of the expansion of early years childcare.

    Child playing with tractorsImage source, Getty Images

    The majority of Scotland's private nurseries are facing problems with recruitment, a new survey has revealed.

    The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) survey covered 181 childcare providers and found that 71% had recruitment issues.

    The survey also found that 62% of nurseries faced "significant challenges" in retaining staff.

    Children's Minister Maree Todd said the survey represented less than a quarter of private sector nurseries.

    Read more.

  2. A ban on smacking and a potential ban on fracking - the chamber this afternoonpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Demonstrators gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in 2017 before MSPs debated frackingImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Demonstrators gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in 2017 before MSPs debated fracking

    After our extensive coverage of first minister's questions the highlights in the chamber this afternoon will be the final debate on the ban on smacking bill and the potential ban on fracking statement.

    At 2pm the Scottish government will confirm a policy of "no support" for fracking, according to information accidentally published online.

    Then from 3.05pm MSPs will debate the smacking ban bill for the final time.

    The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill, external is expected to be passed at decision time, with only the Conservatives voting against.

    Child upsetImage source, Getty Images
  3. Opposing views on smacking ban billpublished at 10:43 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

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  4. 'I think it's a quagmire' - SPFpublished at 10:39 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Mike Rumbles says when he saw the bill he thought there was real problems around enforcement.

    The Lib Dem MSP suggests the intention of the bill is to give legal protection to anybody helping an enforcement officer.

    Mr Steele fears Mr Rumbles may be correct, reiterating concerns about accountability and complaint following a search.

    Lib Dem MSP Mike RumblesImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles

    The SPF spokesperson warns there are no standards in place for the enforcement officers.

    Also any random person with any random piece of equipment can assist an enforcement officer, he warns.

    "I think it's a quagmire," concludes Mr Steele.

  5. Advertising Association will press for exemptions for newspaperspublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    David Henderson from the Advertising AssociationImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    David Henderson from the Advertising Association

    Regarding the bill's aim to prohibit unauthorised advertising in event zones, David Henderson from the Advertising Association asks whether specific criminal offences are necessary when there is also civil law covering the issue.

    We're not 100% sure that this is required and whether the bill goes too far, Mr Henderson adds.

    He says the Advertising Association will be pressing for exemptions for newspapers.

    Ms McAlpine asks if the Herald and Evening Times sellers will be able to operate as normal.

    Mr Henderson replies news media needs that exemption and calls for more clarity on this issue.

  6. Why are image rights protections not sufficient when 'the big boys come to town'?published at 10:27 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Mr SteeleImage source, bbc

    Mr Steele says there are weaknesses in the bill as drafted and points out there was a longer lead in time for the legislation in 2014.

    SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing asks if the committee should suggest the power to force entry and search be redrafted and not go down the trading standards route.

    In reply, Mr Steele says that is a bold suggestion but it does seem a peculiar approach that we consider our legislation to protect image rights is not sufficient when "the big boys come to town".

  7. Postpublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

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  8. Issues around search warrant powers going to enforcement officers raisedpublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Green MSP Ross Greer asks about the set of searches by enforcement officers that requires a police officer.

    Mr Steele says it is a significant power to be able to search a persons belongings and adds the enforcement officer has the power to secure the warrant.

    However they can only act in the presence of a police officer, who will then be open to complaint he says.

    This is something the SPF is not comfortable with, adds Mr Steele, who then adds he instinctively recoils from holding someone's hand to be a witness.

  9. Areas of conflict between police and enforcement officers highlightedpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Mr Steele points to areas of conflict that arose between police officers and enforcement offices during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

    Even the feeding of police officers at the event led to significant conflict, as the well known high street bakery that was used but was not officially sanctioned, he says.

  10. Concerns about extensive powers for non-warranted individuals - SPFpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Mr SteeleImage source, bbc

    Mr Steele says the SPF want to maintain the distinction between police offers and others who may enforce this legislation.

    The SPF rep adds there are some concerns extensive powers will be given to non-warranted individuals that demand the support of police officers.

    Mr Steele asks if it is desirable to seek to impose criminal sanctions on what are effectively civil offences.

  11. Background: Glasgow to host four Euro 2020 matchespublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    HampdennImage source, SNS

    Glasgow is one of 12 host cities for the Euro 2020 championship.

    It is set to host four matches at Hampden Park: three group games and a round of 16 match.

    Another 11 cities across Europe will host the other games, the first time in the competitions history that this format has been used.

  12. Background: What does the bill do?published at 09:55 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Hampden
    Image caption,

    Hampden will be one of the venues

    The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill, external will allow part of the Euro 2020's to be held in Glasgow.

    It includes measures to prevent ticket touting, ticket scalping and unauthorised street trading.

    To that end it will create four new offences, all of which are largely modelling on those introduced ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

    The total cost of the bill will be between £70,000 and £134,000, the majority of which will be borne by Glasgow City Council.

  13. Is the bill compliant with the ECHR?published at 09:48 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Lucy Carmichael says she is confident the bill complies with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

    Mr Rumbles points out the bill says an enforcement officer without warrant may enter any place, which the Scottish Police Federation say is extraordinary.

    Ms Carmichael says the government will look into any inconsistency in the proposed legislation.

  14. Join us at 3:05 for the debate on the smacking ban bill!published at 09:38 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

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  15. Why does ticket touting offence not apply to UEFA?published at 09:36 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Lib Dem MSP Mike RumblesImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles

    Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says he is puzzled as to why the bill says ticket touting offence does not apply to ticket touting by UEFA.

    Ms Carmichael points out UEFA is not capable of ticket touting as it is the licence holder.

    Mr Rumbles asks if the government is allowing UEFA to hike the price of a ticket, in other words ticket touting.

    The Scottish government official says she does not expect this to happen.

  16. Why could ticket touting legislation not go beyond this event?published at 09:33 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Ms Baker wonders why the ticket touting legislation could not be retained, given it also impacts other events including music.

    Lucy Carmichael explains for this event UEFA is the only authorised selling of tickets so it would not impact other businesses involved in ticketing.

    Therefore this bill does not impact other businesses or consumer rights, which are reserved she adds.

    Kirsten Siminnet-Lefevre explains this bill will ban ticket touting only and does not impact the contractual relationship between seller and purchaser.

  17. No evaluation of Commonwealth Games legislationpublished at 09:30 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremonyImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

    Labour MSP Claire Baker asks how the legislation operated in 2014 for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    There wasn't an evaluation of this, explains Ms Carmichael.

    She does cite work with Glasgow City Council to gain experience from those games.

    The Scottish government official accepts the time frame is short for liaising with stakeholders and traders.

  18. Four other countries using primary legislation for Euro 2020published at 09:26 British Summer Time 3 October 2019

    Ms Carmichael says four other countries hosting matches are using primary legislation, while others are using secondary legislation or other means.

    Mr Bearhop adds it was not totally clear whether primary legislation would be necessary at first or whether other routes could be used.