Summary

  • The Committee on Climate Change gives evidence to MSPs

  • Topical questions are on drug consumption rooms, prison officers quitting after sick-leave and a call for more support for families of people who die abroad

  • MSPs debate the UEFA European Championship Bill

  • A Green MSP leads a debate on Loch Lomond resort bid

  1. Call for government and council to engage with fanspublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Fans ponder whether Scotland will qualify for Euro 2020?
    Image caption,

    Fans ponder whether Scotland will qualify for Euro 2020?

    Ms McAlpine says the bill provides for the enforcement officer to seek help from an additional person, without specifying who this would be.

    The committee therefore recommends that the police are informed if this happens, explains the convener, and she calls for an amendment to ensure this.

    She also recommends that the Scottish government and Glasgow City Council engage with local communities and fans about this event.

    There should be an evaluation of this legislation after the Euro 2020 championship, Ms McAlpine adds.

    She says the only way for the Euro 2020 experience in Glasgow to be enhanced would be for Scotland to qualify.

  2. Background: Concerns about extensive powers for non-warranted individualspublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Calum Steele from the Scottish Police FederationImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Calum Steele from the Scottish Police Federation

    Calum Steele from the Scottish Police Federation, external says the SPF want to maintain the distinction between police offers and others who may enforce this legislation.

    Mr Steele, giving evidence to MSPs on Thursday 3 October 2019, expressed concerns extensive powers were to be given to non-warranted individuals that demand the support of police officers.

    He asked if it was desirable to seek to impose criminal sanctions on what are effectively civil offences.

    The SPF representative told the Culture Committee it was a significant power to be able to search a persons belongings and added the enforcement officer had the power to secure the warrant.

    However they could only act in the presence of a police officer, who would then be open to complaint he saids.

  3. 'Regrettable' that legislation came so latepublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Joan McAlpine

    Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee convener Joan McAlpine says it is regrettable that this legislation was not brought sooner but welcomes the commitment from the minister to learn lessons from this experience.

    She welcomes efforts to prevent ticket touting but suggests it could be clearer and calls for an amendment to do so at Stage 2.

    Ms McAlpine highlights concerns from the Scottish Police Federation about enforcement officers but welcomes the planned amendments to clarify that enforcement officers will be from Glasgow City Council.

  4. Minister says proposals to ban ticket touting broadly supportedpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Ben MacphersonImage source, bbc

    Mr Macpherson says the government's proposals to ban ticket touting have been broadly supported, including by fans.

    The minister commits to bringing forward an amendment to ensure charity options will be permitted.

    He explains the government will ensure public awareness is raised about the new ticket touting offence.

    The proposals on street trading and advertising have been broadly welcomed too, he adds.

  5. Ticket touting carries £5000 finepublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Tickets

    Mr Macpherson explains the enforcement provisions are almost identical to those contained in the Commonwealth Games legislation and are supported by Police Scotland.

    However, he accepts it is possible to make the provisions clearer and commits to bringing forward Stage 2 amendments to respond to the Europe committee's points on enforcement officers.

    On ticket touting, the minister says this bill will ensure fair access to tickets by creating a £5,000 fine.

    Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles supports this and wonders if the Scottish government would consider putting this into law on ticket touting generally.

    Mr Macpherson says the government will learn from the successful delivery of this legislation to think about a major events framework bill.

  6. Here's the Stage 1 report on the Bill.....published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 reportImage source, Scottish Parliament

    The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has given its backing to the UEFA Championship Bill.

    The proposed legislation consists of the following main components—

    • To prohibit the unauthorised sale of Championship tickets in excess of face value or with a view to making a profit
    • Prohibiting unauthorised street trading within an event zone in Glasgow when such a zone is in operation
    • Prohibiting unauthorised advertising within an event zone when such a zone is in operation
    • Creating criminal offences for ticket touting, unauthorised street trading and advertising, and
    • Providing for the designation of enforcement officers who would be given powers to enforce these offences

    The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill Stage One Report (5) can be found here., external

  7. Minister welcomes unanimous support of committeepublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    The minister accepts the timescales for this bill have been shorter than normal which has made scrutiny more difficult.

    Mr Macpherson welcomes the culture committee's unanimous support for the general principles of the bill.

    He explains the Scottish government looked into meeting UEFA's requirements without primary legislation.

    The Scottish government proposing this bill completes its process more quickly than usual, subject to parliamentary approval, to allow preparation for the event.

  8. Bill legislates on ticket touting, street trading and advertisingpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Ben Macpherson

    Europe, Migration and International Development Minister Ben Macpherson begins by saying we look forward to taking part in the European Championship, which will celebrate 60 years of the tournament.

    He explains this bill will protect commercial rights in terms of ticket touting, street trading and advertising.

    Three event zones in Glasgow will be created where street trading and advertising restrictions will apply, he says.

  9. UEFA European Championship Bill: SPICe briefingpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Hampden Park is Scotland's national stadiumImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hampden Park is Scotland's national stadium

    In June 2020 Hampden Park is set to host four games as part of the UEFA European Championships.

    This legislation has been introduced in order to meet UEFA's requirements.

    The Scottish government aim to have the Bill passed by the end of the year so that the secondary legislation can be introduced in time for the Championships starting next year.

    This is a fairly challenging timeline and means that relatively limited consultation has taken place prior to the introduction of the Bill.

    The Bill covers four main areas:

    1. Ticket touting, external
    2. Street trading, external
    3. Advertising, external
    4. Enforcement, external

    Read more here., external

  10. UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 debatepublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow host cityImage source, Event Scotland

    MSPs will now debate the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill , externalfor the first time, before voting on its general principles at decision time.

  11. SNP MSP calls for an extension of the families bereaved servicepublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Europe Minister Ben Macpherson says the Scottish government recognises the difficulties Scottish families face with the death of a loved one abroad.

    Mr Macpherson welcomes the work of the all-party group and he says the Scottish government will explore this issue further and consider the report's findings.

    Ms Constance says it is crucial to move to action now and calls on the minister to tell MSPs about all his considerations on supporting families.

    Europe Minister Ben MacphersonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Europe Minister Ben Macpherson

    The Europe minister reiterates that the government is looking at ways to help the families, perhaps through the victims surcharge fund.

    Ms Constance says the family of Kirsty Maxwell feel abandoned and calls for an extension of the families bereaved service to include those who have lost a loved one abroad through murder, manslaughter or indeed suspicious circumstances.

    Mr Macpherson replies he is open minded about this, but insists any changes to the fund must be well understood and adequately resourced.

  12. Background: Kirsty Maxwell death: Family felt 'abandoned' by Foreign Officepublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    The family of a Scottish woman who fell to her death from a balcony in Spain have criticised a lack of support from UK authorities following her death.

    Kirsty Maxwell died in mysterious circumstances in Benidorm in 2017 while on a hen party weekend with friends.

    Her father, Brian Curry, said the family felt "abandoned" by the Foreign Office (FCO) in the days that followed.

    It comes as a report from MPs, external said the right to consular support for families should be enshrined in law.

    Kirsty Maxwell, from Livingston in West Lothian, had only recently married when she travelled to Benidorm for a friend's hen party.

    Read more here.

  13. Scottish Prison Service is addressing problem says ministerpublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf says prison officers work in a difficult environment which can be dangerous.

    A range of interventions are available to those that require them, including access to counselling services he states.

    He also says latest statistics show a slight improvement in the trend and work being undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service to tackle the problem.

    Mr Stewart

    Mr Stewart says stress-related sickness has gone up for one third in the last year and some officers are quitting altogether.

    He seeks a guarantee that staff can get the support, training and resources they need.

    Mr Yousaf points to an increase in resources for the Scottish Prison Service, as well as a pay increase for prison officers.

  14. Background: Prison staff quitting after sickness leavepublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Three Barlinnie prisoners were found deadImage source, PA MEDIA
    Image caption,

    Three Barlinnie prisoners were found dead

    In a report in inews , externalChris Green wrote:

    Staff in Scotland's prisons are quitting after taking sickness leave because the thought of returning to work is too much for them to take, MSPs have been told.

    Overcrowding in prisons combined with increases in violence, mental health issues and the use of psychoactive substances were all cited as pressures facing staff.

    Phil Fairlie, Scottish national chairman of the Prison Officers Association Scotland, made the comments to Holyrood's Audit Committee as it heard evidence from prison bosses.

    It follows a report from the Auditor General highlighting a "significant" increase in assaults by prisoners against staff and a rise in stress-related sickness of almost a third.

    The warning came as it emerged that four prisoners have been found dead in jails around the country in just five days, with three taking place at HMP Barlinnie.

  15. Stress-related sickness absences among prison officerspublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks what urgent action the plans in response to recent reports of a rise in stress-related sickness absences among prison officers.

  16. Lib Dem MSP calls for a diversion schemepublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthurImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur

    Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks for a commitment that the government will look at a diversion scheme wider than the police warning scheme currently in place.

    The minister says the Drug Deaths Taskforce will look at models from around the world, including Portugal.

  17. Is de facto decriminalisation of drugs an option?published at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Labour MSP Monica Lennon

    Labour MSP Monica Lennon wonders whether Police Scotland could bring in a de facto decriminalisation policy to drugs.

    De facto decriminalisation means an administrative decision not to prosecute.

    Mr Fitzpatrick confirms the drug task force is going to look at what more can be done by this parliament in order to save lives.

  18. Tory MSP asks about £5m of cuts to ADPs by the SNPpublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Tory MSP Liam KerrImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Liam Kerr

    Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks what research has been done to assess the impact of SNP cuts to the tune of £5m to Alcohol and Drug partnerships four years ago.

    Mr Fitzpatrick says in 2018 the government increased the budget by £20m with an additional £20m in the next few years.

  19. Call for Misuse of Drugs Act to be changedpublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2019

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says the Misuse of Drugs Act should be amended to enable a safe consumption facility, or for powers to be devolved so the Scottish government can enable it.

    Mr Arthur says the UK government's approach is "shameful", which the minister agrees with.

    He says the UK government is standing in the way of saving lives and highlights support from health professionals for a consumption facility.