Summary

  • Urgent Question: In light of today’s announcement that the UK budget will be published on 11 March, when will the Scottish government expect to publish its own budget?

  • Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says UK government plans for a March budget are 'disrespectful to devolution'

  • The minister warns of potentially 'profound consequences' if 11 March budget

  • A date for the Scottish budget 'will be announced in due course'

  1. Children must be told about outcomespublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Megan Farr says children must be told what the outcome of them sharing their views was.

    And if their views were not taken into account, reasons why must be explained to them, she adds.

  2. Concerns about restricting methods of collecting viewspublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    SNP MSP Rona Mackay wonders about the ways in which children can give views.

    Ms Riddell expresses concern that a prescriptive list of ways would end up being restrictive.

    We need to allow for some flexibility to allow children to say they do no want to share their views too, she adds.

    Ms Farr also suggests it does not feel appropriate to include a prescriptive list as there must be flexibility and room for creativity and Ms Barret agrees.

  3. Capacity of courts to seek views of children to be looked at by governmentpublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
    Image caption,

    Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland

    Megan Farr from the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland says children must be able to understand their rights.

    Ms Farr is pleased the Scottish government is going to look further at support workers and the capacity of the courts to seek the views of children.

    She welcomes the proposal to introduce a register of court welfare reporters and reiterates the point children are able to express their views.

  4. Background: What will the bill do?published at 10:18 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Parents fightingImage source, Getty Images

    According to a SPICe briefing on the Children (Scotland) Bill..., external

    "The Bill would make some important reforms. It aims to encourage the court to hear the views of younger children (under 12s) before reaching its decision. It would require courts to explain (most) court decisions to (most) children.

    "The Bill would also introduce practical measures to improve the experience of vulnerable people in the courtroom, such as parents affected by domestic abuse.

    "The welfare of the child, as the paramount consideration, is a key principle of the 1995 Act which the courts apply. The Bill would introduce two new statutory factors to guide the court's assessment of welfare in an individual case."

  5. Postpublished at 10:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

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  6. Call for review of how children's views are takenpublished at 10:14 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Ms Riddell from Children 1st

    Ms Riddell says removing the presumption should not require courts to do anything different because they should already be seeking children's views.

    However she calls for a review of how these views are taken as there are a number of ways children can be involved, particularly for those who are non-verbal or who wish to participate in a different way.

  7. Young children say they are not being listened topublished at 10:11 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Ms Barrett says the skill set for obtaining views from very young children is not in place in the child welfare reporters and legal system.

    The NSPCC Scotland representative explains children tell Childline, external frequently they are not being listened to.

    We need to address what kind of biases are in our systems, she adds.

  8. Change to presumption on obtaining children's reviews welcomedpublished at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Joanna Barrett from NSPCC

    Green MSP John Finnie asks about removing the presumption that the views of children over 12 are sought.

    Megan Farr welcomes the removal of this presumption, explaining all children’s views should be given due weight in line with their age and capacity.

    Chloe Riddle agrees, suggesting even very young children should be able to share their views in court in a way that is not happening at present.

    Joanna Barrett explains NSPCC supports creating a positive presumption to ensure children's views are actively sought.

  9. Background: New bill to improve Scotland's family courts publishedpublished at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

    Upset childImage source, Getty Images

    Proposed new laws to improve the experience of children involved in family courts have been published by the Scottish government.

    The Children (Scotland) Bill, external follows a consultation which took into account the views of young people.

    Ministers say they want to ensure the justice system does not contribute to young people's distress.

    Campaigners said the legislation was "vital" for child victims of domestic abuse.

    The proposals are intended to update the 1995 Children Act, to reflect changes within modern families.

    Read more.

  10. Postpublished at 09:55 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

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  11. Join us tomorrow morning at 9.30am for the constitution committee......published at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 7 January 2020

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  12. Welcome to BBC Holyrood Live!published at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 6 January 2020

    Arguing parents and distressed childImage source, Getty Images

    Welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 7 January 2020 - this first session of the new year!

    We kick off at 10am with the Justice Committee as it continues its consideration of the Children Bill. This proposed legislation aims to improve children's experiences of family courts.

    Boarded up home

    After topical questions in the afternoon, the local government committee will lead a debate on its empty homes report. It has called for compulsory sales orders to be introduced.

    The first member's debate on 2020 will be led by SNP MSP Tom Arthur, highlighting the Levern Valley Defibrillator Community Partnership.