22 December 2011
This briefing provides information on the current and future arrangements for tuition fees in Scotland and the rest of the UK, as well as a discussion of the ‘funding gap’ debate.
22 December 2011
This briefing discusses the key policy proposals contained in the Land Registration ect (Scotland) Bill and the reactions of stakeholders to these proposals.
14 December 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
14 December 2011
This briefing analyses the Scottish Government’s 2011 Infrastructure Investment Plan.
12 December 2011
This briefing considers some of the key recommendations made by the Parliament’s Justice Committee following consideration of the Bill as introduced, the Scottish Government’s response and key amendments at stage 2
6 December 2011
This briefing highlights some of the important issues in the December 2011 fisheries negotiations at which decisions on fishing quotas and limits on fishing time will be made for 2012.
29 November 2011
This briefing outlines the current legislative framework in relation to fireworks.
18 November 2011
This briefing describes the European Commission’s proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2013. It updates SB11-06 CAP Reform: Proposals for 2014-20 to include the legislative proposals for the new CAP.
17 November 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
16 November2011
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired in a hospital or other healthcare settings. HAIs can arise as a result of a range of medical procedures and are caused by a number of micro-organisms.
26 October 2011
This briefing has been produced to support an inquiry by the Education and Culture Committee into the educational attainment of looked after children.
21 October 2011
This briefing has been prepared to assist the Justice Committee in its consideration of the proposals for spending on justice issues.
20 October 2011
This briefing is one in a series of SPICe briefings analysing the Scottish Government’s Scottish Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13
14 October 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
13 October 2011
This briefing has been produced for new members of the Finance Committee, and MSPs generally wishing to familiarise themselves with commonly used public finance terminology.
11 October 2011
This briefing describes the principles and processes underpinning the Scottish Budget.
29 September 2011
This briefing provides an overview of the local government, regeneration and planning budgets proposed for the Spending Review period. The figures in the paper are taken from the draft budget document.
23 September 2011
This briefing summarises the broad trends in the Scottish Government‘s spending plans for 2012-15.
21 September 2011
This short briefing aims to explain how the Scottish Government and local authorities plan for the long term development of Scotland’s wind energy infrastructure.
20 September 2011
This briefing describes the main aspects of the European Commission’s proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. It explains the views of a variety of interested parties on the proposals.
20 September 2011
This subject profile provides an overview of Equal Opportunities at International, EU, UK and Scottish levels.
14 September 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
14 September 2011
This briefing looks at why a Government charges corporation tax, why it may vary corporation tax and the potential benefits and challenges of corporation tax being devolved.
14 September 2011
The Scottish Government published a revised Economic Strategy on 12 September 2011. This short briefing summarises the main areas of activity outlined in the new strategy.
9 September 2011
This briefing analyses the impact of the Scottish Government pay freeze on different groups within the public sector workforce.
8 September 2011
This briefing provides the latest data for a selection of indicators from which we are able to identify trends within the Scottish economy.
7 September 2011
This briefing looks at the uses and limitations of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of economic activity and as a measure of broader progress and wellbeing of society.
24 August 2011
This briefing outlines the organisation, administration and funding of the police service in Scotland.
25 August 2011
Health spending accounts for a third of the total Scottish budget. This paper looks at how this money is allocated, discusses some of the main areas of spending and considers the main cost pressures facing the NHS in Scotland
25 August 2011
This briefing provides information on the current and past Scottish regulatory regime for care services, as it relates to older people.
24 August 2011
This briefing provides a brief description of the operation of the criminal courts in Scotland.
24 August 2011
This briefing looks at the wider policy landscape in which legal aid operates.
9 August 2011
This briefing provides an overview of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. It provides key statistics and information on recent policy developments
4 August 2011
This briefing provides a general introduction to the law in relation to a variety of recurring topics, including how decisions about the maintenance of communal areas should be made etc.
4 August 2011
This briefing gives an overview of Scotland’s college sector and covers policy background, legislation and course provision. It focuses mainly on further education and updates SB 07/43
19 July 2011
This briefing is one of six covering various aspects of the Scottish criminal justice system. It looks at the basis of Scots criminal law, including consideration of devolved and reserved issues.
14 July 2011
This briefing is one of six covering various aspects of the Scottish criminal justice system. It outlines the way in which children who commit offences are dealt with, focussing on those under the age of 16.
7 July 2011
This briefing provides background to the establishment of the Commission, a summary of its main conclusions and recommendations, and outlines some initial reaction to the report.
29 June 2011
This subject profile provides an introduction to services for pre-school children. It updates and expands SB 06/83 published in October 2006.
22 June 2011
This paper highlights the key changes implemented by the Equality Act 2010 and refers to specific provisions relevant to Scotland.
21 June 2011
This briefing is intended to be an introductory text to the NHS in Scotland. It also examines some key issues that may be topical in the coming session of Parliament.
20 June 2011
The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 16 June 2011.
20 June 2011
This subject profile provides details of the way in which the European Union budget is agreed and then how it is collected. This briefing updates and replaces SPICe subject map 07/04.
20 June 2011
This subject profile provides a brief introduction to the European Union’s legislative process. It looks at the different forms of legislation available to the EU and the way in which that legislation is agreed at EU level.
20 June 2011
This subject profile provides information on the five institutions of the European Union. The institutions manage the way in which the EU functions and the way in which decisions are made.
20 June 2011
This briefing provides a brief history of the European Union from its development after the Second World War through to the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. This briefing updates and replaces SPICe subject map 07/01.
17 June 2011
This briefing provides some contextual background to the issue of community care. It considers the legislation governing the area, the organisation of services and available funding data
16 June 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
10 June 2011
This briefing provides a general introduction to environmental issues in Scotland, and introduces some key concepts. It describes the relevant legislative and administrative framework and summarises recent policy developments.
10 June 2011
This briefing provides an overview of the main issues within the rural affairs portfolio. It highlights the main legislation and policy developments in previous parliamentary sessions, and potential future developments.
10 June 2011
This subject profile provides an introduction to the energy sector in Scotland; within a UK, European and Global context.
10 June 2011
This briefing provides a brief overview of the recent changes in relation to the economic development landscape in Scotland, looking specifically at the 2007 reforms.
8 June 2011
This briefing looks at why a Government borrows, what types of borrowing are undertaken, the situation in Scotland and provides information on borrowing powers in other jurisdictions including Northern Ireland and Wales.
2 June 2011
This briefing provides an overview of legislation relating to homelessness, key statistics and policy issues, including how local authorities are progressing towards the 2012 target to abolish priority need.
2 June 2011
This briefing provides information on the legislative framework for promoting tourism in Scotland, describes the main organisations supporting tourism, provides key statistics, and summarises Scottish Government policies.
23 May 2011
This subject profile provides an introduction to walking, cycling, road, rail, air, bus, waterborne and freight transport in Scotland.
23 May 2011
This briefing provides the latest data for a selection of indicators from which we are able to identify trends within the Scottish economy.
18 May 2011
This briefing provides the latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliament constituency areas.
18 May 2011
This subject profile provides a general introduction to housing issues in Scotland. It describes the legislative and administrative framework relating to housing and summarises recent policy developments.
16 May 2011
This briefing provides an introduction to town and country planning in Scotland.
10 May 2011
This briefing provides an analysis of the 2011 election, considering the electoral system, election campaign, electoral behaviour, impact of results upon political parties and the new composition of the Parliament.
6 May 2011
This briefing has been prepared to assist Members of the Scottish Parliament to prepare for significant issues which are likely to impact on the work of the Parliament early in Session 4.