Briefings 2014

SB 14-91 Labour Market update: December 2014

17 December 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' December 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-90 Earnings in Scotland 2014

15 December 2014
The Office for National Statistics released the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2014 provisional results on 19 November 2014. Using this data this briefing provides a brief overview of earnings in Scotland

SB 14-89 Gambling in Scotland

12 December 2014
This briefing reviews surveys on gambling and betting behaviour in Scotland and analyses data on Scotland’s gambling and betting industry.

SB 14-88 Fiscal devolution: some comparative examples

1 December 2014
This briefing provides an overview of fiscal devolution in the following countries: Belgium, Australia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Canada.

SB 14-87 Scottish Ministers’ Power to Call-in Planning Applications

24 November 2014
This short briefing aims to answer some of the key questions raised about the operation of the call-in process.

SB 14-86 Why are taxes so hard to predict?

20 November 2014
This briefing considers the difficulties in forecasting tax receipts, comparing Scottish Government forecasts with those of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

SB 14-85 Local Government Funding: Draft Budget 2015-16 and provisional allocations to local authorities

14 November 2014
This briefing discusses and analyses the allocation of funds from the Scottish Government to local authorities for financial year 2015-16.

SB 14-84 Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: Air Weapons

13 November 2014
This briefing looks at the proposals for a licensing scheme for air weapons in Scotland, examining the main provisions of that part of the Bill and highlighting a number of key issues raised by stakeholders.

SB 14-83 E-cigarettes: Frequently Asked Questions

13 November 2014
This briefing considers the key questions in the debate concerning the public health and regulatory response to e-cigarettes.

SB 14-82 Labour Market update: November 2014

12 November 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' November 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-81 Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: Local Government Licensing

12 November 2014
This briefing deals with the local government licensing aspects of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill. A separate SPICe briefing looks at the licensing of air weapons.

SB 14-80 The European Convention on Human Rights in the United Kingdom

7 November 2014
This briefing provides information on the European Convention on Human Rights and the role of the European Court of Human Rights in enforcing the Convention

SB 14-79 Draft Budget 2015-16: Higher Education

6 November 2014
This briefing reports on funding plans for higher education (HE) as presented in the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget for financial year 2015-16.

SB 14-78 Scotland's climate emissions targets and trends: November 2014

5 November 2014
This note prepared by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) summarises changes in Scotland's climate emissions since 1990 and progress towards Scotland's climate targets.

SB 14-69 CAP Reform 2014–20: EU Agreement and Implementation in the UK and in Ireland

31 October 2014
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform package for 2014-2020 has been finalised. This paper updates the November 2013 version which was prepared whilst many issues were still the subject of consultation.

SB 14-77 Draft Budget 2015-16: Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment

31 October 2014
This briefing details the amount of funding for each area, says what it pays for, and sets out how each area is performing against national indicators

SB 14-76 Proposals to the Smith Commission on Further Powers in EU and International Affairs

30 October 2014
This briefing provides analysis of the various proposals on the subject of European and international affairs submitted to the Smith Commission considering further powers for the Scottish Parliament.

SB 14-75 Draft Budget 2015-16: Justice

30 October 2014
This briefing provides information about spending on the Justice and Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service portfolios, along with the government grant to local authorities to pay for criminal justice social work

SB 14-74 Key issues in relation to the devolution of additional tax powers

30 October 2014
This briefing highlights what tax powers are currently devolved and sets out some of the possible considerations in relation to the devolution of further tax powers.

SB 14-73 Budget Scrutiny 2015-16

24 October 2014
This briefing is structured around the four principles of financial scrutiny identified in the scrutiny process last year, and adapted in the Guidance to subject Committees for scrutiny of Draft Budget 2015-16.

SB 14-72 Draft Budget 2015-16: Health and Sport

23 October 2014
This SPICe Briefing reviews the Scottish Government’s performance measures, indicators and targets for health and sport, and the main themes emerging from the Draft Budget in the health and sport portfolios.

SB 14-71 Labour Market update: October 2014

16 October 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' October 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-70 Draft Budget 2015-16

16 October 2014
This briefing summarises the spending plans contained within the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2015-16.

SB 14-68 Draft Scottish Budget 2015-16

9 October 2014
This infographic provides an overview of Scottish Government Draft Budget 2015-16, split by portfolio

SB 14-67 The “Bedroom Tax”

6 October 2014
This briefing provides details on the bedroom tax policy, reaction to it and evidence of its impact, particularly in Scotland.

SB 14-66 Climate Change: The Latest United Nations Science

30 September 2014
This briefing summarises the findings of three Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports published in 2013 and 2014 that together comprise the Fifth Assessment Report.

SB 14-65 Mental Health (Scotland) Bill

25 September 2014
This briefing provides background information on previous mental health legislation before outlining the main proposals in the Bill.

SB 14-64 Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill

25 September 2014
The Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) proposes changes to Scots law to allow legal documents to be signed in counterpart and paper documents to be delivered electronically

SB 14-63 Courts Reform Bill: Stage 3

25 September 2014
This briefing looks at Stage 1 and Stage 2 consideration of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill. The Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 6 February 2014.

SB 14-62 European Commission and European Parliament 2014-2019

25 September 2014
This short briefing for MSPs provides details of the composition of the new European Parliament following the European Parliamentary elections and the new European Commission.

SB 14-61 The European Union Multiannual Financial Framework and European Funding Programmes 2014-2020

25 September 2014
This short briefing provides a summary of the European Union’s multi-annual financial framework for the 2014-2020 financial period

SB 14-60 Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Bill

25 September 2014
The Scottish Government introduced the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Bill in the Parliament on 14 August 2014. It seeks to end automatic early release for some prisoners.

SB 14-59 Electricity Generating Stations: Planning and Approval

23 September 2014
This short briefing explains how the Scottish Government and local authorities plan for the long term development of Scotland’s onshore electricity generation infrastructure

SB 14-58 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill

22 September 2014
This Briefing summarises and analyses the key provisions in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, introduced in the Parliament on 11 June 2014.

Scottish Independence Referendum 2014: Results

19 September 2014
On the 18 September 2014 Scotland was asked to vote in the referendum on independence. This note by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) looks at the results.

SB 14-57 Productivity

21 August 2014
This briefing provides background information on the measurement of productivity in Scotland and considers recent performance. This briefing also discusses the potential drivers of future productivity growth.

SB 14-56 Welfare in Scotland: Current Changes and Future Proposals

20 August 2014
This briefing provides information on recent UK wide welfare reforms introduced by the UK Government. The briefing also considers proposals for welfare following the referendum on Scottish independence.

SB 14-55 Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill

19 August 2014
The Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill will place the interim Scottish Welfare Fund scheme on a statutory footing. This briefing provides an overview of the bill, its financial memorandum and impact assessments.

SB 14-54 Labour Market update: August 2014

14 August 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' August 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-53 Disabled Persons' Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2

8 August 2014
This briefing summarises the key points of debate at Stage 1 and the main conclusions made by the Local Government and Regeneration Committee in its Stage 1 report.

SB 14-52 Tenant farming

25 July 2014
This briefing summarises the historical development and current state of tenant farming in Scotland, highlighting recent reviews and initiatives in the area.

SB 14-51 Labour Market update: July 2014

17 July 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' July 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-50 Housing Benefit Statistics

17 July 2014
This briefing presents some of the key statistics on housing benefit within the context of housing benefit reform.

SB 14-49 The Reformed Common Fisheries Policy 2014

30 June 2014
The reformed Common Fisheries Policy came into effect in January 2014. This briefing provides background to the policy, followed by an overview of the main features post-reform.

SB 14-48 Disposable Household Income in Scotland 2012

27 June 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' publication Regional Household Income, Spring 2014.

SB 14-47 Criminal Verdicts (Scotland) Bill

25 June 2014
This briefing considers the proposals in the bill along with work which the Scottish Government has carried out in this area.

SB 14-46 The increasing demand for emergency food aid in the UK

18 June 2014
This paper provides background information on the increasing demand for food banks across the UK. It considers factors driving the increase, the position and actions taken by the Scottish and the UK Governments.

SB 14-45 Housing (Scotland) Bill - Parliamentary Consideration Prior to Stage 3

18 June 2014
Stage 3 proceedings on the Housing (Scotland) Bill are due to take place on 25 June 2014. This briefing summarises the main issues raised during Stage 1 proceedings.

SB 14-43 Pensions

12 June 2014
This briefing summarises existing pension arrangements in Scotland and what pensions might look like in the future.

SB 14-42 Labour Market update: June 2014

12 June 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' June 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-41 Health Inequalities – Early Years

11 June 2014
This briefing is intended to inform the Health and Sport Committee’s short inquiry on early years which is part of its themed work on health inequalities. It focuses on antenatal services and child health services.

SB 14-40 Edinburgh Trams: Concessionary Fares: Frequently Asked Questions

6 June 2014
This short briefing gives an overview of key facts relating to the availability of concessionary fares on the Edinburgh Trams network.

SB 14-39 Early Release of Prisoners

3 June 2014
This briefing considers the Scottish Government’s proposals for reform in this area, as outlined in a letter to the Justice Committee in September 2013, together with evidence which the Justice Committee has received.

SB 14-38 European Parliament Election 2014

30 May 2014
This briefing provides details of the European Parliament Election held in Scotland on 22 May 2014.

SB 14-37 Tuition Fees: charging UK students to study in an independent Scotland

23 May 2014
This briefing provides information about EU law, as it is currently set out in EU Treaties, legislation and associated case law, regarding the treatment of higher education students when moving from one member state to an

SB 14-36 Mental Health in Scotland

22 May 2014
This briefing gives an overview of mental health in Scotland. It first discusses mental health within a global and European context, before focussing in more detail on the picture in Scotland.

SB 14-35 Food (Scotland) Bill

21 May 2014
The Scottish Government’s Food (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 13 March 2014.

SB 14-34 Labour Market Update: May 2014

14 May 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' May 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-33 Marriage of same sex couples across the UK: What’s the same and what’s different?

15 May 2014
This briefing provides information about the similarities and differences relating to marriage of same sex couples and the legislation which provides for it.

SB 14-32 Historic Environment Scotland Bill

9 May 2014
The Scottish Government’s Historic Environment Scotland Bill, introduced on 3 March 2014, proposes the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).

SB 14-31 Procurement (Reform) (Scotland) Bill – Parliamentary consideration prior to Stage 3

8 May 2014
This briefing summarises Stage 1 and Stage 2 consideration of the Procurement (Reform) (Scotland) Bill, introduced in the Parliament on 3rd October 2013.

SB 14-30 Walking and Cycling

25 April 2014
This briefing provides background information on walking and cycling as forms of transport in Scotland. It gives a brief summary of walking and cycling statistics, policy and funding plus other related topical issues

SB 14-29 Revenue-financed investment: the size of Scotland’s PFI and NPD liability

24 April 2014
This briefing sets out a range of information on the level of revenue-financed investment in Scotland.

SB 14-28 Scottish North Sea oil and gas industry

24 April 2014
This briefing is produced to assist the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee in their inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014.

SB 14-27 Labour Market Update: April 2014

17 April 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' April 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-26 Early Learning and Childcare

2 April 2014
This briefing gives the legislative and policy context for the provision of childcare and pre-school education and considers the expansion of early learning and childcare as set out in the White Paper

SB 14-25 Labour Market update: March 2014

20 March 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' March 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-24 Disabled Persons' Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill

19 March 2014
The Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament by Dennis Robertson MSP on 17 December 2013, and is primarily aimed at improving the ability of local authorities to tackle misuse.

SB 14-23 Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill

13 March 2014
The Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill proposes a number of reforms to court structure, organisation and procedure, as recommended by Lord Gill’s Scottish Civil Courts Review (also known as the Gill Review).

SB 14-22 Tribunals (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

7 March 2014
This briefing looks at Stage 1 and Stage 2 consideration of the Tribunals (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 8 May 2013.

SB 14-21 The currency of an independent Scotland

6 March 2014
The choice of currency is one of the biggest economic decisions that would need to be made if Scotland was independent, central to the long-term success of the Scottish economy.

SB 14-20 Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

26 February 2014
THis briefing looks at Satge 1 and Stage 2 consideration of the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 11 June 2013.

SB 14-19 Labour Market February 2014 update

21 February 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics February 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.

SB 14-18 College Funding: Further Education

21 February 2014
This briefing considers the Scottish Government’s 2014/15 draft budget for further education and the allocation of this funding to colleges across Scotland.

SB 14-17 Discretionary Housing Payments

20 February 2014
This briefing provides background to Discretionary Housing Payments, the levels of funding available and a summary of some of the key debates about the use of DHPs.

SB 14-16 Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Bill

13 February 2014
The Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 12 December 2013. This briefing provides background to the Bill and summarises some of the key proposals within it.

SB 14-15 The Scottish Civil Court System

13 February 2014
This Briefing provides an overview of the civil court system in Scotland, including a description of the main civil courts and the hierarchy associated with them.

SB 14-14 The Scottish Rate of Income Tax and Additional Rate Taxpayers

5 February 2014
This briefing looks at income tax revenues in Scotland, the potential implications of introducing a tax border within the UK creating two different tax jurisdictions and the potential responses of taxpayers to changes

SB 14-13 Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2

5 February 2014
Stage 3 proceedings on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) will take place on 19 February.

SB 14-12 Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill

5 February 2014
The Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill is a Member’s Bill, introduced by David Stewart MSP.

SB 14-11 Scotland Act 2012: Financial Provisions

04 February 2014
This briefing summarises the financial and non-financial provisions included in the Scotland Act 2012.

SB 14-10 Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2

29 January 2014
This briefing summarises the main recommendations made by the Equal Opportunities Committee in its stage 1 report and the Scottish Government response. It also summarises the key amendments passed at stage 2.

SB 14-09 Cowdenbeath by-election

24 January 2014
This briefing summarises the results of the Cowdenbeath by-election held on Thursday 23 January 2014.

SB 14-08 Scotland's economy-future developments

23 January 2014
This briefing aims to assist the Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee in their inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014.

SB 14-07 Scotland's economy-recent developments

23 January 2014
This briefing is produced to assist the Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee in their inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014.

SB 14-06 Labour Market January 2014 update

23 January 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' January 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland

SB 14-05 National Planning Framework for Scotland 3

20 January 2014
This briefing provides a short history of the National Planning Framework. It summarises the changes to the status of the NPF and parliamentary approval process introduced by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006.

SB 14-04 Local Government Funding: Provisional Allocations for 2014-15

15 January 2014
This briefing sets out the Scottish Government’s plans for allocating £10.6 billion to Scottish local authorities in 2014-15, including information on the timeline for final agreement of the allocations.

SB 14-03 Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

13 January 2013
This briefing provides a summary of the parliamentary scrutiny of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill prior to Stage 3 proceedings which are scheduled to take place on 16 January 2014.

SB 14-02 The Housing (Scotland) Bill

10 January 2014
The Housing (Scotland) Bill covers a wide range of issues concerning social and private housing. This briefing sets out the background to the Bill and summarises its main provisions.

SB 14-01 Earnings in Scotland 2013

8 January 2014
The Office for National Statistics released the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2013 Provisional results on 12 December 2013. Using this data,this briefing provides a brief overview of earnings in Scotland

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