17 December 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' December 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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
12 December 2014
This briefing reviews surveys on gambling and betting behaviour in Scotland and analyses data on Scotland’s gambling and betting industry.
1 December 2014
This briefing provides an overview of fiscal devolution in the following countries: Belgium, Australia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Canada.
24 November 2014
This short briefing aims to answer some of the key questions raised about the operation of the call-in process.
20 November 2014
This briefing considers the difficulties in forecasting tax receipts, comparing Scottish Government forecasts with those of the Office for Budget Responsibility.
14 November 2014
This briefing discusses and analyses the allocation of funds from the Scottish Government to local authorities for financial year 2015-16.
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.
13 November 2014
This briefing considers the key questions in the debate concerning the public health and regulatory response to e-cigarettes.
12 November 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' November 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
16 October 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' October 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
16 October 2014
This briefing summarises the spending plans contained within the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2015-16.
9 October 2014
This infographic provides an overview of Scottish Government Draft Budget 2015-16, split by portfolio
6 October 2014
This briefing provides details on the bedroom tax policy, reaction to it and evidence of its impact, particularly in Scotland.
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.
25 September 2014
This briefing provides background information on previous mental health legislation before outlining the main proposals in the 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
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.
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.
25 September 2014
This short briefing provides a summary of the European Union’s multi-annual financial framework for the 2014-2020 financial period
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
14 August 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' August 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
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.
17 July 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' July 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
17 July 2014
This briefing presents some of the key statistics on housing benefit within the context of housing benefit reform.
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.
27 June 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' publication Regional Household Income, Spring 2014.
25 June 2014
This briefing considers the proposals in the bill along with work which the Scottish Government has carried out in this area.
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.
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.
12 June 2014
This briefing summarises existing pension arrangements in Scotland and what pensions might look like in the future.
12 June 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' June 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
6 June 2014
This short briefing gives an overview of key facts relating to the availability of concessionary fares on the Edinburgh Trams network.
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.
30 May 2014
This briefing provides details of the European Parliament Election held in Scotland on 22 May 2014.
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
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.
21 May 2014
The Scottish Government’s Food (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 13 March 2014.
14 May 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' May 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
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).
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.
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
24 April 2014
This briefing sets out a range of information on the level of revenue-financed investment in Scotland.
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.
17 April 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' April 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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
20 March 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' March 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
21 February 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics February 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
5 February 2014
Stage 3 proceedings on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) will take place on 19 February.
5 February 2014
The Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill is a Member’s Bill, introduced by David Stewart MSP.
04 February 2014
This briefing summarises the financial and non-financial provisions included in the Scotland Act 2012.
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.
24 January 2014
This briefing summarises the results of the Cowdenbeath by-election held on Thursday 23 January 2014.
23 January 2014
This briefing aims to assist the Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee in their inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014.
23 January 2014
This briefing is produced to assist the Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee in their inquiry into Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014.
23 January 2014
A briefing on the Office for National Statistics' January 2014 Regional Labour Market release for Scotland
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.
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.
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.
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.
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