News

As Labour's prospects for the next elections don't seem to be improving, it’s understandable that the party’s strategy is to protect the core vote, and so it's no surprise that statements by No 10 over the past days underlined their support for public services, a message that will be repeated in Gordon Brown’s speech to the TUC’s annual Congress this week. So far the talk has been about cutting costs, which sounds more appealing than cutting services, but Labour, as the Conservatives last week, are still both conscious of avoiding the elephant in the room and explain what taxes will be raised and which services will be cut. Maybe Lord Mandelson will provide more clarity on this today in his speech on what he calls "wise spending".

Reflecting on the past few days, Scotland’s First Minister may not find a very positive backdrop, as Diageo rejected his Government’s alternative proposal to revert factory closures, and as he had to watch Scotland’s exit from the World cup against Holland. Meanwhile his trusted Finance Secretary John Swinney is taking no risks ahead of the publication of his budget proposal this week as he has written to all party leaders calling for unity for his plans to streamline the public sector. Until now his team, led by the formidable parliamentary business minister Bruce Crawford, has been able to get the Parliament's support for the Government’s financial proposals every time, apart from a slight hiccup earlier this year, but again the decision where, and not if, to make spending cuts, will be a difficult one and ensure a lively debate.

At the European Parliament, Manuel Barroso’s talks with political leaders last week seemed to have paid off as the assembly is expected to support a second presidency of the Spaniard this Wednesday. While MEPs will gather in Strasburg for their plenary session, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia will present proposals on how to reduce public borrowing, and perhaps politicians may want to lend an ear to what he’s saying.

Scottish Government News

Progress made on emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, including international aviation and shipping, have fallen by more than 18 per cent since 1990, according to latest official statistics. Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, welcomed the figures and said that the Government will outline further plans to achieve a low-carbon future in 2010. (8th September)

Diageo rejects taskforce proposals
Finance Secretary John Swinney said Diageo's decision to reject proposals drawn up by a taskforce is 'deeply disappointing'. He highlighted the co-operation from the workforce, trade unions, the local authorities and parliamentarians to identify concrete, deliverable and cost effective proposals, and suggested that Diageo didn’t appreciate the social consequences of their financial decision. (9th September)

Scottish Government consultations

Implementation of the Removal of the Duty of Planning Authorities to Notify Historic Scotland on certain Types of Listed Building Consent Application (Closing 17/09)

Draft Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2009 (Closing 20/09)

The Care and Treatment of People with Mental Disorder and Learning Disability - Mental Welfare (Closing 25/09)

Commission for Scotland: Future Structure (Closing 23/09)

The Role of the Registered Social Worker in Contributing to Better Outcomes for Scotland: Guidance for Local Authorities (Closing 25/09)

Private Housing Issues: Housing Bill Consultation (Closing (30/09)

The Scottish Parliament - The Week Ahead

Committees

Tuesday September 15

Justice - Subordinate legislation; Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change - Finance and Sustainable Growth (evidence)

Finance - Proposed contingent liability - Forth Replacement Crossing; Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11

Subordinate Legislation - Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill; Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill; Draft instruments subject to approval; Instruments subject to annulment

Wednesday September 16

Economy, Energy and Tourism - The way forward for Scotland’s banking, building society and financial services sector inquiry; Determining and delivering Scotland’s energy future inquiry; Arbitration (Scotland) Bill

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Petition (Autistic Spectrum Disorder); Subordinate legislation

Health and Sport - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Subordinate legislation; Work programme

Local Government and Communities - Local Government Finance inquiry; National Planning Framework 2; Child Poverty in Scotland; Home Care Services for the Elderly; Equal Pay in Local Government; Local Government Finance inquiry (in private)

Rural Affairs and Environment - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Work programme

Scottish Commission for Public Audit - Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2009 and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts; Audit Scotland’s Autumn Budget Revision 2009-10

In the Chamber

Wednesday September 16

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Health and Sport Committee Debate: Pathways into Sport and Physical Activity
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Whithorn as Cradle of Christianity and Place of Modern Pilgrimage, Alasdair Morgan (SNP)

Thursday September 17

9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Diageo
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time - Europe, External Affairs and Culture; Education and Lifelong Learning
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scottish Road Safety Framework
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Supporting the Living Wage for Scotland, Frank McAveety (Lab)

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Westminster is in recess until 12th October.