News

The SNP Conference was a hive of activity in Inverness last week. After two years in Government the party is still going strong, and to coin Nicola Sturgeon's words, its "bond of trust with the Scottish people is strong". However, its toughest manifesto pledges are yet to be tackled, such as the Independence Referendum Bill. The Scottish Government's biggest challenge at UK level is achieving its goal of substantially increasing the number of MSPs at Westminster. SNP success in the Glasgow North East by-elections would be a strong step in the direction of achieving this challenging feat. An extensive review of the SNP conference will follow shortly.

The Prime Minister's attempt to avoid deadlock at the Copenhagen Climate Change conference in December is threatening to be overshadowed by the recession fuelled tightening of mortgage lending rules, and claims that the UK government has been secretly plotting to implement a tax on electricity customers to subsidise the construction of new nuclear reactors. Still bubbling in the background is the furore over Sir Thomas Legg's expenses letters. As expected, the backlash from these letters is still causing party divisions at Westminster, with criticisms being levied at the goalposts being shifted by imposing backdated caps on claims, an approach which is supported by Commons Speaker, John Bercow. Nick Clegg, seemingly presenting a united front by the Liberal Democrats, has stated that his MPs will cooperate fully in the repayment of "reasonable" expenses. It seems like Mr Clegg's approach is a bit more palatable than Brown and Cameron's threats to dispel uncooperative MPs from the next election.

In Europe, the Lisbon Treaty ratification saga continues. The Czech President, despite claiming that signing the treaty "would not be the end of the world", is still digging his heels in, although not long enough to allow the UK elections to go ahead before making his decision. The President has mounted a legal challenge to determine if the treaty is compatible with the country's constitution and the court may issue its decision to coincide with the EU summit which takes place on 28-29 October. Meanwhile, everyone is waiting with baited breath to see if the President's demands for an opt-out from the treaty's obligations under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which has already been secured by Britain and Poland, will be accepted in return for his signature. If it is agreed it would avoid exploitation of the charter by Germans seeking compensation for property seized from them at the end of the Second World War. If successful in gaining this concession, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is next in line to seek a similar guarantee in relation to Sudeten Germans and ethnic Hungarians expelled from what is now Slovakia.

Scottish Government News

Westminster may be "hung by a Scottish rope"
First Minister Alex Salmond claimed the SNP could hold the balance of power at Westminster following the General Election if the Conservatives fail to win a sufficient majority. Citing opinion polls which suggest that there could be an increase from 7 to 25 SNP MPs, Mr Salmond said this could mean that Westminster would be "hung by a Scottish rope" with the SNP demanding cooperation in obtaining a referendum and in scrapping Trident in return for Tory support. Therefore, the First Minister believes that an independence referendum is now a question of "when" not "if" because even if it is not successful when introduced on St Andrew's Day it will become a dominating feature of the Scottish election campaign in 2011.

Energy Efficiency Action Plan
The Scottish Government's Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland includes a chapter on non-domestic buildings and identifies the potential for energy savings within large-scale manufacturing industries. The consultation calls for responses as to whether the Government should introduce legislation to require business compliance, whether it should introduce sub-metering for existing non-domestic buildings, and what steps it should take to increase uptake of energy efficiency and waste industrial heat. Meanwhile, five housing projects are set to receive a share of £675,000 to improve energy efficiency following the first round of the £1 million Scottish Government's Energy Efficiency Design Awards. The awards aim to bring together designers, construction and manufacturing, housing associations, councils or community groups to create the best energy efficiency solutions for Scotland. The second round of the Energy Efficiency Design Awards will open to applications from Monday October 19, 2009 until April next year.

Rising Unemployment in Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland rose by 13,000 in the three months to August to a total of 192,000, but the Scottish employment rate at 74% remains above the rate at UK and other EU member countries levels. Scottish Government figures also showed 17.3% of Scottish households were defined as workless, with no adults of working age in employment.

Opportunities for the Construction Sector
Leading designer, Andrew Duany will be participating in the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative involving projects in Dumfries, Aberdeen and Fife which aim to produce low-carbon communities. The projects will range from transforming existing neighbourhoods to creating new housing developments, community facilities and transport links to offices and schools. Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil hopes that it will result in world-wide interest in Scottish planning, design and creations. Homes for Scotland Director of Planning, Allan Lundmark regards this as an "excellent example of the gains that can be achieved when Government works in partnership with the private sector".

Right to buy to be abolished
At the SNP conference, Nicola Sturgeon announced that neither new council tenants nor anyone returning to the social rented sector after a break will have the right to buy their homes. This is in a bid to safeguard over 18,000 homes for individuals who have no option but to rent.

Scottish Government consultations

Reforming the Law on Bribery and Corruption in Scotland (Closing 23/10/2009)

Amendments to the Mental Health Legislation in the event of a Civil Emergency or Influenza Pandemic (Closing 23/10/2009)

UK Equality Bill - Specific Public Sector Duties to Promote Equality, and Socio-economic Duty (Closing 27/10/2009)

Changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009 (Closing 29/10/2009)

The Scottish Parliament - The Week Ahead

Holyrood is in recess until 26th October.

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Monday October 19

2.30pm: Oral Questions: Work and pensions questions, including topical questions.
Followed by Opposition day debate (18th allotted day) on economic recovery and welfare.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Case of Mr Jack Connagh and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (Colin Breed).

Tuesday October 20

2.30pm: Oral Questions: Foreign office, including topical questions.
Followed by Ten minute rule motion: Marine Accidents Investigation Branch (Reports) Bill (David Cairns).
Followed by Second reading of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Power cuts in Bexley and North West Kent (David Evennett).

Wednesday October 21

11.30am: Oral Questions: International development.
12noon: Prime minister’s questions.
Followed by Ten minute rule motion: Local Health Services and Democratic Involvement Bill (John Pugh).
Followed by Opposition day debates (19th allotted day) on (i) Equitable Life and (ii) climate change (Liberal Democrat motions).
Followed by Adjournment debate: War memorial protection, conservation and restoration (Shona McIsaac).

Thursday October 22

10.30am: Oral Questions: Transport, Women and equality questions.
Followed by Business statement and questions.
Followed by Topical debate: Subject: tba.
Followed by Motion to take note of the outstanding reports of the Public Accounts Committee to which the government has replied.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Conduct of the UK Border Agency (Ann Widdecombe).

Friday October 23

The House is not sitting.

Westminster Hall Debates

Tuesday October 20

9.30am: Wardens in sheltered housing (Geoffrey Cox).
11.00am: Prisoner release decisions (Nick Palmer).
12.30pm: Proposed closure of mental health in-patient units in the New Forest (Julian Lewis).
1.00pm: Free school meals (Roberta Blackman-Woods).
1.30pm: Integrity of the electoral register (Simon Burns).

Wednesday October 21

9.30am: Local regulation of private landlords (Graham Stringer).
11.00am: Conservation areas and character appraisal (Gisela Stuart).
2.30pm: Effects of English libel law on the reporting of parliamentary proceedings (Evan Harris).
4.00pm: Government support for the textile industry (Michael Moore).
4.30pm: OFSTED's supervision of fostering services (James Plaskitt).

Thursday October 22

Debate on the culture, media and sport committee report on the Licensing Act 2003.

House of Lords

Monday October 19

2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Jenkin of Roding - when they will publish their response to the paper prepared by Malcolm Wicks MP, the Prime Minster’s Special Representative on International Energy, on future energy security for the United Kingdom and other related matters; Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - what steps they are taking to increase house building to meet demand for affordable houses; Baroness Hanham - what is their assessment of progress by aircraft manufacturers in developing an aircraft which would qualify for the “green slot” outlined in the Government’s response to Adding capacity at Heathrow airport; Lord Lamont of Lerwick - what contribution the British military presence in Afghanistan is making towards preventing terrorism in the United Kingdom.
Followed by Committee stage (day 1) of the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill.
Followed by Committee stage (day 9) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.
Followed by Motion to take note of the Flexible New Deal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2009 (Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope).

Tuesday October 20

2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Roberts of Conwy - what steps they are taking to reduce the level of unemployment among 16 to 24 year olds; Lord Trefgarne - what is the role of the Traffic Officers employed by the Highways Agency; and what is the statutory authority under which they exercise their powers; Lord Warner - what response they will make to the House of Lords judgment of 30 July in the case of R (on the application of Purdy) v Director of Public Prosecutions and to the subsequent action by the Director of Public Prosecutions; Topical question.
Followed by Motion to refer the following orders to a grand committee:-

• Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2009;
• Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Public Authorities) Regulations 2009;
• Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2009;
• Provision of Services Regulations 2009.

Followed by Motion to agree the third report of the House Committee (Refreshment Department Functions).
Followed by Committee stage (day 1) of the Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Bill.
Followed by Committee stage (day 5) of the Policing and Crime Bill.
Followed by Short debate on what plans the government has to encourage the further development of credit unions in the United Kingdom (Lord Tomlinson).

Wednesday October 21

3.00pm: Oral questions: Baroness Rawlings - when they plan to publish on the internet details of all their aid spending; Lord Northbourne - whether they have plans to do more to encourage parents to make the commitment of marriage; Lord Rosser - what is their programme for implementing the bus services provisions of the Local Transport Act 2008; and in particular what measures they are intending to implement, and by when, to improve the quality of bus services in the English metropolitan areas outside London; Topical questions.
Followed by Report stage (day 1) of the Coroners and Justice Bill.
Followed by Motion to annul the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 (Earl Howe).

Grand Committee

3.45pm: Consideration of the following orders and regulations:-
Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2009;
Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications, Transitional Provisions and Saving) Order 2009;
Groundwater (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Thursday October 22

11.00am: Oral questions: Lord Astor of Hever - what progress they have made in securing a legal agreement for British troops to conduct training in Iraq; Lord Hannay of Chiswick - what plans they have to follow up and implement commitments to be agreed at the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen; Viscount Montgomery of Alamein - what is the visa status of people over 18 years old who are dependant relatives of Latin American residents in the United Kingdom; Topical question.
Followed by Motion to refer the following orders and regulations to a grand committee:-

• Saving Gateway Accounts Regulations 2009;
• Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2009;
• Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (Amendment) Order 2009;
• District Electoral Areas Commissioner (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2009;
• Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009;
• Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendments to Schedule 2) Order 2009.

Followed by Report stage (day 1) of the Welfare Reform Bill.
Followed by Short debate on how the government propose to enable older workers who are able and willing to continue working to do so (Baroness Turner of Camden).

Friday October 23

Debate on the Report of the European Union Committee on EU Consumer Rights Directive: getting it right (Baroness Howarth of Breckland).
Followed by Debate on the Report of the European Union Committee on Recast of the First Rail Freight Package (Lord Freeman).