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the Update.
The Parliamentary Committees and Government have a significant
number of consultations and calls for evidence on proposed Bills
open over the summer months.
There were some heated debates at Holyrood this month, including
on the issues of tuition fees; schools policy; domestic violence
against men; the Alcohol Etc (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 debate; and
the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill Stage 3
debate.
The Law Society of Scotland features heavily in this month's
update with its involvement in the proposed changes to the legal
aid system, as well as the issue of the access to a lawyer when
first placed under arrest. The Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
was also considered by the Justice Committee this month, with a
number of Stage 2 amendments being passed.
The End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill Committee has
published the responses to its call for evidence on the general
principles of the Bill.
Children's issues also feature heavily in this month's Update,
with the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill, and the impact of a
parent in prison both being debated. The Government has also
issued draft guidelines on the provision of care for children
looked after either by local authorities or kinship carers and the
consultation on new child protection continues.
At Holyrood, there is reaction to the UK Budget, and also
discussions on the setting of the upcoming Scottish Spending
Review.
In Environment, the Committee on Climate Change have reported at
Westminster, whilst at Holyrood, the Scottish Government has
announced its Zero Waste plan.
The UK Government has announced a number of Commissions and
reviews to examine aspects of public life, including banking; fair
pay; health and safety; poverty and life chances in the UK; and
public service pensions.
Asylum has featured heavily on the new UK Government's agenda,
with announcements on changes to entry requirements for partners of
migrants; alongside consultations on ending the detention of
children and applying a cap on immigration for certain categories
of potential migrants. Meanwhile in Scotland, support for an
exemption to the cap on immigration has been indicated, while the
Commissioner for Children & Young People has commissioned a
study into child trafficking.
Public participation in parliamentary reform has also been a
strong theme this month, with the Government announcing a
referendum on amending the voting system for Westminster elections;
and the creation of a website seeking the views of the public on
Bills which suggestions for public spending cuts.
Finally, there are two briefings accompanying the Update this
month: one is a short briefing on the emergency Budget; the other,
a briefing on the final contents of the Criminal Justice and
Licensing (Scotland) Bill.