Government’s Legislative Programme (Scotland)

Friday 20th December 2019 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

The legislative programme for the first Session was outlined by Her Majesty on Thursday 19 December. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills or Finance Bills.

This Government will finally get Brexit done. We have introduced the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill to implement the fantastic deal agreed by the Prime Minister and ensure our exit from the EU on 31 January. We will end the uncertainty and leave as one United Kingdom, allowing us to move on and unleash the potential of all four nations. Together, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are safer, stronger and more prosperous, and as such the Government remain committed to strengthening the Union.

The legislative programme for this Session will deliver on the opportunities Brexit brings for the whole of the United Kingdom. For example, the Fisheries Bill will create powers to build a sustainable, profitable UK fishing industry as we leave the common fisheries policy and become an independent coastal state. The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill will provide the legal framework for our future immigration system, so that we can decide who comes to this country on the basis of skills they have and the contribution they can make—not where they come from.

Getting Brexit done will allow us to focus on delivering important reforms to domestic issues through our legislative programme. The Government are at the forefront of tackling climate change, as the first major economy to legislate to end our contribution to global warming by setting a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Next year we will introduce the Environment Bill to guarantee the protection and restoration of our natural environment, putting these issues at the centre of policy making. On top of this, we are bringing world leaders to Glasgow for the United Nations 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) climate conference next year.

The following bills would apply to Scotland (either in full or in part).

Agriculture Bill

Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill

Armed Forces (Legal Protections) Bill

Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill

Building Safety Bill

Counter Terrorism (Sentencing and Release) Bill

Domestic Abuse Bill

Employment Bill

Environment Bill

European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill

Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill

Fisheries Bill

Financial Services Bill

Health Service Safety Investigations Bill

High Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (European Union Withdrawal) Bill

Online Harms Bill

Medicines and Medical Devices Bill

National Security and Investment Bill

Pension Schemes Bill

Police Powers and Protections Bill

Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill

Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Bill

Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill

Telecommunications (Connectivity) Bill

Thomas Cook Compensation Bill

Trade Bill

Windrush (Compensation Scheme) Bill

In line with the Sewel convention and associated practices, the Government will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

[HCWS9]