Government’s Legislative Programme 2023-24: Scotland

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

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

The UK Government’s legislative programme for the fourth Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday 7 November. 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.

The UK Government will continue to deliver for people and businesses across Scotland, as part of a strong United Kingdom. The UK Government’s legislative programme for this Session will help us to deliver on the issues that matter most to people, including growing our economy, keeping people safe, and promoting our national interests.

Our United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic Union the world has ever seen—the foundation on which all our businesses and citizens are able to thrive. The UK Government are committed to protecting and promoting its combined strengths, building on hundreds of years of partnership and shared history.

When we work collaboratively as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger, more prosperous, and better able to tackle our shared challenges. That is why the UK Government are investing in infrastructure and communities right across the UK, including more than £2.5 billion of direct investment into Scottish villages, towns and cities. That includes more than £1.5 billion for 12 city region and growth deals covering the whole of Scotland, supporting the delivery of projects such as the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University and the cyberQuarter at Abertay University. The UK Government delivered £343 million from the first and second round of the levelling-up fund for 18 projects across Scotland, including a new ferry for Fair Isle, a green transport hub in Dundee, and regeneration of cultural assets in Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Peterhead and Macduff. More than £18 million has been provided to 56 projects via the community renewal fund, supporting community regeneration, employability, and business growth and innovation. To save community assets at risk of being lost, more than £6 million has been provided for the community ownership fund so far, funding 24 local community-led projects.

To grow Scotland’s economy, a new £150 million British Business Bank fund—the investment fund for Scotland—will support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Earlier this year, the Chancellor also announced more than £8.6 million of support to be provided to the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to help boost Scotland’s status as a destination for the creative industries.

We are creating two new green freeports in the Inverness and Cromarty Firth region and the Firth of Forth region, working jointly with the Scottish Government. These will play a key role in supporting the regeneration of communities, bringing jobs and prosperity. Following the success of this programme, we have also announced that Scotland will host two investment zones, in the Glasgow city region and the north-east of Scotland.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are receiving a record block grant of £46 billion a year.

This legislative Session, we will be delivering on protecting our energy security, securing the benefits of Brexit, and ensuring we have the right framework for tech firms to compete and grow in the UK. We will be protecting the health of young people, supporting those who rent, and eradicating antisemitism everywhere. We are backing our armed forces, supporting Ukraine, and leading the way on the challenges of the future: climate change and AI.

The following bills will extend and apply to Scotland—either in full or in part:

Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill

Automated Vehicles Bill

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill

Criminal Justice Bill

Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

Media Bill

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

The UK Government will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure legislative consent from the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

[HCWS13]