Government’s Legislative Programme: Scotland

Douglas Alexander Excerpts

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)]

The UK Government’s legislative programme for the second Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include Law Commission Bills, or finance Bills.

The UK Government are committed to delivering change for Scotland. This legislative programme will deliver that change across all four nations, by encouraging economic growth, improving our public services and living standards, and bolstering our defence and domestic security. The Scotland Office will play a key role in the delivery of this programme, both in fully and effectively representing the people of Scotland at the heart of the UK Government, and in making sure that the benefits of these reforms are felt across Scotland. We will work in co-operation with the incoming Scottish Government to achieve this.

This Government are committed to growth in Scotland, and we are investing £2.2 billion in growing Scotland’s economy. We will introduce a new regulatory framework which is fit for the future, bridging the gap between regulation and innovation, unlocking growth, attracting capital and securing high-value employment in Scotland and beyond. A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working and make everyday life easier for people by ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective. We will also introduce measures designed to ensure that businesses, particularly small businesses, are paid fairly and on time. Central to our drive to unlock growth is a closer partnership with the European Union, and the Government will introduce a legislative framework to ratify a future agreement on closer future economic and security co-operation.

We will continue working with the Scottish Government on legislation, providing a legislative framework to support the hosting of future major sporting events across the UK, so we can see more big events like the Euros and Commonwealth games in Scotland in the future. Following the establishment of the Aberdeen-based GB Energy announced in the last King’s Speech, the Government will go further by bringing in new legislation which will lower bills, secure our energy systems and set out a clear path to net zero.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Scotland (either in full or in part):

Armed Forces

Civil Aviation

Clean Water

Competition Reform

Courts and Tribunals

Cyber Resilience and Security (Network and Information Systems)

Digital Access to Services

Electricity Generator Levy

Energy Independence

Enhancing Financial Services

European Partnership

Immigration and Asylum

Health

Northern Ireland Troubles

Police Reform

Public Office (Accountability)

Railways

Regulating for Growth

Remediation

Removal of Peerages

Representation of the People

Small Business Protections (Late Payments)

Sovereign Grant

Sporting Events

Steel Industry (Nationalisation)

Tackling State Threats

Ticket Tout Ban (Draft)

The UK Government will endeavour to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government to secure the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

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