Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill - Briefing Prior to Stage 3
Dec. 10 2026
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This briefing supports Members in their consideration of the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3. The briefing summarises the provisions of the Bill as introduced, some of the main debates at Stage 1, how the Bill was amended at Stage 2, and some of the wider process-related debates around the Bill.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Explainer: intergovernmental activity and its implications for the Scottish Parliament
Jun. 12 2026
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This briefing provides an overview of intergovernmental activity and its implications for the Scottish Parliament. It explains what intergovernmental activity is, why awareness of it is important for parliamentary scrutiny, and summarises its implications for the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Prisons: Subject Profile
Jun. 11 2026
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This subject profile provides information on prisons, including young offender institutions, in Scotland.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Housing: Subject Profile
Jun. 11 2026
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This subject profile provides an overview of housing in Scotland. It describes recent trends in housing tenure, the housing market and provides information on Scottish Government policy and the legislative background.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Social Security subject profile
Jun. 10 2026
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This briefing explains how devolved social security has developed since 2013 and outlines current policy issues. It also considers how social security is funded and looks at forecast spend up to 2030.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Devolved Social Security Benefits
Jun. 10 2026
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This briefing summarises devolved benefits available from Social Security Scotland, local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions in Scotland as at May 2026.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Revisions to the Standing Orders during Session 6 of the Scottish Parliament
Jun. 08 2026
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This briefing summarises the amendments to the Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament agreed during Session 6. It explores how the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and reviews of the Parliament's proceedings, including the Gender Sensitive Audit, prompted the consideration of changes to Standing Orders
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Planning in Scotland: An introduction
Jun. 05 2026
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This briefing describes how key elements of the Scottish town and country planning system operate, focusing on development planning, development management, and planning enforcement. It also considers the systems governing change to listed buildings and conservation areas, plus the advertisement consent regime.
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) Explainer: how devolution works
May. 19 2026
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This briefing considers the devolution settlement in Scotland, explaining the powers of the Scottish Parliament, what legislation is and how law making at the Scottish and UK Parliaments interacts. It describes how devolution works, including intergovernmental processes which affect the Parliament and the exercise of its powers. It considers how the operation of