How does the Scottish Parliament affect us? ... maybe more than you think!

The union's Scottish Committee has published a briefing on all the issues affecting UNISON in this parliament session.

Sixteen bills are being considered by the Parliament with a further 31 private member bills also published. Add to this 36 consultations and we've got our work cut out to make sure UNISON's voice is heard.

The bills directly affecting UNISON members include:-

NHS Reform Bill: Awaiting assent. UNISON broadly supportive. Issues around public involvement, Community Health Partnerships and GP staffs.

Local Governance Bill: Awaiting assent. Support electoral reform proposals. Go further than bill on age qualifications and politically restricted posts.

Water Services Bill: Welcome restrictions on common carriage and domestic competition. Concern over the impact of retail competition in non-domestic settings. Invited to give verbal evidence.

Anti-Social Behaviour: General concern over policy direction, specific concerns over impact on Children's Hearings (now subject to separate consultation) and social work.

Emergency Workers Stage1: Submitted written and verbal evidence to Committee. Want the bill to go further than proposed.

UNISON is also actively supporting three Private Members Bills:

Breastfeeding (Scotland) Bill: GPF funding for social impact research and parliamentary support. Submitted evidence.

Prohibition of Smoking in Regulated Areas (S) Bill: Evidence given to Stage 1. Direct Elections to Health Boards: Support the principle. Details in public consultation paper.

Other private member bills with significant UNISON interest include Warm Homes, Civil Registered Partnerships, Free School Meals, Third Party Planning Rights, Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges, Abolition of Council Tax , Community Based Drug Facilities and Green Transport

Your expertise needed

We want to hear from any member with special knowledge on any of these issues or the 36 consultations coming up so that it can be put to good use. Check on all new consultations at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/ briefings/parliament.html - you will also find the full briefing there.

If you have any special knowledge of any of these issues, or if you just want to leave your name to be contacted when an issue you are interested in comes up, contact: The Policy and Information Team d.watson@unison.co.uk or tel: 0845 355 0845.

headlines . top