Scottish Parliament Round-Up

Find out the highlights at Holyrood this week.....

MSPs returned to parliament on Tuesday after the Easter recess, which was mostly taken up with local election campaigning.

Paul O’Kane asked the Scottish Government to provide an update on the reported recent outbreak in cases of hepatitis in children across Scotland and their plans to tackle infections.

In the committee rooms, the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee heard evidence from various organisations on children’s participation in the court’s decision making process.

Jeremy Balfour finished the opening day’s business by leading a member's debate welcoming the Down syndrome Bill introduced in the UK Parliament and calling on the Scottish Government to improve the services offered to people with Down syndrome.

On Wednesday, the Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine gave an update to MSPs on arrangements for welcoming displaced people from Ukraine to Scotland. You can find all guidance published by the Scottish Government in relation to Ukraine crisis on the SASW Ukraine hub.

The Liberal Democrats then led an opposition debate on the cost of living crisis, calling on both the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to address the heavy financial burdens being placed on households across Scotland.

Away from the chamber, the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee considered public petitions calling for the expansion of universal free school meals for all nursery, primary and secondary school pupils and the provision of free rail travel for disabled people who meet the qualifications for free bus travel.

Meanwhile, Pam Duncan-Glancy officially lodged her proposed Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill to parliament.

Thursday began with the Social Justice and Social Security Committee taking evidence from stakeholder groups on the Scottish Government’s proposed child poverty delivery plan 2022-2026 announced at the end of March.

At FMQs, the First Minister was scrutinised by opposition leaders and backbench MSPs on the workplace parking levy, support for long covid and plans to tackle homelessness and high private rental costs.

Afterwards, the Deputy First Minister faced challenges from MSPs during Portfolio Questions on plans to offer home fee status to Ukrainian refugees and how the government is supporting young people at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.