The Week ahead in Holyrood – 3rd October 2016

Tuesday will see a Finance Committee debate on the timetable for the Scottish Government’s draft budget, as well as a debate on the implications of the EU referendum on higher and further education.
Currently, EU citizens studying their first degree in Scotland are entitled to have their tuition fees paid for them. However, this may no longer be the case once Britain leaves the EU and many universities are concerned about the impact from a potential loss of EU funding.

Wednesday’s Portfolio Questions will focus on Health and Sport. The Government has recently been challenged on issues of NHS staffing and questions have been tabled on the implementation of the living wage, waiting times, and staff conditions.

On Wednesday there will also be a debate on the devolution of employment services in Scotland. The Scottish Government is taking forward plans to devolve employment programmes currently contracted to the Department of Work and Pensions, including those for long term unemployed and disabled people.

Members Business this week will include Kenneth Gibson (SNP) addressing recent hate crimes perpetrated against Polish immigrants and Neil Findley (Labour) will be questioning the decision to relocate tax credit services away from Bathgate to a new site in Edinburgh.

Finally, on Thursday First Minister’s Questions will be followed by a debate on the Draft BBC Charter. This is likely to focus on the proposed creation of a separate Scottish Six news programme. Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser will also be asking what impact the potential expansion of Heathrow or Gatwick airports will have on Scotland.