At today's meeting on drugs in Scotland the Criminal Justice Committee took evidence on the Thistle, the safer drug consumption facility. Dr Saket Priyadarshi of Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership said reports of increased drug-related crime in the area have not been informed by evidence.

Dani Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer of STAND (Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence), told the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the huge importance of early diagnosis and support for people with ADHD or autism. Watch the meeting: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/heal...

📢 Changes are proposed to Scotland’s FOI laws. The Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill aims to make it easier to access information and hold public services to account. Listen to Standards Committee Convener @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social and have your say by 22 Oct 🔗 ow.ly/V83p50X5EOR

Measures to enhance and improve the performance of committees have been published by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Recommendations include: ➡️Elected Conveners ➡️Smaller committee ➡️Ad-hoc committees Read the report: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/R...

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Stephen Kerr MSP will ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it will take to address the reported crisis in the college sector, in light of the findings in the Audit Scotland publication, Scotland's colleges 2025.

In her Members’ Business today, Ariane Burgess MSP will lead a debate on investing in rail to unlock the wealth and economic potential of the Highlands, and calls to improve and modernise the Highland Main Line. 📑 Full motion: https://ow.ly/Yo6B50X3IkA 📺 Watch live: https://ow.ly/SFF550X3Ip8

Today's debates include: 🟣 FMQs 🟣 Members' Business from Ariane Burgess MSP — Investing in Rail to Unlock the Wealth and Economic Potential of the Highlands 🟣 Stage 1 Debate: Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill See what else is on: https://ow.ly/21NY50X3Avs Watch online: https://ow.ly/Otyu50X3Au8

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣 Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture at 9am 🟣 Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments at 9:30am Watch online: https://ow.ly/65Sl50X4WKp

In her Members’ Business today, Rona Mackay MSP will lead a debate marking International FASD Day 2025 and highlighting the need for greater awareness, prevention and early diagnosis of FASD. 📑 Full motion: https://ow.ly/qE5Z50X3H8A 📺 Watch live from 5:10pm: https://ow.ly/zYnv50X3H8z

Today's debates include: 🟣 Portfolio Questions 🟣 @scottishlabour.bsky.social Debates on Mobile Phones in Schools, and Protecting Scotland's Fire Service 🟣 Members' Business Rona Mackay MSP — International FASD Day and the Need for Awareness Watch online: https://ow.ly/FshR50X4RrQ

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣 Education, Children and Young People at 8:30am 🟣 Rural Affairs and Islands at 9am 🟣 Economy and Fair Work at 9:30am 🟣 Public Audit at 9:30am 🟣 Criminal Justice at 10am Watch online: https://ow.ly/9fwt50X3CQ9

The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Housing (Scotland) Bill is: ✅ Yes - 89 ❌ No - 28 🟣 Abstain - 0 The bill is therefore passed. You can find out more online at https://ow.ly/TAh650X4CRR

In his Members’ Business today, Fulton MacGregor MSP will lead a debate commending Give Blood 4 Good’s efforts to secure Scotland’s blood supply and encourage more young people to become donors. 📑 Full motion: https://ow.ly/lPxC50X3G6P 📺 Watch live from 7:15pm: https://ow.ly/GAO350X3G6o

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Pam Gosal MSP will ask the Scottish Government who it consulted before producing the “Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools Guidance for Education Authorities and Schools”, which it published yesterday.

Today's debates include: 🟣 Ministerial Statement: Techscaler Programme 🟣 Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill 🟣 Members' Business from Fulton MacGregor MSP: Commending Give Blood 4 Good’s Efforts to Secure Scotland’s Blood Supply 📺 Watch online: https://ow.ly/etOM50X3zEw

The Rural Affairs & Islands Committee has published a Stage 1 report on the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill In it, they back proposals to set the first legally-binding biodiversity targets in Scotland. Release: www.parliament.scot/about/news/n... Report: bprcdn.parliament.scot/published/RA...

Committee's meeting today include: 🟣 Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice at 9am 🟣 Health, Social Care and Sport at 9:15am 🟣 Net Zero, Energy and Transport at 9:15am See what else is on: https://ow.ly/R1ha50X3BbO Watch: https://ow.ly/ivH050X3B9H

The Local Government Committee has published recommendations on the proposed National Good Food Nation Plan. It’s a strategy aiming to give easy access to healthy, sustainable food for all. But what could it mean for local government? Read more: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/R...

Yesterday, @angelaconstance.bsky.social told the Criminal Justice Committee why she is seeking to add the sex characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order Act. Watch the evidence session on their inquiry into substance misuse in Scottish Prisons: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/crim...

Kate Sanger has been calling for changes to restraint and seclusion practices in schools. Kate gave evidence to the Education Committee as they started their consideration of the Restraint and Seclusion (Scotland) Bill: scottishparliament.tv/meeting/educ...

Have the changes the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act brought into force improved the lives of BSL users? The Equalities Committee's report on the impact of the Act is out today: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...

In her Members' Business today, Christine Grahame MSP welcomes the Scottish Government's “Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt” campaign, leading a debate on raising awareness of, and breaking barriers around, organ donation. Full motion: ow.ly/aC6850X2b9k Watch live from 5pm: ow.ly/PoiU50X2bcn

The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee supports the principals of the UEFA Bill, but is seeking clarity on points related to displaced local street traders, ticket touting and enforcement officer powers. Read the report: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/R...

At the Rural Affairs & Islands Committee meeting today, Andrew Thin said the Crofting & Scottish Land Court Bill would allow the Crofting Commission to enact enforcement in a more streamlined way, while still protecting rights. Watch the full meeting here: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/rura...

Today's debates include: 🟣 FMQs 🟣Members' Business from Paul Sweeney MSP 🟣Ministerial Statement: One Scotland, Many Voices: A Shared Future See what else is on: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture at 8.30am 🟣Social Justice and Social Security at 9am 🟣Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments at 9.30am Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's debates include: 🟣Ministerial Statement: Improving Provision and Access to Residential Outdoor Education for Children and Young People in Scotland 🟣Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill – consideration of amendments Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's committee meetings include: 🟣 Rural Affairs and Islands 🟣 Education, Children and Young People 🟣 Citizen Participation and Public Petitions 🟣 Economy and Fair Work 🟣 Public Audit 🟣 Criminal Justice Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

I've selected an Urgent Question for answer this afternoon @parliament.scot. Murdo Fraser will ask the Government whether it will clarify its position regarding whether local authorities will be given powers to introduce a visitor levy on a flat charge basis, as an alternative to a percentage.

The Health, Social Care & Sport Committee's Stage 1 report recognises the need for more action to support those suffering harm from alcohol or drug use. But a majority of the Committee does not believe the Right to Recovery Bill is the correct vehicle to achieve this. Read more: ow.ly/iZE050X0KJo

Today's debates include: 🟣Time for Reflection 🟣Topical Questions 🟣Stage 3 Proceedings: Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill consideration of amendments See what else is on: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's committee meetings include: 🟣Net Zero, Energy and Transport 🟣Health, Social Care and Sport 🟣Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 🟣Delegated Powers and Law Reform 🟣Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

📢 Changes are proposed to Scotland’s FOI laws. The Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill aims to make it easier to access information and hold public services to account. Listen to Standards Committee Convener Martin Whitfield and have your say. 🔗 yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...

🛥️Today, Net Zero Committee Convener @1edmountain.bsky.social, and @monicalennon.bsky.social met with the senior leadership team at Ferguson Marine for an overview of the shipping operations and an update on progress for the delivery of Glen Rosa (Hull 802). Here's what the Convener has to say👇

In her Members’ Business today, @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social will lead a debate on the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Scotland. 📑 Full motion: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... 📺 Watch live from 12pm: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's debates include: 🟣 FMQs 🟣 Members' Business @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social: Increasing Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires 🟣 Ministerial Statement: Improving Care on the Isle of Skye See what else is on: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today, a Motion of Condolence will be debated following the death of former Presiding Officer Sir George Reid MSP. Watch live from 2pm: www.scottishparliament.tv The online book of condolence remains open until 5pm tomorrow for messages of sympathy: feedback.parliament.scot/s/book-georg...

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee at 9am 🟣Social Justice and Social Security Committee at 9am 🟣Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee at 9.30am Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is: ✅ Yes - 71 ❌ No - 46 🟣 Abstain - 1 The bill is therefore passed. You can find out more online at www.parliament.scot/bills-and-la...

In her Members’ Business today, @pamgosalmsp.bsky.social will lead a debate on the Supreme Court’s judgment on the definition of “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 and its implications for women’s rights. 📺 Watch live from 4:20pm: www.scottishparliament.tv

In his Members’ Business today, Bill Kidd MSP will lead a debate on nuclear incidents at Faslane and Coulport, highlighting safety concerns and the need for the highest standards. 📑 Full motion: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... 📺 Watch live from 4:20pm: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's debates include: 🟣 Stage 1 Debate: Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill 🟣 Members' Business from Bill Kidd MSP 🟣 Members' Business @pamgosalmsp.bsky.social Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣 Education, Children and Young People 🟣 Public Audit 🟣 Criminal Justice 🟣 Economy and Fair Work 🟣 Rural Affairs and Islands Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

Today's debates include: 🟣Time for Reflection: David Jarvis, Speaking SBC 🟣Stage 3 Proceedings: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill See what else is on: www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-... Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

2. Carol Mochan MSP will ask the Scottish Government its response to @rcn.org.uk concern over falling nursing student numbers, with UCAS figures showing the number of accepted places on nursing courses in Scotland is 5% lower than last year. Watch live from 2.05pm: scottishparliament.tv

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Douglas Lumsden will ask the Scottish Government its response to the Nuclear Industry Association's reported view that Scotland will miss out on thousands of new jobs due to its stance on nuclear energy.

The following committees are meeting today ⬇️ 🟣 Health, Social Care & Sport 🟣 Finance & Public Administration 🟣 Local Government, Housing & Planning 🟣 Net Zero, Energy & Transport 🟣 Delegated Powers & Law Reform 🟣 Equalities, Human Rights & Civil Justice Watch online: www.scottishparliament.tv

"[The Scottish Child Payment] will and is making a difference, but we do have to go further." - Chris Birt, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Watch this week's evidence as the Social Justice & Social Security Committee consider future social security spending in Scotland: ow.ly/fZc150WV8Zv

The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee questioned some of Scotland’s leading arts & culture organisations. Alison Turnbull of Historic Environment Scotland faced questions on the organisation’s new pay framework, assuring the Committee it made wages fairer ⬇️

Yesterday, Phil Fairlie of the POA Union Scotland answered questions on potential corruption of staff members. The evidence was taken as part of the Criminal Justice Committee's inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in prison. www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/crim...