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Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill

The Bill would change the law so that all economic statistics can only be shared with ministers 1 day before they are published.

This is a Committee bill

The Bill became an Act on 21 April 2021

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

This is a Committee Bill introduced by the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee.

Currently, Scottish ministers and their advisers can see official statistics before they are published. This is called pre-release access (PRA). The current law says ministers can have PRA up to 5 days before publication, or 1 day for market-sensitive statistics. Market-sensitive statistics include information about GDP, retail sales, Quarterly National Accounts Scotland and Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS).

The Bill would change the law so that all economic statistics can only be shared with ministers 1 day before they are published. PRA for GDP and retail sales would be reduced to zero after 2 years. If the Bill becomes an Act, this would be reviewed after 3 years.

Why the Bill was created

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee looked at PRA in 2017 as part of its inquiry on economic data. It published its report for the committee Bill on PRA in 2019.

The Committee wants to reduce PRA and so they have introduced a Bill.

You can find out more in the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee's proposal for the Bill that explains the Bill.

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (131KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020

Financial Memorandum (165KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020

Statements on legislative competence (89KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020

Additional member in charge

Andy Wightman, MSP is the additional member in charge for the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill.

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.

The Bill was introduced on 8 September 2020

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Work by other committees

Finance and Constitution Committee


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 12 November 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.

Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 12 November 2020

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

First meeting on amendments

No amendments were lodged at Stage 2 of the Bill.

Bill as amended at Stage 2

There were no amendments at Stage 2.

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 27 January 2021

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Debate on proposed amendments

No amendments were submitted at Stage 3.

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.

  • Motion title: Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Gordon Lindhurst
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 February 2021
  • Motion reference: S5M-24057
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 04 March 2021

Result 62 for, 0 against, 56 abstained, 11 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 4 March 2021

Bill becomes an Act

If the Bill is passed, it can receive Royal Assent and become an Act.

This Bill was passed on 4 March 2021 and became an Act on 21 April 2021.

Read the Act

Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Act 2021