The Bill changes the Scotland Act 1998. Instead of needing an Order in Council for political parties to get financial help, in future it'll be authorised by the Scottish Parliament by debating and agreeing a resolution.
This is a Committee bill
The Bill became an Act on 22 March 2021
This Bill was passed and is now an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) can give financial help to registered political parties. This is set out in legislation from 1999, known as an “Order in Council”. This money is to help MSPs do their parliamentary duties, like setting up an office or for communications. Currently, only the Scottish Government can change this legislation.
The Bill changes the Scotland Act 1998. Instead of needing an Order in Council for parties to get financial help, in future it'll be authorised by the Scottish Parliament by debating and agreeing a resolution.
The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee proposed the Bill on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). The costs of funding political parties are met by the SPCB. The Committee thinks it would be more appropriate for the Scottish Parliament to make these funding decisions.
Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill as Introduced (185KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2020
Explanatory Notes (109KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2020
Financial Memorandum (101KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2020
Statements on legislative competence (90KB, pdf) posted 24 June 2020
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill SPICe briefing
The Bill was introduced on 24 June 2020
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.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
A Stage 1 debate took place on 10 September 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 10 September 2020
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.
No amendments were lodged at Stage 2 of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 3 December 2020
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.
Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Result 111 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Passed
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 2 February 2021
If the Bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about 4 weeks. Royal Assent is when the Bill gets formal agreement by the King and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. Some Acts become law straight after Royal Assent. Some only come into force on a later date. Sometimes different bits of the same Act become law on different dates.