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Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill

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

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

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.

Why the Bill was created

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.

Accompanying Documents

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

Financial Resolution

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

Research on the Bill

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

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.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.

Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 10 September 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.

  • Motion title: Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill.
  • Submitted by: Bill Kidd
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2020
  • Motion reference: S5M-22651
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 10 September 2020

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 10 September 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.

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 3 December 2020

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. 

Final debate on the Bill

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

  • Motion title: Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Bill Kidd
  • Date lodged: Friday, 11 December 2020
  • Motion reference: S5M-23674
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 02 February 2021

Result 111 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 2 February 2021

Bill becomes an Act

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