Legislation / Legal
ScotGov: A Bill to update the way the Scottish Parliament deals with legislation has been introduced by the Minister for Parliament Bruce Crawford. It replaces a number of orders made at the time of devolution with new legislation to control:
* how legislation made by the Scottish Parliament is interpreted
* how the Parliament scrutinises subordinate legislation
* how the Parliament deals with the special procedure that applies to orders that are subject to special Parliamentary procedures.
The Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill also gives Scottish Ministers the power to make certain amendments to legislation to consolidate the legislation.
Defra: Defra has announced measures to modernise the licensing & inspection of the private keeping of dangerous wild animals. Changes to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act include:
* No mandatory requirement for inspection for certain replacement licences, to allow targeting of inspections where there may be concerns. Local authorities will still be able to make inspections whenever required
* Validity of a licence extended from a maximum of 1 year to 2 years
* Licences will come into force immediately upon being granted
Defra will also publish new guidance for local authorities and wildlife keepers, but it will not to take forward a previous proposal to remove the animal welfare provisions from the Act. The amendments are expected to come into force from October 2009.
ScotGov: The law will be changed to offer stronger safeguards to people unable to meet mortgage repayments, MSPs were told last week. A Bill will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2009 to build on the protection available through the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 in repossession cases. And legal obligations will be imposed on lenders to show that they have considered every reasonable alternative to repossession.
The move follows recommendations from the independent Repossessions Working Group advising on further help to homeowners facing repossession. Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, also revealed that an additional £250,000 will be granted by the Government to help agencies deliver quality debt advice to clients.
Press release ~ ScotGov - Housing information ~ Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 ~ Repossessions Working Group – Final report ~ Home Owners Support Fund
Ofgem: Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change have unveiled the finalised regime for regulating the undersea networks and other infrastructure that will carry power from offshore wind farms. The regime opens the gates for new investors to join a £15bn programme that will deliver vital contributions to GB’s drive to meet climate change targets and provide secure energy supplies while bringing value for money to consumers.
The licences to build & operate the offshore networks will be subject to competitive tender, run by Ofgem. This approach is expected to rein in the costs of providing this crucial infrastructure. Successful bidders will be able to participate in a long-term, low-risk regulatory regime. Up to 39 GW of offshore wind capacity is expected to be installed by 2020.
