Legislative programme 'historic'

Alex Salmond announced 15 Bills to be introduced to Holyrood over the coming parliamentary term
4 September 2012

Scotland's First Minister has unveiled a "historic package" of legislation, including a Bill for a vote on independence.

Alex Salmond announced that 15 Bills will be introduced to Holyrood over the coming parliamentary term.

As well as the Referendum Bill, his legislative programme includes a Bill to legalise same-sex marriage and one which Mr Salmond claimed would give families in Scotland the greatest level of free childcare in the UK.

Other legislation is aimed at improving the integration of health and social care, providing better support for victims of crime and witnesses, reforming post-16 education and modernising bankruptcy law.

Two Bills set out the Scottish Government's proposed replacements for stamp duty and landfill tax. The Scotland Act handed powers over these to Holyrood from 2015.

Mr Salmond unveiled the Scottish Government's legislative programme on the day MSPs returned to Holyrood after their summer recess.

Labour claimed the programme is "an uninspired mix of re-announcements and technical Bills which show a government out of ideas", while Tories said it is dominated by the SNP's "obsession with tearing apart the United Kingdom".

Mr Salmond insisted: "It is a historic package of measures.

"The new parliamentary session promises to be a pivotal one in the history of this country.

"Work will get under way in earnest on the Referendum Bill, laying the groundwork for Scotland's most important decision in 300 years."

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