The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, has announced the publication of the Programme for Government 2024-25, outlining the government's legislative programme for the next year. The Building Safety Levy is part of this legislative programme, equivalent to a UK Levy that will be introduced in England. Subject to the devolution of the necessary powers, the Bill will establish a Building Safety Levy in Scotland to provide revenues to support the funding of the Scottish Government’s Cladding Remediation Programme.

Scottish Renewables, the industry body for renewable energy in Scotland, has published a report titled ‘National Heat Networks: A Vision for Scotland’, calling on the Scottish Government to adopt a national strategy for city-scale heat networks to decarbonise heating in urban areas. The report recommends establishing a comprehensive national Heat Networks Vision and strategy, fully implementing the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, including the permitting regulations, and defining heat networks as a utility to attract infrastructure investment. In addition, the report suggests adapting the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill to increase heat network connections for public sector buildings and aligning heat networks with broader renewable energy plans, among other recommendations.

A body with the functions of promoting consistency, transparency and understanding in relation to sentencing practice, and of assisting in developing sentencing policy and guidelines.

The Scottish Sentencing Council has published its 2024–25 Annual Report, outlining substantial progress in finalising sentencing guidelines for rape offences and detailing broader achievements across its statutory objectives. A public consultation held between July and October 2024 represented a pivotal stage in the development of these guidelines, which are intended to enhance consistency, predictability, and transparency in sentencing for serious sexual offences. The consultation attracted wide participation from the judiciary, legal professionals, organisations, and members of the public, with responses informing the final content prior to submission to the High Court of Justiciary for approval. The Council also advanced work on guidelines for domestic abuse, sexual assault, and sentencing following a guilty plea, and resumed development of guidelines concerning environmental and wildlife crimes.

he Scottish Sentencing Council published research examining public attitudes towards sentencing for environmental and wildlife offences. The 2024 study revealed that survey respondents generally considered sentences to be too lenient, while focus group participants provided mixed views. The research highlighted a lack of transparency and public awareness regarding sentencing practices, which contributes to these negative perceptions. Focus groups indicated a preference for prioritising rehabilitation and environmental restoration over purely punitive measures. They also suggested that corporations should be held to a higher level of accountability, with breaches of duty of care treated as aggravating factors. The findings from this study will play an integral role in informing the development of sentencing guidelines for environmental and wildlife offences.

The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published research examining public attitudes towards sentence reductions for guilty pleas in Scotland. The research reveals that the Scottish public holds nuanced views about reducing sentences for guilty pleas, with support varying significantly based on the crime type and timing of the plea. The study, conducted by researchers from multiple universities, found that 35% are in support when the benefits are outlined, compared to 27% when there is no explanation. Support varied by offence type—with 51% supporting reductions for non-violent crimes like fraud, dropping to 41% for violent offences. The research combined focus groups with a national survey and revealed public preference for the term 'sentence reduction' over 'sentence discount.' The Council will consider these findings as it develops guidelines on guilty plea sentence reductions in Scotland.

The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published its 2024—2027 business plan, outlining significant developments in sentencing guidelines and research initiatives. Key focuses include new guidelines for cases involving mental health issues and assault offences, as well as finalising guidelines on rape offences following public consultation. The Council will also progress work on domestic abuse and environmental and wildlife crime guidelines. The Environmental and Wildlife Crime Committee has reconvened to review the scope and approach of the guidelines. It plans to examine the findings of a commissioned study on public perspectives regarding sentencing for environmental and wildlife offenses once the study concludes in 2024—2025. The Committee aims to develop comprehensive guidelines that address the sentencing of these offenses while considering public opinion and ensuring effective deterrence and appropriate punishment. A second national survey on public perceptions of sentencing is scheduled for 2025.

The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published findings from its second research symposium held on 20 May 2025 at Edinburgh Law School. The symposium, chaired by Lord Beckett, Lord Justice Clerk and SSC Chair, examined three core themes: sentencing effectiveness, public perceptions of sentencing, and research impact on sentencing practice and policy. The Council has released a comprehensive report alongside video presentations from the event, which brought together participants from across the UK and Ireland. The materials aim to inform future sentencing policy development in Scotland and enhance public understanding of sentencing practices.

The Scottish Sentencing Council has published a report covering the events of the inaugural Scottish Sentencing Research Symposium which took place on 24 November 2023. The symposium was hosted by the Scottish Sentencing Council in partnership with the Sentencing Academy and the University of Glasgow, and was attended by experts from across the UK who offered perspectives on sentencing research. The event covered three areas: sentencing and young people, sentencing and mental health and community sentencing and rehabilitation.

The form in which delegated legislation, that is orders, rules and regulations made under an Act of Parliament, are made by the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Trading Standards has reported on issues affecting consumers across Scotland, include pricing issues and unacceptable levels of short-weight goods. An investigation into pricing with 18 participating local authorities, saw a lack of price indicators, incorrect unit price indications, and products being incorrectly charged to the detriment of the consumer. The investigating officers have worked with traders to issue advisory letters, verbal warnings and revisits to increase compliance with pricing regulations. Officers also found short-weight products, causing detriment to consumers and have noted how pricing and weight miscalculations contribute to the continuing cost of living crisis.

Corporate analysis: The Inner House, Court of Session, has upheld a decision of the Outer House requiring David King to make a mandatory offer for all the shares in Rangers Football Club not already owned by him and his concert parties.