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image captionThe European flag is still flying outside Holyrood, and ministers want to stay in line with some EU standards and regulations too
MSPs have passed legislation which will allow ministers to keep Scottish law in line with future EU regulations.
In January, Holyrood will take on responsibility for a range of areas where policy is currently set in Brussels, including environmental and food standards and human rights.
The bill lets the Scottish government choose where to align local standards with those of the EU post-Brexit.
It also sets up a new watchdog to have oversight over environmental standards.
A Bill aimed at allowing Scotland to “keep pace” with EU law on devolved matters has been passed at Holyrood. The UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill - giving Scottish ministers the ability to align Scots law with European law following the end of the Brexit transition period on January 31 - passed by 90 votes to 21 on Tuesday. However, some MSPs have raised concerns about the powers being given to ministers by the Bill to make changes to legislation. Once enacted, a new body – Environmental Standards Scotland – will be created to ensure compliance with environmental law. The Bill will also ensure EU environmental legislation will be put on the statute book in Scotland.
Scots urged to follow Covid rules and not meet for Hogmanay No ifs, no buts, there is no relaxation on the requirements of the area in which you live
A torchlight procession along the Royal Mile during Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
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No ifs, no buts – Scots warned against Hogmanay parties eveningexpress.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningexpress.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Michael Russell spoke to the Covid-19 Committee today SCOTS are being urged to follow coronavirus rules and not meet for Hogmanay. Restrictions are being eased from December 23 to 27 for Christmas, but the Scottish Government has advised Scots that any indoor mixing is done only in small groups and for short times if it is deemed necessary. At a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Covid-19 Committee this morning, Constitution Secretary Mike Russell said Scots should not “do Hogmanay”, in line with coronavirus restrictions. He said: “If somebody can meet out of doors, they are permitted to meet out of doors and maybe would wish to meet out of doors at midnight, but don’t in any sense do it if you don’t feel you should do it.