Reading Time: 5 minutesOn 18 April 2024, the European Commission published a recommendation that EU member state governments agree to open negotiations with the UK Government for an
Category: EU & International Affairs
After EU exit – UK border checks and the new common user charge
Reading Time: 6 minutesUK regulatory checks on EU imports are now underway following EU exit. Last week, the UK Government announced the charges that will be imposed on checks for commercial movements of animal products, plants and plant products through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. The Common User Charge will be introduced on 30 April 2024. This blog sets out the background to border checks, the detail of the charges that will be imposed on imports and the reaction to these charges.
Defence and foreign policy in an independent Scotland – the Scottish Government’s proposals for Scotland’s place in the world
Reading Time: 8 minutesOn 4 March 2024, the Scottish Government published the latest policy paper in its Building a New Scotland series which in the Scottish Government’s words “together form a prospectus for an independent Scotland”. To inform a debate in the Scottish Parliament on 5 March 2024, this blog outlines some of the key issues covered in Scotland’s Place in the World
Ukraine visa schemes – what has changed?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOn 19 February 2024, the UK Government made changes to three visa schemes it had established in the wake of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Belgium’s presidency of the Council of the European Union – bringing an end to the EU’s five year cycle
Reading Time: 5 minutesBelgium assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on 1 January 2024 taking over from Spain which held the presidency for the second half of 2023. This blog outlines Belgium’s presidency plans and how these may be impacted by European elections.
2024 – the year of elections: why they matter
Reading Time: 5 minutesIn 2024 elections are due to take place in over 50 countries and with more than 2 billion people entitled to vote. This blog looks at where elections will be held and why they matter.
What retained EU law will be revoked by the end of 2023 – December update
Reading Time: 5 minutesBackground The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act (‘the Act’) received Royal Assent on 29 June 2023. Previous SPICe blogs explain what retained EU
Scottish Government proposal for an independent Scotland in the EU
Reading Time: 9 minutesOn 17 November 2023, the Scottish Government published the latest policy paper in its Building a New Scotland series. The paper focused on an independent Scotland in the EU. This blog examines some of the key issues covered in the Scottish Government’s paper.
Displaced people from Ukraine in Scotland – what is the long-term plan?
Reading Time: 8 minutesOn 27 September 2023, the Scottish Government published a strategy paper entitled ‘A Warm Scots Future’. The strategy, written in partnership with COSLA and the
Maintaining awareness of developments in EU law: Introducing the Scottish Parliament’s EU law tracker
Reading Time: 3 minutesOn 14 September 2023, the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee published its first EU law tracker report. The report is the first of a series of reports commissioned to support the Parliament’s scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s commitment to EU alignment.