Programme at a glance

● An independence referendum before the end of the next parliament, likely before the end of 2020.

● Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill – will increase the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare offences to five years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

● Budget Bill – Annual legislation which provides parliamentary approval for the Scottish Government’s spending plans and allocation of resources.

● Circular Economy Bill – includes encouraging re-use of products and resource waste. It will allow charges to be applied to single-use coffee cups.

● Civil Partnership Bill – will make civil partnerships available to mixed-sex couples in Scotland.

● Continuity Bill – provides ability to maintain alignment with EU law in devolved areas after Brexit.

● Defamation and Malicious Publications Bill – will simplify and modernise the law of defamation.

● Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) Bill – will aim to improve services for victims of sexual offences, including ensuring their cases are handled more effectively by the justice and healthcare systems.

● Good Food Nation Bill – introduces a statutory framework as part of efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable local produce. ● Low Emission Zones to be put in place in Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh by the end of 2020.

● Heat Networks Bill – brings regulation of the heat network sector to support, facilitate and create controls in development of district and communal heating infrastructure in Scotland.

● Redress (Survivors of In Care Abuse) Bill – establishes a financial redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse while in care in Scotland.

● Rural Support Bill – introduces regulation-making powers for Scottish ministers to amend or replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy elements of retained EU law.

● Transient Visitor Levy Bill – creates a discretionary power for local authorities to apply a tax or levy on overnight visitor stays.

● Uefa European Championship Bill – ahead of Glasgow’s participation as a host city in the Uefa European Football Championships in 2020, the bill will prohibit ticket touting and make provisions to protect commercial interests.

● Extra £20 million to tackle drugs death emergency.

● A £5 million investment in perinatal mental health services, and the development of a 24/7 crisis support mental health service for children and young people.