#swop25 photo comp

This isn’t exactly the view from my desk, but it’s the new view for lots of our students. Our newly refurbished area in the main library houses our High Demand collection – which you can see here behind the glass walls. I’m still waiting for Tom Cruise to drop out of the ceiling….
I’m posting this on the train so please excuse any typos 🙂

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Electronic OJ given legal status

Regulation 216/2013 of 7 March 2013 states that only the Official Journal produced electronically will have authentic and full legal status. The OJ is accessible via Eur-Lex.

Many academic libraries have already cancelled their print subscriptions to the OJ series, due to budget reductions, space limitations and the general shift towards electronic access. We, at the University of Glasgow Library, hadn’t taken this step because the print was the only version with full legal effect. However, this legislation now gives us the green light to cancel.

Court of Justice library catalogue now available

You can now access the catalogue of the Court of Justice via their Library website. The catalogue is updated daily and is currently the most complete source of bibliographic information relating to EU law.

The EU Today

Are you unsure about the formation of the EU and its institutions? Are you confused about the Treaties and enlargement process? Would you like a clear explanation of the background, key dates and some useful comparative stats? If so, see this new publication from the House of Lords “The European Union Today” LLN 2012/003

Al-Megrahi papers & UK review released today

The Scottish Government has released the remaining papers which it can publish surrounding the decision to release the prisoner early on compassionate grounds. 

Also available today is the report of the review by the UK Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell.

SWOP website – what do you use it for?

We will be changing the layout of the SWOP website in the future and would like to know what you find most useful about it? Do you use the links to monthly lists? Are you interested in forthcoming events? Is there anything that you would like to see included which isn’t at the moment?

Please send any views or opinions either by commenting on this post or by email to kirsteen.valenti@glasgow.ac.uk

Selected recent publications from Scottish Parliament & Government

• Class Sizes (SPICe Briefing 11-09) – this briefing looks at changes in policy and developments in reducing class sizes, especially in lower primary classes
• Economic Indicators (SPICe Briefing 11-10) – most recent data which shows trends in areas of the Scottish economy, such as house prices, unemployment and economic growth
• Homes Fit for the 21st Century: The Scottish Government’s Strategy and Action Plan for Housing in the Next Decade: 2011-2020 – report lays out the Governments vision for housing over the coming decade
• Living and Dying Well: Building on Progress – the Living and Dying Well action plan to provide high-quality end-of-life care was launched in 2008. This report looks at the progress made since and work still to be done
• Scotland’s Budget Documents: The 2010-11 Spring Budget Revision to the Budget (Scotland) Act for the year ending 31 March 2011 (SG/2011/04) – Spring Budget Revisions which were laid before Parliament in January 2011. See also the Supporting Document (SG/2011/2)
• Social Work Services in Scotland’s Prisons: A National Inspection – report from the Social Work Inspection Agency makes recommendations on the future of prison-based social work services
• Stage 1 Report on the Public Records (Scotland) Bill (SP Paper 580) – 1st Report from the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee in support of the bill which was introduced in the Scottish Parliament in October 2010 with the aim of ensuring effective methods of records management
• Widening Access to Higher Education (SPICe Briefing 11-07) – briefing examines the way in which Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) recruit new students

Forthcoming event – Social Media in the Work Place

We are happy to announce a free course on using social media tools in the work place. It will take place on Thursday 3rd March, at the Scottish Government office, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh. Places are limited. See our flyer for further details.

Some recent publications from the Parliament and Government

• A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People – a joint approach between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Anti-Bullying Steering Group has been developed in a bid to co-ordinate efforts to reduce bullying in Scotland
• Cancun: UN Climate Change Negotiations (SPICe Briefing 10/87) – the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Cancun between 29 November – 10 December. This paper looks at developments since the last conference in Copenhagen and possible outcomes of this years  
• Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill [As passed] (SP Bill 41B, Session 3, 2010) – new legislation which establishes Childrens Hearings Scotland, a new corporate body, and changes previous legislation regarding the Childrens Panel and hearings system
• Demographic Change in Scotland  – the population of Scotland is changing in many ways but most importantly it is decreasing and ageing. This research report looks at evidence on which to base future policy decisions
• Domestic Abuse Recorded by the Police in Scotland 2009-10 – Statistical Bulletin Crime and Justice Series – this bulletin provides statistics on the number of domestic abuse cases which were reported to the eight police forces across Scotland during 2009-10. Provides a useful breakdown of sex of perpetrator and relationship to victim 
• Draft Budget 2011-12 (SPICe Briefing 10/80) – briefing paper which includes a detailed breakdown of the Government’s spending plans 
• Economic Indicators (SPICe Briefing 10/76) – paper provides data on several key indicators such as unemployment, house prices and UK inflation rates 
• Equality Statement Scottish Budget 2011-12 – an equality report from the Government which shows how they plan to ensure that equality is taken into account when managing future spending cuts
• Experience of Civil Law Problems in Scotland 1997-2004 – a look at the nature and results of civil law problems in Scotland
• Health in Scotland 2009 Time for Change: Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer – annual publication which shows trends in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in Scotland, and makes comparisons against other areas in the UK
• Public Spending in Scotland – Engaging with the people of Scotland – report presents results from the public consultation which followed the Independent Budget Review (IBR) Report in July
• Report of the Working Group on the Scots Language – the report from the ministerial group which sets out recommendations for the future development of the Scots language
• Scotland’s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12 – sets out how the Government plans to manage spending in Scotland in light of the reduced allocation from Westminster

Recent publications from the Parliament & Government

Delivering for Scotland: The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2010-2011 – Annual publication which lays out the government’s legislative programme for the coming year, including 10 bill proposals designed to protect public services and support businesses and families through a period of economic uncertainty

Higher Education: Qualifications, Quality Assurance and Assessment (SPICe Briefing 10/61) – paper provides a summary of the qualifications on offer at higher education institutions in Scotland. Also explains the differences between the types of institutions and how they are assessed

Recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution Regarding Scottish Parliament Procedures (SP Paper 490) – 5th Report from the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee – the new UK Government intends to implement recommendations of the final report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution (Calman Commission) therefore the Committee has laid out proposals to Parliament on how this should be implemented in the areas of parliamentary procedure

Review of Class Size Control Mechanisms: Report of the Working Group – this group analysed current practice in Scotland, which is thought to be too complex, and compared this against practice in other countries. Guidance is provided on how best to set class sizes, but the decision should rest with education authorities who can make informed decisions at school level

Scottish Health Survey 2009: Vol. 1 Main Report / Vol. 2 Technical Report – fifth report commissioned by the Scottish Government Health Directorates. Results of the survey are presented in a 2 volume report and include data on general health and wellbeing, dental health, physical activity and obesity

Spending Implications of Demographic Change (Financial Scrutiny Unit Briefing 10/60) – paper looks at measures which could be taken now to prepare for sound public spending in the future. For example, health services and pensions are under threat due to our ageing population in Scotland

Troublesome Youth Groups, Gangs and Knife Carrying in Scotland – research report regarding knife crime in Scotland, and recommendations for changes to existing policy

Unemployment (SPICe Briefing 10/59) – briefing provides latest claimant count data on number of unemployed in Scotland, by Scottish Parliament constituency areas

Recent publications – 31st August 2010

Mapping the Economy (SPICe Briefing 10/46) – paper provides useful info regarding recent changes in the Scottish economy such as employment levels, claimant count rates and changes in house prices

Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland – a National Statistics publication which provides data on homelessness applications in Scotland

Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill (SPICe Briefing 10/47) – this bill proposes to create a statutory offence relating to assaults on people who are in contact with the public as part of their job. This paper compares the proposal to existing law

Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2006-07 and 2007-08 Offender Cohorts – Statistical Bulletin Criminal Justice Series – National Statistics paper which shows reconviction rates in Scotland

Scottish Health Survey: Topic Report UK Comparisons – report looks at data gathered during four Health Surveys in each country of the UK. Comparisons are drawn between each country, and shows how Scotland fares in areas such as diet, physical activity and smoking/alcohol consumption

Some new items from the Scottish Government 13th July 2010

• Civil Law of Damages: Damages for Wrongful Death: A Consultation Paper – consulation paper which has been developed from the recommendations made in the report “Damages for Wrongful Death” produced by the Scottish Law Commission in 2008 (SLC 213)
• Gross Expenditure on Research and Development Scotland 2008 – National Statistics publication which provides data on R&D in Scotland from business, higher education and government sectors
• Low Pay and Income Inequality in Scotland – paper which looks at the effect of introducing a living-wage in Scotland
• Reporting on Progress Towards Equality of Opportunity for Women and Men made by Public Authorities in Scotland: Ministerial Priorities for Gender Equality: A Review of Key Evidence and National Policies – 4 reports have been published as a review of progress made by Scottish public authorities
• Reporting on Progress Towards Equality of Opportunity for Women and Men made by Public Authorities in Scotland: Ministerial Priorities for Gender Equality. Tackling Occupational Segregation – research report on the nature of occupational segregation
• Reporting on Progress Towards Equality of Opportunity for Women and Men made by Public Authorities in Scotland: Ministerial Priorities for Gender Equality: Violence Against Women – research report on the nature of violence against women in Scotland
• Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2009: Sustainable Places and Greenspace – report looks at the links between environment and wellbeing – based on the results of the Social Attitudes Survey
• Tracking the Scottish Budget – Financial Scrutiny Unit Briefing: Understanding the Scottish Budget Series 1 – paper details the various sources of budgetary information and explains how the budget is presented 

What’s new from the Scottish Government and Parliament? 4th May

Economic Indicators (SPICe Briefing 10-28) – latest economic data such as UK inflation, unemployment levels, interest rates and house prices

Europe 2020 – Report from European and External Relations Committee (SP Paper 425). The EU 2020 strategy follows on from the Lisbon strategy and sets out a vision of the social market economy for Europe in the 21st century. This report details the Committee’s recommendations and conclusions to the Parliament.

Growing Up In Scotland: Children’s Social, Emotional, and Behavioural Characteristics at Entry to Primary School – Report based on the Growing Up In Scotland Survey, looking at which children are most likely to have emotional, social or behavioural difficulties at entry to primary school and to what extent are these early difficulties predicative of difficulties later in life 

Growing Up In Scotland: Health Inequalities in the Early Years – Report based on the Growing Up In Scotland Survey, which shows the extent of poor health in the early years

Growing Up In Scotland: Maternal Mental Health and its Impact on Child Behaviour and Development – Report based on the Growing Up In Scotland Survey, which was carried out with natural mothers when their baby was ten months old and then annually until the child was four years old. The report looks at poor maternal mental health, and the effect it has on a child’s development

Growing Up In Scotland: The Circumstances of Persistently Poor Children – Report based on the Growing Up In Scotland Survey, which shows how many and which children are persistently poor and what the long-term effect of this might be

Some recent items from the Scottish Government and Parliament

Draft National Guidance: Under-Age Sexual Activity – Meeting the needs of Children and Young People and Identifying Child Protection Concerns: Consultation – Consultation is open until 23rd July 2010. It is estimated that approx. 25-30% of children under the age of 16 engage in sexual activitity, not all of which should be treated as a child protection issue, but simply part of natural development. This consultation looks at ways to address the needs of children under either circumstance.

In-Court Mediation Pilot Projects – In-court mediation pilots ran in Sherriff Courts in Glasgow and Aberdeen between March 2006 and July 2008, an initiative followed through by the Scottish Government. This research on the projects was carried out by researchers at the University of Aberdeen Law School

Independent School Census, September 2009 – a National Statistics publication which covers independent primary, secondary and special schools

Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2004-05 to 2008-09 – statistical bulletin which presents data on number of racist incidents recorded by the eight police forces in Scotland in 2008-09

Unemployment (SPICe Briefing 10-26) – latest unemployment data for Scottish Parliamentary constituency areas. Highlights the best and worst performing areas over previous month.