This is the top level page at this UK website, accessed by default.
To view the page you require please complete the page address correctly, after " .uk/ "
You might also be interested in these pages on other websites, or 'The Power Grab' (last item):
Global warming of 1.5 °C Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines likely serious impacts of global warming (2018)
Every bit of warming matters World Meteorological Organization summary of IPCC "1.5 °C" report
Climate change likely to have severe effects and postponing action escalates costs - IPCC Report (AR5) Nov 2014
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Details of IPCC 5th Assessment Report (AR5)
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Get active in Scotland against the chaos of climate change
2011-15, Hottest 5 years on record World Meteorological Organization analyses global warming & extreme weather
Short guide to climate science Basic questions about climate change, with answers from the Royal Society
Counting down to climate change Doctors' review shows changes cause damaging effects on health worldwide now (2017)
UK Without Incineration Network Incineration depresses recycling, wastes valuable resources, emits greenhouse gases
Energy Fair See how nuclear energy is subsidised by the consumer - to the disadvantage of renewable sources
Goodbye fossil & nuclear fuels The UK could have had all its electricity from renewable sources by 2022
Fukushima fudged UK Government colluded with industry to play down the Fukushima nuclear accident
Nuclear power stations cause childhood leukaemia The evidence is based on a close look at Europe-wide data
Nuclear waste dumps bypass public control New English planning law rushed through at end of Parliament 2015
No2NuclearPower Take a critical look at the UK nuclear industry
Trident, Deterrence and UK Security Exposes the flaws in the Government's assertion that nuclear deterrence is effective
Nuclear weapons were nearly used by accident Royal Institute report analyses several incidents. Outline by co-author
'Cover-up' claim over fish farm pesticide SEPA emails show Government collusion over pollution
Scottish Dolphin Centre See dolphins swim wild in the Moray Firth, and help to protect whales and dolphins
Save our Antibiotics Poor farming practices threaten the effectiveness of antibiotics in medicine
Support Liberty and stop the UK Government scrapping the Human Rights Act (March 2021)
Global Justice Now opposes corporate exploitation of the world's poorest, and trade deals like CETA and TTIP
Scotland Against TTIP for ongoing actions against the secretive trade negotiations, including CETA
Edward Snowden's exposé MPs criticise oversight of mass surveillance of private communications. Read report
Wikileaks examined 'The Guardian' scrutinises whistleblowers' documents on WikiLeaks
Spokes - the Lothian Cycle Campaign - for improved cycling conditions and facilities
FINALLY, INTRODUCING: 'THE POWER GRAB'
Following the 'Brexit' referendum, the UK Government has been working to remove 24 areas of devolved control from the Scottish Parliament, claiming this is necessary for trade negotiations after Brexit. The areas include genetically modified crops, food standards, animal welfare, chemical regulation and environmental quality. This is being called "The Westminster power grab", and risks creating a constitutional crisis and subsequent civil unrest. On 23rd March 2018 there was a major protest in Edinburgh: "Hands Off Our Parliament".
The Scottish First Minister explained at the time why the two governments had failed to reach agreement.
The well-regarded political journalist, Iain Macwhirter, analysed the issue in more depth.
The head of Food Standards Scotland also warned against facilitation of trade at the expense of health protection.
The Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster explained why he was excluded from the UK Parliament, after which all the SNP MPs walked out.
Iain Macwhirter took a closer look at the developing constitutional crisis.
The ongoing attempts by the Westminster Government to interfere with the Scottish Government's control of devolved issues, such as trade, food and agriculture, pose threats of constitutional dysfunction, lowering of food standards, and the deregulation of the newer GM foods. Of particular relevance are: the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the Internal Market Act 2020[*], and the current proposal to exempt gene-edited GM food products from regulation. (For information on GM and gene editing, refer to Lothian and Borders Bio-check).
[*A law professor's analysis of the Internal Market Act reveals that the 'consent' of devolved governments must be sought, but any objection can then be overridden.]
In early 2021 the Treasury announced a new "Levelling Up Fund", intended for localised regeneration throughout Britain. However, bids for funding are to be approved by the UK Government, possibly on an MP's recommendation, but will be outside the control of the devolved governments. This method of distribution has been widely criticised, in particular by the Scottish business community and the Scottish National Party.
In March 2021, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, in its response to the UK Government review of the Human Rights Act, warned: "changes to the Human Rights Act could undermine Scotland's devolution arrangements, and run counter to work underway in Scotland to strengthen legal protection for people's rights."