SCOTTISH Labour MSPs will not support a motion calling for the devolution of employment law – despite a manifesto pledge to back the policy.
Representatives from Anas Sarwar’s Labour group at Holyrood have been told not to give their backing to a motion calling for “employment law to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament immediately”, according to reports in the Daily Record.
However, Sarwar’s party’s 2021 Scottish election manifesto stated: “We support further devolution of powers to Holyrood including borrowing and employment rights, with a UK floor that would encourage a race to the top on workers’ terms and conditions.”
The Scottish Labour leader had also previously supported devolution of drug laws to Holyrood, but has U-turned and backed Westminster control over the legislation in recent weeks.
Sarwar’s group’s refusal to back calls for the devolution of employment law comes after UK Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, ruled it out in August.
The Daily Record reported that Labour MSPs had been “asked” not to support a parliamentary motion opposing Rayner's stance, leading SNP minister Emma Roddick to quip: “Is ‘asked’ the word?”
Is "asked" the word? https://t.co/MoiXQXCqR9
— Emma Roddick MSP (@Emma_Roddick) September 20, 2023
Keith Brown, the SNP’s depute leader who proposed the motion on the issue, said: "Scottish Labour's refusal to support a simple motion that reflects their own party's policy is staggering.
"I encourage Labour MSPs to stand up to their...
A YouTuber accused of using AI-generated material to falsely claim a top South Korean actor dated a late actress while she was a minor is due in court next week, the court's spokesperson told AFP o...