New laws in Scotland are coming into force this month, ranging from single-use plastics to defamation law. Other key changes include what fees students will pay and their eligibility for publicly funded support.
The single-use plastics ban is set to fully come into effect on August 1. The restriction covers items like plastic cutlery and foam containers, though two exemptions apply.
Then on August 8, Scotland's defamation law will be transformed by changes to how it is litigated. The legislation covers the introduction of the 'serious harm' test and the sharing of defamatory content on social media.
Scotland's single-use plastics ban
Single-use plastics ban in Scotland began on June 1, 2021, although it was subject to the UK Internal Market Act 2020. The ban will be exempt from the act from August 12, meaning that the ban will become fully effective this month.
Restricted items include single-use plastic items such as:
- Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks and other similar utensils)
- Plates
- Beverage stirrers
- Food containers made of expanded polystyrene
- Cups and lids made of expanded polystyrene
However, these plastic straws and plastic balloon sticks are exemptions and they are allowed to be supplied in some settings and circumstances.
New fees and student support regulations in Scotland
On August 1, the Scottish Government will replace the existing student fees and student support legislation. The two sets of regulations update how students will be assessed for fee status and publicly funded student support, which includes free tuition, loans, bursaries, and grants.
The two new sets of regulations are:
- The Education (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (No 156)
- The Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (No. 157)
These complex regulations determine students' eligibility for home fee status and support. There are three levels of fee status:
- 'Home' fee for students who live in Scotland
- 'Rest of UK' (RUK) fee for students who live elsewhere in the UK or Ireland
- 'Overseas' fee for all other students
Scotland's defamation law
New legislation from the Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 is coming into effect on August 8. The way defamation actions are litigated in Scotland will change.
Updates include the introduction of the 'serious harm' - which measures the harm a defamatory statement can cause or is likely to cause - and new statutory defences on truth, publication in the matter of public interest, and honest opinion. The law also covers social media, specifying that sharing defamatory content online isn't sufficient for legal action.
Driving licence changes
It was announced in May that Brits would be banned from driving in Spain using their UK driving licence. However, expats could hear good news as negotiations continue between Spanish and UK officials. The UK Embassy in Spain confirmed talks would continue in August following meetings in July, the Express reported.
It is hoped that expats will have a six-month period to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one without having to take a test - and that Brits would be able to use their UK licence during this time.
The agreement will apply to anyone holding a UK licence, whether they were in Spain before the end of 2020 or whether they move in the future. The Embassy acknowledged that it would be impossible to give an exact date and would continue to provide updates.
Self-driving cars
The closing date for evidence for the Transport Select Committee's inquiry into self-driving vehicles is August 22. The Department of Transport previously published plans for a "self-driving revolution" in April.
The plans confirmed intended changes to the Highway Code regarding self-driving cars. The committee's public consultation requested information on the likely uses of self-driving cars and the progress of trials, as well as potential implications and safety concerns.
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