What happens at the Scottish Parliament?
Watch this video to learn about what happens at the Scottish Parliament and what MSPs do.
What happens at the Scottish Parliament?
What is the Chamber?
Most of the work in the Scottish Parliament happens in the Chamber. This is where Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) all sit and meet together. Their meetings are chaired by the Presiding Officer, who makes sure that the rules of the parliament are followed.
The Scottish Parliament works in a similar way to most other parliaments around the world. MSPs can hold debates and make new laws in areas for which the Scottish Parliament has responsibility.
Each decision made by the Parliament is signed by the monarch before it becomes law. This is called Royal Assent.
When in the Chamber, MSPs can take part in debates and question members of the government when making new laws or adapting old ones.
MSPs also work in smaller groups called committees. This is where they scrutinise (or check) the work of the Scottish Government. These committees play a big role in the parliament.
What are Scottish Parliament committees?
There are lots of committees that MSPs can join. For example, the Justice Committee and the Health and Sport Committee. Each has between five and fifteen members from all parties.
In committees, MSPs discuss bills (the name given to new laws when they are being made) in detail or check the work of the Scottish Government. The committees are very important in making sure that laws are carefully written and that the government works effectively.
Committees meet weekly or fortnightly. Most meetings are held in the Scottish Parliament鈥檚 committee rooms, but they can travel to places around Scotland. Most meetings are also open to members of the public and can be streamed online.
Work in the chamber and in committees usually takes place on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and is recorded for members of the public to watch.