Martin Ford 16 August 2023

Boycott Bill faces Scottish opposition

The UK Government’s planned ban on council boycotts is facing opposition from Holyrood.

Scottish ministers have announced they will ask MSPs to withhold consent for the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.

Championed by local government secretary Michael Gove, the Bill aims to prevent public bodies ‘pursuing their own foreign policy agenda’ through procurement boycotts.

The Bill was spurred by councils throwing their weight behind the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement including by targeting firms linked with Israeli settlements in Palestine.

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#Legislation #Procurement #Scotland #Politics

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Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

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Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

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Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council