Fringe events at Scottish Labour Party Conference 2025

Event Details
  • 22 Feb 2025 12:30
    Finding a UK-wide solution to the DRS roll-out

    In June 2023, the Scottish Government confirmed that its long planned for deposit return scheme (DRS) - originally due to be launched in the August - would be delayed until at least October 2025. It was then axed altogether after the UK Government declined a full request for full exclusion from the Internal Market Act which meant Scotland could not include glass in the scheme. Amid recriminations and accusations that the Scottish Government had failed to adequately engage with business, the industry remains out of pocket by millions of pounds; a solution to the environmental impact has still to be resolved; and there are already a number of businesses now involved in live legal proceedings seeking compensation for lost investment.

    With business relations strained, the Scottish taxpayer potentially facing a hefty bill for an abandoned policy, and the climate change priorities that were meant to be at the heart of this scheme unresolved, how do we get back on track to deliver a UK-wide scheme that it is widely acknowledged will come with many environmental benefits for Scotland, including increased recycling rates and a reduction in littering and carbon emissions.

    Join our panel session as we consider how Scotland can be party to delivering a successful DRS scheme as soon as possible, which addresses environmental and business concerns, and works productively alongside equivalent UK schemes.

    Sat 22nd February, 12.30pm, Room: Alsh 1
    Event Partner: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
    Chair: Mandy Rhodes, Managing Director, Holyrood Communications and Editor, Holyrood Magazine 

  • 22 Feb 2025 17:30
    Building a Future Focused Sustainable Workforce for Scotland’s Health and Social Work Sector

    Join Holyrood as we discuss how we can secure a sustainable health and social work workforce fit for the future.  

    This year’s Health and Social Work Hub will focus on establishing the steps that need to be taken to create a sustainable workforce within the health and social work sector. Bringing together representatives from the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Scotland, the British Medical Association, and the Scottish Association of Social Work, we will explore how we can expand the workforce supporting graduates into the relevant job market and creating a sustainable health and social work system through strategies like prioritised preventative care.     

    Holyrood’s Health & Social Work Hub
    Sat 22nd February, 17.30pm, Room: Alsh 1

    Event Partners: Scottish Association of Social Work, The Royal College of Nursing Scotland, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and The British Medical Association 
    Chair: Mandy Rhodes, Managing Director, Holyrood Communications and Editor, Holyrood Magazine 

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