THE first in-person SNP conference for three years is set to kick-off in two days at The Event Complex in Aberdeen and there are dozens of fringe events happening outside of the main arena.
From Scotland in Europe to how the country deals with the impact of rising energy bills, there is plenty of debate and discussion for members and delegates to get their teeth into.
To try and help you make a decision about which ones to go to, we’ve picked out seven of the best from the programme…
National Care Service
The Health and Social Care Alliance – known as Alliance - will be running an event discussing the proposed National Care Service (NCS).
The NCS was a recommendation of the Independent Review into Adult Social Care and will allow Scottish ministers to transfer social care responsibility from councils to a new, national service.
There are a lot of questions around how the NCS will work and whether it will improve social care, and this event will aim to answer those questions.
Alliance and RNIB Scotland will set out what the priorities are for people with lived experience of receiving social care support and discuss how the NCS should deliver for the people of Scotland.
The legislation was published earlier this year and you can find out more here.
Speakers will include MSP Kevin Stewart, Alliance senior policy officer Dr Hannah Tweed and Amanda Foster from RNIB.
The event entitled ‘Can the National Care Service deliver for the people of Scotland?’ will take place on Saturday at 12.30pm in the Hall A Fringe Space on the ground floor.
The impact of rising energy bills
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all so this is a discussion not to be missed on Saturday.
Chaired by Chris McCall of the Daily Record, the event will see a panel discuss the impacts soaring energy prices are having on people across the country and look at how those experiencing debt, fuel poverty and other issues as a result of rising gas and electricity bills can be better supported.
There will be a question and answer session so people attending can join in the chat.
Entitled ‘The impact of rising energy bills on Scots households – and what practical help is available’ will be on at 12.30pm in meeting room four on the first floor.
Ukraine and the future of European security
Former North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins has been arguing independence will make Scotland more secure, given the government will have to take the country’s security and that of its neighbours much more seriously.
In this fringe event at 4.30pm on Saturday, Gethins will chair a discussion on the current conflict in Ukraine and what it means for the future of European security.
He’ll be joined by the SNP’s defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko and MEP Reinhard Butikofer in what is sure to be a vital talk around Scotland’s place in the world.
It will be held in meeting room three on the first floor of the complex.
Delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee
The Scottish Government has made an ambitious commitment to develop a minimum income guarantee in an effort to decrease poverty levels.
It is hoped it will provide assurances that every family could live a dignified, healthy and financially secure life.
An expert panel – featuring social justice secretary Shona Robison – will explore how we can realise the long-term role of minimum income guarantee in driving down deprivation and securing a fairer Scotland.
This will be held in meeting room six on the first floor from 4.30pm on Saturday.
Why the Scottish Parliament should deliver on assisted dying
A majority of Scots support changing the law around assisted dying in Scotland and LibDem MSP Liam McArthur’s bill is hoping to bring about that change.
During a consultation, the bill received an unprecedented level of response, so this is certain to be a vital discussion.
Speakers will be Elena Whitham MSP, Josh Aaron-Mennie and Fraser Sutherland. It will take place at 4.30pm on Saturday in meeting room seven.
Preparing for future pandemics
Many would argue the response to the Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare a global healthcare system rigged in favour of rich countries and pharmaceutical corporations – with many making astronomical profits from vaccines, while rich countries hoarded the lion’s share of available jabs.
This discussion will be all about how an independent Scotland could remodel its pharmaceutical and healthcare system to put public good before profit.
It will be on at 12.30pm on Sunday in the Hall A Fringe Space.
Scotland’s borders after independence
A key aspect of the independence debate is what Scotland’s borders will look like post a Yes vote, not to mention its relationship with the rest of the UK, especially if the country rejoins the EU.
This event – featuring Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson - will consider how Scotland can learn from the experiences of Brexit and the type of relationship it should aspire to have across all areas of policy with the UK and EU.
It will be held at 12.30 on Sunday in meeting room eight on the first floor.
