St. Andrew's day and Scottish Affairs
A general debate on St Andrew's day is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 December 2025. The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Graeme Downie MP.
There is no debate pack for this debate but links to relevant briefings are provided below.
St Andrew is patron saint of Scotland because of a legend that his relics were brought to Fife. St Andrew’s Day has been celebrated in Scotland since the reign of King Malcolm III in the 11th century. This was promoted by his wife Margaret of Wessex (now known as St Margaret of Scotland). Queen Margaret encouraged and helped pilgrimages to St Andrew’s shrine by creating a ferry service across the Firth of Forth (at a place now called Queensferry) and building shelters for pilgrims and travellers. This helped to establish St Andrew as patron saint of Scotland. The place is now known as St Andrews, where the oldest university in Scotland was founded in 1413.
St Andrew’s Day is observed on 30 November, the anniversary of his martyrdom in the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Since the Scottish Parliament passed the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, 30 November has been an official bank holiday in Scotland.
There does not appear to be an annual tradition of holding a debate regarding Scottish affairs on, or around, St Andrew’s Day. Since 1944, a general debate on Welsh affairs has been held each year in the Commons Chamber on, or around, St. David’s Day. Since 2010 the Backbench Committee has allocated time for the annual Welsh affairs debate from its 35 allotted days.
Commons Library BriefingsDevolution in Scotland: “The settled will”?
A briefing paper on the devolution settlement in Scotland.
Reserved matters in the United Kingdom
A briefing paper focusing on policy matters which remain "reserved" to Westminster following the devolution of certain executive and legislative powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A briefing paper on bank and other public holidays in the United Kingdom.
The Sewel Convention and legislative consent
A research briefing on the Sewel Convention and legislative consent, examining the development of the convention and consent procedures in the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly
The Barnett formula and fiscal devolution
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive grants from the UK Government that fund most of their spending. This briefing looks at how the Barnett formula works and includes a summary of the debate surrounding the formula.
The United Kingdom constitution – a mapping exercise
A research briefing which "maps" (or summarises) the main elements of the United Kingdom's uncodified constitution.
The relationship between church and state in the United Kingdom
A briefing paper on the relationship between church and state in the United Kingdom, covering the Church of England and Church of Scotland.
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill 2024-25
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. This briefing tracked the passage of the legislation through Parliament and consequently refers to the bill throughout.
Members of Parliament holding dual mandates
A briefing detailing MPs who also held seats in the European Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, and Senedd Cymru / National Assembly for Wales, since 1973.
Recent debates on Scottish AffairsDevolution in Scotland HC Deb 22 Oct 2025 cc 1022-73
Spending Review 2025: Scotland HC Deb 2 Jul 2025 cc 106-30WH
Budget: Scotland HC Deb 7 Jan 2025 cc 261-88WH
Coastal Infrastructure: Scotland HC Deb 26 Nov 2024 cc 745-52
Scotland’s Architectural Heritage HC Deb 5 Nov 2024 cc 29-36WH
Recent bills relating to Scottish AffairsThe Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2024-25. A Private Members’ Bill to make provision about absent voting in connection with local government elections in Scotland and Wales, elections to the Scottish Parliament and elections to Senedd Cymru; and for connected purposes. This Bill had its First reading on 16 Oct 2024 and received Royal Assent 27 Oct 2025.
The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Act 2025. This makes provision for persons of the Roman Catholic faith to be eligible to hold the office of His Majesty’s High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. This Bill was introduced in the House of Commons and received Royal Assent on 2 April 2025.
The Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill. This is a Private Members’ Bill and was presented to Parliament on Monday 21 October 2024. The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, started on Friday 25 April 2025. At 2.30 pm proceedings were interrupted. Debate to be resumed on Friday 29 May 2026. The Commons Library published a research briefing for this Bill.
Recent Early Day Motions relating to St. Andrew's DayGaelic and Scots recognised as official languages
EDM 2401
That this House welcomes the commencement of the Scottish Languages Act 2025 on St Andrew’s Day, which formally recognises Gaelic and Scots as official languages of Scotland.
Scottish Affairs Committee Current Committee InquiriesConnectivity in Scotland: Digital connectivity - This inquiry will explore how digital connectivity can be improved across Scotland, and whether current UK and Scottish Government initiatives are delivering for the communities that need them most.
The future of Scotland’s high streets - This inquiry will engage with local communities and other stakeholders to explore what a positive vision for the future of Scottish high streets and town centres might look like, and to examine what role government might play in making this vision a reality.
Connectivity in Scotland: Fixed links - This inquiry will examine the strategic case for permanent transport links—such as tunnels and bridges—between Scotland’s islands and assess whether there is a role for the UK Government in supporting such projects.
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs - Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of highly skilled jobs.
Industrial transition in Scotland - The first part of the inquiry considers Scotland’s industrial past, how its industrial landscape has changed over time, and the socio-economic impact of industrial transition on communities. The second part examines the future of Scotland’s industrial landscape and the extent to which the UK Government’s forthcoming industrial strategy ‘Invest 2035’ is geared towards the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland today.
GB Energy and the net zero transition - The Committee is investigating the transition to net zero in Scotland’s energy sector, and how the UK Government can support a transition that maximises opportunities for jobs and economic growth.
All current non-enquiry sessions
Recently published Committee reports4th Report - The future of Scotland’s oil and gas industry, published 24 Oct 2025
3rd report - Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility, published 16 Sept 2025
The Government response: 4th Special Report - Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility, published 20 Nov 2025
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch, published 10 Sept 2025
The Government response: 5th Special Report - Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch published 1 Dec 2025
1st report – The financing of the Scottish Government, published 16 July 2025
The Government response: 3rd Special Report – The Financing of the Scottish Government
2nd Special Report – Scotland's space sector: Government response, published 25 March 2025
1st Special Report – Science and Scotland: Government response, published 25 March 2025
Footnotes