In an address to the Scottish Conservatives spring conference the Prime Minister hailed the UK s collective strength in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
The new legislation creates a criminal offence of stirring up hatred against protected groups, expanding on a similar offence based on race that has been on the statute books for decades, as well as consolidating a number of different pieces of hate crime legislation.
But more than 2,000 people responded to a call for views made last year after the publication of the Bill s first iteration, and concerns over freedom of expression led to a number of changes to the legislation before it was passed on Thursday.
Concerns were also raised that conversations over the dinner table that incite hatred could be prosecuted while actors and playwrights could become criminally liable for what they say during plays.
| UPDATED: 16:05, Sun, Mar 14, 2021
Link copied Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The latest Panelbase polling reveals only 25 percent of Scots would support holding a second independence referendum in the next year. Meanwhile, the poll showed only 45 percent say it should not take place for the next few years.
In an internal memo to staff, seen by Express.co.uk, the department said it would strengthen its commitment to Scotland.”
Officials added it was “particularly appropriate that we move” from Central London to other parts of the country.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: “Decision-makers should be close to the people they serve and we want to see opportunity, jobs and investment fairly distributed across the country.
“That’s why we’ve committed to relocating Civil Service roles out of central London, building on the thousands of civil servants we already have working across the United Kingdom.”
The Government is set to “strengthen presence and commitment in Scotland” (Image: Getty)