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First minister backs holiday call First minister backs holiday call
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland's first minister has backed calls for St Andrew's Day to be declared a holiday.Scotland's first minister has backed calls for St Andrew's Day to be declared a holiday.
Jack McConnell said he was prepared to lend Scottish Executive support to a new law which would allow banks to close on 30 November.Jack McConnell said he was prepared to lend Scottish Executive support to a new law which would allow banks to close on 30 November.
He wants to encourage businesses to give staff the day off - in exchange for an existing public holiday.He wants to encourage businesses to give staff the day off - in exchange for an existing public holiday.
Independent MSP Dennis Canavan has brought forward proposals to create an additional day's holiday. Mr McConnell issued a joint statement with Independent MSP Dennis Canavan, who brought forward the proposals.
The MSP for Falkirk West won the support of Holyrood's enterprise and culture committee last year. The MSP for Falkirk West won the support of Holyrood's enterprise and culture committee for his plans last year.
Day's work St Andrew's Day is an important part of Scotland's history, but it is also an opportunity to promote our modern country across the world Jack McConnellFirst Minister
However, the Scottish Parliament voted to send the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill back to the committee for further examination.However, the Scottish Parliament voted to send the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill back to the committee for further examination.
MSPs backed an executive amendment which called for another look at the ways in which 30 November could be celebrated without the loss of a day's work.MSPs backed an executive amendment which called for another look at the ways in which 30 November could be celebrated without the loss of a day's work.
Opposition parties had stated their support for Mr Canavan's bill, but the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) said more than 650 companies were opposed to his proposals. Finance Minister Tom McCabe will tell the committee on Tuesday of the compromise which was agreed following talks between Mr McConnell and Mr Canavan.
Last year, Mr McConnell said: "I do not believe that a political party and serious political figures can claim to be business-friendly if they do not think very carefully about the implications of that bill, the impact it would have on Scottish business and on public sector costs." The first minister said the bill was largely symbolic but, if passed, provided an important signal that Scotland's parliament wished to see a greater national celebration of St Andrew's Days.
He said: "St Andrew's Day is an important part of Scotland's history, but it is also an opportunity to promote our modern country across the world.
"I believe that we should encourage employers and employees to mark the day with a holiday, but that this should be as a substitute for an existing local holiday, rather than an additional one.
"The agreement that I reached with Dennis Canavan is a sensible compromise and I would call on the committee, parliament and all parties to unite around this approach."
Public holidays
Opposition parties had previously voiced support for Mr Canavan's bill, but the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) said more than 650 companies were opposed to his proposals.
Scottish National Party culture spokesman Stewart Maxwell welcomed the first minister's support for a St Andrew's Day holiday.
But he said his support should extend to creating an additional public holiday, not using an existing one, as Scotland has fewer public holidays than any other EU country.
National celebration
Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative deputy leader and enterprise spokesman, said the executive had adopted a position which had long been advocated by his party.
"The compromise we have suggested brings the best of both worlds without a multi-million pound burden on the Scottish economy," he said.
"The challenge for the SNP is to see the wisdom of this move - judging by their initial response today, that is yet to happen."
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said that replacing an existing holiday with St Andrew's Day would allow Scots to have a day of national celebration and holiday, while avoiding negative consequences for business.