Official Report 973KB pdf
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business
Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions. The first portfolio is constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business. I remind members that questions 3, 6 and 7 are grouped together, so I will take any supplementaries on those questions after all three have been answered.
Creative Scotland (Funding Distribution)
To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been distributed by Creative Scotland in the previous 12 months. (S6O-05123)
I begin by drawing members’ attention to the publication today of the Scottish Government’s international strategy report. I am sure that I speak for us all when I thank everyone in the global network who does so much to promote Scottish exports, inward investment, tourism growth and much else besides.
In answer to Liam Kerr’s question, Creative Scotland distributed a total of £113,266,072 in award commitments between 1 November 2024 and 6 November 2025. That figure consists of more than £88 million from the Scottish Government and more than £25 million in national lottery awards to promote resilience, diversity and innovation and to help support the arts to thrive in communities across Scotland.
A key development over that period was the delivery of the multiyear funding programme, which began distributing funding in April this year to more than double the number of organisations that had previously been in receipt of core funding from Creative Scotland.
Interrogating those figures, we see that in the past five years, Creative Scotland has spent just over £430,000 on culture projects via its crowdmatch fund. Out of 110 projects that were given public money, only four were from the North East. Those projects got a total of £20,330—that is less than 5 per cent of the fund for Aberdeenshire and Moray. Does the cabinet secretary believe that Creative Scotland is too focused on the central belt and will he commit to reviewing how Creative Scotland can ensure a more equitable distribution to the North East?
I thank Mr Kerr for raising the issue of regional distribution. I know that members across the chamber who represent different parts of the country will want to make sure that local arts and cultural organisations and venues are properly funded.
Across the North East region of Scotland, there are 24 multiyear-funded organisations. Those include seven in Aberdeenshire, eight in Aberdeen city, eight in Dundee city and one in Angus. I will look closely at the fund that Mr Kerr has drawn my attention to, to satisfy myself that the applications match the criteria. To him, and to all members, I say that I would encourage all cultural and arts organisations, regardless of where they are, to apply for funding. That is their best chance of getting a successful funding decision, so I encourage as many cultural and arts organisations in the North East as possible to do so.
The cabinet secretary has been engaging with Cumbernauld Theatre Trust in relation to support when its transition funding from Creative Scotland runs out. Can he provide an update and state his confidence in Cumbernauld theatre and its ability to successfully resolve the matter to enable it to continue the good work that it has been doing for the past 60 years?
The Scottish Government understands the important role that Cumbernauld theatre plays in its community and the wider culture sector. As Mr Hepburn indicated, the Scottish Government continues to engage with the Cumbernauld Theatre Trust and the theatre’s other public sector partners, including Creative Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council, to support efforts to secure its future and to understand the options that are available to the trust.
I take this opportunity to publicly thank Jamie Hepburn for all that he has been doing to support Cumbernauld theatre.
There has been a lot of controversy about the issue that Liam Kerr raised, as well as about the transparency of the decision-making process behind the awards of funding. Angela Leitch’s review of Creative Scotland is due to be published this month. Will it be published?
I am confident that the report will be published as planned. On Stephen Kerr’s point about transparency, I have no doubt that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, of which he is a member, will make sure that it has the best possible answers from Creative Scotland and from the review process so that he and other members can satisfy themselves about the conclusions that are presented. I have not seen those conclusions; I look forward to seeing them. I lay great weight and store on the advice that we will be receiving, and I look forward to seeing that report as planned.
Church Buildings
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to prevent the permanent loss of church buildings with significant cultural or heritage value, in light of the decision by the Church of Scotland to reduce its estate. (S6O-05124)
Although decisions about church closures are for the churches themselves, not the Scottish ministers, I am keen to ensure that the cultural value of such sites is appropriately considered during any decision making, and that the appropriate planning regulations are applied. On its website, Historic Environment Scotland provides advice and guidance for asset owners, community groups and developers.
I have met the Scotland’s Churches Trust and members of the general trustees of the Church of Scotland to discuss my concerns, and I will continue to engage with stakeholders to explore approaches to safeguard those important assets for future generations and for the communities in which they lie.
Built in 1592, Burntisland old parish church is a category A-listed landmark with deep cultural and community significance. It is known as the birthplace of the King James Bible. It is one of hundreds of buildings that the Church of Scotland is disposing of. However, the church is of historic and cultural importance and, without intervention, it is at risk of being lost. A community group has been established to explore all avenues, and Historic Environment Scotland has visited the site. Will the cabinet secretary consider visiting Burntisland to see at first hand that undervalued jewel on the Fife coast and to discuss how we can protect that heritage building for future generations?
I thank Claire Baker for raising the issue of Burntisland parish church and for extending an invitation, which I am happy to accept. It is important to note that communities, in seeking to understand their options for the future use of churches, are best advised by those whose job it is to do so—in this instance, Historic Environment Scotland. However, I am happy to be apprised of the situation. I have seen some really good examples of potential new uses for churches. Perhaps some of those are options that are currently being explored by the community itself, and I would be happy to hear about that.
I declare an interest as a member of the Church of Scotland. That said, I share the concern about the speed with which the Kirk is disposing of so many properties that have been at the heart of their communities—for centuries, in some cases—and to which many people have a strong emotional connection.
I am certainly aware of community groups across my region that are interested in acquiring historic church buildings, but need time to put together a business case and raise the funds, and are concerned about the speed with which the Church of Scotland is putting those properties on the market. Those groups are worried that they will not get that opportunity, because a delay has not been built into the process. I therefore encourage the cabinet secretary, if he is engaging with the Church of Scotland, to encourage it not to force the process along too quickly and to allow any community interest that expresses a view that they might want to purchase a property the time to put together a business case so that those assets are not lost to the communities that they serve.
Murdo Fraser has made a very good point. First, there is the issue of the accelerating rate at which churches are being disposed of across denominations. Incidentally, it is not just the Christian church but other faith groups which have been disposing of property, because of societal change and so on. I think that everybody understands that.
Secondly, we have the specific point that Murdo Fraser has raised, which is about the speed of disposal, which may be too quick for communities to have the option to get the best advice.
I assure Murdo Fraser that advice and information are available through the Historic Environment Scotland website. As we heard from Claire Baker, there has been Historic Environment Scotland involvement with other community groups. If Murdo Fraser has specific issues about specific sites and communities, I would be grateful if he could forward those to me. I am having discussions with the Church of Scotland and other denominations to best understand what we can do, because, if the process is accelerating, that will present an even greater challenge—albeit, potentially, an opportunity—and we have to make our way through the process as well as we can.
STV (Jobs and Regional News Programming)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its latest engagement with STV regarding the broadcaster’s plans to cut jobs and regional news programming. (S6O-05125)
Following my written correspondence with Scottish Television, I met the broadcaster on 6 November to emphasise the critical importance of protecting jobs that are based in the media industry in Scotland and the vital outputs of regional news services. During the coming weeks, I will also meet the regulator, Ofcom, and the National Union of Journalists to discuss the implications of the proposals.
I recognise the anxiety of the situation for many affected staff members and communities, particularly those in northern Scotland, and I reaffirm the Scottish Government’s commitment to protect sustainable jobs, maintain regional representation and uphold the broadcaster’s public service obligations.
STV claimed that falling viewer figures and advertising revenue were to blame for it slashing 60 jobs and axing north of Scotland news. However, we have now learned from STV North’s own accounts that profits rose by almost 24 per cent last year on the back of increased income from advertising. The cuts simply do not make sense and they fail communities and viewers in Aberdeen and the north-east. Does the cabinet secretary agree that local journalism is a vital part of a democratic society? Can he provide an update on the latest engagement with STV in the light of that news?
I agree with Jackie Dunbar that local journalism is a vital part of our democratic society. That is why I will continue to emphasise our strong opposition to the proposals, which put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of vital news services at risk. I met Scottish Television last week to press the importance of protecting jobs for media professionals across Scotland. I will also meet Ofcom and the National Union of Journalists in the coming weeks to discuss STV’s proposals and set out the Scottish Government’s deep concerns, which Jackie Dunbar has raised.
I have heard important points from members across the chamber about advertising income and its future projections. That is a matter for STV to explain to us all.
STV (News Provision)
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to STV’s proposed changes to its news provision, including the potential impact on local and regional journalism in north-east Scotland. (S6O-05128)
I commend Audrey Nicoll for her question. The Scottish Government is deeply concerned by any potential negative impact on news provision across Scotland and, in particular, on locally relevant news for audiences in the north of Scotland. Local journalism is essential to the health of our democracy. It provides scrutiny of local institutions, gives voice to underrepresented communities and ensures that important civic information reaches those who need it most.
The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting a sustainable, diverse and inclusive media landscape. We will make those views clear through our on-going engagement with Scottish Television and Ofcom, including through the forthcoming consultation.
The removal of STV North from the north-east will silence the region’s voice at a critical time when issues such as energy are of national importance. STV North has been an important destination for a pipeline of top-quality north-east journalists, who have cut their teeth on local stories. Indeed, the school of journalism at Robert Gordon University has a strong collaboration with STV North through student placements and a memorial bursary in the name of Donald John MacDonald—the wonderful former STV news editor.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that STV is shamefully closing the door on the next generation of journalists, producers, engineers and creatives in the north-east? Will he join me in calling on STV to immediately reverse its damaging proposal?
I agree with Audrey Nicoll that regional news is a crucial part of our media landscape. I also absolutely agree that the north-east of Scotland is a huge part of that in terms of both audiences and journalistic talent. That is why I met Scottish Television last week to press the importance of protecting jobs for media professionals right across Scotland. I will also meet Ofcom and the National Union of Journalists in the coming weeks to discuss STV’s proposals and to set out the Scottish Government’s deep concerns. Throughout those on-going engagements, I will continue to emphasise our strong opposition to proposals that put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of vital news services at risk.
STV (North of Scotland News Programme)
To ask the Scottish Government whether the culture secretary has met with STV following recent reports of its plan to close its north of Scotland news programme. (S6O-05129)
I met Scottish Television on 6 November, and the Scottish Government will continue to engage on the matter, including by responding to Ofcom’s forthcoming consultation. The Scottish Government expects all broadcasters to reflect the diversity of our nation and our local communities. I will continue to champion a vibrant, inclusive and regionally representative media sector and a strong and sustainable Scottish broadcasting sector.
The fact that three north-east MSPs have lodged questions on the potential axing of the north of Scotland news programme shows how important we, on a cross-party basis, feel that it is that the local news coverage is retained. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, if the chief executive, Rufus Radcliffe, cannot make the north news work in light of STV North’s increasing profits, he should step aside and let someone else manage the company instead?
I am sure that Douglas Lumsden will appreciate that I, as somebody who represented a north of Scotland constituency and studied in Aberdeen, enjoyed the joys of Grampian Television before the change to STV. I understand that there is a particular dimension to the proposed changes for Aberdeen, the north-east and the north of Scotland more generally, and that is why I wanted to raise those points directly with Rufus Radcliffe. I think that he and STV will have heard the views of members across the chamber about the concerns that people have.
Members have talked about the issue of advertising and said that there are projected increases in advertising income. I was told by STV that its concern is about reducing advertising income. There is a disparity there, and it is for STV to clarify that so that we can best understand the matter. Everybody wants sustainable journalism and a sustainable STV, but we will have to understand the decision making that has been involved. I have made my position on supporting journalistic jobs in Aberdeen and right across Scotland absolutely clear.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that proper journalism has to be done locally, in communities and with communities? It cannot be a centralised function that happens in the central belt to people in Aberdeen and in Dundee. What case is he making to the chief executive of STV on that point? We see the opt-out in Dundee ending as a clear consequence of that, and we see a massive diminution in the situation in Aberdeen, where we have real challenges in our economy and real changes in our local community. Aberdeen needs the kind of representation that comes from journalism that is done in the community.
Michael Marra makes his point very well. I should perhaps have declared an interest as a former journalist and a long-standing member of the National Union of Journalists. I understand the point that he is making very well. It is important that there are centres of journalism across the country.
STV was keen to impress on me that it will continue to provide news from correspondents in Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee, but I hear from Michael Marra and colleagues in other parts of the chamber that that does not reassure members enough. One of the outstanding issues for me in understanding how the business works is that it is easier to do certain things in different places because of new technology. However, I want to be assured that, as part of any changes that STV is thinking about, there will not be a diminution of news from Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and the rest of the country.
Michael Marra makes the point very well that it is important that we have centres for journalism across the length and breadth of Scotland.
Many people in Shetland tune in to STV North news because it has a northern focus as opposed to a more generic, all-of-Scotland or, often, central belt outlook. Will the Scottish Government do all that it can to impress on STV bosses that the islands of Scotland appreciate reliable local news and that any loss is a damaging blow to respected journalism, especially in an age of fake news?
I totally agree with Beatrice Wishart. She is absolutely right. Communities in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and the north of Scotland, where there are particular regional reasons why the news order might be different and news reports might have different content, will have to compete much more with content from the heavy population centres in central Scotland. Having lived in the north of Scotland, I have no doubt that that will cause concern to people.
It is for STV to give assurances that any proposed changes will not lead to a diminution in reporting from Shetland or anywhere else in the north of Scotland. I have asked those questions and answers have been provided, but much more will be required to satisfy me and members across the chamber.
Creative Industries (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the creative industries in Glasgow. (S6O-05126)
The Scottish Government strongly supports Glasgow’s creative industries. Scottish Enterprise is leading on a range of strategic projects and tailored business support for the creative industries; it is managing 42 opportunities that are worth nearly £8 million in grants, and more than 90 per cent of those are situated in the Glasgow region. To support those projects, Scottish Enterprise is working with Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland, Animation Scotland and other partnerships, including Glasgow City Council and local innovation districts. Skills Development Scotland also provides apprenticeships and the free skills for growth programme to assist workforce planning.
I thank the Scottish Government for everything that it is doing to support the sector. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations estimates that the total cost of the United Kingdom Government’s rise in employer national insurance contributions to the voluntary sector in Scotland, which includes many cultural bodies, will be around £75 million. Organisations say that they have nowhere left to cut and may have to freeze pay or cut jobs as a result.
Can the cabinet secretary say what discussions the Scottish Government has had with regard to reimbursement, and does it support calls for the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer to scrap that damaging policy in the upcoming UK budget?
I commend Bill Kidd for his question. We have always been clear that the UK Treasury must fully fund the actual cost for Scotland’s public sector, recognising the different size and configuration of our public services, to meet our specific needs.
In my portfolio, the Scottish Government is committed to investing at least £100 million more annually in culture and the arts in communities by 2028-29. It is disappointing that the UK Government has chosen to erode the full benefit of that. We are clear that the UK Government should have asked those with the broadest shoulders to contribute more, rather than trying to balance its budget on the back of cultural organisations, charities and the national health service.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
“A Fresh Start with Independence” (Economic Implications)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic implications of its paper “A Fresh Start with Independence”. (S6O-05130)
The potential economic implications of the proposals in “A Fresh Start with Independence” are set out in the paper itself and in its two accompanying publications on “The macroeconomic framework of an independent Scotland and the measurement of economic flows” and “Questions and Answers”.
Leading economist Professor Ronald MacDonald has described the Scottish National Party’s economic plans as “totally shambolic” and said that they would have “a devastating effect”. In addition, “A Fresh Start with Independence” wrongly states that Scotland’s gross domestic product has grown faster than that of the UK.
Does the cabinet secretary still stand by that discredited paper—the bill for which the SNP has made Scottish taxpayers pick up—or will he admit that it simply does not add up?
No, I will not. I commend the report to Jamie Halcro Johnston because it is clear, given his question, that he has not even read it.
I know that it is difficult reading for Scottish Conservatives because the statistics in it—they are provided by, among others, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is a very reputable international body—draw comparisons between the United Kingdom and our neighbouring countries. The report shows that our neighbouring independent nations are wealthier, happier and fairer than the United Kingdom, that growth is higher and that there is lower overall poverty—[Interruption.]
Members.
I say to Mr Halcro Johnston, so that he can read this, that those statistics, including from the OECD, are on pages 35, 36 and 37 of the report—although I do not know whether he knows what the OECD is.
I have three requests for supplementaries. I would like to take all three, but I need succinct questions and responses.
Since 2021, the Scottish Government has spent an estimated £3.5 million of taxpayers’ money on staffing and other costs associated with preparing and publishing pointless constitutional white papers. That money could have been spent elsewhere.
We have already heard about the case of Cumbernauld theatre—an iconic theatre that has been part of the local community for 60 years. It urgently needs to raise £300,000; if it does not find the money, it could close. For less than a tenth of the cash that has been wasted on those imaginary white papers, a concrete community asset that actually exists could be saved.
Why does the SNP Government continue to waste taxpayers’ money on white papers that have no impact, when it should be using that money to invest in impactful community assets instead?
I remind Mr Bibby—I know that it is difficult for him to accept, having lost the last election—that the majority of MSPs in the Parliament were elected on a manifesto commitment that there should be an independence referendum and that the public should be informed about the updated position on the opportunities that independence provides.
I know that Mr Bibby does not agree with that, but he lost the election, and this party won it, and we are doing what we said that we were going to do. We are providing more funding for culture and the arts than his party even called for, and I am proud of that. This party voted for it, the Conservatives voted against it—-and Neil Bibby bravely abstained.
What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the economic implications of not pushing for the people of Scotland to have the opportunity to decide their own future and escape the mire of broken Brexit Britain?
Mr MacDonald has asked an important question: what is the consequence of remaining in a suboptimally performing state, which is the United Kingdom? It does not perform as well as our neighbouring countries. Those are facts—I know that it is difficult for the people who opposed independence to accept those facts. The cost of not becoming independent is that we do not have the levers at our disposal to be able to match our neighbouring countries, which are healthier, wealthier and fairer than the United Kingdom. Incidentally, there is only one route back to the European Union, which is to have a referendum in Scotland on becoming an independent member state. The Conservatives oppose rejoining the European Union, as does the Labour Party. In our Government and Parliament, there is a majority for rejoining the EU, and the only way to do that is for the country to become independent.
The Greens say that the SNP’s latest currency policy would be catastrophic. At the previous SNP conference, the policy was described as a “dangerous experiment”. Even the highly respected Robin McAlpine said:
“for god sake get off this mad, mad bus.”
Why will the cabinet secretary not get off the bus? [Applause.]
I do not know how comfortable Willie Rennie is with being applauded by the Conservatives; I would be a little bit concerned if I were him. Surprise, surprise—there are different views on Scotland’s constitutional future. This party and the Scottish Green Party are in favour of Scotland becoming an independent member state of the European Union; the Liberal Democrats are in favour of a federal United Kingdom; and I think that the Labour Party is in favour of protecting devolution. I have no idea what the Tories’ position is at present.
I would have hoped that all of us, as democrats, could agree on one thing: that the future of the country should be determined by the people. That is why, given the change of circumstances post-Brexit, a majority in this Parliament wish there to be a referendum on Scotland becoming an independent country within the European Union. I am sorry that the Liberal Democrats are departing from what I thought was their traditional position, which is to support Scottish home rule and Scottish self-government.
That concludes portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business. In the interests of time management, we will move straight to the next portfolio.
Justice and Home Affairs
I advise members that there is a lot of interest in the portfolio, so I would like succinct questions from them and succinct answers from Government ministers.
Firework Control Zones
To ask the Scottish Government how it is reviewing the effectiveness of firework control zones. (S6O-05131)
Local authorities now have the powers to introduce firework control zones to tackle the misuse of fireworks, and I am pleased that, this year, they were in place in Glasgow for the first time and in Edinburgh for the second time. I also welcome the overall significant reduction in disorder across Scotland over the bonfire night period. Firework control zones played a role as part of a wider package of measures that were delivered by our partners, and I thank them all for the dedication and commitment that they have shown to keeping our communities safe. We will bring partners together to identify learnings from this year that will help to inform our approach to bonfire night in 2026.
I associate myself with the minister’s comments. Last week saw a marked reduction in trouble on bonfire nights compared with those in previous years, and there were no reports of injuries to emergency crews. Those outcomes reflect the professionalism and dedication of our police officers. However, the chief constable has warned that the force risks losing 1,000 of those officers if there is no increase in its budget support. Will the minister join me in praising emergency services, while recognising that the front line must be properly supported?
Absolutely. As I said in my opening statement, I thank the emergency services for all the work that they do on operation moonbeam, which goes on for months before bonfire night. Of course, we will engage with Police Scotland about its budgetary requirements.
I, too, welcome the fact that there seems to have been less antisocial behaviour this year.
Does the minister hope that the first firework control zones being put in place will encourage other local authorities to use the powers that they have been given to consider the introduction of such bans? It is clear that communities such as mine in Motherwell and Wishaw are requesting them.
Yes, absolutely. As I said, firework control zones have been in place for the past two bonfire nights. The designation of a zone is a local decision, based on local circumstances, and local authorities are responsible for their introduction and use.
Through the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, we have given local authorities additional powers to tackle the misuse of fireworks in response to local community needs. Along with the broader measures, firework control zones are an important tool that can be used to help keep communities safe and to support cultural and behavioural change to address the misuse of fireworks.
I encourage all local authorities to consider the introduction of firework control zones. I believe that there is a strong appetite for that in communities across Scotland—for example, I know that there is a petition with more than 1,600 signatures for the introduction of such zones in Ayr. The Scottish Government will support local authorities that wish to implement firework control zones.
Many of my constituents have contacted me because of concerns about fireworks in relation to themselves and their animals. Does the minister agree that it would be much easier to control the use of fireworks if policies on all aspects of their sale and use were fully devolved to Scotland?
I agree that it would be better if all the legislation relating to fireworks and pyrotechnics were devolved to Scotland, so that we could fully respond to the needs and concerns of Scottish communities. In that way, we would have full control of all aspects of the sale and use of fireworks, including, potentially, limits to the noise that fireworks make. As that is not the case at the moment, I will continue to press the United Kingdom Government on what more can be done on firework regulation, and I have sought further discussions on that issue.
Peaceful Protest
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to safeguard the right to peaceful protest. (S6O-05132)
The rights to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression are important rights that the Scottish Government is committed to upholding.
The right to peaceful public assembly allows us to protest, celebrate culture and hold memorials, and it is right that our communities should be able to participate in such activities. The right to protest is important in a democratic society. Existing legislation sufficiently protects those rights. However, protests should be peaceful and should never be used to justify any form of hateful, violent, intimidating or otherwise criminal behaviour. We fully support Police Scotland’s taking appropriate and proportionate action in response to such behaviour.
Pensioners, priests and people from all walks of life—many of whom have never been convicted of anything in their lives—have been arrested while peacefully protesting in Scotland. The report of the independent commission on UK counterterrorism law, policy and practice, which was published yesterday, makes it clear that United Kingdom terror laws have been used far too widely in the case of the proscription of the non-violent protest group Palestine Action. Given the findings of the commission, which is led by pre-eminent figures such as Sir Declan Morgan, Dominic Grieve and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, will the minister urge the Home Secretary to immediately overturn that blatant attempt by the UK Government to silence non-violent protest in the face of a genocide—a genocide in which, of course, that Government is complicit?
I fully recognise that the proscription of Palestine Action by the UK Government has been criticised by many groups and individuals across society, and that many people across the UK have chosen to show their opposition to that through protest. However, as the member is aware, this is an area of policy that is reserved to the UK Government, as is the decision to which he refers, and I recognise that the issue is now with the courts. The judicial review is due to take place this month at the High Court in London, and we all want to see what the outcome will be.
Retailers and members of the public are telling us that they cannot get a response to 999 calls, even when they are threatened with violence. However, when a women’s rights group tried to peacefully protest, instead of the person who tried to disrupt the protest being removed, we ended up with the ridiculous spectacle of brollygate. Does the minister accept that, under this Government, police officers are being told to chase down so-called brolly assaulters and record non-criminal hate incidents, instead of focusing on keeping communities safe and upholding the right to peaceful protest?
As I have just said, it is an operational issue for Police Scotland. The Scottish Government protects the right to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression, which are important rights that the Scottish Government is committed to upholding.
Has the Scottish Government had any discussions with the UK Government about the proscription of Palestine Action? Have ministers received any security briefings or made any representations, given the arrests at protests in Scotland?
I have not had any discussions with or correspondence from the UK Government. I think that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has, and she will be happy to write to the member with regard to that.
We have seen peaceful protests outside the Parliament building by women’s groups who are urging the Scottish Government to finally respect the Supreme Court judgment. Instead, we get the Scottish Government going to court to argue that biological males should be sent to the female prison estate. In the 24 hours since we tried to get answers from Angela Constance and she refused to give them, has the Government sought any legal advice, or advice from its officials, about what it can say in Parliament, or does it simply not care about updating members and answering their questions?
Please answer in relation to peaceful protest, minister.
I do not know how that relates to peaceful protest, Deputy Presiding Officer, so I will leave it at that.
On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. In your ruling, you allowed the question in respect of peaceful protest. The minister has point-blank refused to answer any part of the question. Is that in order? These are serious matters that have repeatedly been raised in the chamber. Government ministers are refusing to answer the basic points that we need to hear being addressed in the chamber; they are also being asked outwith it, but we get nothing from them there.
I thank Douglas Ross for his contribution. I am in charge of ensuring that question time runs smoothly and that supplementary questions relate to the principal question on the business bulletin. That is the point that I made to the minister. I am not in charge of how the minister chooses to respond—that is a matter for her. Obviously, the member has many ways in which he can seek to pursue the matter.
Police Officer Numbers (Rural Communities)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of any reductions in police officer numbers since 2020 on rural communities. (S6O-05133)
Responsibility for the police workforce rests with the chief constable, who has a range of local and national resources to draw on in preventing and tackling crime. The Scottish Government provided record funding of £1.64 billion in 2025-26, which is an increase of £90 million, to support capacity and capability to enable Police Scotland to take on more recruits last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025-26.
Although we do not want anyone to be a victim of crime no matter where they live, I note that Scotland is a safer place since the Government took office, with recorded crime down 39 per cent since 2006-07.
Why let the facts get in the way of a well-spun story? The real facts tell a different story. Police Scotland has been defunded to the point where officer numbers in Dumfries and Galloway have fallen by 22 per cent since 2020. Now, the Government is starting to impose new occupancy charges on officers living in police-owned accommodation—a policy that was first consulted on more than a year ago—and the Scottish Police Federation warns that even more rural officers will leave. Does the cabinet secretary accept that that penalty is worsening our already dire situation? Will she urgently review the policy before rural policing is hollowed out even further?
The issue that Finlay Carson has raised is an operational matter for Police Scotland. However, in relation to police numbers over the entire country, the full-time equivalent as of 30 September was 16,441; as of 3 November, it was 16,531—
The question was on rural officers.
I am getting to that, if Finlay Carson will do me the courtesy of allowing me to speak—
Mr Carson, the cabinet secretary is on her feet responding to your question. Please let us hear what she has to say.
As of 3 November, there were 16,531 officers. It is for the chief constable to deploy those police officers across the regions. As of 30 September, 354 officers were deployed in V division, which is the division that covers Dumfries and Galloway. That figure is stable in comparison to the previous quarter.
Community police officers play a key role in preventing crime. They provide a visible presence in communities, tackling antisocial behaviour and working with local people, particularly young people, to get ahead of problems that relate to alcohol, drug abuse and other issues that drive criminality. Last week, the chief constable told the Criminal Justice Committee that she wants an increase of 600 community police officers as part of the budget process. What is the Scottish Government’s position on that?
I am aware of the evidence that the chief constable gave to the Criminal Justice Committee. As members would expect, I have regular dialogue with the chief constable and the Scottish Police Authority. Last night, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and I met the chief constable and the SPA.
As the member would expect, we are looking very seriously at the Police Scotland budget request. However, the budget needs to be decided in due process. Once we know what the United Kingdom budget is, which will be after 26 November, the Scottish Government will be in a position to introduce our budget on 13 January. However, the member’s point about community policing being central to prevention, good community relationships and overall community cohesion was well made.
Will the cabinet secretary outline what engagement has been undertaken with people and stakeholders to ensure that the voices of rural communities are heard in work to tackle rural crime?
The key route for that is with the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, which is chaired by Police Scotland. It brings together key justice and rural sector partners, including NFU Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation, Crimestoppers and Rural Watch Scotland. The partnership provides a robust multi-agency approach to preventing rural crime and it supports actions that are taken at a local level. It also provides rural and farming communities with information, advice and local intelligence on how best to prevent crime in their area.
Police Scotland
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Police Scotland, and what issues were discussed. (S6O-05134)
Ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet representatives of Police Scotland. My most recent engagement was yesterday when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and I met the chief constable to discuss the policing budget. I meet the chief constable on a regular basis, and we cover a range of topics such as Police Scotland’s three-year plan, stop and search, mental health and police pay negotiations.
There are now around 1,000 fewer police officers across Scotland since Police Scotland was established in 2013, and 140 police stations have closed, including in Ferguslie Park, which is one of the most deprived communities in Scotland. The future of stations such as the one in Paisley’s Mill Street is still uncertain. Cuts have consequences, and the Scottish Police Federation says that officers are being run ragged. Sexual crime is up by 45 per cent and violent crime is up by 7 per cent in the past decade. Horrifically, just last week, a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in Paisley town centre. How can the cabinet secretary seriously tell the public that our streets are safe under this Scottish National Party Government when police officer numbers are down, police stations are closing and violent crime is up?
Over the course of this Government, the level of violent crime has reduced. The member makes a good point about the increase in reported domestic violence. There is no doubt that our police officers do a demanding job day in, day out. That is one of the reasons why I have ensured that our police officers are among the best remunerated across these isles.
I have not cut the budget. In fact, I have increased the budget for policing in every year that I have been the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and police numbers are stable at 16,500. There is work to be done in and around police stations. It is important that the estate is modernised and fit for purpose. I have seen that in my constituency with the closure of the police station in Livingston, where we now instead have the West Lothian civic centre, at which all partners are brought together.
Cuts to police budgets and nearly 1,000 fewer officers since the pandemic have led to shop theft rocketing by 124 per cent. Worse, the Scottish Retail Consortium says that those figures mask a hidden epidemic of unrecorded theft and retailers warn that shoplifting is effectively decriminalised. Will the cabinet secretary combat that by giving the police what they say they need in the budget, and by extending the funding for the retail crime task force beyond 26 March?
The Government and the justice ministers were pleased to secure that specific funding of £3 million to tackle retail crime. I am happy to write to the member to tell him about some of the benefits that that resource has had.
It is important to recognise the scourge of shoplifting, particularly where it connects to serious organised crime. The member might be aware that I chair the serious organised crime task force, which I will be doing again tomorrow.
On the budget, we have a due process to go through. I very much hope that, on this occasion, Opposition parties, as part of their negotiations, will advocate for budget for the police. Last year, the only person who advocated for an increase in the budget was the Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
Following comments from the chief constable of Police Scotland about the rise in online harm that children are facing and the First Minister’s commitment to do everything in his power to tackle that, will the cabinet secretary support a new cross-sector coalition, which should include Children First Scotland, to urgently establish what more can be done within the powers of the Scottish Government?
We will certainly be very interested in that, and work on that has already begun. That is, in part, through my engagement with the serious organised crime task force, where we, among other things, discuss the changing and growing threat of online harm. Other colleagues in other parts of the Government, including our education and child protection colleagues, are acutely aware of that, and the work on which they lead is also very focused on online harm.
I very much accept the point of principle that the member makes and agree that it is beholden on all of us to do more against that increasing threat.
Scottish Prison Service (Working Conditions)
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve working conditions for employees of the Scottish Prison Service. (S6O-05135)
Our prisons operate in a unique and complex environment. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service remain resolute in our joint commitment to ensuring that they remain a safe place in which to live and work.
The SPS continues to recruit at pace and invest in technology, such as body-worn video cameras, to place the service in the best possible position in which to face current challenges.
The demands that are placed on our prison officers and the rising prison population have been well documented. I thank prison officers for their hard work each and every day. In recognition of their difficult and unique roles in our justice system, the Scottish Government delivered an 8 per cent pay rise for prison officers, with a two-year pay deal secured earlier this year.
The Prison Officers Association Scotland’s recent “Crisis Point Reached” report highlighted a number of concerns that SPS officers have, including failures in the recruitment system, a lack of long-term planning, which sometimes makes working conditions difficult and dangerous, and a toxic working environment stemming from poor management.
I have a constituent who has been suspended for six months on full pay and whose shifts have been covered using overtime. For what seems to be a relatively minor issue, that is a gross waste of taxpayers’ money.
Does the cabinet secretary agree with the findings of the report? What immediate action is she taking to address the systemic issues that it outlines?
I very much welcome the Prison Officers Association report, which demonstrates the pressures and challenges that prison staff face at a time of a high prison population, and I appreciate their hard work.
It is crucial that we listen to the voice of prison officers. I know that prison officers want to do the job that they are trained to do, and it is on all of us to create the right conditions for that to happen.
I assure the member that I have already discussed that important report with the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, and she has outlined to me a number of actions that the SPS is already engaged in. If he wishes to correspond with me, I would be happy to provide him with further detail.
Grooming Gangs
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent convictions of a grooming gang for sexual exploitation in Dundee, what steps it is taking to prevent similar cases across Scotland, including through the establishment of a national inquiry into grooming gangs. (S6O-05136)
The Scottish Government will continue to consider the need for an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland should further evidence emerge. The case in Dundee, although horrendous, is of a different nature from the cases reported in Baroness Casey’s national audit. The national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group has agreed a prevention-focused approach to collectively improve how harm is identified, reported and responded to in Scotland by statutory agencies and other partners. We also support third sector organisations that are involved in preventing child sexual abuse, including Barnardo’s Scotland, the NSPCC’s Childline service and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, which deliver preventative and risk-reduction interventions to children in Scotland.
Scottish victims of grooming gangs are demanding an inquiry. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs said that the Scottish Government would have an inquiry if that was assessed as necessary. Given the sentencing in Dundee last week and the harrowing stories emerging from Glasgow this week, what standards or criteria would have to be met before an inquiry is assessed as necessary?
It is for Ms Gallacher and others to present a case that is based on the added value that an inquiry would bring to preventing abuse of our children right now. If that evidence emerges, we will, of course, listen to it fairly and without favour. As Ms Gallacher knows, there is on-going work, led by the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group. Crucially, in the justice portfolio, Police Scotland is actively reviewing current and historical investigations, and we have been clear that Police Scotland is closely involved with the national strategic group.
There is also the Scottish child abuse inquiry. I very much know the reasons why that inquiry was set up, but it is important to stress that the extensive review that is being undertaken by the Scottish child abuse inquiry includes child protection policy and practice.
HMP Cornton Vale (Noise)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress made to address concerns raised by local residents about levels of noise from HMP Cornton Vale. (S6O-05137)
While continuing to support many vulnerable women, the Scottish Prison Service has taken a number of actions to reduce the noise at HMP and Young Offenders Institution Stirling that is experienced by its neighbours. Most recently, the SPS held a meeting with local residents on 23 September at which it presented a concept for a window surround to reduce the noise from the rooms closest to local housing.
The prototype window surround was installed on 16 October and entered a period of testing until 24 October. Initial feedback on the trial was very positive and planning is now under way to install surrounds to the remaining windows. Engagement between the SPS and Stirling Council has started and, pending final planning approval, it is anticipated that all work will be completed by 31 March 2026. The SPS will continue to keep residents updated via its website, especially during any period of planned work.
I very much hope that the developments that the cabinet secretary has outlined will prove to be effective, but she will know that residents have been raising serious concerns about noise and disruption from the prison for far too long, with very limited progress to date. Given the on-going impact that that continues to have on the wellbeing and quality of life of those living nearby, and the length of time that it is taking to find effective solutions, does the cabinet secretary agree that the Scottish Prison Service needs to continue to treat the issue as a matter of urgency and deliver a lasting resolution?
Yes, I very much do. The situation has gone on for far too long for all concerned. I assure the member that the SPS has given me its commitment that it is moving at pace, and I will continue to engage with Mr Brown and the SPS on the matter. I am grateful to his constituents for their engagement and patience.
I can squeeze in question 8, but I need a succinct question from the member and a succinct response.
Domestic Abuse Victims (Support)
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting and improving the experience of victims of domestic abuse, particularly in situations where there are young children in the family. (S6O-05138)
We are committed to protecting survivors of domestic abuse through legislation and by funding support services. Research has found that our groundbreaking domestic abuse legislation, which treats offences more seriously when they involve children, better reflects victims’ experiences. Our £20 million bairn’s hoose programme, which is to be rolled out in increments from 2027, improves support for children who are affected by abuse by providing trauma-informed spaces and co-ordinated services.
I supported a constituent in a truly horrific situation in which her daughter came forward to claim that her father abused her. My constituent was mandated to allow contact between the two, despite the child’s protests and symptoms of trauma. In such situations, a victim can feel as if they cannot win. Every decision is scrutinised and they cannot protect their child. My constituent’s daughter clearly inherited her mother’s bravery, and it must have been so difficult to share what happened to her at such a young age, which has to result in protection.
Following the provisions in the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 to better incorporate the child’s views, what concrete steps is the Government taking to ensure that a child’s expressed fear of a parent or desire not to have contact with them is given due weight and consideration in abuse cases, rather than that being dismissed as coaching or alienation?
I am really sorry to hear about Emma Roddick’s constituent’s situation. The child’s welfare must be the court’s paramount consideration in contact cases, and the court is required to consider the child’s view, subject to their age and maturity. We plan to commence further provisions in the 2020 act to enhance how the views of children are heard in such cases. We have also set up a working group on child welfare reporters, who can be appointed by the court to get the child’s views.
That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.