Official Report 409KB pdf
Justice
The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the first portfolio is justice. If a member wishes to request a supplementary question, they should press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question.
Rural Crime
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether rural crime is a serious issue affecting communities across Scotland and local police presence is crucial to its prevention. (S7O-00068)
The Scottish Government fully recognises the impact of rural crime and supports action to tackle it through the work of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, which is a multi-agency partnership led by Police Scotland that aims to prevent, reduce and tackle rural crime.
The partnership’s strategy includes actions around how perpetrators will be brought to justice, how rural communities can safeguard against such crimes and how individuals can be diverted from being involved in them.
There is also a series of local partnerships that has expanded across the country, strengthening the focus on prevention activity, particularly as criminality recognises no borders. Together, those efforts ensure a co-ordinated, intelligence-led response to rural crime and help to protect our communities.
I highlight that the estimated cost of rural crime in Scotland rose by 14 per cent in 2025, bucking declining trends across the rest of the United Kingdom. Does the Scottish Government consider that the closure of 180 police station across Scotland between 2013 and the end of 2025 has stifled efforts to prevent and address crime in rural areas?
I believe that the resources at the disposal of the chief constable are sufficient to ensure that police numbers can be maintained at 16,500, meaning that we have more police officers per head of population than is the case in England and Wales. That is supported by record investment of more than £1.7 billion.
Deployment decisions and infrastructure decisions are operational matters for the independent chief constable, but that strong resource position, combined with the workforce of more than 22,000, ensures the capacity to respond to both rural and urban demands.
I have a supplementary question from Gary Bouse.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is pronounced “Bowse”.
You have been called worse.
Yes, sometimes. “Blouse” is probably the main one.
Can the cabinet secretary reassure my constituents that, despite the unique challenges of rural policing, the recruitment pipeline remains strong, allowing the chief constable to keep police numbers at around 16,500?
The Scottish Government is investing record funding of more than £1.7 billion in 2026-27, and the chief constable confirmed at the Criminal Justice Committee that the budget allocation will allow her to maintain officer numbers at around 16,500.
Police Scotland maintains that it has a healthy recruitment pipeline, with around 175 new officers recruited last month and further recruitment planned throughout the year. The chief constable confirmed to the Scottish Police Authority board last month that recruitment will have a particular focus on rural and island communities.
The justice secretary knows that there is a total mismatch and inequality of arms between organised crime gangs that are operating in rural Scotland and the rural police presence. Ninety-two per cent of NFU Mutual agents are saying that rural crime is seriously disrupting farming activities. As a starting point, will the justice secretary meet my colleague Rachael Hamilton, who is introducing a member’s bill that would replicate the measures contained in the English Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023?
I am happy to meet colleagues from across the Parliament to engage with ideas about how we can ensure that tools are available to our justice partners to make sure that communities across Scotland are kept safe. I reassure Mr Kerr—as I hope that he was reassured by my answer to Mr Bouse—that the recruitment of new police officers through the system has prioritised rural and island communities. That reflects changing demands and, in particular, the response to organised criminal gangs that are operating across borders, not just in rural Scotland but across the UK.
Hawick Fire Station
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the future of Hawick fire station. (S7O-00069)
I had an introductory meeting with the SFRS board chair and chief officer on 4 June, at which we discussed the overall objectives of the service delivery review and the consultation process that has been undertaken by the SFRS. I also met the SFRS deputy chief officer to discuss the service delivery review on 11 June. The SFRS board will meet on 22 June to take final decisions on which of the service delivery review proposals should go forward to implementation. Until then, no decisions have been taken.
The proposals to downgrade Hawick fire station are simply unacceptable, and they have caused months of agony for residents and businesses across the Borders. I strongly believe that Hawick fire station should be a 24/7 service, to ensure public safety. My constituents in the Borders are asking—I put this directly to the cabinet secretary—who will take responsibility if they receive the news on 22 June that Hawick fire station is to be downgraded and then something goes wrong.
The location of resources, along with shift patterns, is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The review does not propose any reduction in fire and rescue cover in Hawick. Indeed, two fire appliances will continue to be located in Hawick. The SFRS has assured me that the proposed move to a day shift duty system is based on a thorough examination of the risks and historic deployment data across the Borders area and that it will not compromise the safety of the public or firefighters.
The proposals for Hawick and Helensburgh fire stations are essentially the same: a move to a day shift duty system while relying on on-call firefighters at night and at weekends. Attendance during on-call shifts drops off dramatically and leads to delays in crews attending incidents, with potentially devastating results. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service does not appear to have published the consultation responses and is carrying on regardless. Will the cabinet secretary insist that the responses be published in full and the board decision be delayed until he has had a chance to speak to the Fire Brigades Union?
I reiterate that those decisions are operational matters for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The day shift duty system is not a new concept; it is already being operated in Livingston and at multiple other locations across the United Kingdom. There are challenges with on-call firefighter recruitment and retention that are caused by demographic changes, particularly in rural and island areas. The SFRS has concluded that availability at night and at weekends is much better and that there tend to be particular difficulties during the day, which is because people no longer live and work in the same location. That is why having whole-time firefighters working during the day, which is also when the majority of incidents occur, is a viable and sensible solution.
Community Cohesion
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported pressures on policing and the justice system, including the local effects of migration, what action it is taking to promote community cohesion across Scotland. (S7O-00070)
We work across Government portfolios, including with Police Scotland, local authorities and third sector organisations, to support inclusion and to work directly with communities to strengthen cohesion so that everyone feels safe and valued. There is a focus on that work following recent disorder on the streets, which will have increased fear and anxiety.
The police will always respond appropriately to such disorder. That response is necessary only because of the recent behaviour of a small minority of citizens, underpinned by racism, hatred, and the intimidation of people and communities in our society.
I thoroughly condemn such behaviour, as well as the actions of those who are stoking these sentiments and divisions. This is a good opportunity for the member to do likewise and to distance himself from the remarks of Thomas Kerr, who has encouraged people to take part in so‑called protests on our streets.
Many Scots are expressing concerns over issues such as social cohesion and wellbeing, including one of my constituents from Arbroath, who shared the following with me:
“I want my daughters to grow up in a Scotland that is safe, cohesive, confident in its identity, and capable of helping genuine refugees while also protecting the interests and wellbeing of the people already living here.”
Given that legitimate concern, and the impacts on areas such as public safety and justice, what specific steps is the Government taking to ensure that the issues that my constituent raises are addressed?
I do not know the details that lie behind what the member referred to. If it is a live police matter, I will not be able to comment on it.
The recent behaviour that we have seen presents a challenge and is a source of concern for people. In recognition of the challenges that communities face, we continue to work closely with Police Scotland to provide reassurance and to ensure that no one feels isolated or vulnerable.
Police Scotland has established a community reassurance cell to engage with stakeholders and community representatives in order to respond to those concerns.
Again, to be clear, violence must never be used to justify further division or to cause additional concern. My thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by recent distressing incidents. Our focus must be on bringing communities together in response to difficult events.
I thank the minister for her thoughtful responses. My supplementary question very much follows on from those.
Does the minister agree that the recent pressures on policing are far more a result of the actions of fascist and far-right groups than of the actions of anti-racist groups, which have always had peaceful gatherings? Will she outline the steps that the Government will take to engage with and be led by communities that are affected by racism and abuse by far-right and fascist groups? What additional community protection measures will be put in place? I love the sound of the reassurance cell that was mentioned.
I will try to touch on the various elements of Kate Nevens’s question. There is ongoing work within Government to meet and engage constructively with a range of communities. Community cohesion and partnership working are vital to how we move forward.
On police resources and funding, although deployment is clearly and rightly a matter for the chief constable, this year we have increased police funding to more than £1.7 billion, which is an increase of £81.5 million compared with the 2025-26 autumn budget revision. That is to allow Police Scotland to deliver on its priorities, including on important front-line service delivery.
Firefighters (Scottish Ambulance Service Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what conversations it has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto commitment to expand the role of firefighters to support the Scottish Ambulance Service. (S7O-00071)
I had an introductory meeting with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chief officer and board chair on 4 June, when we discussed a variety of topics, including the concept of firefighters expanding the duties that they perform to do more to keep Scotland safe from harm.
I agreed to work closely with the SFRS and the Fire Brigades Union on developing how our manifesto commitment can be delivered by the end of this parliamentary session. I look forward to meeting them both in due course.
It is vital that we recruit more firefighters. Will the cabinet secretary outline what measures are being taken to ensure that firefighter numbers are sufficient to meet the demand across Scotland?
The SFRS is continuing to recruit whole-time and on-call firefighters to ensure that full crews can meet demand and that the right resources are in the right place at the right time.
Currently, the SFRS has 70 trainee firefighters going through initial training and is recruiting for a further 156 posts, which will be filled in 2026-27. The process has recently closed with some 1,400 applications having been received, which shows that working for the SFRS remains an attractive option for many.
The SFRS continues with its on-call improvement strategy to attract more recruits through targeted help with the application process and fitness criteria, along with introducing flexible on-call periods to make the role accessible to a larger number of people.
Social Impact Investment
To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for social impact investment in the current parliamentary session. (S7O-00072)
The social impact partnership model is an innovative way of using investment from local and national businesses in projects for community benefit, with the aim of achieving better outcomes for people by offering payment by results. That is a new concept for Scotland, so we will provide a £200,000 kickstarter fund this year to work with partnerships to bring forward ideas for preventative and early intervention programmes in justice, focusing on reducing reoffending and providing safe spaces for young people to divert them from antisocial behaviour and crime. If the SIP model works, we would want to roll it out to other priority areas.
The potential of social impact investment is huge but, at this stage, there is obviously a need for further research and development. Can the cabinet secretary therefore say how the Scottish Government will utilise the latest research and evidence that are available from bodies such as the Government outcomes lab at the University of Oxford while ensuring raised awareness of, support for and co-ordination of social impact investment among stakeholders to help to realise the huge potential of this innovative funding?
Colm Merrick is absolutely right that we have an exciting opportunity for Scotland to lead the way in investing upstream to deliver better outcomes downstream. We are providing the £200,000 kickstarter fund this year to develop a new £10 million social impact investment fund, which marks a real step change in how we support prevention and early intervention. Our model will draw on the Government outcomes lab’s world-class research so that we get the approach right from the outset. By embedding that evidence, learning from best practice and fostering collaboration, we will build a strong and trusted model that maximises impact and value. With the right foundations, that innovative approach will unlock new resources to provide safe spaces for young people and diversion from antisocial behaviour and criminality.
Retail Crime Task Force
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work carried out by the retail crime task force. (S7O-00073)
Police Scotland was able to establish its retail crime task force through an initial £3 million of additional funding that was provided by the Scottish Government. That work will continue, backed by annual Scottish Government funding of a further £3 million each year to 2029.
Through the task force’s four-strand approach—to prevent, to pursue, to protect and to prepare—it is targeting repeat offenders of retail crime by using analytical data and intelligence to carry out proactive enforcement activities in the areas that are most heavily impacted. In the first year, that has resulted in more than 6,400 charges for retail crime, with the detection rate having risen to just under 51 per cent, compared with 49 per cent for the previous year.
As the prevalence and types of crime have evolved greatly in recent years, will the minister outline how the Scottish Government is supporting and investing in Police Scotland so that it can adapt to new challenges and keep our communities safe?
I am grateful to David Torrance for looking at the issue through that lens. It is important that we recognise the challenges of different types of crime and Police Scotland’s important role in keeping our communities safe. That is why we are investing record funding in Police Scotland of more than £1.7 billion this year, which is an increase of £81.5 million, or 5 per cent, compared with the published autumn budget revision figure. That includes an uplift of £59 million in resource and £16.3 million in capital funding.
One key thing to think about is that that budget will allow Police Scotland to look at front-line service delivery and to make key areas of transformation a priority, as it wishes to do.
Some of the specifics that David Torrance might be particularly interested in include: funding of £3 million per year over the next three years to support Police Scotland’s successful work in targeting retail crime; an additional £2.7 million this year to support Police Scotland’s work in the detection and disruption of child sexual abuse and exploitation; and continued close work with the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to manage the police budget provision and ensure that sustainable and preventative policing is available.
The minister must be aware that there has been a 128 per cent increase in shoplifting in the past four years, and that the figure has not even been fully reported. Does she acknowledge that many retailers believe that in Scotland we have a culture of impunity around shoplifting? Will the minister support the retail sector’s ask for stronger consequences for repeat offenders than those that are currently being meted out?
I appreciate Mr Kerr’s question. The Scottish Government recognises the distress that is caused by crime, whether it be retail crime or other forms of crime. The victims are very much in our thoughts, which is why we fully support activity to reduce that harm.
I point Mr Kerr to activities such as the Scottish Government’s continued support for the innovative Scottish partnership against acquisitive crime—known as SPAACE—which is led by Police Scotland and includes retail groups among its members. It is very important that we pursue that partnership approach to ensure that we hear directly from those who are impacted. The Scottish Government absolutely encourages retailers to engage with SPAACE in order to help them safeguard their businesses and the people who work there.
Question 7 has been withdrawn.
Antisocial Behaviour and Public Safety Concern
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the reported rise in antisocial behaviour, particularly involving people wearing masks and using electric bikes, and the increase in the level of concern over public safety for many people in communities across Scotland. (S7O-00075)
I recognise and share Kate Campbell’s concerns about antisocial behaviour involving the illegal use of e-bikes, particularly in cases in which individuals are engaged in criminality and concealing their identity. I encourage everyone to report such behaviour to Police Scotland so that it, with its local authority partners, is able to continue to deliver targeted action to focus on those issues. I am pleased that the chief constable has noted a 5 per cent decrease in reported antisocial behaviour incidents compared with last year.
I assure Kate Campbell that I am committed to taking robust action to address antisocial behaviour and to keep communities safe, including progressing stronger powers to enable the police to confiscate and retain e-bikes and e-scooters that are used antisocially or criminally and urging the United Kingdom Government to act on licensing off-road vehicles.
Evidence shows that early intervention is the most efficient tool in tackling antisocial behaviour among young people. Does the cabinet secretary agree that investing in prevention should be a priority for the Government, particularly through youth services, youth work, peer mentoring and other support measures for young people, and particularly for those who might not have the role models that they need in their lives?
I am grateful to Kate Campbell for the angle that she has taken with that question. I very much agree with her. Early intervention and prevention work is a very powerful tool in addressing antisocial behaviour and is a real priority. That is why we have increased by £6 million our funding commitment to the successful cashback for communities programme, which is now in phase 7. The programme targets children and young people who are most at risk of being drawn into crime and antisocial behaviour. That investment means that more young people in communities across Scotland who might be in danger of going down the wrong path will have safe spaces and suitable activities to help to combat boredom, frustration and isolation, all of which can contribute to antisocial behaviour.
I am very drawn to the minister’s response on the misuse of e-bikes and e-scooters. We need to look at licensing seriously, and I am aware that work on that is in the very early stages. I regret to say that such misuse is an issue in Stirling. I make the offer that, if the minister is looking for a local authority with which to partner a pilot scheme, Stirling Council would be very willing to be part of that consideration.
I am grateful to Alyn Smith for highlighting the issue and for his focus on his local area. It is important that we consider the matter in the round, but one of the key issues to focus on is vehicle licensing, which is a reserved matter. In the previous parliamentary session, Ms Brown and Mr Fairlie both corresponded with the relevant UK minister on the issue, and we continue to engage with the UK Government on it. It is important that we take all possible steps to deal with the challenge affecting communities, but we need that extra tool at our disposal. At the moment, we do not have it, so we will continue to engage on the matter.
I agree with the minister that there is a challenge, because seized e-bikes have been found to be capable of going at up to 70mph, which is far above the 15.5mph legal limit. Many e-bikes have been modified and lack proper brakes for high speeds, which has led to the police calling them death traps. It has also been reported that, in Glasgow, there has been a 600 per cent increase in the number of children aged seven to 15 attending accident and emergency departments due to e-bike or e-scooter incidents.
Will the minister clarify whether the police have the powers to issue warnings or fines for what they regard as the dangerous use of e-bikes in pedestrian or residential areas? In parts of Glasgow that I have covered for many years, I am getting an alarming number of reports of incidents that go beyond antisocial behaviour and are now criminal issues.
I am grateful to Pauline McNeill for providing such a local focus on the issue. The police take a serious and considered view on the matter. We remain committed to doing everything that we can to support them in enforcement, and we are absolutely open to further action.
The police have advised that they believe that their current powers are sufficient, but we want to go further where we can. That includes removing the need for a warning before antisocially driven vehicles are seized, as Pauline McNeill mentioned. She also spoke about the speed at which some of the vehicles are driven, which can, of course, have an impact on whether there has been criminality.
I assure Pauline McNeill that we are considering the matter and that we recognise the importance of safety as well as prevention across our communities.
Cashback for Communities (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)
To ask the Scottish Government how the cashback for communities programme is supporting projects and young people in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency during its phase 7. (S7O-00076)
The cashback for communities programme is very important in supporting young people who are at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending. So far, there has been investment of £156 million, which has helped 1.4 million young people through projects in all local council areas, because the programme works across Scotland. We are investing £26 million in the current phase of the programme—phase 7—which runs to 2029.
On the local focus of Alan Brown’s question, in East Ayrshire specifically, at least 150 young people are expected to benefit from four projects run by Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise, the National Autistic Society, the Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust Ltd and Youth Scotland. Investment in those projects will be backed by £2.27 million over the next three years.
The programme is important and potentially life saving for a lot of young individuals. However, in relation to historical spend, given that my constituency has some of the highest levels of deprivation and non-attendance at school across Scotland, I am worried that East Ayrshire has missed out on funding compared with comparator local authorities. How can we ensure that national companies that provide such services provide enough in East Ayrshire, including in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, to meet the level of need? How can we also ensure that more local companies deliver such services?
I am grateful to Alan Brown for his continued interest in the matter. The cashback for communities programme is focused on delivering impact at the local level. He is obviously very interested in the programme, so I am happy to discuss it with him further, and I invite him to engage on it. Having listened to feedback from stakeholders, we have redesigned the programme specifically to strengthen the links with local communities, which are so important.
In the most recent phase of the programme, which started on 1 April this year, 35 of the 51 funded projects are neighbourhood focused, and they meet the local priorities identified through community planning partnerships. In Alan Brown’s area, projects such as the Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise play a critical role in engaging young people locally and building links with the broader community in East Ayrshire, which is so vital in the preventative space.
Police Scotland 101 Service
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to Police Scotland to improve the 101 service. (S7O-00077)
Decisions on how resources are deployed, including the operation of contact, command and control—C3—services, are rightly matters for the chief constable, which reflects the operational independence of policing. Police Scotland has been very clear that 101 is a non-emergency number, and callers are advised of other means by which they can contact the service while they are on hold.
The Scottish Government is providing record funding of more than £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27, giving Police Scotland the resources that it needs to maintain a resilient and responsive service, including the 101 service. We expect that investment to support effective, accessible services for the public and to ensure that communities continue to receive the prompt and reliable policing response that they deserve.
I regularly hear from constituents who feel that waiting times for speaking to a call handler can be lengthy. I appreciate that the online service is also available, but many of my constituents, particularly older constituents, tell me that they do not have access to or do not use the internet. Can the cabinet secretary advise me how the Scottish Government expects Police Scotland to maintain a balance between telephone and online services to ensure that the 101 service is accessible for all?
Clare Haughey is absolutely right. We need to bring people with us and give them the flexibility to get in touch with services as they need them and in a way that meets their needs. The Scottish Government is fully supportive of Police Scotland’s efforts to ensure that a resilient and responsive C3 service is maintained and is accessible to all. Emergency calls must clearly take precedence over the reporting of potential criminal incidents. Police Scotland has been very clear that 101 is a non-emergency number. Callers are advised to phone 999 if the incident that they are reporting is escalating into an emergency situation.
Police Scotland’s contact assessment model ensures that resources are deployed to where they are needed most and that people receive the support required. We expect the record investment in policing to support effective, accessible services for the public and to ensure that communities continue to receive the prompt and reliable policing response that they deserve.
According to the latest survey in May, the average time to answer a 101 call was 10 minutes and 3 seconds, and the longest wait time was 1 hour and 33 minutes. We know from the debate on the matter in the previous session that many callers give up long before that. Does the cabinet secretary agree that putting extra resource into the service must be a priority, so as to take pressure off the 999 service and emergency response?
The data that I have before me, from March 2026, shows that the average wait time was 7 minutes, 52 seconds. While they are on hold for non-emergency calls, people are given alternative routes through which they can report issues. Katy Clark suggests that people are giving up but, in actual fact, they may be taking up those options and finding other ways to get in touch with the police.
As I said in response to Ms Haughey, I say to Ms Clark that we expect the resources that we are putting in place for Police Scotland to ensure the resilient and responsive service that meets people’s needs. That is an expectation that we will carry, with Police Scotland.
That concludes justice portfolio questions.
Health and Care
The next portfolio is health and care. I remind members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question.
Thrombectomy Service
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards delivering a fully operational 24/7 thrombectomy service with national coverage, including how the service will reach rural Scotland. (S7O-00078)
We want people to be able to access thrombectomy treatment across Scotland, no matter where they live. That is why, in our election manifesto, we committed to providing a further £25 million, on top of the more than £51 million that we have already invested, to deliver a 24/7 thrombectomy service with national coverage. We have now commissioned Public Services Delivery Scotland to work with national health service boards to develop detailed resource and cost modelling for a 24/7 thrombectomy service.
Each year, more than 11,000 people have a stroke, yet only 2 per cent of them receive a thrombectomy—the very treatment that could prevent lifelong disability. Right now, there is a clear and unacceptable inequality across the service, and my constituents in Galloway and West Dumfries are paying the price. They have no direct access and must rely on transfer to Glasgow, where, in reality, the service is restricted to weekdays for access to referrals, the last procedure is at around 5 pm and there is no service at all on Sundays. The consequence is stark: if someone in Galloway has a stroke in the early evening, they are in effect denied that life-changing treatment. Outcomes for my constituents are being determined not by clinical need but by geography and the clock. That cannot be justified. What will the minister do, and when will she do it, to end that inequality?
We have already provided funding for thrombectomy nurses in spoke sites to maximise the access to thrombectomy. NHS Dumfries and Galloway received £115,936 in 2025-26. Evidence from stroke services suggests that those hyperacute stroke nursing roles are already having a positive impact on the delivery of acute and hyperacute stroke care. We have funded an education package to help staff in general practices, emergency departments and the Scottish Ambulance Service to recognise stroke symptoms. In 2025, more than 1,600 NHS staff attended those education sessions. We are also procuring a national artificial intelligence solution for NHS Scotland to help all NHS boards to identify rapidly those patients who would benefit from thrombectomy.
As I said in my earlier answer, we are still committed to having a 24/7 thrombectomy service and Public Services Delivery Scotland is working with NHS boards to establish fully the resource that is required to deliver that. Once that has been established, we will work at pace to develop a delivery plan with timescales for service expansion.
In my constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, patients must travel to the mainland to access thrombectomy services. The procedure is time sensitive, so early intervention is critical. However, weather, the availability of aircraft and other factors can influence how quickly patients can be transferred to mainland hospitals. Does the minister agree that the distances that are involved and the uncontrollable factors for island patients heighten risk and make it even more important that services are available 24/7?
I recognise the issues that Donald MacKinnon describes, not least because I, too, represent the area that he represents and I come from a rural part of the Highlands.
We are working hard to improve the identification of those patients who would benefit from thrombectomy. The issue then becomes about how we quickly transfer them to areas where the thrombectomy service is available. Thirdly, we must make sure that that service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are working on all those issues to maximise the opportunities for that transformative care to happen all over Scotland.
Planned Housing Growth (Primary Care Service Demand)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that national health service boards take account of planned housing growth when assessing future demand for general practitioner, dental and other primary care services. (S7O-00079)
Integration authorities, which include representatives of NHS boards and local authorities, are responsible for the strategic planning and investment in the delivery of integrated adult health and social care services in their areas. Therefore, integration authorities and not ministers are responsible for how they take account of planned housing growth when assessing future demand for general practice, dental and other primary care services.
In growing communities such as Monifieth, the issue is often not the approval for the houses but the lag before the health services adjust to the new population. I appreciate what the cabinet secretary said, but will the Scottish Government look at how the data on housing consents could be used more consistently by NHS boards to identify which practices are more likely to come under pressure in relation to GPs, dental services and community health teams?
Public Health Scotland is currently working on revised guidance and an associated data set to support integration authorities and partners to improve population needs assessment to plan service provision. However, as I stated, it is for integration authorities, using their knowledge of their areas and circumstances, to take account of how data on housing consents can be used more consistently to identify which primary care and community health teams are likely to come under pressure.
Furthermore, under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, local development plans must take account of the health needs of the population of the district and the likely effects that the use of land for development will have, and there are underpinning regulations that state that health boards have a duty to co-operate on the preparation of such plans.
It has been estimated that, over the past 10 years, NHS Lothian has lost out on more than £200 million of public funding under the Scottish Government’s NHS Scotland resource allocation committee funding formula. Given that the area has the fastest-growing population in the country, that is totally unsustainable. Is the cabinet secretary willing to chair a cross-party meeting to discuss how the situation can be addressed during this session of Parliament?
I am happy to discuss the matter further with Mr Briggs. I believe that we have a meeting arranged in the not-too-distant future. I am aware that a number of factors underpin NRAC funding, just as I am aware of the population growth across the Lothians region, not least in my constituency.
Careful consideration must be given to the fact that any changes would not necessarily have the impact that Mr Briggs desires. There is an underlying complexity when it comes to NRAC funding, but I am happy to discuss the matter further with him.
Thousands of houses will be built in Edinburgh and the Lothians over the next decade, which will add to the pressure on health services. Will the Scottish Government listen to doctors and patients and change planning law to require property developers to help to fund and build GP surgeries as part of large developments?
As I said in my answer to Lloyd Melville, health boards and local authorities have clear responsibilities with regard to planning. However, I will look at the detail of and give further consideration to Mr Ahmed’s specific ask.
Orkney Health and Social Care Services (Staff Recruitment and Retention)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address workforce planning challenges in staff recruitment and retention for health and social care services in Orkney. (S7O-00080)
Health and social care workforce planning and service delivery are the responsibility of the health board, the integration joint board and the local authority. However, we remain committed to working with island communities to strengthen the resilience of health and social care services. The service renewal framework highlights the challenges of increasing demand and the opportunities of system and service reform, including new approaches to health workforce planning.
Officials meet relevant partners in Orkney on a regular basis and the most recent meeting, which was on 28 May this year, focused on adult social care. More widely, our national islands plan and the action plan to address depopulation support broader actions to support sustainable rural and island communities, with health and social care being integral to that work.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that acknowledgement and commitment. Despite local recruitment initiatives, Orkney health and care still faces long-standing vacancies and significant reliance on agency staff. With an ageing population, demand will only rise, yet it is expected that health and care will bear the brunt of efforts to close the £5 billion gap in Scotland’s public finances by 2030.
Does the cabinet secretary accept that Orkney faces particularly acute workforce challenges? What specific measures will the Government take to help Orkney health and care to build a sustainable local workforce for the long term?
I am very conscious that the differing landscapes of Scotland’s communities deepen some of the challenges, not least in and around adult social care. As I intimated, my officials have had discussions with Stephen Brown, the chief officer of the Orkney integration joint board, in which a range of challenges were discussed. I know that the vacancy rate in Orkney is higher than the national average, although the numbers of national health service staff and social care staff have increased and the spend on agency staff has decreased. Nonetheless, there are particular challenges for the area that Mr McArthur represents.
The Government’s commitment to the next phase of the adult social care displaced workers scheme, which we have committed to relaunch within the first 100 days of this Government, is also important. That is one of the issues that my officials discussed with Mr Brown when they last met.
Neonatal Care (Reorganisation)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its plan to reorganise neonatal care across Scotland, in light of reports that it could result in the downgrading of essential units, including the service at Ninewells hospital. (S7O-00081)
I want to reassure families that we are making that change for the very best reason: to save babies’ lives. The evidence is clear that the outcomes for the smallest and sickest babies will be improved by the change. The outcomes for those babies are best in units with a high throughput of cases, where support services such as surgery and cardiac care are co-located.
The change brings Scotland into line with existing neonatal intensive care service models across the UK. It will affect a very small number of babies—those born at less than 27 weeks’ gestation, those weighing less than 800g, and the very sickest babies, who need multiple complex life support or surgery.
To put that in context, around 470 babies are admitted to neonatal care in Ninewells every year. The change will affect about 10 of those babies, who will be moved to be cared for in one of the three specialist units until they are fit to return to Ninewells.
I must be absolutely clear: the vast majority of sick babies will continue to be cared for in their local neonatal units.
Last week, I received correspondence from Lauren Bruce, a mum from Blairgowrie, whose daughter, Grace, suffered a rare stroke shortly after birth at Ninewells hospital. Her concern is that, under the current plan to downgrade the neonatal intensive care unit there, a baby with that condition would be moved two hours away from their family—a journey that Lauren fears that her daughter would not have survived.
This week, Lauren wrote to the First Minister, saying:
“What concerns me most is the number of parents who have shared their stories, pleading with you and the Scottish Government to withdraw this proposal. Families have laid bare some of the most frightening, personal and traumatic moments of their lives in the hope that their voices will finally be heard. Yet there is a growing fear that these experiences will simply be acknowledged and ignored.”
What assurance can the minister give to my constituent that her concern will not be realised?
The first thing to say is that the vast majority of babies who need additional care after birth will continue to get that care in their local area. The intention with the new model of care is that mothers in suspected extreme pre-term labour—those mums who are expected to give birth before 27 weeks—are transferred before they give birth, when the baby is in utero, to maternity units in the hospitals that have neonatal intensive care units.
It is recognised that it will not always be possible to transfer mothers before they give birth. In those cases, our Scottish specialist transport and retrieval service—ScotSTAR—teams will transfer those babies in specialist ambulances that are equipped to care for neonates, as has been the established practice for many years.
Babies who receive care in one of the three intensive care units in Scotland will be transferred back to their local neonatal unit for ongoing care as soon as possible.
The report “The Best Start—A Five-year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland” recommended developing three to five neonatal intensive care units, yet the Scottish Government has agreed to reduce the number to three. Aside from the impact at Ninewells, that will result in the downgrading of the award-winning Wishaw neonatal unit. We also know that the lack of capacity in Glasgow means that mums and the very sickest babies may have to travel hundreds of miles to Aberdeen. That simply cannot be right.
Will the minister look at that issue again, in the interests of mothers and babies, rethink the downgrade of the Wishaw neonatal unit and consider whether it is possible to have more than three intensive care units?
I am more than happy to discuss that issue with Jackie Baillie and other interested representatives. Jackie Baillie will understand that I am new to my role. My understanding is that the initial recommendation was to move to five units, then to three.
The change is already under way. In the east of the country, Fife babies already go to Edinburgh to receive that level of care; in the west, Ayrshire babies go to Glasgow. The next phase will take on board the learning from those initial pathways before we move on. I am more than happy to work with local members on that. However, as I understand it—I must be absolutely clear—the recommendation was for three units nationally, and that is about saving babies’ lives.
I ask for succinct questions and answers, if possible.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Referrals)
I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I was employed by Scottish Autism until 8 May.
CAMHS is a specialist service for children and young people who have acute mental health needs, and referrals are based on clinical judgment. Although referrals are sometimes not accepted, that does not mean that support is not available. In line with the national CAMHS specification, if a referral is not accepted, the individual must be sensitively signposted to appropriate services, including community-based provision.
We are working with health boards to understand the causes of the rates of non-accepted referrals, ensuring compliance with the specification and delivering timely access to appropriate alternative support.
A common reason for referral to CAMHS is for neurodevelopmental assessment. Combined neurodevelopmental pathways have been trialled as part of the Scottish strategy for autism, which ended in 2021. Subsequently, there have been pilots of neuroaffirmative diagnosis services in the third sector, and we have had concrete proposals from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland on how we can create better capacity in the system. When will families be able to access consistent and effective neurodevelopmental assessment and support, wherever they live in Scotland, without fear of being turned away?
Joe Long will understand that we are continuing to work with national health service boards, local authorities, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the third sector and other delivery partners to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and adults.
CAMHS is not the correct service for children who seek a diagnosis for a neurodevelopmental condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, unless they have a co-existing mental health condition. For many young people, it is more likely that placement on to an ND pathway will ensure that the right help and support is provided. That approach is intended to ensure that young people who need support for their mental health from CAMHS are able to receive it in a timely manner and that specialist neurodevelopmental support is available whenever it is needed.
The design and management of those services is for individual health boards to decide, and each health board will have its own arrangements in place, and relationships with local partners. However, I expect those to be designed and addressed to ensure that children receive as quickly as possible the right specialist support for their particular needs.
ME and Long Covid (Specialist Clinics)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of people diagnosed with ME and long Covid and recognising that early diagnosis and appropriate care can improve outcomes for recovery or long-term disability, whether it will commit to providing ring-fenced funds to set up specialist clinics staffed by either a nurse practitioner or medical staff in each national health service board area. (S7O-00083)
We recognise the significant impact that ME and long Covid can have on the lives of those who are affected. We are providing £4.5 million of recurrent funding to national health service boards to support them to deliver specialist support for long Covid, ME and similar conditions.
For example, in the member’s region, the funding is supporting the delivery of NHS Forth Valley’s post-acute infection syndrome service and development of the board’s regional partnership with NHS Borders, NHS Fife and NHS Lothian, which will provide a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach to support those with complex needs.
Although the configuration of services and staffing composition is a matter for NHS boards, we have been clear that we expect services to follow relevant clinical guidance, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance for those with ME and long Covid.
The ME Association estimates that more than 100,000 people in Scotland have ME or long Covid. Approximately 80 per cent of them are women, and most are of working age.
That £4.5 million, although welcome, equates to £40 per person for conditions that are often lifelong and cost the country huge amounts in revenue and care, but the costs to the individual affected are incalculable. In line with the Scottish Government’s wish to move towards prevention or early care, which will lead to better outcomes, will the cabinet secretary meet me and ME Action Scotland to discuss what measures could be taken now to alleviate people’s suffering?
I am always happy to meet stakeholders to discuss specifics. I am also aware that the member spoke of the impact of ME during her first speech in the Parliament.
One of the benefits of providing recurring resource is that it enables health boards to develop sustainable support and also helps with the retention and recruitment of skilled staff.
The former Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health wrote to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on the subject in October last year. That letter was 40 pages long and spoke about future plans for boards to enhance the support and services that they provide. I am happy to supply that letter to the member for her interest.
Integration Joint Boards (Finances)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Accounts Commission's report on integration joint boards finances, which highlighted a projected funding gap of £457 million in 2024-25, what urgent action it will take to ensure that health and social care services are protected, and that patients and service users do not experience any reduction in the quality or accessibility of care. (S7O-00084)
The 2026-27 Scottish budget provides almost £22.5 billion of investment in health and social care services, which exceeds consequentials and provides a real-terms uplift to enable more sustainable and resilient services. That includes almost £2.3 billion for social care and integration, which is an increase of more than £1.3 billion since 2021.
We recognise the financial pressures that the health and social care sector faces. Through the service renewal framework, we are taking bold and ambitious action to reform and renew our health and care system, in line with our vision in which people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
With respect, that does not satisfy the requirements of councils, which have to provide the funding right now.
In 2023, the Scottish Government took a decision to claw back £331 million of ring-fenced Covid-19 reserves from IJBs.
During the past few weeks, the Scottish National Party has been very good at playing the victim with respect to its chief executive’s embezzlement of £400,000 of ring-fenced referendum campaign money. Will the cabinet secretary agree with me that the real victims of the financial mismanagement by the Scottish National Party are the unwell, the vulnerable, the elderly and the disabled, who are dependent on services that are provided by health boards? Will the cabinet secretary seek emergency funding to fill the funding gap that the Scottish Government has created?
Perhaps I should rather diplomatically remind members that Mr Smith and his party have a history of calling for budgets to be cut and for tax to be cut. I also point out to the member that, under this Government, there have been real-terms increases in health and local government funding, which is a significant funding package.
If I recall correctly, the Accounts Commission report acknowledged the increase in funding that integration joint boards receive, but it also pointed to the increase in the cost of delivering services. In my view, the underpinning reason for that is austerity, Brexit and the cost of living crisis. We certainly need to do things differently, but austerity, Brexit and the cost of living crisis demonstrate that Westminster never works for Scotland.
We are very tight for time. I hope to get through all the questions, so it would be helpful if we could have shorter questions and answers.
University Hospital Monklands
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on NHS Lanarkshire’s plans for the new University hospital Monklands. (S7O-00085)
The 2026-27 budget confirmed the Scottish Government’s continued support for the development of the business case for the Monklands replacement project. The Scottish Government is clear that a new Monklands hospital will be delivered, but, equally, we must ensure that the various assurance processes and value-for-money conditions are met. I will, of course, keep the member updated on any developments. My officials continue to engage with NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Assure on the NHS Scotland design assessment process and key-stage assurance review.
I welcomed the news late last year that the board of NHS Lanarkshire had approved the full business case for the new University hospital Monklands. Along with Neil Gray and others, I have been on site to observe the preparatory work and to hear from the team about future construction plans. Will the cabinet secretary provide me and my constituents with any further clarity on when the Government intends to give this vital project the green light, and if there are any difficulties or roadblocks in the way, will she outline what those might be and how they might be overcome?
I very much appreciate the member’s championing of his local hospital and his local communities, and that of course also applies to other Lanarkshire MSPs.
As I intimated in my original answer to Mr MacGregor, a range of assurance processes still have to be completed. The provision of an effective and sustainable health service will be at the heart of decisions about Monklands hospital. It is a commitment that is located in the infrastructure development plan and in the Scottish National Party manifesto. I will keep to my word and keep members updated, because I recognise the importance of the issue.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason people on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde waiting list for ADHD assessments are reportedly being informed that their expected waiting times have been extended beyond those previously communicated. (S7O-00086)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it is prioritising diagnostic assessments based on patient safety and risk, due to significant increasing demand for neurodevelopmental diagnosis. That means that some patients are waiting longer than was initially expected for diagnostic assessments, which is being proactively communicated to them.
The Scottish Government continues to work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, health boards, local authorities, the third sector and other delivery partners to improve access to neurodevelopmental support. Last year, we provided more than £2.9 million of additional funding to support several projects, including supplementing health board diagnostic assessment capacity.
This is my third attempt to get an answer—the minister might have given it, but I want to see whether I have understood it. A couple of my constituents were referred for neurodevelopment assessment in July 2023, after completing the questionnaire. They were both told that there would be an 18-month wait. They were not told that they would be triaged in any way, but when they inquired back, they were told that it would be another two years, so at the moment, there is a four-year wait.
Is the minister saying that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has told her that it is now prioritising the issue? It has not communicated that to patients. I hope that the minister agrees that that is completely unacceptable, because we have young people aged between 19 and 25 whose lives are on hold because they cannot get proper communication about when they will get an assessment.
As I understand it, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in response to increasing demand for neurodevelopmental diagnosis, has introduced a triaging system. That means that it recognises that some people are waiting longer than they were initially told for their assessments and is proactively communicating to them that they are waiting longer. I will go back and check the quality of the board’s communications to see whether it is giving an adequate explanation.
NHS Appointments and Procedures
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its 2025 pledge to provide 150,000 additional national health service appointments and procedures. (S7O-00087)
Through our operational improvement plan, we committed to delivering an additional 150,000 national health service appointments and procedures, and I am pleased to confirm that we have exceeded that target. Public Health Scotland data shows that more than 168,000 additional appointments and procedures were delivered last year and that, since July 2025, waits of more than a year for new out-patient appointments have fallen by 76 per cent and in-patient and day-case waits of more than a year have almost halved.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s response. I am proud that the Scottish National Party Government is committed to renewing and investing in our health service, and it is clear that our NHS is turning a corner. Can the cabinet secretary advise of further work that the Scottish Government is undertaking to build on that progress, in particular within the first 100 days of the current session of Parliament, to ensure that patients are receiving treatment as soon as possible?
Our first 100 days are focused on removing barriers early in the session, alongside bringing forward a national plan to improve hospital flow, recognising that pressures across the system can impact on planned care delivery.
We will also expand access by opening five more walk-in services to make it easier for people to get timely care when they need it while easing pressure on general practitioner surgeries. Taken together, those actions will reduce delays and ensure that more people receive treatment sooner.
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